Parte 2 - An Aussie in Europe

Paris is known throughout the world to be one of the most beautiful cities with its undeniable charm and impressively detailed buildings. The fairy tale tree-lined avenues and parks, bistros and cafes, are a spectacular back drop for emerging talent and fashionistas to contrast against. An hour and half flight from Milan and I landed in the epicenter of the fashion world, Paris. 

Photographer: Irina Krupovich

It wasn't long until I spotted my first blogger having their photoshoot  on a well known Paris corner. Fashion is everywhere in Paris and you can see why it is the fashion capital of the world and why It is instagram worthy. The city exhales chic style and it flows through the city just like the water in the Seine.

On the streets heading to my first show at Hotel D’Evreux for the Fashion Week Studio presentation, I had my first taste of the Parisian street style. The below zero temperatures influenced lots of layering and statement outerwear, with a focus on coats that resembled doona covers and plenty of lens grabbing furry textiles.

The designer presentations held by Fashion Week Studio were a throwback to the more intimate elegant showroom presentations of yesteryear with elegant gold chairs, high ceilings and romantic decor in the picturesque historical plaza. A true Parisian fantasy of allowing the audience to be up close with the designs and study them in a personal setting. The designer showcase suited perfectly to the location and I must commend the organisers for creating a fantastic program that really did compliment each designer.

Nathanaelle Couture, an Italian fashion designer born in Belgium but based out of Los Angeles displayed an elegant and glamourous collection worthy of any red carpet with flowing hemlines and delicate embellishments. One of my favourites was a full length long sleeve pink number with high neckline. Pure talent. Her ability to work with delicate fabrics in to create such feminine silhouettes is a true skill that will surely have women beating on her door.

Supplied: Nathanaelle Couture

Miriam Budet was another notable standout with her ability her ability to combine colors, prints and textures that attract the eye. She definitely is a designer after my own heart with her unapologetic bold style that is so pleasing and refreshing to this Aussie's eye. 

Tuileries gardens was energetic setting for Premiere Classe and Paris Sur Mode trade shows that showcases high-quality and high-end jewelry, footwear, leather goods and many accessory designers (you can never have enough accessories) and labels that are chosen for their originality and creativity. Noteworthy was Trisha Paterson who produces limited edition dresses (who wants something that a thousand other people have?). Trisha designs her creations in Paris and uses the finest materials whilst having the Italian eye for quality craftsmanship which creates a unique blend between the Italian and Parisian fashion cultures resulting in fabulous exclusive designs.

Trisha and her models

Oxford Fashion Studio was presenting collections by independent designers at Le Grand Hotel Paris. The standout from this show, besides the beautiful room was Esha Sethi Thirani whose collection was outstanding in design concept, theatrical appearance and quality. Its female power driven ensembles with masucline and feminine details was pure art and fantasy yet totally wearable. Round of applause for this highly sophisticated collection. Yasmeen Jiaw deserves a notable mention for her feminine display that I could see on many a woman. Especially her lovely pieces involving capes! Equally Marisa P Clark displayed a mature collection that would fetch well with the late 20's to early 40's crowd with a mix of fashionable suits and flirty individual pieces in wonderful colours. Oxford Fashion Studio should be commended for their event planning and sharing the creative designers with the fashion pack not only in Paris but all over the globe. What a fantastic initiative to support emerging talent. 

Image supplied

Venturing back to Tuileries gardens to the captivating Paris sur mode trade show. I do adore a runway but there is something to be said meeting with designers and representatives from brands who will take the time to speak with you. A fine example was a lovely artisan, Krasnova Modiste who creates amazingly chic beautiful hats all crafted by hand who works at her own atelier in Paris making bespoke millinery. Her graceful style is a throwback to the glamour of early Hollywood with statement accessories that wow and thrill. 

Milliner extraordinaire: Krasnova Modiste

Photo:Constant Leloup

Photo:Constant Leloup

Hat: Krasnova

The streets are filled with photographers trying to capture the street style. Both on duty and off duty around well known Paris monuments. The number of photographers who jump out from behind a barrier whilst you are shopping, leaving a cafe or lighting a cigarette is quite humorous. Always be camera ready when you are in Paris and be prepared to say Bonjour to a telescopic lens. 

Treading the pavement from show to show you did see mainstream "influencers" in attendance who are clearly paid to attend and wear their sponsored clothing. I have to admit I was more enthralled with the individuals who showcased their own personal style and by the time the week was up, I was considerably bored of seeing the same "influencers" mainly due the repetitive same look. I really do hope there is a shift from "influencers" to people who inspire with their diversity and style as there is plenty of inspiration on the street. The street style scene is morphing into gimmicks with twins, triplets and matchy matchy couples.

Most people think of French style as stripes, wearing a beret, oversized sunglasses, red lipstick, overalls and looking like a mime. This is the cliché and one that is rarely seen on the streets.

Breaking down the wardrobe rules of the French was considerably easier than the Italian counterparts. They have non! Everything they do is chic, if it is going to the laundromat, out for dinner, to a fashion show or riding the metro to go to work. These women and men radiate in their clothing. Dressing well is about feeling good in what they are wearing.

Like the Italians, they do not focus on tacky trends, they set them. A key difference I noticed between the two styles is whilst the Italians flaunt their figures, the French flatter. Either way, I appreciate that both styles empower and make the wearer feel good. 

What else makes you feel good in Paris? The shopping!!! Stay tuned for parte 3

The names FASH, GFASH. 00 STYLE.

Bond is a character every man aspires to be. Even if it is just in appearance. He is sharply dressed, wears well-cut, and sophisticated clothing, visits exotic beautiful locations and saves the world all whilst being a gentleman. When seeking dapper inspiration there is no finer example than 007.

Photographer: Irina Krupovich

With that inspiration in mind and an invite in hand to attend The Globe-Trotting PR, A Caring Experience at Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris, I chose to unleash my own 00 style but step away from the usual traditional tuxedo. I required something a little more lavish.

Photographer: Kseniakuznetsovaphotography

Times have changed and the velvet suit is no longer the armour reserved for Austin Powers to fight Doctor Evil or for the bunny partying late Hugh Hefner. Velvet is back, in all its plush luxurious glory, assuring refinement and elegance. Hence why it continues to take over my wardrobe. Velvet is ultra luxurious with its chic polished style and adds some serious grunt to an outfit with its subtle yet commanding presence.

Photographer: Irina Krupovich

A typical suit worn for work or less-formal events such as business meetings and attending weddings would not suffice for such an event, nor would off the rack. Having researched off the rack tuxedos from a number of Australian brands, I was told the suit would require multiple alterations to have it fit my frame perfectly. As my new year resolution is to shop smarter and better, I knew that I would not be happy wearing a suit that many other gents had, yet alone the cost involved of the suit and further costs for multiple alterations. For this occasion there was no other choice than to go bespoke, made to measure. It’s what Bond would do.

With this in mind it was an ideal choice for this very special event to visit The Spectre Collection prior to departing Melbourne to discuss the event, purpose of the event, who would be in attendance, and of course of my personality and style. With anything in my wardrobe it needs to suit(see what I did there)my personality.

Photographer: Irina Krupovich

The final product was absolutely outstanding and one of my favourite outfits I wore in Paris. The tailoring is exquisite for the modern guy with its subtle details in the lapel, pockets and don’t get me started on the lining. Small details make for simple classic elegance, which is what really defines a Bond look. A traditional tuxedo would feature a satin lapel and a stripe down the side seam of the pant. As much as I enjoy military details I wanted the luxurious modern blue and black plush fabric to speak for itself. 

Photographer: Kseniakuznetsovaphotography

Complimenting the suit, I had a custom made to measure shirt created, which I believe every gent should have in his wardrobe. You would assume incorrect if you thought this would hit your wallet hard. Truth is, custom made shirts are roughly the same price as quality made shirts hanging in most department stores around the country. I opted with further customisation with double cuffs, to show off suave cuff links of course. A classic white shirt is all a man truly needs and will always be a wise investment. 

Photographer: Kseniakuznetsovaphotography

A velvet suit is not traditional black tie, but who follows the rules these days? Tick the black tie dress code boxes by adding a bow tie for a more formal look. I opted for a black velvet bow tie that has been making a strong impact on menswear thanks to designers such as Tom Ford. However this suit would look equally as good with a traditional tie. 

Photographer: Kseniakuznetsovaphotography

When wearing such a suave suit you also need the appropriate footwear. Ticking more boxes like I did by opting for a black patent lace up. Just be sure to go up a size when first purchasing as patent rarely gives and moulds to your foot like normal leather does. As much as I love my patent shoes, I binned them after a few wears trotting around Paris due to them being ridiculously uncomfortable. 

I can hear your questions now. How and where would I wear such a suit? Traditionally a suave suit such as this should only be worn only after 7pm or to private and public dinners, events, balls, and parties where dress code is enforced. In my case A Caring Experience by le Monde de GHRIBI

Once again the suit can also be worn as two seperate pieces and down graded to smart casual attire. A good pair of dark tailored trousers or even dark denim jeans, open collar shirt, or no collar, all would be a great looks for dinner, dates or heading out to a bar. Obviously velvet shouldn’t be worn in summer but is perfect for blocking out the winter chills. 

So what are you waiting for? Unleash your inner 007 by giving your evening attire a lavish spin. Take a classic and make it your own.

PINK IN PARIS

Pink has been making its mark on menswear the last few seasons with a hue called Millennial Pink. People all over the globe have been embracing this colour, including men. Heard the term “Real men wear Pink”? The same could be said for double-breasted blazers. Once reserved for the older gent, they have had a resurgence in recent years with the youth. So what happens when you combine the two?

Personally I have been wearing pink forever as I find it modern and timeless. Although for my trip to Paris Fashion Week, I needed to update my wardrobe with a statement suit that was more sartorial than safe, so what better colour than Pink!

Trotting from catwalks to trade shows at Jardin des Tuilerie, the suit definitely made me feel like I was in Parisian movie, popping perfectly against the beautiful streets of Paris (you can see more of this on my instagram). It is sophisticated, chic and modern look whilst making me feel very suave as I strutted between Fashion Week locations.

Paris in winter is beautiful. Paris in winter, in Pink….even better. If you are looking for a colour to upgrade your wardrobe, then look no further than unleashing your personality with a bit of pink. But now you are probably thinking you can only wear this brave colour to a fancy occasion like fashion week? Insert buzzer sound here. I will come back to this after I consume a croissant.

Double-breasted blazers are best suited to leaner gents, (although it can still suit a bigger or wider man) or stick insects like myself who are tall and have long limbs as they create a silhouette that emphasises broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The same as tapered trouser works for lean legs. How do I know this?

Knowing how to dress in ways that flatter your body can help you confidently strut your stuff, which is where bespoke comes into play. With bespoke you are forced to take a good hard look at your features, like leg length, width of your shoulders, torso length, all of this is taken into account to build the perfect pattern for your body shape. Building the blocks and knowing what does and does not work for you ensures you feel comfortable and brings you confidence. Every person should experience bespoke just once so they can be educated on what works on their body. Real confidence comes with excepting your personal quirks, long limbs and all.

The team at The Spectre Collection worked with my long limbs on this delightful pink suit. They understood that I required something that was going to pop, that was classic yet still showcased personality. The team knew that I was attending fashion week in Europe and required a certain uniqueness and were very encouraging of creating something outside the box. I have had bespoke menswear before but never like this. It is wonderful to create items based on your personality and needs. The Spectre Collection will do anything for you. Your desires are their wish. My wish……….chic French piiiiiiink!

So back to ways to incorporate pink and double-breasted blazers into your existing wardrobe. This whole suit can still be worn casually (think a tee and some casual canvas shoes) and the trousers could be worn separately (think just a polo or shirt and some white kicks). The easiest way to dress down the double-breasted blazer is to wear it with chinos or some denim. The effect of the blazer is accentuated by pairing it with a simple chino, maybe in a navy or a boring beige.

For the cautious man, pink combines beautifully with navy, black and almost any neutral colour whilst still being daring and vibrant. For the extrovert (me) it combines wonderfully with brash oranges, bold red, deep plums and hues of yellow. A geometric print wouldn’t hurt your ensemble either, a combination of zebra or leopard. The possibilities are endless.

 

I have noticed the French do wear strong colours but tend to pick one or two shades rather than vibrant clashes. They really are the masters of "effortless" looks. A key lesson I have learnt in a short time observing the fashion pack on the streets of Paris, is that clothes don't have to be totally form-fitting. For someone who likes his clothes skin tight, it was refreshing to wear inspired pieces that oozed this chic French style.

Add a little sartorial elegance to your wardrobe, wear pink! Better still wear Pink in Paris.

Au revoir

Photographer: Irina Krupovich

LE INTRO: AN AUSSIE IN EUROPE

Being from the fashion capital of Australia, Melbourne, I have a lot of expectations when it comes to fashion events. Melbourne is known as the “fashion capital” and we expect a lot from runway line ups, style and lifestyle. But what will Milan and Paris be like?

The womans fashion shows are the most awaited moment of the international fashion system. In Milan I will be attending one of the most important prêt-à-porter trade shows The One Milano as well as numerous shows and party's. I am looking forward to seeing what is forcasted and will eventually land on Aussie shores in four or five seasons. 

The invites from wonderful brands and organisers have rolled in and my itinerary is looking very solid for Paris as well. Fashion is the love of my life and I am very much looking forward to sharing all this wonderful content with you all via Instagram and Facebook. 

Over the past 12 months I have spent a considerable amount of time attending fashion events across the land down under. Hordes of bloggers, influencers and wannabes present their best offerings in the hope of striking fame whilst attending these shows with no real interest in the fashion. Of course these events are made to showcase the designers talent and for the dedicated fashion addicts and junkies like myself who want to be inspired and fall in love with the creativity and beauty of creative clothing.

In one short week I will board the plane and venture to Milan and Paris for the first time for fashion week. I am beyond thrilled to see the difference between Australian street style and what appears to be effortless European chic, let alone the talent of the runways and at the trade shows. At present there is snow on the streets of Paris and Milan appears to be gearing up for a week of fabulous fashion. 

As an Aussie that has never been to Milan or Paris, I think my heart is going to melt at all the wonderful chic people and it will be an experience like no other. After all both cities are in the “Big 4”, the 4 biggest cities for fashion is the world. 

I have always wanted to visit Paris since I was a young boy and now this Aussie will finally be able to stand in front of the Eiffel tower and let out a tear of joy right in the middle of fashion week. I wonder how many Instagram posts will follow?

Most of the fashion shows in Australia tend to produce safe versions of well groomed and pruned ensembles ready for the everyday consumer offering not much inspiration. The flare for dramatics or igniting a point of difference is what I am looking forward to and the use of colour, prints, fabric, materials and silhouettes. And the people!

I always have an appreciation for the talent of up and coming designers as well as established brands and am I am super excited to visit a number of stores I have been referred to for shopping.  

I feel so inspired at a fashion show, from seeing someone’s creativity come to life, if it be hair and make-up, styling, modelling and or of course the clothes. The runway is electric with energy, the synergy of all the creative teams coming together in such a dynamic way, and I binge feed on it as it ignites desires and lust for what I see on the runway.

I fear that I will not want to return after gorging on all the wonderful activity. Can you imagine the shopping!

Better make some room in my suitcases.