All About The Lips

Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring 2014

Makeup for men has always been considered taboo in our restrictive society. For years aesthetically inclined males have been forced to hide their makeup experimentation or face judgement and questioning remarks. Fortunately, thanks to a group of fashion-forward men who desire to make the world a more beautiful place, men can proudly wave their bronzers and concealers high up in the air. Some men who dare to go even further can also wave their lipsticks tubes high up as well. As evidenced by the Spring/Summer 2014 menswear shows, lipstick is no longer just for the girls. This isn't the first time we've seen male models sporting a colored lip down the runway but in the past these colors have tended to be very light, and almost negligible. Gone are the pastel blues and muted yellow lips and in are bright lips in what can be called "hooker red." Thom Browne and Saint Laurent both sent out models wearing bright red lips. For the Moncler Gamme Bleu show, Thom Browne decided to go in a different direction with a black lip on every model. Here's hoping more guys drop their boring old Chapstick and pick up something brighter and bolder. 

Thom Browne Spring 2014 

Saint Laurent Spring 2014

Screw You

Fashion meets function in Lanvin's screwdriver keychain. The rainbow effect of the metal gives a fashion edge to the industrial feel of the design. The body of the keychain unscrews and opens up into a two piece screwdriver set with a Phillips and Slotted head. I'm not quite sure how practical or useful this keychain would be in real life, but it certainly is cool to look and would make a very chic Father's Day Gift. Go screw something!

Lanvin Screwdriver Keychain $495 at ssense.com 

The Perfect Murse

I openly admit to having a strong bias towards everything Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane, due to my recent internship at the famed fashion house, but bias aside, this leather hold all bag is truly the perfect murse. As an ultra fashion-obsessed (maybe addicted?) gay I know a thing or two about murses and am constantly on the look out for the perfect black leather bag. With so many black leather bags on the market it's hard to find one that truly stands out. With it's subtle branding, sleek silver hardware and suede lining, this Saint Laurent bag is a timeless classic with just enough edge to make you stand out.

Available at luisaviaroma.com 

Truly Charm-ing

The Fall 2013 Collections gave us numerous drool-worthy accessories but two pieces that really caught my attention, and made me fear for the well-being of my wallet, are these two pieces from Givenchy and Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane. These two collections were among my favorite from all of fashion month. Although a bit biased because of my obsession with Riccardo and Hedi, I still feel that these two were the most edgy and exciting collections, overflowing with that cool, downtown energy. These two bracelets are essentially modern day, grown-up charm bracelets. Givenchy's version has a single medallion hanging from the chain. The Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane bracelet (much like the glorious boots in this collection) has multiple charms and other embellishments attached to it. Needless to say I'm obsessed with both. 

Givenchy F/W 2013

Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane F/W 2013

All images via style.com

Skyping with Cyndi Lauper (Kind of)

It's important to take every opportunity that comes your way, or so I've been told. This is a philosophy I'm trying to get used to so when I was presented with an opportunity to take part in a Huffington Post Live segment featuring Cyndi Lauper I knew I had to say yes. Check out the video of the segment.

My Love Affair with Man-Skirts

My love affair with man-skirts is a rather recent phenomenon. It occurred during my transitional period from normal color wearing college student to all black, skinny jean wearing fashion bitch. This was during the end of my freshman year at NYU. During this transitional period I stumbled across an image of the Givenchy Homme Spring/Summer 2012 Birds of Paradise printed skirts and although not part of my all black aesthetic, I still fell in love with these skirts and so a romance between me and man-skirts developed. As a struggling college student the romance never reached fruition (as a poor college student I could not afford a Givenchy man-skirt without selling an essential organ) but nonetheless my love grew and was only rekindled when I saw the pleated skirts Riccardo Tisci designed for his Givenchy Homme Fall/Winter 2012 collection. It was as if Riccardo was looking into my dark, Gothic soul and pulling out my inner darkest desires. These skirts screamed "Fuck Off, You Commoners" which is basically what I want my everyday look to scream out. Other designers have attempted the man-skirt/kilt but most efforts have been sub-par except for a few notable exceptions such as the Prince of Darkness Rick Owens who expanded the man-skirt to a full on man-dress and most recently Thom Browne who produced the most drool-worthy kilts for Moncler Gamme Bleu. Man-skirts are certainly not for the weak of heart or fat of calves but wearing a Givenchy man-skirt is at the top of my bucket-list.

Givenchy S/S 2012

Givenchy F/W 2012

Rick Owens S/S 2012

Thom Browne for Moncler Gamme Bleu F/W 2013

Safety-Pin First

Some people are big fans of a crisp basic white button down, unfortunately I am not one of those people. To me white button downs always look the same and they always look boring no matter who it's by, whether it be Dolce & Gabbana or H&M. In my own closet I only keep a single white button down for when I'm feeling more conservative than usual. To my amazement Thom Browne has created such an amazing white button down that even I'm obsessed with it. Known for edging up classic menswear pieces, Thom Browne has added safety pins to a white oxford resulting in a powerful, statement making shirt. Definitely adding this to my dream to-buy list. 

Thom Browne Safety Pin Oxford $750 at barneys.com

Tommy Ton for style.com