Stavros's blog

[img_assist|nid=4939|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=467] As I finished writing the entry about Stockholm’s fashion week, I couldn’t do anything but search for the new Swedish label that is heating up the scene. My search didn’t last long, and the results were great. Obscur is the name and it has androgyny written all over it. For those of you who like the Ann D. type of aesthetic, Obscur will rapidly become one of your favorite brands. It portrays the same type of moody style that Ann D, but it’s more structured - very light, but remarkably tailored. There isn’t too much to say about Obscur’s designer background - mainly because I don’t know who it is. His work seems very appropriate for the current time and I love the fact that he tried to add more “pieces” to the androgynous formula. Besides the skinny pants, the obscure palette, and the long light-weight jackets, he also included tall rubber boots in his menswear line. And I swear that wearing rubber black boots with skinny jeans will be one of the upcoming trends next season. Seriously, mind my words because you won’t be able to find a pair of these boots in all Scandinavia.

[img_assist|nid=4937|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=593] For those of you who love Carrie Mundane’s eccentric t-shirts, but can’t find them anywhere near you and you are dying to get one, I have an amazing news to tell you. Cassette Playa’s video-game like garments are now available online. The virtual boutique is located on the label’s official website, so you won’t need to look for it too much to find it. It has two different categories when it comes to t-shirts: Collectors cult & Latest designs - both will attract you. The website is as crazy and savvy as Carrie’s designs. Everything is portrayed as if the person behind its construction was constantly on LSD. Which would not be that weird since Carrie openly evokes the principles of rave parties and the whole “tripping on X” culture. And as Electronica grows in the States and she collaborates with Uniqlo, these t-shirts will only sell more and more; so hurry up and get yours before every other kid on the block has one.

[img_assist|nid=4933|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=330] After the main European events are over, other relevantly important cities throw their own fashion weeks to celebrate their local market and to promote their domestic industry. Yesterday, Copenhagen’s own local fashion event which had Henrik Vibskov as the main attraction and also presented some truly amazing newcomers, ended. But as that one finalized, Stockholm gave birth to its own fashion week which promises to be better than ever. Today was the formal opening day at Stockholm’s fashion week and Bjorn Borg’s own-name sportswear label had the delightful privilege of being the first brand to grace the runway. You probably remember him as one of the greatest tennis players of the last decades - or in other case as the famous tennis player who became broke and had to start selling his prizes to survive - and you probably assume that he keeps playing senior class tournaments just like many others. But that’s not the case. Instead he decided to launch his own label and try some luck in the tough fashion industry. Even though he hasn’t go massive or anything similar yet, he sportswear label is quite famous in his homeland as well as other Scandinavian countries. His “sportswear” label portrays highly urban garments which are actually impressive. I mean, when I first found out about his label I was expecting to see the usual boring stuff; but instead I was completely amazed. There are many pieces that I would actually consider wearing when hitting the gym. The jackets are nice and hip, the sweat pants are SLIM, and he offers really short “old-school meets Stockholm” type of shorts. After witnessing such a nicely conceived collection, I highly doubt that he is truly involved in the actual process of designing every line - his team does all the work I presume. Nevertheless, I have this crazy idea of him becoming the next Lacoste. I know this will ever happened, but it’s impossible not to compare his label with Rene’s. They were both tennis world champions, they both created sportswear labels, and they both wanted to succeed in the fashion industry. Quite the hard thing to achieve, isn't it?

[img_assist|nid=4931|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427] Danish designers have been repeatedly left apart by the media and the big buyers - they have focused their attention in places like Stockholm or Antwerp, not paying attention to the growing labels of Denmark. Of course there were some exceptions as the magnificent and always loved Henrik Vibskov and acclaimed Jens Laugesen, but the general consensus was that Denmark wasn’t producing as many talented artists as Sweden or Belgium. Luckily for every struggling designer in Denmark, and also for those who are already at the very top, things are starting to change since the Copenhagen Fashion Week ended marvelously yesterday. The main attraction was Henrik Vibskov, but other newcomers received as much attention as he did. It was assumed that he would be the center of attention since he was practically entirely responsible for the event’s success. He was the designer who caused all the buzz and media stir over the past months, and he was the one for whom many buyers and critics decided to flew over to Copenhagen. The Copenhagen Fashion Week wasn’t like the other ones, it was different. Instead of being a place were designers fully present their new lines and arrange meetings with diverse buyers and so, it was more of a celebration. Why? Because all of the iconic designers had already presented their lines somewhere else or were about to at bigger shows, so there wasn’t no need for them to assist the event. It was as if all the major names had decided to help the event organizers and Denmark itself by promoting its domestic fashion market. After such a great week, I’m sure that everybody will anxiously look forward to assist next year.

[img_assist|nid=4929|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427] Around this time every year, designers present their “hit” handbags for the season and throw chic shows just to promote them - everybody should know that because I told you so repeatedly last week. So now the time has come for design due Mark Badgley and James Mischka to present theirs. The artsy duetto, who are typically celebrated for their beaded eveningwear, unveiled their new Day handbag collection under the Badgley Mischka Platinum label on Wednesday night at Greek dining spot Periyali. And as Fashion Week Daily reports, these bags might effortlessly become the must have items of the season. Why? Because they are vogue and inexpensive. The prices range from $300 up to $600 which is like free in today’s upscale fashion market. The collection is composed by 47 different styles which happen to come in the form form of casual bags in napa leather, patent leather, and straw; leisure bags in napa leather and patent-trimmed cotton canvas; and bold-colored “attitude” bags in patent leather, faux crocodile, and ostrich - what do you expect for that price? According to both Mark and James, they wanted to appeal the eye of the modern urban woman who likes to carry a really chic, but not “precious” bag on her shoulder. Source: Fashion Week Daily