guy’s stuff

chloë sevigny is having another moment. she had it once when she was spotted in new york and started modelling and interning with for kim gordon. she then launched her film career with boys don’t cry. after a bit of a lull she moved to the small screen with big love.

soon after she found herself the new face of a Chloé fragrance (the fashion label famous) and the once newyork “it-girl” was suddenly in again.

you rarely get that many chances to be “it”, but she’s done it over and over again.

this fall, she brings something strangely exciting to the menswear table.

her upcoming collaboration with opening ceremony is a bit of paradox. i like some pieces but really hate some pieces.

living in a perpetual summer, people often don’t understand my love for cold wear.

but to me, any anti-cold item is a symbol of a life different from this one.

whilst the hipster lowereastside look isnt something i completely embrace, chloë seems to subtly marry that into a collection that is at once traditional and exciting.

it almost makes me like the fair aisles print. (although to be honest i have a huge soft spot for christmas sweaters)

i have to say. the pieces have to be judged as a whole. otherwise the design aesthetic is a little underwhelming.

meaning look at the pieces in terms of a complete outfit rather than as individual style pieces.

but there is one particular item in this collaboration that excites me beyond excites.

this triumvirate fashion collaboration, between chloë, opening ceremony and classic footwear company bass , is pretty sweet. i think it summarizes the collection pretty well. a mix of alternate culture, fashion forwardness, and good old rugged americana.

plus these shoes are so cheap. i think they’re slated to be around USD $120. (i’m not sure though).

of course they’re limited so.

but seeing those shoes gave me the first fashion chills i’ve had in a long time.

a long time.

(photo credits: opening ceremony and men.style.com)

after sending out birthday invitations i’ve been asked all too many times what i want for my birthday.

truth is i’m very grateful to have who i have around for my birthday this year, as i was very prepared to have a non-celebration.

turning 20 is a scary thing. it’s the start of a new decade and a departure from youth. i have officially one month left of true teenhood.

i guess that’s why  i’ve had this strange obsession with youth and childhood lately. of being truly young.

a kidult.

The Phantom Tollbooth and Mathilda

these two books were my favourite books growing up. strangely, i’ve lost my copies of both these books. which might be a good thing because they were pretty weathered. i’ve gone through a bit of a book-rut recently, and have resorted to re-reading my harrypotters. so a return to my childhood would be much welcomed.

Dee & Ricky Lego Accessories
from USD$70
www.deeandricky.com

(heart brooch and bowtie clip from dee&ricky)

how much did we love lego as kids? seriously. this feature might be a little belated but i’ve had a deep appreciation for these much-hyped pieces for a long long while. from the heart brooch to the bowtie clip to the marcjacobs belts. too cool, too cute.

Black Tees
www.luisaviaroma.com

(black graphic tees by dior homme and kris van assche, left to right, from lusiaviaroma)

when i was a teenager, i was kinda fat. lol. it’s not something i’m ashamed of, rather it’s still part of who i am. which is why for much of my teenage years i wore nothing but black. to this day, i would say 50% of my wardrobe is still black. i love a good well-fitted black tee with a simple but sexy print. featured are 2 shirts from Dior Homme and Kris Van Assche (which technically are both by the same guy), but there are a million different tees which are equally cool. Passarella, House of Holland, Insight… just some of the more appreciative brands out there. i think they just have to be special. black tees can be forgettable, and it’s important that they not be.

Gucci Shirt
SGD $495

(zipper graphic shirt from gucci)

then the kidult was born. the printed shirts from Gucci’s most recent cruise line are pretty cool. this one features a zipper pattern which i think is just amazing. it comes in a darker colourway which is equally cool but very different. the new signature Tattoo print by Gucci which is incorporated in another shirt as well as a very cool windbreaker are also very fun additions to a wardrobe.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Piped Shorts
SGD $250

(marc jacobs resort 09 lookbook, featuring blue and brown shorts, left to right)

taken from marc’s marc by marc resort line, these lightweight twill shorts come in an array of colours. i die for the khaki brown and the blue (featured above). the piping on the side is a subtly interesting detail whilst the strange material (which must be some nylon cotton hybrid) is comfortable and very sexy. i’ve refrained from buying this shorts for a while only because i have too many, but i think the brown pair would make a great addition as a fun basic piece.

Lanvin Toe-Cap Sneaker
USD$630

(metal cap tennis sneaker from lanvin)

haha. okay. so i’ve been a bit of a lanvin lover lately. it’s late rebirth has been nothing short of spectacular and these shoes are so fucking sexy. the beige/gold colourway is super chic and the metal toe cap is super cool. it’s a grownup sneaker for the fashion forward. i’ve tried Pierre Hardy and i have a pair and i have to say they’re REALLY uncomfortable. i’ve done about 10min in the lanvin and they seem so much better. so. haha. the suede/metallic contrast is super cool.

so obviously a wishlist is just a wishlist. there are million things i’ve wanted over the course of my life, some of them are still listed in the archives of this blog (raf simons x eastpak denim bag/ paulsmith toothbrush/ hermes planner… lol). but they’re all just wishes. along with return tickets to newyork, more leave at work, a pack of american spirits (i miss those so bad).

i’m perfectly happy with the gifts i get every year. gifts which mean something and say something about our friendships and relationships. the shirts, the dvds, the cards.

cards are the best. a nice heartfelt message from the people you care for.

and with that i end this premature coming of age entry. i cannot wait for march to be over.

apologies for the lack of updates, it’s been a crazy time here at home so i’ve just really been caught up in the holidays (chinese new year on this island city) and totally neglecting both my professional life and this blog. haha.

a  grandiose entry soon on some pretty damn nice stuff.

but first.

one of my favourite shop interiors belongs to the ever chic Marni.

designed by UK-based design company Sybarite, every Marni store in the world follows a certain theme but still has an individual aesthetic to it.

the stores are all furnished with the signature metal work which i just die for. the metal frames are so sculptural and fluid it’s almost like having an art piece in the store itself.

the metalwork ties in cohesively with the organic feel of the Marni design aesthetic as well, evoking a sense of clean excitement.

that’s not to say that colour doesn’t play into the boutique design as well. sure, a lot of the Marni stores are mostly white with bright lights and metal; but some if not most play with colour as well to supplement the fun that goes into designing such a wonderful boutique.

(all images by Sybarite, featuring the Sydney and London boutique)

milan menswear fashion week may have just passed by in incredibly quick succession (4 days!) but it still had a lot to say.

if it’s anything we’ve learnt, it’s that there are hard times ahead.

(left to right : prada fw 09, bottega fw 09, burberry prorsum fw 09)

like i predicted in my “2008 in review” entry, blacks, greys and neutrals ruled the runway – painting a picture of sombre dedication and silent manhood. most designers tried to play with silhouettes or shapes or little details (prada’s cohesive collection, if a little basic, played with studded details). everything was meant to be more practical. all-purpose coats, self-shine shoes, work-to-play shirts. etc. such conflict and purpose within each item. i particularly love the oversized prada bag (featured above) which functions as a work-briefcase, a day bag and a travel bag all at once.

it’s what we probably would call “Recession Chic”. lots of things were really really cute, just not particularly exciting or dramatic. nothing opulent.

highlights for me begin with Alexander Mcqueen’s amazing victorian inspired collection.

(alexander mcqueen fw 09)

people often forget that mcqueen is one of the best tailors and patternmakers of the 21st century. this collection allowed him to express his avant-garde vision whilst remaining relevant and not-costumey. obviously if you wear and style these pieces the way they went down the runway you’d look a little crazed, but his pieces are still so mysteriously masculine. strangely seductive collection i must say. wearablity is questionable but still. fierce.

(jil sander fw 09)

i also give raf simons props for his Jil Sander collection. i always love the structured pieces of jil sander, the construction and minimalism is so beautiful and xyse. this time raf was really in his element. the colour hues he played with were still muted but well matched, such that the drama was present but not overwhelming. still sobriety was the backdrop of the ever minimalist brand.

(john richmond fw 09)

the john richmond collection was also very cool. he pretty much stayed to black and brown, but there was a glam-rock practicality to his designs. the aesthetic was very urban-harsh but the effect was still that the clothes were soft and accessible at the same time. i die for the coats.

the collection that really rebelled within the Recession Chic mode was Iceberg. iceberg has been around for years and it’s always marched to it’s own beat. this time, they played around with colour, particularly the colour (other than black,grey and neutrals) that seems to rule 2009. blue. prints were cartoony but very well designed. such a fun sensibility despite the overtones of black and grey.

(iceberg fw 09)

i love the kidult-esque outfits and the wonderful knitwear. which isn’t surprising since iceberg started out as a knitwear company before going fullon into fashion.

all in all though, fall/winter 09 doesn’t strike me as particularly fun. there are definitely classic pieces in the collection, but i love myself a little drama in what i wear. not over the top, but still a presence. but i guess fashion and the world can’t possibly accommodate the frivolous requests of man anymore. we have to wear what we wear because we have to wear it now. the utilitarian movement.

and we better be happy doing it.

the designer that perhaps best summed up fall/winter for men was Thom Browne. the american designer’s first time in milan saw him doing a collection-installation.

40 models. identical suits (very sexy. signature grey shrunken thom browne suits with a camel-toned overcoat). walk in. remove coats. sit. type.

go.

these bags are so amazingly chic.

birthed out of the final collaboration between raf simon and eastpak, these bags marry raf’s avant-garde minimalism with eastpak’s durablity and technical sensiblity.

(Large Hobo Bag, Backpack)

first, there is something to be said about denim this season. it’s big EVERYWHERE. traditionally on pants, shirts and jackets. but even better on bags, shoes, accessories and the like. i am seriously feeling these two bags. the leather and zip detail are so distinct yet aesthetic. amazing.

(Kit Bag, Hobo Bag)

and then there are the other bags. while i really dont like sheer bags (the Kit bag is made out of a fine mesh), it’s still very very cute with the leather, zip and metal detail.

i die for the blue hobo bag though. it is so handsome yet stylish at the same time. fashion forward yet practical. shoulder bags are my favourite because they normally are the bags u can dumb a lot of shit in.

all the bags from this collection are particularly slouchy and shapeless. yet there is such intention behind the structure and the construction is phenomenal. can’t wait to get a piece.

besides. after 3 seasons, it’s about time to celebrate this (finally?) successful collaboration. i mean. some of the pieces from previous seasons were not cute.

great way to start off a week though.

(all images by Oki-Ni featuring that awful model)

i’m a strong believer in less is more for jewellery on men.

the best accessory is really a good watch.

some guys pull off earstuds (notice. STUDS. not rings.)

some guys pull off bracelets.

a special necklace with religious significance can be kinda cool as well. that or subtle dogtags.

my cousin is actually one of the most accessorized individuals i know. he has a tongue stud, many ear studs and a lip ring. and he carries them all of perfectly. a lot of it is about style and personality as well.

what do your accessories say about you?

unfortunately, a lot of guys try too hard. look at any one of the guys in the early seasons of The Hills (i have succumbed to watching). wayyy too gangsta. it becomes pretentious. it’s really obvious when you clearly don’t believe in what you wear.

but this entry isn’t really about the jewellery items i love. rather. just a particular item that has caught some minor attention in the fashion world.

the spongebob collection by Russell Simmons x Nickelodeon x Viacom is really interesting. back when russell simmons and kimora lee were still together, they made these blinged out hellokitty accessories for girls and women and that was relatively successful. i doubt the success of this spongebob line will be particularly mind-blowing, but still

i love spongebob. and there is some class to this collection. some.

but, as karl lagerfeld recently said, bling is dead. and he really is right.

i am conflicted.

it’s been a while since a dedicated shoe entry.

i’ve always believed in retail therapy but lately all i feel like doing is buy shoes. i don’t know what it is.

but a budget for 09 has kept me from buying these amazing lanvin dress shoes. simply amazing.

but. oh well.

so today we’re doing lace-up sneakers. woots.

speaking of lanvin, i’ve previewed these Lanvin x Acne shoes before, but now they’re actually for sale and they are more amazing than i thought they could be. so so chic.

the leather detail is not super original, honestly everyone is dong it. from raf to pierre. but hey. the denim the denim the denim. it’s one thing to use denim in a shoe (pierre did it in a very recent season), but to use such fine denim such as Acne’s. magic.

also very cute are these Lacoste “Rene” shoes. named after the famed tennis player and founder of lacoste, these shoes come in blue, pink and yellow. but i die for these blue ones. even though neon is kinda last season, these babies are understated enough to be worn for a while to come.

another great collaboration are these Converse x Thom Browne shoes. i. love. these. i really really really really really really really really really really do. they are SOOO amazing. the print, the colours, the stitching. it’s an amazing clothe tennis shoe that Converse commissioned for their anniversary. ONLY 50 PAIRS. but at € 1183.11 w/o tax….. yeah. seriously.

on a related note, kanye west recently previewed a shoe he is due to debut in june as part of his Louis line for Louis Vuitton.

i have to say. not impressed.

a lot of people are giving him props because it’s a nice decent shoe. and it really is. it’s a boat shoe/sneaker hybrid with subtle detail and luxurious material. but it’s really not that amazing. like everything kanye does, it’s overhyped, overthought and ultimately disappointing (honestly. his concert?! his album?!).

i love the dude and his style is super fly, but he honestly needs to realize that great style doesn’t make a great designer. i’m not feeling the vision nor the design. at all.

then again, it’s not a clear photo and we haven’t seen a whole line. never judge a man by a single action but by the sum of his parts. so. we’ll see.

tshirts are such a male commodity because they are comfortable, practical, easy and pretty much convenient.

that said, there’s no need for “comfortable” or “convenient” to mean sloppy.

a great tee should be perfectly fitted and have a relevant design with a little bit of edge about them.

on this incredibly lazy/drained monday morning, i’ve sat here at work surfing 3 of my favourite online stores Matches, Oki-ni, and Oak NYC, and have come up with a list of pretty exciting and interesting tees.

Balenciaga Black Print Tee

This really simple but cute black tee from Balenciaga looks like what i’d call an ideal Night Shirt, or rather, a shirt you’d wear to club. made up of 100% cotton, the grey angular print is super interesting but subtle at the same time.

Yves Saint Laurent Glasses Tee

If you’re a true Yves Saint Laurent fan then you’ll love this one. while i don’t worship the brand the way i do others, Yves Saint Laurent the man is one of my fashion icons. his classic yet individual style is distinct yet respectable and super classy. this tee takes inspiration from his signature spectacles and because of its light blue base, it can probably be worn with just about any type of denim, from black to the many shades of blue to white.

Maison Martin Margiela Front Tee

This iconic Margiela tee made quite a splash in December, and rightfully so. It’s one of the better done BRAND shirts, which like a Band shirt, does nothing but promote the brand it represents. However, this shirt is well designed and the “M” graphic is both relevant and chic. whilst i’m not feeling the V-line very much, i understand why it had to go in that direction and still would really like this shirt (but probably only if i saw it on someone else). (except this model, who i really don’t like and just makes all these wonderful shirts look bad) (which is really a testament to how a great shirt can be lost on someone who clearly doesn’t believe in what he is wearing)

Passarella Death Squad American Flag Shirt

i LOVE passarella. they make the BEST tees. for real. they are a Parisian brand using 100% japanese cotton, and honestly i don’t know what that means other than that the shirts are super soft yet not sheer at all (which is a quality i always look for). but best of all, passarella shirts are always SUPERBLY fitted if you get them in the right size. this shirt looks kinda sloppy on this model but i think it’s because he’s 1) an awful model, 2) not asian. the thing is this shirt was meant to be worn by small skinny asian/french men. it really looks AMAZING in person, i have a couple of shirts and a really good friend of mine has several as well. we just can’t get enough. this shirt is taken from their new flag series using British, Japanese and American flags and their signature graphic underlay, this time using tastefully erotic models. a friend and i both wanted this particular shirt but in the end i settled on the japan one and let him have this shirt in white.

Oak Welcome to the Jungle Tee

There is really not much to be said about this shirt because it’s pretty self explanatory. simple graphic. 100% organic cotton. great cut. boom. i love it though. it’s very cute.

online shopping is really a very dangerous thing, so it’s good to have trusted brands in your arsenal so you don’t end up buying a shirt you regret. also buy from sites you trust not only because of fund transfers, but also because you want your shirts to come as soon as possible. Matches is awesome because it always has the latest stuff, Oki-ni has some really underground labels and Oak just has some really fresh and chic items. happy shopping!

as the holiday festivities overwhelm us, we often find ourselves so caught up with the false civilities and the tiresome hype. i’ve realized that the best way to get through this season is to try to appreciate the little things.

recently, i’ve noticed that the socks we wear say a lot about who we are. one of my closest friends has chosen not to wear socks unless absolutely necessary, signifying his brando/dean/too school for school-esque persona. yet a couple of my friends enjoy their white socks.

i have a HUGE problem with white socks. they should be worn only with a uniform, but otherwise they should be kept in storage and taken out only to make puppets with your kids.

my favourite socks are black or navy or brown, good strong solid colours which are versatile yet comfortable. that and my jackspade/paulsmith collection of socks which are basically multi-coloured striped socks that my friends have taken to calling the  “sexy socks”.

and now….

when i first heard of Happy Socks a couple of months ago, i kinda overlooked this Swedish brainchild. but after a recently shopping spree at www.oki-ni.com, i couldn’t help but be enamored by the literal rainbow of excitement offered by these humble socks.

the socks are all unisex (though i wouldnt recommend any guy to attempt wearing the polka dot series), and made of combed cotton. combed cotton is a lot softer than conventional cotton, yet it is also stronger and hardier. a mixture of precision machine techniques and hand-sewing ensures that the socks are well crafted and super-fitted.

these socks make great gifts and i think the best part about them is that they make such great little fashion victories. wear a simple white tee and blue jeans combo, but have these little babies underneath, and you’d still be feeling completely satisfied with the style piece of your outfit.

on a side note, for all those who are less inclined towards long socks and still insist on going sockless, i cannot stress how unhygienic this is. yes it is quite cool and sometimes super appropriate, but when you do need to wear socks, you really should.

the exposed ankle is the main reason why most of us go sockless, so wear ankle socks! marc jacobs makes the cutest black cashmere ankle socks at only USD$14 a pair so there’s no reason at all to not get them.

merry christmas and happy new year all.

i’ve been told i’m not an easy person to shop for.

this is a statement i completely do not understand.

i think i’m one of the easiest people to shop for because i love everything rather easily.

but when it comes to presents, i think the best presents are always

1) something personal

2) something unexpected

3) something indulgent.

i love presents which are things that i desperately want but would never buy for myself. like when my hairstylist and friend got me my very first y3 bag at 17.

after the past month of shopping, i have more or less covered all grounds of my desire. sure, there are a pair of shoes here and a shirt there and a pair of shorts somewhere else. but i’m contented and satisfied.

no okay. i lie. there is a pair of lanvin shoes i literally die for at the club21 men’s store but. (i’m a size 40/9, hehe.)

some of the best presents are really cool and quirky, and maybe these can give you ideas.

Paul Smith Toothbrush
USD $11, www.paulsmith.co.uk

i think these are so cute and so amazingly practical. throw out your lousy oral b toothbrushes or those battery operated ones and kick it old school with a designer toothbrush. best of all, these babies are priced at a super affordable USD$11. the Paul Smith store was on my new york agenda, but got lost along way.

Cook With Jamie
USD$28

Everybody needs to know how to do more than boil water in the kitchen. , and Jamie Oliver is really the best teacher. he is my favourite chef and i love trying out his recipes. his cookbooks are supremely easy to read and are genuinely engaging.

Cook With Jamie is both a practical present as well as a stylish addition to the kitchen.

Etro Wash Bag
£ 78.00, The Corner

wash bags are incredibly important in this day and age. what with no more liquids on board, we have much more impetus to keep our toiletries and necessities in a nice toiletry bag, and this etro one is both handsome and practical.

iPod Touch
SGD$388-$648, www.apple.com.sg

my best friend recently got himself a new iPod classic (32GB) and is super happy with his new music baby. i myself still use my iPhone as my music device, but as i realize i am down to my last GB of music space, i think it’s about time to move on. as much as i like the iPhone, i am genuinely leaning towards the Blackberry Bold. that said, the iPod is the BEST music device around and the only reason why i would go for an iPod touch (do at least 16GB) is because of the WIF connectivity. every morning when i wake up i use my iPhone to check my facebook and my mail. it really is the best thing.

go to apple.com and get them to engrave your friend’s name or something as a gift. very cool. otherwise an engraved ipod shuffle is pretty cool too.

Gucci Enamel Plaque Buckle Belt
USD$280, Gucci

my vintage black gucci belt recently expired after a very rough night out (don’t ask) and my pants now require constant fixing. i’ve grown very reliant on my belt the past 2 years and it’s “death” truly saddens me. now, on my hunt for the next belt, i’ve found this quite handsome gucci plaque belt. i think a belt should be non-flashy but still super stylish. i think the buckle is the most important and it should be understated but cool. the belt itself should always be black or brown leather, though i tend to lean towards black. crazy belt buckles was a very 90s thing, so please, don’t.

belts also make great gifts as they are like the new ties. every guy uses them (or should use them) and it is an easy enough item to purchase. most belts do come in waist sizes, but one can still roughly gauge anyway.

Hermes Leather Agenda
USD$350, Hermes

i love these. i think diaries are so important, even with the onset of technology and the multitude of options provided. i personally love writing down my appointments or jotting down random events, etc.

these gorgeous agendas are such a justified luxury with their calfskin leather and rich colours (my favourites being the deep blue and classic hermes orange). one would get so much mileage out of these agendas because you could use them for years. simply just purchase the refills (from USD$90).

Asus Bamboo Laptop

even though this laptop is still in concept and not for sale yet (we’re hoping next year), i die for it. it’s so good-looking and really is a fashion accessory in its own right. i really don’t even care about the laptop specs, but i hear it’s not too shabby either.

***

if you noticed though, i haven’t actually featured any clothing items on my wishlist per se, despite these items perhaps being some of my most coveted. simply because clothes in general make the best and worst gifts. between good friends, the right shirt in the right size would be such a moment. but if it is the wrong size it is both embarssing and rather sad.

in all honesty right now i’d love some cool fitted tees because i’ve just stocked up on dress shirts from newyork, and so i’d recommend ARC(Esplanade Mall, #02-10, pictured above) by the people who brought you Actually and Woonderland. i actually bought that exact kate moss shirt featured there in the front of the store, as well as a minature version of the original artwork that inspired that tee from when i was in london earlier this year.

(on a side note, i dont actually wear white but that shirt was just too cool to not have, especially since i actually have the artwork)

ARC brings in the most amazing tees which are wearable yet affordable fashion victories. like our Singaporean version of Seven (see new york post).

***

i hope this wishlist has helped you think about what to get some of the people in your life. when it comes to christmas, i always kinda know what to get the people i’m shopping for. if you force it, it will never come, so just look around and wait and see.

just remember that gifts, like the clothes you wear, should always mean something. it should have a message or a meaning between you and the recipient. it doesn’t have to be crazy expensive (like i know some of the things on this list are, haha, apologies), but it has to be special.

happy shopping!