In House Importance

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...

The Passing of Many Moons

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.

Twenteen issue 1

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

60 Days 'Till we Get Laid

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.

ASOS AW10 Preview

No words are necessary...

London Fashion Week AW 10 Menswear Round Up: Pt4

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: Pt1

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...

Br Republic pt2

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...

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!

I could totally get into this...

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.

BR Republic

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

This could very well be the end...

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

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.

I got my wings

I forgot to mention that Adidas finally sent me my wings

Beautiful...

Money Clothing SS10 Preview

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

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.

Bape Date

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".