Fashion Time + shopping
and the mediocre accessories commonly peddled in airports around the world.Ricardo Tisci has spearheaded the fashion house's turnaround into one that is progressive, current, and most of all, relevant. A look at Givenchy's men's accessories for fall/winter 2009 proves the point.These duffels are near-perfect to me; they tick all the boxes: roomy, unstructured, and with an option to be carried hand-held or cross-body. The front pocket is a plus, too. The blue-and-black and the black patent versions do make a statement, but the versions in all-black leather might just be the bag you'll love to use forever.I still am quite unsure about the man-hobo; there's something in the way hobos are carried on the shoulder that comes across as awkward on a man. (In terms of form, a tote may be perceived as feminine, but the manner of carrying a tote, especially a large one, isn't very much different from carrying a piece of luggage, e.g. an overnight bag.)These hobos though, with their interesting extra-deep shape, and the strap along the sides that may allow one to carry them knapsack-style, force me to rethink my views on hobos for men. Perhaps someday? I never say never.
I'm always on the hunt for a good pair of "statement" shoes and over the years I've learned that versatility has got to be considered in purchasing shoes as an investment, for what good is a pair of ridiculously beautiful shoes if you can only wear them with a couple of outfits in your closet?I believe these bandage-strap and leather hybrid shoes tread the fine line between beauty and practicality: the sober colors and pretty much conventional shape make them work with a variety of different outfits, and the addition of the bandage-straps provide textural interest that would prove to be more intriguing upon close inspection (not to mention the subversive touch of BDSM). The zippered backs are a fresh touch, I've never seen them on lace-ups before.And if you want to take the concept of "statement shoe" a little further, here are boot versions, and lace-ups in what seems to be glitter-mottled leather. They somewhat remind me of a pair of degrade-embroidered Raf Simons shoes I saw at Colette recently:Raf Simons Spring 09 black and white embroidered laceups
The way the threads are embroidered to this effect is eerie, almost haunting, and I would've really wanted them, save for the exorbitant price of EUR 830. Sorry Ricardo, Raf beat you on this one.
Two more bags in quilted vinyl:And a couple of pairs of clever gloves infused with details borrowed from womenswear (corsetry and fishnets):So much to buy, so little cash. Now if I can only get to finally sell that bag...*photos from ModeMan
2009-04-20