Designer Emeka Alams, of Gold Coast Trading Co., has been on the radar of fashion followers for a few seasons now unleashing his take on merging African and western styles. So many have used this concept as inspiration in the fashion world, and undoubtedly, many will again. Almost to the point that it could fall in the category of “done and redone.” The colors and spirit of African garb are by nature and design something that would attract a designer of any background. But what makes Alams’ work at Gold Coast so special is his profound connection to his home continent. His life has taken him back and forth between the Ivory Coast to various cities in Western Europe and America. He has lived through the social and political unrest that plagues the whole continent firsthand. Alams’ pride of his heritage translates to a brand that is a unique, non-literal interpretation of an idea that is personal for him.
The MSGM fall menswear collection was the perfect complement to their lovely retro-Italian take on modern patterns and prints for women. The men’s collection also had rockabilly mixed in, a pink single breasted blazer with a contrasting black lapel looked like it would effortlessly match the purplish hot pants and hound’s-tooth jackets MSGM featured for girls this season. While stylists will probably certainly be hitting up the brand to feature their retro pieces in throwback editorials, but that wasn’t all there was to the selection provided for the guys. As far as prints went there was a complementing mix of optical illusions, floral fixtures, cartoonish-bird prints and an almost Bill Cosby 90s design featured on a selection of sweater-vests. With matching pants and oxfords in electric florals the look was a madcap mix of vintage-reborn color clashes and unique well-crafted basics.
A fall collection full of firework prints is one not to be ignored, making fireworks work without being overtly loud is a major feat – but somehow the designer behind MSGM made them look classy putting the fun prints on wide-legged trousers, a full skirted cocktail dress among other items in the collections. The color bursting print was the perfect introduction – leading into a series of other fun prints – florals, stripes, a bold black and white zig zag and finishing off with a powerful hound’s-tooth. The fireworks sort of stole the show, as the novelty of a firework print is both charming and fun -but mixed in were lovely camel sweaters, floral print cropped jackets, pink shirts, bright blue coats, emerald green shift dresses and lovely red leather gloves.
“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.” – Alexander McQueen
Style is a pattern so its going to get repeated. Designer this. Hand made that. Gucci, Gucci, fendi, prada, vintage appeal nevertheless stopped winning, and won. This year patterns and prints found its way into some of favorite designers palettes and work.
Freaky dreams are made of art like the latest short film by Gsus Lopez. In Ephemeral Nature, the UK based director/photographer tells the tale of a classy and stylish couple who partake in less than classy acts behind closed doors. Set to the soundtrack of “Forever More,” by Shaun J. Wright lead-vocalist for Hercules & Love Affair, the experimental fashion film was inspired by directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Xavier Dolan, Wong Kar Wai, Giorgios Lanthimos, and Sang-soo Im among others.
Editorial Illustrator and Streetwear designer Eric Jordan presents the EJordanill (Eric Jordan Illustration) “The End is the Beginning Holiday 2011 Collection.”
Wes Gordon is a 24-year-old Atlanta-native who exudes pure cosmopolitan. Gordon was raised in the heart of Buckhead’s WASP nest, but never settled for his surroundings. He went on to pursue fashion at Central St. Martin’s College of Art and Design. A natural born hustler within the Haute Couture world, Gordon interned with Tom Ford and was a summer assistant to Oscar de la Renta– nbd. Now in New York, Wes completed his latest women’s collection just in time for the Fashion Week fiends to get their fix of the future of fabulous.
There are two types of people in this world, the way I see it. There’s people who were born free and naked, and people who were born naked. I was born naked; my freedom wasn’t found until I was conscious of clothes. The admiration I have for the clothes is a bit embarrassing, really. It’s seen as silly because clothes are on surface created by our ancestors to keep us warm, right? So, anything more than that is probably frivolous first world concerns that I probably shouldn’t waste my time on.
