From menswear, to couture

From menswear, to couture



Yesterday were the final menswear shows from Paris. I wrote about them as uniform. Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver lifting from sportswear and utility, as well as the business-suit, for a Lanvin show that, while lacking a single definitive voice, offered a multitude of choice for their customers. It was commercially suave, but managed to avoid being boring to the press. That’s a tough balancing act. The glittering metallics seemed a bit old-news, but the oversized layers looked interesting, the bubbly volume feeling new.



New isn’t a word I’d use to describe Thom Browne’s show. However, it was quite extraordinary: I wonder if we’ll look back on these moments as defining seismic shifts in fashion’s landscape. Browne played with proportions, and with the idea of military uniform as a kind of costume – a drag costume. So despite the bulging biceps branded with sailor tattoos and the frogged and braided military coats, Browne’s corps marched out in court shoes with frilled ankle-socks, and a lick of red lipstick. The clothes were entirely irrelevant to the modern wardrobe, even more so than usual, with trousers eschewed for Erich von Stroheim-style jodhpurs and jackets generally flaring princess-line, with intricate corset-lacing up the back. It’s striking that we’ve seen designers creeping towards femininity on other catwalks, but this felt like a frog-march.Buy Michael Kors iPhone Cases Michael Kors handbags with big discount and free shipping! A terrifying one at that.



Hedi Slimane’s Saint Laurent is terrifying for many. There’s its terrifying focus on youth, on skinniness, on the indefinable, inestimable quality of coolness. That riles up many of the fashion press, honestly. Maybe because it’s something they’re not supposed to like. After all, there’s very few of them under the age of twenty, the legions who adore Slimane’s clothes and buy them religiously. I remember it being very much the same during his time at Dior Homme – somehow, those barely-twenty somethings have the cash (or credit) to shell out on Slimane’s skinny, sequinned blazers and skinnier PVC jeans. Generally, if you try to buy something in Saint Laurent, it’ll be sold out – the smallest sizes are the most scarce. That’s enlightening as to who Slimane’s customers are. The doubters seem to be coming round, too. The handbags are doing brisk trade. Retailers are happy.



It feels odd to talk about sales as we slide into couture though. As Naomi Campbell pounded the runway like a panther to both open and close the Atelier Versace show last night, she prowled through the halls of the Chambre de Commerce et d’ industrie de Paris. I don’t think anyone noticed though. Couture isn’t about selling. Its power is in simply being. Especially on a supermodel in front of a baying pack of photographers.







SOUTH Metropolitan police are urging local businesses to be vigilant after two different offences have become more prominent in Perth.



Officer-in-charge Darren Wynne said the number of people using counterfeit bills to dupe young employees had risen recently across the metropolitan area.



He said counterfeit $50 notes had been produced, identifiable by a more paper-like material used to make the notes, clear contact used to make the clear windows and the stars on the window uneven and made of thin paper.



“Once you have more than a casual look at the note it will look fake and if unsure, scrunch the note in your hand because if it scrunches like paper and doesn’t rebound like real notes do, it should confirm your suspicion,” Senior Sergeant Wynne said.



“Businesses need to look out for customers seeking to make small purchases using large currency notes and if the colour or appearance of notes appears unusual or blurred or have an unusual texture or feel.



“Staff should decline to accept the note and attempt to have police contacted while the person is still in the store.



“Should the person leave, pay attention to their physical description, clothing and direction of travel and notify police immediately.”



Sgt Wynne said another offence that occured on a regular basis was thefts from businesses.



He said there had been a large number of offences where people steal staff handbags and valuables from behind counters and in staff rooms.



“Police ask all business operators and staff to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions to minimise the risk of personal items being stolen,” he said.



Click on their website www.hotmkbags.com for more information.

タグ：Michael Kors Tote Bags Michael Kors Wallets