COSMIC WONDER Light Source 2011 A/W

COSMIC WONDER Light Source is a fashion project launched back in 2007 from COSMIC WONDER, a conceptual project initiated by an artist Yukinori Maeda in order to shelter and initiate various creative activities such as artworks, fashion & lifestyle, and book & music publishing.


Now, about the collection, I am not crazy about the whole collection but some pieces are definitely unique and interesting to look at.  These are few of my favourites :

My favourite look from the whole collection

Personal note :  I don't think they did a good job on making / matching the shoes with the collection.  I think more rugged & outdoor looking shoes would have been a better match.  Anything other than round & smooth lace-up derbys.

Landmarks & Lions : Madison iPhone case

Currently, I am using a rubbery, ping pong themed, iPhone4 case from the Incase, however I have always kept my eyes open for a nice leather case and Madison iPhone case from Landmarks & Lions looks promising.  They are $59 each.

Another sad news

I have just heard a tragic news about the death of Gérald Genta, a legendary watch designer who designed Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet and Nautilus for Patek Philippe.  What a loss.

"YOU'RE THE ONES"

I came across this blog that shares a nice thoughts on Steve Jobs and his charismatic leadership.  Written by Marc Hedlund.

In 1999, I think right after the iMac came out in a range of colors, I happened to sit in on an internal meeting at Apple, one in a large theater filled with employees. Steve Jobs came out and the whole theater burst into applause, and the clapping went on for minutes, with people standing and cheering.  The success of the iMac was just becoming evident – the first act of Steve's big return, leading from there to what Apple is now.

Steve let the applause go on for a little bit, then, with much effort, settled down the crowd. When things got quiet, the first thing he said was: "That's an awful lot of applause considering that you guys are the ones who do all the work."

Everyone leapt to their feet and applauded again for several minutes more, this time with Steve egging them on, applauding each other as a team.

That moment has since defined what I think about as leadership. I'd have to think that however wistful Steve is about leaving Apple today, there must be some part of him looking at the incredible company he's built, and thinking to himself about today's news, that's a lot of applause considering that you're the ones who do the work. He'd be right to say that, but he's the leader, and I have always admired that more than any other quality for which he's praised.

Take care, Steve, I wish you all the best.

What an amazing person to work for...  I feel extremely lucky that I lived, used and experienced most of his innovative ideas and products that he created.  

:-(

Unfortunately, that day has come :-(

I feel like I am going to cry.

Junya Watanabe MAN x Tricker's for 2011 S/S

Damn it... I think I made a mistake of not buying these.  
I've got to make a short trip to Jermyn Street to ask if they can bespoke a pair for me.

L'Amour Fou : Film about Yves Saint Laurent

I don't know why but I felt tranquil sadness throughout the whole film, and it peaked in the part where all the art collection had been cleared out from their house in order to be auctioned off.  

BALMAIN A/W 2011

My origin and strengths lies within the timeless classic menswear based on traditional tailoring, and yes, I still believe that men should be stylish, rather than fashionable.  That is why I never imagined myself putting on any clothes from Balmain, which is exactly the opposite of what/where I truly come from.  However, the brand is really growing on me, mainly due to the close friend who is a big fan of Balmain.  I love the colours applied on the knitwears and the seasonal illustration.  I personally get that 'Native-American (Indian...I know it's a wrong term)' with a wild wolf image, which I really like.  Just love the way it is illustrated.


These are some of my favourites from the collection.

The colour is amazing and button-less feature will help to create a unique silhouette.

ETRO : Colour Splatter Belt

This suede belt from Etro is a good way to add a little dash of colours into your outfit.

Coca Cola 125th Anniversary

It is 125th anniversary of the American cola company with world's most valuable brand value & logo.  The first place could have been replaced by other brands like...Apple and Google but nevertheless it is 'the' iconic American company of all times.

Above is series of Anniversary Edition cola cans created by a Serbian packaging designer Peter Gregson, using the vintage advertisement elements from the 1920s through 1930s.  Some of them make me think they are tomato drinks but I quite like the designs.

I ♥ Andy Warhol

I would like to buy this if it's out for sale!

Skyliners in Paris

This is just *OoC & **OtT.

* Out of Control
** Over the Top

Junya Watanabe MAN x Tricker's for 2012 S/S

I feel like I am going to get sick for not having these right now.  

Perfect Summer Watch

I am very positive, that all the watch lovers at one point or another, thought about this.  A watch that is perfect for summer weather.  In many occasions, metal looks bit too clunky and leather will soak up sweat and become stinky.  And NO, I did not forget about the Swatch.  They are just too 'plastic' & 'rubber' for me.  Well, if you still cannot come up with something, how about a vintage watch made in a year that is meaningful to you (perhaps your birth year?) with a vivid nylon strap that can match your colourful summer casuals?  

If you visit Burlington Arcade in London, there are many vintage watch sellers who categorised and displayed the watches by different years.  The price seems bit high but I am sure you can negotiate.  There are also few numbers of vintage watch sellers in large antique market called Grays, on Davies Street, nearby the Bond Street Tube Station.

$3,600 from Park & Bond

Georg Jensen's Koppel 317 and 318 with nylon NATO straps look quite promising as well.

Watch = $1,195  Strap = $65 from Georg Jensen

Timex watches for J.Crew, also comes in with some affordable strap options

Watch = $150 with a strap, Strap = $20

Hermès : Craftsmanship

I just love watching things like this, how a beautiful object is being handmade.
Carefully observe how stitchings were done at the end.  It is a craftsmanship at its finest.

This explains why they are expensive.

JEANSHOP : Cowboy leather shirts

I once saw a beautiful leather shirt from the Liberty in London, hanging on a wall, but due to the closing time of the world famous department store, my enquiry for the brand name & price was utterly shot down by the busy, ready-to-go-home, sales staff, and of course on my next visit, it was already gone.  And today, while I was browsing Mr. Porter, I came across these two nice leather shirts from a brand called, Jeanshop.  I am not sure if the one I originally saw from the Liberty was from Jeanshop, but these look nice.

I also found an interesting fact about cowboy shirts.  Mr.Porter displays in their Style Facts column that, "The snaps fastenings on a cowboy shirt were implemented so that, should a bull's horns get snagged on the shirt, he could 'pop' out of it easily to escape."  Well, I really don't think anyone who buy these shirts will just pop out and abandon the shirt but...good to know ;-)

The Brand New Player : PARK & BOND

Recently, I browse fashion online etailers' websites on a daily basis.  I usually start my daily routine surfing, starting from Mr.Porter then move on to LuisViaRoma, Barney's and so on.  But now, there is one more player to bookmark and this one is looking rather good, offering numerous designers with some interesting offerings on vintage watches.  However, PARK & BOND isn't something new, in fact, it is a Mr. Porter knock off with similar suggestions and offerings, which I don't blame them for.  I personally think Mr. Porter is actually THAT good.  There is one feature that stands out and actually stands above even Mr. Porter, which is the "How to wear it" function.  PARK & BOND suggests not 1 but 2 different looks, both created by the item you have clicked on.  Apparently, it is still in a beta status and hopefully we can see some more originality in the future.

Is it better than the others?  I don't know but I must say, I am glad to see another etailer where I can go and check for my sizes.  PARK & BOND

Why do people wear expensive watches?

Here is why.

UNDERCOVER clutch

This is 3rd (or 4th?) season that Undercover is using 'cat prints' to create t-shirt and accessories.  Last season's pouch with a cat print was so popular, that it was all sold out in a blink of an eye!  This season they created similar style accessories, but with more luxurious flow using real cowhide and rabbit fur.  

I think it will be a great accessory for the ladies.

COLLARFUL

Up until few months ago, I thought the accessories were strictly for women, and men should do no such a thing.  I still do believe that no men should 'accessorise' themselves enough to put the emphasis on the accessories rather than well...himself, but having a very close friend who has good eyes for unique accessories, I too, began my own experiment.  Nothing too eye catching but something subtle to go with the flow of the season.  Anyways, enough with the reason to keep my eyes open for interesting accessories...


While I was surfing the net, I came across some unique and interesting accessory designed and made in New York by two young female designers, Linh Thi Do and Christine Rhee of Eleven Objects.