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Fruition Las Vegas Website Relaunched. www.fruitionlv.com

Karl Lagerfield for Steiff Plush Toys

Famous German plush toy company Steiff got together with fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld to produce a couture teddy bear resembling Karl down to his trademark black and white suit, belt buckle and glasses. Always full of surprises, Lagerfeld continues his trend of obscure yet interesting projects. Although there is no concrete information regarding release, stay tuned for further developments.

Alejandro Ingelmo Hi-Top Sneakers

With designer sneakers enjoying a great deal of success and offering some variety beyond your usual sports-related brands, we’ve seen exposure to numerous personalities who may have simply gone unnoticed if it weren’t for their sneaker releases. One just needs to look at the air-play Ato Matsumoto received thanks ALL in part to being seen on the feet of Kanye West. Among the latest designers to take a stab at sneakers is fleding New York designer Alejandro Ingelmo as he creates a pack of metallic high-tops. While the profile itself is quite simple and clean, Ingelmo features a series of bright colorways ranging from bronze and silver to pink and purple. Available now at oki-ni.

Lanvin Fall/Winter 2008 Hi Top Sneakers

Lanvin has celebrated a tremendous comeback in recent years, mainly due to their ready-to-wear collection.

A good part of that success can also be contributed to their popular sneaker line.
As part of their Fall/Winter 2008 collection, the popular hi top sneakers return. Aloha Rag and Barneys got them in this weekend in black, brown and beige. All three come in a mix of patent leather and suede and look as usual very sleek. If you got a spare 820 USD, then this is a good way to invest them.

mike & chris
new haven parka

Stuck in the rain...Why not get stuck in Style

olive green light weight nylon parka. zipper closure down front with button closure at neck. hidden drawstring hoodie. three pockets at front. soft heather grey knit jersey cotton lining. drawstring at bottom.

Big-O x Taz Arnold = TI$A Phenomenon

Japanese designer Big-O of swagger and Phenomenon fame has linked up with multi-talented MCM/pastelle designer and music producer Taz Arnold in a new collaborative brand titled TI$A Phenomenon. The subsequent final product is an eclectic mix of stylings in which many of the styles include leather products such as jackets and briefcases. The products are a true reflection of the stylistic approach of both Big-O and Taz Arnold who both embody a flamboyant fashion sense.

Source: Warp Magazine

Collaborative designer du jour Adrian Nyman has joined forces with Phillip Law and Indigo Farm to produce a capsule collection of utilitarian workwear inspired by antiquated Far Eastern manufacturing techniques. Yep, that's sort of country-military-chic as far as we can see. Now, the new 20-piece collection will be sold in Santa Monica's menswear destination, Fred Segal Man. "We really cherish the personal quality, which uses some of these ancient manufacturing disciplines," Benjamin says.

The collection features a mix of fabrications that hearken to the actual utilitarian history of workwear. Denims are 100% Zimbabwean cotton woven on Japanese Selvedge looms, chinos are constructed of yarn-dyed selvedge canvas and indigo rope-dyed corduroy. "At the heart of the collection it is really a compelling fabric story based on a very minimal design aesthetic," Benjamin says. Which is fine by us. We like our pricey denim without any bells and whistles.

Indigo Farm by Adrian Nyman is available at Fred Segal, 420 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310-458-9940 ; www.fredsegal.com. For more information go to www.indigofarmdenim.com.

Designers: Steve J and Yoni P

Who: Steve J and Yoni P - Korean-born and London-based duo who have carved a reputation as fashion’s newest prodigies in the space of three short seasons.

Why: The pair already have a ‘Best Menswear Award’, obtained at the CSM BA graduation show in 2006, Samsung Fashion Design Fund in 2007/2008 and diffusion range at Topshop under their charming belts.

What: After the exuberance of their S/S collection, the A/W 08 show I attended in February was decidedly more wearable, but managed to retain their joyful charm.

Streamlined silhouettes (sporty in a luxe apres-ski kind of way) were painted in ice cream hues of powder blue, snow white, orange sorbet and creamy rose and played off against crop-circle inspired shoulders, quirky capelets and puffed sleeves.

Slicked hair, luxe jewelry (designed exclusively for the collection by SHO fine jewelry) and over the knee boots create an interesting contrast to their sanguine colour palette and youthful shapes.

Heaven for layering addicts (yes, guilty), the design duo have me yearning for soft jersey polo necks (huge trend for A/W08) to wear under cute dresses and candy-striped skirts - a delightful way to drift from summer to autumn

Trends: A Little Ankle, A Little Skin

I know summer is upon us and that casually parading around in shorts is the best way to show off that well-worked summer tan (if you’ve mustered up one that is), but I hate to admit I’m not much of a short-wearing kind of guy (one pair of shorts hangs in solitude in my wardrobe). Even in the sweltering heat, I would rather throw on some pants and call it a day.
I’m not saying shorts are a no go for the summer, but with a little creativity and some impetus from the SS08 collections, men just like me can turn to those crème-coloured twill pants hanging in your wardrobe and reinvent them into a cropped pant style.
Investing in a pair of cropped pants with a predetermined length is a safe and assured bet if the conservative look is more you.
Then again, my slant on style is more edgy so I was smitten with the whimsical, rolled pant-leg rendition that was a hallmark of many SS08 collections. Personally, Junya Watanabe and Yohji Yamamoto’s Y-3 lines produced some stand out, summery takes on the trend with the folded up hem flaunting bright colours or patterns dissimilar from the main body of the pants.
To me, the rolled pant leg is very “do it yourself,” requiring an on hand pair of pants that you don’t mind reeling up a bit. Moreover, one is at liberty to play around with different lengths and not feel boxed in by precut cropped pants that may not do it for you lengthwise.
All in all, the styling trend of rolling one’s pant leg can ease our masculine insecurities of showing too much skin with a traditional capri-cut pant and partially offset our summertime woes with the heat. Besides, men stretching from Södermalm, Sweden to the backstreets of Shoreditch, London are embracing the quirky look so it’s okay to show a little ankle and a little skin.

The Evolution Of Burberry

Like many other iconic fashion houses Burberry Prorsum has its signatures pieces. For Louis Vuitton it’s the eloping “L” and “V” and for Chanel it’s the luxurious incorporation of tweed that has existed within the threadwork of the house since it was well established in the 1920s. Like many of the influential houses that are still in existence they’ve reinvented that once iconic symbol with ultra-modern relevance. Christopher Bailey, creative director of Burberry Prorsum, has consistently revolutionized the “Macintosh” season by season. He morphs the mac from its dry “sand” hue to outerwear with more punch, more pop and inevitably younger elegance. This season was no different.
For the spring 2009 collection the modernity of Burberry Prorsum’s coats were more potent than ever. Fleeing from the overwhelming androgyny of the European runways (He decided to beat to his own plaid drum), Bailey made a statement with springtime layering of slouchy cardigans with embellished lapels and even lazier Macintoshes.
The chic droopiness of was offset by the slim trousers and a new take on the oxford. Burberry ensured that a slim fit is here to stay.

The Godfather of Fashion: Richard Blackwell

Mr Blackwell, the fashion critic responsible for naming and shaming the worst dressed celebs around has been in a coma since Saturday after suffering from a bad fall at his home.
Although the 85yr old former designer and actor is said to be battling with a serious infection he has regained consciousness and is now moving his hands and blinking.
Blackwell is best known for his annual worst dressed lists which have been going strong for 48 years. Just last year he crowned Victoria Beckham with the number one spot.V

Vote or Die!: Renee Frances' Ring

Cocktail rings are statement pieces already, but stamp the words "Vote" in capital letters on one, and you've got a knuckle duster that packs a double punch. Renee Frances' gold "Vote" ring, modeled after Robert Indiana's iconic "LOVE" image, is sure to catch anyone's attention from miles away. Frances is known for her humorous, unexpected pieces that are executed with flawless technique, and this ring is no exception. So why not inspire those around you to do their civic duty? Whether you flash it at a youth rally or dinner party, it's a much more stylish and eloquent way to express your political opinion than "Vote or Die."

Renee Frances Vote Ring, $115, available

Miharayasuhiro S/S '09

Pharrell for Vogue

Hyrcollective's daily blog is sharing some scans from a Russian Vogue photoshoot featuring Pharrel Williams and Russian model Natasha Polly. Terry Richardson is apparently the man behind the lends. Pahrrel is showing of his full range from suit to street. v

Designer Names The Correct Way

How to Pronounce Designer's Names

Remember when you weren't sure if Ralph Lauren's name was pronounced like the girl's name or the Italian actress Sofia Loren?* Here's a cheat sheet of some labels from across the pond that aren't as easy as our own Thom Browne and Michael Kors.

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Introducing the 2008 International Best-Dressed List
as listed by Vanity Fair

The 2008 vote is in—for the style elite, at least. Here are the women and men who scored a spot on Vanity Fair’s 69th annual International Best-Dressed List.

Top Ten Women:

• H.R.H. Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium
• Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
• Julia Koch
• Evelyn Lauder
• Kate Middleton
• Michelle Obama
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Tilda Swinton
• Diana Taylor
• Ivanka Trump

Top Ten Men:

• David Beckham
• Daniel Craig
• Lapo Elkann
• H.S.H. Prince Heinrich von und zu Fürstenberg
• Count Manfredi della Gherardesca
• Zac Goldsmith• Matt Lauer
• Bryan Lourd
• Morley Safer
• Kanye West
Who do you think should have made the list? Comment below.

Louis Vuitton - Tokyo Flagship Store by UNStudio

Louis Vuitton will be opening a new flagship store in Tokyo, Japan by 2010. The 10 story flagship store was designed by UNStudio and takes a new environmentally friendly approach to the design and construction of the store. Inside the Louis Vuitton mongram leaf shaped building you will be able to find a few amnetities such as a cafe, spa, bookstore, exhibition gallery, and last but not least retail space. You’ll have to stay tuned for more news as the location and construction time is being kept a secret.
via Dezeen

> Louis Vuitton

> UNStudio