Category: Fashion

Calvin Klein fall campaign 2010

With their Fall 2010 line, Calvin Klein has appeared once again on our minimalist radar, thanks to CK’s creative director Francisco Costa.

In their ad campaign, Calvin Klein introduces Dutch supermodel Lara Stone as their new face. In a recent interview with WWD, Costa explains why:

I conceived my fall 2010 collection with a self-aware and assured woman in mind. For me, Lara was the perfect choice [..] because she is a woman who epitomizes confidence and sensuality.

I couldn’t agree more: nothing says sexy like confidence paired with minimalism.

Photography by Mert & Marcus.

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Calder laptop case

If you’re a fan of A.G. Fronzoni’s famous Valextra Premier cases, you’ll probably think this laptop case by Calder is mighty sweet – I know I do!

It takes over 35 hours of skilled hand work to create to build and fit out each case. Talk about craftsmanship!

Devon, U.K.-based Nick Comer-Calder made it his life’s work to create the perfect case. It took him over three years to finalise the design, choose the materials, and find the right craftsmen and women to work with.

The result: leather on carbon fibre cases, showing nothing but dedication to quality and a love for detail. Truly an inspiration.

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England football team 09/11 jersey

Amid the enthusiastic drone of the vuvuzelas, the 19th FIFA World Cup began in South Africa yesterday. Of the 32 participating nations, overall the playing kits are as smart and appealing as I can remember.

England make their debut today and it’s their jersey that takes the spoils — an understated, clean and classy contradiction to the vibrancy and colour of the rainbow nation.

Harking back to pre-war, pre-branded era shirts, perennial kit makers Umbro went back to basics by taking inspiration from Saville Row to produce a more tailored garment. Even the geometric type looks like another English classic: Gill Sans. And whether you happen to be David Beckham, or a World champion gurner, the shirt looks great regardless — objective achieved for a mass-market product.

The red away jersey, unveiled by British band Kasabian earlier this year, is constructed in a similar vein, though it’s more a reference to England’s sole World Cup triumph in 1966.

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Miu Miu Fall 2010 RTW

Everything had a playful Sixties spin. Yes, fashion designer Miuccia Prada gave us a go go, Mod story. Color played a big role: Stripes of orange and lilac were displayed on the models’ make up and ponytails.

Miu Miu’s Fall 2010 collection’s playful proportions maintained Muccia’s impeccable, spare and controlled structure.  We’re especially mad about the high necks wrapped with ribbons, tight leggings, and the pants fluted out at the bottom.

Mad about Mod? Abstraction it is with an attitude of “Do your own thing”. Can Mod be considered dark minimalism?

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Stella McCartney Fall Ready-to-Wear 2010

Stella McCartney gives us that cool attitude with a subtle aesthetic. And yeah, as a Beatle’s daughter she is stubborn. Early this year, she received recognition for her support of environmental causes and an ethical fashion mission by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

For the Fall Ready-to-Wear 2010 collection, Stella McCartney commanded restrained chic and modern sensuality. The Stella girl was about a fast forward, working girl with plenty of sexy in a no big deal way. “For this season, I want to give women control, without trying too hard,” Stella explains. Flirty, floating sheer organza dresses and hip tailoring with bare legs and sans accessories.

No fur, no leather and the vegetarian thing. A great respect for nature. Totally Stella. It reminds me of the simple things in life.

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Bassike

If you like your staples to be basic then look no further than Bassike. Pun intended.

Pronounced the same as the word basic, this Australian organic brand by Deborah Sams and Mary LouRyan has a cult following thanks to its effortless tailoring of the simple jersey t-shirt. The brand has since flourished into other areas such as dresses, organic wool jumpers and jeans that have made me look nowhere else for my denim.

Beautifully consistent in it’s aesthetic and perfectly branded with the help of the great Jonathan Zawada, Bassike is a must have for the relaxed minimalist.

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Jil Sander Fall 2010

Pared-down with a slight techno vibe. And—who knew? Creative director Raf Simons was inspired by Lara Croft for Tomb Raider. His vision for the Jil Sander fall 2010 collection: “Women who have a target, and go for it.”

Jil Sander is a German fashion brand known for understated, minimalist design. The fall collection included form fitting mini-mini dresses, retro plaid and super cool, flat, velcro-strapped leather boots; the girls wore the ‘no make up’ make up look. Mr. Simons’ aesthetic is very futuristic and intellectual. He has an analytical mind for practical design.

Fashionably stark and seriously cool. A stripped-down look for a woman who has an incredible self-consciousness about everything. In some ways, I am suggesting a feminist view toward minimalism. I think I am testing the structural foundations of minimalism. Nothing about simplicity is easy, is it?

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Milan Prada Men’s Fall 2010

Straightforward. Milan-based fashion house Prada is not known to follow trends. At Milan menswear fashion week, Muccia Prada, promoted comfort and practical chic. Everything was about easy dressing and staying true to yourself.

No-fuss lines. Prada’s clothes are conceptual with structural strength. This time, Muccia showcased preppy stuff, mostly casual; a very polite style. The retro vinyl look and the shrunken sweaters reinforced fun and brightness. Men’s fashion is rarely dramatic.

Is the best design invisible? Don’t call me a traditionalist, but isn’t that what design is all about? Re-working and altering what already works? Small touches. Minimal complexity—is that what minimalism means to you?

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Valextra Premier

The Premier was designed in 1973 by Italian minimalist A.G. Fronzoni (who also designed the Fronzoni ’64 series for Cappelini, a personal favorite).

And although it predated the laptop by a century or two, the Premier might well be the ultimate laptop case. Consider the wow-effect of you walking into a meeting with this case!

The Premier is manufactured by Italian design house Valextra, known for their immaculate leather craftsmanship and minimalist purity in forms. It is made with their signature grain leather, which makes the case rigid and lightweight. It comes in two sizes and a range of colours.

Price: €1,735.

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Valentino Spring 2010 Collection

I became enamored with the collection’s transparency, delicacy and soft tones of nude and gray. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, Creative Directors for Valentino, presented the Spring 2010 collection with a relaxed, hipster kind of aesthetic.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli worked as the Valentino accessory designers before they became designers of the main label in 2008.

Hip and dreamy for a stylish free spirit. Unpolished hair, nude lips. Translucent layers, soft colors. Valentino’s red gown trademark was missing. A new design vocabulary that is possibly more modern and simple. We love the new, youthful Valentino girl.

Who says understated can be boring?

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