Black Out in New York

Smarteez

Photo: Chris Saunders

It was a few months ago that I became really interested in the youth culture of South Africa, which resulted in my post on street fashion in Johannesburg . My curiosity lead me to a group of renegade South African fashionistos known as the Smarteez (pictured above and below). The four DIY fashion designers, Kepi, Sibu, Floyd and Thabo, pride themselves on having no restraints, which means that in addition to experimenting with colors and prints, they also use unexpected materials, such as curtains and tablecloths.  

Another thing interesting about the Smarteez, they refer to themselves as a design collective; and their focus is on group collaboration, rather than working independently. The Smarteez, aptly named as their unapologetically exuberant style has made them international indie fashion darlings, and will hopefully foster a sustained interest in up-and-coming African fashion labels.

Photo:  Nontsikelelo Veleko

Photo: Chris Saunders

Photo: Chris Saunders

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

What's Next in Fashion

Fashion from the Streets of Johannesburg

All images: Nontsikelelo Veleko

New York Lookbook: Susie Bubble

Is the Man Skirt Officially in for Spring 2010?

H & M featured a number of daring looks in its Spring 2010 Men's Lookbook, including harem pants, but the one that stuck out the most to me was this pleated skirt. You might have been following the man skirt trend on Style Gourmand as I tracked it from its first appearance nearly two years ago on European runways. For awhile, there were a few daring men that appeared in skirts on The Sartorialist, but as quickly as the trend came, it seemed to disappear just as fast.

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Some designers have been trying to keep the trend alive, most notably Marc Jacobs , who has made the black kilt his own personal uniform. Phillip Lim, on the other hand, did not include man skirts in his first menswear presentation, but has not completely ruled out the idea: when asked if they might ever be featured in one of his future collections he replied,"Never say never." Price may be the limiting factor for those interested in designer man skirts like the one featured on Gilte Group from  Thom Browne for $1,288, but when H & M's mens skirt hits stores in a few weeks we will see whether it has been price or disinterest that has kept everyday fashionistos from showing a little leg.

The Smallest Stylemakers

Two street fashion blogs, Milk Magazine's blog and Planet Awesome Kid focus on what the coolest of tykes are wearing now. These little people may be small in stature, but they are most certainly big on style, and although they might owe their chic looks more to their parents' good taste than their own, you have to give them credit for making children's clothing look hip and modern.

Photo: Karen Jones

GET THE LOOK

Sweet William Ltd 

Collection of children's clothing from independent designers made by environmentally and ethically responsible manufacturers.

Barneys

Better know for its carefully edited selection of fashion-forward clothing for adults, Barneys' website also has has a nice offering of kids' clothing and toys.

Anna Ka Bazaar
Great collection of kids' knitwear and a section for moms too.

3.1 Phillip Lim
The perfect balance between sweet and modern, these little girl separates are chic and comfortable.

The Manskirt Goes from Runway to Reality?

Style Gourmand has been following the steady evolution of men wearing skirts, and after seeing that this Thom Browne ensemble sold out quickly yesterday on Gilte Group, we can't wait to see if these daring fashionistos can take this trend mainstream.

Get Your Roll On

Parisian twist on the rolled pant from Styleclicker

Riding the line between feminine and masculine Stil in Berlin

Katie Holmes in a rolled pair of hubby Tom's jeans

From the streets of Oslo on Oslostil

The Man Skirt Returns

Marc Jacobs reps the Man Skirt in Paris
from Styleclicker

See the original post here

The Look from Paris: The Future is Now

From altamiranyc

From styleclicker

Stil in Berlin hunting for great street fashion

StilinBerlin on DW Clipmania from Mary Scherpe on Vimeo.

Going tribal: bold colors, graphic prints

Courtesy of Styleclicker


Courtesy of Hel Looks

Courtesy of Hel Looks

A Truly Stylish Cat- Andre Benjamin in Florence

Photo from The Sartorialist

Style & the City

Just more proof that great style is in the water in Paris, or perhaps, just an integral part of French DNA, the blog Style and the City is an insider's look at street fashion in Paris. The best thing about this blog are the photos that capture not only the stylishness of its subjects, but their personalities as well, in a very beautiful and honest way. You won't any find any austere glances or frou-frou pouts here- absolutement pas! Just some wonderful reminders that fashion is just as much about having fun, as it is about looking chic.

All photos courtesy of Style and the City

Sarong or So wrong?

Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist

Will genderless dressing be the next trend after seasonless dressing? I think this guy actually does a good job of pulling off this look while keeping his masculinity intact.

There's no better accessory than a smile

courtesy of Copenhagen Street Style

This picture is a perfect example of how much better someone looks when they are comfortable in their clothes. Too often women are concerned with being trendy and forget that fashion is actually supposed to make you look better! This girl is wearing a simple outfit, but that smile makes her look amazing.

Also, be sure to check out Copenhagen Street Style For the next three months it will be featuring street fashion shots from around New York City. It will be interesting to see an outside perspective of the best-dressed New Yorkers.

Lovely Lady from Stockholm

courtesy of facehunter

A pop of color for spring

photo courtesy of Styleclicker.net

Spring is all about bright colors and this pic is a great example of dressing with color in a fun sophisticated manner. This gentleman definitely has his own style and the mix of sporty and classic pieces looks great on him. Where do you find a yellow fedora anyway?

The Sartorialist in India

photos from The Sartorialist blog

If you have not yet had the chance, have a look at one of my favorite fashion blogs, The Sartorialist. This week photographer Scott Schuman has posted photos of his trip to New Dehli and they are absolutely beautiful and visual intriguing. Yes, The Sartorialist is a constant source of wondrously garbed fashionistas from all the fashion capitals, but these street fashion photos speak to something greater; that stylemakers and fashion innovators exist everywhere.