Louis Vuitton still got it.
(Damn, gloves, blazer and no outerpiece combo kicks ass, nicely styled)

We had a conversation at work the other day about fashion anxiety. It's really funny because I'm almost to old to suffer from it.
But I love the little discussion we had:
"Kris van Assche is really cool, he still does white sneakers on the runway although it's like so last season"
"Well it's white sneakers, and that always rocks, I guess?"
"No, you're right, but it's still last season"
"Yeah, but why should you give up something like that?, it's like "I'm not doing a Tee shirt this season, it feels old"

It's about as deep and profound as it gets around where I work...

Speaking of deep and profound.
THIS is how a blazer should fit 2008. P-e-r-f-e-c-t.
Junya Watanabe rules.

If I was Kris van Assche I would say:
Hello, my name is Kris Van Assche and I'm the best designer in the world at the moment, so fuck off.

(If I looked like the dude on the cat walk I wouldn't have to talk at all, I'd be in busy a constant threesome with Carmen Electra and Scarlett Johansen)

Restaurant Felix in Soho NYC.
Moules Frittes to die for and they're playing bachata music non stop.
(obsession with Aventura must be the happiest song in the world)
Best thing is the frenchie in the bar that cazually says au revoir when you leave cause he don't speak english, for real.
I know it's really silly, but I love that shit.
It beats the crap out of pastis any day of the week. (For lunch that is)
Coffee and a smoke outside afterwards in the almost spring-like sun. NYC at it's best, god dammit.

It might look like a dump, but café habana on prince street has a grilled steak with black beans, lime and rice that will make you believe in god. The fact that it's your's for 10 bucks and that they have the coolest waitresses in town doesn't make it worse. Across the street is "Eleven", a descent vintage fashion store, and around the corner down Elisabeth street is, well a whole heap of cool stores. Do NOT miss this joint.

I don't care if you hate big logos.
Somtimes a varsity tee and biker jacket kicks ass. And somtimes, Gant kick a little ass too.

Wearing plaid sportswear shirts with a tie? Nice-o-rama.

By the way:
If I had a house in the Hamptons I would sell it and spend my spare time in Catskill Mountains next fall.
The intellectual (read: poor) side of the hudson river kicks Hamptons ass.
At least that's my romantic idea of it, I have no clue, I've never been to Catskill Mountains.
It's probably just another hick town where everybody plays the banjo and put on a weird smile when you step into the diner.

As far as shirts go, unless you want to look like a total wanker, here's what to wear Fall/Winter 2008.

Big colorful plaids (like a winter version of a madras check) in lightweight flanels.

By the way, someone please work out a retirement plan for D&G, their store in Florence is a tempel of bad taste.

This is how our new closet will look.
My wife soberly pointed out the fact that we "have a lot more shit than that" in our closets.
But, my cunning plan was to throw away everything except designer dresses, little luxury packaging, scents and anything vintage and have it more as an installation. Nice-o-rama!
Until it happends (never) I just have to check out the real thing in the "secret closet" store in tokyo where I'm going next week.
In a big, fat, juicy business class seat, homes.

Band Of Outsiders launched their womens line, called Boy.
It's the perfect example of doing womens wear sexy as hell without being skimpy.
Not that skimpy is bad. Skimpy can be fantastic. This is however, let's say, more sophisticated? And so much more difficult to do. And, pretty please, with sugar on top, go eat your f####ng hart out Juicy Couture.
Buy or die.

I need to quit facebook. It's horribly shallow (and fantastic) takes up way too much of my time. Time that could have been spent on getting this blog somewhat interesting instead..
Anyone familiar with a voyeristic 1968 photography book Les Erotique du Regard?
Coolest book I've seen. (it was in Dover Street Market, of course..at 1500 GBP.)
On a side note, when all pictures, cuttings and pieces of fabrics for coming seasons have been taken off "the wall", and there's like just a few lonely items hanging there, that's when peace enters. And it looks kind of nice as well.

Crate Denim's Chad Hilton gave a really un-predictable answer to a really predictable question in WGSN lately.


"What direction do you feel denim is going in?"
"I don't know. We will continue to do what we feel we do best, which is American-made, well-fitting clothing."


Sweet he's not spewing out "Ehhm, we're like about converting denim in to a big yellow bird, oversized yet kind of sublime, maybe smelling like cookies? And in a pinkish grey shade, or something?"

Also, their secret service store is way cool.
(It looks a bit Band of Outsiders-ish, and anything that looks like B.o.U is cool)

By the way, I will post some pics from the "Take Ivy" book and the Rhode Island yearbooks within a week or so.
(Sorry, haven't seen it around anywhere else, will post if I do, promise)

As always, Band of Outsiders fall collection is right on the money.
And keep up that polaroid thingy you do, Raf Simmons old skool stylee. That's hot.

Weaving mill swatch books dating from 1899 - 1967.
Guess which one was in Coco Chanel's office..
They don't look like this anymore, trust me. It's among the most cherished things I own.

Scott Schuman told me that someone to keep your eyes on are the brothers behind Barker Black.
Scott Schuman is normally always correct, and in this case, absolutely.
Those wingtips after 6 months of hard wear, yes please.
Hang out in shitty pubs, play soccer, in other words, I would party the crap out of my Barker Blacks.
It will make them look twice as good, twice as fast.
Yes, I know you shoe-nerds who are picky about brushing and caring for your shoes will probably hate me, I hope you will at least. I'm still right though. Worn out expensive shoes are much cooler than polished expensive shoes.
That goes for any shoe by the way.

I really suck at updating this.
Anyway, news flash:

1. The abercrombie store on Savile Row in London was just as lame as on 5th avenue.
2. Sperry Topsiders have done the first collaboration ever, with Band Of Outsiders. Not lame at all.
3. Freeman sporting club hadn't got their stuff in to the store when I was in NYC, so I had to buy a toothbrush in bone and 3 ties from spring 07, still the best store in NYC.
5 Ralph Lauren have a team of 400 people doing the visual merchendizing around the world. And no budget.
That's why they rule the universe when it comes to display.

It's flags like these that makes all the difference when you hit the beach.
Amagansett Bathing Association. Sign me up!

Windows at Bergdorf last week.
Alexander Olch seems to be a guy to keep your eyes on.
Otherwise, that north american hunter look, deerhunter, deliverance?
Told you so..

Here's a few tips to check out when in NYC next time:
(If you're into american pre-depression lighting design like O.C White Co and such)

www.oldegoodthings.com
www.strongarm.jp
www.b4itwascool.com

I missed the polo game by the way, but, I had a breakfast meeting in the Hamptons with Scott Schuman.
Did you have breakfast with Scott Schuman last week?
Didn't think so.

Spring footstool at B4 it was cool.

By the way, the same friend I mention below also refers to Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome as:
"That disease where you age prematurely, wear a large cap and get to meet Michael Jackson"

Jonas Cramby could very well be one of the funniest people alive.

I'll be back saturday with a report from the polo game in hamptons.
I think there might be some old people with large caps there, we'll see.