COMME des GARCONS is launching a holiday box set that features three different scents fromt heir current collection. The Man 2  bronze (which is my scent of choice), the Man 2 silver and the Man 888. Each comes with it’s own unique gift. This makes a perfect gift for any fashion guy friend.

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, comme des garcons man 2, comme des garcons man 888

With a hint of military inspiration carried over from seasons past, Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons Spring 2010 collection is a mix of old-school military garb and the typical craziness associated with the label. As a big fan of shoulder pads, it goes without saying that I’m head over heels for leather armor pads and shell-like cropped jackets. But let’s be honest, who else wanted to eat the models’ hair? That can’t be healthy.

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, military, rei kawakubo

You have to look closely at these items to assure yourself that they are as they appear. The first time that I saw the Comme Des Garcons shoes I had to do a double take….they are quite interesting. I do However, remember that this same trend was popular among some designers a few years ago.

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, eye tricks

Gallery: ADDICT: Comme des Garcons Homme Plus

via Hypebeast

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, Comme des Garcons Homme Plus

Daphne Guinness has collaborated with Comme des Garçons on a perfume to be released this September. Daphne said she’s been mixing and matching oils and scents for years just to find that perfect one. “I’ll be in airports or in a taxi and the driver will say, ‘What are you wearing?” she says of the perfume. I guess it must be a hit.

LINKAGE: WWD

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, daphne guinness, perfume

A newer, more expensive  and less construction worker version of Timberlands. 970 Euros at Colette

SOURCE: High Snobette

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, Junya Watanabe

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Comme des Garcons Spring 2010 Menswear

Thanks WWD!

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Couture Icon and lover of incorporating armor in fashion Daphine Guinness is releasing a perfume with Comme des Garcons. The scent is inspired by her past, which could either mean it smells like a Guinesss brewery or a mixture of couture and diamonds. Daphne herself says, “This has a lot of woods because that’s what I love… also the Seventies and moss.” Sounds like the prefect mixture of both.

SOURCE: Frillr

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, daphne guinness, perfume

Well, wasn’t that fast? Just last week Fashion Indie announced the introduction of the Comme des Garçons’ BLACK label to the New York area, and voila, the shop, anticipated to stick around for 18 months, opened yesterday beneath beneath the High Line on 10th Ave! Racked reported that the mood around the West Chelsea shop was relatively calm, despite a visit from Lynn Yaeger, while the Barneys pop-up shop received some crazed  business. Most pieces range between $120-$660, and while many items can be passed as unisex, the majority of pieces are for women. So, who else will I see there this weekend? 

GALLERY: FIRST LOOK: Comme des Garçons BLACK Store (NOW OPEN!)

Thanks Racked!

READ MORE ABOUT: Barneys, black, comme des garcons, High Line, Lynn Yaeger

Battling the recession with the newest addition to the Comme Des Garçons family is Black Comme des Garçons, a bridge line slated to hit New York and Paris, as well as two-week pop-up shops at Barneys New York and Colette in Paris, on June 22nd! The label, already widely accepted in Seoul, Hong Kong and Japan, was originally created to boost sales during our current economic crisis and is expected to exists as long as the recession does. Designs play it safe with popular silhouettes in checkerboard, gingham, polka-dot and floral prints and range in price from about $90 for tees to $630 for jackets. Not exactly recession ready prices in my books, but hey, Comme Des Garçons, what did you expect? 

Thanks WWD!

READ MORE ABOUT: barneys new york, Black Comme des Garçons, comme des garcons

This triple collaboration has resulted in a pretty damn cool t-shirt. The proceeds go to help out AIDS patients, which is seen in the print that is on the shirt. The website to buy it from is in another language, but I’m sur eyou can figure it out. Purchase it here from Bobos Shop.

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, martin margiela, Vogue Nippon

For those of you in great anticipation for the release of the Matthew Williamson for H&M collection, tomorrow is your day! Be prepared for bright colors, bold patterns as well as some funky jewelry and accessories. Similar to the pricing of the Comme des Garcons for H&M collaboration, prices will range anywhere from $25 for accessories to about $350 for the beaded maxidress. 

Not sure if you should all in sick? Is it worth waiting in line during tomorrow’s forecasted rainstorm? Well, here’s my opinion. If  any of you recall my post bashing the prices of the Comme des Garcons collaboration, this collab isn’t any different. Personally, I think the line is tacky, looks cheaply made and not a single piece deserves a price tag over $80. Though I’m all about the bold pantsuit for the spring, I simply can’t imagine that the Matthew Williamson for H&M one will fit properly or even be quality made. 

But for those of you rushing to the nearest H&M to snag the silk tunic you’re dying to toss over your bikini this summer, please, let us know, was it worth it? 

GALLERY: Matthew Williamson for H&M Preview 

Thanks Nitrolicious!

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, H&M, matthew williamson

Lord only knows how many times I passed by this store without the “hmm, maybe I should check this out” thought running through my head. After several  designer budget-saver recommendations and a bit of fashion evidence from some friends, I decided to set my ego aside and pay a little visit to the Loehmann’s Chelsea location. 

The first several visits left me unimpressed. The store was unorganized and crowded, wasting over 45 minutes of my life I was sure I’d never get back. Taking the wise advice of my mother, I gave the store a second chance, stopping in early on a Thursday (aka inventory day) just before February’s fashion week. Heading upstairs to “The Back Room,” the discounted designer label department, I was floored by how many great pieces there were by the fashion industry’s cream of the crop. $300 later, I walked out of Loehmann’s with over $2500 worth of  Robert Rodriguez, Vince, Mint and Helmut Lang clothes and accessories. Happy girl? You bet.

After probably a two month hiatus from the discount haven, I stopped by Loehmann’s this morning, Although I only purchased some jewelry (I got a Burberry-esque spike bracelet and a match necklace for $40. Beat that.) I was amazed to see dozens upon dozens of pieces from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2008 collection. The clothes might be two seasons old, but where else are you going to find a Marc Jacobs Americana romper marked down to just $70!? Other great buys included gorgeous Givenchy boot-heels, Comme des Garcons drop-crotch sweats (too bad they were a size 14…), a plethora of springy Philosophy dresses and tons of chunky Miu Miu, Carmen Marc Valvo and Badgely Misckha sunglasses. 

All in all, if you haven’t yet been to Loehmann’s, now is the time to check it out. But be forewarned, be there early on weekdays or be prepared to dig.

READ MORE ABOUT: Badgley Mischka, burberry, carmen marc valvo, comme des garcons, givenchy, helmut lang, Loehmann's, marc by marc jacobs, Mint, Miu Miu, philosophy, Robert Rodriguez, Vince

This season Comme des Garcons PLAY worked with Converse on a series of Chuck Taylors. They kept  it simple with the sneakers by only adding their red heart logo to the black and white Chuck Taylor Hi and Lo, now available at Bobos.

READ MORE ABOUT: bobos, chuck taylor, comme des garcons, Converse

Restir is one of Japan’s luxury boutiques, offering designer brands like ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, BALENCIAGA, BURBERRY, COMME DES GARÇONS, DIOR, JIMMY CHOO, JOHN GALLIANO, LANVIN, MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA, MIU MIU, RICK OWENS , YVES SAINT LAURENT and much more.

Restir’s interior was designed by Laur Meyrieux and  features an opulent black marble floor, sumptuous leathers for soft furnishings, dark-colored walls and a bewildering array of mirrors, which together achieve an intoxicating, disorientating effect.

1F Galleria, Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Tel: (03) 5413-3708; www.restir.com

LINKAGE: Frillr

READ MORE ABOUT: alexander mcqueen, Balenciaga, burberry, comme des garcons, dior, Jimmy Choo, john galliano, kate and laura mulleavy, lanvin, maison martin margiela, Miu Miu, restir, rick owens, yves saint laurent

Well Marc Jacobs, you have won the battle on kilts onces again. Marc has been wearing his for quite some time now, and with the recent release of the Vogue Homme International Spring edition. Now I have to admit this is one of the coolest and trendiest spreads I have seen in a long while. Now I would be lying if I said I haven’t checked out the Comme des Garcons kilt at the boutique down the street, but I don’t know if I’m ready to go down that route yet. Absolutely amazing spread though.

Editorial: Vogue Homme International

Model: Jamie Burke

Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier

Gallery: SPREAD UM: Vogue Homme International

Courtesy of: The Fashionisto

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, Jamie Burke, Marc Jacobs, Vogue Homme International

Rei Kawakubo’s Fall 2009 Comme des Garçons collection had me reminded of kindergarten story time with “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”…except this collection is missing it’s happy ending. Honestly, where’s the butterfly? The whole collection was rather unflattering, sending creepy skin colored cocoons and cropped trenches, layered over pelts of and pelts of  baggy fabric, down the runway  While screen prints cheapened many of the garments, checkered blankets made several coats and jackets look more like DIY projects than runway worthy fashion. To be very blunt, none of these pieces are even ready-to-wear…unless you’re the homeless guy who sleeps in a garbage can in Washington Square Park. But credit is owed where it is deserved and I must say, the toe-printed oxfords are adorable. At least Comme des Garçons Fall 2009 wasn’t a complete let down…

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Comme des Garçons Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style 

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, rei kawakubo

The newest issue of V mag (with a glow in the dark cover) hit stores last week featuring a spread by Terry Richardson called “Little Black Dresses.”

The dresses: 1986 by Azzedine Alaia, 1996 by Syrilla, 2001 by Helmut Lang, and 2009 by Comme Des Garçons.

LINKAGE: The Pipeline

READ MORE ABOUT: Azzedine Alaia, comme des garcons, helmut lang, syrilla, terry richardson, v magazine

With a rough-and-ready feminist vibe in his back pocket, Markus Lupfer created a Armand Basi One Fall 2009 collect that had his runway girls ready to play with the big boys. With hints of Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto and Helmut Lang in his collection, Lupfer’s studded asymmetrical dresses, voluminous shoulder, severe drop pants and cropped bombers added yet another 80’s masculine collection to the list of trends for the fall. 

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Armand Basi One Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style 

READ MORE ABOUT: Armand Basi One, comme des garcons, helmut lang, Markus Lupfer, Yohji Yamamoto

Bill. Bill. Bill. Postcard from grandma. Bill. Parking Ticket. Bill. Bill. Invitation to Dior Homme Fall 2009. Aside from the bills and the parking ticket (sorry Rebecca), this would be the ideal contents of any mailbox. The perfect clothes, accessories, hair, makeup, lights, sound and runway are all necessary for a killer show. But if you don’t send guest innovative invitations, you’re audience is going to be empty! These are just some of the nifty invitations to this years F/W 2009 men’s fashion shows!

GALLERY: You Weren’t Invited. Neither Were We.

LINKAGE: Wallpaper

READ MORE ABOUT: alfred dunhill, church, comme des garcons, Dior Homme, gucci, Hermès, Junya Watanabe, Louis Vuitton, maison martin margiela, neil barrett, number (n)ine, Prada, Raf Simons, walter van beirendonck

One thing I have come to expect from Comme des Garcon by now are unique patterns and print. Whether people want to admit it or not, a lot of what the Japanese brand has been up to lately has been greatly influencing the industry. Their collection for H&M seemed to spark the whole polka dot trend, which is still picking up more supporters for the upcoming Fall season. This time Comme des Garcons hit us with a ton of leopard print. A bit more out there and seemingly impractical? Possibly, but it isn’t going to stop me from trying to work it into my wardrobe.

Gallery: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Comme des Garcons Fall 2009 Collection

Courtesy of: Men’s Style

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, comme des garcons fall 2009

December. The month to sing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and do some major Christmas damage. With the current economic state taking a toll on numerous boutiques throughout the New York area, Linda Dresner, the phenomenal Park Avenue boutique, will join the many folding businesses as they will close shop next month. December isn’t so wonderful anymore, now is it? It was Dresner who brought couture labels like Comme des Garcons, Chloe, Charles Anastase and John Galliano to the Upper East Side nearly 20 years back. The failing fashion industry was best summarized by Dresner herself:

“There’s too much of everything right now. Would I open a store in New York today? No. Retailing has to be reconsidered. It’s become a commodity that’s less creative. There’s too many stores selling the same kind of merchandise and it’s not as beautifully chosen. It’s ruined the enthusiasm for fashion.”

Basically, boutiques need to be unique in order to survive. If four shops on Bleecker, within a three block radius, carry the same Jill Sander coat, of course shops aren’t going to make any money! Customers could use an incentive every now and then too.

So long, Linda Dresner, we’re sad to see you go.

Thanks Fashionista!

READ MORE ABOUT: charles anastase, Chloe, comme des garcons, jill sander, john galliano, Linda Dresner

Men's Polka Dot Tee: $99.99

Women's Ruffle Dress: $557.89

Polka Dot Wallet: $110.99

Men's Pea Coat: $599.99

Thanks to the non-existent Mike & Chris sample sale yesterday (can you tell I’m still bitter about that?), I didn’t stand a chance trying to snag the Comme des Garcons for H&M leftovers. This morning, I decided to check out eBay to see exactly how much people were reselling the limited edition collection for. Take a look at the prices…these people are crazy. With the economy the way it is, do people honestly think someone is going to cough up $600 for a typical black pea coat? For that price you could buy TWO of the awesome YMC belted coats from Oak!  Nearly $115 for a simple black wallet? Give it a month or so and the zipper on that wallet will be broken. Personally, I’d rather save that money and splurge on a Marc by Marc zip around wallet that will actually last me several years! And sorry Corey, I know you love your polka-dot tee, but buying something so simple for $100 on eBay is ridiculous! 

I would really like to know how much these pieces actually cost to make, how many 4-year-olds were forced to sew them in sweat shops and why on earth some people would re-buy these items for such absurd prices. 

READ MORE ABOUT: comme des garcons, Marc by Marc, mike and chris, YMC

Along with every other eager fashion crazed New Yorker, I found myself standing outside H&M this morning to battle my way through the doors for some sweet Comme des Garcons collaboration love. However, the sight was not what I had anticipated at all. My mentality all week had been that I had a better shot of getting the clothes than our female employees based on the fact that I am a guy, and less guys would be willing to wait in line for a something of this variety. My mentality couldn’t have been further from the truth!

When I walked up to H&M I couldn’t help but notice how badly the guys out numbered the girls. Granted that probably 20% of the guys were there to buy clothes for their girlfriends, but still it was impressive. Then to top it off, the guys clothes was gone so fast I had time to walk over to the girls section and watch the feeding frenzy ensue.

I thought that maybe this was just at my location (34th and 7th ave.), but when I rendezvoused with Daniel after his trip to the Herald Sq. store he had a similar story.

Could this be a changing of the times? Are the new fashion craving folks men? As a male in the fashion industry, I really hope that this is true. I feel that men need to play a bigger roll in fashion, and the fashion market!

READ MORE ABOUT: Comme Des Garcon X H&M, comme des garcons, H and M