The Fashion Den: May 2010

Sean Opry

Sean Opry reigns supreme in the latest issue of Numero Homme. The charismatic southerner’s charms are on full display as he strikes a pose for Greg Kadel. With his wild hair, steely gaze and unwavering poise Opry is a force to be reckoned with.

H&M new models

With the recent downturn in the financial market, many brands look to get the most bang for their buck, mixing the top models with the rising stars and hoping to appeal to the widest possible market. Swedish giant H&M and the American company, INC roll out new images just in time for the holidays.

IN MEMORY OF AMBROSE

Louis Vuitton

Ad Campaign: Lara Stone for Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2010

Brodarte

What! Can it be! Rodarte has finally come out with a men's collection, available only at Opening Ceremony! Oftentimes when labels begin designing for men they lose a lot of what makes their women's collection so outstanding (hint: Alexander Wang...Elizabeth and James...) but Rodarte has successfully been able to maintain the essence of their brand while also making the clothing masculine enough for a menswear audience. These threads don't come cheap though, with each sweater costing $2,670. The price doesn't shock me, however, and I don't think it's an unreasonable amount considering that the garments are all hand knit here in the U.S.A and use some really exceptional and high quality fabrics (including superkid mohair, alpaca, and viscose).

Company of We

Based out of New York City, the Company of We was founded by partners Jayzel Samonte and Christoper Crawford as the answer to high priced menswear in a tough economic climate. In their own words, Company of We was "launched in 2009 to alleviate the Bergdorf Blues—a malady inflicted from a growing inability to justify the price tags lurking within those synonymous lilac shopping bags." In my personal opinion the design, quality, and fit of their garments rival that of high-end menswear labels such Band of Outsiders, Rag & Bone, and even Thom Browne!

Ironically, Company of We has garnered so much press and attention (in addition to a tremendously loyal fan following--myself included) that the line has been picked up by some of the finest upscale retailers like Sak's Fifth Avenue, Fred Segal, Holt Renfrew, and more! Check out their Fall 2009 campaign below and visit the site to buy (honestly, guys, the merchandise couldn't possibly be more affordable).

Cole Mohr

Cole Mohr has just recently started modelling for H&M new catelogues. He models all over the world, in New York, Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Hamburg and London. He was just nominated #22 out of the top 50 male models. If there are two things I love in this world it's (a) Cole Mohr, only one of the best male models of our generation, and (b) oversexed photographer Terry Richardson, the only man in the world with the ability to make a bag of garbage look ridiculously seductive. At first, the pairing of Richardson and H&M seemed a strange one....a low to mid range fast fashion retailer and the same guy who shoots for Purple, V, and French Vogue? REALLY??? But fortunately (and not surprisingly) the images that resulted from the project proved me wrong. The campaign is very exciting and very rock and roll. A+

‘So Young, So Cool’ is Steven Meisel’s celebration of youth in the February 2009 issue of Vogue Italia. The editorial features a large group of ‘it’ models and personalities, including Ash Stymest, Luke Worrall, Cole Mohr, Michael Pitt, Eliza Cummings, Daisy Lowe, Lydia Hearst, Jamie Bochert, and Pixie Geldof (who is the cover star). The styling is by Karl Templer and makeup by Pat McGrath.

When a photographer wants a model who can tap into all that is brooding and foreboding there is a very short list of girls he or she can rely on. The name at the very top of that list is none other than Jamie Bochert, her mysterious look lends itself to the extremes of fashion.
Greg Kadel gives Bochart free reign to unleash her dark side within the pages of the latest Numero. Armed with a cigarette holder and heaps of attitude Jamie looks completely at home in the hypnotic world Kadel creates.