Le Hype Magazine

Wow… I really don’t know what to make of Topman Design. One season Gordon Richardson and the gang go for hippie chic, the next they’re formal cool. There’s no logic to it whatsoever, and for the same reason there’s no real point in expecting anything from British budget-gone-bourgeois brand; sometimes it’s devine, sometimes it’s horseshit, and sometimes it’s just plain vanilla. Luckily, FW12 ranks up there as maybe the best collection they’ve done in their relatively short lifespan! Placing Topman Design in the slipstream of the continental European fashion weeks, it’s a collection with formal overtones, featuring elegant suits and coats, and a strong emphasis on leather and particularly pvc (we couldn’t risk too high prices after all, could we?). Compared to their current collection it seems almost unreal that it’s the same design team who are behind both collections, but the change is definitely for the better. No doubt it is hard, if not impossible, to completely dismiss the high street approachability of the mother label, but if they ever came close it’s this season.

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…that Hedi Slimane returned to where it all started, at YSL. At least according to reports all over the Internet, including WWD, New York Times, and The Telegraph, the appointment of the previous Dior Homme darling is imminent, after Stefano Pilati presented his final collection for the brand last week.

And it is indeed an interesting choice by the YSL decision makers to bring back Mr. Slimane after a five year hiatus from creative direction, in which he has been earning a living as a photographer of fashion and beyond. With his stint at Dior Homme, he made a living legend of himself by slimming down the male silhouette in groundbreaking style, and his entourage of garage rockers only improved his reputation as a design superstar. And so now the big question is of course, if Slimane still has it. I for one reserve the right to be doubtful.

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After having been absent from the blog for so long I was trying to figure out what to write. But the answer to that question is quite simple. The world of gastronomy, wine and leisure is moving fast and I have done my best to keep up for the last four or maybe five months.

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Uniqlo Undercover – UU for short – is the next effort in high end goes high street category, as two of Japan’s superbrands, not surprisingly Undercover and Uniqlo, join forces to boost sales. Jun Takashi is the createur of the range that will hold 43 menswear styles, 34 for women, and 32 for kids and babies. The focus is on the modern family, which is communicated humorously through the very idyllic and stylistic campaign shots. Regarding the actual collection it’s kinda had to make a complete impression from the sparse material currently online, but according to Uniqlo, the “men’s line matches gentle colors with darker tones, while ‘s offerings for women are based upon an exciting palette of colors and patterns drawn from Takahashi’s groundbreaking label.” Regardless, the collection is likely to make decent sales, as it goes public on March 16.

You can check out more campaign pics and a few pack shots after the jump.

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For a student of digital design such as myself, it’s an absolute pleasure to see that the fashion industry has finally accepted the chalenge of digital and online marketing. For a long time, for whichever reasons, the industry seemed to perceive itself as above or maybe even incompatible with digital marketing, and particularly all the luxury brands were slow starters in terms of integrating the masses through social media and the likes. Not more than a few of years ago, most high end fashion brands even had Flash-based websites, which in plain English translates to “websites that are virtually invisible to Google”. Whether it’s been the recession that’s forced the change of attitude we’ve been seeing over the past couple of years, or it’s simply just coincided with the new marketing strategies I don’t know, but the fact is that it’s no longer taboo to pander to potential clients through digital platforms in the fashion industry.

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Haven’t done one of these in a long time, and with spring moving closer by the hour, we thought we’d put together a look completely free of outerwear and layers. However, since it’s not summer yet, we’re keeping the colors at bay…

Sleeveless shirt: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Trousers: Topman | Sunglasses: L.G.R. | Bag: Kris Van Assche for Eastpak | Croc-print boots: Dr. Martens | Acai blend drink: Peter Spanton

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In case you didn’t know, a few of the who’s whos had a small get-together on Sunday night – the Oscar-thingamajig – and the always über-cool Christian Bale gave us yet another reason why every girl wants to be with him, and every guy wants to be him…

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I’m a huge fan of David Beckham! I accidentally bumped into him at the Opening Ceremony store in New York a while back, and I was starstruck beyond what I’d have ever imagined, and that’s when I really knew how cool I actually think this guy is.

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I thought the H&M high end-collabos was a fall-thing? Well, not so much, ’cause the all-embracing Swedes are ready with their next partnership, and virtually before the last styles from the Versace-collection have left stores, they’ve got a collaboration with Marni lined up.

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