Joe Fresh, the label for Every Man and Every Woman, is giving men the style shaft.

Not only are the men’s sections 1/5th the size of the woman’s (if you’re lucky), but the line lacks design-wise as well.  From the “hot looks” section for men, the styling is leaning towards a dressy-sporty look, while only one of the styles show layering without a jacket.

Not only that, but the boys get five looks.  Women get fourteen.  I’m crying injustice, here.

The ladies’ line shows a wide range of button up oxford shirts, sweaters, blazers, jackets, slacks, jeans, shorts and shoes.  From the five mens’ images (and what I’ve seen in-store) they have a choice of a few pairs of jeans, slacks, jackets and sweaters. Not only that, but the looks are truly generic and pattern bland.

Come on, Superstore… stop neglecting a large clothing market!

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Only 12 more days until Kate Moss’ 6th range with highsteet mega retailer Topshop is released.  I’m very apprehensive at this point, since I’m pretty much expecting a repeat of her Spring line’s disastrous public response.

Only time can tell.

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With all the minimalism being loved up this Fall, it’s nice to show a little pizazz on your footwear.

These boots would look slick with almost any Fall ensemble from skinny slacks to pencil skirts and tights; these boots will carry you through the cold and damp without fail.

Without a doubt, the best bet is the grey Madison boot at a give-away price of $28.  The only flat pair I came across today was courtesy of Repetto; a French design house that does not spare on the quality (but does mean you’re going to pay!)

For Vancouverites; we have a B|2 (Brown’s) Shoes and Payless Shoes; both on Robson Street.  Gravity Pope on 4th will likely stock Repetto, and of course there is an Urban Outfitters on Granville.  Potentially you can find every pair below right in the city and keep things local.

Left to right: Boot by Mimosa (found at Brown’s; $398), Lou bootie by Seychelles (found at Urban Outfitters; $98), Madison boot at Payless; $28, Apple side button boot (Topshop; £75.00), Garnier boot by Repetto (Gravity Pope; $360)

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Superstore’s Joe Fresh line for Fall 2008 is freaking awesome, and I am very impressed. I would like to see the price points dropped slightly (winter coats are going for $89, and slacks/jeans are $39), but overall the design and price combination is good enough to still make it worth buying.

I particularly liked the high waisted bow skirt ($29) and the all-important Fall bow-tie blouse ($19). The classic shirt was also an extremely well priced buy at $12; and button up oxford shirts are something that nearly everyone should have multiples of in their collection. It’s nice to know you won’t be blowing a Fall budget on basics for layering.

The photo below shows a few examples of what the Fall 2008 Joe Fresh line has to offer. Just think of how awesome the sales will be…

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Historically I haven’t been bamboo clothing’s biggest fan; but this t-shirt has officially turned me around.

I was surprised at how soft the shirt actually was, and the details that were put into the design show the care the designers put into creating the shirt (on the inside of the shirt was a silkscreen of King Kong roaring drawn out comic book style!).

I had no idea bamboo had antibacterial properties or that it was hypoallergenic. And I thought I knew everything there was to know about t-shirts…

JUZD has just been picked up by Holt Renfrew, so swing by your local store and check these shirts out for yourself.

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For a company with such a crappy web presence, Made by Elves commands a surprising load and a half of customer buzz.  This tiny company creates some of the most affordable and wearable shoes (and boots) in the under-$100 department that actually hold together under repeat wear.

The most recent offerings; the Lenon Skimmer (left, $98) and 1290 Oxford (right, $68) are both lighter end of Summer shoes that can be easily brought into the colder months of Fall.

The cut out design of the 1920 oxford keep things lively with a peek at whatever tights or socks you’re wearing; but also assures you an instant Summer shoe once we enter 2009.  Of course, ankle boots are still a hot item, so a durable flat is always a sure bet that will get worn repeatedly.

I haven’t been able to find this brand anywhere save Urban Outfitters; though the official site promises there multiple stockists (if only they would actually create the freaking site!).  Thankfully, UO has a reliable online store available.

Happy hunting!

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Colored denim isn’t going away, but we do need to be sensible about it.  As you begin to put away the neons and replace them with richer tones for the coming Fall season, you would be well advised to do the same with your jeans.

I’ve faced it: as much as I adore my teal denim, it’s just not an appropriate Fall color.

Colors to keep: mustard, amethyst, ruby.

Colors to cast away till next Spring: green (any shade as far as I’m concerned; especially since darker green denim never looks well), neons, overly bright shades.  Basically anything that will clash with Fall’s jewel tones.

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There is always an alternative to denim, of course.  Corduroy and cotton slacks are also appearing in multi colored arrays in many local shops, though don’t expect much price relief.  American Apparel is currently hocking their cords for $74; only $1 less than their denim selections.

For a cheaper option still are colored tights (though this one affects the ladies only).  I would suggest grabbing an array of colors instead of throwing down nearly $100 for one pair of pants; this way you get more of a visual range for your dollar.

Regardless, kudos for keeping colors in your palette…it’s all too easy to do the a-typical Fall cop out of black-on-black over and over, but you’re going to keep it interesting!

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So, a few preview photos have been leaked to the internets and I have to say; I am quite impressed with what I see.  Thankfully, there is no animal print (ala their Cavalli line from last Fall), but plenty of polka dots, large buttons and bows.

Check things out for yourself below!

Scans of pieces in production:

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Model photos with sample clothing:

Compared to previous collabs with designers and H&M, the woman’s outfits have been styled quite well.  I have some hesitations over the super low drop crotch pants; but overall the entire previewed collection could stand alone well enough on a piece-by-piece wearing.

I love the asymmetrical zippers and the polka dot shirts; those will be easily integrated into H&M shoppers’ wardrobes.  The black and white shirt (with the large neck tie and bow) is one of the highlight pieces for me.

I’m quite curious as to how H&M plans to price out this line.

The men’s line was so much duller than I anticipated (though admittedly I am judging from the preview shots alone).  Once again, the men appear to have gotten the proverbial shaft! The thing is, when the collaboration was announced I distinctly remember there being press verbiage speaking to the end of this type of fashion treatment.

We’ll see how the entire collection fares.  On a side note, though…I hope this is the last we see of this scruffy North American-type behemoth model!

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So I’m getting into fashion photography, and have the finished results posted from my collaboration with Caramel Salon’s senior stylist Alina Sulaiman. A little taste is posted below and the entire photo set is located here.

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Especially when living on a soggy corner of the globe like Vancouver; one finds themselves requiring an arsenal of patent leather to ward off dampness.

As I was perusing Topshop’s site today, I found a number of choice patent leather numbers.  There were not as many colored patent pieces as I would have liked to see, but I figure shiny leather is a bit of a niche market and to be happy with what we’re given.

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Top row: Skirted trench coat, £150.00; Bell clasp clutch; £18.00, Albion ankle boot; £65.00, Penny premium cone heel; £70.00

Bottom row: Kasabien penny loafer; £60.00, Penny premium cone heel; £70.00, Mollie chisel toe pump; £28.00, Bow tie; £20.00

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I know more than a few people who have been waiting ever so impatiently for the release of the Topshop Unique line.  Well, not for the whole line perhaps; but for the leather leggings.

Finally, we have a price: a very formidable £150.00 (approximately $300 for North American buyers).

I warrant more than a handful of would-be buyers will be diving headfirst into the latest fad diet to look ferocious in these leggings (which are truly more like pants, honestly)!

These bottom hiders looked more than amazing on the runway; even paired with a dull boxy tweed top as they were.

Can you imagine the stir one could create on the street? For style, comfort and warmth they’re a definite Fall 2008 must-have.

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Good news for label lovers in Vancouver! Fashion Point has officially opened in Yaletown.

FP carries a wide range of top designer products including suits, formal apparel, shoes (formal and casual), boots, handbags and accessories.

I’m going to wander down Cambie Street [directions] this weekend to see what all the fuss is about myself…stay tuned.

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You will likely recognize Daria Werbowy’s face from H&M’s latest ad campaign saturation; if from no other fashion advert.

The Canadian-Ukranian model is the newest to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame this September 6th; and is also (as you can see below) featured (and profiled) within FASHION Magazine’s September issue.

Ch-ch-ch-check it out.

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Bow ties are entirely under appreciated in our society!  The tie’s misunderstood cousin has been given a bad rep by science teachers and various nerd lingers, but I am confident the fashion savvy can bring it back.

It’s not just nerd-chic; you can spruce up a very average multi pattern layer-up in no time, simply by adding a bow tie! If you’re not such an extrovert, try adding a colorful bow tie to a safer shirt and cardigan to give the look some extra power.

Though the entire concept of the fashion scene does not flow with his ideals, you can feel a certain perverted kinship with Karl Marx whilst sporting your bow tie (he was one of the notable wearers of the 19th century).

Bring on the bow tie revolution.

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For those who are lacking a certain bow element in their lives; a few retailers where you may procure one:

Obakki (Vancouver, Gastown), The Block (Vancouver, Gastown), Deluxe Junk (Vancouver, Gastown), Dunn’s Tailors (Vancouver), Holt Renfrew (Vancouver, Pacific Center Mall), Paul Smith (International), Topshop (UK, mails int’l), Value Village (International)

I would highly recommend visiting your local thrift store! The prices are far more reasonable, and chances for a more unique bow tie increase dramatically when you buy vintage.

Images from the Paul Smith Fall 2008 runway details

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Alice + Olivia are bringing us a tide of affordable 60s style booties and heels for a fraction of what we’ve been programmed to pay in retail.

The Fall 2008 line brings a whole lotta patent, loads of heels and enough attitude to think you would be buying this footwear anywhere buy Payless.

I’m super hyped about the Madison (shown), and the red wedge Rivington peep toe booties. Official price points have not been announced yet, but they should hover around $50.

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They may not be made of leather, but the new Victorian ankle boots by Payless offer an amazing look for $27.99.  If you happen to swing by while a buy-one-get-one-half-off sale is going down, you will be able to collect both colors without breaking the $50 price point!

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This is one summer trend that I will not be mourning the passing of.

I find gladiator sandals to be not only incredibly tacky, but a great waste of money since this seems to be nothing more than a fly by night trend.

Even when the über rich spend loads on this kind of footwear, the look still seems to fall flat…I can’t even begin to express how silly cheap gladiator sandals look on the average sidewalk fashionista.

Without a doubt the tall versions look sillier than the short; but unless you’re traipsing through fields of a Roman era; it still looks silly.

Since the summer is almost over, thankfully so is the reign of these horrific sandals. If you’re still wavering on grabbing a pair on sale to shelve for next summer, I would urge you not to bother.

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Every so often, you find a piece that is sufficiently gauche that it works. My name may not be Peter and I may not be a boy, but who cares? This buckle was far too awesome to pass up.

I find that the whole “my name on a buckle” thing is overall passé; but if it’s someone elses’ name? Are we still borderlining on tacky?

In the end, I decided it would only add to the eccentricity of an outfit; an addition for the better!

Buckle; $4, Brown leather belt; $19 from Bang On T-shirts.

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As someone who is nearly 6 ft tall without assistance, I have always been afraid of the heel, but this changed last week when I found a pair of nearly new Nine West ankle boots of a 5 inch height.

I’d never experienced what it’s like to be nearly 7 feet tall, but let me tell you one thing…people get out of your way like you’re a volatile amazon.

The fashion world can officially consider me a heel convert.

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As a designer who has lent his talents to labels such as Marc Jacobs, I really expected better from the Richard Chai collection from Target. It’s not quality complaints; it’s design. There is absolutely no creativity here!

For an actual runway designer, he did not deliver. These pieces could have been designed by anyone who has paid attention to trends for the last 3 years! There did not seem to be any representation of his trademark shapes and sewing styles which completely strips his line of any originality.

The three pieces below were the most wearable items from the collection.

From left to right: Striped crinkle skirt; $30, Bubble skirt; $30, Twill shorts; $23

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