call it cheating...

... but i really love these militaristic totes from Burberry Prorsum S/S 2008:


(photos from men.style.com)

LV Men's S/S 2008 Runway

here are some photos of what's in store for the boys next year:

Bequia leather is in its third season straight, i wonder if this will finally become a full fledged permanent line:



i really like the slanted zip on the side. i wonder if it is a separate flat pocket or does it give direct access to the main compartment. not too crazy about the powderblue coloured bag though.

Kangaroo is back! i was pleasantly surprised to see Sonana leather once more:



this is the style im most drawn to at the moment:



the LV website describes it as "pearl finished kangaroo leather bags in lustrous oyster colours." i think im SOLD!

at first i thought these bags had a pattern of little trunks on uncoated canvas, but upon closer inspection and more detailed photos later, it is actually a new Damier line:



"...others in horsehair with sea-wolf (a type of tanned fish skin) straps and kangaroo handles." they're definitely refering to the bag on the right. exotic indeed, but not prohibitively expensive like croc or snakeskin i would think.

oh, and i really like these retro specs too:



one of my grandfathers had a very similar pair.

i know this won't be the most popular to a number of people because of the complete absence of the LV Monogram pattern. im fine with it, i actually LoVe it!


(photos courtesy of men.style.com)

the sweetest thing

i'll be turning 28 next week and a friend from Canada sent me a very nice birthday present:



it's the Vichy necktie from where else but LV. im loving it, its very me. definitely made my day/week/month!

thank you very much Cecilia! you can be sure to expect something nice from me on your bday ;-)

j



Comments
>Cecilia again
ummm.... I forgot something, you don't need to buy anything for me. I've thought this over and think it's better to donate the money to SPCA (la Société pour la prévention de la cruauté envers les animaux), they need it more than I do during the holidays.
15 May 12:54 PM

>Cecilia
You're welcome! I enjoyed buying a lil something for you, even though I know you don't need anymore LVs :P
hmm... I didn't know you had this space, I've always thought it was myspace hehe
Aside: ummm... I liked the "be gentle with me" song and something about the cinematography in the "no one cares"(?) song was....deep...
15 May 12:46 PM

everybody loves Raymond

here's my latest LV addition....

Raymundo sunglasses


from the LouisVuitton Menswear S/S 2006 show collection:


these oversized aviators are just fantastic! very 1970's playboy penthouse, like something Tom Ford would wear himself (shame about his rather disappointing sunglasses range).

i still have to get used to seeing everything with an amber tinge, but its all good. i love it!

now Raymundo makes 3. here's Sam modelling them:

Raymundo:

Faux-Semblant Rectangle (a marron foncé et Damier):

Millionaire:

i better make the most out of them while the sun is still out..... ciao!

Feature Bag #8: Toile Chemise Tanger Sac Plat

it's been a long time coming... two whole years in fact, but the Tanger Sac Plat is finally part of my collection:


the only bag from the Men's S/S 2005 show collection



that sported the striped shirt fabric similar to the material they used for the legendary 1878 Bed-Trunk:



which probably explains why this bag comes with a little cushion:



while the geometric V screen print is taken from Gaston Vuitton's (1883-1970) personal monogram as seen on this 1901 Steamer bag:

these two historical references is what attracted me to this particular bag. but it somehow always gets bypassed for something i thought was more worthwhile having. but one last opportunity made itself available last week and i was most certainly not going to let go this time.

... and im still very pleased and relieved i finally got one!

Specs:
> Tanger Sac Plat en chemise toile, S/S 2005 - cotton polyester blend fabric with vachetta leather trim - brown "sari" cotton lining - interior slit pocket - dimensions: 34.5 x 40 cm - RRP AU$1,210.00

PS: i would've also loved the Keepall if it only made it to production




photos: Louis Vuitton, Men.Style.Com.

LV men's F/W 2007 runway review

i've just been drooling over most of the stuff since photos came out last week. the first thing that hit me is the similarity to the colour palette they used in the men's Spring/Summer collection back in 2003:



although the latter is more 80's dandy as the former is Discovery Channel.

im not a t-shirt kind of guy, but i think i might just have to have these:

rather Pradaesque don't you think?

let's now move on to the bags:


i quite like the shape of this bag. it reminds me of my Mono Glace Bobby with handles. it looks like they're continuing the Cuir Bequia line into Fall with it's distinct square perforations and platted zipper pulls. the Monogram Canvas versions aren't bad either:
_

as much as i love my Vail Blanket Cabas, im not too sure about this felted wool version though:


in dreams this bag shall remain for me:


i also like these huge leather hobos:


the stripes recall the striped runway artist Jim Lambie did for the F/W '06 show:

could these bags possibly be another Jim Lambie collaboration?

and lastly.... LV seems to be pioneering evening bags for men:


i don't see myself wearing them out in public, but i sure as hell love these metal minaudiéres. it's got "highly collectible" stamped all over it - an instant must have in my books.

that's it for now. a new feature bag will follow soon.... stay tuned.

2006: the year of the hand-held totes

for me anyway. although i still value the hands-free convenience and laid-back casual look of messenger bags, after years of exclusively collecting them i was ready for something new. cue in this year's LV men's show collections for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter - with nary a messenger bag in sight!

and here's what i've got so far:


l-r: Vail Blanket Cabas (f/w'06), Tobago shoe bag (s/s '06) and Ouvea Carryall (s/s '06)

although it took me a while to get used to having only one free hand now, it was such a welcome change and somehow totes seem to give a less casual, smarter look. sure most would see me as a "dude with the large handbag", but at a time when men carrying bags have finally become mainstream, totes will eventually follow. laugh now....

my precious

i've got a Vuitton ring which i wear quite often. it's not precious metal nor does it have diamonds like my other rings but its a favourite of mine. it's the Chevaliere ring in sterling silver with a tiger-eye stone from the men's f/w 05 collection:

they had two diffferent stone options - tiger eye and snowflake obsidian. i was lucky enough to snap one up as only 3 of these made it to Australia (or so i've been told). this year, LV decided to release the obsidian again and i was sure as hell won't miss out again. so here it is:

the black & silver goes very well with my Larry

i really love them and LV should make some more. maybe with lapiz lazuli or rutilated quartz perhaps?

Feature Bag #5: TaÏga Viktor

it's time for me to feature another bag from my collection. this month, i present to you Viktor:

This is from the Taiga collection of men's bags and accessories. Viktor has a special spot in my heart beacuse it is the very first bag i really lusted over. Originally availabe in Epicea (evergreen), Acajou ("cashew" ~ burgundy) and Ardoise (slate grey/black) colours, the Taiga collection is LV's first ever collection dedicated entirely to men. Back in the days when all i wore were black and silver metal (the height of Tom Ford's aesthetic reign), the Taiga Viktor in Ardoise was just the perfect bag for me. The subtle cross-grained calfskin leather is complimented by the brushed palladium hardware that makes these bags quite understated but still oozing class and sophistication. This particualr model has a distictive and unusual elastic band closure also seen on his Monogram Abbesses and Damier Bastille cousins. It sports an adjustable shoulder strap that goes right around 3/4 of the bag, a zipper back pocket, 2 open pockets under the flap and another zip pocket inside. Dimensions: 13" L x 11" H x 4" W. RRP: AU$1680.00.

Feature Bag #4: Defile Liege Fantassin Satchel

this month i present to you my Fantassin satchel:




this is from the men's 2001 Fall/Winter "Liege" (Legionnaire) show collection

which had a very strong military influence and it is evident on all 3 bag models made for this line. the Fantassin - it means infantry/foot soldier in French - is the smaller of the two satchels produced. the collection is constructed from the finest black (i've also heard there's a deep army green colour) boxcalf leather, the very same leather used in classic Hermes Kelly bags. and it is complemented by solid brass hardware with an antiqued finish to complete the look. this bag's relatively small size, understated style (ie: barely noticeable LV) and unusual but secure closure has made itself very indispensable and highly dependable..... definitely one of my faves.

Comments

>Gordie
Hihi....i have never seen this bag before, was this only offered to VIP's ore was it an "invitation only" purchase?? I really like it!!
18 July 8:39 PM
(http://gordonqian.spaces.msn.com/)
> deluxeduck
it's a men's runway piece just like the Tobago bags this year. but this was a couple of years before the Murakami/Multicolour craze... when LV popularity was not as widespread. that's why it's relatively obscure. sometimes people think it's fake. i just laugh.
18 July 10:16 PM
(http://deluxeduck.spaces.msn.com/)