Milan Mens Fashion Week Reviews for Ammo Magazine

I had the pleasure of covering the Mens shows in Milan for Ammo Magazine - a publication that I love. Here are some of the links:

Lanvin
http://blog.ammomag.com/post/2947270512/lanvin-lets-talk-about-lanvin-nowadays-who




Phillip Lim
http://blog.ammomag.com/post/2937694145/3-1-phillip-lim-phillip-lims-offering-was-too

Kenzo
http://blog.ammomag.com/post/2947267035/kenzo-kenzo-brings-the-drama-but-it-is-a

Yves Saint Laurent
http://blog.ammomag.com/post/2937696643/yves-saint-laurent-the-yves-saint-laurent-mens

Hermes
http://blog.ammomag.com/post/2937695793/hermes-hermes-was-traditional-menswear-at-its

Dior Homme
http://blog.ammomag.com/post/2937694865/dior-homme-collections-that-incorporate-a-lot-foLa

Obsessed with Blazers Part 2

 

I like this look. As in the last blazer story, I love pairing bright colored blazers with darker jeans - this makes the blazer workable in any season. Here, it looks like it is the fall. 

Photo Courtesy: http://thelifeandandstylesofjames.tumblr.com/page/2

Preppy or Classic?

I am digging this look, though I wouldn’t call it preppy. It comes off as more classic than anything else. The preppy element comes from the scarf that is striped - very Yale in the 20s. But still, the pants and blazer seem like they were cut for each other - very complimenting.
(Photo Source: preppysupply)

My Kenton Magazine Debut

Yes!! I am writing for Kenton Magazine and I love it. So far, I did Milan Men's fashion week reviews and I also did a story on new bags for the spring season. Check out the links here:

http://kentonmagazine.com/men-walked-milan-in-one-of-the-most-exciting-showings-in-years/

http://kentonmagazine.com/the-carry-on-an-essential-travel-accessory/

All Black Story

I love an All Black Story. This look has many different textures of black which always takes the look from being too matchy to trendy. Black is always classic and the fun print with black toning just adds to the scheme and breaks the colors up a little.

Different Denims

I love the pairing of denim with different washes of other denim. On this person, the slim cut jeans with the casual denim shirt adds a casual and trendy element to the look.

The Velvet Blazer

 

I found this pictures on one of the other tumblr pages. What do we think of velvet blazers. I like how it looks on the picture below, but they certainly cannot be incorporated into regular wardrobe. It is just going to come off as too much. Here, it suits the person because it meshes well with the rest of the pieces to create a consistent look. Otherwise, it might not work - and would instead look like a bad idea.

Photo from: Thelifeandstylesofjames.tumblr.com 

One of my favorite stores: John Varvatos

John Varvatos is brilliant. His clothes are perfect for men because they are workable. And the best thing - is that the clothes can be paired with other things, or stand alone. He certainly mastered the art of menswear a long time ago and it shows. This brand only gets better with time. 

Obsessed with Blazers

I am obsessed with blazers this season. This look is simple and embellished at the same time. I love the color on the model. And I would have done the same - as far as pairing it with dark pants.
(photo via four-thirdsgentleman)

Black Story

Black Story by JamesRSanders on Polyvore.com

Fashion Icons: Andre Leon Talley and Grace Jones

Loving Grace Jones and Andre Leon Talley - two of the biggest fashion inspirations EVER!

I love Tumblr

It is probably politically incorrect to write about how much I love another blogging software, but I think there is room for both blogspot and tumblr - so now I have both. For photos, Tumblr is awesome. So in an effort to merge the two, I will be incorporating all of the photos that I blog and reblog on tumblr to blogspot. Here are some of my favorites!

Check out my tumblr at: www.thelifeandstylesofjames.tumblr.com

I Love Tom Ford's Newest Collection

While doing my routine blog browsing, I came across the new Tom Ford lookbook on Fashionisto.com. I love the looks, but I wouldn't expect much less. Tom Ford is a genius and his collection is absolutely brilliant - and that's the truth. When word broke that his womenswear collection was coming back, I thought for a minute that we would be making a departure from menswear. Boy am I glad that I was wrong. His collection is classy and dapper. It mixes edge with the old school fashion giants in Hollywood. Well done Mr. Ford.

Loving Accessories

Loving Accessories and this year my two main colors are black and brown. If it's black, it's cool jack - and if it's brown it should most definitely stick around. Check out this brown story attached:

Brown Story by JamesRSanders featuring fingerless gloves

Stuhrling Original Men's 264XL.335NK59 Gen-X-Sport Quartz Brown and..., $190
Men's Fingerless Driving Gloves, $135
H&M Shop Online
H&M Shop Online

The Perfect Suit

As a stylist, I always hear from my male clients, "James, how can I get the perfect suit?" The answer to that question is simple. If you are a client - you don't find the perfect suit, I do. But in all seriousness finding the perfect suit can be a bit challenging. A lot of places will tell you that they can outfit everyone, but that isn't the truth. When finding the perfect suit, if you can afford it - I would suggest going to a tailor first to get your measurements. Take them to your nearest department store, or boutique and get started. I guess I should hop on the GQ and Details bandwagon and reference Mad Men, but that was sooo last year. Instead, here are my suggestions for mens suiting. The photos are from GQ with Eric Dane (from Grey's Anatomy).

Mud and Jeans

Mud and Jeans by JamesRSanders featuring high top trainers

Haircuts Finally - It was time

People, my hair looked like a burning bush. Enough was enough and I needed a haircut. My schedule was uber congested and it still is. I have to do what I have to do - and my do was done. At the end of the day, it was time to hedge these shrubs - trust me. LOL - but I am happy that it is done, and really happy with the result. Kudos to my hair stylist Asha Monet for doing a fabulous job on the scalp formally known as a disaster. 

Check Out My Latest Piece on Soultrain.com - on Marc Jacobs

Photo from Soultrain.com

Love. Love. Love - Marc Jacobs. He is brilliant and I have no problem with saying it. He is one of the first pieces that I wrote for this blog and every season I am mesmerized by how amazing his collections are. Check out this piece that I did for Soultrain.com on Marc Jacobs. Love it! Here is the link: http://soultrain.com/2010/12/29/i-love-soul-train-style-marc-jacobs/

Why I Absolutely Love Valentino

It's 2011. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started this blog later in 2010 and this year, I have a lot of plans and ideas to bring you more information on me personally and this journey that I call fashion. With that being said, I cannot think of any other way to bring in the new year, than by talking about my favorite designer who's collections used to bring tear to my eyes - Valentino. 

It took a lot for me to get to this place and finally figuring out where I wanted to be in the industry. Before the whole stylist / editor thing, I really wanted to be a designer and my biggest influence was Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani - one of the last great couturiers. Every season, I would watch his collections on CNN - before the Style Network, and I would not be able to tell the difference between his ready to wear lines and his haute couture collections. That is how masterful he was. Even something as simple as a skirt looked couture.

He had an old school approach to fashion that made you wish you could take a journey back in time to a simpler era of grand ballroom gowns and flounces. He is brilliant - and he stopped on top. 

A couple of years ago, Valentino announced that he would be retiring. Since then, his label has gone through changes or sorts. New designers have come and go, but lately, the label seems to have settled on a pair of designers (formerly of the accessory persuasion) to head up the label. They do a good job, but I just cant help but to miss the master that is Valentino - not just for his brilliance, but for what he represented. 

And I think it says a lot that a label had to find two designers to fill the shoes of one amazing man. Here's to you Mr. Valentino - thank you for inspiring all of those years ago.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia