And the walls kept tumbling down

Posted: May 8, 2013 | Author: Daniel | Filed under: Personal Style | Tags: anna finlayson, burton, chictopia, clae, h&m, hako, lookbook | Leave a comment »

Today’s look consisted of a simple blocked t-shirt from Hako, a black belt from Burton, a pair of jeans from H&M, and my new shoes from CLAE. It’s a relatively simple, casual look, but perfect for a warm spring day. Plus, I love how the jeans and shoes, both dark navy, look together!

T-shirt gifted from Hako / Jeans from H&M / Belt from Burton / Shoes gifted from CLAE

You can follow, fan and vote for my outfits through Lookbook and Chictopia.

Photography by Anna Finlayson

Images courtesy of Anna Finlayson

CLAE Powell Shoe

Posted: May 8, 2013 | Author: Daniel | Filed under: Footwear, Men, Shopping | Tags: anna finlayson, clae, denim, leather, powell, shoes | 2 Comments »

The very nice people at CLAE, a footwear brand, established in 2001, with a “commitment to innovation” and aim to produce a “distinct collection of smart essentials fit for the modern man”, gifted me these wonderful shoes, which I received this morning.

The Powell style “delivers classic elements of the saddle shoe and brogueing details to create a modern wingtip”, and is fully lined to ensure comfort. Being somewhat impatient, I had to give them a spin almost immediately. I slipped them on an hour or two after receiving them and wore them all day. They’re incredibly comfortable, look great, predominately due to the contrast of the dark navy leather next to the denim, and they’re perfectly versatile for the spring and summer months, looking great with both a pair of jeans or shorts. Plus, if you’re not completely in love with the deep navy style, they’re also available in caramel tan, smoke concrete and black, just to name a few of the many colour variations.

Shoes, €110.00, from CLAE

You can view and purchase the full range through the CLAE website.

Photography by Anna Finlayson

Images courtesy of Anna Finlayson

Natalie B Coleman Short Printed Dress

Posted: May 4, 2013 | Author: Daniel | Filed under: Shopping, Spring/Summer 2013, Women | Tags: 2013, lee malone, natalie b coleman, sarah's suitcase, spring, summer | Leave a comment »

Natalie B Coleman’s use of pleats is one of the many reasons I love her work. This printed dress from Natalie’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, “Sarah’s Suitcase”, is made from 100% stretch jersey and features pleated back detailing. The oyster digital print is incredibly feminine and the use of pastel blue, pink and green tones are perfect for the spring and summer months. I think it’s safe to say that “Sarah’s Suitcase” is going to be another hit for Natalie!

Dress, €270.00, from Natalie B Coleman

You can view and purchase the full collection through Natalie’s website.

Photography by Lee Malone

Images courtesy of Natalie B Coleman

Stargazer

Posted: May 2, 2013 | Author: Daniel | Filed under: Personal Style | Tags: anna finlayson, burton, chictopia, lookbook | Leave a comment »

Earlier this week I opted for an all Burton look. I need to buy more graphic t-shirts for summer but this galaxy print t-shirt was the first of what I expect to be many t-shirt purchases to come. I’m a bit of a fool for a good galaxy print!

Surprisingly, these chinos are the first pair of cuffed chinos I’ve ever owned. I never really saw their appeal. However, now I’ve brought a pair and wore them for an entire day, I can safely say that I’ve never felt comfort like it. I wouldn’t wear them to a meeting or out to lunch, but for a casual look on a summer day when you don’t want to throw on a pair of jeans or trousers but it’s still too cold to wear shorts, they’re more than suitable!

Entire ensemble from Burton

You can follow, fan and vote for my outfits through Lookbook and Chictopia.

Photography by Anna Finlayson

Images courtesy of Anna Finlayson

Askin’ Irina Dzhus: “Growing up, living and working in Ukraine, what do you think it offers emerging designers over other countries?”

Posted: May 1, 2013 | Author: Daniel | Filed under: Interviews | Tags: dzhus, hako, irina dzhus, ksenia schnaider | Leave a comment »

I’ve recently developed an abnormal interest in Ukraine, Ukrainian fashion and Ukrainian designers and brands. The freedom Ukrainian designer’s show through their work is unbelievable, developing extraordinary experimental collections unlike those of designers and brands from any other country. On that note, I asked Irina Dzhus, founder of Ukrainian conceptual wear brand DZHUS, “Growing up, living and working in Ukraine, what do you think it offers emerging designers over other countries?” and she replied…

“The fashion industry is relatively new to Ukraine. Because of this, many local brands are avant-garde and experimental, and so are their presentation and development strategies. This makes Ukrainian fashion promising and notable for talent scouts from all over the world. The big benefit of being a designer in Ukraine is that it is not difficult to get recognised on a local level and then remain in popular demand. However, this applies to the media more than anything. Talking about commercial success, retail business hardly exists in Ukraine, which makes this country rather disadvantageous for new brands.”

Working with Ksenia Schnaider, a unisex brand from Ukraine, I’ve seen how a brand can become recognised very quickly in their local community, and I’ve also observed the struggle that most Ukrainian designers face when it comes to making designing full-time financially viable. However, it’s incredibly refreshing to speak to a designer who does, in a way, admire the Ukrainian fashion scene, regardless of its disadvantages.

You can view and purchase some of Irina’s work through Hako.

Images courtesy of Hako

Here in reality, I’m wide awake

Posted: April 29, 2013 | Author: Daniel | Filed under: Personal Style | Tags: anna finlayson, burton, h&m, hako | Leave a comment »

Despite the odd burst of warm weather over the past couple of weeks, most of the time it’s still been cold enough to have to throw on a sweatshirt before heading out. I love sun and warmth, but after Hako, a very cool store in Ukraine, sent me this great sweatshirt, I was glad that the weather wasn’t too good, enabling me to comfortably wear the sweatshirt out and about. There is no doubt that it’s possibly the softest sweatshirt I’ve ever owned. I wore it with a pair of basic H&M jeans and, once again, my black Burton plimsolls. The whole ensemble is casual, warm and incredibly comfortable, and perfect for when the sun and the big blue guy are feeling shy!