Style For Guys

THAT CARRARA LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:36:00 +0000

I'm still quite strongly in my 'all marble everything' phase that planted its seeds with SS09 Jil by Raf, peaked in that great AW12 KENZO collection and has now led me to my latest azzezzory: a new iPhone case, inspired by Izzy. The ever so kind Bram of Fotocover had this made for me, and I love it. Peeps be like: "Why is he using a rock to make phone calls"?

I have fooled them all.

JAY FOR A DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:22:00 +0000

2013 is quickly proving to be the year of The Great Gatsby. With the much anticipated cinematic reinterpretation by Baz Luhrmann coming out next month, fashion's all agog about the Art Déco Roaring Twenties style that defines the novel and weaves are being torn out due to the extreme amazingness of the film's soundtrack curated by Jay-Z. If you haven't read the book - you really should, it's quite thin and an excellent summer read - this is the plot in one sentence:

It's the summer of 1922 and this guy from the Midwest, Nick, moves to Long Island and his neighbour is the mysterious Mr Gatsby who throws massive parties but never attends them and there are other characters and then something happens to his mistress and it's all about the emptiness of the upper class and there's a green light and yay symbolism!

So when Eurostar invited me to pop down to Jermyn Street in London for a day in the life of Jay Gatsby, I was quite tickled to accept. Fashion field trip! Watch what happens when five bloggers (I was joined by Gilles, Jonas, Karen and Bram) get together for an outing across the Channel (spoiler alert: lots of staring through a lens / at a smartphone). Like Japanese tourists, only worse and at least the Japanese get to wear those cool beige fisher hats with the chin straps. Are you ready? Let's do this!

Early on a Saturday morning this tiny group of bloggers boarded the Eurostar Business Premier carriage to St. Pancras, acting precisely as a group businessmen would on a serious excursion: yapping excitedly, taking instagrams of everything and debating whether or not to embezzle the tiny jam pot that came with the lovely breakfast ("But it's so tiny! So bloody tiny!"). Karen and Bram fell asleep before we even got there. It was a very refined affair, if you must know.

Upon our arrival we took off to Jermyn Street, where our first stop would be the grand shirtmaker's house of Turnbull & Asser. Famed for their high quality shirts with a signature coloured body and prim white collars and cuffs; they were Gatsby's favourites. We chatted to Mr Steven Quinn, who personally holds the Royal Warrant for the brand, and he showed us around the plush store. Turnbull & Asser dressed the likes of Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Charlie Chaplin and more recently Daniel Craig in Casino Royale and even Marc Jacobs.

Mr Steven Quinn, who fondly remembers Robert Redford's visit to the store when they were fitting him for the classic 1974 version of The Great Gatsby: "He came into the store in a simple black t-shirt, I'll never forget that. You immediately knew he was a star, he just looked so cool."

Mia Farrow simply could not hold in 'all the feels' when Redford would throw his £200 Turnbull shirts at her. We fondled the fabrics some more but then it was time to head down to Favourbrook, for a look at their Gatsby suit selection!

Favourbrooks take on the quintessential Gatsby summer suit. It's all about the white linen, you guys. But only the smart tailored kind that doesn't make you look like a retired flower child on a patchouli-picking pilgrimage.

After all this sartorial jolliness, it was time for a delightful lunch at Franco's. They had created a custom Gatsby menu for little old us, with a special rose-infused Gatsby cocktail. Which was highly appropriate, for old Jay was all about the drink.

After a delectable lunch, we simply crossed the street to Bates, the hatter responsible for that archetypal Gatsby 'newsboy cap'. That cap was introduced in America by Irish immigrants and was Gatsby's way of connecting to his past. The newsboy caps he wore were rich in fabric, but working class in heritage. So we got our heads measured up, knit ties were purchased and Binks the taxidermy cat added just the right amount of unsettling Old World class every hatmaker should aim for. The staff was pleasantly accommodating and seemed to take genuine pride in their job, a fact I noticed in most of the Jermyn Street stores we would saunter into that day. The way the Bates salesmen addressed eachother ("If you could pass me a size 50 Panama, please, kind sir?") was really quite endearing.

Ah, not quite pulling that off now are we, Immi? No time to waste, on to the last stop! So we have our suit, our shirt and our hat. All we still need are...

Exactly. So we headed over to Foster & Son, founded in 1840 and London's oldest established shoemakers. Making bespoke shoes for any client with the time (and funds), these craftsmen- and women use the same age-old techniques they have since the 19th century. You literally stand on a piece of paper, they draw the outline of your feet and then they get to work. Again, it was fascinating to see young people show such dedication to an ancient skill. Reassuring, even.

As we left the store, a heavy rain started pouring down. Ah, London, you cold mistress. I love you.

FANTASTIC READS

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:06:00 +0000

I haven't had a week off since last September, so after a great internship I look forward to a few days of sweet nothing. That also involves catching up on my reading. I can't wait to get started in the "Fantastic Man: Buttoned-Up" paperback. It's part of Penguin Books' East London Line, and was given to me by my dear Boby. The book is part of a series that celebrates the 150th anniversary of the London underground and was edited and written by the venerable editors-in-chief of Fantastic Man Magazine: Gert Jonkers and Jop Van Bennekom. 'Buttoned-Up' explores the marvel of why East London boys button their shirts all the way up. I actually prefer a shirt that's done up to perfection, it allows for a sense of strict utilitarianism that I'm quite drawn to. Leaving one or two buttons undone can just give the impression of indecision, of taking a noncommittal stance towards dressing. The book also features outstanding writers such as Alexander Fury (whom I recently interviewed), Paul Flynn and Simon Reynolds with photography by Benjamin Alexander Huseby. And when I'm finished reading it, I've still got the new issue of my absolute favourite magazine, Fantastic Man, to dive into. Bliss.
So, what are you reading at the moment? I'd love to hear what else is good!

Buttoned-Up, Fantastic Man SS13 and The Gentlewoman SS13 lie atop eachother.

The cap by is by A Cut Above.

(Tip: use the word 'tube' and receive a 30% discount when purchasing the paperback.)

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:04:00 +0000

Today marks the fourth anniversary of Style For Guys! Now that's pretty remarkable, isn't it? When I first started this blog, I really didn't think much of it. Which explains the extreme banality of its name. I have often wished I would've just come up with something artsy like "The Style Solipsist" or anything that makes me sound remotely intelligent. I even had to add a bloody '4' in the url, for the internet is a total axewound and the full name was already taken. I was all set: not only did I appear unoriginal, I also had the spelling abilities of a 14 year-old TXTING PR!NCE$S. If only I had known, that sunny day in 2009, that this little domain name would take me as far as it has now, I might've stopped and said: "Nah, this title won't do, mate." Four years down the line, I have come to appreciate my silly name. It's a true testament to the naïve unpretentiousness that lies behind the roots of this blog. Also, I'm a daft little man and "STYLE4GUYS" won't let me forget that. I applaud you, reader, for sticking around all these years. I know I should post more often, but not treating this as something compulsory has actually kept it alive for so long. I do promise more content this year; perhaps I'll do one of those '1 post each day for a month' kind of thingies.

Or maybe I won't.

Un bisou.

Immi

THE PAST 5 WEEKS

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:43:00 +0000

Dear lonely reader (and my mum, hi mum!),

As you may have noticed, it's been a bit quiet over here. I've been living life in a whirlwind since we last spoke! I started my internship at KNOTORYUS in late January, and I've experienced so many amazing things already. I seriously get to do the best stuff. No, really, it's been f***ing insane! So I haven't been away, I just write all my experiences down on www.knotoryus.com (English) and www.uhier.com (Dutch)! So please follow me over there for the time being.

Here's a little catch-up of what I've been up to during this internship:

I interviewed the amazing Alexander Fury of LOVE Magazine and the talented designer Matthew Miller!! Absolute dream come true, this.

I got chummy with Dries Van Noten (STILL CRYING)!!!

I got to go to my very first London Fashion Week!

I saw Rihanna!

Cara Delevingne!

I talked to Derek Blasberg and Kate Lanphear!

Chatted to Brad Goreski! (BRAHD)!

I got to hang out with the inspiring guys behind Art Comes First for a bit!

I got to sit front row at the Vivienne Westwood RED Label Show! That was such an amazing privilege, I'll never forget that.

I met so many wonderful people in London. I'll never forget my first LFW, so I'm very grateful to have been granted the opportunity to attend during my internship. And last night I went to the "Flemish Emmy's" (sort of) with my stunning sister, Abigail, who had been long-listed for the Best Actress award. She wore a pretty yellow dress by Marc Philippe Coudeyre and I couldn't have been more proud to be her little brother!

So I've been keeping pretty busy and I'm loving every minute of it. It's not all glitz and Bolli Stoli, though, a fair amount of hard work went into all of this. But it was sure worth it! So worth it!

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:36:00 +0000

baseball jacket courtesy of WE

leather-panelled jumper / ZARA

graphic tee, cap and jeans / H&M

boots / COS

contrast sleeve top / DRIES VAN NOTEN

PHOTOGRAPHY: JANNE DEGRYSE DA QWEN & ME

MY IMAGINARY MILAN FASHION WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:29:00 +0000

I just looked around and only saw coursebooks, markers and the reflection of my tear-stained face in the window. Guess what? I'm not in Milan for Fashion Week! I've never been and maybe I never will get invited to any shows. But what if I were there right now?

*Dream waves and wind chimes*

"OMFGZ u guise, I'm about to board the plane to Milan 4 Fashun Week", Immi tweeted as he adjusted the velcro straps on his Raf Simons ruched floral trainers.

"This is going to be bloody brilliant", the young blogger grinned as he sat down in his seat and pulled the show invites out of his Phillip Lim 31 hour bag.

"I can't believe I got invites to all the shows! That is so realistic and close to the truth!"

The young man pulled out a Smythson notebook and started jotting down outfit ideas for every occasion at Fashion Week, as he listened to a spot of PEACE.

"Taxi! Take me to the Principe di Savoia hotel, per favore!"

After unpacking and unwrapping the presents various designers sent to his room, Immi exited the hotel for his first show of the day: Jil Sander at Via Beltrami.

"I hope she doesn't mind I'm wearing Raf shoes", he frowned as he put on his Sunday Somewhere shades to shield his eyes from the street style photographers' flashes.

"Click click flash flash Immi look to the left darling!", was all he could hear as he jumped into the black SUV that would drive him around for fashion week.

In the car he ironed some small creases out of his Jil Sander SS13 trousers and shirt.

As the car pulled up in front of the venue, his phone rang. "Jil? Yes sweetie, Ich bin hier, sweetie! Yes, I'm offning the door as we speak, darling! Yes I see an open concrete Raum! Good luck, Liebling!" He sat down next to the amazing Ms. Katie Grand from LOVE, and after a quick chat the lights dimmed. He unbuttoned his leather panelled JUUN J coat and smiled with anticipation.

After the lovely show, Immi went backstage to have a quick chat with his good friend Adrien Sahores. "Immi, mon p'tit chou, we need to 'ave ze lunch asap ok?"

Finally Jil appeared and embraced Immi as he cried "Schatz, what a show! I want everything! Everyone loved it: Harper's, Tatler, English Vogue, American Vogue, French Vogue, bloody Aby-bloody-ssinian bloody Vogue, darling. Jeff Banks and Selina Scott couldn't even get a ticket, darling!"

Jil smiled wisely as she replied "Glad you liked it, Schätzchen, I'll have all the looks sent to you when they're ready for Produktion."

Immi smiled gratefully and with a final "Auf Wiedersehen" he left the venue and signalled for the car to come over. On to the next show!

Jil Sander show photos: Raf Crymons

LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:45:00 +0000

Lo! It's LC:M again! From January 7th till the 9th my favourite London designers will be showcasing their AW13-14 collections, and I for one am beyond agog! For the third time you will be able to follow all the London jolliness on this blog! Please find the schedule after the jump. Some shows will be livestreamed, other ones will be recapped on the video player. We kick off with the lovely Lou Dalton at 10 AM. Remember that amazing grey and beige textured jumper she put out for SS13? Can't wait! Enjoy!

JANUARY

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:29:00 +0000

The last few months have been brimming with mind-numbing amounts of schoolwork. I found myself squinting at my laptop screen at night, trying to blog, but screaming internally because I was staring at a blinking cursor again. And now the exams start, the cherry on what has been the most diabolical semester of my academic 'career'. I truly do apologise for the lack of posting in 2012, but I just can't bring myself to write when I've done nothing worth mentioning. I've had to say no to almost every fashion event to be able to go to lectures and the couture wasn't exactly flying at me going up and down the road to school. But I promise I'll make more of an effort to blog this year, even if it means writing more brief personal updates. In the meanwhile I will refer what's left of my readership to my Instagram page, where you'll find more frequent fashionable and visual snacks. It's not the same as a real blogpost, but it might fill the gap for now. Thank you for sticking with me.
Ever yours,
Immi

p.s.: Thoughts on the new logo? I couldn't bear looking at another moustache, I'm afraid.

AULD LANG STYLE

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The end of year is nigh so let's all heave a collective sigh

We've struggled through another year, one of laughter and the occasional single tear

All of us are ready for something new, but with a splash of the old too

2013 also means graduation, my future uncertain I'm filled with agitation

I may rise or I may fall, but I know I couldn't have made it through this year without you all

So let's end the year with a smile, drunk out of this world but always in great style

suit / ACNE

shirt / SILENT by DAMIR DOMA

grosgrain bow tie / ACNE

clutch / COMME DES GARÇONS

shoes / GUCCI

fragrance / BYREDO

Fireworks image source: Tumblr

SWEATER WEATHER IS BETTER WEATHER

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:45:00 +0000

As the gilded hipster saying goes on Tumblr: "Sweater weather is better weather". And it so happens I've got two sweaters I'm courting this autumn. One's a grey and purple stripey mohair beauty courtesy of ESSENTIEL and the other one a saffron cable knit from New Look! I perched myself upon a weathered gazebo, as one does, and wandered around the pilars of the Museum of Fine Arts. Ghent is so lovely this time of year.

Photos by Prince Boby and me
Thanks Michaël for the awesome track

SON OF MOVEMBER

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Ladies and gents, it's Movember. Perhaps you know what this is, perhaps you don't or perhaps you're already tired of hearing about it but I really want to draw attention to this cause for a second. Basically, Movember is a worldwide charity initiative during which participating men (the so-called 'mo bros') grow a moustache. Just a moustache, everything else needs to be shaved off. Women (aka 'mo sistas') of course play a massive role in this as well, by supporting and challenging the men in their lives to take the plunge and grow a mo. Why? To raise awareness for prostate cancer. It's crucial for adult men to be able to talk about prostate cancer and get annual check-ups. Every six hours a man dies of prostate cancer in Belgium alone, making it the most common of cancers for Belgian males. Movember strives to literally put this problem in people's faces, so every man can be informed.

Now, you may wonder, why am I participating in all of this? Because it's cool? Because I'm just a good person? I'd like to believe that's true, but there's more to it.

In 1994 my grandfather passed away. He had prostate cancer. At four years old, I didn't fully realise the gravity of the situation but I'll never forget that look of sorrow on my father's face. I can still see my sisters and I trying to console him as we wrapped our arms around his waist in the kitchen.
About a month ago my father was also diagnosed with prostate cancer. Though small and detected at an early stage, it's cancer nonetheless. He now has to undergo radiation therapy for almost 70 days. My dad was brave enough to get checked regularly and that will make the difference for him to conquer this disease, which I fully believe he will.

I hope you understand now why this cause means so much to me and my dad (who fully supports me in writing this, obviously). Growing that moustache makes me feel a little less powerless.
So, please: tell your father, uncle, grandfather, brother or friend about Movember. Who knows, you might just give them their life back.

If you want to donate a little something to our cause, you can go over to my Mospace: http://be.movember.com/mospace/3143365 or that of our awesome team, Journalismo: https://www.movember.com/be/donate/payment/team_id/617289/. Thanks for reading and power to the mo!

Love,

Immi

Photos of me at the Wasbar shave-off by the phenomenal Mr Mous Lamrabat.
Instagram by Prince Boby.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FAB KIND

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:44:00 +0000

With the start of the new school year and my head halfway in Sardinia, I'd almost forgotten to tell you guys about how I got to meet the inimitably chic Mr Roland Mouret! Chiefly known for his figure-hugging Galaxy it-dress and his projects with Victoria Beckham, the French designer is now in charge of continuing Robert Clergerie's shoe empire legacy. I was kindly invited by Delvaux, the original luxury Belgian leatherware maison, to wallow in the beauty that Mr Mouret has produced. The shoes are all for sale at Delvaux. Whether you choose to impart this wisdom onto your girlfriend, is up to you. Especially if you're paying. It was a wonderful evening, Mr Mouret was ever so kind (and handsome, let's not fib). He was constantly being swarmed by glamazons, but I managed to steal him away for a second (after hovering around him for 45 minutes). It wasn't easy, but I got the money shot!

CHASING DOLPHINS IN DAVIDELFIN

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:57:00 +0000

It's been a week since my return from Sardinia and I must say I already miss it dearly. I got the chance to thoroughly relax, vacate my mind, read a spot of Sedaris on the beach (there seriously is nothing better) and get a tan (YES, I CAN STILL TAN OKAY). Excited as I was for all of that, I secretly couldn't wait to shoot my precious Davidelfin shorts. My sweetheart gave them to me this summer and they're just perfection: vibrant colours, the cutest zippers I just want to put in a onesie and sing throaty lullabies to and the most comfortable jersey fabric. I've been wanting to shoot them for so long, but I knew waiting for my holiday in Cagliari would do them a tad more justice than posing in front of the toolshed at home. We went sailing, as you can see on the pictures, and I was so glad I brought a plastic bag with me to protect the shorts from the seawater (SALT STAINS ZOMG) because we got soaked shortly after the pictures were taken. I'm not kidding: the insane September wind made the sailboat fly through the feral ocean lopsidedly, with me screaming and clutching on the mast and dear life! It was all worth it though because through my squinted, wet eyes and raped hairdo I was able to make out four wild dolphins soaring above the glistening surface. It was pretty goddamn magical, knowing that Davidelfin is obsessed with them ('delfin' = Spanish for dolphin). I hope you enjoy the photos, I kind of totally almost drowned to get them!

SHORTS / DAVIDELFIN

TEE / H&M TREND

SUNGLASSES / DUNHILL

NECKLACE / MARC JACOBS

WATCH / SWATCH

SHOES / PEPE JEANS

TOTE / D.I.Y.

Phot. by Prince Barri & me

OUT OF BEDROOM

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:11:00 +0000

I'm leaving for the beautiful island of Sardinia for a week, so I'll be out of office (my bedroom) for a bit! Not to worry, I'll - hopefully - come back with an outfit post I've been aching to shoot (does any fashion blogger go on holiday for any other reason than the fab backdrops?).

Ciao tutti!

MIELE CATWALK '12 BACKSTAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:29:00 +0000

There are only certain moments in fashion when you get a glimpse of the size of the machine you're actually dealing with. The second you step foot backstage at a fashion show, you're in awe. The frisson is tangible: there's tension, excitement, nervousness, elation (and a lot of steam) in the air. Models in their skivvies are teetering around on alpine heels, stylists and designers are frantically pinning and fumbling with hems and cuffs and pr execs are giving curt orders in earpieces and clutching on to clipboards. Amazing.

I went backstage at Miele Catwalk last night, which is one of the biggest fashion shows in Belgium. This year's theme combined food and fashion, so we had top Belgian chefs preparing hors d'oeuvres and even walking the runway for the different fashion lines that were taking part. I spent most of my time with Essentiel's founder Inge Onsea and head womenswear designer Tom. A truly amazing duo, such great senses of humour combined with an infallible sense of style and colour, one of Essentiel's main selling points. I trailed behind Bruno Van Gils, founder of Café Costume, a brand that prides itself on excellent men's tailoring for a reasonable fee. I also chatted with the vibrant Cléo and Sarah of Black Balloon, an up and coming brand with lots of promise and that real Gantoise free vibe. All of this together with my good friend, the talented Alessia of The Red Dot! But enough talk, let me take you backstage!

Washing machines - by Miele, obv - customised by the designers.

Black Balloon try-out, with musical assistance by the great boys of Willow!

Dangerous fashions by Joanne Vanden Avenne!

Essentiel's Tom and Inge inspecting the try-outs

The master chefs practise their sassiest struts (l.t.r. Wout Bru, Yves Mattagne, Viki Geunes & Wim Ballieu)

Backstage at hair and make-up.

Time for the Essentiel fitting! I'm sure most of you won't mind the abundance of male splendour..

Meanwhile at the Café Costume corner:

Well-known Ghent dj Thang was one of the models, the shoes were by Church's.

Legendary Belgian male model and Prada AW12 runway star Michel De Windt was walking for Café Costume, what a moment! Founder Bruno makes some last-minute adjustments, he also streetcasted all the models himself and some are his friends. My favourite suit was the speckled harris tweed one, by the way.

Here's the talented designer Tim Van Steenbergen browsing the racks (I'm a total paparazzo)

The show was about to start, but not yet. So what do the models have to do? Wait!

Here's a picture of my three sweethearts: Tiany, Marie and Alessia!

And finally a picture of Essentiel's Tom and me, he really is such fun!

I hope you guys enjoyed this pretty exclusive view behind the scenes, I sure had such a thrilling evening. Thanks for having me!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:22:00 +0000

The summer isn't over yet, and it's about to get even better! Before you head back to school you should try to clutch on to these days of freedom (unless you're in secondary school, then you're already ****ed). And what better way to end the holidays with a bang? I'm giving away not one, not five but TWO pairs of Vans! Every guy should have a pair of Vans, I'm pretty sure that's like in the rules of hominism or something.

The first pair are these laid-black stripey slip-ons, totes amaze:

And the second are these amazing pink classics (only 4 real men):

Now how can you win these puppies?

1) Follow me on Facebook/Twitter/Bloglovin'
2) Send me an e-mail (styleforguys@outlook.com) with the answer to these questions:

- In what year was Vans founded?

- Would you wear the pink ones and why? (convince me)

3) Include your name and address in the e-mail.

4) The contest ends on September 12th, at 2PM!

Good luck, troopers!

(Contest for Belgian residents only, the shoes are a size 43)

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:00:00 +0000

I have a confession to make: I've never ever owned a pair of Levi's.. *thunderclaps and ominous organ music*. As a result, I was quite excited when Levi's invited me to come check out their fully equipped Kammenstraat store in Antwerp last week! The nifty thing about this store is that it carries every single Levi's subdivision. The lady bloggers got fondled and measured and tried on the famous Curve Id's, while I got to pick my own Best of Levi's . I went for a slightly more baggy fit - summer of streetwise Immi, remember? - and was told these would last me for fifteen years! Incredible, huh? Fashion school alumnus and delectably funny Nathalie of the Merrymakers inspected the inner seams and told me my pair was well made, so I feel quite reassured. I'll get back to you on the state of them in fifteen years, deal?

*DAT ASS*

Pics by my homegurl Annebeth

ALEXANDER McQUEEN AW12

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:45:00 +0000

This literally just in: the Alexander McQueen AW12 collection video, directed by Marlon Rueberg and starring some of my favourite models like Henry Pedro-Wright and Ysham Avdulahi. You like? I know I do: if you squint your eyes very hard and look directly into the sun and then back at the video, it's almost as if it's me working the clothes! Almost...

Take a closer look at the amazing collection - inspired by Victorian Britain - in all its raven feather printed and dégradé beauty:

CREAM OF THE CROP

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:16:00 +0000

There's a very strong bond between a boy and his cap. That bond is established somewhere around the age of seven, when he wins his first junior league game of baseball or whatnot. Triumphantly he sends his lucky cap flying as he scores the winning point! His teammates lift him up on their shoulders and chant his name..

*NEEDLE SCRATCHES RECORD*

I wasn't that type of child, I was outdoorsy in that I occasionally ventured into the garden to carefully bury future archeological relics or take artsy analogue pictures of the neighbour's horse. But as I've explained earlier, I'm going through somewhat of a second puberty nowadays. And the time has come that I establish that special bond with a gorgeous ecru snapback with emerald embroidery by Kenzo. I've been lusting over this one so badly and you can imagine my glee when my big sister got it for me. I was a little worried it wouldn't fit over my bouncy 'fro, but I needn't have worried (I just can't take it off in public, maje helmet hair). So as dusk settled my sister and I explored the old salt factory, the neighbouring fields and what must be the only graffiti in our pristine village.
The sun's last efforts complimented my cream colour scheme quite nicely, wouldn't you say?

Logo snapback cap: KENZO x NEW ERA

Panelled sweatshirt: RIVER ISLAND

Skull pendant: MARC JACOBS

Worn trainers: CONVERSE

Cream trousers: ACNE

Watch: SWATCH

Phot. by Foxie and me

IVY & BRICK

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:25:00 +0000

For the second year in a row, I'll be a Matinique ambassador! We kick off the renewed collaboration with this snazzy suit, called the 'Barret'! In a colour named 'shadow', this light summer suit is perfect for a fancy garden party or an al fresco wedding. Don't forget to bring your teddy bear!

Phot. by Prince Barri (and me)

STYLE FOR GUYS MIXTAPE #1

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:07:00 +0000

There are some days when I wonder what life would be like without music. Those days are not the brightest, I must admit. I'm not exaggerating here: every second that I am alone or on the move, I'm listening to music. And when society inconveniences me with its constant interactions (LOLZ I'm such a misanthropist), I'm still singing or repeatedly muttering the lyrics of my current musical obsession like a mantra. Those who have been following me for a bit have noticed I mostly paste a music video at the end of my posts, just because I feel fashion is even better when topped off with a spot of good music. Or bad music. So to celebrate the gift of song (!), I've partnered up with Spotify and made the very first Style For Guys Mixtape! Maybe you'll be amazed at how random/awful my taste in music is, but perhaps you'll discover some gems as well. Enjoy, share and sing along. Loud!

You like?

THE REMANCIPATION OF IMMI

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 01:41:00 +0000

We're only halfway through this year but 2012 has already unwittingly seen a radical change in my personal style. Premeditating what my new look needs to be like never works out. When I consciously decide I want to be minimal chic like a Scandinavian table in an empty white room, I end up wearing a paisley scarf, coral trousers and a stripey jumper. Ordering yourself to look a certain way is not the way to go, apparently. But imagine my surprise when I look in the mirror this week and see myself wearing a varsity jack, a white tee, baggy denim and ACTUAL RUNNING SHOEZ. I wasn't going running, you guys. I've gone from being little mister dandy prep - wearing bow ties, dinner jackets and front-pleat trousers to the supermarket - to looking like a high school jock. I've also bought a bad-ass leather motorcycle jacket and got my ear pierced this year. What's next? A red sports car (or mountainbike, more likely)? Clearly I've been going through a quarter-life crisis, but I now embrace this new-found love for the casual fashions. I guess this summer I'll be Streetwise Immi, and it so happens I've found the perfect clothes to tide me over till the next existential turnaround.

Firstly, a giant shout-out to KENZO. I've become extremely engrossed by the aesthetic Carol and Humberto have established for the brand. And how sick are their collaborations with New Era (totally shaving off my hair so I can actually put one of their caps on my head) or Vans?

Kenzobsessed.

I'm also after this great colour-blocked, laid-back jersey ensemble by H&M Trend Collection. I first saw this on Mike of Cup of Couple and have been wanting it ever since:

And what about this ASOS parrot backpack? I mean.

Nike (obv)

Olympic chic in APC !

SUPER shadez

What about you, have you seen a change in your style recently? Let me know in the comment box!

BEAUTY AND THE BEACH

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Just a little post in between holiday job shifts! Cruel folk, those weather gods. If it's not pouring with rain, it's drizzling over here. Looking cute in monsoon season has proven to be more challenging than anticipated, so I needed to up the ante on the 'beauty' front. 'Beauty' is the monstrous word used to describe all matters cosmetic in the blogging world, for those who didn't know. Two little tubes have recently brought a little light to my summer days, with their unyieldingly zesty scent and flavour. When I offer my L'Occitane 'gloss fraîcheur verveine sorbet' to unsuspecting friends, they cry out: "Omigad that lipgloss is well fetch, lemon yum yum". I subsequently treat them to a scowl and snatch the tube out of their hands, screeching that 'it's not really a lipgloss cuz I'm a man and that's not lemon, you cow, that's verbena!'. The same story goes for my cooling hand cream gel. So addictive, for realz.

On another note: I've been taunting myself by laying out my beach bag and looking at tumblr gifs of hipsters in the sand. I really need a holiday! These floral H&M swimming trunks I got on sale, the bag is by Veritas and customised by me and the magazine is the hilarious 10Men.

Where are you guys going to escape from the toils of first world life?

FLORIOGRAPHY

noreply@blogger.com (Immanuel A) — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 14:51:00 +0000

You know what's crazy? Flowers, man. Green and bendy stems, adorned with leaves and sometimes thorns, that have an array of colours and scents for a crown. You know what's crazier? These little gems are strewn, randomly by the Lord Jesús, wherever there's a patch of soil. Dirt! Even zanier is the fact that some people's job is to beautifully arrange these dirt-grown creatures and sell them for a fierce buck. Only to have them die a week later atop someone's living room table, caged in a vase. Every flower has a meaning, forming an intricate language allowing our Victorian forefathers to communicate when they were not at liberty to speak out loud. Cray. It saddens me that boys never seem to receive flowers, because I for one love them dearly, especially peonies. But what I love even more is a good floral print. It's not easy for men to pull off without looking like a complete fop. I love how Italian brand MSGM (I first wrote about them 2 years ago, still obsessed) has managed to make florals cool and street. Aren't you in love?