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!