STELL McCARTNEY + GAP KIDS BIRTHS FAB’ KID’S COLLECTION

It’s often mentioned when “attractive couples procreate, beautiful kids are the end result!” In relation to the fashion parenthood parents Stella McCartney and Gap gave birth to a striking and nice-looking children’s collection!! (J. Crew’s Crewcuts are on guard I bet.) I caught glimpses of their stylish offspring’s and simply could not break away from the [capsule] collection; a real well thought-out and executed collection I found!

Stella, didn’t reserve the luxuriousness (cashmere newborn blankets can be seen) for our fashion-savvy tykes. Versatile fashion pieces (boy and girl friendly) included: Cotton blazers with dazzling silk lapels, sturdy wool military jackets bedecked with gold embroidery, cigarette-leg jeans (aimed for little fashionistas), ruche shirts, leopard print sweater dress, and tons of playful and lively outfits.

The kid and budget-friendly collection range from $14-$128 in price.

TOP-PICK FALL MUST-HAVES!

A dynamic Fall look !

Like me, many of you arose to the official first day of Fall earlier. Even as a innocent (at least in my elders' eyes) chap I enjoyed watching autumnal transitions: The leaf color changes + crisp air breezes. Besides prepping Fall-appropraite outerwear, Mr. MSR plans to include these stellar picks in the Fall budget. What I admire about each selection, is their easy transitioning over into winter months.

GAP "1969" Premium Jean

For Fall, Gap's marketing force, outpoured aggressively "Born to Fit" branding to the brand's iconic 1969 jean. I was smitten! After eyeing over a drop-down advertisement insert (showcasing all 1969 new jean fits) I felt like yanking the classic-blue wash off the male model. The "Authentic" style (pictured below) is my top favorite. It offers a broken-in-feel + mild sloppy rips + vintage distress treatments .

It's the perfect jean fit! Why? It sits just below the waist. It offers a slim [non-restricting] fit down and seals off with a straight leg opening. I think I have found my new--possibly all time--favorite denim!



Shofolk "Artie Mo" Shoe

I just love a shoe with subtle standouts! Busy shoes just don't work in my book. Shofolk clearly traveled with a-less-is-more approach for the Artie Mo shoe. The bitter chocolate hue sent me in a frenzy!! But the calm design statements--stitch detail on the toe cap and a white leather tape loop on the back heel--convinced a proud purchasing decision.



Louis Vuitton Macassar Carrier

Sharp. Distinct. Straight bad-a**! Perfect fitting for a bundle of great reads or daily essentials, the new Maccasar monogrammed carrier scream function + taste. Plus, the unique marriage between brown and black fleshes great I found.

Speaking of design process, LV produced a broad selection of delicious Macassar accessories (weekender bag, shopper, attache, merse, overnight grip handle (ala Hermes) ) targeting strictly the Louis Vuitton male consumer. Kudos LV!



Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver Cologne

Since chatting up Tom Ford's 'Black Orchid,' many of you--faithful readers + viewers--wrote in to say how 'in awe' you were by the rich scents blended within the ridge-textured bottle. Well, time to gear up your "awe" emotions! Tom Ford excited havoc for a second go-around. Call it second-time charm if you want, but Tom's Grey Vetiver took the cake for Fall premiere fragrance for men!

In similar bottle architecture to 'Black Orchind', the silvery glass structure is packing all the right notes. Very airy + light on the garment, Vetiver still unpacks a masculine scent-noticeable essence.

Tom Ford comments, " Vetiver immediately evokes for me the classic man, someone who has a confident, refined, and slightly traditional senses of what it means to be a man--an elegance that is mirrored in Tom Ford clothing." I will have to second that Tom!


The SARTORIALIST by Scott Schuman

Since his inaugural blog post to current, Mr. MSR have been in tandem with all-things The Sartorialist --from gallery exhibitions to featuring Scott's epic street captures here on MSR . (He produced a pleasant spread on the Fort Greene neighborhood Mr. MSR resides in, highlighting well-dressed neighbors I call friends for GQ's August issue.)

A neat anti-tome, Schuman's pumped up an addictive page-turner of fresh faces (youthful + seasoned) clad in killer fashions in street environments across the globe. It's my new coffee table fixture. And hopefully yours, next!

MORE FASHION WEEK RECAPS

Buckler

Dipping and diving through cobblestone pavements, I breezed over to Buckler presentation in their downtown men’s wear boutique. In traditional Buckler presenting format, models planted atop curving podiums. The Spring collection inspired from Helmut Newton’s photographs of a fiberglass mannequin alongside of a human model and Cathy Wilkes’ “Non Verbal-Installation.”

Innovative fabrics were utilized to stylish effect, such as cargo pants and double-breasted blazers made from chintzed linen. Buckler’s spring collection included a stretching of colors: white and ecru, khaki over blues, gray mixed with blacks, with highlights of saffron and flame.

Band of Outsiders

…Beach. Beach. All Beach. Band of Outsider boys converted well-like-and-partied-in Milk 1^st floor gallery into a full-on beach ambiance. The carry out setting: Runway-long sand floors and mountains garlanded with vintage pop bottles.

The boyish models paraded in standard Band of Outsider-character: shrunken suits, boasts of nautical traces, and surfer insinuations. B.O.O. opted on furthering above-knee shorts and rolled pant cuffs for S/S ‘010. Frankly, I expected alternative designs out of the oft-creative design house. Nonetheless, Spring pieces were wearable!

Victor Glemaud

Lauded and much-admired for signature trompe l’oeil cardigans, Victor Glemaud rolled out new tweaks + co-designer collaborations for his Spring/Summer ‘010 collection. I entered Milk Studios gallery greeting a cluster of oil-slick GQ models horizontally lining a studio-lighted wall.

Soaking in the Spring wares, Glemaud elected for vivid and multicolored board shorts (Quicksilver collaboration), dashing tailored coats (Mackintosh collab!), full-of-character collar-contrast button-front shirts (Gittman Brothers collab!) which I couldn’t keep staring down! Upon a passing interaction with Victor Glemaud—whose also designs for Tommy Hilfiger—it was explained “collection inspirations were drawn from his recent travels in Rome!”

Buono Victor di lavoro!

SPRING TIME FEVER!

This morning I rose to the official 1st fresh day of spring. Before this, I have been meandering into retail spaces to drum up what looks and products would bloom bright. I made a strong effort not to recklessly unload dinero until Mr. MSR covered the seasons product gamut.

A hearty thank you to the retail shops/boutiques who previewed Mr. MSR their freshly arranged merchandise; beauty companies who scented me with new masculine scents, and press agents for introducing us with pleasing products and collections.

Here’s what I highly recommend you debut in spring season.

SHOES

Since late December up until February I have been reaffirming inward and outwardly plush velvet slippers are going to be a buzzing hit this season. Like major hit Gents! In the current heavy-laden footwear market, brands are beginning to master and craft lofty counts of luxe velvet slippers. With the reintroduction of velvet slippers, I suggest venturing to the confines of Ralph Lauren and Stubbs & Wootton for stately and matchless velvet slipper selections. They're both known leaders on the specific style.






WARDROBE

We’re calling up fashion pals Michael Bastian and Kris Van Assche to outline our walk-in closets this Spring. Both collections Gents, are terrific! Mr. Bastian conjured an easy-wear-easy-feel spring assortment. With rich solid colors (very few striping and plaids) being the limelight focus, Michael’s spring pieces convey a relaxed broken-in energy. In union with his day job as chief designer of Dior Homme, Kris still makes us men look dashing-casual with his namesake artsy collection. For spring, I zoomed in on a lot of roomy pants and shape-slimming suits. What I marvel about Kris’ wondrous collection is the variety of styling you can achieve, whether opting for minimized or maximized effects.








ACCESSORY

Let’s face it—we’re involved in a global warming rollercoaster. Meteorologists, along with the public just can’t predict the weather outcome these days. Side note: I saw snowflake droplets raining from the sky early this morning, before the clouds opened up to its partner sunshine. Just in case we return to spring normalcy , my accessory this season is, not a well-built trench coat, but a sturdy-functioning umbrella. Who better to turn to than world-class manufacturer Victorinox Swiss Army! This season, check in with V.S.A and seize up the 3-staged automatic titanium-alloy umbrella.



SCENTS

To complete a look, even after loading on your few accessories Gents, a pleasing touch of fragrance touch is end result for any ensemble. This season I had the opportunity to whiff Donna Karan’s new Men’s fragrance, DKNY MEN, and it’s the perfect mix for spring—especially during the night hours. Boasting super-firm aromas of lavender, clary sage, sandalwood, the congruently –angled bottle (inspired by NYC’s historic Flatiron building) is a must-must (twice for importance) grab.

FASHION WEEK RECAP

Where have you been Mr. MSR? Totally far away, yet sync to your messages regarding NYC recent Fashion Week. Thanks for your messages and inquiries. So, as promise (albeit a few days late) here’s MSR additional recap of the menswear shows that traveled NYC Fashion Week.

Band of Outsiders

Can I just say Mr. MSR really hearts Band Of Outsiders with every fiber on his manly physique. I hurried down to the Canal Street studio and sadly caught the last parts of the 1967's La Chinoise inspired collection. Thankfully, B.O.O. design house immediately posted the runway stills post-presentation. I would have been super-bitter if I did not preview the missed designs. The collection offered a rich range: Cotton suiting, cropped two-toggle outerwear’s, patchwork-style windbreakers, Sperry for Band Of Outsiders suede hi-top (I will hunt until I find) and low-top dashing boat shoes. Each season, the amazing Scott Sternberg always amazes us and he rightfully did once more for Fall.

Women readers: These sporty spike heels are Manolo Blahnik for B.O.O.

Start searching for them soon!

Buckler

From entering to exiting I extolled marvels about Buckler’s strong and concise presentation. The models definitely wore Buckler’s Fall collection—with added jazz and flash!! Take into account, block podiums took reign instead of mile long conventional runways. Before chatting up the chief designer about the genesis of the collection, I was able to get literal hands-on-approaches with garments on showcase.

The showing collection drew inspiration from The Picture of Dorian Gray (authored by Oscar Wilde). “The nature of Oscar’s story, which encompasses the duality between substance and surface, good and evil, and human decay, presents itself where the versatile garments works well in rough or formal surroundings”, as eloquently said to Mr. MSR by Buckler chief designer. The Fall pieces included heavy ounce denims, cotton shirting, chunky knitted sweaters (I gasped several times!), plaited leather on heavy garments, removable brass buttons, scarf-hats (I couldn’t stop thinking about them). And the accessories were smoking with excellence! The leather articulate wingtips, patent calf boots, sneaker/boot hybrid selections, overlapping skinny belts are all Fall sure sellers.

Richard Chai (Men)

In the brew of all the military, heavy-duty-inspired collection themes, Richard Chai followed suit with NYC menswear talents showing off Fall threads. Chai belted out a host killer crop jackets (some denim and motorcycle), and pleasing grunge plaids. And rich wool pants and thigh-reaching cardigans stole the show I feel. Richard Chai cemented into fruition the modern Fall man uniform and I totally concur with his execution.

GRAMMY MANIA!!!

What a musical presentation last night?! I didn’t get to witness the live telecast but my DVR had I fully covered—from red carpet arrivals to award show departures. Overall, the Grammy’s was OK-cool! Not great or fantastic, but OK-cool. I wanted to be jolted over the wall but I simply remained posted on the top wall. I think Chris Brown and Rihanna ala Ike and Tina fiasco soured my Grammy hopes. I’ll give my Grammy’s review breakdown in three paragraph segments.

RED CARPET ARRIVALS/STYLE

For the most part the Grammy attendees came glowing with style togetherness. Of course you had NO-NO’s that fell short of the style mark. Some examples: Cindy Lauper, Bai-Ling, John Mayer (major FUG), and shocker Sean Combs (dressed in a spiffy light purple perforated bomber jacket, dark denims, white t-shirt, and jacket-matching NIKE trainers). Attendees kicking with attention pizzazz in my opinion were: Katy Perry (donning a bubblegum hued frock that accentuated the positives), NeYo (although decking the usual Grey, blended in sleek Black elements), Taylor Swift (in a swift knockout black jersey ensemble), Jennifer Hudson (dressed in an artsy color-block dress), Kim Kardashian (I was blown away) and the Jonas’ looking smartly fit in traditional penguin suits. For the most part, the Grammy’s summoned a nice plethora of well-dress individuals.

AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for cleaning up 5 golden phonographs. Also great seeing Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Estelle and Kanye (no winy tantrums this year), Adele (love this new songstress. I encourage getting her album), Radiohead, Al Green, Sugarland and all other winners whose music earned Grammy accolades.

DURING SHOW

I was very impressed with the overall Grammy’s performance lineup. First off, Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder rocked out well. The Jonas’ really shocked me out—like really. As did Justin Timberlake (I coined him Soul Prince after last night) with Al Green and Boyz II Men. I won’t even charade or front, but Jennifer Hudson’s heart wrenching number jerked the tear ducts. T.I.’s performance (I am still hunting down the super-killer leather piping black trench he showcased) with Soul Prince. It was refreshing to see Sir. Paul McCartney still jams out. The Four Tops tribute had me reminiscing and jamming in my apartment confines.

But, you and I both know, the show stealer was “The Rap Pack” performing Swagger Like Us. Were you also bewildered by a pregnant M.I.A (who’s in labor as I write) as I was? Girl is a trooper! The performer wasn’t the bit taken back or discouraged from rocking with the men (in a Henry Holland creation) with a baby-is-due-today stomach. Side note: I think I will implement Jay-Z’s diamond encrusted brooch pin-to-lapel approach very soon.

Overall, I gave the Grammy’s a resolute 8 from a 1-10 scaling.

STYLE MOMENTS FROM LAST NIGHT: