New York's loss is Paris's gain. For his debut show here, Thom Browne paraded an army of astronauts who removed their spacesuits to reveal shrunken shorts suits in a vast array of classic Thom fabrics - Valerio Mezzanotti for the New York Times

When you think Italian fashion design, Armani, Valentino and Versace spring to mind, having paved the way for strong, bold aesthetics. Quality and tailoring is also intrinsic to the Italian sensibility. A new label that epitomises both has emerged from a 20-year strong lineage. Italian company “Paoloni Group” launched a new label “MSGM” recently with strong acceptance domestically and internationally with the likes of Harvey Nichols, Joyce, Lane Crawford, Matches and Browns plus being named as one of the best new emerging designers for Vogue Talents.

Created by and for a youthful demographic of under 35, the label has both a men’s and women’s collection.  Blending comfort and function with a distinctly Italian preppy edge, the Men’s collection is fresh and modern yet combines achingly simple pieces together.  The Women’s is more fashion focused with an emphasis on print and staying current to the season. Either way, this is one label to watch as they make their mark on the international fashion scene.  – Kate Vandermeer

Norma Kamali Studded Swimsuit	Silver Spartans Tights

Bjorg Jewelery - 2010

AA Hartwick Unisex Shoe

SU75 - Paris

Vanguard Neo Tribal Sweater

Silk Tunic Dress

 

Prada

Tods

 

Finger in the nose – what a great name for a kids’ brand you say? Well, this French brand is the epitome of style (regardless of the size of their audience!) From its ‘Sartorialist-snap-worthy’ mini models with just the right amount of attitude to its authentic rock n roll aesthetic, this brand offers quality kids’ wear for the emerging fashionista.

This label is not just about cutting a stylish figure on the streets; integral to its DNA is the long-term quality of the pieces, offering superior comfort and wearability. They use 9-11 ounce real European denim with raw, stone, bleach, snow and leather-look washes, and real feather down for their jackets and Geelong merino angora for their knitwear. Their 100% cotton tees feature wild animals and mythology-style graphic prints. The only negative? Your kids could quite likely steal the spotlight from your own sartorial efforts. Consider yourself warned!  – Kate Vandermeer

Eleven - Paris	Converse Jack Purcell	Whale Shorts by O'Connells

David Hart Ties	Burberry X Colette Trench	Timberlands

Toywatch Jelly	Akris Clutch	Bess Sneakers

 

New from Rike Feurstein.

Chanel Quilted Denim Sneaker for Women

New from Surface to Air

Sartorialist Beauties

Street Etiquette

Gareth Pugh 2010

Liberty of London

K1X  - Click Men's for Lookbook

Sibling London

Retro Super Future Introduces The W for Spring 2010

 

It’s a vexing conundrum: you can tell a lot about a man by his shoes; yet there are only a limited number of ways a gentleman can truly express himself via his footwear. Men’s shoes just don’t cut it in the expansive design stakes.

But we’re sensing a mood shift, as evidenced by these snappy striders, fresh for Spring 2010.
Christian Louboutin’s Freddy Flats lace-up shoes are made with patent leather and smattered with a profusion of studs to the toe and heel. They scream: daringly dapper. Not surprisingly Pharrell Williams has already stepped out in a pair.

In keeping with what the bling theme, Michael Kors has released these Capote Flats. Made from tan leather and featuring silver toe jewellery they’re a statement in English eccentricity. - Bill Tikos

The use of print within fashion is not a new phenomenon, however, with technological innovation a surge of photosynthesis prints is giving an almost 3D effect to the finished garments. The fusion of color, print and reality makes the wearer feel like a moving installation! One brand whose signature style integrates narrative prints and a kaleidoscope of colors is Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason of Ostwald Helgason. The German and Icelandic designers met when both were working for a London design studio. They won two design grants from the German government and showed their first joint collection at Paris Fashion Week. Ostwald is the color and print designer and Helgason is the maestro of the silhouettes. The Ostwald Helgason label launched in 2006 and stocks in Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands, UK and US in shops such as Opening Ceremony, Kokon To Zai and Bauhaus, and boasts fans such as Rihanna and Daphne Guinness. – Kate Vandermeer

T-shirt alert - New limited edition Tee's available for $35 from Toronto based brand, Handsome Clothing

Look inside any of the best-dressed list wardrobes and you’ll find a mix of key designer looks, carefully selected vintage and some stand out one off pieces that have stood the test of time.  The kind of pieces that you reach for over and over as you know that no matter how tired you are, how old the rest of your outfit feels, you’ll be happy with the overall look as long as you are wearing that piece.

Well, TCH a piece that will be the missing jigsaw piece to your wardrobe puzzle. For the ladies, a stylish, printed silk tunic dress that could be worn easily in winter with tights and a trench or in spring with heels and a statement necklace. At US$650, it’s an investment that will bring you plenty of return in your wardrobe. (Sizes 0 +1 only). Purchase exlusively through TCH below. - Kate Vandermeer

 

Sizes

0 (US size) 1 (US size)) Option 3

Jak & Jil blog - always delivers interesting looks

As The Sartorialist has proven, Italian men really do have their own unique sense of style; one part old world gentleman glamour, two parts super chic. The Italian brand Noodle Park, has managed to harness this typical Italian style yet still retains an affordable price point. What’s with the name, you ask? Well, it’s all about what the Noodle box represents; a global perspective, androgynous in its appeal and a link between people, despite ethnicity, tradition, culture or religion (plus they use Noodle boxes for their packaging!) Noodlepark offers some clean, modern shapes featuring contrast zippers, comfortable fabrics and a muted, complimentary colour palette. Seen all over Milan by stylish locals, Noodlepark should be on your radar.  – Kate Vandermeer

Street style blogs are one of the great online phenomena of the past decade. They have become a core reference tool for fashion houses and designers who monitor them for global inspiration and to learn how trends are being adapted on the street - and all without leaving their desks. Yvan Rodic, the photographer and creative behind the facehunter, gives the reader a window into the edgier side of street style. Rodic cut his street-styling teeth at The Cool Hunter, where he delivered many unique moments of inspiration direct from the pavement; the kinds of startling images that eluded many of the other most popular style blogs.

His latest venture is a new site, proudly under his own name - Yvan Rodic. Essentially a travel diary, Rodic documents the interesting people he meets in all sorts of places. We know we're biased but we believe Rodic's talent extends beyond the camera lens.

His eye for inspiration and cool is so finely honed that he could apply it to anything - be it design or art direction. The new Hedi Slimane perhaps? Maybe. WATCH this space. - Bill Tikos

Australian designer Josh Goot showed a divine, blindingly bright SS2010 collection at London Fashion Week earlier this week, presented in an open air car park - a suitably urban location given the collection's powerfully modern feel.

The collection, made up mostly of elongated t-shirt dresses, mini dresses and tanks,  was all about bold graphic prints.  The pieces themselves, which also included a handful of pants and jackets, were kind of secondary, acting more like personal, mobile canvases for the beautifully sharp, urban graphic prints that adorned them.

If Goot's bold colors freak you out, fear not, the designer also showed a section of less-in-your-face black and white prints, which, while still precise and complex will probably appeal to a broader range of customers (read: color-phobes). - Laura Demasi

The fluro/rainbow color trend is still moving off the RTW catwalks and into accessories with a bang (or should we say a splash?). We're loving this Italian range of watches, amusingly dubbed the "Jelly Toy Watch which comes in blindingly bright selection of primary and fluro colours, only this time, the latest Toy Watch throws in a jelly-like matching silicone strap. Buy online from Toy Watch USA

Is creativity a genetic likelihood? Look at Paul and Stella McCartney, Ronald & Sophie Dahl, Rosa and Margherita Missoni. In Lucila Lotti’s case, genetics definitely played a part in her creative upbringing. Her father, Jorge Lotti began his tailoring shop in Buenos Aires in 1920 and grew the business to become a major presence in the South American garment industry until the 90’s, when it closed. Lucila, the youngest of the family grew up amongst this love of detail, fine fabrics and quality craftsmanship.  

Lucila began her own business focusing on shoes made from patent leather, suede, satin and vinyl in homage to her mother who always wore heels and lipstick when leaving the home. Opening her own boutique in the creative, bohemian hub of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Lucila is amongst fine company. Given this sense of history and creative disposition, it is no surprise that Lucila’s debut collection came to the attention of Patricia Field and Sex & The City. Her bright, bold shapes and ability to mix colour and silhouette in a brave, fashionable style will no doubt continue to inspire more international press. – Kate Vandermeer

We all know that Gen Y is the most cynical generation on earth when it comes to marketing and advertising. They hate being 'sold' to and expect so much more from a brand than just the product.

This cynicism has spawned an amusing trend  where cool young things - we've dubbed them Brand Whores  - are appropriating corporate logos and turning them into ironic fashion symbols. From McDonalds to KFC, Brand Whores are poking fun at brands and our rampant consumerist culture.

Not that the brands mind, we presume. Any opportunity to have their logos splashed about - irony, or no irony - is a chance to market. - Laura Demasi

The 80s revival wave has swept the cobwebs off many brands, including the quintessentially preppy Lacoste. Gone are the pretty pastels and tennis whites - enter graphic, techno prints as exemplified in their new 'Ibiza' range of neon colored trainers. Inspired by pixellated graphics, the graduated-print collection is sure to become a must-have amongst all self respecting creative types. - Lisa Evans

Men’s fashion is a mixed palette currently. Whilst sartorial splendour reigns supreme in key fashion publications and hip hop styling has been given a modern makeover with an American sportswear feel, new European sub-cultures have been busily building on their own unique style that is quite unlike any other mainstream trends dictated to us by the catwalks.

Rising from the street as all ”wearable, commercial street art“ is one such brand that appears to have a unique perspective on men’s style. HUMöR has been carving quite the niche, working on creating a total silhouette heavily influenced by the metropolitan underground electronic music scene.   Hailing from Denmark, HUMÖR describe the inspiration for their latest range as ”Tokyo’s Shibuya area, where the fashion crowd is giving an entirely new meaning to the word paint box.“



With a penchant for comical quirky knitted prints, bold graphic tees and unique pant silhouettes, the look is fresh, irreverent and could be described as a slightly more toned down version of singer MIA’s personal style.  Loud, brash with a kaleidoscope of texture, these clothes make statements and are not for the faint-hearted wall flower!  It seems that the consumer is embracing the brand as well, with key stores like Size?, American Retro and Choices stocking the brand and fashion website OKI NI selling out online.  Having expanded the range to include accessories and footwear and HUMöR about to be stocked in Topman in Oxford Circus, it’s a matter of time before this brand takes it to the next level.  – Kate Vandermeer
 

The owl as a fashion trend originated from the craft world. It has since been interpreted on many a fashionable outfit, toy, tote bag and statement accessory since. But none quite like this fabulous singlet dress ($45) for mini fashionistas, complete with ombre background to really make the owl print stand out!  Not only is it likely to offer wisdom to your emerging hunter of cool, but it will help you find them in crowds!!   

Kidswear has undergone a huge transformation over the last few years, led by a new generation of designers who have applied their creativity to the children's category, usually after having kids themselves. Today kidswear is a carbon copy of adult fashion - incorporating key trends.



(Above) Flannel Overshirt - $75,  Mini cord skirt $55, Bunny half length sweater - $55 

You know a brand has succeeded when you look at a kids item and want to wear it yourself. Like this new collection, which features graphic print t-shirts, shorts and boardies, which wouldn't look out of place on the backs of urban hipsters.



(Above) Bunny longsleeve tee $45,  Tote Bag - $35, Green Cave Man tee - $45, Panel Spray Jacket - $95

Unfortunately you need to be aged six or under to squeeze into them so we've accepted that they are strictly for kids. If you have any little people in your life, you can purchase a limited number of these pieces through us - email bill@thecoolhunter.net



(Above) Mini cord dress - $75, dip dye sweater - $65



(Above) - Cave man tee - $45, Mini cord dress - $75)



(Above) - Pack Man tee - $45 - Smiley tee $45 - B+W shorts - $55