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.
By Mona Chammas
Toronto Canada
http://www.thegenteel.com
Handsome bicycle accessories, cosy companions for a Saturday afternoon indoors, and dandy winter essentials make it into Mona Chammas' holiday wishlist for men (and herself!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 - The encounter I had with Rana went from 0 to 60 in a Milan minute, which meant a dialogue in a long lasting crescendo.
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.
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.
NEW YORK- Forbes’ lifestyle maven Hannah Elliott trots around New York Fashion week in English country inspired menswear.
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.
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?
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 - Every now and then The Genteel will curate the best street style snaps from Geeky Chic. Today we pick Stefanie Ayoub.
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 - Behold another fine Sunday dress worn by a dandy lady scurrying the street of Via Montenapoleone.
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.
MILAN - Part Two of the t-shirt and blazer ensemble witnesses a shift in character.
TORONTO - The Genteel's second installment of curated Street Style works from Geeky Chic features Rei Murakami, Japan-based photographer.
MILAN - What makes for a perfect outfit whilst shopping amongst the Sunday crowd on a blistering summer day in Milan?
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?
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. Fashion and Design Weeks in London, Vancouver and Vienna; A closer look behind Men Atop a Skyscraper; Fashion Darling Burberry plunges; fashion and food pair up again, and more.
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. Olympic fashion in London; Hipster Olympics in Berlin; ad-busting in Toronto; a satirical Vogue profile of North Korea's First Lady, and more.
NEW YORK - Heidi's all encompassing Ralph Lauren outfit was resplendent in detail and geo-era influences.
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. A Christian Louboutin retrospective; Sotheby's expands to Hong Kong; a film adaptation of a Jack Kerouac novel competes at Cannes; and behind the scenes journey of your luggage.
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. Beirut's first ever Design Week; favourite fashion coffee table books; why footballers shouldn't be styling a ponytail; an Iris Apfel and Tavi Gevinson tag team; and is Fashion's Night Out coming to Canada?
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. Heatherwick Retrospective; the first go-around for London Collections: Men; when looks could, in fact, kill; Seoul design; and style in 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne.
The Genteel editors on what we're seeing, doing, reading and anticipating for the week ahead. Double dipping in the National Ballet of Canada and artist and fashion designer collaborations; milking the fashion industry; and Chap Olympiads.
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.
