What Are You Carrying?

In Shakespeare's "Advice to the young" it was said "The apparel oft maketh the man" and this is true - each of us dresses to portray an image and even if we don't mean to, we know that being the guy in the straight-cut jeans (a waist size too big), printed t-shirt, striped hoodie, New Balance sneakers and mismatched satchel means we're the new guy in town or more commonly (in American TV stereotype, that is) the nerd. 

What Shakespeare did not say, possibly because they weren't a part of the 'standard' outfit was that "The accessories too, speak of oneself". Yes, guys and dolls, we have all looked after our outfits - being careful not to team palazzo pants with oversized and baggy shirts as they would completely hide a figure but what we have neglected (for too long in my opinion) is our accessories. A simple all-black ensemble can be brought to life with the right purse/man-bag. 

After benig stopped by a few fashion students for the sheepskin and mink man-purses (yes they do exist) that I had been holding, I quickly realised that in a city where fashion is at the fore and (unfortunately) people's styles begin to look very similar, people turn to the smaller details in the outfit for fashion joy. So now, I pose the question to you. "What are YOU carrying?"

The most interesting 'carriables' I've seen recently are a product of Fashion Student turned Uber-Designer Kzeniya Oudenot. Graduating Central St Martin's, Kzeniya worked in events and designed costumes and sets. Working for Alexander McQueen, Royal Opera House and Scottish Ballet to name a few, Kzeniya soon found that her love was in creating leather accessories and so started on creating her statement leather pieces.

Upon seeing her work, I found myself wanting one for myself! (She only does womens' pieces so that's saying something!) It was no surprise I found myself feeling this way as once her complete work was viewed, it was seen in the hands of Jennifer Lopez, Fergie and featured in many-a-fashion Bible (Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and then some!) I don't think there's anything more chic and edgy than this right now in purses! It's exciting and so fashion-forward - I simply love it! (A word to the designer, please make men's accessories!)

If you're looking to carry one of Kzeniya's pieces, look no further than Selfridges (and look nowhere else) - they bought her whole first collection!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"Gucci knows what they're doing!" - Mr. Darkwah

A lot of my friends in fashion are unimpressed by the lack of what we like to call the "wow" factor in next season's collections. There seem to be a lot of blatant decade references and very little innovation showing through in many collections. I have to say, though, that there is one fashion house that almost had me in tears when I saw their shows - both men and women!


Gucci takes men's dress from the 60's and strips it of its haphazard colouring and garish patterns. Instead, they are replaced with handsome earthy tones and sleek finishing on every garment. "It's as if the clothes were poured onto the models!" I find myself musing as I watch the runway and see the turtle-neck sweaters and flared trousers float down the runway.


The mens' collection merges metrosexuality with strong and simple masculine lines. I was pleased to see large bags and "the man purse" as I like to call it on the runway as I feel that accessories such as these help a man maintain the clean lines of his outfit and make him (in my opinion) look more pristine. regardless of what 'type' of man you are, you cannot refute the fact that at one time or another, you thought of getting yourself a bag (and no, not a rucksack) to hold your things so you're not scattered throughout four or more pockets! The mixture of feminine and masculine energies in the mens collection definitely makes it an accessible one and though there are some pieces that only the Fashion Brave could pull off, this collection is one that any man could wear and more so, feel like a supermodel when wearing the clothes!

Sleek lines that remind us of the 60s and a man-purse to kill!

Beautiful fusion of masculine and feminine energies

The mixture of energies continues into the womens' collection. Following on from a very strong spring/summer collection, the womens' collection has definitely found its footing and has taken to casting beautiful and strong silhouettes on the women who wear them. I understand that this may be a contentious issue for many but I am truly happy to see fur on the runway!


The jackets - cinched at the waist and accentuating shoulders in a less dramatic and more femme fatale of the 1930's manner. The hats in the collection, teamed with sports-car-red lips only make the seductresses skulking sexily down the runway so much more appealing! There is not a thing I could say against these collections as they flow perfectly from the S/S collections and stamp the Gucci image clearly in the minds of all!

A true femme fatale! - Gucci successfully marries strength and femininity

Iconic, is the word. I can just imagine the studio in which the initial illustrations of the collections were planned out. The strong lines, assertive poses and the radiance of a grandeur that could only be emanated by a fashion house that knows what they are doing and where they are going.


Thank you Gucci for making my season already!


Be sure to take a look at the runway on youtube or shop the looks on www.gucci.com, and remember, The Clique is only a click away!


Ciao Belissimi!

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