MILAN: PRADA S/S 2011

Just started combing through the menswear collections  ... and while Alexander McQueen felt lacking (and a little sad, but more on that later), Prada cheered me up! I've been contemplating the dreary turn fashion has taken recently, and leave it to the Renaissance Lady Miuccia Prada to make the revival of "minimalism" feel fun and fresh (and young!):

Prada can often feel odd, but never disingenuous. I love the horizontal necklines, the bright colors paired with khaki, weird medical-scrubs and the shoes (of course), however I do find Miuccia's fascination with the "ugly sweater" disengaging.

More on the latest menswear from Milan soon ...

MENSWEAR - MILAN S/S 2011 CRASH COURSE

JIL SANDER S/S 2011

Men's Fashion Week  in Milan is upon us, and Style.com is offering a crash-course for those not entirely familiar with who's-who on the menswear scene. Raf Simons for Jil Sander opened Fashion Week in Florence last night, and the remaining designers will show in Milan throughout the week. Get ready, folks!

SCANDALE: TERRY RICHARDSON (NSFW)

Terry with Kate Moss.

I've been a longtime fan of photographer Terry Richardson. Chances are really good that you know who I'm talking about, or that you've seen his work in countless ad campaigns (Gucci, Sisley, Miu Miu, Chloe) and magazine editorials (he's shot for French Vogue, British Vogue, i-D and Harper's Bazaar). Known for his rather candid-looking, sexually provocative or suggestive photos, Terry is fashion A-List and has been for years. So why is he suddenly facing a very public backlash?

Read more (NSFW images after the jump) ...

DAILY AFFIRMATION

Mario Testino's pictorial of Eugen Bauder in an issue of VMan that I covet to this day.

The rest of a scandalous Mr. Bauder after the jump (NSFW)  ...

JE T'AIME: YU TSAI (NSFW)

Yu Tsai is a photographer/filmmaker (you saw his Muse portrait of Lindsay Lohan, right?), and he's a very talented man. Visit his website for more of his work.

M.I.A. DAZED, CONFUSED

M.I.A. covers the July issue of Dazed and Confused. Visit FTAPE for more photos.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO IT

Photographer Joachim Baldauf shot this Madonna-centric editorial for Paper Planes Magazine, starring Austrian hottie Michael Gstoettner and Madge stand-in Veza.

DSQUARED2 F/W 2010-11

Despite tepid reviews, DSQUARED2's F/W 10-11 Lady Gaga-inspired collection gets a reboot with this ad campaign shot by the amazing Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. I dig the Damien Hirst references.

"ALEJANDRO" FASHION CREDITS

Visit Nicola Formichetti's blog for a full list!

COLOGNE: YES OR NO?

Fashionista is asking "Do guys still wear cologne?" And, if they do, do they even call it "cologne" anymore? I can't leave the house before applying a fragrance ... for me, scent is essential. For special occasions, Tom Ford's Private Blend Collection is a favorite (although $200 for a few ounces is extravagant, the Tobacco Vanille is worth every penny), as well as les Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle (Carnal Flower and Lipstick Rose). For everyday wear, I've been using Prada's Infusion d'Iris (technically for ladies, but a good, heady floral on a man is quite unexpected and lovely). If it's not Prada, I go to my old friend Rochas for a unique, powder-y Oriental, and I'm also very fond of Bond No. 9. What is your signature scent?

AV-EYE: EMMA TEMPEST

Emma Tempest: A brilliant photographer from Britain who brings a new light to taking photos.

Images Via CLDFX

AV-EYE: JOOST VANDEBRUG

Monument from joostvandebrug on Vimeo.

MALE MODEL MANIA

Jon Kortajarena being brutally hot.

I just discovered HOMOTOGRAPHY, a place where I will now spend hours of my time clicking through pages of the hottest male models on the planet. And no, it's not exclusively man-on-man pictorials, just homotography. Enjoy!

AV-EYE: ANNABELLA BARBER

I don't normally "scream" over models.
But, this girl makes me want to paper-bag myself. 

Annabella barber: Black No. 12 2010

Images Via Fashionising

Envy here: Priscillas Model Management

DAILY AFFIRMATION

Washed Out - "You and I" from Jacob Corbin on Vimeo.

AV-EYE: PUSH IT REAL GOOD

Images Via Push it Magazine

DAILY AFFIRMATION

LADY GAGA + STEVEN KLEIN = "ALEJANDRO"

No words to describe Gaga's latest epic music video ... other than "fearless." Terminally fearless.

KSUBI CELEBRATES 10 YEARS IN THE BIZ

Ksubi founder George Gorrow.

It's hard to believe, but Ksubi has been around for 10 years! I love love love Ksubi, and there is a great profile on the Australia-based denim clan in the current issue of Nylon Guys.

Here are some of my favorite Ksubi looks, past and present:

Ksubi + Cobrasnake = awesome!

BRANDING AT ITS BEST

via Fashionista.com

I came across this brilliant collection of designer "special items" (like the Jeremy Scott condoms above) at Fashionista. Most of us "real" peeps can't afford a collection piece from, say, Lanvin, but instead of buying that perfect LBD from the French fashion house we'd be more inclined to shell-out for their stamps. The Chanel bicycle, however, would set you back a few grand. Read the article here.

AV-EYE: CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Looking through one of my favorite photographer's (Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott) work; M&M are represented by Art Partner. I wandered to the beauty section in which all alone, but not lonely, stood only one name: Charlotte Tilbury.  Tilbury is a very accomplished make-up artist from Britain with an amazing list of clients including: Vogue, W Magazine, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, Armani, and many others.

Image Via: The New York Times

Charlotte is also the Creative Director for Myface Cosmetics which is a UK based company which provides women a chance to select the perfect range of color products (foundations, blushes, eye shadows, etc.) to enhance their skin tone. One of my new favorite beauty lines/sites.

Good day!

AV-EYE: KIM HOWELLS

It's Av.

I tripped upon Ftape where they were chit chatting with and about four amazing stylists who are making a bang. One in particular made me "wahoo:" Miss Kim Howells,  a London-based stylist with an amazing eye.


Here are some of her looks:

Enjoy!

Images Via Kim Howells

HOW TO NOT LOOK LIKE CRAP WHEN IT'S HOT

via Jezebel.com

I thought most of us could relate to this article, especially since today's high (Dallas, TX)  is expected to reach well over 100 degrees!

INTRODUCING ...

Beauty and style icon, my sister and new RM guest editor ANNA V.! You'll be hearing from her very frequently and soon!

SARAH BURTON TAKES THE REIGNS AT MCQUEEN

The late Alexander McQueen's second-in-command, Sarah Burton, has been appointed creative director of the brand by Gucci Group.