Linguistic Candy

Yigal Azrouël.
Say it.
I dare you to say it out loud.
If my name was Yigal Azrouël, I'd be all Destiny's Child on everyone's ass, begging them to say my name over and over again.
This name evokes daydreams of riding a camel in the desert, clad in a paisley djellabah and hand-made sandals bedazzled with seashells, looking out for the next oasis for having a desert-party in with the locals.
I do realise this is a very romanticised vision of deserts, in which most people simply perish without ever reaching an oasis that's not a mirage and eventually become shrivelled up vulture's lunch.
What was I talking about ?
Yigal Azrouël!
Now who or what is this mythical creature I speak of?
What say ye, Wikipedia?

Yigal Azrouël is an Israeli American New York based fashion designer. He was born in Israel of French-Moroccan descent and currently lives in the United States

Ah.
Well that explains the name, now what about the fame?
I'm enraptured by his spring/summer '10 collection, the silhouettes are classicly manly yet he plays so wonderfully with textures, length, draping and colourblocking.
Hard to envision?
Take a look at the runway images and lookbook:

Style don't COSt a thing.

A spot of news for my Belgian readers!
As you know, I'm a big fan of the COS label and I'm pleased to announce the arrival of a new COS store on the Avenue Louise 32 in Brussels.
I was invited to the official store opening, and I have to say: I'm impressed. 
The entire store and collection have a crisp, put-together attitude. Clean lines, Scandinavian design and more importantly: fab clothes that don't really cost an arm and a leg, as COS is a daughter company of Mama H&M (my main provider of stylish clothes).
Take a look for yourself in the pictures below.
I picked out my favourites from the SS10 collection (all prices of the outfits below range from 19 to 190 euros) and included a picture of the store.
Also, if anyone wanted to have a better look at the face behind the words, I added two pictures of my lovely sister and I at the event. This is an epic moment, y'all! Like in the Phantom of the Opera!
Silence.
Awkward cough.
A wolf howling.
Nevertheless, a big thank you the lovely Barbara from ListenUp for inviting me!

The Long Lost Art Of Italian Sprezzatura

"Sprez. Spret. Spr. What?"

Help us out here, Wikipedia darling (I personify my favourite websites, is that weird?).

Sprezzatura is an Italian word originating from Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier, where it is defined by the author as “a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.” It is the ability of the courtier to display “an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions which hides the conscious effort that went into them.”

It's the Italian je-ne-sais-quoi and something that comes naturally to some or takes years of indifferent practicing.

I try to keep my boyish enthusiasm at a minimum, but that still comes down to excited glances, heavy breathing and a manic grin when I see something fabulous. 

I try to say "Care?" (or "Currr?") but it's just no use.

When practising the Sprezz I often ask myself, 'what would Francesco Cominelli (Vogue Hommes stylist/ editor) do?'

The man knows how to dress impeccably and has the attitude to match.

"What? This? I didn't spend four weekends scavenging vintage shops on the Rive Gauche to find this jacket, I just tripped over it in my grandfather's attic. Like. Care?"
His secret? A good, high quality man-clutch (mutch)!

Find the proof below:

He makes it seem so easy! Even a picture of half his torso is chic!

(sources: www.google.com/images, www.jakandjil.com)

Withdrawal Symptoms

When I say 'Scandinavian Design', you probably think of various items, all of which must be Swedish.
But the Swedes, however talented they may be, do not have a monopoly on high-quality design.
When I say Danish design, you might think of ingeniously constructed pastries,
but did you know Bang & Olufsen products or the famous Arne Jacobsen 'Egg' chairs are also Danish?
As is one of my favourite brands of this season, Junk De Luxe.
The clothes just ooze a certain cool; like you want to stay up all night, party and have your Saturday morning walk of shame in them.
And that, I like.
The campaign too has caught my eye, I have a sudden urge to jump on my bike on a hot summer's day and just see where the wind takes me.
And that, I like.
See for yourself!

source: www.junkdeluxe.dk

A very special artist

My dear friend and SFG fan since day one, Daphne, made this gorgeous drawing for the SFG 1st anniversary!

































Check out her DeviantArt account for more fabulous drawings and paintings: http://daphnelaurel.deviantart.com
Thank you, darling!

Celebrate! Fornicate! Congratulate!

Today, I'm proud to announce the 1st anniversary of Style For Guys!
It's been a lovely year writing up all kinds of fashionable musings and I'm so pleased with the real-life results and I'm very grateful for the opportunities this blog has brought forth. 
Never have I thought people would read it, let alone interview me about it or feature me in a magazine and even let me write for one.
So for all of this: thank you! I couldn't ask for better fans.
Now enough emotional recitation for a little while and what better way to celebrate this anniversary than with a new lay-out and a fabulous Style For Guys' Incredibly Fetching Spring Special! 'SFGIFSS', they shall call it in the books of fashion history!
Cough.
Tumbleweed.
I bring thee the most dashing pieces of early spring clothing, for you to be inspired by or shine in!
Y'all ready?


Matthew Williamson
Mr. Williamson's men's SS10 collection is, as per usual, incredibly vibrant and filled to the brim with awesome colours. If you're not afraid to stand out in a crowd, and why should you be, these clothes are what you're looking for. A bit pricey (with pieces ranging from around £100 to £500), but consider them an investment.

Band Of Outsiders
Very young, classy yet modern. Hip³. That about says it. I Die.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Miharayasuhiro

These collections are refreshing, wearable and absolutely Style For Guys approved. I don't have many words today, just this: you guys are the best, I love you and always be stylish!