Wardrobe Goals: The Calvin Klein SS16 Collection

While it's easy to always find pieces one likes from almost every fashion show it is quite rare to like every single thing coming down the runway from beginning to end. And that's exactly what happened to me while I sat at the Calvin Klein show in Milan today.
The collection, as it often does, concentrated on colour with a basic palette of black, white, khaki and light blue washed denim. It stayed true to the brand's minimalist aesthetic but it did so departing from the tougher boxier silhouettes we had been seeing lately. And yet it retained just the perfect dose of structure – especially in the jackets and trousers.
A few key styles really stood out for me. Firstly, this season's ubiquitous denim jacket, which Italo Zucchelli envisioned every so slightly cropped, with a little volume but still fairly slim and presented in its classic light blue wash, the perfect shade of beige-meets-camel and navy.
T-shirts are not usually something I notice much, especially printed ones. However, the brand's palm tree model had this crispness to it that made the fabric fall in a different way making the basic staple more interesting.
Last but most definitely not least, the trousers in two main shapes: A classic suit pant a bit cropped and cuffed. The untraditional fabric makes for a truly versatile piece as they can be worn both as part of a suit and as a casual pant. The second shape takes the first further with cargo pockets also making it a rather interesting proposal as cargo pants are more often than not presented with looser/slouchier fit.

An excellent collection from the first to the last look and proof that consistency and austerity can also be extremely modern and luxe.

Milan Fashion Week SS15 Diary - Day 1

After over a year of missing the Milanese shows, I am so happy to be back in one of my favourite cities in the world to enjoy a bit of menswear fashion (and work a lot!). I arrived here yesterday, which was a fun but incredibly tiring day as I woke up at 4.30am to head to Heathrow.
Once in Milan, the warm weather and great vibe really got me going. After sorting through invites, I was thrilled to open a little something from Tod's to help me get through fashion week in style. After an early afternoon meeting it was time for the MSGM show, which is probably the best young brand in Milan. Massimo Giorgetti has this amazing ability to mix a bit of traditional Italian fashion with the really cool street style influences they have going here. It was a pleasure to watch.
I walked back to my hotel to enjoy a bit of sunshine and grabbed a quick lunch in my room catching up with emails before heading out for some more meetings. I stayed fresh in the Milanese summer with my new Folk short sleeve shirt, which I wore with blue NN.07 jeans and my Kenzo x Vans sneakers. I finished the day with a movie and a bit of room service and hit the sack early to recover energy for the busy week ahead!

Follow me on Instagram for all updates from my visit to Milan.

Still thinking about... Prada FW13

The FW13 Prada advertising campaign, which was released earlier this week, reminded me of how much I liked the collection. Even though it is meant for the next cold season I find it to be very much adaptable to SS13 – if you take out the coats and wool jumpers you're left with punchy tailoring, classic shirts and a lot of character. My favourite touch form the collection was the slight stylish detail with half of the collar shirts popping out of the jumper as if they were school boys.

Check out the video above, which I made last January in Milan at the show.

Courtesy of Prada

The Cavalli Man through a New Lens

I was truly curious to see, as I got on a lift taking me to a 9th-floor penthouse in the centre of Milan, what the FW13 collection of Roberto Cavalli would look like. It was clear as you stepped out of the lift that you were walking into Cavalli territory – tons of velvet, pony skin, gold and glass in dark rich colours introduced Daniele Cavalli's story of 70's rock and roll from a contemporary perspective.
In the two years he's been in charge of menswear the super talented son of Roberto Cavalli has found a way to marry an Italian aesthetic with strong musical influences, especially those of British rock and roll. This season he decided to wave the runway show and create a gentlemen's club atmosphere to make a statement about style instead of fashion.

One of the key elements of the collection was the teleidoscopic prints – not to be confused with kaleidoscopic, a teleidoscope is used to create patterns from objects outside the instrument and not from items inside it. We were all given our own one to see the world from a Cavalli perspective. The printed shirts and ties truly striking as they played with the brand's signature motifs – snakeskin, florals, feathers – in a different way. The tailoring, in contrast, was more sober and beautifully finished. I especially loved some of the details such as the jewelled buttons that substituted ties.
My absolute favourites were the jackets. Whether they leaned towards outer or eveningwear, I want them all. Special mention deserve the three pieces below, which combine urban elements – denim, the varsity jacket, the biker jacket – with luxury materials like python or crocodile. In the evening department, I especially loved the mandarin collar jacket with the beaded trim and the also beaded wrap velvet jacket.

It was hard to go back to the real world after been inside Cavalli's for so long. The Cavalli gentlemen's club should become a permanent feature in Milan.

Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

Introducing... StefanomanO Accessories

As I've mentioned in the past, one of the reasons why I love going to Milan for fashion week every season is because I get to learn about new exciting menswear brands. Such is the case of StefanomanO.
Like most of Italy's best leather-good-making companies, their activity started as a traditional family company focused on the production of leather suitcases. StefanomanO was born in 2005 with one intention: to create classic products handmade in Italy for a client with a love for details and quality. Since then, they have been selling internationally and have been especially successful in Japan, where men are known for their love of craftsmanship and details.

The FW13 collection consists of pretty much one hit after the other. My absolute favourite, I must say, is their Niloticus line (above), a limited edition of super luxury bags made of crocodile skin from the Nile and treated with an innovative process that makes the skin soft and flexible like suede but also 100% waterproof. It is one of the most stunning skins I have ever seen! (*See note below)
Also new to FW13 are the Spazzolato line, StefanomanO's signature style. For the new season they have introduced new colour variations with beautiful leather linings and trimmings in contrast (see below, in red).
The Morbidone line introduces to FW13 the softest leather, which StefanomanO's tanners obtain by an exclusive process. The designs are timeless, elegant and practical and their great size makes them perfect for going to work or even an overnight business trip.
Every single corner, strap and stitch is handmade and the general finish of all their bags, wallets, laptop and iPad covers are not only beautiful but also incredibly strong so they can stand whatever lifestyle. The entire collection – Niloticus aside – falls perfectly into this new concept we refer to as affordable luxury. Their range starts under 200€ for one of their classic nylon bags (I love the camouflage one!) and go up to under 500€ for the leather lines, which is crazy when you consider everything is done by hand!

You can find out more about StefanoManO here on their website. Click here to check out more from their collections!

*Note: My 25th birthday is coming up so feel free to get me one of these in black.

Courtesy of StefanoMano, Fashion Frankly

Burberry Porsum F/W13: We ♥ Burberry Classics

The FW13 Burberry Prorsum collection was one of my favourites, together with SS09 and FW10. A viral email from Christopher Bailey sent before the show with subject 'I ♥ Classics' announced the new collection would be a celebration of Burberry classics and heritage outerwear.
Some critics have labelled the collection as predictable. The way I see it, Burberry has had such purpose and direction over the last few years that the last thing I expected was a turn to its most essential, and successful, roots. My favourite were, in fact, these allegedly more commercial pieces. The trench coats, overcoats and duffle coats were impeccable and strong – pieces to keep forever.
Bailey's twist for FW13 was the (unexpected) introduction of animal prints as full leopard printed pony skin overcoats but also quieter collar details I found elegant and humorous.
Having opened their first menswear-only store late last year Burberry put great strength in the tailoring. The silhouettes, slim and easy to wear and much after my own heart, were very in touch with the times and with the type of guy the Burberry customer should be.
The heart prints that closed the show were my personal favourite. There was something so modern and masculine about the suit shirts and v-neck jumpers. They will be, I'm sure, an instant hit.

Just as they have been doing lately, Burberry streamed their FW13 show online and on iPhones and iPads and held a special screening at their new Regent Street flagship store. Users around the world were also given the chance to purchase online pieces right off the runway for a week after the show.
Back in Milan, Greg James, Harry and Luke Treadaway were amongst the famous faces to grace the front row. They were joined by the dapper Tinie Tempah, who had his big London 2012 moment at the Olympics wearing Burberry.

Stay tuned for a closer look at the Burberry FW13 collection from the brand's Milan showroom.
You can watch my video of the finale below and see the entire show here.

Courtesy of Burberry

Milan Fashion Week with Capital One Aspire World

A good credit card is everyone's must-have, especially when you travel. I had been looking for the one best suited to my needs for a while now, which is why I was happy to find out about Capital One's Aspire range. There is a different type depending on your needs, your income, your credit history...
Over my stay in Milan for fashion week I had the chance to try out their Aspire World credit card, which was the best time to do so as it's always a fun trip but one that needs careful planning of the expenses. What really made me go for it was it's 5% cashback (up to 100) for the first three months and 1.25% unlimited cashback after that – who wouldn't want cashback for their spending?
You can use Capital One's website to help you decide which card fits you best.

I like to always stay at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan not only because it's the top hotel in the city but because it is also where most of the industry people stay over fashion week. Because hotels usually charge you as you check in – as a deposit they then return – and then again at check out Capital One's card was the perfect accessory so I didn't have to worry about crazy charges on my current account. All my room service, the hotel's chic breakfast and cheeky night caps were also charged to my room and, hence, to my Aspire World card.

Also, when in Rome Milan... good food is a must, especially after long days of running between shows and appointments. I used my black card – as I like to refer to it – to pay for my amazing dinners. If you're ever in town, make sure you visit Giacomo Arengario – exquisite Italian food and the most incredible views!
If you're looking for something more relaxed, the Brera neighbourhood is beautiful at night and you can find cute little places like Fiori Chiari Plates where you'll find great food.

There are endless places in Milan to have a break during the day. I took my Aspire World card on many of them – a chilled but chic lunch at the Bvlgari Hotel, Aperol spritz aperitivo at (my favourite) Corso Como 10 or food and coffee at any time at the Armani Bamboo Bar at the top of the Armani Hotel.

All images @fashionfrankly on Instagram

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I'm not Frank: What I Wore in Milan, Day 1

Fashion, Frankly

I really tried to make an effort to try and get pictures of what I was wearing during the days that I recently spent in Milan. However, I didn't make it past the first day.
On Saturday, to kick things off, I wore my Gant Rugger tweed blazer, Nudie Jeans, Uniqlo shirt, Grenson shoes, Jil Sander tie and Urban Outfitters scarf. It was freezing in Milan and I wasn't wearing a coat but the combination of tweed, scarf and tough shoes didn't make me miss it.

Devoted to Dolce & Gabbana F/W13

Dolce & Gabbana was my first show this season in Milan. I knew because of the vibrant colours of the Baroque flowers on the invite that I could expect a collection full of energy, which I very much needed after my 5am wakeup call.
The FW13 collection is very aptly entitled 'Devotion'. It was a love letter to Sicily, its traditions and its people. Just like the season before the 82 men and boys who walked the runway had been cast from Sicilian towns – Taormina, Palermo, Siracusa...
This season Domenico and Stefano played with different graphic motifs such as religious buildings or different images of the Madonna but, mostly, their intention was to make a signature of their florals so that just like leopard in their womenswear they can become the unequivocal symbol of the Dolce & Gabbana man. The flowers carefully painted over silk blazers of the first part of the collection soon gave way to needlepoint flowers, which gave life and texture to velvet jackets, wool coats and suede shoes.

The new collection was also surprisingly strong in terms of the more 'traditional' tailoring. The statement jackets covered in flowers were accompanied by the most stunning white crisp shirts in a number of different collar shapes and all finished off by hand-sewn lace, which can usually be found gracing the dining tables of Sicilian homes.
The more classic pieces had this beautiful flavour of the past brought to our time by slim silhouettes and luxurious details like satin-covered buttons and printed jacket linings. For the evening, the main focus is still velvet in blacks, greys, deep greens and rich burgundies all with satin-finished wide lapels and accompanied by the coolest velvet lace-ups a man could ever own.

Dolce & Gabbana lifted my mood and filled me with energy. Milan Fashion Week had officially started.

Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, Fashion Frankly

Emporio Armani SS13: Trends with personality

Courtesy of Armani

Very few menswear designers are able to marry sportswear and tailoring as well as Giorgio Armani. That's probably the reason why he was trusted with the task of dressing the Italian Olympic team this summer. What could give more pleasure than saying "I'm wearing Armani" when you're decked down in activewear? Exactly.
I personally loved how this influence was introduced in the SS13 Emporio Armani collection because it was subtle and elegantly done. The eclectic textiles used in the collection not only helped the symbiosis of the sporty and the smart but added value to all the looks because of the play of textures they created. I especially loved the outerwear and how it was styled with comfy shorts and shoes as smart as they were tough.
But perhaps what I appreciated the most about the show was the fact that we even saw some seasonal trends, which is something rare at Armani because the designer marches to the beat of his own drum. I loved seeing parkas, quite a bit of khaki and even a dash of leopard reinvented by Mr Armani as a sort of enamel monk shoe.
This was one of the best EA shows of the last few seasons and a personal favourite. You can watch the video of the runway show below.

Daks SS13: A Modern Gentleman

If I am quite honest, which is kind of the premise of this blog, I wasn't very aware of Daks' menswear line until I attended the SS13 last June in Milan. I really like what the brand does for women and their London shows are a welcome shower of simplicity.
The collection brought together traditional tailoring – the double-chested suit, the tuxedo – with a fun contemporary twist. Pops of orange and colourful Prince of Wales checks appeared on the lining of coats, the back pleats of jackets, waist bands and back collars. To me, the most interesting thing was how the line mixed smart elements like the smoking jacket, the bowtie or the cummerbund with English sportswear pieces – bomber jackets, rain coats, shorts.
The colour palette of earthy tones, bright orange and sartorial checks tied together all the pieces, all of which were so beautifully finished with slim fits and cuffed trousers. It was definitely a collection after my own heart that I would wear in a heartbeat.

Sheermag.com, Fashion, Frankly

Z Zegna SS13: Italian Modernism

Style.com

The Z Zegna show always one of the most exciting show to attend in Milan because the brand and their creative director Paul Surridge totally march to the beat of their own drum and stand out from the crowd season after season.
One of Surridge's main inspirations for SS13 was the work of Dan Flavin, famous for his installations of fluorescent lights. In comes a colour palette of fluoro greens, corals and yellows paired with Solaro tailored pieces with micro prints or iridescent finishes that are perfectly light for the summer and add an interesting play on light and texture.
Another strong point of the collection were the elbow-long short sleeves of blazers, jackets and shirts with a 60's flavour.
My favourite part of the collection was the sportswear feel of the line, which has been one of the fixtures on womenswear too during the last two seasons, one that doesn't seem to be going away soon.
It was a intriguing and beautifully finished collection that will work wonders in editorials and look incredibly cool on the streets.

Click on read more below my video of the finale to see more images of the collection after the jump.