Style DNA: BURBERRY

Christopher Bailey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2kz6rNnOPo&w=560&h=315

I like to discover new brands, and I love reinvention. I was watching a video about the new MacBook Pro, from Apple, and a designer in the video had the most amazing line: “To create something new, you have to forget what you did in the past.”Developing a fashion house can be a daunting task, but what is more difficult is rejuvenating a legacy brand. The turning tide of fashion brands go in and out like the trends they create. Keeping current can be difficult in a constantly changing market place. Sex And The City made brands more than clothing, but household names. A designer use to have to pander to jaded fashion watchers and celebrities, whose critical eye could send brands walking with one bad collection. Now the microscope is magnified with everyone watching for popularity, not substance. Style has become secondary to theatrics and connections. One label that has not dismissed its past, but forgotten about what has been, while creating a new future is Burberry.

Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012

Burberry has stood the test of time, while trends come and go, and nah-sayers passed them by, Burberry soldiered forward. The signature Burberry trench, that  has anchored them for over a century, is no longer drowning their look while protecting them from the rain. Designer, Christopher Bailey has thrown off  the trench to showcase Burberry fashion!!

Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012

Christopher Bailey has helped men and women all over the world shed their trench and clamour for Burberry’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. Burberry Spring/Summer 2012, Prorsum created fashion havoc, and Fall 2012’s collection does not disappoint.

Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012

With the sun out, it’s hard to imagine what you will want to be wear during the fall. For Fall 2012, Burberry makes you want to feel a chill in the air. Here are some hot looks that will make the sun feel cold. It’s not just about trench coats anymore.

Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012
Burberry Fall/Winter 2012

Closet Confession: Dear Anna

Ms. Wintour

Dear Anna,

After years of trying to write you a letter, I thought I would put one on my blog. After watching you on the Colbert Report (Wednesday, May 9, 2012), I love you. Not only did you match wits with Stephen, you slammed his style, while supporting gay marriage. A proven professional, you never miss a beat.

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“Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations” Costume Institute Gala

What I love about Ms. Wintour is that her style is always consistent. Her signature bob haircut has become timeless, while her mid-calf length skirts, dresses, and… I don’t think I’ve seen her in pants?  Her style has become synonymous with elegance, I confess: calf-length is my favourite skirt length.

Anna Wintour and Sarah Mower
anna-main

Anna is one of the few magazine editors that has become, not only famous for her style and attitude, but like Simon Cowell, she has made mean cool–well, only when you know what you’re talking about. You have to love a women who knows how to state her opinion looking fabulous!

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To be on top for over 20 years, takes not only guts, or a lust for power, but true love and passion. Anna has taken the fashion world and combined it with American spending power, which has turned American Vogue into the Bible of style. Not always the most ground breaking in editorial photography, Vogue is relatable to everyone. For me, a magazine can only dominate when it is based on replication, therefore a look can be achieved by the viewer. A great example is what I call mall pop-stars. Any major artist who breaks into the pop scene must have a look that can be bought at any local mall–Britney and Madonna’s debut albums. This is what creates relatable fashion and followers.

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Vogue may give the most high-end look, but it is one that is achieved on many levels, from major fashion designers to Zara, looks can be repeated by way of emulation. This accessibility, I believe, is what has kept Wintour on top. You may not like her method or attitude, but you have to respect her dedication to fashion.

anna-wintour3

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
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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.