London Fashion Week Men

London Fashion Week

London fashion week drew to a close yesterday with a whole day devoted exclusively to menswear. A handful of catwalk shows and a couple of presentations showcased a lucky 13 designers in a long-overdue acknowledgment of the city’s huge reservoir of talent in the men’s fashion arena. There were three distinct strands: the showy, the sporty, and the (relatively) classic. They often mingled, as in Tim Soar’s zipper-trimmed bird’s eye suit, or Alister Mackie’s fabulous outerwear for Topman, or Martine Rose’s shirts with their subtle mix of cloth and texture. Calvin Klein‘s Italo Zucchelli, in town on a research trip, was very taken with her, and with Christopher Shannon’s high-functioning combination of nylon and poplin.

Available Online For fREE

AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE: Selected works by Evan Roth 2003-2008
Evan Roth of Graffiti Research Lab is having his first solo exhibition at the Advanced Minority Gallery in Vienna, opening tonight. It’s also celebrating the release of his self published book AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE: Selected works by Evan Roth 2003-2008. The book was made entirely in Linux using open source software and open typefaces. The physical book can be bought for $26, and in the spirit of open source can be downloaded for free.

Jack Spade Suits, Grow Your Own Social Network, Cunning Linguists, Culinary Brooklyn

Jack Spade Suits

Man cannot live on accessories alone—at least Jack Spade, that jaunty (if fictional) avatar-about-town no longer can, as his eponymous company is debuting a menswear collection for Fall 2009. The apparel is a fitting counterpart to the brand’s bags: a polished prep take on the standards, from suiting and knits to khakis and casual shirting. The vibe is decidedly low-key—with some exceptions. The trad-ish gray suit (above) opens to reveal a silky, wine-colored lining, the kind of louche fabric Hef might select for his pajamas. Well, you know what they say: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Ultimate How-To: Grow Your Social Media Network

Robin has put together a roundup of tools, resources and great advice to help you grow your network – in two groupings. The first group of links contain tools and advice on finding the people you want to connect with – colleagues and also those people who are the influentials in your areas. The second group serves up expert resources and advice to help you connect, build and nourish your network once you identify the right people.

The Linguists: Preserving the World’s Languages

Of the world’s 7,000 languages, 2,800 are on their way to extinction at a stunning rate of one every two weeks. A new documentary from Ironbound Films titled The Linguists follows the journey of two men – researchers K. David Harrison and Greg Anderson – as they trek across the globe attempting to preserve them.

New Culinary Movement Brewing in Brooklyn
These Brooklynites, most in their 20s and 30s, are hand-making pickles, cheeses and chocolates the way others form bands and artists’ collectives. They have a sense of community and an appreciation for traditional methods and flavors. They also share an aesthetic that’s equal parts 19th and 21st century, with a taste for bold graphics, salvaged wood and, for the men, scruffy beards.

Twitter’s Success, Altermodernism

How-To: Lessons Worth Learning from Twitter’s Success

By any measure, the growth and popularity of Twitter has been phenomenal. To say that Twitter has hit mainstream isn’t really the right metric to use. It’s more powerful to note that for a large group of Twitter enthusiasts, to spend even a day without using it would be as bad (or perhaps even worse) than not having email. It has become just that necessary.

The Death of Postmodernism and Emergence of Altermodernism
If early twentieth-century Modernism is characterised as a broadly Western cultural phenomenon, and Postmodernism was shaped by ideas of multi-culturalism, origins and identity, Altermodern is expressed in the language of a global culture. Altermodern artists channel the many different forms of social and technological networks offered by rapidly increasing lines of communication and travel in a globalised world.

Ambient: Winzip

WINZIP: Compressed

One of the best known digital compression tools is of course Winzip. To promote it in the “real world”, the German agency Grabarz und Partner built small versions of buildings and placed them alongside their real world counterparts. I didn’t see the brief for this, but – cute though it is -  i am wondering what the scale and specific objectives of this effort were…

Recession: A slice out of Apple, Paycheck Cycle, Familiar Fashion, Bottom Feeders

Apple’s Wings Clipped By Recession
Apple’s Mac business has slowed and is expected to shrink this quarter, reports Business Insider. Last year, Apple’s March quarter Mac shipments grew 51% year-over-year. Financial analysts expects Apple’s Mac unit shipments to drop 4% year-over-year this quarter to 2.2 million units. Several factors combine to stop the phenomenal growth it had last year: a huge drop in the PC market led by the US financial crash; an unattractive desktop Mac lineup; and the success of cheap, low-end netbooks.

Consumer-Goods Makers Heed ‘Paycheck Cycle’

Makers of household goods and food are paying more attention to the “paycheck cycle” as cash-strapped consumers are showing a tendency to make their largest purchases when their salaries first come in and to cut back as that money runs out. With more consumers living from paycheck to paycheck, some companies have looked at ways to time their promotions around periods when consumers’ wallets are likely to be well cushioned. PepsiCo Inc.’s Frito-Lay snacks business in some stores has tried “promotions that are different at the beginning of the month than at the end of the month,” Chief Financial Officer Richard Goodman said in a recent interview. “People have more money to spend at the beginning [of the month] and a little less at the end,” he said.

Fashion Week Fall 2009

In uncertain times, people often seek comfort in the familiar, and as last week’s runways showed us at New York Fashion Week, the forecast for fall fashion calls for familiar classics with modern twists. Crayola Brights: Explosions of brightness added much needed sunshine and optimism to an overall toned down fashion week. Impressionist Inspired: Dresses and tops across the runway were given an artistic twist with brushstroke prints and softened hues that exuded an ethereal understated glamour. Go For the Gold: (And Silver and Bronze) Perhaps inspired by last year’s Olympic Games, or maybe designers just felt the need to add a little sparkle to their collections this fall. Venus in Furs: Retro glam is in the cards for fall fashion and fur is a trend that ran the gamut on the runways from stoles and neck warmers to jackets. Shoulder to Shoulder: The strong shoulders and shoulder pads commanding a presence on the runways this year are less Working Girl and more modern businesswomen.

‘Bottom Feeders’ Will Seek Feast in Weak Economy

As the Obama administration’s stimulus package faces an uphill battle in resurrecting the US economy, global conditions continue to decline and could lead to skyrocketing prices, political instability, increasing public rage and the need for escapism, according to the 38th Annual Trend/Forecasting Report by The Dilenschneider Group. Net net, we’re all screwed.

The New Ogilvy

the New Ogilvy, New York
Wondering what Ogilvy’s new offices are going to look like? No? Me neither. Anyway check out the blog the agency launched to liaise with employees about the big move from Worldwide Plaza on Eighth Avenue to a former candy factory located on the far west side of Manhattan.

Dark Fashion Week, Tweet stats

A dark New York Fashion Week

Have you heard that Black is the new Black? That’s what CITY Fashion Director Julie Ragolia is reporting from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park and the shows that are going on at different locations throughout the New York. “Men’s collections embrace the standard, but bring new twists to the old theme,” says Ragolia. And still to come before the catwalks collapse on Feb. 20, Oumlil and Trovata will showcase menswear, which will most likely take on the same somber tones of G-Star, and Diesel who showed earlier this week.

One in 10 American Adults is a ‘Tweeter’

More than one in ten (11%) online adults in the US say they have used Twitter – or a similar service – to share updates about themselves or view updates about others, and those who use Twitter have a greater affinity for mobile devices, according to new research from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Darmanogram, iPhone Car, Brooklyn Botanic, Brands Go Hollywood, $

Thoughts On Paid + Earned “Media”

Another excellent infographic from David Armano. The best Darmanogram yet?

iPhone Controlled Car: Rinspeed iChange Concept

Known for it’s off beat designs, Swiss automaker Rinspeed unveiled a new concept car that will be shown at the 2009 Geneva auto show. The Rinspeed ‘iChange’ has a ton of unique design ideas packaged in it. Gone are such mundane things as a key. Its role is filled by an Apple iPhone, which plugs into the dashboard and controls key vehicle functions

Event: Brooklyn Industries and Brooklyn Botanical Garden Partner for Plant Lovers

This Thursday, Brooklyn Industries is teaming up with the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to host an event in their NY and Chicago stores to celebrate plants. There will be raffles for plants, gardening books, and botanic garden memberships. Representatives from the garden will also be on hand to offer advice on resuscitating sunlight deprived houseplants back to life. Brooklyn Industries will launch their new spring 2009 line which is inspired by gardens and art. “Green” refreshments will be served. You can find details of the event here. Garden and fashion label, interesting pairing.

How Far Brands Are Integrating With Our Entertainment

A slideshow on FastCompany.com highlights how far brands are going to get infused with popular entertainment. A review of eighteen “innovations” from CAA describes how the talent-turned-marketing agency goes about working with content makers and corporations to create a win-win for both parties. In the slideshow, we see examples that include how CAA helped Neutrogena introduce a 22-year-old Neutrogena scientist into LonelyGirl15; and how they “wove” Cisco, Acura, Microsoft and UPS into the plot of web series Gemini Division.

All About Money
Designboom has compiled a lengthy post all about currency design and artists who use monetary imagery in their work. They showcase money from around the world and explore artists who play with these powerful symbols of wealth. It’s an interesting look at the complex relationship we have with these little pieces of paper and metal.

Ian Leslie’s “To Be President”

My old Chiat-chum and account planner extraordinaire Ian Leslie has penned a tome on the 2008 election entitled “To Be President”. I can’t claim to have read it yet, but if I know my old mate Lezza I am sure it is witty, clever and well written. You can buy it here.