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This is just a heads up to you lot out there that we might be a little more infrequent with posting during July- just call it our summer holiday.

Guest post: Daniel Jenkin's thoughts on Paris

We were so happy with the results of our interview with Daniel Jenkins that we couldn't resist asking him whether he would report on Paris fashion week for us... and were pleased as punch when he agreed! The following post is Paris fashion week from an interesting point of view: that of a consumer, admirer and purveyor of men's fashion. The rest of this post is Dan's....

Last week having donned my frippery and finery, packed as much hand luggage as is possible and gotten through security, I headed off for Men’s Fashion week in Paris. Like Euro 2008 but slightly more exciting and this time the British are invited. Milan is lovely, New York is splendid but the real action takes place in Paris. Whether you are into Lanvin or YMC there is no option than to attend. Now I know that makes it sound like it’s a chore and despite my protestations to friends and family that it really is tough going it’s actually my favourite two weeks of the year. It’s also a shining beacon to people in the UK about how men’s fashion could and should be treated.

Kilgour's first show was a highlight for us all - image courtesy of men.style.com

The week is split up into two distinct groups. The shows and the trade shows. Now like most of you I have to watch the Lanvin or Kilgour show via men.style.com. Lanvin, I really enjoyed, preferred it to last season – which given I couldn’t stop talking about it is some achievement. I was suitably impressed by Kilgour, mostly because I want the Aston they had outside. One of our oldest houses has taken an interesting step in showing. I know it’s been on the cards for a while but I wonder what effect it’ll have on the Savile Row side of the business. In fact I found the Parisian shows fascinating both from a pure fashion but also financial sense. Apart from Milan which is always very luxurious and quite commercial this is the first time we’ve been able to see what effect the supposed ‘credit crunch’ has had. I love the advent of pyjamas. This has been bubbling under for the last few seasons and finally is coming to the fore. Coupled with a slightly more crumpled look, which given my hatred of ironing is a blessing in disguise. Although we’ve been preaching this relaxed gospel for quite some time.

The recent and i collection featured on refinery29

The bulk of my time is taken up with trade shows. Namely Tranoi, Rendez-Vous and, for the first time, New York’s Capsule. This being fashion ‘darhling’ these are unlike anything else. They enable buyers and labels from all over the world to congregate and go through the new collections. Most of our labels are British so I do much of my buying in the UK but the Parisian shows are vital to keep me in tune with what's happening and helping me to unearth some gems.

Tranoi is held in the Palais De La Bourse, which is the old French stock exchange and is suitably impressive. Housing labels as diverse as Ally Capellino, Mackintosh, Limoland. Each season they work with a particular designer to showcase their work. In the past it’s been labels such as Acne. Walter Van Beirendonck was this season's focus with catwalk shows from Bernhard Willhelm. The Van Beirendonck photos outside the venue were amongst the most interesting I’ve seen in a while and acted as a thoughtful tribute to his unique take on fashion.

Away from Haussmann’s grandeur, and deep in the Marais are Rendez-Vous and Capsule. Rendez-vous is split between a couple of sites. Usually slightly industrial and always highly conspicuous. Having gotten hopelessly lost – sat-nav on telephones is not a godsend - I finally found the new venue they were using. This housed labels such as Unconditional, Chronicles of Never, Satyenkumar and Lou Dalton. All of which are taking interesting routes in dealing with the current situation fashion finds itself in. Unconditional’s collection was huge and showed the label's continued march towards Brit fashion domination with the sophistication of the AW08 collection taken even further. Satyenkumar I still believe is the biggest under the radar talent we have in British menswear. The new collection was based on 'old British sea side towns and Romany gypsy fairs’. Mixing a wonderful eye for fabric, colour and texture with wonderful use of cutting and tailoring. The stand next to Satyen’s was occupied by Lou Dalton. Someone whose work we’ve been falling in love with from afar for quite some time. It was nice to get up close and personal with the clothes and meet Louise. Again it was a collection that wore its Britishness proudly without becoming a pastiche. Having spent all day trying to persuade people to allow me to ‘borrow’ samples and a very good meal, I decided to head over to see the new boy.

Now I must confess there has been a lot of talk about Capsule within the industry for a couple of months and I certainly didn’t know what to expect. Would it take the format of the show in New York or try something different? As the mantra goes ‘Location Location Location’ and the setting for the show was something else. I’m not often silenced but this did the trick.

It was housed in the Hotel de Liberal Bruant on the market apparently for 22 Million Euros (damn exchange rate) which is just around the corner from the Place des Vosges, my favourite part of Paris. The interesting thing about Capsule was that it had such a large venue but a really small brand portfolio. Showcasing labels including: April77 (who provided the music and the bad singing), YMC, Won Hundred, Fred Perry, Garbstore, Our Legacy and Vincent Schoepfer – who win the prize for my favourite look book of the season, although Our Legacy aren’t far behind. You probably wouldn’t be surprised how many shows manage to forget we are there to view the garments. This made Capsule refreshing. It also echoed the new spirit that seems to fill the collections. Almost as if they are sticking two fingers up to common perception about what they should do. Me, being the silly romantic fell in love with a few pieces. There was one jacket by YMC, which if Beth from the label didn’t know where I lived, would’ve been straight out of the door with me. Really nice use of pockets and wonderful detailing.

I enjoy being given the ability to meet, chat and swap ideas with the people who deal with and create the collections. Something which a runway presentation never enables you to do. It’s nice to see how much labels are progressing and how far British labels have come. Almost taking the gauntlet laid down by the Scandinavian houses and coming up with something unique. It also interested me that most of the risks were being taken by British Labels.

As well as all this work.... Paris offers the opportunity for a bit of Star Spotting: Kanye was floating about all week. You’ve got to love a chap who visits Paris Fashion Week for his holiday! Shopping: A visit to Colette always does one good. Networking and partying: The Brit Disco again with Colette was really good. I’m noticing a recurring theme here about the emergence of British men's fashion. I’ve got all my fingers crossed. Gordon Richardson expressed it wonderfully in an interview with Dazed Digital when he said he "hoped the focus on men’s fashion was here to stay and .... that there are so many people who are not going to allow it to fail"

– Stop press: I’ve just looked at Dazed again and there is a picture of me from the party. I must be the only guy blackberrying his mum... Fame at last!

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Sale!

As he has been so kind with his time (and because there's bargains to be had!), it would be remiss of us not to let you all know Daniel Jenkins is having a 50% off sale that started yesterday (5th July). Steve will most certainly top up his sale purchases as he's got the taste for sale shopping now. There are a few things he's looking at, in particular this Satyenkumar shirt and this and i windjammer.

You'll be my Brazilian boy

Why does Fabrizio Rollo suddenly seem to be everywhere I look? It could be because I have been compulsively typing 'Fabrizio Rollo' into google, but I'm not sure. Whatever the reason is, there's no doubt that he's quite compelling to look at. From what I can work out he is a fashion editor at Brazilian Men's Vogue... and it also seem that the Sart is quite taken with him, as most of the pictures in this post are his.
And honestly, I'm a bit obsessed. While I'm not necessarily besotted with all of his outfits- or even elements within particular get ups- the details are just brilliant. His way with textures is especially interesting and there's just this care and freshness and personality that is missing from so many supposedly stylish men.
I know that a lot of people didn't like the laces tied around his ankles in the picture above (I can't say that I do either really) but I love love LOVE his shirt (Steve, please note that he is wearing a vest underneath his shirt to avoid any nipple displays). The scarf (or is it a foulard?) adds just the right amount of interest.

I really like the mixture of texture and patterns in this outfit... and I haven't even mentioned that wonderful beard yet...

(Picture 1 courtesy of Branded Male, pictures 2 and 3 courtesy of the Sartorialist and picture 4 from Chic in Paris)

Friday Night Linky Dinks!

Yep. Still couched. And now, a whole bunch of links that have about as much in common as spaghetti and kitty litter.

+ American Apparel takes one step closer toward absolute corruption as they reintroduce Hypercolor shirts. Why God, why? Brightest Young Things reports.

+ Nylon previews the next designer to team up with Target for their Go International collection: Richard Chai. Pretty fall solid separates in purples and blues.

+ MOTHER! Dress up like Little Edie Beale in jewelry inspired by Grey Gardens.
This is the best thing to wear for today, you understand.

+ Makeupandbeautyblog takes a look like Chanel's Fall 2008 gold-flecked metallics in princessy fairy shades. Love the Fantastic Plum lipstick.

+ Beauty Anonymous experiments with mascaras with magical battery-powered wands that whirl, twirl, and could possibly blind you. I'm afraid. (Via Beauty Blogging Junkie)

+ For the Love of Beauty explores India via Lancome's forthcoming India-inspired Fall 2008 collection.

+ I can't wait for Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust, and after watching about 10 hours of television today and seeing this commercial about 14 times, I'm practically an expert.

+ Crafty ladies: Roman Sock knows how to make meerkats that are so cute you could just break down and cry.

Tell Me About It, Stud: My Love Affair With Studded Flats Continues

Greetings from the couch, where I'm still parked. Two iced coffees later... I think I'm starting to sprout roots, and I'm pretty sure I gave myself scoliosis just today. That Tom Petty documentary is STILL on ("Comprehensive, revealing and epic in scope..." um... yes, it all of those things). I REALLY need a shower, FYI. SOS... Anyway, I came across these studded ballet slippers today:

($48, Capezio, Bonadrag.com)

They're cool but a little too literal and look pretty uncomfy. They did remind me of how much I love pyramid studs though, especially when they're used in unexpected ways, like with a pair of pretty pink ballet slippers.

Some more studded flats:

($425, Loeffler Randall, Active Endeavors)

Gorgeous, but I'd love them far more without the ankle strappage.

($88, Theory Shoes, Shopbop)
Sorry, but these are repulsive.


($211, Maloles, Zappos Couture)

So elegant.

($59, Jessica Simpson, ShoeMall.com)

Eeek. Cognitive dissonance issues -- cute shoes but they're Jessica Simpson! What to do? What to do?

($50, Calypso)

Cheaper, though only available in sizes 6 and 11.

($174, Kenneth Cole, Endless.com)

Not cheap, but sizes for all!

($12.99, BCOutlet.com)

Only available in size 7, but cheap!

($12.99, GoJane)

Cheapy Mccheap!

($29, Adi Misbehave, Overstock)

Lotsa colors, but the black ones are safest, don't you think?

($12.99, Go Jane)

Eek. Is it bad that I like these?

($41, Matiko, 6pm.com)

Not bad. But I don't understand the idea of the name "6pm." Anyway...

($41, Michael Kors, Overstock)

Pretty, preppy, punk-y! Only left in size 8. Yay if you're an 8, boo if you're not.

($287, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Net-a-porter.com)

I do believe these are the Marc Jacobs studded ballet flats that started it all. Brightest Young Things show you how to make your own!

($126, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Saks Fifth Avenue)

These Marc by Marc Jacobs studded flats, however, are unforgivable.


Finally, you (and by "you," I mean "I") also need some pyramid stud earrings:

($88, Wendy Nichol, Ravinstyle.com)

NEED!

($72, Argento Vivo, Bluefly)

Sophisticado.

($39, Whats That Cat, Etsy)

Etsy seller Whats That Cat has really sweet handmade pyramid stud earrings with sparklies. They're made of polymer clay and look really cool.

($20, Michelle Chang Jewelry, Etsy)

Super cuties sterling silver pyramid stud earrings from Etsy seller Michelle Chang Jewelry. Very much want!

Topshop's First Step Toward Taking New York: Taking Over Williamsburg's McCarren Pool Parties

Topshop still hasn't opened in New York (boo), but they're establishing their presence at the hipster magnet that is Williamsburg's (the Lower East Side of Brooklyn) McCarren Park Pool Parties -- a series of free concerts held every Sunday afternoon all summer in the shell of a former municipal pool. It's hot and sticky as fuck there, but the music is free, and the fashion entertainment factor cannot be measured, as Catherine's demonstrated in the past. Also, last Sunday's Hold Steady show was supposed to be absolutely face-melting, but it also poured like the heavens were having a going out of business sale, so I skipped it.

Anyway, Topshop and Topman have set up camp (a little beachy area, specifically) at the pool parties this year, to promote the forthcoming NYC arrival of our very first ever Topshop/Man. Chicks are roaming around dressed in Topshop gear (cue jealousy), and they've set up a photo booth where you can snap pix of yourself -- I'm thinking it's probably like the Helmut Newton photo booth project they did back in London.

Here's the schedule for the rest of the summer. Ronnie Spector (!!!) is this Sunday, and I'd definitely recommend seeing the Ting Tings on July 27.

And with that in mind, check out some of my favorite pieces from Topshop's High Summer line:

(Apprx $99 USD)


(Apprx $39 USD)

(Apprx $15 USD)

(Apprx $19 USD)

(Apprx $148 USD)

(Apprx $29)
Very Lily Allen.


(Apprx $89 USD)
Topshop's answer to the Prada fairy bag. Wonder if these bleed.

(Apprx $59 USD)
Also want!

+ Check out more of Topshop's High Summer collection, and buy stuff here.

Carabella Swim Sale!

Carabella's having a big-aysed sale: 40% off their entire site through Sunday. Enter code C418. I just bought these three suits (with fingers crossed that they fit because I'm not sure about their return policy, but I am sure if I don't buy a suit soon, I'm gonna be going jumping in the water in a shorts and t-shirt when I go to the beach at the end of this month).

($79, Sunflair, Carabella)


($49, It Figures, Carabella)

Not sure about this one, but it's not bad and doesn't have legs cut up to the ears. Hate that.

($39, Shape FX, Carabella)

The Marissa Miller boobie bandeau I blogged about before. We'll see, maybe it'll work.

And happy fourth, everyone. It looks like it's about to rain here, so we're sittin' around the homefront in the AC, watching some show about Tom Petty. Ain't that America? And, of course, we're keeping it fashionable -- check out the awesome chef's toque con longosta that my boyfriend is randomly rocking: