The Glamorous Man

The Good Old Days...

2010-12-15T19:26:00.000Z

I was way to young to fully appreciate the greatness of a proper movie poster. When I say proper I mean those hand painted ones from way back in the day...

I'm obsessed with Sci-Fi films, visually they are amazing, particularly the older ones from the 70's 80's and early 90's. Two of my all time favourite films are Flash Gordon and Logan's Run. If you haven't seen both of these films your life really isn't worth living...!

Here's the Flash Gordon trailer...!

Jason of Beverly Hills: Syringe Ring

2010-12-07T13:00:00.001Z

So I look at this ring and 2 thoughts cross my mind. The first is:

"Oh, what an interesting commentary Jason of Beverly Hills is making on the addictive nature of society".

The second thought is:

"JUBELJFCMWNDKJBCUKNEFLKNVJBCDJKVMNLBRJKNVLWDNCBVWKJN"

Yeah, it's jewellery like this that makes me crazy! I need my medication!

Jason of Beverly Hills has implemented the concept of loose stones being able to move freely in his pieces on a number of occasions and it's something I believe to be quite innovative.

The Syringe Ring is part of the J.Molinari collection which is a collaboration between Jason Arasheben and Markus Molinari. I have no idea who Markus Molinari is however I can say I am officially jealous of the fact that he has collaborated with my favourite jeweller.

That is all...

Competition time...!!!

2010-12-06T17:25:00.000Z

Fashion designer and artist Simeon Farrar is launching his new Kate Mouse T-Shirt print and to celebrate he is giving 10 away before they are even available in store. Now, I know just as much as you do that we all love a bit of advanced exclusivity so to be in with a chance of wining one of the 10 unique t-shirts you can do one of 2 things:

Head over to the Facebook Fan Page and click like, then leave a comment with your name Here

Head over to the Twitter Page, click follow and then retweet This Post

5 winners will be chosen from each group of entrants so if you want to double your chances of wining I suggest entering via Facebook and Twitter!

Gender Bender...

2010-12-03T13:00:00.039Z

So I have never cared much for Rick Owens. His designs always lend to that whole "I'm pretending I'm poor by wearing clothes that look tattered and raggedy but this entire outfit could cover the cost of your rent for 3 months" look and I'm not much of a fan of that and his models always seem to look like 13 year old boys. Anyway his AW10 has got something that I'm kinda lusting after.

So the models above all look relatively normal don't they? Well I say normal but let's face it, if ever you saw a man head to toe in Rick Owens you'd know he was far from normal (in a good way of course) but there's one feature of each outfit that stood out for me.

THE SHOES!!!

I want these shoes! I don't know why but I do. They are obviously womens shoes but they are obviously not womens shoes but they obviously are but they obviously are not. I'm confused. Does this mean I want to be a cross dresser. I don't want to have to wear a dress but those snakeskin boots, ~~I'm sure I could pull them off~~ I know could pull them off!

If Lenny Kravitz can do it then so can I!

In the real world there aren't many men that could get away with these. Beside myself, Lenny Kravitz and Prince I can't really think of anyone else.

They are a bit gay though.

Click here to get yours...

Neil Barrett AW10

2010-12-02T13:00:00.002Z

I totally condone this. It's like wearing 2 suits in one

Don't let these images mislead you, not everything in the collection is worth looking at however these offerings from Neil Barrett are more than enough to wet any appetite.

A change of Mind...

2010-12-01T13:00:00.001Z

Everyone is entitled to change their minds. Part of what makes us human is our ability to open our minds to new possibilities. One thing I though I was certain about was the idea of elasticated denim being wrong. To me it was a trend I would have avoided with ease. That is until I cam across these...

ASOS Biker Detail Denim Jogger

I don't know why but I fell in love with them instantly. I can now say that I am a proud owner of a pair of elasticated denim joggers. I often have to tell myself that I can't wear them every day lest everyone think I have no other clothes.

Click here to get yours. It's totally judgement free and only £40

P.S

They remind me a little of these Balmain jeans...

My Hero, Ryan Reynolds

2010-11-30T13:00:00.004Z

Apologies for the misleading title. I don't actually care much for Ryan Reynolds but it would seem he has signed his soul over to DC comics and he will be playing my favourite super hero of all time...

GREEN LANTERN

For those of you who don't know who Green Lantern is, just go and slit your wrists and die. The universe no longer needs you to exist. I'm only (partial) joking. Green Lanter in the superhero that I sometimes think I was ment to be. I can't even begin to explain how important this film is to me. They better get it right or somebody's gonna die! The trailer looks pretty good...

For those of you that follow me on Twitter you will know that my location has always been marked down as Oa - Green Lantern Corps.

And if you're a friend of mine on Facebook you'll know that my political views have always been with

Green Lanter Corps: Gardians of the universe. This is just to let you know how much of a fanatic I am!

YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND MY EXCITEMENT!

Excuse me Prada...

2010-11-29T21:47:00.001Z

I don't really have much to say about this other than

I AM OFFENDED!

I am usually happy to ignore when fashion houses make mistakes but this is just rude! For a company that of recent times has been in a bit of a state financially they can't afford to be taking these kinds of risks.

These shoes are an abomination!

That is all...

Just because...

2010-11-25T13:00:00.001Z

I just felt like showing off

That is all!

I'm Back... (Again)

2010-11-24T13:00:00.005Z

So, I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything but we've been in this situation before. You know, I get tired of the fashion industry and the politics surrounding, I get a little depressed and say fuck everything! Then a few months later I come crawling back. Yep, here we are once again. I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I've pulled a disappearing act on you guys and It probably wont be the last. I been dealing with some personal issues. A 4 month absence from the world of blogging. I haven't really been up to much. Ok that's a lie but it's all pretty much a blur. I've just drinking a lot. And smoking a lot. I think it's fair to say that I've spent the last 4 months completely inebriated. I can say that I've been earning loads of money but I somehow managed to drink it all.

That's what depression does to people. That's why it's so important to have a good support network. A friend that works in a bar is also useful. Strawberry mojitos and some strange looking shots really do help.

So in my time away I managed to become a fashion editor, resign from said position, DJ along side Boy George, sit 4th row at the Ozwald Boateng London Fashion Week Show, model for a London based Couturier, end up on the Vogue website, fall in love, fall out of love, get ill, get better, spend over £3000 with nothing to show for it, move house, move house again, fall in love again, fall out of love again, get another 8 tattoos and make loads of new friends. All of this while being absolutely wasted.

I'm still glamorous though!

In House Importance

2010-07-01T11:02:00.000+01:00

The recent death of designer Alexander McQueen got me thinking about how important the head designers are at fashion houses and brands. I know that it's an obvious thought but I only recently thought about it in depth. The fact is, when someone steps down their departure is voluntary and they in many cases will have chosen their successor. The work that the head designer has done to help build that brands identity has not gone to waste as they have some control over the direction in which the brand will be going. The same can not be said when someone passes away.

No two designers are the same. No matter how closely they worked together, even if the come from the same background and studied under the same tutors. Many times when a head designer passes the position goes to their right hand man/woman. This is as dangerous as it is safe. It's good because it's the most logical thing to do, the assistant to the head knows the ropes and how things operate however the success of the brand is at stake if they change the identity even in the slightest. Change is good but as we all know it can be very risky bringing in someone new. Just look at what happened with Emanuel Ungaro when they took on Lindsay Lohan. Ok that's not really a good example but I'm sure you get the picture.

What made me think of all this is that I've just taken on a massive project and my mind often runs rampant when taken off the leash. I can't say to much about the project right now so I'll just end the post here.

P.S

The project is actually huge and has the potential to be life changing. I'll let you know more as soon as I can...

Tom Ford Eyewear A/W 10 Advertising Campaign

2010-06-30T12:00:00.006+01:00

Nicholas Hoult is such a beautiful boy. He's a nice guy too. Very tall, it makes perfect sense that Tom Ford is somewhat obsessed with him...

The Passing of Many Moons

2010-06-29T13:30:00.000+01:00

So just over 2 years ago I started this blog. I never thought I would have kept it up for so long. Granted I haven't been the most consistent of bloggers but my point is that I'm still here. I've come a long way since I first entered the world of blogging and I would like to thank my readers for being around (I promise not to make this a tacky acceptance speech for an award I haven't even received). A few days ago one of my new readers (Benny, he's new to blogging. Click here to check out his blog, it's nice) asked me how I got into styling. It's a pretty long story but I'll give you a rundown of the best bits...

2005 I had just finished secondary school. My GCSE grades were good but they were not good enough for me to go to the college that I wanted to attend (it was one of the best in the country). This is down to the fact that I didn't study (I was to busy defending my throne of popularity). My initial plan was to study English Literature, English Language and Music Technology. I wanted to be a singer/songwriter and producer. This in my opinion was never going to happen due to the fact that I didn't make it into the college of my choice so after a lot of wallowing in depression I decided to apply for another college (one of the roughest in London. Someone got stabbed on the first day). I initially applied for both the music course and the fashion course. In the end I chose fashion because I was to shy to audition for the music course.

Little did I know, that shyness would have a massive effect on my life...

So I ended up studying fashion. At first it was great but then in my second (and final) year it turned sour. I went from being star pupil to the black sheep of the class. My main tutor hated me and the feeling was mutual. I failed the course. I knew I was going to fail and for that reason I went and started working part time as a tailoring assistant while I was studying. It's funny because I was learning so much more there than I was while I was in college which just goes to show that the system for creative education doesn't work effectively. So anyway college finished and I left with no qualifications but I still had my job at the tailors so I stayed there for a while. My time there totalled a year when an internship opportunity at SuperSuper magazine opened up. I went for it and I got it (because I'm amazing!). On August the 16th 2007 I started out as an intern. By October 4th 2007 I was the fashion coordinator.

That is basically how I got into this side of the industry...

Since leaving SuperSuper in 2009 I've gone on to work with a number of brands, celebrity clients and magazines. It really has just been a case of networking with the right people. I'm a Pisces born in the year of the snake, I'm naturally charming. In this industry that's all you really need. Make the people love you and they'll give you the world. How do you think I manage to stock my wardrobe?

I do love what I do but there are a lot of things I hate about this industry. I won't go into detail because there's no need to. There are loads of things I love about this industry too. It's not for everyone but if you make it your own you'll be fine.

P.S

Sorry for the essay, I know you people don't like reading much.

ACNE SS11

2010-06-29T12:30:00.002+01:00

Such classy looks...

I have fallen in love with this cummerbund / t-shirt combination...

Moët on the Rocks

2010-06-29T12:00:00.006+01:00

It would seem that it's no longer enough to just chill the champagne...

I'll have a glass of Moët on the rocks please.
On the rocks?
Yes, I said on the rocks. Can't you see the sun violently beating down on my skin?!

My name is Niyi and I'm an alcoholic because if something's worth doing it's worth doing well...

Juun.J SS11

2010-06-28T12:30:00.000+01:00

This is innovative menswear...

Click Here for more info...

The (new) Worlds Most Expensive Suit

2010-06-28T12:17:00.000+01:00

I tried to ignore it, I really did but I just couldn't resist. When someone combines tailoring and diamonds, the two things I love the most, I can't look away. In this case it is very unfortunate because the suit is disgusting! For £599,000 you would expect at least an ounce of class but no, this thing looks like it's been bedazzled by a 12 year old.

Thank god only 3 of these are being made...

Alexander Amosu did it better last year...

And at on £70,000 this one almost seems to be a bargain...

I'm still undecided as to weather or not diamonds have a place in the world of tailoring outside of accessories.

Balmain SS11

2010-06-28T12:00:00.004+01:00

Here is my take on the menswear collection from Balmain...

It's almost offensive that Balmain is able to charge the most obscene prices and get away with it when there is no form of inovation being expressed. The styling is paltry and very little creativity has been exerted to produce this collection.

To cut a long story short, this collection is impressing nobody. To quote Suzy Menkes of the New York Times "Even if he wants to turn his back on formal wear, Mr. Decarnin needs to look forward, rather than back to those familiar rebel years." This is just the tip of the iceberg. Quoting Kevin of Mymanybags.blogspot.com "Refresh, reinvent, inspire... it's how you stay fresh in this cut throat and ever evolving industry. How many pairs of biker jeans do you want us to stock in our closets? How many biker jackets, combat boots and 'moth hole' ridden t-shirts can we own?" These being the nicest comments I have found thus far I can't imagine the journalistic respons to be a positive one and in all honesty I agree with both statements.

The previous collections from Balmain Homme were allong these lines but it was fine because they were doing something new. Here we have the same laziness that has been killing menswear for decades. Considering how inspiring the womenswear collections have been I dont think it's unfair to expect more.

I will say that I could totally get down with those silver jeans and that grey blazer though the models fail to do them justice...

P.S

This isn't the whole collection but it's the best of the collection.

Burberry Porsum SS11

2010-06-23T12:00:00.001+01:00

In a bid to empty the bank accounts of men all over the world Burberry Porsum have made their Spring Summer 2011 collection available to pre-order exclusively online. The thing about online shopping is it isn't real. That's why it's so easy...

Key Pieces...

WARRIOR BIKER JACKET - £5,995.00

COTTON GABARDINE TRENCH COAT WITH WASHED LEATHER SLEEVES - £1,595.00

STUDDED UTILITY CANVAS CROSSBODY BAG - £1,995

Now I will be honest, that studded bad did need a double take but rest assured it is mens and not womens.

Click Here and file for bankruptcy later...

Why Are Your Luxuries Important?

2010-06-22T12:00:00.000+01:00

Before understanding why luxury products are of importance we must first understand what they are. People often just assume that something is of a luxurious nature without actually taking the time to consider what makes it so. The general idea is that the higher end brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton are luxury brands because they are expensive and their products are bought by the affluent but it goes much deeper than that. To the well heeled, a Louis Vuitton bag or shirt is a basic standard. For someone who is used to spending upwards of £1000 on a daily basis these kind of items wouldn’t be considered a luxury purchases. In the same way that for the average consumer a pair of £50 shoes from ASOS would not be considered a luxury purchase. The fact is that luxury is circumstantial. There is no benchmark or system of regulation that dictates when something is or is not a luxury item. This is as good as it is bad because many times we will witness the use of the word in a place it should not be. For example, in the local supermarket when buying toilet roll. The word luxury is often used to boost sales by conveying a sense of quality and because unsuspecting consumers don’t fully understand what luxury is they fall victim to the ploy. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t even have anything to do with the quality of the goods. In reality luxury is about emotion. It’s about how something makes you feel. For example, when you walk into a store and you try on those £300 shoes and you feel like you could walk a million miles that’s luxury. Even if the shoes cost £30, if they have the power to invoke that kind of emotion and you know that it wouldn’t normally be an everyday purchase then to you that’s a luxury.

Now, all superficial reasoning aside, the reason these types of products hold importance to the average consumer is because of this very emotion. A primary example is a wedding day. The reason a man will spend so much money on having a suite made to measure is because when he wears that suit he feels invincible. That suite becomes his armor effectively boosting his confidence and making for a smooth running day. This applies to anything considered a luxury. That “special feeling” is such a necessity and should never be overlooked. It’s not everyday that everyone can afford to by everything but the day you do find that one item that sets your heart racing, don’t ignore it. There’s a reason for those palpitations. That is your luxury…

An Eye for Luxury...

2010-06-21T12:50:00.000+01:00

The fashion world has been making glasses for decades, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to move into contact lenses. It comes as no surprise that John Galliano is the one to make it a trend. This isn't the first time he has done this, in 2004 he designed a set of contact lenses however this is the first time that lenses have been branded by a fashion house. As you can clearly see these contacts feature the CD logo...

Currently on sale throughout Europe these sell for around £75 to £100 and the last 2 months.

Click Here for more info

P.S

I can't wear contact lenses because I get really squeamish about putting things in my eyes. The thought alone makes them water... Shame!

Everything's for sale...!

2010-06-21T12:00:00.007+01:00

I am a firm believer in the fact that everything is for sale. Everyone has their price and there is no amount of trouble you can't buy your way out of. For example, Saturday evening I went out and didn't come home until about 7pm on Sunday (fathers day). Effectively I had been absent for over 24 hours and when I came strolling in like some filthy alley cat my father said to me "Niyi, where the hell have you been?" to which I replied "I went out last night and then I went out again today." Now before he was even able to respond I quickly got in there with "Happy Fathers day by the way" while handing over this...

Conversation over!

Now repeat after me...

Everything is for sale. Everyone has their price and there is no amount of trouble I can't buy my way out of.

Click here for your Dunhill Fix

The All Seeing Eye...

2010-06-18T12:00:00.001+01:00

Villain or hero if worked well the eye patch can be your most effective accessory...

Alexander Skarsgård - Paparazzi - Lady Gaga

Samuel L. Jackson - Nick Fury - Ironman 1/2 - Incredible Hulk 1

David Hasselhoff - Nick Fury - (T.V Series)

Kurt Russell - Snake Plissken - Escape From New York

Tom Cruise - Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - Valkyrie

And the girls...

Angelina Jolie - Commander Francesca "Franky" Cook - Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Daryl Hannah - Elle Driver - Kill Bill: Vol. 1/2

And me...

Channelling my inner dictator. It's time to take over the world!!!

Shadow Hawk Armoured Super Terrain...

2010-06-15T12:00:00.000+01:00

I've never been a fan of massive cars. The concept of having a Hummer on normal roads has never really appealed to me however I look at this thing and the only word to come to mind is 'YES'.

This beast makes a mockery of everything to have ever touched the roads. With it's 40 inch wheels this thing is bloody humongous. Sitting in a new category of road vehicles this STV (Super Terrain Vehicle) will set you back a cool €1 million. It's a worthy price considering only 12 examples are being made each year. So this thing is also able to do 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 208mph. At this size you'd think it were impossible but with a 1,100 horsepower there's no excuse. The ride height or ground clearance is adjustable from zero to 44 inches while in motion which could make for some spectacular display while on your way to the local supermarket to pick up some milk.

For more information Click Here

SUPERSUPER Issue 21

2010-06-14T12:00:00.014+01:00

OUT NOW!

So regardless of what happened between SuperSuper and myself (I still haven't told you guys, just know it was a messy break up) I do have to admit, the new cover for issue 21 looks bloody fantastic. It's totally a step in the right direction. It says that they now what they were and they know that it's time to move forward.

Well done to them!

Blackberry Gold?

2010-06-11T12:00:00.007+01:00

No words can describe the overwhelming joy accompanied by my latest acquisition...

My Gold Blackberry Bold

It was a question of either Swarovski crystals or just plain and simple gold. I decided to leave the crystals to hotel heiresses.

I live a good life...

Sexual Equality in Fashion: Mr Porter

2010-06-10T16:34:00.000+01:00

When it comes to online retailers for menswear there aren't many options worth noting. We have ASOS, Oki-ni and Top Man. This in comparison to the hordes of womenswear retailers is nothing so believe me when I say that Mr Porter is more than welcome in the world of mens fashion.

P.S

For those of you that haven't figured it out, Mr Porter is going to be the menswear equivalent of Net-A-Porter.

A Quote I Found Today

2010-06-10T12:00:00.001+01:00

I would much rather just ignore humility than use it as an arrogant caricature

An official Niyi Crown quote.

Five by Rio

2010-06-09T12:00:00.000+01:00

So when he's not wearing trainers and kicking balls it would seem that would renowned football player Rio Ferdinand likes to wear pretty decent shoes.

We already know the deal when it comes to celebrity brands. I'm sure Rio does not claim to be a fashion designer however he is involved in the design process and that is good enough for me. I must say I was a little surprised at how tasteful the shoes are.

Click here for more information

Twenteen issue 1

2010-06-08T12:00:00.003+01:00

I was recently asked to be a contributor to a new lifestyle magazine called Twenteen. I put together the product page for this issue.

Click here for the whole issue

Maybach Exelero...?

2010-06-07T12:00:00.000+01:00

I am about to show you why James List is so amazing. Many moons ago A car was made by Maybach. It was the only one of it's kind and it sold for a crazy (yet justifiable) amount of money. It was called the Exelero. Probably the most coveted car on earth in my opinion. Well now there is hope for all you rich bitches out there because on James List you can order your own replica. For €550,000 what you're getting is a Dodge Viper, reworked by Swiss hands into your very own Maybach Exelero.

This is very welcome what with the news of the Maybach brand disappearing.

Get it here

P.S
Shipping is free in case you were wondering...

Veja - The Grid

2010-06-04T12:00:00.000+01:00

Summer is officially here which means it's time to bring out those clean, pristine all white trainers. What's that? You don't have a pair of clean, pristine all white trainers? Well today is your lucky day because Veja are here to lend a hand.

Inspired by the postindustrial world this shoe which is also available in purple, black and Moonrock Grey has got an uncomplicated coolness about it.

Available at Selfridges

P.S
Veja shoes are made using wild rubber from the Amazon and the leather is tanned using a method that creates no pollution so not only are you looking good but you're also being moral. Which, for some reason is really hard to achieve in this day and age.

60 Days 'Till we Get Laid

2010-06-03T12:00:00.004+01:00

A little while back I teamed up with Photographer Ian Cole to work on his quarterly arthouse fashion journal entitled Supplementaire. It's online now as a magazine but it can also be bought as a 12"x12" 320 page hard back. No corporate pretence, no ads, just art...

Here's a little sample...

Ian and I actually go quite far back. When I say quite far I mean back to the dawn of my career as a fashion stylist. He was the first photographer I ever worked with. The shoot wasn't great but one image has managed to survive almost 3 years in my portfolio.

In my own Element

2010-06-02T13:55:00.001+01:00

The Monday just gone was a bank holiday for us over here in the UK and in all honesty I can't say I was happy about it. For those of us that are self employed this means a whole extra day added to the 28 day invoice that we sent in order to get paid. It's not convenient at all. In fact, public holidays in General are of no use to me, I decide when I get time off work. Public holidays just delay my getting paid.

Anyway that's not what this post is about. On Monday, I went and lost my tattoo virginity. It was an interesting experience to say the least. A lot of my friends had told me that it doesn't really hurt. This is a lie! The pain is diabolical... To tell the truth it's not really a pain, it's more a sever and unrelenting discomfort. My tattoo only took about 30mins and the pain after that can be compared to falling down on concrete and grazing your skin. It's like a warm stinging sensation.

Check out my ink...

In case you're wondering what it all means just think back to secondary school. Remember the Periodic Table of Elements? Well these are the most important in my world. Platinum, Gold, Silver and Carbon. Why did I get these permanently etched into my skin? Well besides my love of jewellery it's also a gentle reminder that no matter how many material possessions I manage to acquire at the end of the day I'm still just a bunch of atoms and when I die I'll revert to our basic element which is carbon. Carbon also happens to be the same thing Diamonds are made of. Just goes to show how special we are.

P.S
They are not in order of atomic mass as they would be on the periodic table. I've placed them in order of value based on the cost of extraction... Hurray for science

Ted Baker: Fish Out of Water

2010-04-30T12:00:00.002+01:00

Please watch this short animation by Ted baker...

Now as you clearly saw in the video above, they want you to put your shoes in the washing machine. Under normal circumstances I would not condone this kind of advise, not in a million years however this time it's different. The fish out of water collection consists of a machine washable suede driving moccasin. After a few weeks of wear any shoe will begin to collect dirt and cleaning them can often be quite arduous particularly if your shoe is suede but these slip-ons, when washed at 30 degrees will be fresh as ever and still retain their shape and colour.

Available for £80 in selected Ted Baker stores

ASOS AW10 Preview

2010-04-20T12:00:00.002+01:00

No words are necessary...

Harry Winston Opus x

2010-04-19T12:00:00.001+01:00

This is the 10th watch in the Harry Winston Opus collection and boy oh boy does it amaze. Know for creating the most elaborate and epic movements without being tacky it comes as no surprise that this piece is just as complicated as his past models.

Telling the time on this watch isn't as difficult as it may seem. If anything it's probably quite fun to sit and watch the mechanisms at work. The entire dial is constantly in motion as are the hands, much like an Orrery. Made in 18-karat white gold and limited to only 100 pieces I definitely see this as a worthy investment...

Click Here for more information

P.S

It costs £137,000

London Fashion Week AW 10 Menswear Round Up: Pt4

2010-04-16T12:00:00.000+01:00

James Small

I find James Smalls' designs to be perfect. They are perfect in a sense that they don't stand out which in itself is what makes them stand out. The silhouettes are flattering to the male form and even though there is a serious lack of colour they the clothes are still refreshing. There's not really much else to say. Perfection needs no description.

London Fashion Week AW 10 Menswear Round Up: Pt3

2010-04-15T12:00:00.014+01:00

James Long

I have never been a fan of this aesthetic, I've always found that "Shaggy, run down, tramp with fraying clothes" quite repulsive however, James Long seems to have pulled it off quite well. Considering his previous work it surprises me that his designs have gone down this route. Everything was a lot cleaner cut before but it's nice to see something a little different. Staying true to his expert skills in leather this collection features enough of it to keep die hard fans such as myself satisfied.

London Fashion Week AW 10 Menswear Round Up: Pt2

2010-04-14T12:00:00.001+01:00

Lou Dalton

I find that what Lou has manage to do is twist traditional menswear giving it a modern relevance. The plaid suit should actually be disgusting and to a certain extent, when paired with the shirt of the same fabric it is however, were it pieced with a plain white shirt (No tie) and a simple pair of Winkle Pickers it would be quite an effective look.

On the flip side, the pairing of the knitted jumper with the matching knitted scarf cleverly gives the jumper an extension that seem to work very well. It becomes an adaptable working silhouette.

London Fashion Week AW 10 Menswear Round Up: Pt1

2010-04-13T12:00:00.031+01:00

I know it's been ages but I completely forgot to mention that I attended London Fashion Week back in February. Apart from Basso&Brook the only shows I attended were the menswear shows which were all on the last day. It's nice to see that menswear is finally being taken seriously somewhat in London. It still isn't at the point it needs to be but the transition has begun and I am excited to see what is in store for next season...

Jaiden RVA James

I've witnessed these guys grow from just two kids doing the rounds on the London fashion scene to becoming fully fledge designers and all in the space of a few years. Showing at MAN this season they've brought quite a Gothic, S&M feel to menswear. With lots of leather, fur and bondage this collection is quite Dolce&Gabbanna-esq, just with more sex. Bondage aside, if you take a look at the individual pieces they scream genuine, luxurious glamour. The fur trimmed jackets and leather shirts will be a favourite amongst Russian Mafia types and let's face it, the Mafia aesthetic is one that is quite aspirational...

Kirk Originals

2010-04-12T12:00:00.000+01:00

When choosing a pair of glasses weather they be for reading or the sun the most important thing to take into consideration is the shape. One of the most annoying things is finding a style that you really love in a shape that doesn't work for you. Kirk Originals is a brand that have overcome this by making each style available in quite a number of different shapes. What I also like about Kirk Originals glasses is that the styles they come in range from the tame to the tastefully conspicuous...

Currently hand made in France using quality materials, Kirk Originals is definitely a go-to brand when it comes to spectacles...

Click here for more information

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak on Jameslist

2010-04-09T12:00:00.002+01:00

I have a problem, it's a pretty serious problem. I may need to seek professional help. Basically, whenever I'm at a computer with access to the internet I always go shopping. I don't actually buy anything but it has almost become a ritual for me to go on Jameslist and shop. What makes it worse is that Jameslist isn't the sort of website that you can just go and "Pick up a few bits" from. If you're shopping on Jameslist it's probably because your daddy owns an oil well. Mine unfortunately doesn't but I still like to pretend I'm Arab royalty...

So anyway my latest pretend acquisition is this

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jewelled watch is absolutely stunning. In my imaginary world I bought it using the money my father gave my for my 21st birthday. It was easily justifiable because it only cost me £13,287 which is a bargain considering what I'm paying for. I mean surely a watch of this standard covered in 12ct worth of VS quality diamonds should be more expensive.

In the real world unfortunately I can not afford such things. However, if you can then Click Here

You Can't Outsmart Stupid...

2010-04-08T12:00:00.003+01:00

This is the current campaign from Diesel
Everything you will ever need to know is in the video...

Life is Good!

Dope Chef Currency Pt2

2010-04-07T12:00:00.005+01:00

NEWSFLASH!!!
The plaid shirt is in.
I've never been one to follow trends but I do love a bit of red plaid particularly in the form of this Givenchy number. I don't care much for the shorts but that shirt is worthy of all my attention.

Unfortunately I don't know how much it costs and you know what they say about the price of luxury goods and having to ask about it. In this case it's true. I probably can't afford. But I'm not worried at all because Currency have got a pretty hot alternative.

I like it a lot! At £49 I think I might just like it a little more than the Givenchy rendition.
Click Here to get yours

Br Republic pt2

2010-04-06T12:00:00.005+01:00

I've posted about BR Republic before but I just thought I would give them another mention as they have a new collection out. Staying true to their dark and somewhat Gothic style this time they bring us a more rock star orientated theme. Again using Platinum, diamonds, sapphires, black rhodium, rose and yellow gold they seem to have quite a thing for producing very masculine pieces while still having that rock star glamour.

Stocked in Harvey Nichols

Br Republic

By any means necessary...

2010-04-05T20:56:00.000+01:00

Being a freelance fashion stylist is great. I am the boss which means I wake up and go to sleep when ever the hell I like. I work on my time. I answer to me and only me. It also means that I can work from the comfort of my own bed when doing admin stuff. The thing about being a freelancer is that when things are busy they are very busy and when they aren't they are dead. Which is cool, it's nice to have a break from time to time. However sometimes those breaks last a little too long and the money slowly starts to run out so you must find other ways to make ends meet...

For me this includes selling some of my belongings...

Click Here

Here

and

Here

to see what I have for sale...

The last one I wish I didn't have to part with but there's a lifestyle that I have grown accustom to and it needs to be maintained.

Happy Bidding ;-)

P.S

You may be wondering; when did I go a freelance. Truth is, I'm not going into it... That is all!

Jason of Beverly Hills: Gun Ring

2010-04-02T12:30:00.007+01:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything from Jason of Beverly Hills, not because he hasn't been putting out anything good but because, well, I'm trying not to dedicate my entire blog to his work. However, this new release I cannot resist to the point where I tell myself daily how much I need it...

The ring is a gun!

Absolutely stunning. I imagine it would be worn on the index finger for the greatest effect. No word on pricing but really, if you need to ask...

In other news, according to a twitter update he's working on a limited range of bespoke luggage. You know I'm going to keep my eyes and ears peeled for the release later this year.

The Poor Mans Rolex... LTD Watches

2010-04-01T13:00:00.001+01:00

I won't lie. I have never been a fan of UK watch makers LTD Watches. I've always found their watches to be quite tacky in style and feel. They are know for their brightly coloured plastic watches which in my opinion were a cheap knock off of the Italian brand Toy Watch (blog post soon to follow) and were way to light to be reputable so I am pleased to see that they are finally doing something different. The steel collection is basically a well put together interpretation of the Rolex Submariner. Tasteful, classy and most importantly affordable. The idea of wearing a copy of a Rolex shouldn't act as a deterrence. The Submariner is such a classic that to successfully imitate it is something of a skill.

The watch is waterproof and at £85 it's most definitely a ~~steel~~ steal.

Soon to be available at all LTD Stockists

My views on fashion and style...

2010-04-01T12:00:00.000+01:00

Style is like the wheel, it does not necessitate reinvention; fashion however is obsolete and requires the season in order to stay relevant.

Palladium Boots: Then and Now

2010-03-31T12:30:00.001+01:00

Lets take a short trip into the past, I'm thinking about 1920. A company called Palladium was founded as a manufacturer of aircraft tires for the aviation industry. Fast forward to 1939 and business is booming what with the world being at war and everything. Over the next 6 years Palladium are practically raking it in that is until about May 1945 when the war ended. Over the next 2 years the Demand for Palladium tires slowly began declining so they head guys at the company decide that rather than going bankrupt they'll put their expert knowledge in rubber and canvas to another use. And thus Palladium was reborn as a boot maker.

Known for being hard wearing (the soles of the boots are made using the same rubber as the tires) and for providing the French Foreign Legion with their signature Pampa boot, Palladium have somehow managed to make themselves even more relevant in terms of style and practicality.

Available at Size?

P.S

Last week I went to the launch party at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch where I lost yet another brooch. I'm way to traumatized to go into the details of how I lost it. Just know that it was made using a vintage brass lion taken from a 15 year old belt, 24k gold coated stingray skin (yes the fish) and Swarovski crystals. I made it by myself by hand. The only consolation being that there are a pair of Palladium boots on their way to me as we speak.

A quote I found today...

2010-03-31T12:00:00.000+01:00

Money can't buy class but it will pay for a decent interior designer.

An official Niyi Crown quote.

Battle of the sexes...

2010-03-30T12:00:00.000+01:00

When it comes to accessories I believe that it's easy to blur the line that separates those made for men and those made for women. I also encourage men to do it. I think that our options though they may be widening are still somewhat limited but should we choose to take the bold step we can open up a door of endless possibilities without loosing our masculinity. Take this bracelet for example...

Made in LA by a brand called CC Skye, if worn correctly could give off the impression of an acute sense of style should a man choose to wear it. It's that adventurous combination of gold screws with the python skin that makes it work so well.

Click Here to get yours from Oxygen

In this day and age men shouldn't be afraid be bolder in their chosen attire. I'm not saying all men should be wearing Cesare Paciotti ankle boots with their 3 piece suits (unless of course that's your thing) but I think a little more sartorial freedom is needed to make things a bit more interesting. The idea of taking something that was made for a woman and wearing it would probably sounds a little tranny-esque to a lot of men but when done correctly the outcome can be quite impressive.

This to me is what defines the idea of a Glamorous Man

3rd Time Lucky?

2010-03-29T12:00:00.001+01:00

The problem with being an alcoholic party animal that wears fabulous things is that sometimes when doing the things that alcoholic party animals do, clothes and accessories can get lost or damaged. I know this from first hand experience.

Isn't this a beautiful brooch?

So far I have been a proud owner of 2 of these. One in green crystals and the other in black. Both of which have been lost due to my drunken antics. The first was lost in September 2008 during London Fashion Week. Don't ask me how because I haven't got a clue. Just know that somebody else is walking around with my brooch. The second was lost in February 2009 again during London Fashion Week. It doesn't take a genius to notice ~~the trend~~ that I am cursed to forever loose this beautiful piece should I ever be in possession of one.

This makes me ask the question ~~should I buy~~ do I deserve another one? Maybe this time I will be more careful. The chances are slim seeing as my alcohol consumption has gone up 10 fold in the past 6 months.

Click here to get yours from Liberty of London. It ~~only~~ costs £95.

I could totally get into this...

2010-03-26T12:00:00.002Z

She has a beautiful spine running her full length and the most perfectly formed ass I have ever seen on any automobile. She is the Bugatti Galibier. I can see myself stepping out of this at some pretentious fashion event. The bitches would gag at it's classy curves and luxurious demeanour.

I have nothing more to say...

But wait...
How much do you want the luggage to match?

Emotional!

That is all.

A quote I found today...

2010-03-25T18:29:00.004Z

When life gives you lemons, ask for the receipt.

My humble abode

2010-03-25T12:00:00.000Z

I never did tell you guys about my new area.

Well basically it's lovely. I moved house in September of last year and I've never been happier living in a location. I now live right by Tower Bridge which for those of you that don't know (seeing as 60% of you reading don't actually live in the U.K) is this countries most iconic bridge. It also means that I live near the Tower of London which is the castle in which the Crown Jewels are held.

As you can see in the pictures above one day as I was walking home from the east side of the bridge to the south side I managed to catch the it while it was open. I even filmed it closing...

What I also love about my area apart from the views is that it's walking distance from practically everywhere!!! Whenever I'm out with my friends and someone asks, "How long will it take you to get home?" it feels so good to be able to say "Oh don't worry about me, I can walk home from here"

Good times...

The girls get it so good...

2010-03-24T14:30:00.005Z

Women don't know how lucky they are when it comes to fashion. It's okay for a woman to wear pretty much anything and get away with it. Hell, women can even venture into menswear and it's seen as "cool". The lack of sexual equality in fashion sickens me to be honest. Really and truly the level of sexual discrimination against men is beginning to reach proportions of an epic magnitude and I am even further disgusted when I see items like this...

As we all know Chanel is by default a womenswear brand. This shoe however could easily go between the lines of sexuality. Unfortunately the chances that this will be sold in a size above a UK 8 (42 in Europe) are next to none. I think it's ~~just plain disrespectful~~ unfair that as usual the men have been forgotten.

Click Here if you're foot will be able to fit into this and you'd like more information.

To those of you that will be making a purchase, just remember the rest of us men with size 9 feet.

Dope Chef Currency

2010-03-24T12:00:00.001Z

I am not a fan of clothes with slogans on them. In my opinion there was nothing worse than when Henry Holland debuted his collection of Slogan T-Shirts at London Fashion Week in 2007. It was and always will be offensive and not in a "Look at me I'm really rude which makes me cool" kind of way. There are a few exceptions however and Currency is one of those.

So the first thing I saw from the brand was this "I'm Ur Boss" Sweatshirt.

At only £39 I needed one, that is until I saw this...

It's bloody amazing. This Cockral sweatshirt is perfect for those "I just don't give a fuck" days.
If you work in an office imagine wearing one of these on casual Friday.

Click here to get yours

BR Republic

2010-03-23T12:00:00.004Z

I know you know I love Jewellery. There's no denying it at all. It's beyond an obsession, jewels are like the essence of my being and it's designs like these that give me life.

Taking inspiration from the battlefields of old and new London based jewellers BR Republic have used everything from Sterling silver to black rhodium, rose gold and platinum with diamonds and sapphires to create some truly amazing pieces.

With the likes of Maxim of The Prodigy and Jay-Z wearing bespoke designs, you should know that these masculine pieces are highly coveted.

True luxury comes at a price though with them starting at £350 and reaching an endless limit should you want something more unique.

Br Republic

The last of the Maybachs

2010-03-22T13:00:00.001Z

Last week Daimler announced that they will be phasing out the Maybach brand. For those of you who don't know (I imagine there aren't many of you) Maybach is the super premium counterpart to Mercedes but in it's 8 years for some reason unbeknown to me it has never been able to match the sales figures of it's rivals Bentley and Rolls Royce. This isn't that big a deal as the plan is to just re-brand Maybach as the new luxury-premium-more-money than the bank, Mercedes Benz S class which is what it basically is anyway...

Maybach Landaulet...

As you already know, we at The Glamorous Man don't care for specifics. All we want to know is price and availability. Unfortunately neither of these details are currently available so all we can do is lust for now.

Summer is here...

2010-03-21T11:09:00.005Z

Ok so that's a lie but I really need it to be here because I want a new wardrobe / to renew the wearing of some of my old clothes from 4 summers ago. When I was younger I used to hate summer because I never knew how to dress for it. I always preferred winter as I could use layers. I could pile on the fur, the gloves, the scarves, the boots. Winter was an excuse to use practically every accessory under the sun. But summer, summer was evil! Summer was the season that was there only to make those of us who didn't have great bodies feel inadequate. If you didn't have the abs and arms of a swimmer then you must refrain from removing your shirt and If you didn't have the legs of a runner then no shorts for you!

Things have changed now. Not that my body now looks any more muscular because it doesn't. My legs are still as thin as twigs but I actually don't give a shit anymore. Like really, I want to wear shorts and vests so I am going to wear shorts and vests and I will fight any mother fucker that tells me I'm to skinny to do so!

And on that note I present to you Franks!

Not only are they shorts, but they are proper shorts! This summer is apparently going to be one of the hottest this country has ever seen and I refuse to sweat! They cost £55 and you can get them from ASOS. We don't really have beaches in London so I'm just going to have to make do with the streets. I will be the envy of SE1!

I'll be back...

2010-02-11T12:16:00.003Z

Hi Guys, it's been a long time. I'm currently in the process re-branding myself which means that I will have to re-brand the blog too. It's taken me a while to figure out what I'm trying to do with my life but recent events have helped confirm the path that I have now chosen.

Fear not, I'm still going to be The Glamorous Man. When I return I shall be more glamorous and sparkly than ever before.

Mark My Words.

This could very well be the end...

2010-01-04T01:04:00.003Z

Hello my dear readers, it has been a long time since I last addressed you and I do apologize for my lack of posts. To say that it is because I have been too busy would be a lie because as busy as I have been one is always able to make time.

As it stands I am in two minds. I am not sure if I truly wish to continue on this journey as your glamorous man. In my time away from blogging I have experienced many things, things that I do not wish to discuss. To say the fashion industry has tainted me and turned me sour would be a little extreme but I am slowly loosing passion. It's not so much the work as opposed to the work environment.

To cut a long story short, this could be the end...

Only time will tell.

Forever yours

Niyi Maximus Crown

Sorry

2009-09-18T00:14:00.002+01:00

I must apologize for the lack of updates. I'm currently in the process of moving house and my access to the Internet is somewhat limited...

But fear not, new posts are on their way.

P.S
Though my enthusiasm for London Fashion Week isn't the greatest of all fashion entities I assure you I did not choose to move at this time.

Ripleys' Believe It Or Not

2009-09-04T12:30:00.001+01:00

There is something quite alluring about this car even though it's as ugly as sin.

Were it mine, I would have all the stones in one colour. In fact I would have a completely different car altogether. I find Minis to be dreadfully unsightly vehicles.

I got my wings

2009-09-03T12:30:00.002+01:00

I forgot to mention that Adidas finally sent me my wings

Beautiful...

A quote I found today...

2009-09-02T12:30:00.000+01:00

Somebody asked my why I don't blog about Yatchs, I said it's because I can't swim...

Jason of Beverly Hills - Part 2 - Officially Obssesed

2009-09-01T12:30:00.004+01:00

So remember that ruby ring by Jason of Beverly Hills? Turns out it also comes in 18k white gold with a blue sapphire. I still prefer the Ruby one but this is still amazing.

Check out some of his other pieces too...

This is the pendant that he made for Michael Jackson. It's an amazing piece made with flawless yellow and white diamonds and is a replica of the crest that features on the gates of Neverland ranch.

Rumour has it that the crest is a direct copy of the coat of arms that lies over the entry archway of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Hong Kong. This comes as no surprise however I had no idea there was a Disneyland in Hong Kong.

P.S
Yes I am obsessed with Jason of Beverly Hill. So what?

Smiley with Sibling

2009-08-31T12:30:00.000+01:00

Smiley is one of those brands that even if you've never heard the name you will most certainly recognize the logo. For ss10 hey have teamed up with Knitwear designers Sibling to create a 6 piece menswear collection. Each piece will of course feature the Smiley logo and will come in an array of different styles. I heard that these include an intarsia cotton sports vest covered in sequins and an amazing jumper knitted with crystal cup chain which has been sponsored by Swarovski. The collection will be shown this September at London Fashion Week as part of a presentation provided by SIBLING...

We don't get to see much menswear during London Fashion Week so I'm very excited about this collaboration.

Dimitri Stavrou - A sartorial king

2009-08-29T19:30:00.001+01:00

Way back in January I wrote a post about the London College of Fashion MA graduate show and mentioned that Dimitri Stavrou would be one to keep an eye out for. Well, now I have some images for you all to see exactly how amazing his work is.

He even caught the attention of boot makers Dr Martins and has done a collaboration with them to coincide with his collection...

Dimitris' attention to detail and creative vision truly are inspiring. I was able to try on some of his pieces and believe me when I say never has a jacket made me feel so good about my body. The fits are immaculate.

I expect Dimitrs' future to be bright and shiny and extremely well tailored.

Bentley Mulsanne Unveiled

2009-08-18T15:33:00.003+01:00

For the past 3 months Bentley have been torturing me with the mere thought of this car but finally it has been revealed. The Mulsanne is a remake of the 1980's classic which at the time was the basis for all Bentley models until the 1998 introduction of the Arnarge.

Here it is...

It's a beautiful beast and I think it may just replace the Arnarge as my favorite of the Bentley motors. There is no word on pricing as of yet however the car is due for release by the 3 quarter of 2010.

Mat & Nat Kenner bag

2009-08-10T22:49:00.004+01:00

Today I fell in love with another bag. It's called Kenner and it's made by Mat&Nat who are a very special brand. Special because their products are made in a special way.

At first glance you'd think that this bag was just made from regular felt with regular leather accents but this is not the case. Mat&Nat make all of their bags out of recycled water bottles.

Yes, this bag is made of plastic.

I don't know what kind of magic they use to turn plastic into felt, leather and suede but it works and it looks great.

Get the Kenner for £175 from Mat&Nat

Diesel a/w10

2009-08-06T11:39:00.004+01:00

This autumn Diesel launches their "Flash For Fun" which basically glows in the dark. Check it out...

Every piece has had some sort of U.V treatment, it's a very "work by day but at night we play" mentality to fashion and I love it.

Jason of Beverly Hills

2009-08-05T12:28:00.008+01:00

It's official, I am obsessed with Jason of Beverly Hills. This is my 3rd post on his work and all in the space of a 2 weeks. The guy is a genius. You've already seen the Oops necklace he did for Chris Brown and yesterday I showed you the remote control Lamborghini necklace he did for Soulja Boy. Now if you look closely at yesterdays picture you'll see Soulja boy is wearing a ring that appears to have a purple hue to it.

Well this is that ring...

I'm guessing it looked like that because of the lighting but this 18k white gold (with a special black overlay) and ruby ring is absolutely amazing. Perfect in size, perfect in design. There really is nothing about it that I don't love.

But then again, it is by Jason of Beverly Hills. I think he may just replace De Grisogon as my all time favourite. His new website launches today so we'll have to see what else he has in store.

Soulja Boy Tell'em

2009-08-04T11:58:00.004+01:00

People seem to throw a lot of shade in the direction of Soulja boy, I think he's great. Excellent businesses man, creative musician and an all round fun guy. I've heard people say that he killed hip-hop with his nursery rhyme rap songs, they call his music childish and distasteful but what people forget is that when he first popped on the scene, he was a child. What more did people expect from a 17 year old? Well now that he is 19 nothing has changed. Even his jewellery collection reflects his youthful nature.

What do you see?

Yes...That is a remote controlled diomond encrusted Lamborghini pendant. Created for the rapper by the tallented Jason of Beverly Hills who you may remember is responsible for Chris Browns Oops necklace. When not being worn as a necklace it can be driven around till ones heart is content.

FUCKING AMAZING!!!!!

P.S
Also note the amazingness of his rings. I just thought I would point that out.

Key Closet

2009-07-31T12:10:00.003+01:00

My name is Niyi Maximus Crown. If you've been reading my blog then you know exactly what I'm about. I like things that are shiny and I like things that sparkle. I am Swarovski's biggest fan and I am obsessed with diamonds and other precious gemstones. So when I come across a brand like Key Closet I can't help but get a little bit excited.

This Luxury casual wear brand features T-Shirts hoodies and tops all embellished by hand with embroidery, spray paint, hand applied foil and Swarovski crystal. All tastefully done to produce a wearable work of art

But that's not where it ends because Key Closet are also Responsible for the £7000 pair of jeans.

Now when I first heard the price the first thing I said was "lets be real if the jeans are going to cost £7000 I really do hope it's got some diamonds on it somewhere". How ironic because they do. The hand made, one of a kind, jeans are covered in 1309 stones including real diamonds, over 160 nail heads and beautiful hand painted accents.

I shed a little tear.

Click here to check out the website.

Billionaire Boys Club Hunting Backpack

2009-07-31T12:00:00.000+01:00

This season it seems that Billionaire Boys Club have taken a very Ralph Lauren approach to things. We see a lot of hunting themed prints running through their typical blazers and T-shirts. Which brings me on to this pretty cool find for a/w 09...

Available now

I'm not really a backpack sort of person but it seems Billionaire Boys Club make the perfect kind like the gold leather Diamond and Dollar backpack from last season.

Give Me Goyard!

2009-07-29T12:00:00.003+01:00

It's funny how the world works isn't it. Everybody is totally in love with the accessories from brands like Mulberry and Louis Vuitton and make no mistake, so am I but there is another brand that in my opinion wipes the floor with all the known heavyweights for the simple fact that they are not common. Let's face it. Everyone knows a Louis Vuitton bag when the see one. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but on the flip side the bags are so recognizable that the streets are littered with people carrying counterfeits and it has lost that air of exclusivity. And so my dear disciples of glamour I introduce you to...

GOYARD...

As you can see these pieces are stunning. Mere pictures don't really do them justice as the attention to detail is incredible. The level of exclusivity surrounding these bags is epic. If you go to the Goyard website you won't find a single image of their ranges, there's nowhere to legitimately buy them online and they only ever sell through their own stores. In London Goyard pretty much does not exist. This to me is what makes a perfect brand.

The best news of all is that they are opening a store right here in London. Which means I am going to be poor as that's where all my money will be spent.

How amazing is that giant trunk!

Raf Simmons for Dr Martens

2009-07-29T12:00:00.001+01:00

A/W is always my favourite season.

People don't make shoes like these for the summer.

Dr Martens rock my socks!

Return of The Crown Pt4

2009-07-28T12:10:00.000+01:00

One thing I forgot to mention while I was away is that I committed the most atrocious act of self indulgent narcissism.

I joined Twitter!

Follow me to stay up to date with my daily musings and irrelevant shit-chat. It's great fun

Money Clothing SS10 Preview

2009-07-28T12:00:00.001+01:00

Today I received the Money Clothing SS10 lookbook. In case you don't remember, Money Clothing are the ones who brought us that dream of all dreams, the Swag Bag lined with dollar bills.

Here's a sneak peak of what's to come...

My obsession with Money and the things Money can buy sit so well with the ideas of Money clothing. From the Gold foil on the tees to the dollar bills in the back pocket of the jeans. It's tastefully conspicuous and I like it.

Return of The Crown Pt3 - Flashing Lights

2009-07-27T12:10:00.001+01:00

In my time away from blogging I took time to shoot for the August issue of RWD magazine. I wanted to keep the concept pretty simple this time around So I went for a futuristic urban look.

Have a look at the shoot entitled Flashing Lights...

I'm quite pleased with the turn out of this shoot which is out now by the way should you wish to get a copy of the magazine.

P.S
Click Here to see the last shoot I did for RWD.

A quote I found today

2009-07-27T12:00:00.000+01:00

There is nothing more dreadful than imagination without taste.

Oops?

2009-07-24T12:10:00.001+01:00

In no way am I trying to run any kind of comentary on the whole Chriannah situation because quite frankly it's none of my buisness. He hit her and I'm sure he's sorry.

Now onto more important matters...

I'm guessing this is his retail therapy. You know, considering all the stress he's been under and all that jazz. At $300,000 I sure hope it works. I know it would for me.

This spectacular piece was created by Jason of Beverly Hills who is known throughout the Hip-Hop community for his work. In fact, a few of his pieces were featured in the Hip-Hop Crown Jewels auction at the Philips De Purey gallery in New York last year including that infamous Crunk Ain't Dead necklace previously owned by Lil Jon.

P.S
In case you were wondering exactly how big this guys name is, well he even made a necklace for Michael Jackson.

I've waited so long for this...

2009-07-24T12:00:00.000+01:00

I've been waiting to hear the full version of this song for so long. I first heard a snippet of it on Master Shorties Myspace months ago and felt that I needed to hear the rest or my life may just come to an end.

Finally...

Great stuff.

Dominic Jones will complete my life...

2009-07-23T12:10:00.000+01:00

Just take a few minutes to absorb the fabulous amazingness of what you are about to see...

Did you see those gloves? Oh my sweet bejeezees. I need them. I need them as though my life depended on it. They are the most amazing pair of gloves I have ever seen in my whole entire life.

Below is more of Dominics work...

I don't really know anything about this guy but let's face it, I need to get to know. Click Here to see more of his stuff.

P.S
Dominc Jones is king!

Modern Traditionalist

2009-07-23T12:00:00.002+01:00

I am 20 years old. In the 20 years of my existence I have witnessed the evolution of menswear in the same way that anybody else would. I have come to realize though that in the past decade or so the rate at which menswear is evolving seems to have been sped up. I blame my generation for this but it is not necessarily a bad thing. What is a bad thing however is this...

Can you imagine walking into a shop to purchase a double breasted suit Jacket only to find that the one you have picked up seems to have a substantial amount of buttons missing? And as you hastily search for another it then dawns on you that they all have missing buttons? It would be devastating. You would have to look elsewhere would you not? The problem is, this doesn't appear to be a mistake. Not only does this appear to be intentional but it's a trend that seems to have followed through to the likes of Alexander McQueen and Prada. Even Lanvin is in on it. Quite frankly I am disappointed.

Since 2004 I noticed that the mens suit jacket was gradually loosing its buttons and I was all for it to begin with but I really do believe this to be a step to far. Honestly speaking, this is the nicest example of such sartorial abominations. This suit by Gianfranco Ferré as you can see is extremely well cut, almost like a diamond but unfortunately it's not flawless. There is just no point.

I take pride in the fact that my background is in tailoring however I am a little embarrassed to be associated with a generation that insists on defiling menswear in such a maner. Don't get me wrong, the first single button suit jacket I ever saw was from Dolce & Gabbana and it completely changed the way I viewed menswear. It was glamorous and yet still masculine, it was young and fresh but still to be taken seriously. My eyes were opened to a new silhouette, one that I would swear by even to this day but honestly I don't think I will be embracing this new style quite as openly.

I'm sure the single buttoned suit was greeted with exactly the same hostility when it first arrived but only time will tell weather this new shape will be as successful.

P.S
Here's what a real suit jacket should look like...

Who the hell is Alexis Mabille?

2009-07-22T12:05:00.000+01:00

And where have his creations been my whole life?

That is all I would like to know.

The wait is over...

2009-07-22T12:00:00.004+01:00

NEWS FLASH!!!!!

What you are about to see is the fashion equivalent of a black American president. Too many times has menswear suffered discrimination in the fashion industry and I have always felt strongly about this subject however next season we will be one step closer to sartorial equality for next season see the release of the Christian Louboutin menswear collection.

No this is not a hoax...

All I can really think to say is "About fucking time". In all honesty I can't wait. Let's be real, if the mens collect is even half as good as what the women get it'll still be pretty amazing.

Bape Date

2009-07-21T12:05:00.002+01:00

So last week saw the re-opening of the Bape store right here in London. For some reason it closed down, I'm not going into the details, there's no need for gossip. The main point is that it's back and all is well...

The launch party was last Friday, it was wicked. Not only one of the best industry parties I've ever been to but most probably one of the best parties I've been to in general (Yeah I know I should get out more but I'm too glamorous for that). It was good to see Pharrell again after a whole year and Mark Ronson was spinning some of the baddest tunes. I don't have any pictures from the party but I can say it was packed like some kind of house rave. To be honest all I remember is arriving at 11:30 (walking straight in, I don't do ques. You should know that already) and 4 Mojito's, 2 Martini's, a Sambuca shot and a glass of champagne later I was sitting on the curb at 3:30 in the morning throwing up diamonds while my date was trying to drag me to the nearest McDonalds which by the way was closed, I was way too drunk to be as furious as I should have been. Everything else about that night is a bit of a blur.

Fun times!

P.S
Come to think of it I do remember quite a bit about the party. All I'm saying is "scandalous".

From G-Shocking to Z-Shocking

2009-07-21T12:00:00.000+01:00

So it's been approximately 1 year since my life was blessed with the honour of working with Pharrell Williams. Now, in my initial post (click here) about the day I did not mention the jewels. Pharrell wears some serious blingage. Make no mistake, he has nothing on me in terms of quantity however when it comes down to quality and price range, well let's just say I'm smoking from a different pipe. Anyways, I remember on the day of the shoot it was his diamond encrusted G-Shock that caught my attention. What you guys need to understand is that it's all well and good seeing pictures of him wearing it but these pictures mean nothing until you actually see the thing in person. I wanted to cry. I was so overwhelmed. Since that day I made a promise to myself, that I too would one day have a diamond encrusted G-Shock.

Ladies and gentlemen, that day is soon to be upon us for I have discovered the most amazing discovery know to any true desciple of glamour.

The are called Z-Shock

White gold, yellow gold, platinum, diamonds or Ziamond cubic zirconia it's entirely up to you.

The don't just do G-Shocks either...

Make no mistake, you can't buy champagne for the price of lemonade these things aren't cheap but the quality is unquestionable. I do have a problem though not with the price (I've been saving my pennies for a while now) the problem I have is I don't know which one to get.

P.S
When you go to the website you'll see that they have an endless celebrity following, it's actually quite impressive. Why don't you follow them on twitter too. Click Here.

Return of The Crown Pt2 - My Flaws are Perfect

2009-07-20T12:00:00.001+01:00

As you are all aware I've only just started updating my blog again. As promised I have come to tell you what I have been up to in my absence. So you all know Perfectly Flawed right? What? You don't? O.K well it's one of the coolest brands to come out of London this side of the millennium. Quite frankly there's no excuse not to know. Anyway, I got my modelling face on for the SS09 collection and all I can say is, damn I look good.

The thing about Perfectly Flawed is the work that goes into the design process is actually immense. Each garment is hand printed in London so you can be guaranteed that every product has been personally inspected for quality by the designer himself and everything is limited edition. Let's be real, Perfectly Flawed is a hot brand. The T-shirts are hot, the vests are hot the tracksuits are hot. There's no reason not to own something from there. Click here for the online store.

P.S
I literally live in the stuff I love it that much.

J'adore Dior

2009-07-19T19:22:00.004+01:00

Look at this!!!!

When I came across these I didn't know what to do with myself. I'm not really sure what to say. I feel like Dior is just making a mockery of my pennyless state. I'm seeing stones of Jade, opal, Obsidian and Quartz that have been carved into skulls and then embezzled with diamonds and pearls in the most regal of manners. A quote taken from Vogue France says "As we are temporary the jewels we wear last through time and centuries". This isn't the first time I've been amazed by Dior Joaillerie however this collection entitled 'Kings and Queens' by Victioire de Castellane has actually brought a tear to my eye.

P.S
I am actually feeling quite emotional because of this.

Return of The Crown

2009-07-17T10:36:00.006+01:00

Ladies and gentlemen I feel as though I owe you all an apology. For the past few months I have not been fulfilling my duties to you as an advocate of glamour. I can imagine you are all probably unimpressed with my lack of updates and for this I am truely sorry.

But fear not for I am back. After a journey of self discovery I have returned and I promise you, the next time I decide to go on hiatus, I will let you all know.

I bet you're wondering what I've been up to all this time. Patience my dear disciples, I'll let you know over the next few posts. In the mean time I would like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine.

Marie Absolom photograpy

Marie and I have worked together on 2 occasions now (and there will be many more in the future) She's a very talented photographer, below are some examples of what we did.

Click Here for more of her work.

Yeah I know there's some womenswear in there. I tried to slip it in without anyone noticing but it just wasn't gonna happen. The truth is that I have opened up my spectrum of work to the fairer sex. Why? Because the money is fucking great! That's why!

Stay tuned for the next instalment of Return of the crown

A quote I found today...

2009-04-17T00:00:00.002+01:00

They told me to stop this spoilt brat bullshit and just learn to drive. I said, there's no point. I wouldn't be seen dead in the drivers side of an Arnage.

An official Niyi Crown quote.

A quote I found today...

2009-04-10T17:20:00.003+01:00

It's a simple thing called supply and demand. When you're selling your swagger for a living you need to make sure you've got enough to go around.

An official Niyi Crown quote.

I was styling from the dot!

2009-04-09T00:00:00.000+01:00

This is the first thing I ever did as a stylist. I worked with photographer Ian Cole almost 2 years ago and to this day it stands as one of my proudest pieces of work.

Are You Part New Era?

2009-04-08T00:00:00.001+01:00

Around this time last year I was on a shoot for New Era the ever popular cap brand. I was on the shoot not as a stylist but as a model for their newly launched SS 09 apparel look book.

Check it out...

It was a wicked day of shooting, I had a serious amount of fun. The shoot did run on for a very long time but I made some good friends on the day so it was well worth it (And I was being paid). You may have noticed in the group shots my guy Raphaël D'Ascenzo working his stuff too.

Promotional Video

Interview with Walé Adeyemi

I also did the advertising campaign for their hats which was featured on their website, in iD magazine, SuperSuper and various other places.

My New Era Interview

Another promotional Video

There is a huge poster of the group shot in the New Era flagship store and the only reason I go in there is to look at it. My picture is even on some promotional postcards in the store. Make no mistake, I have 20. I think I may use them for sigining autographs...

...Or not

Oh Mr Crown...

2009-04-04T04:13:00.007+01:00

Check it out. Me in a Basso & Brooke coat outside a Uniqlo party last year.

The image was featured on the Street Peeper website. Some of the comments are absolutely hilarious. The way I see it is; as long as I exercise the right to wear what I want, others should feel free to exercise their right to say what they want (not a single one of them is paying my bills so why should I give a damn).

The best comment by far is the one from Raluca I nearly died with reading it. Check out her blog if you're up for a good laugh.