CITYist

An undeniable theme present in D&G’s Fall/Winter 2011-2012 collection for men is color. Hyper-saturated hues complement ensembles positively dripping with vibrance.

Bottega Veneta’s fall/winter 2011-2012 collection is all about reinvention. The focus is the remaking of traditional menswear items in never before seen ways. With classicism and timelessness having dominated the market in 2010, Bottega Veneta is suredly leading the charge towards the next phase in men’s fashion.

John Varvatos describes the men who inspired his fall/winter 2011-2012 collection as “sophisticated and rustic.” And they are appropriately so. Varvatos’ latest menswear collection is positively dripping with nostalgic charm.

2011 will be nothing short of stellar for the music industry. From titillating debuts, to anticipated sophomore releases, the New Year is bringing with it the prospect of some truly awe-inspiring musical acts. Here are four albums dropping in 2011 that any and all music enthusiasts should invest in.

Aaron Short, Alisa Xayalith, David Beadle, Jesse Wood, and Thom Powers make up the five-piece, alternative, electro-rock band from New Zealand: The Naked and Famous. Melding traditional, alternative rock stylings with synth-pop hooks, The Naked and Famous create a sound similar to the Stateside-favored Passion Pit, with an edge.

The neo-soul revival has long been dominated by Britons: Amy Winehouse, Adele, Duffy – you know and love them. But long have we waited for a thoroughly American response to this revitalized genre. Tennessee-born Lauren Pritchard may be the missing piece to the puzzle.

Enter Ellie Goulding. This doe-eyed, Herefordian canary emerged on the scene in 2010 with her March release of Lights by Polydor Records. Co-produced by British electropop veterans Starsmith and Frankmusik, among others, the album has garnered instant success. Since then, it has gone on to sell 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom, 40,000 of which were sold in its first week debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart.

The new Versace V-Race wristwatch is the modish, new way to keep time whilst displaying a taste for the fashion world’s paramount house of luxury. The round-face 42 milimeter case is cast in sleek steel, featuring interchangeable lunettes ornamented with the incised and repeated Versace logo, Greek-inspired designs, or a classic minute dial.

Levi’s brand announced in early November the launch of a third collection in their much-talked-about Workwear series. The series celebrates the integral, American heritage of Levi Strauss & Co., accented by one-of-a-kind collaborations with characteristically American brands, such as the iconic Pendleton Woolen Mills.

Yesterday, beloved designer Stella McCartney announced the launch of a redesigned web and e-commerce site: StellaMcCartney.com. The site re-launched Stateside, but is now accessible in the United Kingdom. The site will expand access to eight more European countries by this coming spring.

New York’s most stylish and sophisticated turned out for the Lanvin for H&M show on Friday, November 18. The collection is a blissful marriage of the classic, feminine Lanvin aesthetic and trendy versatility of H&M. The silhouettes are flirty and spirited, all utterly Parisian with an added kick of Scandinavian edge. The result is a truly unique and never-before-seen collaborative line.

Looking for a high-class gift to give this holiday season? Look no further than Detroitois designer, John Varvatos and his stunningly talented design team. Known as a “jack of all trades,” in the fashion industry, Varvatos and company have compiled a holiday catalogue chock-full of luxurious items that range in utility from scarves to customized guitars.

Jordanian designer Rad Hourani, known for his avant-garde aesthetic and mantra of “gender agnosticism,” has released the sixth line in his Unisex Transformable collection.

The new Levi’s concept store, Levi’s Meatpacking (inspired by the surrounding neighborhood) opened last Thursday (November 11) with a spectacular event headlined by the Vivian Girls. The 4,500 square-foot store includes an in-store concierge and tailor shop.

On Tuesday, October 10, 2010, the Italian fashion brand Sisley (of the Benetton Group) exhibited and auctioned off a collection of one-of-a-kind motorcycle jackets specially painted by today’s most noted pop artists. Curated by Glenn O’Brien, the exhibition was launched at a gala during Milan Fashion Week, and the pieces were sold online and at Christie’s in New York on November 8 to benefit the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

G.H. Bass & Co., the iconic, heritage footwear brand teams up with Rachel Antonoff – fashion’s current it-girl – for an exciting new collection that will roll into stores just in time for the 2011 spring season.

Fake Love is the second film in a series of three to be released by director Aaron Rose, all shot entirely on the iPhone 4. Using the included high definition camera, Rose has created what he calls a “teen soap opera,” with an accompanying photo essay also shot using the iPhone 4.

Accessories designer Kara Ross will be appearing at Bergdorf Goodman on Thursday, November 4, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm to provide customers with the unique opportunity to customize their own “Celina” clutch.

MOVE!, a series of performance-based installations created by well-known artists paired with celebrated fashion designers, opened at MoMa PS1 last weekend. Highlighting the event were Cynthia Rowley and Olaf Breuning, who dressed models in plain denim garments to function as canvas. The models were artfully doused with bright splashes of paint as part of the performance, and subsequently photographed as part of the exhibition.

Ranging from $550 to $3,250, David Yurman’s zoologically-themed cufflinks feature sterling silver and gold-cast wasps, sea urchins, and scarab beetles that will spike your suits with originality and style. All three are available at DavidYurman.com or at the Manhattan boutique at 712 Madison Avenue.

Danielle and Jodie Snyder, the creative forces and nominal inspiration behind jewelry brand DANNIJO, are launching an exciting new line today in collaboration with FashionToast.com’s Rumi Neely. The limited edition collection will be sold exclusively on Tobi.com.

It’s hard to believe that autumn is nearly halfway over. With winter fast approaching, the holiday season of gift giving stubbornly occupies the mind of the savvy shopper. If you’re looking for an affordable, yet quality gift with a range of versatility, look no further than the Express Fragrance Gift Sets for him and her, available on Express.com and in Express stores nationwide beginning November 1, 2010.

Moschino’s new “Lost & Found” collection was launched in June, 2010 to celebrate the inauguration of the Maison Moschino – a 65-room boutique hotel converted from a neoclassical railway station in Milan. Included in the line is a trolley case, document case, laptop bag, shopper bag, cosmetics pouch, and mini messenger bag – all outfitted in the iconic “superstitious” print.

The latest collection from British jewelry label, Camilla James, is described as “an artfully constructed interpretation of military chic.” I have to say, I couldn’t agree more. Considering the recent direction of trends toward utility and structure, these pieces are perfectly attuned to today’s favored styles.