Stylish with Substance

We know Europe is a bit gender-eccentric, with Scotland's kilts and their progressive ways. Not that there's anything wrong with that at all, but sometimes a man looks best dressed as a man. Err, a manly man?

Even the states now have odd (or oddly-named) things for guys, such as "bromances" and "man dates" (for straight men).

I for one am just not, and far from, ready to embrace the male gown-like skirt.

This is a look from yesterday in London's Fashion Week by J W Anderson. I would have preferred the feminisation of males on the catwalk stopped even before such a coiffed 'do, but alas, how could it?

I still know this look would never fly at a sporting event, night out with "the boys" or picking up "chicks" - so we know our society is not ready for it.

Is London's? Or is this more spectacle for attention?

Perhaps it will be tailored into female attire, for those femmes who like it - but for themselves. If that's actually the intent, I say it's silly rubbish.

*Le Sigh*. No, I do not love scouring over every show all week long, nor do I love writing about a single topic or in a single way. And I also do not love reading the same old posts about the runway styles. So in part to brush up on my knowledge of what's going on and in part to celebrate the better and best of other blogs' coverage, here is a link roundup of fashion bloggers' reviews and other noteworthy pieces on New York Fashion Week Fall 2009...

• Shoo Shoes! (shoe un-comfort, un-fab) --- So Brian Reyes collaborated with Manolo Blahnik for their collection, however it must have been DesignFail because the assumedly-usually professional models faultered and fell in their Blahniks (so un-Bradshaw!) and ended up - all of them - walking the final rounds in bare feet. -- Fashionologie wrote a great living-the-moment piece complete with a gallery of photos. (Warning: FEET!)
• ShoeFab (and leg fabulous!) -- Louboutins and floral sheer tights at the 3.1 Philip Lim show --- a gallery from Le City Kitty. (Warning: music!)
• It was News - Celebrity NOTs --- Marc Jacobs had to cut corners (and celebrities, and plus-ones) from his show, except for Anna Wintour's invitation (plus one), of course. --- from the newsdesk at Fashionologie.
• The Huffington Post went on the hunt after retailers and manufacturers abusing the sale of fur.
• Fug Fashion; actually, for the Birds (not women) --- Trend de la Crème posted a genius photo comparison list of catwalk couture with ... turkeys. We take it this blogger doesn't want to gobble up the tastes.
• More Fug - a slideshow of 80s inspired apparel --- on Yahoo!'s Shine.
• Beauty --- Reddest lips and tightest ponytails at J. Mendel on Style List /// videos and photos of backstage beauty (at Marchesa) on Eye 4 Style.
• Not Just Fug---Unwearable --- this year's outrageous couture, a slideshow and article from Guanabee.
• And on to the trends... the best covered: the not-covered looks of nude, natural and neutral: all the nude & glossed, barely made-up lips in great photo layout form on Beauty N Love. /// Nuetrals made natural by nature; mixing mutes with skins on Shoes Junky.
• A Whole Lotta Trends in one post: Fashion Sensei has cut-outs, cobalt blue, and metallics are also on the Huffington Post.
• Recession Trend Forecasting: All the Fashion Week ways to tell if our wallets are pooped by WalletPop. /// also Tough Clothes for Tough Times.
• Last but not least, a little fun: Marc Jacobs Mad Libs from Whorange.

Of course there are more collections to see and articles to read, but I really should work on my own recaps, myself!

Sergio Davilla's collection ... was barely there, and far from spot on. First of all, unpictured is a virtually topless female model. And then there are the effeminate men's styles with and select pieces of winterwear that look so out of place.

And I love that hat, for me... geez.

The hooded button-down shirt?

It's a good thing a photo speaks a thousand words, because this fug leaves me practically speechless.

View the video below my review:

I had my first coupled Valentine's Day yesterday, so I didn't post after early morning, and missed out on the original "telecast" of the Barbie fashion show, but I just saw it and it was amazing. Actually a retrospective of Barbie-inspired fashion from her 50 years since debut, but the styles were so on par with creative designs I'm really feeling today.

It's early but I'm eagerly wishing to say this is the best show of the events! This is not just the typical or crazy clothes, not just, it's a true entertainment piece that also fills any girly-girl-woman with wonder, and for me, inspires.

View part 1 of the video below, see the consecutive parts on YouTube here.

No, I'm not sick of Fashion Week yet, that would be ... well a bad sign. But I am sick of the blog total devotion to the typical reviews and such. I was browsing through some latest posts (with picture previews) and every single one was a dark-dressed woman on a boring catwalk - sort of retro silhouette meets dark alley and ... yawn.

Even browsing all the collections can be tedious to find what we either like or like to hate on, and then there's the list of names so big........and city after city, week after week. When is Anchorage Alaska going to get their own Fashion Week for fab's sake, eh? I mean really. (And why tackier Miami over rich, stylish Boca is beyond me, but that's close to my home, not many of yours, and yes I digress...)

If you don't yet know what I mean, look at this image:

I mean I know granted, many of the pictures are Coutorture's coverage with our free photos ... but I just got bored compiling these three images. You know that we humans are visual creatures and 'net users are fickle. Break up the monotony ... somehow. This isn't the fault of one or any one, but more of the craze itself.

Here's hoping Barbie brings some color and fun!

Friday, 13th

10am - THE HEART TRUTH'S RED DRESS COLLECTION 2009
Tent

7pm - THIS DAY/ARISE MAGAZINE: AFRICAN FASHION COLLECTIVE 2009
Promenade

8pm - ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
Tent

Saturday, 14th

3pm - BARBIE™ RUNWAY SHOW
Tent

Sunday, 15th

4pm - DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
Tent

Monday, 16th*

Marc Jacos*

7pm WILLIAM RAST
Tent

Wed., 18th

10am - NANETTE LEPORE
Promenade

Thursday, 19th

1pm - REBECCA TAYLOR
Salon

Friday, 20th

9am - PROJECT RUNWAY
Tent

Schedule: Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week
Image: Glam (Check for more to watch!)

*Update: It is now my understanding that the Marc Jacobs show is today as well. However it is not listed under Mercedez-Benz's schedule (linked to from just above). (Does anyone have info on that, if you stumble back onto this older post?) Knowing what I know about the show this year, I'd definitely add it to the list. Read about a very subdued and different MJ Collection show this time around from Fashionologie.