"Looks like REISS will be making its way into my wardrobe!" - Mr. Darkwah

For those of you who read La Clique regularly, you will know that I am not one to write about press days. I find that recently, in order to get a freebie, anyone will attend and write about any press day and that is not how I work. You will also know that I never write to slate therefore keeping my blog squeaky clean and positive - how I like my life. In this case, however, I find myself writing about a press day because I absolutely adored everything I saw!

REISS, established by David Reiss in 1971 started out providing businesswear for men in and around London. In its expansion, it took on womenswear and became an international brand. I must say, though the styling was always impeccable and the clothes of good quality, I could never really see myself donning an outfit from there. Maybe the odd sweater or pair of trousers but nothing beyond that. I saw REISS as a 'staple' for my wardrobe and thus was indifferent to them.

Their most recent press day changed my mind completely! Never have I walked into a room and wanted everything (well, barring Lanvin's A/W 09/10 and Gucci's S/S 11 collections)! You could have likened my amazement, "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" to that of a Herbal Essences advert. All of a sudden, REISS had life! Bags were bolder and looked like they belonged in the clutches of the meanest fashionistas around from New York to Tokyo! (Not to mention in my wardrobe!)

The women's collection was bold in accessories and shoes. The new accessories designer managed to breathe an edgy life force into the brand whilst maintaing the lady-like REISS woman. (Lady-like being used loosely as now she was more of a Glamazon than a lady who lunched!) Evening-wear was bursting with life with sequin detailing and gowns that could make the clumsiest of women look as though she was floating into the room!

Having started as a menswear brand that dealt mainly in businesswear, I expected a relatively boring collection from men, and thus an anticlimax. I was wrong (thank God!) What I walked into was the perfect fusion of masculine style with softer feminine undertones. With a pastel colour palette contrasted with structured tailoring and brought together with the most beautifully printed pocket squares, the menswear collection blew me away!

"See what I mean about the pocket squares?"

"Give me a soft turtleneck and I'm SOLD!"

If you don't know what you're doing and who you're wearing for Autumn/Winter this year, I strongly recommend you make REISS a part of your wardrobe! Just giving you the heads-up!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah
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"Thank you Kirk Originals!" - Mr. Darkwah

"I got them!" 

Isaac StJames, myself and Charles Ampadu in our Kirk Originals lenses!

As I'm sure you've noticed, that with the lack of posts to do with them, I have been out of the events circuit for a while but let me assure you, I'm back and loving it! Last Thursday saw me making my return to being (somewhat) a social butterfly at Kirk Originals' Award Win Party at their Conduit Street store. The event saw singer, Sophie Hiller perform a few of her own singles and covers of popular hits both past and present.

Simple and yet so stylish!

Kirk Originals never fails when it comes to style!

Songstress Sophie Hiller in action

Typical of an event overseen by TASK PR, I felt completely at home and enjoyed myself thoroughly! I even had my first cider (being known as a man who drinks only water or vodka)! The atmosphere was homely and light - the best type to welcome me back from my 'reclusive' nature of last season. I loved it!

The whole place was buzzing with bloggers, stylists and all-round fashionistas!

Looking at the style of Kirk Originals' new range, I realised why they are so loved amongst all age-groups. The brand, despite being around for 20 years still manages to produce innovative, exciting and yet wearable designs that suit all kinds of people! Upon walking into the store, I set my sights on one pair of glasses - the white Chip glasses from the kinetics range. This may sound like Dutch to you but I've been obsessed with those glasses since the "Gentleman's Day Off" post in which they were featured!

Hats off to Kirk Originals for winning Fashion Frame Practice of The Year and hats off to Task PR for another well-put-together event! I hope to attend many more!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"Let Me Dispel The Myth"

Wouldn't you want to be here?

It seems people get the idea that as bloggers, we live these luxurious lives. All they seem to think we do is party with celebrities, review collections and gain recognition for our opinions. When really, it's a little more complex but let me not bore you with the details of a blogger's life (though it does consist a lot of partying, being outspoken and spotted for your quirky style). I want to let you in on a little secret - a blogger's dream job!

Sebastian Murat a.k.a The Human Sub

This June, Sebastian Murat a.k.a The Human Sub will attempt to free-dive 703 feet just off La Cote D'Azur and Maurice Lacroix is sponsoring this expedition! Where do bloggers come in, you ask? Well in order to cover this event, Lacroix is looking from bloggers in English, Chinese, German and Russian as well as a pool boy and personal assistant. The team will be flown out to a luxury villa and represent their language audience worldwide - now do you see why it's a dream?!

Not to mention, each person selected for the team gets a stunning Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Watch!

I have entered myself in this competition and would absolutely love to go! My reasoning not just that "I need a break" but that I would bring a plethora of skills to the table - not to mention my love of all things en-vogue and daring!

For more information on the feat visit http://www.the-french-job.com/videos.php?show=4f9846b62799e and vote for me! 

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"Where Real Style Goes"

Paris, Moscow, New York, Tokyo and London - fashion capitals known for their pristine, prim and proper fashionistas and 'nistos. No doubt, if you decided to walk down London's Sloane Street, or Paris' Champs Elysees (not to mention anywhere in the other fashion capitals listed) you would be wowed by the beautiful understated luxury of rich fabrics, luscious furs and of course, drawn to the beautiful red soles of our high-power fashionistas.

That's all well and good but in all honesty, it does get rather boring. You find that more and more you can predict how people will be dressed because fashion is global and fashion capital have an image to uphold. Sadly, this image is slowly becoming the same image - no variation whatsoever. As a stylist, I seek the oddities in fashion and look to highlight their beauty and individual nature. Granted, beauty is subjective and so something I appreciate, you may think is garbage - I nevertheless aim to find the most fabulously outlandish styles and bring them to the fore!

For every prince, there is a pauper (or ten) and so for every Louboutin-donning fashionista, there is a Saucony-wearing, Skateboard-riding style icon! Want to know where to find them?

Unlike Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and New York, you needn't go to one specific area of London to find these people. All you need to do is walk. I found myself stopping constantly as I walked the streets of Ladbroke Grove because someone's sneakers caught my eye. In Brixton, I couldn't help but ask people where they got their studded jackets and their creepers because they were so cool! I can't say I've felt underdressed in my life but I most definitely felt un-stylish next to this lot! My eyes were opened to a new movement. They say the Devil makes work for idle hands but here the results were solely heavenly! Upon asking about the jackets, I was told "I was bored and decided to stud my jacket. Got the studs off e-bay..." Clearly, I'd interrupted the flow of this young man's day but I felt it was well worth it!

Too often we are obsessed with brands and how much something costs. I found, looking at the style around me, that a lot of it was homemade! That wasn't all, though. Looking at the way skaters, "indie" kids and "hipsters" dressed, I realised, though little effort may have gone into it, the results were similar to those of editorials for VIBE magazine featuring Run DMC and the styling of characters like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Jazzy Jeff! Surely they couldn't know about all this? The styling, the brands, the painstaking effort to create a look that would sit well on the cover of a magazine and yet remain accessible to the masses? I thought they didn't but they did!

The fact is, we don't need to be in the most expensive neighbourhoods or be in the most expensive clothes to be stylish. It's not what you wear but how you wear it. So if you're looking for real style - look to Brixton Market, Ladbroke Grove and its surrounding skateparks, Brick Lane and the night scene of Soho!

That's where real fashion goes!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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