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Shelby Coleman: Model Moment

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- Sachin Bhola





“Thankful.”

It’s her latest Facebook status.

With what is essentially a poor man’s publicist, you would expect her Facebook updates to read more like Paris Hilton’s tweets – smug and self-absorbed.

But despite her envy-inducing life (she was discovered by Giambattista Valli himself at the age of 16, she now travels around the world as a top model -- need I go on?), Shelby Coleman remains down-to-earth.

“My family couldn’t care less about what magazines I'm in or what store my picture is hanging in. They will still tease me and give me crap about everyday things,” says Coleman. “One time my mom booked a ticket from New York back to Chicago [her hometown] because I wasn't focused on school work. She said that if I don't step it up then we're going home.”

I first met model Shelby Coleman during the production of the Chanel Cruise 2008 fashion show. Her sense of style, race (alongside model Yasmin Warsame, she was one of only two colored models casted for the show; incidentally, Warsame was kicked out of the show due to her tardiness) and natural poise were notable.

Two years later, at the young age of 18, she is wise beyond her years. Here, she offers modeling advice and talks to me about her experience on and off the runway.

About Shelby Coleman

Sachin Bhola: How did you get started in the business?

Shelby Coleman: I did some modeling in Chicago, my hometown, since I was about 13. I was more focused on school though, so I would only do local jobs. Then, when I turned 16, I was at a casting for a Giambattista Valli trunk show in Chicago. He saw me and told me he wanted me to do his fall show in Paris. So I went, and then IMG found me and signed me.

Sachin: What has been the highlight of your career?
Shelby: Definitely being brought to Paris for the first time and walking for a top designer.

Sachin: What do you wish to achieve in the future – on and off the runway?
Shelby: My goal is to bring something new to the fashion world and eventually become a household name. As well as to be an inspiration for young black models and young girls in general. At the same time, to start a family and surround myself with the people I love.

Modeling Advice From Shelby Coleman
Sachin: What challenges have you faced in the industry? How are you overcoming them?
Shebly: Rejection is normal in the industry. Coming into this not knowing that was very tough, but now I don't even think twice about it. If I don't get a job for whatever reason, I say "oh well" and focus on the next job/casting I have.

Sachin: What are some common mistakes new models make?
Shelby: Getting all worked up and offended when not booked for jobs. Don't take it personally!

Sachin: How do you stay so grounded?
Shelby: My family couldn't care less about what magazines I'm in or what store my picture is hanging in. They will still tease me and give me crap about everyday things. One time my mom booked a ticket from New York back to Chicago because I wasn't focused on school work. She said that if I don't step it up then we're going home. That was when I first started, so I know better now. Hah!

Sachin: What has modeling taught you about life?
Shelby: More than any book has ever taught me! I've learned so much, it's crazy. I've learned how to carry myself better, deal with people judging me on a daily basis, and how to be very independent at a young age. Not to mention the huge amount of people I meet from around the world and how their lifestyles are so much more different than mine.

Shelby Coleman On Fashion & Style
Sachin: Who is your favorite model? Favorite designer?
Shelby: Liya Kebede is my favorite model. She's an obvious and classic beauty yet she's unique. My favorite designers are Alexander Wang, Giambattista Valli, Marc Jacobs, Balmain, and Gucci.

Sachin: If you had to boil your wardrobe down to 5 pieces, what would they be?
Shelby: Tight jeans, my delicious Burberry heels, a simple white tee, a blazer, and a sexy short dress.

Sachin: What’s on your iPod playlist these days?
Shelby: Lil Wayne is all over it. I also have Coldplay, Beyonce and Lady GaGa.

Thank you, Shelby! You're beautiful inside and out :)

Photos (from beginning): (1) Shelby's comp card (2) Steet style (3) tbc (4) Giambattista Valli Resort 2009 (5) Sachin Bhola (me) and Shelby backstage at Chanel Cruise 2008

For more photos of Shelby Coleman, check out her profile on Style.com.

Whitney Eve Fashion Show

Happy to have been at the show (not so happy with the quality of my camera). One day we'll meet, Whitney Port!

Men's Huarache Sandals

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Ethno American is a major theme in my wardrobe, so major that I will discuss it in an upcoming post. This one, however, puts the spotlight on a related shoe style that I’ve been fascinated by: huarache sandals.

The term “huarache” translates into “sandal” from the pre-Columbian language P’urhepecha, which is spoken in north-west Mexico. Thus, the term “men’s huarache sandals” is redundant (I’ve used it for SEO purposes, wink wink).

Huarache + Attitude = Huarachetude!

I first discovered these Mexican sandals while living in Los Angeles in 2006. Not surprisingly, they had become popular in North America in the 1950s and ‘60s via hippies, and, therefore, is a common find in today’s California flea markets.

Forget the hippies -- it was my hipster L.A. friends, Melanie and Kim (above), that popularized the style for me. (I really shouldn’t call them hipsters; hipsters hate it when you out them.)

Sachin Bhola’s pick :)

Where: eBay

Price: $6.55

I bought my first pair from the Rose Bowl Flea Market (Pasadena, California) for less than $10. And I recently bought a second pair of men’s huarache sandals off eBay for $6.55 (pictured here). Sweet deal.

Huarache sandals were originally consumed by peasants, which meant that they needed to be produced with inexpensive material. The use of rubber from recycled car tires for the soles became popular in the 1930s as this material was robust and inexpensive.

But buyer beware: As time went buy, this style inspired many variations of the original model. If you're looking for the real deal, here’s a checklist:

- Huaraches are traditionally made from hand-woven leather.

- Stitching and weaving is done by hand.

- The soles are made from old rubber tires.

- The hand-made quality, in theory, means that no two pairs are identical.

For Summer 2010, Asos.com has released various men's huarache sandals -- fashion versions, of course. 

Shown above:

Top Row: Woven Slip On ($47.35)

Bottom Row (left to right): Hirachi Sandal ($59.18); Step Down Basket Weave Sandals ($42.27)

Can't get enough huaraches? Check out this cool blog: HuaracheBlog.wordpress.com   

Men's Combat Boots Fall 2010

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In my New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Men’s Trend Report, I talk about “carryover” trends. As the name suggests, these trends simply refer to those the industry has seen in a previous season – say, Fall 2009 – that has reappeared this season.

Without getting into why designers do this (no, it’s not because they hit a creative wall and fell back on last year’s sketches; something tells me sales, retail and forecasting has much to do with it), it’s important to point out the benefit to the consumer: saving your money.

Why spend money when you’ve already made the investment? And when it comes to men’s combat boots, we’re talking low-risk investment. The term “perennial” here doesn’t even do it justice. From the first boots worn by the foot soldiers of the Roman legions to modern-day subcultures, it’s safe to say this style is enduring. Now that’s some serious ROI.

With that in mind, here’s a roundup of men’s combat boots for Fall 2010 that you can buy now – and carryover for years to come.
xxxxxx

Sachin Bhola's Pick :)

Brand: Topman

Name: Black High Leg Boots
Price: $150

There's only one Topman store in North America (it's in Soho, New York). What's up with that? I bought these during Fashion Week. These are great if you have skinny legs because they don't leave any opening around the calf when laced up. 

Brand: Browning Arms Co.

Where: eBay

Condition: Vintage, 1960s

Price: $99

Fashion aside, men's combat boots were designed for soldiers during, well, combat. Because they're designed to withstand rugged environments, many "regular" guys make this their footwear of choice during the fall and winter because of the water-resistant, cold-weather-resistant properties.

And these guys don't turn to the Topmans of of the world; they often shop at army surplus stores or eBay. You can find vintage models that have stood the test of time, often for much, much cheaper prices.

During Montreal Fashion Week Fall 2010, I worked on the production of the Barila show. The stylist, Christina Louiso, borrowed men's combat boots from an army surplus store to create the looks. Though typically worn on men, this was an excellent choice for this women's collection. Well done, Christina!    

For the boot history nerds: Each soldier of the New Model Army was issued three pairs. The soldiers were required to rotate them after every march for even wear. We could learn from them.

Before lace-ups, combat boots were often designed with buckles. It's not my thing, but wearing a buckled version would make for an interesting twist on the models we see today.

Brand: H by Hudson
Name: Angus Brogue Boot
Price: $203

Speaking of a twist, who said men's combat boots for Fall 2010 had to be black? This color speaks for itself. The broguing also adds visual interest. Look at them: You can tell these are going to age nicely :)

Brand: Whyred

Name: Luc
Price: $270

I'm loving the canvas upper on these ones. Like everything in menswear, evolution comes through the details. Click on the brand link for more photos. This pair from Whyred is reminiscent of Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme. Nothing wrong with the withered-15-yeard-old-anticonformist-Euro look.
  

Here are some more men's combat boots for Fall 2010 that I like. Left to right: Common Projects, Expedition Boots ($558); Frye Boots, Rogan Tall Lace Up ($258); Aldo, Wile ($140).

rag & bone Fall 2010 Video

Here's my lame video coverage of rag & bone's Fall 2010 men's collection presented during New York Fashion Week. I know, I know -- I'll have a better camera next time.

rag & bone Interview

"We're both English," says rag & bone duo David Neville and Marcus Wainwright when asked what's the one thing they would like the public to know about them.

Seriously? In their defense, we'll chalk that initial response up to being pressed for time in light of New York Fashion Week, where the guys are presenting their Fall 2010 collection today.

"We take pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our garments," they continue, "so the production process is always under quite a bit of scrutiny."

Hold up. No celebrity name dropping? No mention of awards (which, we'll go ahead and point out: 2007 CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear)? Nope and nope.

But talk is cheap. Take a look at any given rag & bone product and let it do all the talking. In fact, it is this very humble and disciplined approach to design that has contributed to the success of the company. In a time when new designers are popping up on every hipster street corner and coming (and going) faster than reality TV stars, it's refreshing to learn that the duo has put in the time required to build their brand.

About rag & bone
Sachin Bhola: Can you give us some background on the rag & bone label?
We founded rag & bone in 2002 because we felt there was a gap in the market for well-made, functional garments -- the kind of clothing our friends could wear. But as we had no formal fashion training, we decided to learn from the garment manufacturers themselves, starting with the perfect pair of jeans. We traveled to Kentucky where, at the time, a lot of the American denim factories were based, and [we] met a lot of craftsmen and women who had spent their years cutting, stitching and making jeans. From there we developed our collections, launching menswear in February 2005 and our women’s collection the following season.

Kelly Kopen Model For H&M

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Earlier this year I made reference to Kelly Kopen modeling for H&M. Well, here is H&M's Divided Spring 2010 campaign featuring Kelly Kopen, Cole Mohr and Re'l Dade.

Bespoken Fall 2010

America's Next Top Model

... Because when you fall down you get back up -- or fall back down again.

Speaking of America's Next Top Model, I was thrilled to bump into Miss Jay, runway coach extraordinaire, at the Oumlil Fall 2010 show (he told me that a new cycle was about to begin -- why didn't he tell me about this runway moment? And why does he look all Mr. Jay in this photo?). I was also seated behind him at the Michael Bastian show.

Billy Reid Fall 2010

Congratulations to Billy Reid who was awarded Best New Menswear Designer 2010 by GQ. That night he also presented his Fall 2010 collection at Milk Studios during New York Fashion. I caught up with him during the after-party at the Hotel Gansevoort to talk to him about… OK, so the truth is I asked him these questions a few days later – it was really all fun and play that night. He’s a great guy to talk and, well, between his talent and his character, it’s clear why he’s a winner.

Billy Reid Fall 2010
Sachin Bhola: What was the inspiration behind the Fall 2010 collection?
Billy Reid: Classic American clothing, turn of the century field- and work-wear meets East Village folk.

Sachin: What one must-have item will instantly update a man’s wardrobe for Fall 2010?
Billy: A hand-tailored navy blazer. Get one that is made for you, or fits perfectly, not the one you wore in college -- or your dad's. It goes with everything.

Sachin: On the other hand, which item does a man not need another of in his wardrobe?
Billy: Ill-fitting clothing

Billy Reid Interview

"Southern-bred luxury" isn't a term you'd expect to hear in menswear. If this were a physics class, we'd make a case for the South and luxury having diamagnetic properties in relation to fashion's magnetic field. Intense.

And it takes an intense designer to bounce back from September 11, 2001, when William "Billy" Reid was forced to leave New York and return to his native Florence, Alabama. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, as the designer reconnected with his homegrown aesthetic and salvaged his momentum.

We wanted to know more. So AskMen.com caught up with Billy Reid at New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010 to check out his presentation at Milk Studios (not exactly a hop, skip and jump from the Mississippi line) and found ourselves partying the night away at the Hotel Gansevoort with Billy, toasting to (what else?) southern-bred luxury.

About Billy Reid
Sachin Bhola: Can you give us some background on the Billy Reid label?
Billy Reid: The collection is all about American clothing. It blends deep Southern roots with a downtown vibe, and I love to build pieces tough enough, and versatile enough, for both those worlds. It started in 2004 when friends approached me with an idea to open retail shops for the collection. The idea was that we would build an environment based on the interior influences and touches of our home here in Florence, Alabama. We would personalize every part of the retail experience. For me, it is about the things I do in life, and the clothes that I want to wear to support it.

Sachin: What’s the one thing you would like the public to know about Billy Reid that they are unaware of?
Billy: I would want them to know how much work and care we put into the collection. The quality and integrity of the effort is something we work so hard to present.

Men's Fashion Today
Sachin: What is the most important garment in a man's wardrobe; the one big-ticket fashion item that is worth its price tag?
Billy: Handmade boots and a handmade jacket or men's suit. You will have them forever if they're made well.

Du Juan & Philip Huang: Vogue China February 2010

Fashion Music

As much as I’m paying attention to the clothes during a fashion show, you can bet that I’m taking note of the beats as well. The right music timed with the right model wearing the right clothes can be a powerful thing. The standouts were Yigal Azrouel's Fall 2010 show that played “We Are The People” by Empire of the Sun, with models Alana Zimmer and Bruna Tenorio walking down the runway – it was a moment.

(Thank you, Bryan, for Shazamming it during the show – you rock!)

The other was at the Michael Kors Fall 2010 show finale, when he played “Native New Yorker” by Odyssey. It was one of the those cheesy Mary Tyler Moore moments that had us in a nostolgic, dream-like state for a hot second.

Anyway, here is some of the music from the shows at New York Fashion Week Fall 2010:

“House of Fun” by Madness – heard at the Ducke Brown Fall 2010 Show
Alberta Cross and Guns N’ Roses – performed live at the L’Uomo Vogue / John Varvatos Party (pictured here)
“We Are The People” by Empire of the Sun – heard at the Yigal Arouel Fall 2010 show (featured below – sorry about the video quality. I promise to buy a new camera.)
“Impossible” by Daniel Merriweather – heard at the Simon Spurr Fall 2010 show
“She Loves Everybody” by Chester French – heard at the Simon Spurr Fall 2010 show
“Helicopter” by Bloc Party featuring Peaches – heard at the Michael Bastian Fall 2010 show
“Native New Yorker” by Odyssey – heard at the Michael Kors Fall 2010 show

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Men's Trend Report

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Written for AskMen.com, click here for the full article (with images)
Written by Sachin Bhola

Remember when men ardently awaited New York Fashion Week -- a time when newsstands experienced the onslaught of guys fighting over the latest copy of a fashion magazine and who had spent the last week forecasting future trends rather than forecasting stock prices? Neither do we.

Men don't relate to fashion with the same zeal as they do the Super Bowl, so attempting to glorify fashion week would be as convincing as Tiger Woods' statement tomorrow morning.

So, why should you care that, say, tweed is a major fabric for Fall 2010? Well, for starters, it's moisture resistant and durable -- something we look for in clothing. Check. A tweed blazer can easily be worn with gray flat-front trousers for the conservative; it can be fused with resin leather sleeves as seen on the jackets at Yigal Azrouel for a cool streetwear look; and it will be available at your local mass retailer next fall. Versatile, accessible and affordable? Check. We think these are pretty good reasons to care.

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010 wraps up today and, after a week of countless shows, live tweeting, partying, and throw in a snow storm for good measure, AM is here to break down the trends you should look out for later this year.

Combat Boots: Fall 2010 Trend

Michael Kors Fall 2010

“All about ease… Relaxed glamour… The quintessential American sportswear wardrobe… Urban casual vs. country luxe… Tactile texture mixes… The juxtaposition of crisp tailoring and languid softeness…”

“Languid softness?” Are you kidding me?

Let me just say that I hate it when people in fashion make fluffy statements – like “relaxed glamour.” They’re cliché, insubstantial and reinforce the notion of fashion as a social enclave to non-fashion people because we throw around terms like “languid softness.” FYI: It’s nothing but empty jargon.

Another example – why not? On my way out of the Timo Weiland Fall 2010 show during New York Fashion Week, I overheard a fashionista commenting on the presentation: “I really liked the range of the collection; there were a lot of good separates, you know?”

No shit, Sherlock. Of course there would be separates. I could take the economic position by arguing that in today’s highly volatile market, not producing a range of clothing that would appeal to a wide demographic means retail suicide – especially if you are operating on high margins. However, the common sense in me (you know, the one that urks when I hear “languid softness”) says: “Of course they’re separates. What else would they be? Pants that are restricted to one specific top? Shoes that are incapable of being worn with, say, a different pair of jeans?

But I digress.

The opening of this blog entry was taken from Michael Kors’ Fall 2010 print-out. One of the strongest looks during the show was a knitted crossfox fling, smoke tissue cashmere pullover and camel suede trouser (pictured above). Did I mention this was worn by Frankie Rayder? Bonus. It was nice to see Michael cast some of the girls I grew up on – Frankie and Angela to be specific.

The outerwear for men was another highlight. Simon Nessman opened the Michael Kors Fall 2010 show in a camel crushed garbadine anorak (pictured below). Terron Wood (my new obsession) wore a tobacco distressed leather flight jacket and Max wore a leather cargo jacket.

When it was time to process all of this with my fashion editor hat on I struggled to unify the aesthetic. It was New York… It was urban yet country… It was luxe sportswear…. It was relaxed glamour… Uh oh.

Michael Kors Fall 2010 Video

I captured the very end of the Michael Kors Fall 2010 finale on video. Last season, I remember the woman sitting beside me saying: “The longer the runway, the bigger the designer’s ego.” I thought that was funny.

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010

Flying into New York in the middle of a snow storm -- kind of intense. Ours was the only flight that was not canceled. Of course, being from Montreal, I figured a "snow storm" in New York would be a joke. Wrong. I didn't bring any appropriate winter shoes, slipped and fell on my ass and am (still) freezing... but the best part about this was that I was able to sound off on winter fashion for NY Mag -- check it out (I'm at the end):

Fashion Week Vs. The Blizzard - NYMag.com




Stay tuned for coverage on New York Fashion Week Fall 2010.

Lakshmi Menon: Model Moment (Video)

New York Fashion Week (Fall 2010) is around the corner, but before I look ahead I'm looking back to a video diary by my favourite model, Lakshmi Menon. I hope I see her at the shows in two weeks.

John Varvatos Interview

Guys really don’t like shopping, now do we? As kids, we deferred every dressing decision to our moms who, bless their hearts, would costume us in some dorky pair of corduroys and suspenders (apparently, Little Rascals chic was a big theme for Gap Kids back in the day). We would throw the most inflated tantrums just to avoid shopping.

Fast-forward a decade or two and the game really hasn’t changed much, has it? We let our girlfriends weigh in on our looks and finding the time to shop between overtime and, well, more overtime is as likely as the economy bouncing back in 2010.

The solution? The good ol’ internet. “Guys don’t like to shop or don’t have the time to shop. The not-having-time thing is big right now; people are busy and times are crazy,” says men’s fashion designer John Varvatos, whose online store launched in September. “I shop a lot online… and just the ease of it makes a lot more sense.” While e-commerce isn’t exactly new, his site is a good example of what guys are looking for online: It’s user-friendly, aesthetically appealing and, best of all, Varvatos’ elegant, urbane take on menswear makes us want to buy, say, a pair of grown-up corduroys and suspenders -- without leaving the comfort of our homes.

Kelly Kopen: Model Moment

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Raise the topic of fashion models with anyone outside of fashion, and prepare to take the defensive. No, they're not (all) suffering from an eating disorder; no, they don't all earn $10,000 a show and; no, they don't all look the same (read: are from Eastern Europe).

Every now and then a model breaks the mold. We call them "oddballs." Think Kate Moss breaking the industry standard with her 5'7-inch stature, Alek Wek with her baby-like features (and 36-inch inseam - 36 inches? dang) or Omahyra Mota with her androgynous look.

The latest conteneder? Enter Kelly Kopen, the tomboy with a personality that is just as "oddball" as her distinctive look.

I had first met Kopen during the production of the Chanel Cruise 2008 show. Her style? Totally stood out from the other girls (check out the Models Own Clothes feature I did with her in my blog archives: December 2008). Her vibe? Too cool for school. Let's just say that if it weren't for her teaching me how to do "the monkey" at the Chanel after-party, my moves wouldn't be as fresh on the dance floor.

Fast-forward a year later, and I bump into Kelly Kopen at the Alexander Wang after-party (pictured above). OK, so what prompted me to feature a model moment with Kopen? Last week I walked into H&M, happy to see that its Spring 2010 visuals were up. The usual crop of girls were featured in the lastest campaign (Liya Kebede, Anja Rubic to name a few), but there she was: Kelly Kopen. Congrats.

Watch for her growing importance this year. Just sayin'.

Michael Kors Spring 2010

What would the last entry be without video? Here's the Michael Kors Spring 2010 show (the opening and finale). First track: "Love Games," second track: "Poker Face," finale track: "The Fame." I've always wanted to see Natasha Poly's super-sexy strut - needless to say that watching (and video taping) this with her in a swimsuit made me a pretty happy camper. Too fierce. And what's up with Noah Mills ducking his head so much?

Michael Kors 2010

"Love Games" by Lady Gaga opened the Michael Kors Spring 2010 show at New York Fashion Week. This was followed by "Poker Face," and that's when I realized he wasn't going to play anything but. It was kind of surprising because one tends to look to runway music as a venue to discover the newest, hipster music (or the newest, hipster remix). I know DJs who specialize in runway music -- who live for this stuff -- that would be heartbroken by hearing a Lady Gaga track at a fashion show.

Thus, Lady Gaga was a tad commercial for me. And not the most timely. Lady Gaga in September 2009? Talk about old news. It also had nothing to do with the collection (well, you can judge for yourself here). It was only when I read the directives backstage that I made the connection.

Simon Spurr Launches New Line For Fall 2010

Simon Spurr's office manager sent me an e-mail this week. The opening line?
"We here at Simon Spurr have been following your blog for some time and have noticed how prolific and compelling your posts on Men's Fashion have been. " Nice. I couldn't help but wonder how they even came across it (I'd like to think that my SEO efforts are paying off -- thank you AskMen.com).

However, I ensure you the e-mail had no intention of gushing over my blog; instead, it was to invite me to an exclusive review of Spurr's new line, Simon Spurr. Though I haven't seen the line yet (stay tuned for potential lookbook pics before the show on February 14 at New York Fashion Week), you can expect Simon to, well, stick to what he does best.

"The new Simon Spurr label will consist of a full collection of menswear with a higher level of make including hand finished leather, suiting, shirting and sweaters," claims the press release, "'Whilst Simon Spurr will be the collection line, it is important to me that Spurr is not considered as a diffusion or secondary line'."

First of all, points for using the word "whilst." Next, I'm curious to see how the launch of this line will unfold. Multiple lines for one designer -- especially when that designer is fairly new and when their market is menswear -- is generally hit or miss.

Will keep you posted.

Rad Hourani Spring 2010 Show

Hourani presented his Spring 2010 show at Milk Studios during New York Fashion Week. Devon Aoki made a front row appearance, which was surprizing because, well, what has Aoki done lately? Check out the finale of the Rad Hourani Spring 2010 show (again, sorry about my camera):

Rad Hourani Interview

Back in the day, when I was a public relations intern at Miss Sixty, Rad Hourani was a stylist that used to come pull from our closets. That is why I was really excited to interview Hourani; it was quite nostolgic.

While he still works on styling projects, he's better known around the world as a contemporary designer. His work has been compared to Helmut Lang, as his macabre, androgynous aesthetic speaks to a similar customer (Side note: If there's anyone endorsing girlfriend jeans for men, you can count on Rad).

Sachin Bhola: Can you give us some background on the Rad Hourani label? Describe the Rad Hourani man.
Rad Hourani: I want to make clothes that give the wearer a bold presence without looking contrived or overdone. It’s about apparent simplicity, but refinement in details. It’s confident and powerful, sort of like a weightless armor. Long, straight, sharp, black, and slick silhouettes; geometric shapes that come alive through the movement of the wearer. I hope to reach people who do not define themselves in strict terms.

Sachin: Can you elaborate on your aseasonal philosophy?
Rad: Given the nature of the fashion calendar, I have to present my collections on a bi-yearly basis, but I design them with the idea that they could be worn by anyone, at any time. Therefore, I do not start every new season with a specific concept, but rather try to establish continuity from one to the next. My pieces are timeless and freed from any strict differentiations.

Sachin: What’s on your iPod playlist?
Rad: The Smiths, Lou Reed, The Cure, Joy Division, Patti Smith, Nina Simone, Siouxsie and The Banshees, Amanda Lear, Michael Jackson, Nina Hagen, Jane Birkin, Grace Jones, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Blondie, Timber Timbre.

For more, check out the Rad Hourani interview on AskMen.com

Alexander Wang After-Party

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Alexander Wang is the it boy in fashion. In a few short seasons, he's established a cult-like following among models, celebrities and fashionistas alike. What I like about him is that, in addition to his too-cool-for-school aesthetic, he's a smart business man. Everything he does is an extension of his brand, only reinforcing his market position as the cool kid in the industry.

Take the Alexander Wang After-Party as an example. During New York Fashion Week, Wang held his party in the Meatpacking District. The location? The Mobil gas station. Leave it to him to transform a gas station into the best party during Fashion Week.

Courtney Love performed to an intimate audience consisting of models (Frankie Rayder, Lily Donaldson, Erin Wasson, Liya Kebede, Isabeli Fontana, Jessica Stam, Philip Huang, Kelly Kopen, and more), celebrities (Jared Leto, Olivia Palermo) editors, buyers, and industry buffs.

One of the highlights for me was the convenience store at the Mobil gas station. It was fully stocked with chocolate bars, chips, soda -- you name it. And it was a free-for-all. You could take whatever you wanted. Thanks Alex!