Archive for the ‘High Fashion’ Category

Oscar Highlights 2012

 

Let’s just say the ladies looked spectacular last night and so did the gentlemen. This 2012 Oscar season was  what we would describe as the “Best Looking” event of the year and perhaps decade. Kudos to all the designers. The custom dresses and tuxedos were stunning, positively.

Movie Director Cufflinks

So some highlights, right? Well it seems like France is taking over L.A. with The Artist winning many awards last night, including Best Picture. Wow, the infamously good looking Jean Dujardin won the coveted Best Actor award and had some pretty steep competition–including Brad Pitt. His starring role in Hazanavicius’ silent movie The Artist, playing actor George Valentin, received widespread acclaim, but now he’s on the look book of American ladies everywhere.

Congratulations Jean on earning Best Actor. Since you’re the first French man to ever win an Academy Award for Best Actor, call us and we’ll send you these French Stamp Cufflinks

Jean Dujardin, Best Actor at the Oscars 2012

French Flag Cufflinks

And of course who could over look  Meryl? Her Best Actress speech made half the world cry, I’m sure, including the front row audience members. Stars were starry eyed when Meryl confessed that she probably won’t have this opportunity again, so she was going to relish in it. Some were upset Viola didn’t win it, but when you’re competing with Meryl…eh, things get tricky. Meryl went for an understated look, minimal make-up, and, to coin a word from last night, a breath taking gown.

Me

ryl Streep at 2012 Oscars

And Michelle Williams in that coral Louis Vuitton dress…mmm, spectacular. She definitely makes our Best Dressed List!

Michelle Williams, Oscars 2012

And Michele was nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe…

And can we just say that Billy Crystal needs to lay off the botox. His face is starting to resemble Joan Rivers. Way too much tanning, cheek implants, eye lift, botox in the forehead and chin…bad, bad, bad. Can’t you age gracefully Billy? We love your comedy but come on. You’ve never been a glamor model, so why try now at your age?

Billy Crystal, Oscars 2012

And Kermit the Frog? Well, I guess because of the new Muppet movie craze, but we’ve never quite understood the dynamic between Miss Piggy and Kermie…it’s just…odd.

One a different note, Tom Hanks never looked better. Sure, he’s aging, but the goatee thing he had going on with his salt and pepper hair, quite simply, worked. Congrats Mr. Hanks, you made our Best Dressed List.

Tom hanks presenting at the 2012 Oscars

And finally, thank heavens for Chris Rock. He was like a breath of fresh air when he came in! His comic relief came at the perfect moment, with great timing, great kickers, and made the whole Cufflinksman House laugh. Kudos to you Mr. Rock. You’ve come a long way from your HBO days..

Talking about animated films, he was saying how easy it is to be a performing–you show up, say a few lines, and get a million dollars. Mmm….must be nice.

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Downton Abbey Wears Cufflinks

 

In season one of the underground hit show, Downton Abbey, you may have come across the acute obsession to detail in clothing and appearance. To our delight, cufflinks played a large part in this Victorian obsession. When Matthew Crawley comes to Downton, he finds himself put-off by the amount of attention he receives from the household servants. He can’t fathom the need for a footman, someone to dress him “like a dog” everyday, and innocently appeals to dismiss their superfluous services.

Watch Downton Abbey, Season 2: Ep. 5 on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

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But after a seemingly cordial run-in with the head of the household, he grows to understand that everyone “needs to play his or her part” and it’s quite wrong to dismiss servants when they want to do their job. He questions Crawley, asking if when he takes over the Downton domain, will he dismiss the numerous staff members simply because of Crawley’s taste, or will he realize that they’re place in at Downton, they are an integral part of the household, and their living must not be taken lightly.

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It’s then, and only then, does Crawley open up to the idea of being waited on by servants. One of these tasks include PICKING OUT CUFFLINKS and PUTTING THEM ON. “I think these are too formal for the occasion. Can you pick another pair?” “Would you like the crescent ones, sir? I think they are much more suitable.” Such a wonderful moment captured in film…

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“The Downton Abbey estate stands a splendid example of confidence and mettle, its family enduring for generations and its staff a well-oiled machine of propriety. But change is afoot at Downton — change far surpassing the new electric lights and telephone. A crisis of inheritance threatens to displace the resident Crawley family, in spite of the best efforts of the noble and compassionate Earl, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville, Miss Austen Regrets); his American heiress wife, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern); his comically implacable, opinionated mother, Violet (Maggie Smith, David Copperfield); and his beautiful, eldest daughter, Mary, intent on charting her own course. Reluctantly, the family is forced to welcome its heir apparent, the self-made and proudly modern Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), himself none too happy about the new arrangements. As Matthew’s bristly relationship with Mary begins to crackle with electricity, hope for the future of Downton’s dynasty takes shape. But when petty jealousies and ambitions grow among the family and the staff, scheming and secrets — both delicious and dangerous — threaten to derail the scramble to preserve Downton Abbey. Created and written by Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), Downton Abbey offers a spot-on portrait of a vanishing way of life.”

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Watch Downton Abbey, Season 2: Ep. 5 on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

 

 

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The Work Bag: Fashion 2012

 

GQ.com recently featured a collection of must-have bags for fall 2012. But we’re thinking in terms of a more transitional fashion sense, like from winter to spring. Taking inspiration from GQ writer Matthew Sebra, we’re proud to feature the coolest, most functional bags this season (and next). The best part is, the all seem to be made impeccably, and many are classics, ensuring your purchase won’t be short lived.

Here are the Best Bags from New York Fashion Week:

Nothing is better than a beat-up, vintage inspired rucksack (nothing beside, let’s say, cufflinks of course…) This season we’ll be seeing a lot of canvas/wool blends mixed with leather accents. The great thing about this is it keeps the weight of the bag on the lower scale.

Richard Chai Fall Collection 2012

Simon Spurr Fall Collection 2012

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Fun, playful, and still latching onto Spring and Summer, these no-hassle, yet elegant, totes from John Bartlett are perfect for the seasonal transition. It came go to the office, as well as the beach, and we love the little details consisting of red and white stripes. Reminds us of our own fun accessory we like to call the Red Mint Cufflink…

Red Starlight Mint Cufflinks

John Bartlett Fall Collection 2012

As we reported in our earlier blog, entitled “Three Designers We Adore,” Joseph’s Abboud’s fall collection is stunning. He may even take the prize for NYC Fashion Week’s Best Runway show (in our book anyways). And as always, pair Abboud’s collection with anything from Aymara this fall season. The juxtaposition of light airy Butterfly Cufflinks and sturdy canvas bags will fit the aesthetic season.

Joseph Abboud Fall Collection 2012

Aymara Brown Sea Rectangle Butterfly Cufflinks

Michael Bastian Fall Collection 2012

Bastian’s collection also made our blog pages last fall, featuring orange James Dean inspired looks. Remember our “Fall Trend Report 2011: Numero Dos”? Now we couldn’t help feature his 70s meets French Decadence inspired bag for this year’s new Fall collection. And pair this decadent bag with these Chainsaw cufflinks:

Chainsaw Cufflinks

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Three Designers We Adore: NYC Fashion Week 2012

 

 

Todd Snyder

At first glance, one notices similarities in this line and Gilded Age for fall. But rest assured, they are very different. One thing to notice is the rolled up pants in several designers’ shows (we’ve also seen it in the last post about Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Armani). Todd Snyder’s line shows up yet another way to pair this “rolled up pant look” with an outdoorsy flair, albeit another layered one, with pops of unexpected color, like rustic orange, in between the browns, greys, and khaki colors.

Todd Snyder, Fall 2012

Vintage Orange Italian Silk Pocket Square

What we love: the working man’s boots, layered cardigans, rolled up fitted pants, fur lined coats, fingerless gloves (especially in olive green) coupled with a simple beret. All amount to one sexy, effortless look for fall.

Todd Snyder, Fall Fashion Week 2012

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Joseph Abboud

GQ Reports: “In his first fall collection for Joseph Abboud, newly-enlisted designer Bernardo Rojo goes in for the kill. First up, details, lots of them: flecked wool and houndstooth trousers, slick Glen plaid and flannel suits with wide lapels, luxe trucker and cruiser jackets, chunky turtlenecks and cable knits, and one well-groomed mohair suit jacket. These unlikely combinations mingled with equally curious colors, from pinkish brown to you-stay-classy burgundy to winter white. Blended together, it all became a two-pronged look: one part super-fly businessman, one part tree-chopping outdoorsman.”

Joseph Abboud, The Details for fall 2012

Joseph Abboud, Fall 2012 Fashion Week

Gilded Age

This upcoming fall season, Gilded Age (GA), it seems to be all about layering (well of course) and the mixing of textures. In this ultra modern, yet throw back to the 90s with a nod to sophistication, GA sends a rough, refined message to viewers (and wearers). We Love: the well-worn leather jackets, chunky sweaters, layered fabrics and textures, soft leather boots without adornments, and pops of unexpected color on hemlines.

Gilded Age, Fall Runway Show 2012

Caymanian Sea Turtle Hand Painted Coin Cufflinks

GQ Reports: “Racing stripes were subtly woven into scarves and sweaters and the subdued, dusty grays and blues used throughout ensured this season stay on the softer side of chopper culture.” So that’s the unexpected color pops we love?

Vintage Motorcycle Cufflinks

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Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday Gives Great Fashion

 

 

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way — in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”-Charles Dickens

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As we saw yesterday, great literary figures have a major influence on fashion, as well as their works. Dickens, with his classic Great Expectations, Christmas Carol, and Oliver Twist, has, after a long 200 year stretch, greatly affected our fashion sense.

“Please sir, I want some more.”

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Something you may not know about Dickens: “He was obsessive-compulsive. Looking in the mirror and combing his hair was an obsession of Dickens. He would do this hundreds of times each day as well as rearranging furniture in his home because if it wasn’t in the “correct” position, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate. He also made sure that his bed was always aligned north-south, he believed that this would improve his writing. He’d touch certain objects three times for luck and was so fixated on cleanliness that he would frequently clean other people’s homes too.” and “He practiced hypnotism Dickens was always interested in mesmerism and often practiced on his wife (a hypochondriac), his children and friends — to great results.” Or so says National Post’s Melody Lau.

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And let’s face it America: One of Britain’s greatest novelist ever would have probably not “made it” had he lived today. His commercial success came while he was still living, which is a huge success for any author. But with modern man’s lack of appreciation or funding of the arts (not to mention the excess of video games, internet, Nooks, McDonald’s chicken nuggets, the invention of the espresso machine…), there is hardly a place for unprecedented literary talent in today’s hustle bustle and financially motivated society.

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But then we always have fashion and thank the heavens for that. If we cannot fund all the great writers and authors out there, we can at least fund the fashion scene, which happens to be the most lucrative commercial artistic venue we’ve seen in centuries. Want to look like Oliver Twist? Try these green relaxed pants from Banana Republic and Rugged/Chic Silk scarf from Daniel Dolce:

Polo Ralph Lauren Straight Fit Pants $79.50

Gotta have something to put your books and soup bowls in too!

It’s not cheap to look shabby, is it?

Frye “Logan” Flap Briefcase  PRICE: $478.00

Sterling Sharpei Cufflinks

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