Get the look: NICK GRIMSHAW

Nick Grimshaw

'Get The Look: Nick Grimshaw'

He’s one the guy all celebrities want to be friends with and being voted as GQ Magazine’s Best Dressed Man of 2014 it seems we all want his style too! This look is from when Nick attended the Burberry Prorsum show SS'15. 

Nick tackles two big AW14 trends here with an on-point over coat and some Chelsea boots. Nick keeps the indie vibe by choosing opting for suede Chelsea boots as opposed to classic leather and his linen scarf, which alternatively can be swapped for something more heavy to get you through the winter.

The Whole look:

Coat: Zara - £159

T-shirt: Uniqlo - £4.90

Jeans: Jack Jones - £49.95

Boots: Asos - £40

GUESS jeans holiday campaign 2014

When east meets west.

It's been a long time since I've publicly reviewed some fashion photography but with a sudden urge to write and as this blog was built up on editorial reviews; it's about time I started to showcase some more imagery! 

I've always been interested in travel and natural science. Before doing any of my fashion work I was on my way to studying zoology, further more - specialise in marine biology, buy a boat, then watch and spend my days swimming with marine mammals off the great barrier reef! Well, that vision took a different turn and now I get most of my environmental image kicks from gawping over the dynamic imagery in my favourite (non)fashion magazine, The National Geographic. 

Now if you combine this with my passion for Eastern culture - specifically animation and chuck into a fashion campaign we have a formula that oozes success. The formula is as below:

     Formula A.

Dynamic landscape photography + Eastern culture scenario + American heritage brand

= Chen Man's GUESS Jeans Holiday campaign. 

Chen Man's kickass, highly saturated eastern shoot sees models Megan Williams and Karmay Ngai battling it out as ninja warriors in front of a breathtaking Mount Fuji.

Chen's man use of powerful and rich colours create a vivid combination with the pieces from the GUESS Jeans collection. I can't say I've ever really know much about GUESS to express a solid, researched view of selected styling. My earlier memories of GUESS are of some smouldering blonde rocking some denim. But in this shoot, the styling from Satoshi Hirota is young, on point and complimentary to the 'east-meets-west' vision for the shoot.  

I would also like to mention the model casting. Megan Williams adds a youthful take to some of the more classic blonde's who have starred as previous GUESS girls, such as Claudia Schiffer. Megan's adaptable image plays great contrast alongside karmay Ngai who also emits youth and acts a new face to within a brand built upon heritage.

 My final thought: This is shoot is a key representation of what great photography and strong shoot production can do for a brand.It has opened my eyes to the world of GUESS and I intend to explore more. An eye catching and beautiful campaign.

A step in the right direction - Men's footwear guide AW14

Today, I attended a meeting at Cafe Boheme, my favourite french restaurant in Soho, to discuss some final ideas on an upcoming project. Whilst dining I was faced a enlightening reality in the movement of men's footwear for AW14. 

Whilst lunching and chatting away, I clumsily knocked off my cutlery which rattled and clanged as it bounced along the floor. I bent down to pick it up and couldn't help but notice my friend Jonathan's shoes. He laughed as he caught my gaze and swiftly replied 

"You can hate all you want, They're my new McQueen's".

Hate was a strong word to use. Initially confused and once the confusion subsided I was more intrigued into the movement of the market. I met Jonathan after leaving Condé Nast and the guy was never far away from the latest fashion trends; but I had to work out his latest decision.. Had he made a footwear faux pas? Or was ugly the new thing for shoes? 

After digging around at some of my favourite online shopping destinations, it seems I should never have doubted my friend. Ugly is definitely in - but not as we no it. It's more of that feeling when something should bad, it becomes good (wow, that probably doesn't make any sense! ha). From the extreme designs of Rick Owens to the colour sneakers from Raf Simons. I wanted to show you a selection of my favourite and wearable 'ugly' footwear. 

 1.McQ Alexander McQueen

Half buffed, half grained - This two tone combination provides the eye with unusual satisfaction.

2. Dolce & Gabbana Navy Hiking boot.

Chunky, really chunky. And an interesting idea of featuring a side zip.

3. Orange DSquared Boots.

Most people would probably look at these and wonder why I've placed them on the list. I find the platform funny to look at and the 'that 70's show' orange brings back all sorts of ideas about Ashton Kutcher's fashion on the show! 

4. Versace gold plated high tops. 

A bish bosh of zips, leather, shine and metal.

5. Kenzo monochrome boot.

I had more than enough 'ugly' shoes to pick from the latest Kenzo collection. This isn't because I hate them though, quite the opposite... I would wear them all. These aren't my favourite ones, but I like these squashed top, blown up monochrome bad boys. Great everyday shoes! 

6. Raf Simons sneakers.

"To infinity and beyond" is probably the first slogan that springs to mind when I see this colour conundrum by Raf Simons. They're the sort of shoes I think that look quite futuristic.. Maybe they make you run faster?

Wild Side. #OutfitOfTheDay

Wild Side. #OutfitOfTheDay

I've wanted to build a look around Saint Laurent for a while and with the new pieces that have dropped at SSENSE, I knew I had found my opportunity to work with something.

Heidi Slimane has totally revolutionized the consumer profile of Saint Laurent, formerly known as YSL, his new looks pay homage to rock and roll through silhouette, print and image but remains true to the quality and ethos of the brand.

Animal print is a key player this season, a look I have coming up takes on the trend of snake print but for now I want to show you this Leopard coat. I realise it's a pretty garish number, I'm not expecting this look to appeal to everyone but the style and shape makes for an easy alternative in grey or navy. Keeping with the essence of Saint Laurent I wanted to keep my trousers slim and fitted going for these black jeans also from Saint Laurent. I personally, felt that the black under the jacket looked to prominent so I've opted for this simple white silk t-shirt from T by Alexander Wang.

I wanted to channel a different sort of message through my accessories. I wanted to create a more indie (Hipster ) tone, so I opted for chunk and clunk rather than slim. In one of my recent posts I discussed the need for a black leather backpack this winter. Even though this bag wasn't on my list, this bag from MCQ by Alexander McQueen is pretty awesome! I've paired it with this beautiful chunky desert boots by A.P.C. Neither hipster or rock star, I've chosen this blue XL wallet from Comme Des Garcon, it's fun and a splash of colour to inject amongst more simple pieces.

Alternative coats for this look: GREY SAINT LAURENT COAT

This total look is available from SSENSE.com

It's beginning to look a lot like winter. #OutfitOfTheDay

It's beginning to look a lot like winter. #OutfitOfTheDay.

I hate to state the obvious but the weather is beginning to turn. London is quickly loosing its summer shine and the temperature has begun to decline. But as we quickly march through the year and step into September, the change in weather was going to come sooner or later.

I find it a lot easy to style a winter wardrobe than a summer one. The addition of layering instantly makes outfit options more adventurous - opening up more opportunity to play with proportion, shapes and textures.

This look I have built around some of my favourite styling elements - Textures and Sportswear. 

The textures I'm going to add are built around this Sheepskin collared navy bomber by APC and these amazing black leather trousers by BLK DNM. Not too go to OTT, I would team them with a printed t-shirt, the one above is by JUUN.J and a simple pair of trainers like these from STAN SMITHS by ADIDAS. 

In my opinion the look balances texture and sportswear, the jackets worn open adds elements of colour and leads nicely into the leather trousers which are complimented by the simple, 'no fuss' classic trainers.

This whole look is obtainable to buy at www.ssense.com

It's in the bag: 7 men's Black bags for A/W

"It's in the bag": 7 Black bags for A/W

Menswear has moved on considerable with the perseverance of breaking gender stereotypes and the birth of 'Metrosexuality'.

Man isn't plagued with compelling himself to be associated with a briefcase. He is now entitled to explore his individuality with his choice in clothing but mainly accessories. From briefcase to rucksack and in later years the 'Man-bag' to the 'Man Clutch' (By which I mean document case). Man is openly allowed to express the freedom of metrosexuality through his essential choices.

Black Leather is the key piece for menswear accessories this A/W, here's my favourite picks from the designer collections:

1. Versace Backpack

Black and gold work perfectly to create this chunky wonder.

Even with its details, fastening and a Medusa pendant this stocky bag

is masculine built.

2. 3.1 Phillip Lim Backpack

Basic, nothing more; Nothing less.

3. Neil Barrett Quilted Backpack.

Has the presence of a grenade and sure to create a bang.

4. 3.1 Phillip Lim

Second Phillip Lim piece to make the list. Shaped with stylish practicality, this one is the more savvy choice.

5. Burberry Prorsum Tote Bag.

Tote bags, you either love them or you hate them. I'm enjoying this piece from Burberry, picture it teamed with a cropped trouser and a relaxed fit t-shirt.

6. Diesel Backpack.

This bags details of flat studs and silver hardware make great detail for this unstructured bag. Great piece for winter with a heavy duty Parker coat and some chunky boots.

7. Jimmy Choo Document case.

Who said a man can't carry a Jimmy Choo? This crocodile embossed document case probably isn't for the faint hearted but it sure come with some bite.

All bags avaliable from www.Ssense.com

What's your niché?

What's your niché?

I'm not going to take the time out to apologise for the infrequency of my posts because you've heard it from me numerous times. After graduating from the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design, I have ventured into the next phase of my career plan - Internships. 

I have started an internship with Storm Model Management, the agency made famous by its infamous hoard of model delights such as Kate (the great) Moss, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Cindy Crawford. Just as famous is the founder of the agency, Sarah Doukas who's eye for scouting talent is both amazing and inspirational. 

My delayed posting is mainly due to change 

- personally, I'm not very good at dealing with it.

 My circumstances have changed and I'm not sat in the protection of college and being surrounded by friends daily, in an area I know like the back of my hand and making that routine commute. I'm now in the real world as a working Chelsea boy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying what I'm doing and learning so much. But from a creative perspective, I'm back on a journey of self discovery and once again in hot pursuit of my 'niche'.

- What is it that make me, me?