Kansai Yamamoto. Perfecto for Days Requiring a Sprinkle of Ziggy Stardust Glamorama

Hot on the heels of his just-released album, "The Next Day" is an upcoming retrospective *David Bowie is* opening March 23, 2013 at the Victoria and Albert Museum. More than 300 objects will be on display, exploring the creative processes of the man, including some sartorial gold designed by one of the men behind The Man: the Japanese fashion designer responsible for Ziggy Stardust's hyper-glam early-70s wardrobe.

Kansai Yamamoto was born in 1944, opened a boutique in Tokyo in 1968 and then began expanding into other countries. His Japanese heritage and westernized silhouettes - not to mention his grand "Kansai Super-show" spectaculars - attracted the trenderati of the day en masse.

Lead by Bowie, who borrowed some of his designs for a performance at Radio City Music Hall. "He's neither man nor woman," noted Kansai in 1973, "which suited me as a designer because most of my clothes are for either sex. I love his music and obviously that has influenced my designs but most of all there's this aura of fantasy that surrounds him. He has flair." To this day, Kansai's avant-garde costumes and iconic platform boots continue to resonate with artists including Madonna and Lady Gaga. (And me.) (image & quote: source)

House of Liza, which specializes in a keenly-edited selection of rare vintage fashion pieces from the last few decades, currently has some fabulous Kansai treasures in stock, including this sequined jacket, embroidered dress, shoulder-flap jacket & printed shopper.

Love.

- Lesley Scott

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Once Upon a Time (Spring 2013), in the Land of Haute Couture...

Gor-JUSS Necklaces by Katherine-Mary Pichulik

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Is Your Guy Superdry?

Designing her main collection for Spring 2013 found Miuccia Prada in a pensive frame of mind. "Dreaming is forbidden, nostalgia is forbidden, to be too sweet is not good," she mused backstage after her nostalgia & Japonisme inspired show. "Everything we used to feel historically, now you can't enjoy." Ah but you can, Miuccia! In one of these fun superdry tshirts - inspired by the same things as you: nostalgia, in particular vintage signage & retro Americana biker culture by way of Japan and their winning way with eyecatching graphics.

The tees come in a colorful array of hues and graphic styles, but the must-haves are definitely the classic white tee & either the rockabilly stripe or Ramones'esque one in red. The Japanese characters are pronounced (I think) as "Kyokudo kanso shinasai" which instruct the wearer to "(Please) Dry it (or yourself) extremely". And while I'm not sure if David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have all complied, I do know they're fans of the brand. And why not? The tees are fun, fab & (extremely) fly for the fashionisto in your life.

 

[Note: This was written in partnership with Cult. The words are mine.]

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Vintage Coca-Cola Workwear Gets the Nigo Touch

When he created A Bathing Ape, Nigo created one of the most insta-iconic fash/lifestyle brands in recent memory. And his roving tastemaker eye recently began focusing on another, much older brand - so old, in fact, it's new again. In collaboration with Japanese boutique Beams, he & his newest label, Human Made, recently launched a capsule collection inspired by vintage Coca-Cola vendor wear from the early 20th century.

The Coca-Cola x Human Made by Beams line reconstructs what "might have been", but in a modern context & includes a Shop Coat, a Work Shirt, Cap, Jodphur shorts, a Cover-All Jacket, tees & a Sweatshirt. Everything will be brushed and weathered to well-loved softness, plus the stitching is true to the early 1900s as is the Coca-Cola label from the same era. A vintage cotton-knitting machine dating from the 1930s & 40s - called a loop wheel - has been dusted off and put into use and Nigo even plundered his own bespoke collection of Coke memorabilia for the line.

"I have been wearing Coca-Cola since back in high school – be it vintage T’s or my retro red Coke leather jacket, which is one of my most prized possessions," adds Nigo. "I was also the Japan Coca-Cola yo-yo champion back in the 80s, so this collaboration was a long time coming!"

- Lesley Scott

(image of Nigo: source)

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Tell Me What Your Leaders Wear & I'll Tell You What Kind of Society you Live in

From the advent of the first civilizations in the warm valley regions of the Indus, Euphrates, and Nile rivers, clothing has functioned as so much more than merely protection against the elements. Particularly ceremonial dress, which a visual shorthand for your place on the social structure, be it a tribal village, a thriving democracy or a totalitarian state.

The new *Power and Style: A World History of Politics and Dress* by François and Dominique Gaulme (Flammarion, 2013) surveys the sartorial landscape to reveal the evolution of costume and sartorial codes that have marked each era from the early Nambikwara tribe in Brazil to the present day. Topics include the feathers, pigments, shells & tapa cloths of so-called “naked” societies; the elaborate togas used by Roman emperors to demonstrate power; the uniforms of dictators like Adolph Hitler and Mao Tse Tung which showcased their authority and iron hand; and today's standardization of formal attire among world leaders, with the perfectly tailored business suit being de rigueur.

After all, clothes maketh the man, particularly the rich and powerful.

- Lesley Scott

(image - top: source)

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20 Stylish Ways to Leave Your Lover...just in time for Valentine's Day!

"The problem is all inside your head", s/he said to me.
The answer is easy if you take it logically.
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free.
There must be twenty ways to leave your lover.
She said, "it's really not my habit to intrude.
Furthermore, I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued.
But I'll repeat myself, at the risk of being crude.
There must be twenty ways to leave your lover.
Twenty ways to leave your lover:

You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan.
You don't need to be coy, Roy.
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus.
You don't need to discuss much.
Just drop off the key, Lee.
And get yourself free."

You just slip out the back, Jack.
#1 dress to egress
#2 slip off in a stylish studded Burberry trench
#3 go incognito in oversize sunnies
#4 stuff your getaway stuff into a stylish tote

Make a new plan, Stan.
#5 new year, new you!
#6 hatch your big plans in a stylish new Filofax
#7 jot it all down with a blinged-out fountain pen
#8 now that you're single, try something new

You don't need to be coy, Roy. Just get yourself free.
#9 ...just not by post-it note
#10 time to get back into shape! here's how.
#11 dab on some of the "breakup" fragrance
#12 the dude? ditch him. the denim? a keeper!

Hop on the bus, Gus. You don't need to discuss much.
#13 just whatever you can fit in this snazzy rollerboard suitcase
#14 & can't-miss-it luggage tag
#15 don't forget the cashmere travel throw
#16 or a case for your new iPhone 5

Just drop off the key, Lee & get yourself free.
#17 pen your goodbyes on stationary with a key motif to drive the point home
#18 then leave your message & your key in bottle
#19 replace the key you left with a snazzy new one on a ring
#20 or celebrate your newfound freedom with a key to the future covered in, what else, diamonds!

Be sure to follow me on Sulia, a new social network organized by whatever topics fascinate you - where I post daily as one of their fashion & lifestyle experts.

- Lesley Scott

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Just Monkey'in Around! 20 Great Monkey Themed Accessories, Home Decor & Gifty Goodness

I was recently introduced to a fab new social network organized around the various things people are passionate about, including sports, TV, crafts & of course, fashion!. Sulia's subject-based approach makes it easy to connect with experts & other enthusiasts on topics you find interesting. Life lifestyle & fashion in my case - plus Stacy London's personal shopping company, Style for Hire, sponsors the Fashion Channel. (If you want to follow my doings directly there, here's where I "live" on Sulia.)

As one of Sulia's first fashion contributors - part of a small, hand-selected group - I handpick & opine upon whatever dings my raccoon-like radar for anything shiny & fabulous. Like monkeys. This week I thought it would be fun to monkey around a bit with some cool jewels, homey finds & other stylish simian shenanigans.

#1 Hermione de Paula monkey + florals scarf
#2 Ballon Blue de Carter monkey watch
#3 gemstone-encrusted monkey pendant necklace
#4 Christopher Kane monkey dress
#5 Christopher Ross brass-monkey belt (insanely awesome!)
#6 painting of a monkey on silk

 

#7 a Feng Shui friendly brass monkey perched upon a peach
#8 fine porcelain monkey cup & saucer
#9 monkey cameo ring
#10 silk tie with a sock-monkey print
#11 organ-grinder monkey table
#12 a Steampunk "man monkey" wallet-cig case thingy

#13 beaded bracelet with silver monkey charm
#14 cashmere monkey hoodie for your Mini Me
#15 Rasta Monkey "pilot" cap ... with pom poms!
#16 marzipan monkey atop a giant pile 'o bananas & yummo cake
#17 knitted sock-monkey bag
#18 kitschy/fun monkey & palm tree salt & pepper shakers

They had me at "Brazen" & "Cheeky" for #19, *Brazen Hussy* nail polish by Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics.

But for #20, I wasn't monkey'in around any more. These gorgeous Yunnan golden monkeys now number less than 2,000 and are almost extinct. To help, donate to the Nature Conservancy's project to protect the golden monkeys from both illegal hunters and destruction of their habitat.

- Lesley Scott

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Some Rebellious Summer Lovin' for Warm Winter Cheer

70s surfers Jack Shipley, Rory Russell, Reno Abellira & Gerry Lopez, aka Mr. Pipeline, were all instrumental in laying down the rebel vibe associated with the lifestyle. Which seemed to spontaneously adopt as its symbol the Lightning Bolt.  Synonymous with being tuned into the spirit of hanging ten, it quickly began gracing the necks of surfers, hangers-on & wannabes everywhere. And then slipped back out of the limelight...until now. Surfer Jonathan Paskowitz is bringing it back in limited release, reproducing it "to the exact shape of those worn by the great surfers and revolutionary game changers of Hawaii's North Shore."

Available at LightningBolt-USA.com.

- Lesley Scott

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Sex, Money, Power ... & Peacoats!

For F/W '12/'13, the fashionable fellow is one part street-tough, one part rakish, a bit of a daredevil, a touch romantic & a lover of luxe. With so much multitasking needed just to get dressed & stay in style, a guy needs some great coats and few fab men's jackets with which to take on the world. (Like the classic overcoat worn by man's-man Daniel Craig in the poster for the new James Bond, Skyfall).

Remember: when you're out & about during fall and winter, you have one chance to create a great first impression - and the first thing people generally will notice is your outwear...so don't skimp & think one coat will cut it.

The clothes maketh the man, so be sure you are well made!

- Lesley Scott

[Note: This was written in partnership with Jacomo. The editorial picks, coat selection & words are mine.]

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The Saint Laurent Boy is a Girl

Model Saskia de Brauw rocked her own 'do & appeared refreshingly bare-faced for the YSL Men's campaign - Colleciton II - which will be available for fashionistos (& fashionistas) in January 2013.

- Lesley Scott

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The Perfect White Shirt: A Handy Guide (Infographic)

The well-appointed Fashionisto & any Fashionistas rocking a menswear vibe this season have something crucial in common: the need for a great white shirt. However, one white shirt won't do. Please. To stay on the right side of the Fashion Fence (the one where people applaud your panache rather than wonder how someone could possibly be so boring), this excellent Debenhams infographic explains which shirts go where to have you looking your dandiest whether you're at work (or interviewing for something better), dressing-to-impress at a wedding, or headed out on the town for Date Night:

- Lesley Scott

[Note: This was written & posted in partnership with Debenhams. The words are mine.]

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