To explain this collection, Andreas Löwenstam, H&M’s head menswear designer, said that “men today are dressing in-between styles of street smart casuals and reworked and refined tailoring, with sportswear playing a key role. The silhouette is very important, mixing slim with volume and lean with cropped, while neutrals and blues are matched with strong accent colours to make a real statement.”

Key garments and accessories of the collection include double-breasted navy cotton blazers, nautical striped sweaters, cropped chinos, orange cropped parkas, bold-striped heavy knits, khaki blazers, strong-coloured T-shirts, tailored yet relaxed suiting, knit hats, deck shoes, leather bracelets, round sunglasses, card holders on straps, and contrast sole brogues. In addition, a very nice two-toned cotton tote bag with leather straps caught our eye at The Style Examiner and we can’t wait to get hold of it to pack our belongings to hit the beach or the marina during the warmer months.

The post H&M; Unveils Menswear Looks for Spring 2012 appeared first on The Style Examiner.

The Style Examiner was seduced by the seemingly Modernist lines and the Brutalist touch of the building’s exposed concrete. The vast expanse of the ‘Cais das Artes’ and its surrounding spaces on the island where it is sited not only evoke the triumphant architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, but also confirm that architecture designs currently coming out of Brazil are some of the most accomplished in the world.

The post Cais das Artes by Paulo Mendes da Rocha and Metro Arquitetos Associados appeared first on The Style Examiner.

A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art and London’s Royal College of Art, Holly Fulton’s career has been growing from strength to strength, with enviable and deserved success. The fact that in just a few years she managed to sell her designs not only in the UK but also in Bharain, China, Dubai, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, and the US is proof that Fulton is someone with strong creative and business credentials who has been establishing a solid position in the fashion firmament. Her current signature style, that includes an abundance of geometric patterns and bejewelled dresses made of a mix of materials and textures, was at its best in a collection that cemented her reputation as one of the most talented British fashion designers.

To show her Spring/Summer 2012 collection during London Fashion Week in September 2011, Fulton produced a well-edited range of 30 looks that included mini-dresses inspired by those worn in the London of the swinging 1960s, swimwear, flowing maxi dresses, cropped bomber jackets, 1980s-inspired bustiers, and a range of successful accessories (of which the bags in geometric patterns are memorable examples). What made these long established garment formats more successful was a strong narrative of graphic designs that allowed viewers to explore African tribal and animal patterns and picture illustrations of corals and waves from the deep blue sea. In addition, details such as feather trims, and an unabashed contrast of black and white with strong shades of orange, yellow and turquoise proved to be a winning combination. Overall, this is an enchanting collection made possible through a seductive and masterful process of effectively combining and contrasting patterns, materials and colours.

The post Holly Fulton Spring/Summer 2012 Collection: Of the Savannah and of the Deep Blue Sea appeared first on The Style Examiner.

The Style Examiner met Hyungbae Kim, the talented creative director behind Zero_Underscore, to find out more about this promising and exciting menswear brand, and brings you this exclusive interview.

Where did it all start for you and for Zero_Underscore?
I studied at the Department of Costume Designs in Myongji University in Korea, majoring in women’s apparel. While I was studying, I tried to get as much practical experience as possible by working as an assistant designer with the womenswear brand ‘Giovedi Miso’ and as a freelance sample maker at the same time. During this period, I found that menswear was more interesting to me than women’s. So I decided to quit school and started learning tailoring by myself. After a couple of years, I went to New York with a desire for learning and a greater perspective on fashion, and I studied menswear at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I acquired very important professional skills there under terrific professionals such as Stefan Miljanich, a Gilded Age designer. Upon graduation, I secured an intern position with Theory Men, and after that I returned to Korea and launched Zero_Underscore.

Why the name Zero-Underscore?
The word ‘Zero’, corresponding to a starting point of all creations, symbolizes the designer’s intent and ‘Underscore’, meaning underlines, represents the idea that clothes and accessories should focus on the needs and tastes of the customer. It’s a balance between the creative vision and the practical usage of fashion.

How would you describe your current collection?
The first collection of Zero_Underscore, with the slogan of ‘timeless, long-lasting and modern’ is aimed at breaking the existing framework of menswear, starting with a tailored piece inspired by an ancient symbol of masculinity: the armour of a knight in the medieval era in Europe. Once this idea was established, a differentiated design was sensitively pursued in the details of each work with sheepskin and cowhide juxtaposed over wool flannel and cotton twill fabric. The quality of materials, the precision of the patterns, the elaborate tailor work, the use of high-quality subsidiary materials, and the finish techniques differentiate Zero_Underscore’s approach to fashion from labels whose garments do not make it beyond one season or a year. Zero_Underscore focuses on the sustainability of fashion at all levels while placing priority on small quantities of high-quality of pieces.

At the same time, the first collection of Zero_Underscore, under the name ‘Back In Black’, has been loosely inspired by the tunes of heavy metal group AC/DC, and connects fashion with the self-confidence, dignity and intensiveness of the band’s members, particularly in the moment when they cried out ‘I am back’ at the live concert ‘Monsters in Moscow’ in the early 1990s. The colour combination of black, white and grey also emphasizes the male silhouette and the details of each garment in the collection.

Which designers inspire you?
All designers inspire me. I get inspired by the details that I observe in almost all designers’ apparel, having a tendency to put emphasis on detailed aspects as well as fits. Sometimes I find inspiration in men’s garments that emphasize Goth feelings and being modern. I might say that experimental forms by designers such as Gareth Pugh, Boris Bidjan Saberi, or Maison Martin Margiela also serve as inspirational sources. It’s a difficult thing to pick just a certain designer, as I feel that I get design inspirations from everything including concepts, thoughts and feelings.

What do you think of contemporary Korean fashion and fashion designers?
Although it’s not easy for a young designer who has just completed his first small-scale collection to discuss Korean fashion, I think that (and from my subjective standpoint) it seems to be in a depressed stage preceding a big jump yet. Whereas several famous designers such as June J, Song Zio, and Youngmi Woo have their names known on the overseas collection stages, compete with world designers, and solidify their positions, new talented and able designers have it difficult.

It’s tough for medium and low-priced Korean brands to compete and survive. In addition, even if Korean labels focus on making high-quality clothes, Korean consumers still perceive foreign brands as more appealing. As a result, breaking into the domestic market becomes a difficult hurdle. In addition, the consumer market is not only small but also concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan areas, which leads to fierce competition between national brands. However, and with some government support, talented domestic designers are breaking into domestic and international markets. Slowly, I think that the days for the Marc Jacobs of Korea to emerge may not be too far away.

What are your expansion plans for Zero_Underscore?
The slogan of Zero_Underscore is ‘timeless, long-lasting, and modern’. While our initial plan was centered on getting positive responses from the domestic market in this season, I’d like to expand into markets overseas while exploring more diversified colors, fabrics and designs to allow for Zero_Underscore to be known in the global fashion arena.

The post Zero_Underscore Menswear Autumn/Winter 2011 appeared first on The Style Examiner.

Elbow patches not only evoke the practical garments of the great outdoors but also bring back memories of school days when, as young boys, we were carefree with our clothes and ripped them while playing. While recently viewing the online catalogue of Danish menswear brand Matinique we came across two very successful examples of how elbow patches can remain stylish and functional.

The first is the Landt P Blazer, a two-button single-breasted jacket in dark blue or grey, with some very nice contemporary detailing in the shape of patch pockets, a slanted breast pocket on the left, and elbow patches. Despite the features that evoke casualness, the jacket also offers elegant and more formal details, such as five buttons on the cuffs and double back vents. The fit is comfortable enough to wear with a turtle neck underneath, and we also managed to find a suitable one in the Matinique catalogue.

The Parcusman pullover, which contains Merino wool, is a high-neck pullover with subtle detailing, including elbow patches and a contrasting stripe on the bottom of the ribbed sleeves. It comes in ‘Burnt Umbra’ (a shade close to the trendy camel colour) or black. We tried them and came to the conclusion that the black version works very well with the navy blazer.

Match these two garments with Matinique’s oversized Lambswool Amelot D Scarf in light grey with a stylish Raglan pattern, and you will be ready to fight the cold weather in style!

The post Patching Up Men’s Fashion appeared first on The Style Examiner.

The navy-coloured Asburys coat is a stylish and functional double-breasted padded coat that includes an internal detachable high neck piece that closes with a zip. Other details include two front pockets, an inside pocket and a pocket in the sleeve, and a single vent and a belt on the back. In addition to its flattering tailored shape and perfect height (just above the knee), what struck us as ideal was that not only does this coat function as a raincoat but it is extremely warm and practical for the colder days.

If, for some reason, you may feel that the practical neck piece proves to be too warm, The Style Examiner recommends the Corneille scarf, a classic checked scarf in navy, black and grey shades. This elegant scarf is made up of equal parts wool and cotton and is ideal to complement most formal and casual looks.

The post Matinique Asburys Coat: Probably the Best Coat Men Will Need this Winter appeared first on The Style Examiner.

The collection is inspired by the optical art of Walter Leblanc and it features abstract florals, leaves and imagery drawn from microscopic views of fabrics, metallic thread and mercury as the key graphic motifs in the collection. Other combinations of intense, pure colours drawn from nature (such as sulphur yellow, mercury blue and shades of red) are also found throughout the collection.

The post Peter Pilotto Launch Exclusive Collection of Scarves for Liberty appeared first on The Style Examiner.

As featured in the Autumn/Winter 2011 collections for both men and women, the inspiration from the 1960s and military attire is ubiquitous in the tailored overcoats, blousons, pea coasts, trench coats, oversized flat caps.

Glamorous touches such as shearling collars, a range of leather bags, cashmere knitwear, full length gowns, sartorial skinny fit suits, animal and floral prints, and tweed fabrics compliment what is expected to be another very popular collection.

The post Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter 2012 Pre-Collection appeared first on The Style Examiner.

These prestigious awards have been made since the 1850s, when the RIBA started offering a Silver Medal to reward student achievement. A Bronze Medal was added in the 1980s to reward Part 1 student work and in 2001 the Institute started awarding the Dissertation Medal.

Kibwe Tavares, a student of the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, won the Silver Medal – awarded to a Part 2 project – for Robots of Brixton. Taking the existing buildings of Brixton as a starting point, and eerily prescient of the 2011 summer riots in English cities, this startling short film combines architectural drawings and futuristic animation.

The Bronze Medal – for a Part 1 project – was awarded to Basmah Kaki, a student at the Architectural Association. An Acoustic Lyrical Mechanism is an ingenious design which exploits the natural environment to create a sanctuary for workers, protecting them from the damage caused by noise pollution in an Indian granite quarry.

Hannah Robertson, of the University of Melbourne, Australia, received the Dissertation Medal for her work Bush Owner Builder which develops culturally sensitive and appropriate homes for an indigenous community in the far north of Queensland. Designs that emerged from working closely with the community are now being built on ‘homeland’ sites.

Congratulating the winners, RIBA President Angela Brady said:

‘The winners of this year’s RIBA President’s Medals show the outstanding talent of today’s architecture students. With highly creative and inspired thinking they are confronting real social issues – and showing how good architecture and design can, and does, improve the quality of people’s lives. I am delighted to present these awards.’

An exhibition of entries is currently displayed at the RIBA in London until 28 January 2012. The exhibition will then travel to Newcastle, Liverpool, and Dublin, and plans for other venues in the UK, Australia, Romania, and the UAE are being firmed up.

This year saw the highest number ever of entries for the awards: 276 entries from 83 schools of architecture in 27 countries.

The post RIBA President’s Medals 2011 Winners Announced appeared first on The Style Examiner.

In our search for a suitable bag that addresses all men’s needs and also allows packing something extra for a weekend away, we came across what could be close to an ideal solution: the Talion Weekend Bag by Matinique.

This is a classically stylish, quality leather weekend bag with zip closing. It has plenty of room and internal and external pockets that can be securely closed with zips so that you know that change or all essential cards are not lost. It is also easy to carry with the help of a shoulder strap or on its generously sized handles that allow for it to swing from one shoulder while releasing your hands to do something else.

The post Hold All in Style: The Talion Weekend Bag by Matinique appeared first on The Style Examiner.