STREET STYLE CATCH-UP: PARIS!

happy days off!

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LONDON, MILAN, PARIS, AS THEY HAPPENED!

crème de la crème men shows attendees.

PARISIAN CASHMERE: EXEMPLAIRE!

When Paris-based businessman Mr Jean-Victor Meyers couldn't find cashmere knits which met his exacting standards, he decided to collaborate with a close friend, Mr Louis Leboiteux, and make his own. In this way Exemplaire was born, and since its inception in February 2012 this young label has carved out a niche for itself by offering knits that match the quality of traditional brands such as Loro Piana and Hermès with the fashionable, clean aesthetic common to names such as Saint Laurent and Dior Homme. 

"On the one hand you had sweaters which were very high quality and very classic, and on the other there were 'designer' ones which were available in slimmer fits, with darker colours and leather detailing, but there were none which combined the look I wanted with the level of quality," Mr Meyers explains.

''It's all about having a nonchalant attitude... and of course there's a hint of rock'n'roll attitude too''

Exemplaire now fills that gap in the market nicely with its precisely cut, sombre-coloured knits that work as well in the office as they do for a night on the town. "They're also great for travelling," Mr Meyers says, "since cashmere is a very luxurious fabric, but it's also extremely comfortable, and that tactile appeal can be welcome on long flights." Whether you opt for the turtleneck cableknit, the shawl-collar zip-up cardigan or one of the classic crew or V necks, you can be sure that the quality and finishing will be impeccable. 

"As well as working with the world's leading cashmere supplier to get the best yarns, we also work with highly skilled craftsmen in France and Italy to construct the pieces properly," Mr Meyers tells us. And what about the secret to getting that Parisian look which Exemplaire encapsulates so well? "It's all about having a nonchalant attitude, and investing in discreet yet sophisticated pieces with subtle details that you can carry over from season to season," he says, "and of course there's a hint of rock'n'roll attitude too." Check through the gallery, below, to view the collection.

AZZEDINE ALAÏA: RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION!

Since Paris Fashion Week has come to an end, here's even a better reason to visit the City of Light.

The Palais Galliera - a.k.a. the Museum of Fashion - re-opened its doors last Tuesday, after four years of dusty renovation. In between shows, crowds have been rushing to admire its successful facelift and the city’s first retrospective of the legendary couturier Azzedine Alaïa - which carries on through January 26, 2014. 

Mr. Olivier Saillard, the museum's director and curator of the exhibit, describes Alaïa as one of the last living designers who actually knows how to draw, sew, and model. He is a true artisan of over 30 years. The famous Azzedine technique, which is to sculpt the dresses directly on the models, aims to celebrate women’s bodies, accentuating their assets and hiding their flaws. Unlike many fashion designers who come up with ideas that they then try to project onto the human form, Alaïa begins from the ground up, following the architecture of a woman’s body.

“If I don’t have a model in front of me,” he says, “I don’t have an idea."

Alaïa also plays by his own rules, free of the fashion industry’s intense schedule. Showing his collections at his rhythm, he takes the time he needs to make clothes. "Monsieur Alaïa is against time," Saillard said. "And everything he does is timeless." For this reason, it was very important to "mix up the dresses in the exhibition without following a chronology," he added. From the start of his career, the "architect of cut" has been unaffected by the changes in fashion, never compromising or trying to adapt to its tendencies. The designer's penchant for building timeless clothes that were meant to last rather than fleeting fashion makes makes it hard to date many of his signature looks. He stopped showing his collections during fashion week starting in 1988, preferring to stick to his own schedule and rhythm. And he isn’t afraid to openly criticize fashion heavyweights like Vogue’s Anna Wintour, with whom he has had a standing feud for years.

“I never followed fashion,” he says. “It’s women who have dictated my conduct. I’ve never thought of anyone but them because I am convinced that they have more talent than any stylist. You must understand the academy of their bodies in order to anticipate their desires. Over the years, I have followed the lessons of their silhouette. The shoulder is essential, the waist primordial. The small of the back and the derrière are crucial.”

Even if you can't make it to Paris, check out a few photos from the exhibition.

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EYE CATCHERS: PARIS! Pt.2

'If you can’t be better than your competition, just dress better.' 

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EYE CATCHERS: PARIS! Pt.1

'So soon as a fashion is Universal, it is out of date.'

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THE DETAILS: STREET STYLE FROM PARIS!

During the Paris Fashion Week S/S14 shows, MR PORTER took to the streets to see how the most stylish Paris show-goers chose to accessorize their looks. Bet you're still whistling that soundtrack. We are, everytime we watch a MR PORTER video.

AT THE SHOWS: PARIS IN THE SUN!

Paris was burning! While in the French capital for the menswear shows, MR PORTER captured the scene when the sun came out.

FASHION WEEK SPECIAL: THE WAY I PACK!

Working in the fashion industry involves travelling for up to a month at a time twice a year to attend the runway shows and designer appointments in Paris, Milan, New York and London. This presents a unique packing challenge, considering the length of time away from home and the office, and the fact that what those who attend fashion shows wear is scrutinised almost as closely as the clothes on the runway. With street-style bloggers on every corner, their cameras poised, and unforgiving industry peers with a judgmental glimmer in their eyes wherever you turn, the pressure is on - and there's no chance of getting away with shoving a few things into your Rimowa case 10 minutes before the taxi to the airport arrives. 

Packing for a conference in another city or a fortnight in the sun will seem like a doddle in comparison, which is why MR PORTER asked their Editor-in-Chief Mr Jeremy Langmead, Buying Director Mr Toby Bateman and Features Editor Mr Mansel Fletcher to talk us through how they pack for "fashion month". Learn how it's done the hard way, and everything else will fall into place. Watch the video, above, for some packing inspiration. 

MR PORTER's Editor-In-Chief, Mr Jeremy Langmead discusses his approach to packing for the Spring / Summer shows in Europe. Shop the story!

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WHAT THEY WORE: LONDON, FLORENCE, MILAN & PARIS!

London Collections: Men AW13. Check how the most stylish show-goers chose to accessorise their looks.

Florence. Check how the stylish guys attending Pitti Uomo added flair and individuality to their outfits.

Milan during the autumn/winter 2013 menswear fashion week. 
Check how the stylish guys attending the shows added flair and individuality to their outfits

AW 2013 menswear shows in Paris. The best of men's style in the French capital.

THE BOYS ARE BACK!

And no, I'm not talking about Scott Hicks's drama. I'm talking about some of my favourite street style appearances.

 In the following order: Nick Sullivan, Josh Perskowitz, Michael Hainey, Robert Rabensteiner, Milan Vukmirovic and Bruce Pask.

For those of you who ask themselves whether the guys appearing in street style photos actually dressed that way in real life—or if they even really stood by what they had on, the answer is..not your problem! Watch, learn, and replicate, but then go get your own style, mate. 

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PARIS: THE BEST COATS IN TOWN!

Some photos say those one-thousand words better than the rest.

Have a nice evening!

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LADIES' AGREEMENT: BEST OF FLORENCE-MILAN-PARIS!

 

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JULY STREET INSPIRATIONAL MIX! Pt.1

This is apparently becoming a 'tradition'! So, every month or twice a month or 

whatever fashionspam will post a selection of our favourite street style pictures

from some of the websites/blogs that we check daily (mainly sartorialist, streetfsn,

jak&jill, streetpeeper, vogue, gq, and other random places). Stay tuned & enjoy!

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PARIS DELIGHT! Pt.2

Please, get inspired, is absolutely free!

Part 3 coming later today!

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PARIS DELIGHT! Pt.1

Paris Street Haute Couture is Back!

Please, get inspired for free!

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SHOE TIME, PARIS!

MR PORTER snapped the men putting their best footwear forward at the 

shows in Paris. Inspired? Shop shoes at MR PORETR: http://bit.ly/MSzj9x

Tough season for the sock salesman, huh?!

Have a nice day!

ACNE LONDON VERNISSAGE

The touring exhibit of Snowdon Blue, the first book published by Acne

 held its Paris launch at the Acne store on Rue Froissart.

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