Centre Stage

Paris Takes Back Fashion

Balmain SS15

Givenchy, Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel have always been on our lips, but not a fashion force for a long time, until now. Not long ago our favourite labels and names came from Milan. Starlets wore shape-cut Gucci, Fashion sophisticates wore Prada, and party-goers wore Cavalli. How the fashion world has changed.

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S.S: I’M Koo

Behind The Lens

http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/

The photographer is no longer a disheveled figure behind the lens. Today, he is a stylish nomad crisscrossing globes, and capturing style fantasy. For 2013, I’ve picked one fashion photographer to watch: I’M Koo.

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http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/

Based in New York, YoungJun Koo is a Korean fashion photographer. I first spotted him when I was interviewing street style candidates during  New York Fashion Week. Koo captured my attention with his flare for fashion, and signature blonde hair. However, beyond his personal style, is an eye for stylish people.

www.koo.im/blog/
www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/

His fashion blog, I’M Koo, captures some of the most intriguing fashionistas; street style and industry insiders; i.e. Ms. Wintour. Koo’s personal risk with fashion seem to enhance his work as an artist. Koo doesn’t seem to mind being on the other side of the lens either, which is why I think he is able to capture each street snap’s inner beauty. He seems to connect the camera to an energy that is fueled by  his subjet’s love for fashion.

http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/
http://www.koo.im/blog/

All images are taken or owned by YoungJun Koo

Check out my interview with YoungJun Koo during NYFW

STYLE DNA: Harajuku Girls

Japanese Street Style

A few posts back I was debating between New York and Tokyo street style. Both are very different, but one thing I like about Japanese street style is commitment to a look. These boys and girls don’t mess. Even Gwen Stefani dedicated an entire song to their style. Convention be gone, these street savvy stylers give character a new name. Even drag queen look-a-like, Wendy Williams, doesn’t have game on these wiggy looks.

Japan has cranked out street style before it was even cool, knocking off their favorite Anime characters to create off-the-wall looks. Today, these fashion street walkers blend high fashion with cartoonish style. A look that is being emulated by designers, performers, and stylist all over the world.

I found this great new site dedicated to their often imitated, but never duplicated Harajuku street style: Tokyo Fashion (and there is an app for that). The site is dedicated to Japanese street style and culture, that surround these eclectic looks. After Japan’s 2011 natural disaster, I am happy to see that Japan has not lost its creative edge.

Muse Profile: Y3

Yohji Yamamoto: Shoe Fetish

The shoe seen round the world, Willow Smith sporting the Y3 high heel shoe, which was captured by every photographer for Spring 2012. I love the shoe!! Most talk shows and “news” shows kept talking about the price. Who cares, real fashion lovers don’t care about price, only style!!! Fuck the price, credit cards take care of that problem.

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willow-smith-shoes: Y3
willow-smith-shoes-photos
Y3 Shoe

What Willow Smith’s fantastic shoe choice made me think about was Yohji Yamamoto. Before Rick Owens ruled street style, Yohji Yamamoto was giving us exaggerated shapes, while blending 80’s Punk into high fashion. Today, he uses Hip-Hop’s shapes, layered with 80’s Punk, and Hipper chic, if we can blend all those together. Well he did.

Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-003_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-026_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-023_runway

Yohji Yamamoto’s Y3 collection, is a connection to street style. Willow Smith is a great example of how we can take apart what is on the runway and make it our own. Labels have become a thing of the past, as every Tom, Dick, and Sally sporting an LV logo bag. Today, real fashionistas still like designer fashion, but look, shape, and context mean so much more.

Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-010_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-054_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-021_runway

Y3 takes all of Yohjo Yamamoto’s main ideas and makes them practical. Made in part with Adidas, Y3 can not be looked at as the little brother to Yohji, but a full on individual brand. Not made for everyone, Y3 take guts and confidence to wear. Goal for Spring, something Y3 to ignite my Spring wardrobe. What about you?

Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-050_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-031_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-015_runway

MC.

Cover Me: FACETASM

Tokyo Fashion Week Fall 2012: FACETASM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgs9Oifubr4&w=560&h=315

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

I was doing some research for Tokyo Fashion Week, and I came across one of the coolest collections–FACETASM. I love when I find new things. This Spring I was obsessed with Rick Owens and Givenchy, but Facetasm seems to blend everything I love about both of those collections into one. Also, “hello,” everyone knows I love a scarf, and these are awesome!!

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

I’ve always felt that fashion today flows from Tokyo street style, into Paris Couture, and then New York mainstream. Milan is always doing its thing on the edge. When I spend time in Japan, I am always amazed that I can wear anything. New York street style is very edgy, like Tokyo, but there is something to Tokyo that is outrageous. Case and point, I am walking down the streets of Shibuya and this girl is waiting for her boyfriend to apply his make-up — flabbergasted! Anyway, I am not here debate “New York Street Style” and “Tokyo Street Style,” both are very unique and amazing to me.

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

The Facetasm collection designed by Hiromichi Ochiai, did a great job blending street style into a streamlined collection that is sophisticated and wearable. When a collection pushes the limits of style while keeping it wearable is always refreshing. Fashion produces so many collections, but for the average consumer most looks are not practical. This collection has some great fashion and style elements. Created for both men and women, this collection has wonderful points for all.  I hope you will find as much inspiration from this collection as I did.

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

MC.