Simon Spurr Leather Biker Jacket

I NEED THIS JACKET!

A Good Day

Considering the fact that it was a Tuesday, I'd say today was a pretty good day. Found out that the shoot I helped style and write for (see here) made it onto a few of today's leading online publications in the industry! Today was a good day. 

Check out the links after the jump.

The Best of the London Collections SS13

England is very much known as a fashion capital in the world, but what I love most about its fashion scene is its incredible support and cultivation of new talent. I often find that it's a place where we can truly find unique and innovative design as many emerging designers try to carve out their own place in the industry. Home to the prestigious Central St. Martins College of Art and Design and iconic designers like Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Christopher Bailey and more, British fashion has had a resounding impact on the industry and continues to do so every season. 

Hosting its first week dedicated solely to men's fashion (win for the boys!), I've rounded up my favourites from the jam packed week. Highlights would definitely be Jonathan Saunders and Xander Zhou, but take a look for yourself and let me know what you think!

Jonathan Saunders Spring 2013

Can we just discuss this look from Jonathan Saunders' Spring 2013 Men's collection?

My feelings for this stunning trench can be summed up in three simple words: NEED. NEED. NEED!

Take a look at the rest of the collection after the jump.

10 Tastemakers & What You Can Learn From Them

My buddy Luke wrote a great piece on menswear tastemakers, everyday men, that are consistently bringing their A-game when it comes to style. From editors to shop owners to designers, these guys set the bar on how a man should present himself to the world. 


"There’s no shame in taking style cues from your favourite actors and musicians. It happens. We get it. The more pressing issue is that most of these gentlemen don’t dress themselves, but rather pay stylists to make them look good. (Shocker!) These  top 10 Tastemakers not only have an impeccable sense of style (and dress themselves), but they each bring something different to the table that makes their individual looks unique."


Check out the article on SHARP magazine's website here.

The Search for Canada's Sharpest Man

ATTENTION: Unsung menswear heroes of Canada! After a very eventful first week, Sharp Magazine's search for "Canada's Sharpest Man" is now exclusively online! While in the first week entries were limited to our photo kiosks within the menswear department of select Hudson's Bay Company locations, we decided to open up the competition to the rest of Canada! It's a really exciting initiative that we decided to take on in order to recognize Canada's sartorial leaders and abolish the notion that the Great White North be a nation lacking in style.

The concept is simple: Go to our site and upload a picture or video of yourself in your most dapper attire and get people to VOTE. The contest runs until the end of the month, so you still have plenty of time to rack up those votes. At the end, the TOP 3 entrants with the most votes that submitted through each kiosk, as well as the TOP 3 who entered online, will proceed to the finals round where our judging panel, consisting of Jeremy Freed (Editor-in-Chief of Sharp Magazine), Suzanne Timmins (Fashion Director of The Hudson's Bay Company) and Shawn Hewson (Project Runway Canada Judge and Bustle Designer), will determine the winner.

Note: Don't be discouraged by the number of votes that others have obtained, as you will only be competing with those that enter online! And seeing as how online entries just started this week and go until the end of the month, you've got a great chance of getting into the finals!

PRIZE: A trip to Toronto for a $5000 designer wardrobe shopping spree and a photo shoot for Sharp Magazine's September Style issue! 

While a $5000 designer wardrobe sounds amazing, in my personal opinion, I think it's the photo shoot that makes this competition really unique and captivating. It's not every day that a guy is presented with the opportunity to be featured in the September issue (the Holy Bible of monthly issues in fashion circles) of a national print publication!


ENTER HERE if:

A: You've got style.
B: You know a guy that's got style.
C: Your man needs an upgrade.
D: You'd like to win a super awesome prize.

Handmade

Cute video on bespoke tailoring from Brioni and Wallpaper.

Tie Envy

Marcus Kan's gorgeous tie at Breeyn McCarney's VESSEL show.

Instagram: @MrLanceChung

Sneak Peek

A sneak peek into an upcoming @SharpMagazine story.

Instagram: @MrLanceChung

Spotted: Toronto Fashion Week

Day 3 at Toronto Fashion Week.

Source: The Hudson's Bay Company's B-Insider

Day 4 at Toronto Fashion Week

Source: Street Style Blog, Silhouetted Skyline

Day 2 of The ShOws. Seen with Fusion of Effects' Marcus Kan

Source: Fashion Magazine

Global Fashion Week Round Up

I gathered my favourite looks from the Fall runways of Paris, Milan, New York and Toronto and compiled them into a little gallery for Sharp Magazine, including practical style tips and analysis to help you wear them well. Take a look here. 

H&M for the Holidays!

Unlike the blasphemy that was the Versace designer collaboration, I am in love with H&M's Holiday collection! It speaks to all the joys and wonders that the holidays are known for: festivity, warmth, glamour and ritz! Browsing through their lookbook, I couldn't help but mentally plan my next excursion to the Swedish land of accessible fashion. I suppose all is forgiven for their little mishap before. Check out my favourite men's and women's looks after the jump!

SHARP's Style MANual

I was able to contribute to the style section of SHARP's F/W 2011 Book for Men! Throughout the section, we explored menswear essentials, fit, and seasonal trends! Check out my contributions after the jump!

Genette Salgado S/S '12

I realize i'm a little tardy to the party on this one, but any chance to highlight some great, local talent, and i'm on board! Genette Salgado is a designer of versatility, flare, and sophistication, key components that contribute to a formula for success. She recently showcased her latest collection, Not Fade Away, at Western Canada Fashion Week (which, by the way, is now the third largest fashion week in Canada), and did not disappoint!

Look Book: Colour-Blocked

I don't know what it is about this particular trend that I seem to have such a high affinity for, but I am all about the colours this season! It's not even really my style either, as I prefer to go with more subtle patterns and colours over the flashier variety. Perhaps it's the vibrancy and optimism that seem to come with this particular aesthetic that i've become so enamored with. Given certain events that have occurred in my personal life, a little colour is precisely what is needed in order to liven up a setting.

For those of you wanting to try this particular look, just remember, balance is key. Too little, and you're missing the whole point. Too much, and suddenly you've joined the circus. Tread carefully. Pick one statement colour (in this case, my mustard yellow pants), and build your outfit around it with colours that will complement and anchor it down. I like to keep things fairly simple, so any more accent colours on me, and i'll feel like a clown. Others, however, will incorporate a palette consisting of colours all across the board - and pull it off. It all depends on your style, and how well you can balance each element together!

Look after the jump for credits :) 

Ben Sherman

While I was in Toronto, I called into London to talk to Mark Maidment, Creative Director of Ben Sherman, to discuss the brand, Savile Row, and the company's debut in the Canadian marketplace, with the opening of their first stand-alone store along Queen Street in Toronto. He was a really laid-back and great man to interview, easily one of the most comfortable and casual interviews that I have ever conducted. You could tell that the he was very passionate about the brand that he heads, which is evident in the company's new direction and product offerings! Featured in the September issue of SHARP magazine, you can read a small preview inside the issue (out on stands now!), or read the interview in its entirety below! Enjoy :)

Original Gangsters

Featured in the September 2011 issue of SHARP Magazine is a piece called, "Original Gangsters". It basically highlights how the heritage/vintage look is now, and always has been, "in". While this particular aesthetic may be a current trend, dressing smart has always been a classic standard that men can rely on for a great look. To add fuel to effect, I interviewed John Dunn and Lisa Padovani, costume directors of the hit HBO series "Boardwalk Empire", to get their take on this great sartorial philosophy, since much of this aesthetic is displayed throughout the show. You can read the feature in the magazine, out on stands now, or the full interview below!

Indochino

I recently conducted an interview for SHARP Magazine with Kyle Vucko, co-founder of mass bespoke retailer, Indochino, to talk about the company's humble beginnings, positioning, and offerings. You can view the interview here, or read below! Unfortunately, due to the nature of the "Brands You Should Know" segment that we feature for the magazine, the interview had to be cut down significantly. But i've included the rest of it below :)

Milan Men's Fashion Week Pt.II

So

i've finally finished compiling some of my favourite looks from the Milan men's fashion week! For those quick to judge, keep in mind that I chose these looks for a variety of reasons. When looking at the outfits that are sent down the runway, one cannot just judge based on face value. You have to be able to see a look and have the ability to disassemble it, appreciating each piece for the contribution that it makes to the overall presentation of that outfit, or the contribution that it could make in another. You have to be able to imagine certain pieces in different settings. Perhaps in a beautifully stylized advertising campaign, perhaps in a whimsical street shot. Fashion and style are never singular formulas. That boldly printed D&G blazer may be a bit much for some, but it would look absolutely stunning in a magazine spread. Or perhaps that hot pink double-breasted blazer by Cavalli? Paired with a crisp, white button-up, some casual navy trousers, with the sleeves rolled up, and you've got a luxuriously casual look! These looks have been chosen for a multitude of reasons and are appreciated for their versatility! I encourage you to think outside of the box when looking at these pieces and try to imagine ways that they work instead of ways that they don't!

Milan Street Style

It's a busy time of the year for men's fashion, with design houses showing off their collections in the fashion capitals of the world. Today, we go to Milan with Tommy Ton to derive inspiration from the streets! Here are some of my favourites, from his shots!