Photographer Bell Soto has a new editorial up at Contributing Editor. It’s a mixture of high-contrast shots and very delicate, heavily lit shots, some of which resemble oil paintings. The photo of Stas and Vlad (second and third photos after the jump) particularly. They remind me of Audrey Kawasaki‘s soft, pastel colors and gradations.
In hopes of constructing a top ten list for Fall/Winter 09, I gave the collections a second look last night—not an easy task considering my ridiculously clumsy wireless connection and the amount of collections there are to look through. However, after countless clicks I have managed to assemble a list. I didn’t quite get to 10 collections for both genders but, hopefully by the time these posts are through I’ll have them all.
Dries Van Noten
Too be honest this collection could function as both Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter for Dries. Effortlessly chic and undoubtedly playful, Dries handles the extreme color saturation of his clothing with much more grace than a lot of his peers. I’m looking at you, Marc. It’s a great collection of basics accented by the typical Dries print-play and stunning fabric selection. One of my favorite looks was the oversized charcoal shirt with assymetrical black tulle detail paired with luxe, slouchy silk trousers.
Donna Karan
There’s not much to say about this collection. The bitch is back in the house and she gave us quite an unexpected and ferocious collection. Who knew she had it in her? It’s equal parts seductive and strong, relying on the exposure and the subtle bolstering of the shoulder as well as the routine Karan waist-cinch. Donna has captured the New York woman aesthetic with this collection. It’s so good that it should be their uniform.
I had to stop when I saw these at our local fine wine store. James Jean on a wine bottle, who knew? Apparently a lot of people, I found out. The bottles, from The Grateful Palate, are absolutely gorgeous in person. Bits of aluminum flakes are printed along the the label borders, and each set has amazing typography thanks to Jeffery Keedy.
Although I’d like to grab all nine, my measly budget allows me only one or two… three if I’m lucky. Larger photos from James’s website and set details from The Die Line after the jump.
I can’t speak for everyone, but when it comes to buying books or magazines I am extremely picky about I spend my money on. A trip to the bookstore usually involves me having a group of 5 books I want and actually buying only one or none at all. Therefore, I find bookshelves—from the way their organized to what’s actually in them—one of the most interesting things about a person’s living space. I think of it as an allocation of all the parts of a personality. The Shelf Portraits editorial, shot by Brendan Austin in Acne Paper’s Autumn ’06 issue, is so aptly named.
Currently, my main bookshelf is a jumble of fantasy novels, dictionaries (design, french, collegiate), fashion/design magazines, and art books with the occasional (and seldom-read) philosophic essay. It’s an accurate parallel, in my opinion. The rest of the editorial is after the jump.
Men’s F/W ’09: Hamilton & Yasuhiro
Tim Hamilton
Tim Hamilton has yet to disappoint me with the five or so menswear collections he has under his belt. This offering for next fall is relatively demure in palette but rich with texture and charm. Lots of covetable pieces here. I love the sheeny, long hoodies in navy and black under matte jackets and the quirky floral and fur-lined trenches. The front-zip suede and leather boots in different lengths are amazing. I definitely need to find a similar pair because lawd knows I can’t afford Hamilton’s (ridiculous) price-points. This is such a boyfriend collection (aka what you would want your boyfriend to dress in).
Miharayasuhiro
Gorgeous pieces, gorgeously styled. There is absolutely everything I could ever want to wear for any occasion during Fall and Winter in this collection. However, we don’t have much of a Fall or Winter so… yeah. Utilitarian, somewhat militaristic, and earthy, the garments seem to have already been lived in, infused with purpose and antiquity. Billowing jackets, knit cardigans, and suit jackets with bows at the waist were highlights for me.