EYE CANDY

Orthodox Style

La Cambre Belgium
La Cambre Belgium

Men’s fashion has become a new place for designers to experiment with ideas, as men have torn away tradition for more daring looks. Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy has been able to turn men’s fashion into a playground of experimentation. Thom Browne has remixed men’s classics into abstract art, but Tisci has been able to mix mens wear with feminine aesthetics, yet masculine and commercial successful. Only John Paul Gaultier has come almost as close to his success in deconstructed men’s fashion.

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Vogue In Review: Kim and Kanye

Lost: A Moment in Fashion History

All About Kim
All About Kim

It’s May, and spring is in the air. The flowers are blooming, fashionistas are waiting for fall collections to be released, and April’s Vogue Cover of Kim and Kanye is being used for mulch. Now that April showers have subsided and we’re all in a better mood, lets discuss what was lost in fashion’s most recent controversial moment.

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Raw Edges: The Leading Man

Top Five Fashionable Asian Celebrities

A few months ago, I wrote a paper about Asian men and North Americans cinematic depiction of Asian male sexuality–yes boring. Therefore, I thought I would do something more fun to dispel this myth. This week, while watching Real Steel, I was taken aback by Asian male actor, Karl Yune, who was so stylish. However, he barely spoke, he just looked hot!! I looked him up, and I was shocked to discover that his brother is my adolescent dream man, Asian American actor, Rick Yune–I still hate Lisa Ling for dating him.

Karl Yune and Rick Yune: Red Carpet
Karl Yune and Rick Yune: Red Carpet
Karl Yune: 2011_real_steel_047
Karl Yune: 2011_real_steel_047
Rick Yune w/ Korean Actor/Musician Rain
Rick Yune w/ Korean Actor/Musician Rain

When magazines release their “Hunk List” of male actors and singers, it is always a group of typical North American men, so I thought I would create my list of hot, stylish, Asian male actors and performers.

First on my list, of course, is singer and performer, Taeyang. He came into the North American spotlight with his hit song, Wedding Dress–I hope it’s Vera. I know I bought mine. Korean stars always have a very trendy look, but Taeyang seems to push the edge of the envelope, it could also be that I am blinded by his smoldering eyes.

Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang
Taeyang

Next, Harry Shum Jr. from television show Glee. I don’t know if I consider him stylish, but he is hot, so let’s go with that. He can dance, so we know he has rhythm, he can “act-ish”, so we know he’s not that good at faking it, and he has great abs, okay all criteria complete; style stamp of approval. If you don’t agree with me, this information may give him a boost. In an online poll by UCLA of “heterosexual men,” Shum was voted most likely for straight men to go “gay” with. Therefore, according to Sex and The City character, Samantha Jones,  first the gays–me, then the girls, and then industry follows. I guess Shum has a big career ahead of him by that logic?

harry-shum-jr
harry-shum-jr
harry-shum-jr
harry-shum-jr
Harry Shum Jr.
Harry Shum Jr.

Third on my list is 19-year-old, actor musician Ezra Miller. He was a new find for me. His style is what I love about being young: playful, corky, and unapologetic. I hate watching red carpets, it’s always the same perfect dress, so I love to find a twist, and Miller is it.

Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller

The number four, in Asian culture, is considered bad luck because,  of its connection to death, but to me death is a new beginning. Which brings be to the birth of my fourth fashionable Asian male, HUNK Paolo Roldan. I have watched this gorgeous man for a couple of years now, and I am embarrassed to admit, I learned his name today.  I guess when you’re lusting, you forget to ask names. He captured my attention because he is on every major fashion runway for men. Second blunder on my part, he’s Canadian and from Toronto. Here on the West Coast we’ve been preoccupied with Taiwanese-Canadian model, Godfrey Gao, he’s from our side. Alas, while Godfrey was taking up our time, Toronto was producing Paolo.

Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan
Paolo Roldan

Last but not least, is the most fashionable Asian male celebrity. He is the reason Asian actors have a voice in North America, and you guessed it, Bruce Lee. When I was designing clothes in middle school, I would pull out his movies for inspiration. Always fluid with his moves, Lee’s style is effortless. He is way before my time, but ahead of the pack. To me, his style is classic Asian celebrity. No one did shirtless like him!!!

Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce-Lee-and-Brandon-Lee
Bruce-Lee-and-Brandon-Lee

Don’t agree with my top five. Send me your comments and add your list below. I will do another review later,and who knows, maybe your pick will hit my next list.

MC.

Raw Edges: Street Fashion Interviews

Discovery Channel

Fashion is all about discovering new talent, people, and style. NYFW is the best place and time to meet everyone. Between all the wonderful shows, I always like meeting new people, therefore understanding fashion and style a little further.

I first meet street style photographers, Wataru Shimosato and Young Jun Koo, whose style attracted my attention. The two photographers were shy to speak, but check out their blogs (I’M Koo and  An Unknown Quantity) to see what wonderful people they snap around New York, even designers and the Queen of Mean, Anna Wintour, whom I love, line up to be immortalized by the photog friends.

Young Jun Koo: Wall Street Journal
Young Jun Koo: Wall Street Journal
IMKOO_ANNAWINTOUR2
IMKOO_ANNAWINTOUR2
Wataru Shimosato: An Unknown Quantity
Wataru Shimosato: An Unknown Quantity
Richard-Chai-Spring-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-New-York-Fashion-Street-Style-Blog1
Richard-Chai-Spring-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-New-York-Fashion-Street-Style-Blog1
Richard-Chai-Spring-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-New-York-Fashion-Street-Style-Blog1
Richard-Chai-Spring-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-New-York-Fashion-Street-Style-Blog1
Richard-Chai-Spring-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-New-York-Fashion-Street-Style-Blog1
Richard-Chai-Spring-St-An-Unknown-Quantity-New-York-Fashion-Street-Style-Blog1

Next up was a very well dressed woman, whose name I didn’t get, I think I was too in love with her cashmere coat to ask. This emerging fashion talent told me a little about her line and described her elegant style, of course all made by her, except, her fur collar, which was handed down by her grandma. Incorporating family history, and sentimental pieces is a great way to give your look originality and style (sorry, no photo, check out video).

Well, here she is as promised, Faustina Rose, a blog favourite. I meet this Lady Gaga look-a-like, although complete original herself (I am sure she is sick of the comparison). I wrote about her gob-smacking style a few posts back, but it took me a moment to discovery I was not speaking with a mere mortal, just check out her website. If you enjoy her style, she reveals some of her beauty secrets in our video. Ms. Rose has also been captured by our photographer friends.

Faustina Rose: IMKOO_NYFW6
Faustina Rose: IMKOO_NYFW6
Faustina Rose: IMKOO_NYFW6_2
Faustina Rose: IMKOO_NYFW6_2
Faustina Rose: IMKOO_NYFW6_3
Faustina Rose: IMKOO_NYFW6_3

After all my fashionistas, I bumped into some musical artist, Lily Halpern, whose rumoured to be dating, Harry Styles, from One Direction, England’s break-out boy band. This songstress seemed very busy during fashion week. I was a little shocked when I spotted her on E! News.

harry-lily and Harry Styles
harry-lily and Harry Styles
harry-styles-one-direction-romantically-lily-halpern
harry-styles-one-direction-romantically-lily-halpern

The last part of my video came with a blanket of mystery, no names, just info. I meet an RCA executive, whose wife designs hang bags, while interviewing her, she let it slip that her husband had signed a new artist. When I spoke with the mystery executive, he said I was getting a big scoop. I spoke with the new artist about her style and fashion week connection (check out video for her name).

MC.