Luca Luca FW 2011

To be honest, I'm really new to small fashion labels. I cannot exactly about every fashion label around world, and to say the least in New York. A lot of brands are new to me, but I love making research about them, taking in more information about then and get to know them more, because that's what fashion is about. It's about to know your fashion history, to know the labels, to know the designers, etc. But you're not screwed if you don't know, just do some research and you're done.

I didn't know about Luca Luca until today, but I did some research and found that the designer behind Luca Luca is Luca Orlandi and what I saw today from his collection was amazing.

For FW 2011, he's doing color-blocking with colors such as orange, olive, red and a dark shadow of pink. He's also doing chiffon, and oh how I love chiffon dresses. I don't know why, but I'm in love with the flowiness of the material. It flows in a perfect way, but still its chic and beautiful. But Luca is not just for chiffon, he's doing other material as well, such as lace, lacquer and fur.

Even if he's doing color-blocking, there are a lot of grey and black in his collection, and I love that grey knee-lenght fur that came down the runway in the beginning. What I also loved was the pleating he had done on the knee-lenght flannel skirts in white and grey. He also did beautiful pattern in some of his dresses.

However, in some looks I can see Chanel, for one example is that silver jacket with a high collar that has this amazing embroidery on the collar, shoulders and in the front from top of the jacket down to the knees. It's an amazing piece, but Chanel, hey!?

Overall, it looked expensive (and that is the key word when it comes to Luca Luca), chic, beautiful and very feminine. One thing about me is that I love black and dark colors and when I see that they put colors on the runway for FW 2011, I really love it. It's like a light in the dark fall/winter-depression season.
- Daoud. B

For more pictures, visit Style.com

Luca Luca FW 2011 - NYFW

Mara Hoffman FW 2011

Mara Hoffman, such an amazin designer. What should I call her, print-master, knitting guru or just a plaitwoman? I don't know actually. In New York this season she put on an exhibition to show her collection for FW 2011. I loved it.

She used a beautiful color-palette for FW and such amazing patterns. She said to Erin Jeen, that she was inspired by the desert and you could actually breathe in the desert feeling of the collection. All was set so beautifully with the styling, the african inspired jewelleries and the maxi dresses. The prints made me going crazy about the collection. It felt so bohemic-chic when I saw the dresses, the trousers, the oversized maxi dresses, the jewellery.

She also had plaiting details on the dresses, which you could see was beautifully made. You could also recognize some neon-colors, really oversized maxi dresses perfect for a sunny day when you just want to wear something comfortable and practical.

The FW factor was not there, but if I am realistic, she got the inspiration from the desert where it's hot 365 days a year. However she had some amazing, more for the coldness, rough knittings in the collection for FW 2011.

For me to see this collection, I was blown away directly. Loved everything that had with collection to do.

To look at more photos, just click you in at Erin Jeens page.
- Daoud. B

Mara Hoffman FW 2011 - NYFW

Richard Chai Love FW 2011

Richard Chai was this asian guy helping launching Marc by Marc Jacob. He made it to top 10 CFDA/Vogue Fashion fund Awards in 2008. Four seasons ago he launched his own line, Richard Chai Love collection.

He showed his FW 2011 collection (fourth Love collection) in New York this season. You could hardly miss the grey tone, the tweed coats and the flowiness of both the trousers and long skirts. He had a very feminine silhoutte overall, but still some pieces who came down the runway had a masculine touch on it. The models came down the runway with oversized jackets, trousers under the skirts (making it feel like we're going back in time) and coats/jackets on coats/jackets.

From wide pants, the collection did a 180° and turned into a collection with enormous tight maxi dresses and then again in some more comfortable and loose dresses with patterns in a shade of purple.

As I love New York and the style overthere, I can say that some of the pieces in this collection looked cheap, not well-executed and not so innovative and creative for that matter. As an established designer in New York, I think it was an ok collection, not his worst though.
- Daoud. B

For more pictures, visit Style.com

Richard Chai Love FW 2011 - NYFW

BCBG Max Azria FW 2011

Ok, so lets start with BCBG Max Azria who showed its collection during the first day of NYFW. BCBG Max Azria keeps designing in a minimalistic style for the FW 2011 collection. It's all about a clean silhouette, color-blocking and layering. Down the runway came these beautiful women in some clean silk and chiffon dresses in different colors. Max Azria designed for the California girl with a lot of flowiness put into the pieces so it could look both chic and effortless.

Not much of a FW collection I should say, but under the dresses were these thin white turtleneck bodysuits and these slim belts low on the hips making the proportion of the the pieces more natural since the dresses were in knee-lenght.

The hair was backslicked and in a small ponytail making the natural makeuped face to come out a little more. To keep the cold outside, don't worry, there were some camel coats a la Chloé in the collection.

My personal opinion in this case will be that it looked old but still modern. I personally hate the thin belts on the low hips, because it makes one look much older, but on the other hand I love earth colors and that was almost the whole color-palette Max Azria used in his collection for FW 2011. It looked comfortable but still fashion.
- Daoud.B

For more pictures, visit Style.com

BCBG Max Azria FW 2011 - NYFW

Lady GaGa - Born This Way

A lot of things has happened since I did my last blog update. I really suck on updating my blog, I know, and actually I have no reason for not updating, because all I do when I'm online, is to read blogs and updating facebook. With other words ... not much!

Anyway, Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Stockholm has passed, Rookie Fashion show has passed, we're also in the middle of New York Fashion Week and for two days ago Lady Gaga came out with her all new single "Born This Way".

I've really looked forward for the moment when the single "Born this way" would hit the internet, all because of Gaga herself was nagging on her Monsterball tour about the new upcoming single "Born this way" and her upcoming record "Born This Way".

I don't know if many of you guys know that I'm an ultra big gagafan and that I saw her five times performing live. I love Lady Gaga, she is such a great artist, performer and (don't kill me when I say this) role model. She stands for herself and for other people. She believes in justice and in equality and that is what her new single is all about.

When I heard it, she blew me away. I was waiting on a new "bad romance"-sound but this sounded just so crazy. She had turned 180 degrees with her new single. She had totally changed the guidelines. But this proves that Lady Gaga can just change it and it still sounds perfectly.

"Born This Way" is a happy song and has a strong lyric. Just listen and take in all the meaning behind the song.

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'Cause you were born this way, baby

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

"There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are"
She said, "'Cause He made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up, girl and you you'll go far,
Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Ooo, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooo, there ain't other way
Baby, I was born-
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be!

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (hey, hey, hey)
I love my life, I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah (Love needs faith)

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Ooo, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way

Baby, I was born this way
Ooo, there ain't other way
Baby, I was born-
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be!

Don't be drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way

No matter gay, straight or bi
Lesbian, transgendered life
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white or beige
Chola or orient made
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to be brave

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Ooo, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooo, there ain't other way
Baby, I was born-
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

I was born this way, hey!
I was born this wayy, hey!
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, hey!

I was born this way, hey!
I was born this way, hey!
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, hey!

Stockholm Fashion Week

Stockholm Fashion Week starts tomorrow and I'm so excited. There are a lot of Swedish and Scandinavien brands, such as Whyred, Boomerang, Ida Sjöstedt, DAGMAR and Filippa K, showing their AW 2011 collection during these three days in Stockholm and it's such an opportunity for them to show up at fashionweek.

Personally I love Swedish brands for their minimalistic and sort of elegant style. It's not a lot of detailing like Milan and Paris but still it's trendy. Perhaps it can sometimes become boring. A lot of Swedish people are aware of what they put on and how they dress, I almost think Swedish people are one of the best dressed people around the world.

However, SFW is coming up and it's my duty to inform you guys about what's happening in the fashion world here in Sweden. We're starting up with Ida Sjöstedt tomorrow morning.

See you soon!

John Galliano Menswear FW 2011/2012

I love watching John Galliano's fashion shows because of the creativity he really puts into the clothes. He always tells a story (like many other fashion shows as well, but he somehow makes it better than others). It really don't depend if he's designing for men or females, it's always extremely, big and creative. I don't know if it's because of Galliano's craziness or something else, but I enjoy watching it and taking in every single detail he puts on.

Galliano's menswear really looks like a fall/winter collection. There is this Russian man with very warm clothing who is emigrating from Russia. He's taking all he owns with him in big trunks. He is wearing enourmous big fur hats, massive coats to survive the russian cold winter, with socks and boots. This man looks cheap and poor, but he is extremely concious about what he is wearing, he is the Russian dandy. Every detail is carefully organized, he is fashionable and has a strong personality.

During his emigration (he is emigrating to warmer countries) he becames more sofisticated and androgynous with his hair growing and cut like a maleversion of Anna Wintours bob (ofc little bit shorter) and with structured and unstructured coats. Not only does he wear slimfit pantsuits, but he also wears feminine scarfs in different colors. This man emigrates more and more to warmer latitudes where his clothing is becoming more and more naked. He now travels with tightly body stockings with a lot of layering such as leg warmers and leggings. You can see on his chest that even thought he's poorly dressed, he is sweating.

The last part of his emigration, he's is walking in the rich countries of the middle east, where he's turning into some bohemic man with a lot of gold, bright colors such as purple and orange and he's also wearing turbans in various colors. The winered velvet jacket with the wide belt is one of my favourite piece in his collection. This man has made an impressive migration. He began his emigration like a Russian man and ended up looking like Aladin.

Do I have to say that I admire John Galliano's piece of work - I don't think so. I love his design, his creative mind and he as a person. It's obviously that some of these pieces will not work in the daily life, but in the end, it's always about telling a story and be so creative you can be. It's called the art of clothes. Clothes expresses more than just material, shape and color. It expresses a person with a story to tell. That's why I love provocative and creative designer's such as Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, John Galliano, etc etc. It's fashion baby, whether you like it or not.

John Galliano - FW 2011/2012 - Menswear PFW

Thierry Mugler Menswear FW 2011/2012 - by Nicola Formicetti

Something big happened last year with the brand Thierry Mugler. Lady Gagas private stylist and best friend, Nicola Formichetti, became the new Creative Director for the brand in September last year. Nicola, which is one of my favourite stylist (not only because he's LGs stylist and that I love and admire that beauty) because of his sense of style, his thinking, his possesion of avant-gardism etc.

Nicola Formichetti is not only CD for Thierry Mugler and LGs stylist, he has worked a lot for magazines and several brands such as Alexander McQueen. He is also Fashion Director for Vogue Hommes Japan. He's such a worker and he does it really good and artistic and that is one reason of many I admire that guy.

However, Nicola showed his first collection yesterday in Paris, during the first day of Paris Fashion Week FW 2011 Menswear.

Thierry Mugler has always been about something abnormal, strange but at the same time wearable. Almost avant-garde, and for those of you who has followed me, knows that I love when it's really creative, provocative and avant-garde.

Nicola has designed a very dark colored collection with some influences of orange, blue, white, khaki, beige and grey in it. He has used a lot of detailing such as the zippers on the jackets, the edge cutting on the tops making them seem like two pieces and creates an illusion of layering (and in case someone has forgotten, I'm all into layering, and especielly when it comes to black on black), the mixing of fabrics and material that creates different types of shapes and pattern on the coats and jackets.

Nicola's man is this young edgy man, not afraid of showing who he is to people on the street. He desses often in his own way, very alternative, but still sofisticated. He wants to make a statement and the same time show his personality through his clothes.

I loved the trousers with the leather details on and the oversized jackets. I also liked the shoes, but I was not so quite into the screaming orange suit that came down the runway. I HATED the plastic blue coat(?) raincoat(?) whatever. I thought it was just to much, but that's what Thierry Mugler is all about sometimes.

This collection was raw, edgy and very dark. Nicola created a beautiful first collection, but now comes the RTW for women, so I hope we'll see some damn strong pieces on the catwalk of Thierry Mugler in Paris, during PFW in the early of March.

Something interesting about the final walkthrough was the Gaga soundtrack that was playing. It's not just a remix, it's a remix of her new song "Born This Way"!!! She sang in german what I could understand and I was speechless. It was adoreable, but not surprising (because of the collaboration Gaga-Formichetti).

Thierry Mugler Menswear FW 2011/2012 - By Nicola Formichetti

Burberry Prorsum Menswear FW 2011/2012

Burberry Prorsum Menswear FW 2011/2012 - MilanFashionWeek

It's already fashionmonths, and it's insane how fast it goes, it's like MilanFashionWeek Menswear DAY TWO already!

Well well well, Christopher Bailey is still growing in my eyes. Bailey showed his Burberry Prorsum menswear collection during day one in Milan (yesterday) and we can thank god that no one of the models fell during the show ... but yeah right, they were wearing flats all of them this time.

What's Burberry Prorsum menswear FW 2011/2012 all about? For me it was about colorblocking, especially when I think of the duffle coats, peacoats and the jackets that were shown yesterday. The models came down the runway wearing red, navy green, navy blue, just ordinary blue and orange coats. There was duffle coats, peacoats, double breasted coats, coats with caps ... some of them were body-shaped and the others were not shaped at all ... but all of them had very simple silhouettes.

However, the show went on and the models showed some hideous coats made of plastic (read: garbage) material. I was like, ok the show started good and then this came? What the hell Bailey? What went wrong? Ok, lets face it, the coats were awful ... but there was just two of them, so it was ok. Then the models came down the runway wearing base-colored coats, some of them were detailed with fur and some of the them with leather. Some had both these details in it and I really loved these coats. They were beautifully cut and detailed. There was a black peacoat with black leather details on the top of the coat, OMG, I want that coat so badly I could almost jump into my screen and steal it from the runway.

After like 8 minutes of coats - bags - trousers - shoes, you want to see more of what to wear on the top, under the coat. That was something disappointing about the collection. Christopher Bailey had designed a lot of coats, bags (some of them looked the same), trousers (very ordinary thought) and shoes, but forgotten to show some topwear. But finally, after 8 minutes of waiting one knitted sweater with fur details came down the runway and then again duffles and peacoats in beige and black detailed with dalmatian look-a-like fur.

I was not into the shoes so much, but the bags, I really loved the brown leather, kind of vintage, bags. It would suit me perfectly. So, Bailey, if you read this, send me one please!

Burberry Prorsum are always over the top, it's livestreamed, a lot of well-known faces and icons. Of course Christopher Bailey wants a grand finale. That was one the most amazing ends I have seen. The models came down the runway in their latest outfits wearing a raincoat over it and then ... the rain started to pour down the runway ... it was amazing ... and I really enjoyed it.

Emanuell Alt - The New Editor-In-Chief

The head of Condé Nast revealed three days ago that it's Emanuell Alt that will take over Carine Roitfeld as Editor-in-chief for French Vogue. Carine Roitfeld's name will for the last time (can't say ever) be featured at the masthead of French Vogue in March. Then we will see Emanuell Alt named as Editor-in-chief.

I don't actually know what to say. I knew it would be Emanuell Alt after all. She has worked beside Carine Roitfeld in ten years at French Vogue, so it wasn't a surprise and honestly I think she's the perfect person to get the leading position of all candidates. She's a professional and hard working woman ... and she's ultra gorgeous from what I've seen her wear.

She is so CHIC!