Pushing Boundaries at Patrik Ervell: NYFW Review

On Sunday at Milk Studios, Patrik Ervell faced a packed house... eagerly anticipating not only his Spring '12 men's collection but also his first foray into women's.

Across the board there was an influence of Hawaiian print, riding caps, fantastic duffel bags and totes, and (thankfully) an appearance by Clement Chabernaud.

While I can report that the women's range definitely fell squarely (and beautifully) into Ervell's aesthetic, what of course really kept me engaged were the men's looks.

One of my favorites was this rubberized cotton hooded raincoat in navy. The texture and sheen really stood out, and I liked the simplicity of the construction.

Ervell always does great suit. Here I liked the dark palette but with that pop of color on the tote bag (which of course I want).

This brick-red blazer in tropical wool caught my eye near the end of the show, and is definitely a piece that's on my list for Spring. 2-button, thin lapel, it's one I know will fit me perfectly.

And finally this jungle jacket in twill, with a hand-braided horsehair belt. I mean... how could you not get excited for this?

Ervell is a master at playing within his key design elements but really pushing the boundaries in texture and technique, and he did it again here. A stellar showing and I can't wait to shop this at Opening Ceremony come Spring!

Go to Style.com for the rest of the collection photos...

Things I Love: GQ's Trends for Men

This morning I read Jim Moore's top trends for men, over at GQ.com. He pulled out some great stuff from the recent men's shows in NY (a lot of Michael Bastian's work, yeah!).

What made me smile was how many of the items are things I've been rockin' lately (or hoping to rock)... I'm just saying!

One trend was tuxedo jackets. Now this is possibly the blurriest photo ever, but I took it while I was in Miami for Art Basel, on my way out to some parties. I threw on my navy Patrik Ervell tuxedo jacket, with a tailored white shirt and dark Uniqlo jeans. Plus my favorite yellow Nixon watch.

Another trend was dark khakis, which is something I just picked up when I was in Shanghai last week (in a sort of washed olive color). Wore them to work this week with a white shirt.

He also mentioned waxed jackets, which I bought last year (J. Lindberg jacket) and have been using in colder climates ever since.

And then there was the corduroy suit. This is something I have been wanting for a while, most recently when Opening Ceremony collaborated with Levi's. So fun!

Now you better go read the whole article to find out what Jim calls out, so you can start shopping: http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201003/trend-report#slide=1.

Things I Want: Metal Flecked Coat from Patrik Ervell

I've long been a fan of Patrik Ervell. Great fit for my slim frame, classic looks but with a fun modern twist. Take, par example, this coat from his Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Unfortunately I wasn't at the show to witness it in person, but apparently Patrik used a new technique in this collection of infusing the pieces with flecks of metal. Sounds complicated... but I love the result.

I want this coat!

But this is just one of a number of nice items Patrik showed for Spring... check out the rest via Men's Style: http://men.style.com/fashion/collections/S2010MEN/complete/thumb/PERVMEN

Things I Have: Tuxedo by Patrik Ervell

I fell in love with this tuxedo the moment I saw it at Opening Ceremony. I'm a huge fan of Patrik Ervell... and the navy jacket with black lapel was perfect. Tried it on, loved the fit, but couldn't justify owning another tux.

Then I stopped into Opening Cermony last month and randomly asked if by any chance they had any of the tuxedos left. Somehow they had one, and it was my size. Fates had aligned and I bought it on the spot.

Now the photo here is from the lookbook... I haven't modeled it yet because I still need to take the pants in to my favorite tailor (Dina, at Sweetzer/Beverly).

But soon, very soon, I will be rockin' this amazing look!

That is all.