Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Billy Reid

Billy Reid was named GQ magazine's 2010 best new menswear designer in America. Its not without merit. To most of us Yankees, when hear Mr. Reid was born in the South, we don't associate it with high style. Though, we are mistaken when it comes to Billy Reid's rugged yet preppy menswear. Along with his GQ credentials, in 2001, he won the CFDA's award for best new men’s designer. With handmade Italian shoes, and coveted men's boots that look quite sexy tucked into boots, and button downs for every man, Billy Reid proves that style doesn't just exist in the New York bubble.

Colors: navy, khaki, red, brown, gray, ivory

Materials: jersey, linen, cotton, denim, chambray

Loved Looks

Photo: Bradley Dean

Photo: Bradley Dean

Photo: Bradley Dean

When it comes to dressing men, Billy Reid has a knack for outfitting guys with style but not too much pretension. Even if guys aren't into the look as a whole, piece by piece, the well constructed basic garments like the tonal plaid cotton dress shirt with heirloom tank. Suspenders on a guy are always kind of hot to me especially paired with a no fuss shirt and rolled chinos. At this presentation, Billy Reid also revealed two collaborations: one with K-Swiss sneakers and the other includes six piece bag collection called "Made in the USA" available exclusively Gilt MAN in November.

Unloved Looks

Photo: Bradley Dean

Is anyone else as tired of madras as I am? Actually, I never liked it. It looks clownish.  Nice jacket though.

Music

No songs listed.

People and Scene

I always prefer presentations over runway since they have more of an intimate atmosphere. With Reid's simple sophistcate style, the MAC & Milk Studios spaces suited his aesthetic welll. With wooden slats for the models to stand on in front of antique doors provided by some buds at Southern Accents Architectural Antiques (set design was based on the photographic work of Clarence John Laughlin.) people mingled and took photos and chatted with Magic Hat Beer in hand. Hip guys and gals attended along with model Selita Ebanks and Food Network's "Five Ingredient Fix" host Claire Robinson.

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New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010

Designer: Mik Cire by Eric Kim

I haven't been to any of the men's shows at New York fashion week, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to. I stumbled upon this one in my inbox and I'm glad I did.

Eric Kim is the former designer of the brand Monarchy, a contemporary men's and women's clothing line with a cult following. In his new men's label, he takes his eye for the rock casual style men a step further.

Colors

Black, slate gray, olive, taupe

Looks Loved

Remember when I did this post about Clint Eastwood's clothing line?  Scarves that cover the face, leather belts to whip your ass with?  Well, Mik Cire comes pretty close to my vision of what Clint's design aesthetic would be.  I loved the leather holsters on the guys legs (I think they are called spats?) There's something always sexy about suspenders, that is if they are leather and/or thin.  The super high lace up boots and long wool jackets paired with scarves had a wild west vibe mixed with a slight rock star twist. Even the coats had minor details which made them interesting, like off center buttons.

Photos courtesy of Mao PR and via coutortue. Click to see the full collection

Unloved Looks

There were two ginormous man bags that went down the runway. I thought to myself, that bag needs wheels.  If you're going to carry a bag that large it's gonna be heavy. Also, the way Eric Kim mixed the letters in his name to form "MIK CIRE" bothered me.  I like simply "Eric Kim." It has a nice ring.

Music:

A mash up of Nu Disco and other dance beats including Pheonix, Kid Cuddi, Empire of the Sun, Madcon and even Common.

People and Scene

If you like to see the an old fashioned eccentric fashion flock, then this was the place to be. Phillipe Blond was dressed in a body suit and wore a black leather croc majorette style hat.  A girl across the tents rolled in with a massive feather sticking off the top of her head. These are the people you wish you had the guts to dress like.

Eric Kim ended the show by walking down the runway with his baby.  The crowd roared, partly because of the excellent show and mostly because who can resist this kind of cuteness?

Photo courtesy of Mao PR/Eric Kim

To Gift or Not to Gift

There was a copy of the Daily on the seat which doesn't count as swag. Especially since I already had three of the same in my bag because I feel bad for the girls handing the copies out.

A Note from the Designer

On his card that listed the credits and sponsors, Eric Kim printed this note: "Every season, I will be connecting a charity to my brand.  This season, I would like all of you to please visit: www.takepart.com/thecove Please help me raise awareness about the savage and brutal slaying of dolphins in Taiji, Japan!!! - Eric Kim"