Silhouette: Slim / Fitted  / Relaxed

Color: Lilac / Camel / Ice blue / Heather grey / Coco / White / Black / Sherbet orange / Marbled emerald / Olive / Lime

Key Items: PVC bomber jackets / Slim skirts / Loose chiffon t-shirts / Long sleeved dresses / Sheer blouses / Slim trousers / Skirt suits / Fur sleeved jackets / Fur lined leather bomber jackets / Openweave knit tops / Sporty leather trousers

Materials: Fur / Georgette / Silk  / PVC / Leather / Cotton / Twill / Chiffon / Crepe de chine / Bouclé

Print + Pattern: Abstract florals / Tortoiseshell / Marbled patterns

Details + Trim: Gathering / Contrast trim / Pleating / Leather trim / Sheer sleeves / Zippers / Fur collars

Accessories + Footwear: Pointy pumps / Fur circle scarves / Leather belts / Tortoiseshell belts

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Silhouette: Hourglass / Fitted / A-line / Relaxed / Slim

Color: Grey / Lemon / Black / Chartreuse / Avocado / Olive / Blush pink / Tangerine / Neon yellow / Pastel blue / Peach

Key Items: Satin overcoats / Cocktail dresses / Embellished crewneck tops / Pleated a-line skirts / Military overcoats / Cable knit dresses / Cropped jackets / Slim lace trousers / Loose cardigans / Fur vests

Materials: Silk / Satin / Lace / Chiffon / Cashmere / Wool / Stretch knits / Fur / Mohair / Crochet / Pointelle knits

Print + Pattern: Cosmetic graphics / Stripes / Fair Isle patterns / Eye graphics / Message graphics

Details + Trim: Oversized buttons / Sequins / Pleats / Epaulettes / Patchwork / Contrast piping / Ruffles / Fur collars / Bows / Pailettes

Accessories + Footwear: Miniature box bags / Pointed kitten heels / Padded headbands / Pearls / Quilted bags / Hair bows / Fur bags / Fur hats / Thin leather belts

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Silhouette: Slim / Hourglass / Fitted / Body-conscious

Color: Hot pink / Black / bubblegum pink / Pastel blue / Turquoise / Silver

Key Items: Elongated jacket dresses / Slim trousers / Halter dresses / Patterned sheath dresses / Cropped leather jackets / Slim turtlenecks / Satin pencil skirts

Materials: Fur / Intarsia knits / Silk / Satin / Leather / Jersey

Print + Pattern: Graphic geometrics / Dots / Stripes / Butterflies / Ombré / Florals / Palm fronds / Latticework prints

Details + Trim: Contrast trim / Halters / Crystals / Fringe

Accessories + Footwear: Fur tote bags / Choker necklaces / Fringe earrings / Pumps / Bib necklaces / Cuff bracelets / Sheer hosiery / Patterned clutches / Mirrored sunglasses / Spectacles

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Stemming from Creative Recreation‘s S/S 12 Palms Springs theme, the short film follows an individual on a quest for inspiration that leads him down a road of self discovery, not unlike the brand’s own progress.  The preview below features three of their newest styles: the Lacava, a low-top in light blue chambray with hidden laces, the Profaci, a multi-layered high-top in denim with contrast binding, and the Tucco, a chalky leather upper skate-inspired sneaker with contrasting outsole and lining, and are all available for purchase on their site.

Check out the film below for a small adventure through the California Desert.  This year also marks the brand’s 10-year anniversary and we can’t wait to see what they have in-store. – Jenn Tello

Creative Recreation Spring 2012 Campaign Video from Creative Recreation on Vimeo.

LUXE LOUNGEWEAR

London: Roksanda Ilincic described her F/W 12 inspiration as “weekend or leisure wear, the kind of thing you put on when you’re cozy at home,” and took the concept to the next level with luxurious interpretations of cozy items like sweats and house dresses. Reworked sweatshirts featured fox-trimmed hoods or silk panels, and further lost any frumpy connotations when paired with an astrakhan pencil skirt. Sequined buffalo plaid — a fancy take on a humble motif — showed up on a variety of items, and sometimes combined with jet beading for additional opulence. Slouchy silk pants, jersey maxi skirts and easy color-blocked shifts served as great basics for layering beneath statement-making fur bomber jackets or hourglass puffa coats.  — Anna Jane Davis

Silhouette: Slouchy + Comfy

Color:  Black / Navy / Fuchsia / Aqua / Red / Cranberry / Steel Blue

Key Items: Luxe sweatshirt / Straight midi / Full maxi skirt / Slouchy pants / Boxy suit / Simple sheath

Materials: Silk / Jersey / Wool crepe / Melton / Astrakhan / Fox

Print + Pattern: Buffalo check / Ink stroke motif

Details + Trim: Lush fur trim / Jet beads / Square sequins / Color-blocking / V-insets / Hoods

Accessories + Footwear: Ankle strap pumps / Drawstring backpacks

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Silhouette: Relaxed / Layered / A-line / Long / Trapeze / Fitted

Color: Tangerine / Lemon / Gold / Mustard / Bronze / Chocolate / Tan / Apricot / Electric purple / Pastel blue / Black / White / Cherry red / Cobalt / Navy / Fuchsia / Princess pink / Cranberry / Teal / Coral

Key Items: Cardigans / Loose denim trousers / Crewneck sweaters / Apron dresses / A-line skirts / Sequined bustiers / Sheer button-ups / Sheer peasant dresses / Striped furs / Flared trousers / Denim vests / Pleated miniskirts / Slim brocade trousers / Lace blouses

Materials: Chiffon / Denim / Brocade / Fur / Cashmere / Wool / Silk / Cotton / Lurex / Leather / Intarsia knits / Lace

Print + Pattern: Stripes / Graphic geometrics / Fruit graphics / Plaid / Buffalo checks / Animal prints / Florals / Cartoon graphics

Details + Trim: Sequins / Contrast trim / Pleats / Ruffles / Tinsel fringe / Embroidered patches / Sheer cutouts / Pom-poms / Unfinished hems / Patches

Accessories + Footwear: Patterned hosiery / Furry caps / Oversized earrings / Oversize gloves / Boxy clutches / Strappy glitter clogs / Striped fur scarves / Button pins

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Just this week, H&M finally released look book images from its highly-anticipated collaboration with Marni. The brand’s founder and creative director, Consuelo Castiglioni, has created a print-heavy collection for both women and men which captures the essence of what the House is all about.  Available on March 8th in 260 stores worldwide and online (only in Europe), the purpose of the collection is explained by Castiglioni:  “We wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colors, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements.”

Marni’s collection for H&M has all the freedom and experimentation for which the label is renowned, with allover prints in strong colors, all intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash. For women, the hues are vivid and the motifs are bold, be they African-inspired or classic color-blocking. The silhouettes are all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To finish the complete look, the collection also includes jewelery, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colors and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that is truly Marni. The use of print is subtle, often as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts, while the silhouette is a decidedly modern and casual take on masculine classics.

Jeremy Lin on his second consecutive cover of Sports Illustrated

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has made his influence in the past month at Madison Square Garden. With an underdog story and a last name to easily incorporated into headline puns and hashtags, Lin has captured global media attention in a world that easily latches onto one figure. (Tebow, anyone?)

#Linsanity is everywhere. Attendance (and ticket prices) are at record highs for arenas housing the Knicks, MSG network views have a 70% increase, along with massive amounts of media attention have been the result of Lin’s winning plays for the Knicks. With two Sports Illustrated covers under his belt, a massive twitter following, and must-have jersey, the Knicks have been the topic of most-all NBA media coverage the past month, providing a much needed break for the team-to-beat Heat and their star player and noted tastemaker Lebron James.

Stylesight mentioned Jeremy Lin back in December for our Top 10 Asian Athletes, noting his potential due to his academic achievements as the star player of the Harvard men’s basketball team. As the first Taiwanese/Chinese American to play for the NBA, it was hard not to recognize a star on the rise.

From a gear perspective, Lin is seen on the court regularly with the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2011 with talk of a ‘Linsanity’ in the works. His Harvard roots have Spike Lee wearing maroon courtside, and Nike has him professing his favorite sneakers for on and off the court.

Another appealing aspect to this shift for the Knicks is the strength of teamwork highlighted in recent plays. Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony – star players for the Knicks – haven’t been apart of this winning streak. Instead, Lin excels with the help of Landry Fields, Tyson Chandler, and lesser known players Imen Shumpert, Jared Jefferies, and Steve Novak. It’s also great to see New York, specifically Madison Square Garden, continuing as a large draw for the sports market. The iconic arena is an excellent backdrop for Lin’s crowd-pleasing plays.

The Active Team is ready to see Lin and Lebron go head-to-head in tomorrow night’s game against the Heat before all of the excitement turns to the All-Star Games in Orlando this weekend. - Calvy Click + Chris Ye

It’s been a busy week for denim stores! Last Thursday marked the opening of a much-anticipated Cheap Monday store in the unofficial ‘Denim Street’ in London: Carnaby street. Then yesterday saw denim giants G-Star Raw open the doors to their biggest ever flagship in the iconic Times Square area of Hong Kong. Here we explore both the interiors and the launch parties of both events:

Cheap Monday

On February 17^th, Cheap Monday opened up its first U.K. standalone store. The celebrations started before the official opening with jeans and a roving party bus. The bus traveled between London Fashion Week’s hub, Somerset House, and the Cheap Monday store, with spontaneous stops along the way. In East London and the area around Soho, early-rising Cheap Monday fans woke to find their favorite jeans on buildings and fences, adding to the build-up of suspense.

In addition to F/W 12 products, a smaller edition of the much sought after S/S 11 showpiece Clear Plastic Ankle Boot was on sale together with a number of limited-edition T-shirts by Cheap Monday’s graphic designer.

Cheap Monday
37/39 Carnaby Street
London
W1V 1PD

G-Star Raw

Living up to its standard of melding performance, art, music and fashion, G-Star hosted for an eclectic night and a memorable live stunt to excite the denim crowd.  The official opening ceremony commenced with stunt men and women running down the façade of the building (see amazing images above) and also featured a traditional Chinese lion dance, a champagne crusher handled by American Grammy nominee Skylar Grey and Chinese singer and actor Aaron Kwok, and a denim curtain revealing a tableaux vivant.

In store the guests experienced an acoustic performance of the American singer, songwriter, and record producer, Skylar Grey and G-Star’s Pop-up show, transforming a collection presentation into live interaction.

The Hong Kong store is G-Star’s largest in the world, accounting for 680 square meters / 7,319 square feet. G-Star has expanded rapidly over the last few years, opening stores in the world’s biggest metropolitan capitals from Tokyo to New York to Sydney to Los Angeles. In December, 2011 G-Star celebrated the opening of its 300th store at Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles. Currently G-Star has over 6.000 points of sale in 70 countries.

ESCAPE IN THE NIGHT

London: For his darkly romantic collection, designer Giles Deacon imagined a damsel frantically escaping a flaming country estate on a cold winter night. The clothes had a Victorian feel to them, especially the black velvet looks — each with a crisp white high neck collar peeking out — that evoked the daily uniform of a strict governess. The rest of the collection was feminine and frothy, with the storyline playing out in exquisite materials and couture construction. An intricate tangled thorn motif was laser-cut in satin, and a lace dress featured dangling rose blooms as if it were snagged in the branches of a garden. Delicate silk and tulle appeared water-stained and burned, with charred holes creating a lovely destroyed effect. Demure fit-and flare frocks and apron-like details had a more wholesome air, while a fairytale brocade and feather trims kept everything fanciful.  — Anna Jane Davis

Silhouette: Victorian — nipped-in waist + high neck

Color:  Black / White / Wedgewood Blue / Deep Brown / Gold / Pale Silver

Key Items: Velvet tuxedo / Club collar shirt / Fit-and-flare dress / Brocade jacket

Materials: Silk / Satin / Chiffon / Velvet / Brocade / Metallic jacketing / Organza / Tulle / Lace

Print + Pattern: Burnt and water-stained prints / Fairytale brocade / Tangled thorn motifs

Details + Trim: Feathers / Laser-cutting / Tiers + ruffles / Blossom appliqués / Club collars

Accessories + Footwear: Headpieces by Stephen Jones / Open toe booties

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