Burberry Black Label FW11/12 Ad Campaign

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Burberry Black Label Fall/Winter 2011/12 ad campaign featuring model du jour, Johnny George. Similar to the previous SS11 campaign, it's all about black and white photos to suit the mood of the label for the classy and much sophisticated cut. What I love about the collection is the presence of the military jacket (for yet another fall/winter season) that looks very contemporary and slimming. In fact, all of the clothes appear like a modernize version of the classic staples; such as the mod skinny suits, duffel overcoat and the mac which is synonymous with the Burberry brand. Another element that has been revisited for another cycle is the shearling, seen on the last pix where the sheep fur lined the lapels of the peacoat.

Making the photo in black and white did justice to the ad campaign as it exudes understated luxury, that somehow breathes some chic and timeless feel to it.

[pix by burberry]

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Burberry's Chunky Soles for the Funky Souls

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Whether it's a Sarkozy effect or their bid to win the younger generation to really buy the brand, Burberry has gone out of their normal comfort zone to offer such edgy footwear. Latest in their collection are these arrays of shoes ranging from the lace-up brogues and tassel loafers, to the front-zippered boots - these shoes are not to be messed about. Why? Coz their soles are thick and chunky, which definitely would raise up the height towards the sky. Not to mention they look so high-gripping with those sawblades lookalike features underneath.

I actually love how funky it looks especially the pairing of the color they used. Though it's not for your typical shoes to the office, these footwear are definitely for the braveheart who wouldn't mind to stand out in the crowd (no pun intended..ahaks!). Or perhaps, with that kind of soles... somehow it reminds me of the safety shoes I used to wear. Probably now I could wear these Burberry instead? And oh, why suddenly I'm also sensing a little bit of Prada when I saw these?

Anyhow, it's available to buy online. These chunky soles are definitely for the funky souls...

[pix from burberry]

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Similar Vibes, Different Designers

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Many times when I mentioned the statement "great minds think alike" it always brought me to the claim "clone"! Coz somewhere, somehow when you see things are similar in design or in look, they might've been a copycat, right? Maybe yes, maybe no. Kinda like a deja vu.But I like to call it as - they're inspired by each other - that's the less mean statement than 'copycat'. Anyway, imitation is a form of flattery...

On the recent catwalk for Spring/Summer 2012, it seems that some pieces are actually quite similar to what I saw in the previous SS11. From the gradual tones blazer seen on Nicolas Ripoll who walked for Moschino that probably has the similar vibes as the McQueen jacket last SS11, to the cropped leather biker jacket worn by the model at Neil Barrett SS12 which is almost the same as Burberry one donned by Jeremy Young last year. Or in fact, both are seen on the same season, as the azure blue suit on Ryan Taylor in Bottega Veneta is almost equivalent to the Jonathan Saunders SS12, except for the buttons (which is more on Saunder's suit).

Whatever it is, if the clothes work for one season, no reason why you can't make it work again for next one. As long the vibes is good, it doesn't matter which designers did what for their collection. That's fashion : there's no rules!

Moschino SS12 (L) , Alexander McQueen SS11 (R)

Neil Barrett SS12 (L), Burberry Prorsum SS11 (R)

Bottega Veneta SS12 (L), Jonathan Saunders SS12 (R)

[pix from style.com]

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Which Leather Wallet Are You?

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If someone really into psychology stuff, then he or she might've been able to read someone's personality based on their wallet. Wallet is not just a thing to store your money, coins or credit cards - it's also a symbol of style. An epitome of your inner soul which is an evidence how you project yourself. It's also a portrayal your wealth status - how thick is your wallet seldom perceived as someone who is 'loaded', while a thin wallet is erm... quite skint. Yet, this could be an exception though since some 'loaded' people like to go out without any cash notes inside since nowadays the payment system are mostly cashless. Even me myself, I hate to bring lots of cash since it'll make my pocket even heavier to carry!

And about the material, leather or fabric, these could also tell who you are. To me someone who still uses a fabric-type wallet, he's not a true adult. Still kids in his mind, since only teenagers and kids are the one who uses those stuff. Buy a leather wallet instead coz leather is perceived as more serious manner, plus leather tend to age gracefully over the years that make them much supple to touch.

Anyway, which type of wallet are you? Bi-fold, tri-fold, zippered? Or just a card wallet instead? I'm using the long wallet - the Brazza from Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite collection, which is so versatile coz there's everything in there: multiple credit card slots, many cash compartments, plus the zippered case for coins which I think is the best I could get. I love the color which is very masculine from LV signature canvas fabrication (with leather inner lining). It might not be any men's choice, coz so many times it get mistaken as women's wallet. Even my niece used to say, "eeee... macam beg pompuan!" Tak kesah la beb. Maybe next, I probably get the Taiga Brazza, coz the textured leather is very nice. And for casualwear, I like using the leather zipper wallet from Jimmy Choo x H&M. At least it fits well into my pocket unlike Brazza! 

[pix from mr. porter]

My pick for the casual wear? The Jimmy Choo x H&M leather zipper wallet.

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Burberry Prorsum SS2012: The Bags...

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Remember the times when you visited your grandma at kampung and she's living in a very traditional way of sitting down on the floor instead of on the sofa. And to prevent the dirt on your butt when you sat, she put out the mat made of pandanus. Do you still remember the way how mat being made? Yes, thru weaving... and that is how I see some of the bags at Burberry Prorsum 2012 show last night. As if they have asked my and your grandma and her friends at kampung to anyam that bag instead. Can't believe that the woven straw mat-lookalike is finally made it cut into mainstream fashion. Right here in this country - especially in Perak - you can actually buy that kind of bags plenty at the souvenir shops nearby. Or at any R&R in Tapah or Kuala Kangsar. But it seem now that, if given some leather trim to it and slap on that Burberry logo; voila, it became high fashion! 

Anyway, the other bags also look equally nice with the basket theme. Quite interesting look, from the reinterpretation of the Burberry check in British Green to the herringbone woven jute and fabric bags.

[pix from style.com and burberry]

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Croc iPad Case @ Burberry Prorsum SS12

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It's Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2012 show yesterday. Or, should I say it's almost midnite here in Malaysia instead, since the show started late noon in Milan. One word to sum up about the collection: surprise. Surprise becoz I don't really see the typical Burberry Prorsum anymore when it somes to Spring/Summer. In fact, I have seen a different direction of Burberry these days, which started to steer away a little bit from their typical oh we are just offering the mac and tartan brand. From the way their making studded and punk part of edginess into the fashion house for the current SS11, to now that seems to inject the Rastafarian factor with the beanie cap and batik prints, it's like Burberry has been on crack as the sun really shines up high, huh?

Anyway. I'm not talking about the clothes coz I didn't really like 'em at all. Or maybe, just a couple of pieces which look quite okay. Just okay. But what I'm gonna talk about is the iPad cases which seems to be noticed carried by the models at the end of the show which looks direly interesting. An iPad case which not only comes in various colors, but will upped your style factor up the roof.

When I said up the roof, what I really mean is your budget coz these iPad cases perhaps are the most expensive to date. They're made of croc skin which cost about £2500 each! (conversion: more than USD4000/RM 12,000!!). Think your Chanel quilted case for your fav tablet is already made a big hole to your wallet? Well, these Burberry might've just burn it!

These iPad cases are lightly padded to give protection to the gadget inside. And they're colour-dyed - from Bordeaux red to British green, coated and hand polished for a unique glossy finish, and comes with secure snap button closure under the flap and Burberry logo on the front. Design-wise: simple, though it looks quite similar to what Alaia and Oscar de la Renta did.  Yet it looks great when you carry your Apple iPad inside. This is when techno and fashion really merge together.

If you think you can't wait for next SS12 to own one, get 'em now as they're available at Burberry online.

[pix from gq and burberry]

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Feeling Black and White

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The colors that never fail to co-exist alongside the other colors-of-the-season are definitely black and white. Regardless of what seasons you're in, designers always include this two in their collection. If you're in printing business, black and white are not considered color. In fact when I filed logo that I designed to be 'trademarked' for my research team the other month, the patent office did mention to me I can leave the color on the logo to be just black and white, coz later on it's easier for me to use other colors if I need to change it (things will be a bit complex if I filed it in colors coz I need to state the exact RGB).  Anyway, regardless of black and white are color or non-color colors, they're my definite must have in my wardrobe (and home decor!). 

collarless shirt - Asos Black : bag - Burberry : jeans - Uniqlo

black-trimmed slimfit jacket - Topman : vest - H&M : jeans - Uniqlo

contrast-hem jacket - H&M : vest - H&M : jeans - Uniqlo : perforated leather bag - Hugo Boss

denim jacket - Uniqlo : vest - H&M : jeans - Uniqlo : bag - SEED

contrast-hem wool jacket - Topman : vest - H&M : black jeans - Uniqlo : white jeans - Gap

neo-leather jacket - Uniqlo : vest - H&M : jeans - Gap

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Mike He in Burberry Prorsum for Men's Folio

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Taiwanese actor Mike He graced the cover and editorial in the latest issue of Men's Folio. Wearing the SS11 collection by Burberry Prorsum, the look appears super edgy especially with the spiky studded leather jacket that brought the fashion house up a notch alongside their typical raincoat collection. Another piece that is stunning is the mesh knitwear which is dear to the hot summer, protecting you from the billowing summer breeze while not gonna warm you too much.

Looking at the leather collection which include the padded biker pants, spiked jacket and studded belts, is Burberry Prorsum really trying to woo the young generations to buy the brand which has long been associated with the elderly folks? 

If it does, it has succeed.

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