Bainser - Menswear Style Blog

Jimmy Choo // AW12 // P*rno Camo

If you’ve even the most passing interest in menswear, and you checked out the photos of Pitti then the explosion of camo as a trend can not have escaped your attention. Now I don’t know what it is about the current economic woes or more that seems to be making editors and tastemakers flock to this, but I’m loving it. Is it a desire to hide away? Or perhaps an attempt to butch it up and tough it all out like a brave little soldier? Who knows?

Jimmy Choo for Autumn Winter is certainly embracing it, with Bond-esque pinup silhouettes in varying shades of olive, and chocolate making a print that is likely to get you noticed. It covers shoes, bags, wallets and scarves. I love it! 

But what of the rest of the collection? Well every range has grown or been tweaked. With core ranges evolving and shapes being nudged a bit more rounded here, a tassel removed there, it’s without a doubt still an exciting range before you even get into any kind of naked lady camouflage. With printed ponyskin, mixes of flannels and fabrics, and more I really loved the collection. 

Now I wont lie to you and say I’d buy it all, frankly there is no way I would have the nerve to attempt the Jimi Hendrix inspired python looks. This isn’t that I don’t love them, far from it, I’m just not brave enough. You however should be. No really you should, the boots are fantastic! 

I am a complete lover of quality craftsmanship and having felt the suede on the below shoe I’m in love! I also adore how is coloured on the inside and therefore the seams. Brilliant way of adding a flash of bright to a winter look. 

There is of course more, so much more to the range, trainers, biker boots (also having major wants for these!) bags (the lust level goes without saying on these). The fact the lovely ladies at Jimmy Choo furnished me with coffee on a freezing Milano day did nothing to dissuade me of course, but I really can not wait for these to drop in store. And as for the scarf well it’s been a long time a naked lady was drapped around my neck if I’m honest but for Jimmy I’ll make an exception. 

Adam Kimmel // Autumn Winter 2012 // Paris

I want these braces! 

Source: Ten Magazine Tumblr

Photographer: Jason Lloyd-Evans

La Bella Estate // Dolce & Gabbana // Party

Having loved the show in the afternoon, I headed out into Milano for a bit of a wander. If I can say so myself due to the taxi strike I was becoming a bit of afficionado when it comes to the Milanese transport system (by the way a sign for an ATM is not what you think, it is in fact a ticket office). So with that in mind and knowing I had a few hours to kill before the party I checked out the very gorgeous cathedral. 

Subtle isn’t she? Obviously I love it. But what I love even more are the covered shopping galleries just out of shot to the left. The architecture of Milan is beautiful. From Centrale station (STUNNING & HUGE!!) to the more modern buildings near Garibaldi station and much more in between. 

It’s all quiet expensive here, the teeny hot chocolate I had on the Sunday cost €7 but was totally worth it. A bit more wandering and a delicious plate of pasta later and I headed back to the hotel (this time by tram) to get ready for the party. 

Decked out in a vintage dress jacket, dress shirt and my trusty Nudie jeans I helped myself to the as per norm overpriced mini bar for you know some dutch courage. The lovely lady beside is Marta from Maire Claire in Milan (apparently after several glasses of vino I can network!). Ready to go I braved the cold and somehow managed to grab a cab, arriving at the party moments after Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana themselves, and Anna Dello Russo. Slowly making my way upstairs I enjoyed took in the beautiful surroundings of the store, check out the chandelier above.

The party was to celebrate not just the afternoons show (again bravo!) but the beautiful work of Mariano Vivanco who shot the summer campaign. La Bella Estate of course means the beautiful summer and check out the images. If that isnt a beautiful summer I dont know what is. 

I just love this whole campaign, it’s the essence of Italian family, and used the wonderful cast of Terra Firma a wonderful film. Having the shots blown up and all around the party was a great touch. Seeing everyone interract with them and discuss them was great. My favourite shot is beyond a doubt this one: 

As the evening began to get going I chatted with Jeremy Langmead and the rest of the always delightful Mr Porter crew, before heading downstairs to watch the Swide produced making of film that accompanies the campaign. 

Even the best things come to an end, and we a few of us were lucky enough to jump into a taxi to Gold. Here more cocktails were consumed, nibbles nibbled & Celebs spotted (Mr Gandy, Tinie Tempah), before we, (being the stylish and witty Leroy, Camille & Lisa fellow Londoners), once again jumped in a cab. I had such a great time with these three that we will no doubt be raising the roof in London sometime soon.

This time we were off to Plastic. Basically the most random and phenomenal club I have been to in a long time. My love may be slightly enhanced by the fact we were with Dolce & Gabbana and as such ushered straight through the fifty strong crowd baying to get in. It really does help when Mr Gabbana is with you. 

A couple more drinks were had, there was some dancing to interesting Italian tunes I had never heard before. It was beyond busy, so much so that Stefano even decided to give a quick hand serving behind the bar. 

But all good things come to an end and about 4am it was time to call it a night. The taxi strike now over we all made our way to our beds to get ready for another day on the run around Milan.  A truly great night so thank you very much Dolce & Gabbana! Not to mention an invitation to return in June. I’ll be there without a shadow of a doubt. Oh and London Fashion Week, the gauntlet has been laid down…can you top this? 

Dolce & Gabbana // Autumn Winter 2012 // Milan Fashion Week

Normally I get to review collections from afar. Admiring the skill and the craftsmanship through my laptop. But not this season. Nope this season I was sat block C seat 570 as the cavalcade of models stormed the Dolce & Gabbana runway. Now I could play it all cool. Be all nonchalant about the whole event, and act as though this was a regular occurrence for me. But it’s not so I won’t. 

When you get an email from one of the major fashion houses in the world asking if you’ll be attending their menswear show, well it would be downright rude to say no. So after a hunt round the internet flights were booked, the hotel was booked, the taxi to the airport was booked and I sat like a small child before Christmas counting down the days. Totally cool! So blasé about the whole event. Nonchalant even. Then the alarm didn’t go off, then my flight was delayed, the concierge feigned any knowledge of my tickets, AND boom Milan has a wildcat taxi strike. Nonchalance flew out the wind faster than I could sprint through the Milanese metro. 

I of course need not have worried, despite be scheduled to start at 2pm, Zegna had started late and as such so would Dolce & Gabbana. My baroque framed invite was scanned, I was pointed to my seat, helped myself to a glass of lovely champagne from the model waiters in pristine tailcoats and sat down. Soaking in the atmosphere, we were in the opera and waiting for the curtain to rise. The FROW included the likes of David Gandy, Tim Blanks, Anna Piaggi and Milan Vukmirovic. The lights dimmed, the velvet curtains pulled back and a veritable torrent of men paraded in front of my eyes. 

At first I tried to take photos, but not having a decent DSLR they’re a bit rubbish (see below), then I tried tweeting, then I returned to pen and paper. The collection was breath taking. The music from the Marriage of Figaro swept through the Metropole, taking us back home to the family. Sicilian capes and baker boy hats thundered past, flannels and astrakhan collars all looked beautiful. This collection was certainly a consolidation of the teams skill. Tampering the more outlandish elements of the now retired D&G label into something more refined, into beautiful silk pajamas. There was very little if anything I did not want for myself.  This did nothing to hurt the brand as a whole and I think this will be a great launch from here on out.  

Oh and as for the finale, there is definitely something to be said for having that many models storm past you. Though even I had trouble finding where to look! 

Above Photo Credit: Style.com 

Then we have my photos…. I really need a better camera!

Champagne? Yes thank you!

The cavalcade of beauty! 

Pitti // Accessories // WANT!!!!

GQ like any decent men’s magazine is currently deep in Pitti. They’ve found this bag, I am now debating exactly how low I’m willing to let my morals slip to obtain said item. People who know me, know they dont have far to fall anyway, I’m not sure whether this makes the bag easier or harder to get. 

gqfashion:

Coolest dopp kit in the world? From @brooksbrothers black fleece - SH (Taken with instagram)

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