Brad Pitt will be the new face of Chanel No. 5 this fall. But, like, why?
Australia's blossoming fashion industry is not the only export to grace the international runway. An old Aussie favourite is re-emerging from Australia's agricultural heartland: merino wool. Louise Willis explores Australia's booming merino industry and its resurgence in the international fashion market.
From canvas to powerhouse, the modelling landscape is evolving and it's up to the professionals to keep up. Alina Kulesh explores how Web 2.0 culture is equalizing the runway.
by Alina Kulesh
While Japanese brands such as nonnative, Sophnet and Neighborhood are quickly becoming well-known names in the North American apparel market, there are many more enigmatic collections out there to be found. One such collection is Gene by Yukio Mishiba. With all aspects of construction and design done in-house, Gene is a truly self-sustaining experiment in fashion design.
Only a month after Coachella 2012, an announcement for Coachella's multiple 2013 weekends is expected today. Over the years, Coachella's musical line-up has increasingly been accused of being too commercial. But fashion - not music - may actually be to blame for creating an illusory image of Coachella that has been mass-marketed to cool hunters looking to channel their inner hippies.
Mona is the Founder and CEO of Geeky Chic, Inc. and the Editor-in-Chief of her brainchild, The Genteel.
Paul Aguirre-Livingston writes The Genteel's Life, etc. column.
Irene Kim is a founder and COO of Geeky Chic, Inc. and Editor-at-Large of The Genteel.
Chere contributes lifestyle editorial to The Genteel from Paris.
David is an East to West coast Canadian currently skulking through the streets of Vancouver.
Karin reports from Toronto but travels extensively throughout the year.
Cristina reports for The Genteel from Rome. She is a professional freelance journalist with ten years of experience.
Endlessly spending her days in a state of awe with the world, Alina is a storyteller and avid listener.
Claudia Costa contributes to The Genteel from Maastricht, Netherlands.
Australia's blossoming fashion industry is not the only export to grace the international runway. An old Aussie favourite is re-emerging from Australia's agricultural heartland: merino wool. Louise Willis explores Australia's booming merino industry and its resurgence in the international fashion market.
While Japanese brands such as nonnative, Sophnet and Neighborhood are quickly becoming well-known names in the North American apparel market, there are many more enigmatic collections out there to be found. One such collection is Gene by Yukio Mishiba. With all aspects of construction and design done in-house, Gene is a truly self-sustaining experiment in fashion design.
Within the rarefied world of the luxury goods industry, Bernard Arnault is the single most influential taste maker. With a stable of over 60 prestigious brands including Givenchy, Bulgari, TAG Heuer and Dom Pérignon, LVMH is at the epicenter of the aspiration business. Behind all the champagne and diamonds, Arnault, the corporate virtuoso, has orchestrated some of fashion's most dramatic collaborations and corporate takeovers.
TORONTO - As 20-somethings, funds aren't always available to spend big at your favourite designer digs, making it difficult for women who want to keep their wardrobes up-to-date and de rigueur. Sabrina Nanji experiments with closet staples for the bargain-savvy, to get the most wear out of your gear.
With names such as Fred Astaire, Sir Winston Churchill and Elton John having previously visited Savile Row for its high-quality suits, the proposed opening of an Abercrombie & Fitch store along the same iconic stretch of London road was met with disdain by many well-dressed protesters last month.
Australian label Romance Was Born's comic book-inspired S/S 2012 collection surprises Louise Willis in its refinement and tailoring. Oh, and the explosion of eccentric clashes of colours, patterns and fabrics. BLAM! BOK! RWB! Romance Was Born emerged as the shining, multi-coloured star of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.
In her quest to know more about Thai contemporary art and acquire an education, Honora Shea visits Gallery VER, Bangkok's prevailing "alternative" art space.
The re-election of president Vladimir Putin in Russia has seen thousands of protestors hit the streets of Moscow; but it's not just "power in numbers" getting the message across. Cristina Fei investigates how the latest Russian demonstrations turned into a wider, more fashionable affair.
As a young fashion designer without formal design training, Rad Hourani defies established fashion traditions. Through his emphasis on unisex design and season-less collections, Hourani's recent runway shows have grabbed the eyes and wardrobes of many non-traditional fashion enthusiasts.
Charlotte Herrold speaks with Shelley Wickabrod, one of Toronto's best-loved designers from the 1980s, about her about life after loss, her new memoir, forging a career in fashion and her advice for industry hopefuls.
Cerulean blues, Carmine reds and Mulberry violets are making waves on catwalks around the world. But these are not your regular, run-of-the-mill blues and reds. These are colours born in nature and transformed into a work of art in the form of tribal textiles.
As social animals, human beings have a basic need for communication. But, what happens when this fundamental need is restricted, or even forbidden? Katarina Kuruc examines the powerful role of fashion and dress as vehicles of communication within the boundaries of the Iron Curtain when other forms of self-expression were limited.
Come late spring, Spaniards will again begin to queue up outside Antigua Casa Crespo, a shoe house in Madrid established in 1836, to replenish their stock of alpargatas. As sure as the Spanish summer sun burns, the tradition continues; just as it has for 150 years.
This year marks the fifth edition of Dublin's Better Fashion Week, one of the Irish capital's largest fashion events. The project brings ethics and sustainability to the forefront with a series of talks, presentations and films from April 23 to 30, 2012. The addition of the Better Fashion Shop for 2012 has provided the city with tangible proof that style and ethics do, in fact, go together.
It's been over twenty years since Dutch photographer Bertien van Manen first visited the remote regions of the former Soviet Union. Over a twenty year period, van Manen travelled extensively throughout Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Tatarstan, Siberia, Georgia and Ukraine, capturing the photographs that appear in her sublime new collection, Let's sit down before we go (2011).
At the end of 2011, IBM reintroduced the Hemline Index back onto the news agenda. Giving a 21st century twist to the original theory by adding a kinky mix of social media and high heels to the equation, IBM set about investigating the link between fashion trends and the underlying state of the economy. Andrew Adebowale attempts to separate fact from fiction on how fashion affects society's response to a changing economic environment.
Can art help troops overcome the trauma of war by creating a parallel dimension? Can it help make sense of reality, as if the world was being observed through a looking glass? To find out, Claudia Costa asked British illustrator Matthew Cook, a war artist during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts for The Times of London.
After centuries of living in nomadic poverty, women in the Persian Gulf have now become some of the world's biggest spenders on couture. This has influenced designers around the world, and raised some interesting questions in the process.
Ladies and gentlemen, glamour is served! There is a growing phenomenon in the fashion business, especially amongst the Italian fashion houses, of selling something intangible: glamorous experiences. But could ambitious brand extension result in market saturation and, inevitably, brand devaluation?
Wedding season has begun and brides are busy choosing their special look. Apart from the white dress and bouquet, headpieces have become increasingly popular, especially in the UK, Australia and America. Cristina Fei talks to Australian bridal and race-wear milliner Viktoria Novak about the social meaning behind the headpieces that have broken into the Australian fashion scene over the last twenty years.
Sweden is quickly becoming a new centre for fashion and design. With its style sensibility, expansive sales numbers, online atmosphere and celebrated stylists, the country is moving forward on all fronts.
The international fashion community has gradually come to realise the potential of the Indian luxury market, following the lead of some of the world's biggest fashion houses that have settled into the region effortlessly. But is India's popularised "potential" harboured from within the intricate economic and social fabric of contemporary India, or has it arisen from the Western money machine?
What would Pablo Picasso have thought of today's trends in design, fashion and art? Alina Kulesh dives into Picasso's past through the upcoming Art Gallery of Ontario exhibit, Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris, to construct his present identity.
The French Presidential election is reaching its apex, and France will soon choose her new Head of State and First Lady. For the occasion, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has undergone a fashion "make-under" in an attempt to sway voters. What does Bruni-Sarkozy's sudden championing of the ordinary housewife archetype say about the role of a First Lady?
Inside Budapest shop, Siberia, is a treasure trove of shoes, a Mecca for shoemakers and addicts across the globe.
When British rule ended in India, the people were elated at the prospect of independence. However, the British left lasting marks on the country, ones that can still be seen today. In south Mumbai, heritage structures remain prominent sights of historical nostalgia. As prominent as these buildings are, the stories they possess are equally bewitching.
The London 2012 Olympic and Para-Olympic Games are just around the corner. Andrew Adebowale explores how the Stella McCartney-designed Great Britain Olympic team strip has helped evolve the complex relationship between sport and fashion.
For the past decade, Western Australia has played host to a mining boom described by The New York Times as a feat of "resource production unrivaled since the great gold rushes of the 19th century." Through a concurrent fashion boom that is attracting both local talent and international luxury brands, Perth is seeking to redress its traditional image and challenge the cultural hegemony of its east coast rivals.
Every year, Maastricht welcomes art lovers and collectors from all over the world for TEFAF. Among one of the most renowned trade fairs in the field of art and antiques, the exhibition celebrated its silver jubilee at the end of March. Claudia Costa spent an afternoon at TEFAF to discover the event's charm and luxury.
We "roll up our sleeves" and put on our "thinking caps" when we have to work. Heads of households "wear the trousers" no matter what their style or gender, but can what we wear really affect what we do and how we think?
A welcome respite from the madness of Tokyo city streets, the restaurant Cocongo is a dream world of modernist primitivism. Conjured up by Chie and Makoto Kobayashi, Cocongo marries primitive and modern design for a result that is at one time arresting and at others inspirational.
As a child, Isabelle Choi practiced her drawings of Sailor Moon, but these days, she's translated her interest in the fashion world into beautiful fashion illustrations. Joel Yum sits down with Isabelle to talk about her work, the creative process and how she's transforming her illustrations in the digital age.
Hoboken, New Jersey may have Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss, but Naples, Italy has Eugenio Marinella, the Tie Boss. Cristina Fei goes inside E. Marinella, the legendary, century-old tie firm, to learn more about the brand's business model, its focus on quality, and respect for customers and employees.
The independent design force is growing with the addition of the Duly Equipped menswear line from Toronto-based designer Yenting Chen. Combining traditional cuts with modern colours and unique designs, Duly Equipped is a new take on the classic men's suiting. The "Rebellious Gentleman" has arrived.
During turbulent economic times and the pressure to live sustainably, the home buying market must welcome new solutions with an open mind. Alina Kulesh explores the concept of container homes and their fit in modern society.
Jen Chow recently piloted a social experiment at a Toronto digital advertising agency. She let her co-workers get their feet wet with design research as the agency moves towards increasingly collaborative work within teams. What happened? A few interesting observations about human nature.
Ralph Lauren is taking us to Downton Abbey for Fall 2012, and the fashion world is swooning. What about Downton Abbey and its fashions is so appealing to an audience facing difficult economic times? Kate McFarland explores how the illusion of luxury in fashion and entertainment can provide escapism from economic turmoil.
Why are there so few fashion designers from mainland China on the global circuit? Some theories suggest that logo trumps originality in a rapidly expanding, mass-producing economy. Luckily, contrary forces are at work. Honora Shea sits down with Zhang Da, leader of China's emerging crop of fashion innovators.
By some strange twist of fate, the development of the fine arts into a central tenet of Western civilization and culture was only possible because of bankers with deep pockets. Today, trading exchanges offer shares in artwork to investors looking to make a profit. Andrew Adebowale examines the commodification of art.
Italy has endured recent notoriety and scrutiny on the world stage for its poor financial situation. Yet, despite the discouraging climate, local creativity is still flourishing. Claudia Costa spoke with fashion blogger, Alessandra Pepe, about Milan's underground design scene and paid a visit to the Ohmydolls Milano showroom in search of inspiration.
Home to the most unusual and design-forward pieces of art in Hungary, it's not surprising that Budapest multi-concept space, Printa, is always buzzing with customers and interested tourists.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the very first Birkin bag? The iconic piece is now owned by Catherine B., the passionate and opinionated proprietor of two unassuming St. Germain shops named Les Trois Marches de Catherine B. Inside each store lies a treasure trove of vintage Chanel and Hermès dating back to the 1930s.
Cabaret is an artistic playground draped by dark velvet curtains, smoky spotlights and late night libations. Emerging out of France's Belle Époque era at the turn of the 20th century, it was a time characterised by great optimism. Karen Lin takes us through cabaret-inspired art forms found on the modern stages in Toronto.
For 5,000 years, Indian men and women have adorned themselves with superlative jewellery. After the end of the Mughals and with the beginning of a newly prosperous era, Chere Di Boscio uncovers the revival of the high-end Indian jewellery atelier.
When in Madrid, style mavens and adventurous trend dabblers know to go to the often-overlooked clump of traditional barrios, which are centrally nestled between Gran Vía and Alonso Martínez. Here, residents push boundaries socially, as well as in their fashion and lifestyle choices. Erin Ridley guides us through Madrid's key shopping hotspots and hybrid hangouts.
Luxury fashion brand RIKA understands romanticised individuality. The brand is comprised of the RIKA fashion collection, a bi-yearly RIKA magazine, and RIKA boutique located in Amsterdam's Leidseplein neighbourhood. Recently, RIKA expanded into a more intimate arena: the Maison RIKA guesthouse.
The hairs of the stinging nettle (urtica dioica) plant inject histamine and other chemicals when touched by humans and animals. Yet Netl, an innovative Dutch brand, is tempting us to place the fibres of this plant against our skin.
As a combination of café, dress shirt shop and whisky tasting room, Sydney's Shirt Bar creates a space where craftsmanship mingles seamlessly with accessibility.
After its premiere in the UK a few weeks ago, The Raven, a thriller directed by James McTeigue and starring John Cusack, will be released in Italy on March 23. Cristina Fei spent a day behind-the-scenes at the Tirelli Costumi atelier in Rome where a team of talented Italian tailors made the costumes for The Raven and many other famous Academy Award movies.
Westerners often envision Arab women as burqa-clad phantoms in black. The reality, however, is shockingly different: underneath their abayas, Arab women sport some of the world's most opulent haute couture.
An unpretentious setup and a small but loyal clientele: the business of India's small-time tailor, better known as a darji, is never in the limelight, but they are responsible for the beautiful clothes hanging in the windows of some of India's most fashionable stores.
Viennese painter Gustav Klimt is famous for his allegoric portraits of voluptuous women and golden geometric motifs. His more chaste works, however, depict wealthy members of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy, and provide stunning visual insight into Belle Époque fashion. Claudia Costa unveils the story behind these paintings and explores Klimt's ventures into fashion.
Have you meet Krane? Toronto-based designer Ken Chow and his label, Krane, are just one of the many faces elevating the menswear market in Canada.
Spring is around the corner, and with it, the imminent arrival of rainy days. April showers bring May flowers, but the downpours are certainly more bearable if one is wrapped in comfortable and stylish rainwear. Karina Abramova discovers innovative and intelligently designed rain gear that has sprung like flowers after the rain.
Philosopher and writer Alain de Botton has put the cat amongst the pigeons with a proposal to construct a temple for atheists in the heart of London. The proposal has commenced a debate that asks what values best represent the UK's postmodern capital city.
The region around Brescia is well known for its wine. But two creative women in fashion, Chiara Pochetti and Vera Facchetti, have created a business out of another popular beverage: milk.
Despite only two years on the fashion scene, Australian swimsuit brand We are Handsome has been making big waves. We Are Handsome suits have exploded onto beaches around the world.
Ten short years after Kate Middleton famously strode through the first 2002 show in her notorious see-through dress, Don't Walk has raised over £100,000 for various charities. Funds from this year's show will go to Zamcog, a charity dedicated to raising funds for the Shitima School in Zambia. The Genteel's Kate McFarland chats with creative director, Soukaina Ben Ali, about one of the 2012 show's biggest inspirations: the fight for freedom of expression.
Even though it is not generally considered the sexiest colour, orange is on everybody's lips; from interior to graphic designers, orange is working its way into your living room and closet.
The Genteel chats with the incomparable Denise Cronenberg, creative mastermind behind the costumes of critically-acclaimed and award-nominated films like A History of Violence and most recently, A Dangerous Method. Cronenberg opens up about working with her director-brother David, the intricacies of working with the ultra-famous, and the future of a tough fashion niche.
Il Margutta RistorArte, a trendy vegetarian restaurant offers a delightful blend of food and design in an unforgettable dining experience involving taste, sight and touch. Cristina Fei meets the Umbrian artist Giorgio Lupattelli at RistorArte gallery to dig into the modern social distresses that are portrayed in his paintings.
A twenty-year success story of menswear in Toronto, Uncle Otis proves that trends don't always guide well-thought businesses and styling practices. David Walmsley speaks with Uncle Otis' owner, Donnell Enns, about the shop's buying practices, aesthetics and its place within the Canadian retail scene.
James Carpenter is a man who sees the light. An artist, architect, and glass technologist, he has built an internationally renowned career around the simple pleasures of light. Karen Lin speaks with Carpenter to discover why to him, there is more to light than meets the eye.
Amid Mumbai's early morning stress, traffic and noise, few have time to consider packing a lunch. For many, however, this isn't a problem, thanks to a coordinated and efficient team of delivery people: the dabbawallas.
Milan's Teatro alla Scala is known as "the temple of opera," but few are aware of the intensive backstage work that allows the magic to happen. Claudia Costa paid a visit to the theatre's costume workshops to discover what happens behind the red velvet curtain.
As a child, Sam Shuter would watch her father get dressed in a suit each morning before work. Now an artist working under the alias Sammo, she's still attracted to the aesthetics of a man's suit, richly conveyed on canvas. Joel Yum sits down with Sammo to discuss her inspiration, career change, and how she is learning to embrace her mistakes.
Another London Fashion Week has come to an end, and this season was certainly one that will not be forgotten soon. Legendary British brands and emerging London labels showed exactly why the capital is quickly becoming the prime international platform to showcase what's hot in the fashion world.
Silvia Brambilla speaks with Italo-Brazilian handbag designer, Paula Cademartori about ruling her own castle, her love for accessories and making it in Milan as a young, emerging designer.
Do you open your luggage at your destination hoping to find your favourite dress as crisp as when it was packed? The design philosophy of Canadian designer Diane Kroe makes life easier for ladies who want to travel wrinkle-free and in style. Cristina Fei explores the philosophy of Kroe's new Travel Collection.
It used to be that one had to keep their voice down and wear their Sunday best to worship the artistic masters. But, the gallery and museum experience is evolving. Alina Kulesh takes a tour of the digital museum landscape.
Several record labels are re-envisioning how music and fashion can work in tandem, to create more well-rounded organisations.
Canada's capital city is known for being a city of suits - or more accurately, bad suits. Ottawa fashion insiders acknowledge the city's lack of fashion sense, but argue that a vibrant fashion scene is ready to explode in the Ottawa market. But first, some changes need to be made.
If the Michel Goulet installation piece in a condo lobby was required to be there by law, would it suddenly lose its charm? Would you feel duped by the development company that successfully sold its cover-of-Vogue facade? Or is purchasing a swanky new condo unit, complete with fancy art, a one-way ticket to cosmopolitan living?
En route to representing Canada at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, Migrating Landscapes engages the world to reflect on how migration and cultural memories influence design.
The name "Hell's Kitchen" is famously attached to a neighbourhood in Manhattan (and to Gordon Ramsey's reality TV show), but it can also be found stitched on bags, stationary and jeans around Verona, Italy - and the rest of the world.
Mumbai is many things: a fun city, a city that never sleeps - and a shopping haven. There's precious little that cannot be found in Mumbai in terms of fashion. The biggest and best brands are here and at the other end of the spectrum are the much less expensive, but arguably more popular, street vendors. Between these diametrically opposed shopping options lies a third option - struggling small shops.
A new wave of African designers is emerging. They're cranking up the colour, thinking ethics and environmental soundness, and turning to traditional techniques, textiles and patterns that many in the West have never experienced before.
Behind the Seams is a regular series that shines the spotlight on individuals working in less traditional roles within the fashion industry. This instalment features Mark Johnson, a corporate lawyer who took a leap of faith by launching Kovalum, a retail line inspired by a jacket passed down from his father.
The Genteel chats with Los Angeles-based creative whiz Steven Harrington about the intersection of art and fashion, the nature of craft and inspiration, and his new collaboration with footwear brand, Generic Surplus.
Whereas the ancient Greeks had The Muses, Yves Saint Laurent's work was inspired by his muses. Saint Laurent contributed countless memories to the fashion world during his 40-year career with Catherine Deneuve, Katoucha Niane, Betty Catroux and Loulou de la Falaise, among others, by his side.
Can art only be appreciated if it's placed within the rarified air of a gallery, against a plain white background and guarded by a velvet rope? Or does the rise of the "guerrilla" artist, with their compunction to use city walls as a canvas, convey a much more vital and transformative experience? Andrew Adebowale casts his eye over the role art has played in the evolution of humankind.
A permanent fixture on the front row, Pandemonia is at the top of everyone's invite list for high profile fashion events. Glamorous and ageless, her unique style, infamous inflated locks and colourful personality have sky-rocketed her to fashion fame, not to mention countless photographic appearances on blogs, television and glossy publications.
On January 31, Italian designer Giada Curti surprised the public by bringing silicon breast implants onto the catwalk at AltaRoma AltaModa. Cristina Fei uncovers the reasons behind Curti's penchant to provoke and why current and social affairs inspire her collections.
Once home to Maastricht's Crutched Friars, a Roman Catholic religious order, Kruisherenhotel Maastricht is a unique example of how old and new architecture can coexist in perfect harmony. Located just a few steps away from Maasticht's main attractions, the refined design hotel is quickly becoming a new highlight for tourists and visitors.
The concept of design can also extend to high treble and booming bass tones. David Walmsley sits down with Robert Rizk and Garret Louie, creators of Vancouver's Fortune Sound Club, to talk about the club's interior and audio design.
In an increasingly digital world, is there still a place for the old tradition of portrait painting? Alina Kulesh considers the prominence of classical portrait painting in the digital age.
Vermont is gorgeous year round, but the northeastern state surrounded by mountains sparkles most during the wintertime. But if you're not one for winter weather, the region is equally rich with museums, centres for the performing arts, libraries, and even baking schools.
Toronto based fashion designer Rosemarie Umetsu curates her couture gowns for classical music in Fashionista! Fashion as Art, a glamourous concert with the critically acclaimed Amici Chamber Ensemble, featuring music by three composers, including a world premiere of Alice Ping Yee Ho's Breath of Fire.
Along the Meguro River in the Tokyo neighbourhood of Nakameguro and within the winding streets that lie beyond it are nestled an array of independent boutiques, vintage shops, quaint bars and cosy restaurants. It was on one of these sinuous paths that Haydee Kobe discovered the shop, Piña Colada, and met its charming owner, Takashi Fuchito.
In recent years, the city of Mumbai has burst forth massively onto the style scene. Since the hugely popular biannual Lakme Fashion Week debuted in Mumbai in 2006, a new group has been adding to the city's fashionable image - fashion bloggers and personal stylists.
In an exclusive interview for The Genteel, photo essayist Joel Yum discusses one of a kind neckties, upcycling and inspiration from unlikely places with Keira Morgan, the Toronto designer behind men's and women's accessories label, Handsome & Lace.
A new quarter is growing in Hamburg: the HafenCity, where the remarkable Elbphilharmonie Hamburg concert hall has been rising since 2007. The hall has already been hailed as "a cultural landmark," but its construction has not been without controversy.
Elizabeth Taylor's legacy lives on through The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor - an exhibition, world tour, and sale hosted by renowned auction house, Christie's. The collection is extraordinary not just for its beauty or market value, but rather, the charming stories attached to each piece, revealing one of the greatest Hollywood romances of all time.
This week, Paris was teeming with interior decorators, buyers and journalists who packed into interior design shops in St Germain des Pres and the Marais district of the city. Chere Di Boscio veers away from Haute Couture Week in the French capital for the day and dives into Paris Déco.
Forget Riff Raff, the shambling gravelly-voiced Lurch, or any thriller where the killer is the butler; butlers from the Italian Butler's Association (IBA) are remarkably professional in caring for their employers at home in complete privacy.
Delve into ethical luxury with the creators of London's hottest reworked lost and found, handbag designers Lost Property of London.
Just off the main shopping street of Via dei Mille in Naples sits a special atelier where tailored luxury shirts become masterpieces. Cristina Fei uncovers the secrets of the old Neapolitan tailoring tradition.
Vanja Vasic, Director of [FAT] Arts and Fashion Week, speaks to Daniel Wilson about the emotions in playing dress up.
Isabella Stewart Gardner was a vibrant, fascinating woman who amassed a priceless collection of statuary, art and decorative pieces from around the world. But for her home and collection to survive (now the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum), it needed to grow. On January 19, 2012, the Renzo Piano wing of the museum opened to public, a structure that displays a reverent sensitivity to Isabella's palace.
After being rejected for a prestigious art prize, Larissa Sansour, a Bethlehem born multi-media artist presently living in London, is very angry. Fatima Alayeva met with her for an interview to get the details.
For the past few years, luxury brands have been courting China's burgeoning luxury goods market by setting up flagship boutiques and staging exhibitions across the country. Yet these brands have gone beyond just positioning themselves in the Far East; they are also incorporating traditional design and cultural elements into their collections.
Miami has served many roles over the years: the glamorous rendition of the city's criminal underbelly in Miami Vice, the bloody arena of the cocaine wars, the party-hard capitol of America. But within the past decade, a new role emerged: that of a dynamic international art hub. Over the past decade, Miami's culture has been developing exponentially thanks to the proactive efforts of prominent Miamians, the city's favourable geographic location, the arrival of the weightiest art fair in the world, the tropical weather and the unmistakable duo of chic and cheesy.
Lauren Luna is an artist-turned-shoe designer based out of Houston who approaches shoe design like she does her canvas. Justine Iaboni asks Luna about working as an artist in an industry dominated by heavyweights such as Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Nicholas Kirkwood and Jimmy Choo.
In this series, we highlight individuals who have forged successful career paths in the fashion industry by diverging from more traditional routes. In this installment, we speak to Jonathan Elias, an entrepreneur at the helm of two innovative retail enterprises - ShopMyClothes.com, an online marketplace for pre-owned clothing, and lost & found, lauded as the best new store to open in Toronto in the past year.
Most Londoners of a certain age will have experienced travelling on the iconic Routemaster, the original double decker bus that remains a universally accepted symbol of the UK's capital city. Seven years later, the Routemaster has been expensively resurrected and is about to be re-launched back onto the streets in February.
One of the lesser-known centres in the Netherlands is the old city of Maastricht. Thanks to its location at the heart of Europe, the city attracts students, expatriates, artists and designers from many European countries. Claudia Costa speaks to Nawie Kuiper, one of the founders of the FASHIONCLASH foundation, an international platform eager to promote new designers and artists through a network of initiatives.
When it comes to personal style and fashion design, how does nature vs. nurture influence our everyday choices? A unique fashion line, LAByrinth, dares us to look beyond the surface and explore the affective relationship between nature and nurture.
The Fashion and Costume Museum housed in Villa Mazzucchelli documents the evolution of fashion in Italy and is home to approximately 5,000 pieces dating from the mid-1700's up to the birth of Italian haute couture in the 20th century. Beatrice Magri guides us through this jewel of Brescia.
Bertrand Goldberg's passion for design and his belief in a new era of urban living are manifested in one of Chicago's most distinct architectural wonders.
Menswear-inspired dressing may be de rigeur in the fashion world, but the clothes can lose some of its panache when tailored specifically for women. Preetma Singh compiles a cheat sheet of the best menswear brands to "borrow" from for a true menswear look.
Whether it's the music, the personas, the fashions or a combination thereof, the music industry manages to engage the music consumer on many levels. But far from being solely constructed by the artist and the industry, an artist's persona and style is often largely influenced by audiences. It's a reciprocal relationship, leaving one to wonder which is influencing the other.
Meet The Deadly Nightshades: a group of seven Canadian designers that have the collective goal of injecting soul into the fashion industry - with the help of matching jackets and bicycles. Cate Lorimer speaks to the group about its raison d’être, The Style Spin and its on-going creative projects.
Tile and mural artist Coral Bourgeois adds a personalised touch to the artwork she creates for homes, restaurants and hotels. Fran Folsom speaks with Bourgeois about her colourful and one-of-kind projects.
From immigrant to celebrity stylist to jewel thief to the toast of Arabia, Derek Khan is a master of reinvention.
Marc Jacobs has transformed Louis Vuitton from a renowned Parisian leather goods company to one of fashion's biggest players. His revolutionary creative vision will soon be celebrated at an exhibition organised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Lior Livne and Karni Reshef are the duo behind Liebling, a brand of handmade shoes designed and produced in Tel Aviv, Israel. Now in its fourth year, the brand frequently sells out of its stock and is a darling of the Israeli style press.
Paris' Musee d'Orsay is notorious for drawing throngs of tourists, but this time, it's not just the art inside that people want to see: the former train station turned art gallery has undergone a major facelift. Chere di Boscio reports from Paris.
How do high-end designers and fashion houses influence the collections of high street brands? Why do many low-priced pieces look strikingly similar to last season's designer-wear? David Walmsley sheds light on these questions by discussing several permutations of the "trickle-down theory".
Have you ever wanted a vintage Balenciaga or Dior dress but couldn't afford it? If you pay a visit to Charlotte Bialas, you're halfway there.
Brescia's Museo di Santa Giulia is hosting an exhibit dedicated to the work of Italian designer Roberto Capucci, one of the founding fathers of Italian haute couture. Beatrice Magri charts the lifelong achievements of Capucci, celebrated "researcher-artisan," and the first Italian couturier to link the worlds of art and fashion.
Toronto natives, Amrit Kumar and Mriga Kapadiya, packed their things and headed to Bombay for what would be the treasure hunt of a lifetime. Through their project, NorBlack NorWhite, the pair have been resurrecting the ancient textile techniques of India through a contemporary lens.
Veteran metalworking specialist Marzorati Ronchetti has a long history of working with top designers and architects as well as luxury and fashion brands. Rebecca Anne Proctor speaks with Stefano Ronchetti and discovers the secrets of the company's longevity and success.
In the heart of Ethiopia lies a untapped resource that has the potential of generating significant income at the local and national levels: bamboo. Cristina Fei speaks with Luca Colombo, an Italian architect committed to spreading bamboo hand craftsmanship throughout Ethiopia's design culture.
While Americana style has withstood the test of time, the style is attracting a new, global generation of designers and consumers. David Walmsley examines the direction of international Americana.
Karina Abramova's in-depth and comprehensive account of Design Miami illustrates why the event, now in its seventh year, has been heralded as one of the most prominent forums for international design.
Czech emigre, Blanka Matragi, swept the Middle East with her couture gowns before returning to her native country to design street wear. While her fashion empire catered to the rich for the past thirty years, dressing Persian royal women, her new approach celebrates the average woman.
Robin Kay, president of The Fashion Design Council of Canada, gives Daniel Wilson a personal tour of her wardrobe and point of view on Canadian fashion today.
The lines between fashion and art have oftentimes been ambiguous, but they are being blurred even further with the latest collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Belgian artist François Cadiere.
While concept stores aren't as prevalent in North America as in Europe and Australia, a few can be found - in their true form - in Toronto. Sarah Plummer sets out onto the streets of Toronto to seek out these multi-purpose, multi-product gems.
With a record 50,000 attendees, and 2,000 artists from 265 galleries worldwide, Art Basel, and various art shows surrounding the Miami perimeter, have lifted the city's cultural scene to new heights. The Genteel's Karina Abramova explores Miami's art and design marvels, and leaves no exhibit unturned.
On board a small boat with a portable keyboard in tow, pianist Panos Karan embarks on an unusual concert tour along the Amazon River. Through the charitable organization Keys of Change, he is bringing Bach to isolated communities in Ecuador and Peru and aims to use the power of music to change the world.
During the forty years of Communist rule in Slovakia, politics infected virtually every facet of daily life such that seemingly ordinary purchases were infused with ideological sentiments. Twenty-two years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, Katarina Kuruc measures the barometer of consumer appetite in Bratislava.
Robert Mapplethorpe is best known for his controversial, erotic photographic work. Sofia Coppola shares a gentler vision of Mapplethorpe's work at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris.
On October 28, 2011, after a six-year restoration program that left the stage untouched with no glistening performances, Moscow's historic Bolshoi theatre re-opened its doors. Rebecca Proctor details the restoration of the theatre and its reflection of modern-day Russia.
Haydee Kobe discovers Bibliothéque, a carefully curated library in the heart of Tokyo. Bibliothéque was born out of the common dilemma of owning too many treasured objects - books, in this case - in which physical space becomes an obstacle. The customers who use the facilities are architects, fashion designers and graphic designers who find a great many uses for this cozy space.
Cristina Fei spends a day with interior and yacht designer Gianluca Chiocca at his Milan atelier amongst boat-shaped couches and bosom-shaped beds. The young designer has a diverse product design roster, some of which have converted Fei's tastes from her conservative world of blacks and whites to his world of bright colours and unorthodox shapes.
Besides introducing the word "paparazzi" to the English dictionary, Italian director Federico Fellini is best remembered for his opulent films that were often a fantastical combination of dreams, fantasy and desire. Set design and costuming played a large part in creating his extravagant images. Fellini was not the only director who paid serious attention to clothing in film but his work is the most illustrious example of fashion playing the role of a functional intermediary of character and narrative in cinema.
A wedding typically offers the chance to bring a vision to life right down to the finest details. For Kat Ferneyhough, it also offered the possibility of a truly personal project with no restraints and the chance to reconnect with her roots. Layal Al-Haidari spoke to Ferneyhough about her project - designing and sewing together her wedding dress from wedding dresses gifted to her by six important women in her life.
In Crome Yellow, Vancouver's Gastown district can boast yet another masterful example of independent retail and meticulous apparel selection. Disregarding the fast and bland motif of the city's self-proclaimed "runway" of Robson Street, the shop maintains an impressive inventory of well-crafted international and North American pieces not often seen in Canada.
We all have our vivid childhood memories, and mine seem to be centred on playing dress up, a habit that has followed me into young adulthood. It all started - my love for thrift store shopping, I should say - with a treasure trunk. Passion turned into skill, and I now find myself in a position to impart wisdom when it comes to building a second hand wardrobe. A myth debunk is in order: thrift shopping need not result in tatty purchases. This is a guide for the stylish and sensible.
From Da Vinci's anatomical drawings to Damien Hirst's Pharmacy installation, art and medicine have long shared a close relationship. As a trained medical doctor, Ahmed Mater takes this connection even further by adding the one further element he believes is necessary to fill the space between scientific knowledge and the mortality of the human organism: god.
Italian fashion designer Francesca Cremonesi has made it. And she did so without ever enduring the purgatory of The Fashion Internship. After completing three years at a Fashion Institute in Milan, the 32-year old defied convention by immediately launching her own brand. Her secrets to success? Strong ambition, iron will, the right financial support and entrepreneurial panache. The Genteel caught up with Cremonesi in Milan to retrace her path, a path that in just one year, has led to showings at both Milan and Paris fashion weeks.
Alice Hlidkova spends the afternoon with Aaron Potts, equal parts fashion designer and stationary illustrator, uncovering his couture stationary collection. His greeting cards, much like his runway designs, boast bold shapes, joyful colours, intricate details, and almost always channel a woman's inner fashion diva.
In December 2005, Italy's largest public spa, Terme Merano, reopened on a sprawling 56,300m2 property on the banks of the Passer river. Beatrice Magri visited Terme Merano for a day of pampering, and left enchanted by the work of Matteo Thun, the spa's interior designer.
On the 200th day before the official opening of Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest free-standing broadcast center at 634m high (2,080ft), operators unveiled eight different personnel uniforms designed by award-winning designer Akira Minagawa.
A poor boy with rich talents, René Lalique branched out from his humble roots to become one of France's master jewellers and glass makers. Today, there are museums around the world dedicated to his work.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Rome's Ara Pacis Museum is honouring Audrey Hepburn through an exhibit entitled, A Tribute to Audrey Hepburn in Support of UNICEF. The exhibit is a collection of 150 unedited pictures of Hepburn, private videos created with Super 8 mm film and, perhaps most thrillingly, clothes and accessories worn by the actress on set and in her private life. Cristina Fei visited the exhibit in hopes of peeping through Hepburn's wardrobe and learning more about her relationship with Italian fashion during the 50's and the golden 60's and 70's.
It's certainly not news to any British Columbia artist that province-wide arts funding has been starkly curtailed over the last few years. Vancouver's stake in public arts funding is necessary, not only to build the city's cultural identity but also to allow for the local artist population to flourish. David Walmsley speaks with Indigo, a Vancouver-based international artist, about her work and where Vancouver could go from here.
The fashion business is a notoriously difficult one to break into, but perhaps one of the reasons for its perceived inaccessibility is that industry hopefuls fail to recognize the plethora of job options outside of the holy trinity of editor-designer-stylist. In this series, we highlight the individuals working "behind the seams" and solicit their advice on how to succeed in a competitive job market.
When style blogger Suze announced on Twitter that she would not be do any shopping for the next six months, her readers had all sorts of opinions. Never phased by a thrift fashion challenge, Cate Lorimer tracked down Suze to get the goods.
According to architect Philippe Daher, a century ago there were some 20,000 traditionally architected homes in Damascus. Today, however, less than half of these remain. Chere di Boscio interviews Daher about why this is happening, and what could be done to preserve the architectural history of this culturally rich city.
Art and fashion met centuries ago, and began a delicate flirtation. From painters striving to capture the form, colour and texture of clothing, to models walking the runways draped in masterpieces, Sarah Plummer traces the chronology of art and fashion from the 19th century to today.
In his effort to liberate India from the industrial grip of British rule, Mahatma Gandhi Ji advocated "Swadeshi" (self-sufficiency) as core to the movement towards independence or "Swaraj" (self-rule). By 1920, this peaceful revolution was steady on its way as Charkhas quietly spun in unison in villages across the nation and the word Swaraj was on the tongue of those hungry for freedom. Khadi, the "nationalist fabric" was born.
Parisian photographer Bruno Ruffini has traveled around the world to cast women of all ages and colour for his dramatic series entitled "Woman in a Bath." Neither stomping on emotions nor crossing comfort boundaries, he deftly manages to push emotional and physical boundaries to create art that is "erotique". Ruffini makes a stop in Beirut to shoot a pair of tango dancers.
Boisterous hootin'-and-a-hollerin', whistles, and whoop whoops accompanied an enthusiastic standing ovation on Saturday night at Roy Thomson Hall. The givers, young classical music fans called "tsoundcheckers" (with a silent "t") and the receivers, 26-year old violinist Stefan Jackiw and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) with guest conductor Christoph König. It was a night of prodigies in full supply.
With the recent unveiling of Prada's limited-edition costume jewelry collection, the Italian fashion and design worlds have been abuzz over costume jewelry. Anything that sparkles and shines awakens my lust, so I was happy to plunge myself into the history of costume jewelry to better understand this "new" trend.
Think of an architect. Any architect. With the obvious exception of Zaha Hadid, internationally lauded female architects are unusual, and all-female partnerships even rarer, so the discovery of Hariri and Hariri may come as a bit of a shock, for not only are these two Iranian-born, New York-based architects partners, they are also sisters.
Paula John is an analog girl in a digital world. The Toronto-based artist works primarily with textiles, sewing and 16mm celluloid filmmaking. On October 2, 2011, she debuted her latest creative project, Celluloid Dress, at ARTA gallery during Scotiabank's Nuit Blanche.Celluloid Dress is at once a dress and performance piece that examines the relationship between the technologies of sewing and 16mm filmmaking.
Dorothy Vacance is located on a quiet street in Oomori, outside of the madness of central Tokyo. The boutique was opened in April of this year and has quickly become a destination shop for those seeking one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces by designer, stylist and shop owner, Ayano Nakayama, aka Gon.
A thriving beach city, a bastion of good times and good looks, Tel Aviv can feel like an anachronism in these serious times, in this troubled region. In addition to a thriving nightlife, a burgeoning gay tourism culture, and restaurants worth writing home about, the last five years have seen the birth of no less than ten homegrown designer shoe labels. How does one account for such sudden prolificacy in a city of just 400,000?
In the era of the dilettante, the specialist truly is king. While many individuals make purchases based on convenience and prevalence, a burgeoning international collective of connoisseurs are attuned to the old world values of craftsmanship, detailed design, sincerity and knowledge. These values allow them a deeper level of involvement with the items, sounds, scenes and comrades they choose to surround themselves with.
Although distinct fields, architecture and fashion share a plethora of commonalities. Both are art forms that rely heavily on creative design, functionality and careful attention to details. Toronto-based Rachel Sin converges both design forms in her fashion creations as well as her work as an architect. Through her work, the young designer demonstrates that, in many ways, fashion is architecture and vice versa.
Products made in the U.S.S.R. often terrorized the lives of millions of Soviets due to their indestructibility, poor usability and lack of key product features. But at the same time, Soviet products boasted a certain "Russianness", with space-age aesthetics, Slavic motifs and rugged interpretations of Western goods. Let us open up the cabinet of wonders that contains the overlooked Soviet designs of the 60's and the 70's.
Over 60 years of occupation has put the livelihood and culture of Palestinians at serious risk. The vast majority of Palestinians live abroad, a significant number in refugee camps, where conditions are crowded, unstable and frustrating. Among a myriad of other problems they face, many professionals there often find themselves unemployed, living hand to mouth. A certain young Palestinian woman became increasingly distressed by what was happening to her people, and decided to do something about it: thus Palestyle was born.
Would you ever go out wearing earrings made from pop can tabs? Or a necklace made from door locks, keys or clock dials? Did you ever think you could relax in your living room - on a couch made out of tires? Welcome to the world of Ilaria Venturini Fendi, third generation heiress of the Fendi Empire.
It started with trips to the local Value Village, which led to consignment shopping in New York City and vintage stores specializing in era-based fashion. Wearing my finds like trophies, my friends took notice and let me know of places I had to scope out. Last week, a friend told me about her favorite vintage store, Pretty Freedom.
A tug of war is playing out on the design front in Lebanon. On one end of the proverbial rope are local designers, artisans and champions for quality and one-of-a-kind products, from furniture, architecture to jewelry. The other end observes defenders of the status quo: trendy, mass-produced goods hailing from Europe and North America. Ghita Abi-Hanna of the eponymous label, Margherita, plays for team Made in Lebanon.
There was a time when the shopping mall was considered "innovation in retail", the sequel to the souks and bazaars of Damascus and Tehran pre-19th century. Wikipedia tells us that the first purposefully built shopping mall was Gostiny Dvor in St. Petersburg, built in 1785. Today, we have technology to thank for the latest entry in to the retail domain: immersive online shopping.
With the creation of the famous Hen Egg at the bequest of Tsar Alexander III, Peter Carl Fabergé became the jeweler and goldsmith to the last Imperial Russian Court and remained so until the Bolsheviks not only brought a violent end to the Romanov Dynasty, but to the House of Fabergé as well. September 9, 2009, marked the birth of contemporary Fabergé collections.
Beatrice Magri reveals the shopping secrets that keep Italians looking effortlessly chic, without breaking the bank. You will need to be adventurous and ready to wander off the usual Milan-Florence-Rome route. But, along the way, you will discover sight-seeing gems, gourmet hot spots and much more.
Architectural nuances in fashion design is evident through engineered frameworks and a direct reliance on stark angles. David Walmsley digs deep into the connection of architecture and fashion design, highlighting the relationship through fashion greats such as Ann Demeulemeester and Rick Owens.
There's a time for high fashion, and then there's a time for silly costumes - preferably alongside Bordeaux sunshine, grand cru wines and mountains of oysters, cheeses and foie gras ... while marathon running, strutting or walking. This is not a feverish fantasy, but a fun reality that takes place every September in Pauillac, in the Bordeaux region of France. This is the Marathon du Médoc.
If the second Friday evening of the month finds you in London, forego the bright lights and intoxications of contemporary pleasures for a sliver of Art History. Rose Balston, founder of Art History UK, runs Art Shots - themed short tours of the treasures within the National Gallery - which, as the name suggests, are quick (lasting just over an hour), potent with knowledge and extremely enjoyable.
I have recently been thinking about the "muse" and its iterations over the centuries. Originating in Ancient Greek mythology, artistic talent was credited to nine immortal sisters, goddesses who gave music, song and dance to artists and inspiration to writers, poets and philosophers. The muse has since evolved into a real person who inspires creative endeavours.
When I first met Sheikha Hend al Qassemi through a mutual friend in Doha, she wanted to show me some of her favourite art in the city. Unfortunately, the gallery that held the art was closed, but no matter; with a few kind words and a persuasive smile, we were soon admiring the works she was so keen to share. If Hend really wants something, she makes it happen.
My sojourn to Europe this summer would not have been complete had I not visited Sweden, where I used to live in my early 20s. A wardrobe top up was in order, and I had my sights set on Stockholm and Göteborg. While not a fashion heavy weight, Sweden is a bastion of design, which has given way to itself as notable contender when it comes to threads.
Gary Johnson, architect of the Liberty Hotel and several other Boston hotels, considers hotel lobbies to be the living rooms of the world. These hotels are harbingers of museum quality art that the public can peruse any time of day, the collections are permanent and selection is vast - from historic to modernistic to contemporary. And, unlike museums, there's no admission charge.
Recount the steps you would take to make a nice, hot cup of tea. You brew the tea, and while it's still hot, you might stir in some sugar. In a newfound world of making clothes, the same ritual applies, with a dollop of live organisms.
On Friday night, the National Portrait Gallery's coronation portrait of Queen Victoria must have rolled its eyes in a resigned state of "not being amused". The museum had been besieged by vintage vixens and classic film buffs (as well as the occasional tramp delighted to find toasty warm comfort until ten on a frigid October night) as Glamour Factory came to town.
It's 1978 and my sister is squalling to life right before the dawn of a new decade. In a low-rise walk-up, Gina drops the needle onto the first record and puts on her outfit for the night. She's going dancing, baby, and there's nothing that can stop her.
According to fashion historian Caroline Cox, "handbags are the most silent and loyal of servants", carrying, protecting and transporting some of our most precious cargo. Today, with the rise of fashion blogs and magazine articles focusing on the bag and its contents, the handbag can be viewed as central to the construction and communication of identity.
I thought Zadig & Voltaire founder Thierry Gillier may be a bit snobbish. After all, I'd read that his father founded Lacoste; he studied politics at university and named his company after a French Enlightenment philosopher and, of course, he owns one of the coolest labels in all of France.
Shibori is the ancient Japanese art form of resisting, folding, clamping, stretching, pleating, tying and dyeing fabric. Frances Folsom explores the art of shibori in a conversation with designer, Amy Nguyen.
For my first visit to London, England, my priority was not Big Ben, Buckingham Palace or St. Paul's Cathedral. Arriving in London on a Saturday, I took the first train out of Heathrow to the famous Portobello Antiques Market.
Located in Toronto's Annex area, an eclectic community of fashionistas, baristas and artists, is a little women's clothing boutique called Risqué. Venturing into this smart shop is anything but a gamble. A must-visit for any shopping-enthusiast, Risqué boasts a carefully selected collection that's on point every season.
Whilst casually perusing the spring/summer 2012 temptations presented at New York Fashion Week, one collection stood out the most. I loved Rodarte's S/S 2012 collection at first sight: a dreamer's playground, a warm summer night and uncompromising beauty - with the work of a famous painter written all over it. When a designer draws his or her influence from a fine artist, there is often little discussion of the artist's work. Which prompted me to revisit a number of significant art-inspired fashion collections and tell the story of the artists behind them.
Over the past decade, a number of shop collectives have popped-up throughout Toronto. Charlotte Herrold explores the reasons behind their emergence - and their success.
Although we may not consider the Middle East as the most erotic place in the world, poet, translator and cultural crusader, Joumana Haddad knows better.
To many, the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates is instantly recognizable as the world's tallest tower. What they may not know is that the desert flower, the Hymenocallis was one of the inspirations behind its design and the building's distinctive "Y" shape was a triumphant blend of the functional and aesthetic. Jihane Miller explores the design DNA of Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
Staying at the Hacienda Yaxcopoil is momentarily stepping into a long vanished way of life. Within its walls - half an hour outside Merida, the state capital of Mexican Yucatan - whispers of colonial life remain. There are creaking wicker rocking chairs, humming ceiling fans, gardens behind Moorish arches, peeling paint and monster imported machinery. The Hacienda encapsulates the dark story of the Spanish conquest of the Mayan lands and the subsequent industrialization of henequen.
From the historical and political to even the geographical, the Russian fashion industry has faced its share of challenges to growing in the domestic and international markets. Yet despite these realities, the industry has undergone significant change in recent years and it appears to have finally broken free of its stagnant past.
There are icons who go in and out of fashion, and then there is Glenn Gould. Although he is best known for his inimitable piano talent as a classical musician, he reigns as one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century for his daring bravado, visionary thinking and intrinsically unique personal style. In a video montage, Karen Lin examines The Gould Standard and its striking influence on menswear this season.
Undergarments made of wool? Discovering the joys and unsung virtues of wool in an interview With&Wessel's Design Director, Michelle Kim.
Since graduating from Central St. Martins in 1993, Hussein Chalayan has demonstrated a sharp, intellectual design esthetic and has never held back from experimenting and innovating. Combining art, technology, design and architecture, this maverick is more Dali than Dior; more Alvar Aalto than Azzedine Alaia - and his best is yet to come.
The origins of fashion have a long and complex history. In the 21st century, although the manufacture of clothing and the consumption practices of fashion have changed significantly, the notion of fashion designers as "artists, sculptors or fabric architects" who beautify the body via material means, still prevails. The idea of the fashion designer as an artist was exemplified at the recent Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).
The first thought that came to mind upon seeing the images from Orla Kiely's S/S 2012 show was that of a fresh-faced young girl. The girl that Kiely designs for is so virginal, she could very well be a milkmaid. If I had grown up on a farm as a fresh-faced young milkmaid, I would certainly have been the kind to regularly slip away at sundown to lie in the haystacks and listen to music.
In late November, whilst Tokyo is still glowing with autumn, the first snow has fallen on Japan's northerly island of Hokkaido heralding the start of the perfect season to visit. Two rituals make Hokkaido a winter wonderland - the seafood and the onsen - and there is nowhere better for a design lover to indulge in both than at the luxury ryokan, Otaru Ryotei Kuramure.
With the success of its 5th annual fashion week, coupled with a geographical advantage and a booming economy, Istanbul is poised to be a force to be reckoned with on the fashion and commerce front.
Beyond the well-known Toronto neighbourhoods of Riverdale, the Danforth and the Annex: first-time homebuyers are turning to "the woods" of St. Clair West to build their dreams from the ground-up.
Fashion and football may seem like an unlikely marriage, but more and more, the two seemingly disparate worlds are co-mingling.
Quality design, brand heritage and craftsmanship are rising stars in today's fashion landscape, with the pragmatic buyer at the helm. This collective of early adopters are shedding much more socially conscious buying patterns.
When Daniele Tamagni, a young Italian photographer, went on an assignment to Congo in 2006, he encountered a surreal sight that he did not expect to see. Against the backdrop of a Brazzaville shantytown, in a country ravaged by civil wars, bombings and suffering, he saw groups of spectacularly dressed men (and few women) in the streets.
Given that representations of living beings has been forbidden in many forms of Islam for centuries, Saudi Arabia is more well known for its oil than its oil paintings, and creative voices have often been discouraged in what is often perceived as one of the most culturally oppressive regions in the world. Princess Nouf bint Bandar al Saud of Saudi Arabia has set out to challenge that.
Insider view of the Anna Sui Spring 2012 runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, including backstage footage. Featuring post-show interviews with designers, buyers, and other industry persons.
This year's Fashion's Night Out in New York City makes a unique statement in light of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
On September 1, 2011, Design Seoul was awarded the INDEX: Design to Improve Life award in the Community category for being the "first ever coherent design-based approach to improve life for citizens in a very large city". But, given the recent resignation of its champion, the former mayor of Seoul, the future of Design Seoul is uncertain.
Brad Pitt will be the new face of Chanel No. 5 this fall. But, like, why?
From canvas to powerhouse, the modelling landscape is evolving and it's up to the professionals to keep up. Alina Kulesh explores how Web 2.0 culture is equalizing the runway.
Only a month after Coachella 2012, an announcement for Coachella's multiple 2013 weekends is expected today. Over the years, Coachella's musical line-up has increasingly been accused of being too commercial. But fashion - not music - may actually be to blame for creating an illusory image of Coachella that has been mass-marketed to cool hunters looking to channel their inner hippies.
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. V&A Museum does ballgowns; the week of Elsa Schiaparelli - including in books; Barneys saved from its debts; and is the Met Gala becoming fashion's biggest PR machine?
For the first time ever, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Met Gala was live-streamed across the net and the digital component unquestionably contributed to its success. But is "mass entertainment" the future direction of an increasingly progressive fashion industry?
Everybody loves a comeback - Robert Downey Jr., Britney Spears, Betty White, Britney Spears again - but resurrecting the now-defunct Schiaparelli brand has the fashion realm drooling with anticipation.
Eco has become fashionable, and the public appears to be buying it - in more ways than one. But with the concept of fashion essentially depending on the turnover of tastes, is sustainable fashion here to stay or will it just move to the back of our closets?
On May 3, Condé Nast International, Vogue's parent company, announced that from their June issues forward, the 19 international editions of Vogue would not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder. But, will Vogue's initiative be effective?
Although sustainable and ethical clothing has been a hot-topic within the fashion industry during the past few years, the question of where high-quality jewellery originates from is often overlooked.
Our first weekly installment of The Genteel Week Ahead. The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead: Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada in conversation; Into the diaries of famous and not-so-famous New Yorkers; Bloomingdale's coming to Canada?; Hal Rubenstein on the civilized male + more.
The bra: it's a part of society's sexual discourse and illustrates our culture's taste and sexuality. Alina Kulesh explores the recent proliferation of bra tops on the runways.
This week in Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston explores the one thing closest to all of our hearts, if not our minds: our hair.
Canada is one of the few remaining would-be fashion capitals without its own version of Vogue magazine. Can Canada become a global fashion leader without Anna Wintour, Condé Nast and that five-letter word that rules the fashion world?
Is diversity on runways becoming more representative? In this week's Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston checks in on how the industry is navigating the debatably thin, way-young, almost always white girl stereotype.
It was a challenging start for Bill Gaytten at the helm of Christian Dior, but with his A/W 2012 collection, he brought the attention back to what really matters: the catwalk. Emily Maree on why the house is starting to feel comfortable in Gaytten's capable hands.
The American presidential race proves, once again, that there is no (good) fashion in all-male politics.
In this week's Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston goes on a quest to uncover the intricacies of being inspired in a transient world.
The oldest way of doing things is now being pegged as "a way of life." In this week's Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston explores how the do-it-yourself "movement" continues to transform and explode in everything from fashion to television marketing to education and beyond.
In this week's Life, etc., let's talk about love. We've entered into an era of shameless emotional connections, prompting "love hangovers" across a generation that binges too much and regurgitates it even harder. Paul Aguirre-Livingston wonders, why do we want it? What does it mean? And can we learn to love everything a little less, even if Valentine's Day is right around the corner?
There is no doubt that street style has captured a large part of our modern, internet-curated imaginations. But, as a large-scale "street style industry" establishes itself, is it possible to maintain the sense of intimacy that lies at the heart of the movement?
Popular culture seems to preach and demand - or, at the very least, wants to believe it values - self-expression. In the Internet age, where fashion is fluid and individuality is curated, Paul Aguirre-Livingston wonders: "How do we feel about men in high-heeled shoes?"
In this week's Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston looks at the proliferation of Twitter: how it has changed our lives and created unsuspecting fashion stars. Can microblogging and minute-sharing go any further?
In this week's Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston looks at the relationships between mentors and students, and why they are vital to the sustainability and livelihood of any industry.
A lack of solid role models and constant media pressure seem to be creating a generation of seriously spoilt Bratz.
In the era of the personal brand, should we embrace the "signatures" and personal trademarks, inadvertent or deliberate, that continue to define us? Paul Aguirre-Livingston wonders if they are ultimately enslaving us.
In the year's first Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston resolves to re-define risk and resolutions.
More than just being an aesthetic eyesore, bathroom design flaws have become a political and civil rights issue in the fight for "potty parity." Sabrina Maddeaux discusses the push for "porcelain privilege".
What are the cultural markers that define the current generation? Preetma Singh argues that this era is a "trendless" one, feeding off the intellectual and emotional inspiration of the past.
Katarina Kuruc deconstructs the popularity of personal style blogs by linking them to contemporary notions of self expression and individualism.
Milan has always felt a part of efficient northern Europe, but it's now facing recession like the rest of the country - even if Milanese don't want to believe it. Milan is having an identity crisis.
If nothing else, fashion defied - and redefined - its age barriers this year. In Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston asks if 2011 was the year of being forever young, or young at heart.
Margaret Thatcher's wardrobe, like her political career, was conservative and carefully constructed. Inspired by the upcoming release of The Iron Lady, Sabrina Maddeaux examines Thatcher's attitudes towards fashion throughout the years, and shows that in politics, fashion really does matter.
TASCHEN's new book on Marilyn Monroe may be a feast for the eyes, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
The union of private equity investment and fashion has not been as fruitful as hoped. While financial backing provides support and security to a fashion designer's craft, the influx of the finance mentality in fashion is threatening the very creative integrity that allows the fashion business to thrive in the first place. Preetma Singh takes a closer look at the relationship and where fashion needs to go from here.
From Napoleon and Josephine to Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg to Kim Kardashian and just about every other Hollywood couple, is the era of great love stories as we've come to know them dead?
Another Movember has come and gone. The movement has a captive audience that grows each year, but is the month long campaign as effective as it could be? Sabrina Maddeaux notes several hypocrisies of the campaign and challenges Movember to dig deeper.
Can being "quarterlife" stop being a crisis? Paul Aguirre-Livingston talks aging and mortality while we're still young.
With the holiday season upon us, and Black Friday-slash-Cyber Monday stats indicating we're spending a whole lot of money, Paul Aguirre-Livingston wonders how mobile shopping apps are poised - now more than ever - to change the future of everyday buying in both retail and online environments.
When it comes to menswear, I have always championed understated elegance over ostentatious overstatement. The Lanvin Men's F/W 2011 Collection, however, made me think twice about my classicist leanings. After all, why shouldn't a man's wardrobe be dandy and fun?
Here comes the bride, all dressed in - black? Designer collections over the last two seasons have struck an unconventional chord in bridal wear. From Vera Wang's gothic gowns to short hemlines at Oscar de la Renta, nothing seems sacred anymore in the highly traditionalist world of puritan romance. Do these unconventional dresses reflect changing attitudes about women and marriage; or are they merely another trend in the fashion turnstile? Sabrina Maddeaux examines the history of bridal wear for some answers.
In this week's Life, etc., Paul Aguirre-Livingston explores the fashionphile's obsession with self image. Is being who you are starting to feel a little too fake?
Ever since Karl Lagerfeld introduced a clothing collection for H&M in November 2004, the world has seen an onslaught of "masstige" products (prestige for the masses). Designers and retailers may be cashing in, but have we come to a point where collaborations are now negatively affecting brand value? Might there be an end for the masstige?
Everyone just wants everyone to cheer up. It's been the simplest mantra forever - and it's a way of life now. Paul Aguirre-Livingston explores optimism in all its glory.
For as long as some of us have been around, New York City has been considered an epicenter of exaggeration in all forms. While the Big Apple continues to attract and breed starry-eyed individuals, the city has changed, and that's no secret. New Yorkers still look chic and of the moment, but has their once snarky, extreme flair for style actually become...ordinary?
What do Louis Vuitton bags have in common with René Magritte's famous pipe? Will Eagle goes on a practical quest in the second hand luxury bag market, and finds himself pondering the philosophical implications of the Japanese Super-Fake, a copy of the genuine article so accurate that no one can tell the difference
Paul Aguirre-Livingston addresses the question of "privileged" writers and so-called "priv-lit." Should what these writers have or have not had - before, now, or ever - matter?
Despite recent economic turmoil and widespread anti-elite sentiment, luxury brands' profits have soared. With the so-called "democratization of fashion," brands have cracked open the pearly gates, allowing top bloggers to sit front row and designers to create cheap caricatures of their collections for H&M. However, the industry's recent populist agenda spawns not from an egalitarian epiphany, but from marketing necessity and has resulted in a "lottery mentality".
There is no feeling quite as beautiful as the feeling of nostalgia. At least for me there isn't. I don't know what happened in the world or when I became obsessively attracted/attached to things I discarded so quickly in youth, but I can't seem to cease getting terribly excited about anything that isn't digital or virtual or state-of-the-art or high def or whatever fancy thing we've invented and perpetuated as the must-have cultural norm.
What is it about travel that always makes you homesick? I've been thinking about the idea of family lately. What it means, and what it doesn't. Who is, and who isn't. Is blood thicker than water? That sort of thing. Maybe it's that I've started watching Gilmore Girls for the first time, from the beginning. Maybe it's that I'm in the middle of a trip with one of my best friends visiting her family, a trip that stands to test the bonds between mother and daughter, and the ties between the people that hold it all together. Maybe I'm feeling guilty.
It's hard to believe that only 20 years ago, the concept of a fashion industry was not applicable to Russia at all. During the Soviet era, talented Russian fashion designers were working their craft under a centralized system, unwittingly laying the foundations for a next generation of fashion designers that would be operating in a capitalist society. Today, Russia is a country with its own fashion houses, churning seasonal prêt-à-porter and haute couture fashion weeks.
On the final night of LG Fashion Week in Toronto, over 1,000 budding young philanthropists made up of opera lovers, fashion fiends, and socialites, gathered at the landmark Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for Operanation: A Muse Ball. All the best elements of Opera were glorified: costume, set, drama, and music. But as the night progressed, a mystery loomed in the back of my mind. Yes, Opera inspired this creative endeavour, this fabulous Muse Ball, but I began to think that our main attraction became merely a wallflower muse.
For some celebrities, even when they're dead, they're not really gone. Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain are two artists, each with a relatively small body of documented works, but who continue to exist in our collective conscience simply because their brilliance can't, or won't, be forgotten. But beyond their oeuvres, do their iconic looks play a part in their legacies?
Life, etc.
In Toronto, fashion week tents have sprung up for another set of Canadian shows. With each new season, it's getting harder to ignore the flurry of other fashion weeks enthralling the globe. Still fairly under the radar, Toronto's fashion week is poised to join the big leagues, with shows bringing in notable designer expats and runway celebrities.
A cultural look at the corset unveils a controversial history. Since its origin in the 1500s, the garment has undergone a radical metamorphosis, blossoming into a revolutionary element of modern day fashion. Whether as underwear or outerwear, the corset is a masterful tool of transformation, which few designers have had the ability, or proclivity, to resist.
Life, etc.
It seems we're on the cusp of an outbreak of "Marilyn Fever." Is Monroe a style icon or a sex symbol? Can she be both?
With online sales spiking, and brick-and-mortar sales struggling, are we happy to embrace a new era of retail therapy?
Being an editor of a fashion and design magazine, it may not surprise you that I love to shop: for food, for furniture, but above all, for the love of fashion. So it pains me that the more I visit my homeland of South Korea, the less I desire to shop there. But a new report released by McKinsey has given me hope. Here's why I'm looking forward to a more diverse fashion experience for my next visit to Seoul.
Friendships can last a lifetime, but not without periods equivalent to Chinese water torture.
Summer's gone, and she didn't even say goodbye. But that's true of most things in life, isn't it? People. Places. Things. In our childhood reveries, and in our subsequent adult aspirations, did you ever picture your life to look as it does?
"A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double." - Toni Morrison. Miss Fashion and Miss Classical Music have shared a special sisterhood over the centuries.
From geisha's to sweatshops; the stuff you wish you didn't know about what lies beneath the fabric. Developing a deeper appreciation of fashion by braving a look at its' darker side, and the role it has played over time as a tool of control and oppression.
TORONTO - The Genteel's second installment of curated Street Style works from Geeky Chic features Rei Murakami, Japan-based photographer.
PARIS - It seems as though Mother Nature doesn't want us to put away our umbrellas quite yet...
PARIS - Is this individual intentionally being ambiguous about traditional gender markers? What do you think?
PARIS - A The Genteel favourite - Angelo Flaccavento at Paris Fashion Week.
PARIS - If you could make your dream pair of shoes, what would they look like? Dream big like style blogger, Susie Lau. Susie was seen around Paris Fashion Week in a pair of shoes she designed in collaboration with SIX London.
PARIS - What is the basic-to-statement piece ratio of your closet? What about for Anna Dello Russo?
MADRID - Creative consultancy co-founder Garen Moreno wraps up a meeting in Madrid with a debonair yet casual take on typical Spanish business attire.
PARIS - I can totally see her in the deconstructed pieces of Rei Kawakubo and the edgy designs of Belgian designers, Ann Demeulemeester and Martin Margiela. But a photograph is just a moment in time and maybe this outfit is just that.
PARIS - Whether in cut, print or fabric, pyjama-inspired looks began to emerge on runways in S/S 2011. Ryo Mazawa embraces the PJ trend.
TOKYO - The trend of men dressing comfortably continues in Tokyo. I'm not talking track pants and hoodies, but thoughtful colour combinations and carefully selected garments geared toward function and ease.
PARIS - Fil had just arrived to Paris Fashion Week from Chengdu, China when I met her outside the Westin for the Barbara Bui show.
PARIS - I caught up with Russian model, Katja, after the Issey Miyake A/W 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week.
PARIS - At the Cacharel A/W 2012 show at Paris Fashion Week, I met statuesque model-turned-photographer, Candice Lake, camera in hand, shooting for British Vogue.
PARIS - In a sea of black, Aya McMillan was a bright light at the Dévastée show during Paris Fashion Week.
TORONTO - Every now and then The Genteel will curate the best street style snaps from Geeky Chic. Today we pick Stefanie Ayoub.
TOKYO - It's not fair to say fashion forward men don't wear baggy pants. They do and they do well. Until walking the streets of Tokyo this past week, my exposure to men wearing tailored or proper wide-legged pants was reduced to Fashion Week runways, The Sartorialist and other street style blogs.
TORONTO - Toronto-based writer Amanda Cosco, who writes under the pseudonym The Lady Medusa, believes clothing tells a story. From a hand-me-down scarf, hat or belt to a head-to-toe, meticulously circadian costume, there's a tale waiting to be told. I'm sold.
MONTREAL - I met this young lady shortly after a fashion week event at the McCord Museum. As I was leaving, I spotted her fur vest and pea coat ensemble and was intrigued by the unexpected combination.
VANCOUVER - On yet another gloomy day in Vancouver, Jon brightens up the scene with an earth tone colour story from head to toe.
MONTREAL - June Lam embraces Canadian life to the fullest while sipping coffee on a warm afternoon outside of the McGill University library.
MONTREAL - Allyssa beats the winter black blahs with a chic combination of colour and print.
MILAN - Behold another fine Sunday dress worn by a dandy lady scurrying the street of Via Montenapoleone.
MILAN - What makes for a perfect outfit whilst shopping amongst the Sunday crowd on a blistering summer day in Milan?
MILAN - Part Two of the t-shirt and blazer ensemble witnesses a shift in character.
MILAN - It's not that we've never seen a blazer and t-shirt together before. As ordinary as it may be, the duo shines given the right model, and a slight rebellious affair.
TORONTO - Ana works for the Ontario Government and knows how to throw together a casual Friday outfit.
TORONTO - For the first time in my life, body language scored me an americano. Jeff, a model, aspiring actor and head bartender at Thompson Hotel Lobby Bar in Toronto ate up my silent request to take his photo. Think: asking for the time by tapping your watch, a tiptoe-tap-dance for the nearest toilet. Universal indicators.
TORONTO - A saleswoman by trade, Allie sold her situation without a word. Comfortable and content in the sea of people dancing around waves of traffic at Bloor and Yonge Sts. in Toronto, Allie took a few minutes for herself.
MILAN - Hisayuki Amae is a graphic designer I met in Milan, just outside the Mila Schön show during fashion week. Naturally, I thought his textured outfit was a national costume of sorts, only to discover that Amae designs his own clothes, "for fun". The fun doesn't stop there, the internet soon told me.
TORONTO - Wendy is a Toronto based illustrator and her work is as bubbly fresh as her personality and style. As if rehearsed, she laid a monologue on me about being camera shy, then as soon as I had my eye to the viewfinder, she began bopping about. What a joy!
TORONTO - I asked Roxy if I could take her picture. She agreed on one condition: I carefully hand over the Hasselblad I was carrying around my neck. The rest is history. Without cue, she flipped open the viewfinder, shimmied her mini-skirt just enough to bend comfortably in heels, and gazed over my shoulder at a stunning rainfall of golden leaves.
MILAN - Stylist and fashion blogger, Maria, was caught by The Genteel during Milan Fashion Week. On Via Montenapoleone, at a moment when every conceivable style and fashion lover was weaving through cyclists, pedestrians and cars (who are we kidding, there is no singular moment of this kind on Via Montenapoleone), all I could focus on was this red doll.
TORONTO - A hairstylist at John Steinberg & Associates, Benjamin was happy to chat while he waited for his lunch at Sadie's Diner. I met Benjamin through a mutual friend a couple years ago. Though he may not have a "uniform," and takes inspiration from season and occasion, his style has always been on point and he has a penchant for attention to detail.
ISTANBUL - One afternoon while shopping in Aritzia to find a pair of trousers, I was gobsmacked by a tsunami of early 80s new wave nostalgia. Bursa, a university English instructor, was wandering around Istiklal Street in Taksim recently, but from my eyes, she channeled the new wave energy that I felt in Aritzia that day.
TORONTO - Ninalee can't help but pour pure, untethered joy in to the hearts of everyone she meets. This comes from years of soaking up every morsel of the vapors of life, from the cobblestones and canals of Venice to the restaurants, galleries and concert halls of Toronto.
TORONTO - The dictionary defines a patch as a piece of cloth or other material used to mend or strengthen a torn or weak point. With the chill of fall in our midst, maintaining control of one's body temperature and dressing aptly is about as easy as baking croissants…without butter. Maintaining comfortable body temperature as the climate shifts: this tends to be a weak point in need of a patch.
TORONTO - Mary Albino is a journalist and dear friend. It's no surprise that her interest in people led her to share their stories. Sans effort, her beautiful sheen brings out the colour in others. I have a hunch she could make an honest cup of lemonade, without lemons. Such is her charm.
MILAN - I don't see men in pinstripe suits often enough. Perhaps I should visit Milan more often, because let me tell you, I get a real kick out of seeing a decked out suit. This gentleman was wearing a suit from Oxxford, a brand of choice from the likes of Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Walt Disney.
TORONTO - Anna is a student from Hannover, Germany, 3 months in to a yearlong globe-trot. She's already worked and boarded on a farm in New Brunswick, couch surfed, hitchhiked and departs tomorrow for Ecuador.
MILAN - OK, I get it. When one goes to a designer fashion show, in this case, Dolce and Gabbana S/S 2012, he or she typically shows their respect and support by wearing something from the designer's previous collection.
MILAN - I've often seen pictures of Angelo Flaccavento taken by the gaggle of street style photographers, most notably, The Sartorialist. Given his affinity for classic menswear, it doesn't surprise me that Angelo is regularly featured on his blog. Angelo's style is classic, undoubtedly, but with an obvious contradiction.
MILAN - If I could summarize the ambiance at Missoni's Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show a few days ago, I'd choose the words, romantic and intimate. True, these words evoke editorial ennui due to frequent usage, but try as I may to come up with more suitable diction, those were the words that perfectly encapsulated the mood.
MILAN - The encounter I had with Rana went from 0 to 60 in a Milan minute, which meant a dialogue in a long lasting crescendo.
NEW YORK - Preetma reminded me of a rock chick disguised as a librarian, or was it the other way around? Does it matter, really? How can the two looks possibly co-exist and look this stylish?
TORONTO - Edward Scissorhands. That may not be the way he would describe himself, but a minute in to our conversation, I had visions of Johnny Depp hemming Winona's vintage red skirt. Alas, this is no romantic fantasy, this is Edward's passion.
NEW YORK - I am always apprehensive about taking Anna Dello Russo's photo for a street style piece. Mainly because she's Anna Dello Russo, a street style doyenne.
TORONTO - Perched on the wall outside Club Monaco in Yorkville, Toronto, Pasquale was unaffected by my approach. Legs crossed, chin tucked hiding the bow-tie round his neck, he scribbled calm and steady into a notebook.
NEW YORK- Forbes’ lifestyle maven Hannah Elliott trots around New York Fashion week in English country inspired menswear.
SEOUL - SJ, Jason and Yuji each bring their unique take on the flooded trouser.
NEW YORK - One of the first and lasting observations I made at New York Fashion week was the abundance of menswear worn by women. It wasn't the kind of menswear I expected to see, I tell you.
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The Genteel is committed to delivering quality journalism, unearthing the forces shaping international fashion and design, through the lens of business, culture, society, best kept secrets and street style. As multi-dimensional and stimulating as its readers, The Genteel is the inspired destination where informed readers converge with in-depth fashion and design coverage.
A worldwide collective of contributors currently form The Genteel. On a daily basis our team dispatches thought-provoking and insightful articles from the streets of Oslo, Toronto, Beirut, Moscow, United Arab Emirates, Seoul and beyond.
