June 21st, 2010
Soonjin Park is the designer behind Kai-aakmann – a line of sharp, deconstructed mens and womenswear inspired by youth and street culture, as well as nature.
Born in Seoul, Park studied fashion design in college and started designing for Morris Coming Home after graduation. She soon launched her own collection, Eloq, before joining Kai-aakmann in 2007.
Park’s approach to fashion is refreshing and thoroughly modern, prefering a “genderless aesthetic” to each of her pieces. The idea is to create a clean, minimal and essential wardrobe for both men and women, with pieces tailored just so, free from uncessary embellishments or frills. A double-breasted jacket looks classic on a man, but strong and modern on his female counterpart. Similarly, pleated chinos are neither too formal or too butch, providing a perfect everyday alternative to jeans.
We asked Park to take part in our online series about “Things That Never Go Out of Style” (sort of like a corduroy jacket, hence our magazine name). Here is her “top ten” list:
1. Electronic music (Louie Vega’s ‘House Masters’ and ‘Back in the Box’)
2. Friends
3. Trees and plants
4. Pencils
5. Sunset
6. Egon Schiele’s paintings
7. Clubbing
8. Late Heath Ledger’s movie, Candy
9. Pants
10. World history
Kai-aakmann is sold at designer department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus as well as independent retailers such as Oak in New York, Fred Segal in Los Angeles.
Tags: Kai-aakmann, Soojin Park, Things That Never Go Out of Style
Posted in Fashion, Web Exclusives | 1 Comment »
April 25th, 2010
Kangol is synonymous with casual, trendy headwear (remember when their caps and bucket hats were all the rage?) but the brand’s fashion credibility has waned in recent years. That’s all about to change thanks to David Charles Wilson, the Global Creative Director for Kangol Headwear. Since he took over at Kangol, Wilson has spear-headed collaboration with brands like Comme des Garcons, ALIFE, and WeSC. In the process, he has re-staked Kangol’s claim to the headwear throne. The brand once favored by skaters and boarders, is now a classic, iconic, go-to, for fashion-forward guys and girls everywhere.
An avid outdoorsman, Wilson spent several years managing a snowboard and skateboard shop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire while earning his B.F.A. at the University of New Hampshire. He later moved to Brooklyn, New York in the late 90s to continue his study of painting and drawing at Brooklyn College, receiving his M.F.A. in 1999. After transitioning to fashion, Wilson did stints at ECKO and Perry Ellis, before arriving at Kangol.
We asked Wilson to take part in our exclusive online series about “Things That Never Go Out of Style.” Here is his top-ten list:
1. Saab 99
2. A flat cap
3. Valle Nevado, Chile
4. Twin Peaks
5. Sofia Coppola
6. Bicycles from Brooklyn Machine Works
7. The Boston Bruins
8. Privacy
9. Steve Albini
10. Long Trail Ale
Kangol hats and accessories are available in stores worldwide. You can also shop online at www.kangolstore.com.
Tags: David Charles Wilson, Kangol, Things That Never Go Out of Style
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April 13th, 2010
In a world where “basic black” seems to be the accepted norm for all things fashion, it’s nice to see a little burst of color every now and then. No one knows this more than designer Lisa Perry — a child of the 60s and lover of all things mod. Her inspirations run the gamut from fresh flowers to geometric blocks, and they come alive in clothing and accessories that are whimsical, vibrant and unmistakably modern. Launched in 2007, Perry’s namesake line includes clothing for women and children (think printed knit dresses and tailored jackets), in addition to accessories and home collections.
Perry was raised in Chicago, but graduated with a degree in Textile Technology from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. A collector of art and vintage knick-knacks, Perry’s fun and funky personality is infused into her designs, which feature clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, off-set by a punch of color or pattern. Perry’s clothes not only add a little color to your wardrobe, but also a dash of style as well.
We asked Perry to take part in our exclusive online series about “things that never go out of style.” Here is her top ten list:
1. A handwritten note
2. An A-line dress
3. The Beatles’ music
4. A Hermes bag
5. Le Corbusier furniture
6. A smile
7. Cotton candy
8. Sending flowers
9. Levi’s
10. Paris in the springtime
Perry’s collections are available at Barneys New York and Colette (Paris), as well as in her flagship store on Madison Avenue. Find out more about Perry at www.lisaperrystyle.com.
Tags: Lisa Perry, Things That Never Go Out of Style
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April 4th, 2010
Johan Ringdal is the founder and creative director of SWIMS — a Scandinavian-based shoe line that updates the fearless galoshes. No longer just something you throw on for function, the waterproof shoes are now re-imagined in modern (read: flattering) designs, while maintaining their practicality (For spring 2010, the company is unveiling loafers and slippers to its collection). SWIMS are meant to be worn OVER your existing footwear, and they’re surprisingly comfortable to put on. In addition to a sturdy and stylish “cashmere rubber” upper, the inside is fitted with a smooth liner that makes it easier to put on and take off the overshoes, while simultaneously shining up your shoes underneath. In other words, you can take them off after you come in from the rain, though we wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to leave them on all day.
Ringdal graduated from Parson’s School of Design in New York and, inspired by his grandfather’s passed-down galoshes, set out to “reinvent a classic.” SWIMS launched its first collection in 2006 and they’re now carried in more than half a dozen countries worldwide. They’re the type of shoe for people who aren’t afraid to step out into the rain — and into the world — wearing something that’s a little bit different, a lot practical and a lot of fun. We asked Ringdal to talk to us about some other “classics,” as part of our exclusive online series about “things that never go out of style.” Here is his “top ten” list:
1. The Swiss Alps
2. Decency
3. Cleanliness
4. John Lobb
5. The Notorious B.I.G.
6. Roland Garros and The French Open
7. A fireplace
8. Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”
9. Hong Kong
10. A road trip with friends
SWIMS offers a wide range of products for men and women that include lightweight overshoes, raincoats, umbrellas and overcoats. They’re available in select stores and boutiques worldwide. Check out www.swims.com for more information.
Tags: Johan Ringdal, John Lobb, SWIMS, Things That Never Go Out of Style
Posted in Fashion, Web Exclusives | 2 Comments »
March 29th, 2010
Designer William “Billy” Reid’s story reads more like a gripping novel than a fashion editorial from the pages of a magazine. Born in Louisiana, his childhood was spent between two worlds: outdoors with his father and friends, and behind the counter at his mother’s clothing boutique for women. His college education would mirror this divide, with the PE major eventually pursuing fashion design and merchandising. After stints with Saks Fifth Avenue and Reebok (and a brief foray with his own fashion design and marketing company in Dallas), Reid launched his namesake collection in 1998 to rave reviews. This immediate success inspired the designer to move his studio to New York in 2000 and to add a women’s collection to the line. In 2001, “William Reid,” the brand, garnered the prestigious CFDA Perry Ellis Award.
But things turned sour after 9/11, when the entire industry began to experience some unforeseen unease, with consumer spending dropping significantly. With a lack of revenue and capital, Reid decided to shutter his brand. It wasn’t until 2004 that be decided to re-launch, this time, with the shorter “Billy Reid” as his collection name.
Billy Reid, now fully realized, is a collection with roots in a specific Southern past. Reid still designs his collection in Florence, Alabama and employs artisan factories in Europe and America to realize his dreams. The men’s and women’s lines both hark back to the days of working in the countryside and camping with friends, though updated with tailored cuts and patterns for 2010. It seems in both clothing and business, Reid is showing how he can take away lessons from the past, and use it to ensure that he’s around for the future.
We asked Reid to take part in our exclusive online series about “things that never go out of style.” Here is his top ten list:
1. Kris Kristofferson
2. A well-fitted navy blazer
3. Cowboy Boots
4. Levi’s
5. Aviators
6. Fried Chicken
7. Weber Grills
8. Good looking women
9. Friends
10. Antiques
Reid works out of his flagship shop and studio on North Court Street in Florence, AL. Additional Billy Reid shops include his Bond Street location in New York City, and locations in Nashville, Charleston, Charlotte, Dallas and Houston. Details at billyreid.com.
Tags: Billy Reid, Things That Never Go Out of Style, Tim Chan
Posted in Fashion, Web Exclusives | 2 Comments »
