The Item: Mens Accessories Spring 2012

Left to Right, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander 

It is currently Men's fashion week over in Europe, which means a lot of new goodies in terms of accessories! We went through the shows and picked some of our favorite accessories collections, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Jil Sander.  After the jump we included a slide show of each collection and a background to enlighten you.

The Product: Bumble and Bumble

It is incredibly difficult to find a hair product line that has a variety of items that suit all hair types, but actually work effectively.  At A+P Daily, we know for a fact that we (and every other hair product enthusiast) thanks God for giving us Bumble and Bumble - a well-established hair salon and product line.  This New York based salon has become a fashion show, red-carpet, and photoshoot-ready hair product staple in the entertainment industry.  It has been around for roughly 34 years continually expanding its empire, and in 2011, it clearly has no intention of slowing down.  After opening in 1977 by founder Michael  Gordon, Bumble and Bumble has created iconic products (Brilliantine, Surf Spray, for example), opened a University (The Bb.U), and ultimately nicknamed itself: The House of Bumble.  Bumble and Bumble is currently operating two main salons situated in Manhattan - one Uptown and the other Downtown (in The House of Bumble) - and a Styling Bar in the 59th Street Bloomingdales.  The two different salons each have their own vibe - as they should - since they are in two very distinctive parts of Manhattan.  Having visited both salons and experiencing a cut in the Downtown salon, it is safe to say that a Bumble and Bumble experience is none like any other.  Each stylist is trained in both technique and knowledge, but brings an element of personality to each client.  Since we're being perfectly honest, the cut at Bumble and Bumble was the best haircut ever experienced and the more than satisfying result lasted for approximately three months (ages in haircut terms).  The products created at Bumble and Bumble each embody a distinct purpose - whether it is for shine, texture, cleanliness, hydration, etc... they work like a charm.  We personally worship Bumble and Bumble hair products, so much so, that to say we can't live without them would be an understatement.  Check out our favorites under the cut.

The Style: Summer Work Wear

 Milou Van Groesen by Richard Bush, for i-D Magazine Summer 2011, courtesy of TFS

The temperature has been rising slowly but surely in the last few weeks, signalling the long-awaited arrival of summer! This can be a difficult season to dress for professional environments, as your typical suits are probably not very temperature appropriate. Therefore, we asked our favourite image consultant, Erin Miller (click here for her website) to give us some tips on how to jazz up your wardrobe.

The Collaboration: Prabal Gurung & J.Crew

As this years sponsor for th CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, J.Crew collaborated on a capsule collection with the three prize winners, Billy Reid for menswear, Prabal Gurung for womenswear, and Eddie Bargo for accessories. Prabal Gurung's collection is now up for sale both online and in select stores. Our favourite piece is the off white denim blazer with the large bow on the lapel, incredibly chic. A list of the items and prices are under the cut.

The Trend: Neon

from left to right, Cacharal, Rachel Roy, Hair at Altuzarra, Christopher Kane, Jil Sander, Versace, Prada, Prabal Gurung, Jonathan Saunders, Jil Sander, Loewe, Burberry Cluth, Aquilano.Rimondi, Giambasttista Valli (all images, style.com)

We're halfway through Spring and slowly transitioning into Summer, but do our fashion choices need to change?  Perhaps, but one thing that can remain the same is our color choices.  This Spring/Summer season has been all about bold color choices, especially the most eye-catching: Neon.  After the cut we explore our favorite choices and tips.

The Collaboration: Missoni for Target (updated)

Missoni for Target is coming to a Target store near you (or online) on September 13!  The press release is as follows:


Target® Announces Missoni® Fashion and Home Collection MINNEAPOLIS (May 2011) - Target® (NYSE:TGT) is partnering with Italian luxury brand Missoni to introduce an affordable, limited-edition collection for fashion and home. Missoni for Target features apparel and accessories for women, men, girls and baby, as well as home goods including bedding, dinnerware, stationery and décor items. Ranging in price from $2.99 to $599.99, with most items less than $40, Missoni for Target will be available Sept. 13 through Oct. 22, 2011 at all Target stores and Target.com. "Our collection for Target embodies Missoni's values of family, color and quality," said creative director Angela Missoni. "It has been a fantastic experience translating our aesthetic into an affordable line, one we are eager to share with families across the United States." "The Missoni family has established one of the world's most creative brands, and together we've created a collection that will have guests lining up outside their local Target in anticipation," said Kathee Tesija, executive vice president of merchandising, Target. "Our collection with Missoni offers more than 400 compelling products for every aspect of guests' busy lives, all at incredible prices, and provides Target with a unique point of differentiation for the fall season."

Additional information, images and product for the Missoni for Target collection will be available for Sept. and Oct. 2011 issues.

Source: Racked.com

Preview Image behind the cut

The Trend: Varsity Team

From left to right, Alexander Wang, Givenchy, Viktor & Rolf, Tommy Hilfiger, Rag & Bone, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga (all photos style.com)

Wearing a Varsity jacket may make us feel like having a kegger and watching some Sunday night football, but Alexander Wang has been sporting one around town for a few years, which automatically makes it cool. These jackets are now making its way into the hearts of a few other designer seeing as we saw it all over the Men's runways in January. Designers showed tons of variations in terms of fabric combinations, colors and proportions, but they are casual enough to go with most of your wardrobe. Our advice, buy one now this Spring by being ahead of the pack and when Fall rolls around you will still be on trend.  Click through for some of our favorites!

The Trend: Sunglasses

The weather is warming up and finally the sun has begun to come out from its long arduous hibernation.  This only means one thing: break out your sunglasses!  It doesn't matter what shape they may be, whether they're oversized, cat-eyed, square, round, etc...you get the idea.  Just make sure you look good in them - that's all that matters.  Behind the cut you'll find some of A+P Daily's favorites that are ready to go for the sunny Spring weather.

The Trend: Midnight Train

from left to right, Pedro Lourenço, Stella McCartney, Thakoon, Balenciaga, Acne, Thierry Mugler, Yves Saint Laurent, Gareth Pugh, Derek Lam, Versace, Oscar De La Renta, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs
(all photos Style.com)

There is no doubt that the color of the season is blue, we saw it literally everywhere, with textures ranging from rubber at Marc Jacobs, to suede and Versace, to leather at Acne, pleated chiffon at Stella McCartney, and angora at Pedro Lourenço - there are tonnes of options come Fall for how you want to wear it. The standout, Gareth Pugh's first foray into color with an electric blue mini dress with wings - amazing!

The Item: Celine Bags FW11/12

Ever since Phoebe Philo joined Celine back in 2008, the Celine line of bags has dominated the "It" status, with the Classic Box, the Luggage, and the Envelope Clutch. For next fall, Phoebe showed the structured bags that she does best. Distilled to the pure essence of Celine, there will be no doubt that these bags will be on everyone's arms come September. Our favorite, the zippered portfolio clutch, is perfect for the iPad 2 due to come out very soon. For the entire collection, head over to Style.com for the clothes, and the shoes.

The Last Ever Dior Collection by John Galliano

John Galliano's last collection for Christian Dior premiered during Paris Fashion Week March 4, 2011.  Below, we have included select images of the collection. To view the full collection, Style.com has the entire collection up for your viewing pleasure. 

Images courtesy of Racked.com.

Who will Replace Galliano?

As you have probably heard by now, the House of Dior's famed head designer, John Galliano experienced a dramatic fall from grace this past week.   Dior fired him as of Tuesday, and it has been as scandalous as ever.  Everyone has already got an opinion on the matter and we feel like it is more fashionable to not talk about it at this point. However, the House of Dior is one of the biggest brands in the worlds, what is going to happen? Who will replace Galliano? Will it still be ferosh?  How does this impact Dior's upcoming March 4th fashion show during Paris Fashion Week?  LVMH owns a majority stake in Dior, and Bernard Arnault has said that Dior is his favourite label, so chances are that he is going to tap one of the LVMH designers to be the head. But an outsider could just as well be chosen, which would definitely be more exciting. Venture behind the cut as we have summed up what we thought.

Oscar Fashion

Last night was the biggest night in Hollywood, but also one of the greatest nights for fashion.  The 83rd Annual Academy Awards hosted thousands of attendees at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, where some of the brightest stars came out dressed by many heavy hitters in fashion, but also some unknowns.  There are always some celebrities who "get it right" on the red carpet, and some who unfortunately don't.  To see who thrived and who didn't (of course, on A+P Daily's watch), click after the jump.

Editorial: Amanda Seyfried Interview Magazine

Amanda Seyfried has made a mark on Hollywood by captivating directors, fellow actors, and the public with her natural beauty and raw talent.  In Interview's March 2011 issue, she is interviewed by fellow actor and musician, Justin Timberlake.  At A+P Daily, we normally feature models in our posts; however this spread with Amanda Seyfried is reminiscent of some of Sasha Pivovarova's work and needed to be shared.

To see the full spread, click "Read More".

Prada loves Asia, or does Asia love Prada?

Gisele For Vogue China Feb' 2011, photo courtesy of Vogue China 

A rumor that Prada wants to go public has been lingering for a few years now, and the method in which Prada intends to do so, is the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It appears as if Prada has found its niche in the Asia market. Things started with the Prada Transformer in Seoul a few years back - an installation art structure set in the middle of the emerging metropolis. In addition to its continual expansion in Asia, Prada announced this week that it will open two design offices: one in Paris and the other being in Hong Kong. These labs will be functioning by the end of the year, and will also be the first design and research labs outside its Italian headquarters.

Prada will also be following in the footsteps of Fendi, Chanel, Dior, and most recently Philip Lim by staging a show in Beijing this Saturday, January 22, 2011. The collection shown will be the same Spring 2011 collection first premiered in Milan previously in September, but will include some new pieces specifically designed for this occasion. 

Prada's interest in Asia should not come as a surprise especially since China accounts for most of the growth that the luxury sector has experienced in the last few years.

NOT SO FAST! Uniqlo Profit Slips, new +J Collection

photo courtesy of Uniqlo

Japanese company Fast Retailing, operator of Uniqlo (whom by the way, the A+P team loves and stocks up whenever in Asia or New York), reported a 9.6% fall in Q1 earnings compared with the same period last year. This was due to fierce competition from stores like Zara and H&M, as well as the prices of cotton and synthetic fibres soaring to all time highs in December.  To combat the increasing competition and commodity prices, the company plans to restructure, reduce costs and focus on simplicity in their designs and the core market of Japan (currently accounting for 80% of sales). We at A+P Daily, are amateur retail consultants, and applaud Uniqlo’s decision to return to basics!  We want to purchase quality basics at affordable prices and prefer not to buy outrageously expensive tops that have cheap fabric and intentional rips and holes (ahem, half  cotton knit cobweb sweaters by Rodarte, we're looking at you).

In other news, +J (Jil Sander for Uniqlo) has a new collection hitting stores on Wednesday, January 26, 2011.  Standout pieces include a Men's Cotton Military Khaki Parka (which can easily be unisex) and cashmere knit sweaters.  Prices start as low as $19.90 and can reach up to as high as $229.90 for both Men and Women.  If a bargain is more kind of your "thing", word on the street (as per Racked NY) is saying that the older collection from Jil Sander is currentlly on sale at the Soho Uniqlo Store in New York. 

AP Education: Androgyny is SO IN!

Love Magazine’s new cover features one of the most provocative images in recent times, featuring transgender model Lea T. and a masculine looking Kate Moss in a controversial lip lock.Love Magazine's Editor in Chief, Katie Grand has apparently become new best friends with Lea T. after the two met each other at a pool party all because Lea T. was wearing Givenchy Couture.  That is how you do it people! *Couture NEEDS to get wet at a fabulous pool party.

  

Feature: Who Needs What

PS1 Keep-All, Small - $1,150, Large - $1,350

Reed Krakoff Leather Button-Down Shirt, $1,290

Derek Lam Riding Pants with Leather Trim, $990

Charlotte Olympia Dolly Suede Platform Pumps - $895

Eddie Borgo Silver Gold-Plated Bullet Cuff, $250