La Belgique, C'est Chique

I was recently introduced to the menswear line of KASK-graduate Charlotte Claeysier, and I really like what I see. Her shirts collection, named 'Rooted Dreams' is clean-cut with nice details and cool plaids. I love discovering local talent (Ghent represent!) and I'm positive we'll be hearing more about this one.

And another Ghent talent is Lisbeth who has a range of - sometimes pretty obscene- t-shirts that I think are pretty awesome. These are only available through World Of Objects (an amazing website, be sure to check it out!).

Le Drool

I just feasted my eyes on the Burberry Pre-Fall 2011 collection. I normally refrain from posting collection images too much in advance (fashion runs ahead enough for the non-obsessed readers), but this is too good not to share. I might as well rename this blog as "Shrine of Burberry", as this is true love.
Can't wait for the Milan menswear show in January (one day, I'll be at the show for real instead of watching the livestream all dressed up)!
Bon appétit!

Tales of a Post-Modern Winter. Part TWO.

After weeks of flirting and beating around the bush, you've finally landed yourself the perfect first winter date. But what are you going to wear? 

Pick you up at eight?

"Shit", you mutter under your breath as you watch the clock and change outfits for the umpteenth time. You haven't been this nervous since the principal came into class demanding to know who killed Cookie the parrot mascot, and that was in the late 90s. Heavy sighs are followed by raspberries blown. Dating is hard. Life sucks. But you couldn't be more excited.

Feast! Feast! Feast!

I just want to wish all you beautiful people a lovely holiday season, whether you're celebrating anything or not. This past year has been one for the books, and I owe it all to you. Big sloppy kiss, new lay-out and obligatory snow-pose-with-husky-in-fabulous-outfit from the editor.
That'll be me.
xoxo
Immi

Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!

I recently had quite a quaint dream where I was in a store and the shop lady was like: "Yah, you can totes pick out a free varsity jacket." So I got all excited and ran to this rack of these purple varsity jackets and grabbed one, but then this douchey dude came along and snatched away my jacket!
I take this as a sign from above that varsity jackets are in again (I get all my fashion cues from heaven) and that I am a push-over.
My blatantly evil title relates to this dream in the shape of the new NIKE AW 2010 'Destroyer' jackets. Why they're named after some kind of Transformer, I don't know, but I know they sure as hell look cool. Heritage meets modernism!
Ch-ch-check it out (stop me, I'm rapping again!):

       

Tales of a Post-Modern Winter. Part ONE

Due to the lovely commentary the summer tales got, I've decided to resume this fashion saga for a winter instalment! Y'all ready to take a trip through nature?


Act I
"Frozen Forest"
The cold air prickles your nose as you inhale. No one around. Numbed and fascinated by the silver branches, you plow through the icy grass. No one around. You slip and trip and laugh at yourself out loud. Shamefaced, you stop and spy through the trees. Luckily, there's no one around. 

The Ice Princes

"How to look chic on ice."
One would believe the above statement to not be possible, right? I mean, if you're not wobbling like cellulite on those skates, you're probably duffeled in in some heinous puffer jacket.
Fear no more to tread the rink, because  Japanese POPEYE Magazine has the answers!
Slippery style, it exists:

I Like 'Em Chunky

There's no better feeling than the weight of heavy wool pressing you down to earth, than being enveloped in a cable knit jumper you just want sleep in and never take off. There's a lot to be said for fine and ethereal fabrics, but this winter you've gotta lay it on thick. Check out the most appealing chunky sweaters in the world (well, the ones I could find on the internet)!

Burberry

Gucci

Moncler

Henrik Vibskov

Zara

Random pic of some AWESOME Givenchy studded sneakers.

[Enjoy the winter soundtrack n°1]

Wanna See My Sixpack?

All you dirty mothers who clicked this link to see my gloriously rippling abs (mega cough!) shall be disappointed! For once, it's not all about me, but about this brand I really like: Sixpack France. 
There are several reasons why I like this particular brand:

Reason #1: It's got 'France' in the brand name and is kinda Frenchy.

Reason #2: They know the importance of having an ironic print on a tee that no one really understands but everyone agrees is kinda cool.

Reason #3: My friend Otto has this t-shirt, so yeah!

Reason #4: CUBISM!

Reason #5: This varsity jacket with leather sleeves!

You cannot deny my skills of reasoning!

Audaciously Autumnal: A Short Story

There wasn't really much to be said.

Little clouds of cold escaped from the corners of our mouths as we smiled in silence. Streams of amber light danced on your face as the cool breeze tangled up your hair. I couldn't remember you ever looking this way. Intense.

"You like pancakes?"

You'd spoken first.

"Who doesn't?", I answered sheepishly.

You shrugged your shoulders and grinned.

You stepped forward, your butterscotch boots touching the tips of my tattered sneakers.

"You like me?"

Silence.

I turned around.

"Maybe. I don't know.", I mumbled.

"Maybe? You don't know?", you taunted.

I turned back around.

Minutes that felt like aeons passed as I looked at you.

"Wipe that smirk off your face!", I screeched, recoiling visibly at the sound of my voice.  

You tried to look serious but soon enough your lips started trembling with laughter waiting to burst out.

So I kissed them shut. 

Photo credits: Coolhandleluke, Randall Mesdon, Jordan Tiberio

He Has The Look

"Wie is de best geklede man van Vlaanderen?"
Die vraag stelt Essentiel zich, en ze geven zomaar even 2000 EUR aan kledij weg aan de man in kwestie. De bedoeling is dat je naar www.essentiel.be surft en een foto van jezelf of iemand anders uploadt om te kunnen winnen. 
Als je me even excuseert ga ik gauw op zoek naar een foto van mezelf waar ik niet op loens. May the most stylish man win!

A Poem For Christopher Bailey

Dear Christopher Bailey

Your designs haunt me daily

Shearling and leather

Make life much better

It may seem quite barmy

But I'd join the army

I'd gladly go military

If it meant wearing Burberry

xo

Immi

WinWinWin (Belgium only)

Jullie weten dat ik jullie graag zie, toch? Wel, het enige waar ik nog meer van houd dan jullie is een fantastische huid! 
Daarom geef ik een huidverzorgingspakket van Lab Series Skincare For Men (t.w.v. ca. 200 EUR) weg! 

In het pakket zit de Instant Moisture Gel, de Max LS Age-Less Face Cream, Multi-Action Face Wash, Active Body Wash en Maximum Comfort Shave Gel! Het enige wat je moet doen is mij een e-mail sturen met een antwoord op de volgende vragen:

- Wat was de vroegere naam van Lab Series: Aramis of Aramos?

- Waarom ben jij de verdiende winnaar van dit verzorgingspakket?

De winnaar wordt op 17 oktober bekend gemaakt! Succes!




UPDATE: Proficiat Y. Martin! Jouw antwoord was juist en de inzending was echt origineel (en grappig)! Echt bedankt aan alle deelnemers, jullie waren allemaal fantastisch en als ik kon gaf ik een pakket aan iedereen die deelnam.

Mabillez-Moi

If you haven't heard about Alexis Mabille yet, it's about time you did. This king of dandy flair isn't afraid of a bow tie or two, and therefore has long captivated my heart. His A/W 2010 collection is one of lush fabrics and textures with a healthy dose of shiny and filled to the brim with masculine grace. 
I'm positively besotted by the black cardigan bedazzled with buttons and that bow tie shirt needs to be mine.
In my loveliest daydreams I already envision myself getting out of a Lexus, head-to-toe in Alexis.
What say you?

Leaving On A Jetplane

To my dear reader(s): 
I'm leaving for the sun for a little while, so I'll be blissfully detached from the interwebs.
Only to come back home and go crazy because I have 5 zillion e-mails to read.
I look forward to that! Send me one!
Now what to wear by the poolside?
A bit of Tom Ford?

Bisous,
Immi 

Get Framed!

Myopic and hyperopic fashionisto's rejoice! The quintessentially British and classy dunhill london - the brand name is always typed in lowercase for a chic e.e. cummings effect - has launched their eyewear line! The launch took place in the charming Tribeca restaurant in Brussels, and head eyewear designer Ralf Nadler was there to tell us all about the specifics of the frames' springs and how they manage to keep the weight down on all models due to use of carbon fiber and titanium. The collection is, true to the dunhill spirit, very classic and sophisticated. Retro sunglasses that make you want to hop in a classic drop-top car with a cashmere scarf wrapped casually around your neck and no-nonsense business exec specs were all around! We ate little triangle sandwiches - no crusts, of course - and drank tea, there was jazz music and I got to hang out with my fashion friends again, a lovely evening it was! Pics below for proof, plus a pic of the dunhill 'Bladon' bag, because I DIE.

      Aren't these amazing?

The lovely Michaël from Belmodo should só get these!

 My girl Marie from oona looking cute as a button!

Jazz musicians, compulsory on any classy soirée.

 Oodles of glasses.

 I loved how they presented the frames like a bug collection.

 Yours truly with wonderful Stijn from I Love Belgium and sweet Louise from oona.

Handsome Tom from I Love Belgium, he also designed the presentation of the glasses!

Oh, and...

I DIE!