Prince Gone Drifting --Mihara Yasuhiro Men's Fall 2011

Mihara Yasuhiro Men's Fall 2011

It's barely summer yet and I'm already drooling over basically every piece from Mihara Yasuhiro men's fall 2011 collection. I've been admiring the creativeness and the "openly quirkiness" of Japanese fashion design. But being as "conservative" as I am,  there's no way for me to put on a men's pleated skirt from Commes Des Garcons (desinger Rei Kawakubo) or Yohji Yamamoto's extra oversized black overall with extra long drapes. Did you know these two designers had a relationship way back in the 80's? Anyway, I've been mostly appreciating the avant-garde design of Japanese fashion until I get to know Mihara Yasuhiro.

The young designer rose to fame by making shoes. His innovative and modern edginess in shoe design landed him a collaboration deal with Puma. The men's clothing line was launched in 2004 after a greatly acclaimed presentation in Milan. His clothing lines are only available in Asia and Europe. Check out H.Lorenzo in LA and The Archive boutique in San francisco for limited availability.

As for the 2011 fall collection, I want to say that I'm so romantically touched by his subtle aesthetic. The draping details of an elegantly trimmed jacket adds some boyish playfulness to the well groomed Prince look. If the upper torso is still half restrained from all the royal doctrine, then the lower half has already won its freedom. Knee socks, leggings, and even sweat shorts; as if a Prince who is so fed up with the snobbish royal tradition and decided to run away from his castle to become a ragged drifter. The casually trimmed fur and the half-broken jewelry embellishments are just some of the remains of his royal past.

Love Remembered in Cameo -- Bottega Veneta Spring Summer 2011 Cameo Jewelries

I love Bottega Veneta! I love their takes on combing classics with just the right amount of edginess. I admire their respect to traditional craftsmanship and am constantly amazed by their beautiful and intricate works. It sounds cheesy but I visit their stores as a trip to a museum of artworks. The only difference being that I do occasionally bring back the real artworks, not those souvenirs $-$!

The cameo are hand-carved at Naples, where cameo was first practiced by ancient Romans. The elaborate metal parts were darkened silver filigrees. Cameo jewelries are elegantly making a come back. Maybe it's only hallucination, but I do remember watching a classic movie about a beautiful but sad love story, in which the cameo ring being a key prop. Unlike many other jewelries, cameos, with a portrait of a beautiful lady, seems to be telling a mysterious love story. Please educate me if you know anything interesting about cameo rings><

Skull and Pearl -- Luis Morais Jewelry at Aloha Rag

(Below) The Signature Bracelet from Luis Morais

Made of 18k Gold and Ebony Beads

Top on My Drooling List

The aesthetic of Luis Morais, the most sought-after jeweler based in Miami, is a combination of gothic dark and elegant light. Using varieties of luxury materials including Brazilian ebony beads, crocodile and lizard skin, sandalwood and gold, his high end jewelry has been an instant hit since its debut in 2000. 

He started his jewelry workshop by DIY a bracelet that he saw on a magazine. Due to popular demands, he had to make many similar pieces for his friends. As the requests piled up, he quit his job and started his own business. And now his collection are available around the globe in many high-end designer boutiques. If I knew DIY can turn into a successful business like Luis Morais, I would pay much more attention to the arts and crafts class when I was in school... 

His collection is available at Aloha Rag and the Bergdorf Goodman store at New York:) 

From Military to High Street -- Balmain 2011 Fall Winter Menswear

Balmain has made a quite dramatic entrance coming back to high fashion, thanks to the talented Chritstophe Decarnin. His inimitable cut, constructed shoulder,  military badges, and everything else that is glamorous rock has made celebrities go crazy for his clothes. But with the buzz fading away, the 2011 spring summer womenswear has been a huge disappointment. We're just getting tired of the huge disco ball that's been spinning for two years since its 2008 debut.

I had high hope for Christophe Decarnin when he started making menswear. A hope that he'll become the next Hedi Slimane. But with very limited looks available and his stubbornness in sticking with military, the works have been just okay. But the 2011 fall winter menswear is quite promising and inspiring. Yes, we still see the crested button pea coat and the iconic shearing jacket, but a freshening breeze of high street is quietly penetrating into the looks. It's still early to tell if this is the right path for Balmain menswear, but I'm so thrilled to see some changes!

Speaking of Hedi Slimane, isn't the toggle coat (above) an exactly replica of his Hedi's work for Dior Homme?

Jump in the Puddle --Burberry Prorsum 2011 Men's Fall Winter

The most anticipated show of Men's fashion week at Milan is finally here. Romantically constructed with the use of nostalgic Scotch plaids, cable knits, mohair, and many other signature Burberry Prorsum elements, the show gives a feel of constrained sadness that is warm and touching. Call me a drama queen, but I almost,  almost cried when the rain comes down above the runway and the models did their curtain call in their raincoat...

As usual, all the the coats and accessories are available for pre-order at their newly renovated Burberry Worldwide online shop. If you wear smaller sizes like 46(36US) or even 44(34US), it's better to pre-order since they normally buy from 48 for US market - -! I was on the edge of pre-ordering this 2011 Spring Summer trench coat (below) but I didn't and now I'm in great regret since the US store didn't buy my size, not even a 46!

Yay or Nay -- Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Linen

Everyone knows how I love the Proenza Schouler PS1 Messenger and how I've been tirelessly persuading the duo to come up a version for guys. I guess the message never got to them, or they're just being stubborn. 

On the verge of tripping into 2011, my need for a PS1 continues. I spotted this linen version from the Spring collection at AlohaRag, a website based at Hawaii that carries indie brands from Proenza Schouler to Rick Owens. The description on AlohaRap calls this PS1 bag a large version, which I think is the perfect size for a guy. But the PS online shopping site calls this a medium and is around $200 cheaper (Not very Aloha for AlohaRag). 

I decided to forgo this one and calm myself back to my desperate wait for a bona fide PS1 bag for men

But I can't help wondering what if *********** 

So what do you guys think?