Wednesday, 30 November 2011

H&M X MARNI





Well I'm kind of intrigued by this but don't you think it's a little too soon after the Versace collab? Let's hope it doesn't disappoint. To be released in March 2012…


Kieron






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Sunday, 27 November 2011

STYLE COLLAGE SUNDAY



This weeks Style Collage Sunday is short post showing a sneek peek of what we like in regards of styling from the H&M SS12 lookbook. Let us know what you think.


Enjoy.







All Images Courtesy Of H&M






Friday, 25 November 2011

SS12 H&M PRESS DAY



I'm really sorry for not posting for some time I have a valid excuse I promise, I'm working very hard at S.S.A. HQ (my bedroom/office) to bring to you a fresh website launching soon. Posts won't be as frequent for the next month or so untill January when the new website launches. You are all probably thinking so where are we going to get our STYLE STANDS ALONE fix? Well don't panic,  you can still keep in contact with S.S.A. via Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook please like us by the way.


In the fashion world everybody is now talking about Spring Summer 2012, Autumn Winter 2012 and even SS13 crazy I know!  You know how S.S.A. likes to keep you up to date with... I hate using this word too much, "trends". When I attended the recent Versace H&M collaboration I couldn't help to quickly capture what was going down for the SS12 collection for H&M. Heres a few snap shots of what I liked. Next season we are going to see colour, vibrancy, being fearless and fun yet having adaptable, stylish items in your wardrobe to work with the modern mans every day lifestyle. Work wear mixed with modern fabrics, influences of sportswear. The boundaries of smart casual, street smart, fitted and relaxed all tie together. Think about cropped trousers and lean suiting in light wool, washed cottons heavy knits and soft jersey. Everything you see will be available in the new year.




Kieron


























I still haven't purchased a double breasted jacket yet but I may just snap this stylish one in the spring I recommend you check this style out priced at £49.95.



Second thoughts this could be another addition to my wardrobe how cool is this blazer great contrasting sleeves, really fun love it and it's priced at £79.99.



If your looking for a bag big enough to fit practically everything into but at the same time, looks more that what you paid for it then I recommend this style. Don't get me wrong I love a back pack but sometimes they can leave your back feeling a little bit sweaty, but this light weight two tone is a cool alternative priced £29.95.



Pay attention to the colour and detail on this light weight Parka priced at £59.95






Friday, 18 November 2011

MR PORTER AND BILLY REID EVENT



On Wednesday evening I attended the great event held by Mr Porter for the Launch of the American designer, US favourite Billy Reid at the exclusive venue The Box in London. Set in really interesting location, stylish guests listened to Apache Relay who played especially for the private event. 


Guests included designer Billy Reid, MRPORTER.COM Editior-in-Chief Jermey Langmead, actors Tom Sturridge, Douglas Booth and Craig Roberts. Also attending were musicians from the band Mumford and Sons and E Tautz designer Patrick Grant.


The night was a delight, fun and relaxed. S.S.A. Thanks Mr Porter team for the exclusive invite.




Kieron





Marcus Mumford, Sam Lobban Billy Reid



Douglas Booth



Craig Robert



Jermey Langmead


 Apache Relay
 
All Images Courtesy Of Mr Porter



Wednesday, 16 November 2011

LIKE STYLE STANDS ALONE ON FACEBOOK












To all the readers who have style if you like what S.S.A. are doing please come and like us on the official Facebook page. little extras will be put on here.




Kieron





Tuesday, 15 November 2011

VERSACE FOR H&M







The time is nearly here for the launch of Versace for H&M across 300 hundred selected H&M stores world wide on Thursday the 17th. I'm sure we will be seeing crazy over night queues in this cold weather the price some people pay for fashion hey. Ok what you all probably want to know is, the actual collection worth all this wait?


Well... in all honesty in regards to menswear, I personally think the collection isn't for every guy, I think the Versace team already know this. 





The collection  has been made up of the disticnt bold prints t-shirts trousers, acid bright coloured suits and flashes of black blazers and shorts, gold, and embellishments on garments. It's bold indeed and very Versace. Please don't get me wrong being flamboyent is great if the looks are controlled well.


Nevertheless I really loved the Miami printed bomber jacket priced at £79.99, T-shirt at £14.99 and the printed shirt for £34.99 which all could look amazing mixed with good separates in your wardrobe for that mixed up layered look. As for the rest of the collection I felt it was too over the top for example the acid pink suit could be really hard to wear along with the white and black graphic print T-shirts let's say they are very questionable!







Tuxedo Blazer jacket £99.99


Leather Biker Jacket £199.99



detailing of the featured garments are at a good level



Going through the rails I noticed a cool tuxedo blazer (below) which was cut pretty well with some good detailing but wasn't keen on the leather trousers, biker jacket and embelleshed shorts all reminded me of one Lady Gaga's backing dancers.



Not all is negative folks, check the boots with the double buckles and the printed scarf/pocket squares (the one thing I may buy) which were cool.






Guy's If you're thinking of buying pieces think about may be buying a bold shirt and then a toned down blazer. Or teaming up the fluro acid style blazer and shirt with a simple black trouser. If all else fails why not grab a great printed scarf to add colour to your wardrobe or pop that into your blazer pocket for interest.


Seriously the all in one print and block colour looks should be left to the models on the run way unless you can really pull it off wearing head to toe in Versace isn't the way forward.


My verdict is an ok collection, I enjoyed the Lanvin collaboration better last year as that was more me. The womenswear was obviously on top form go on check it out girls.


So do I think it's a collection designed for the modern man? That answer is questionable, some of the collection is fun and I suppose some elements could be adpated to your daily wardrobe.


Investment pieces would be the blazer jacket, classic printed tops (for the braver) or the printed scarf. The price range seems evenly balanced for what your are going to get. For me personally I'm thinking really hard about purchasing the bomber jacket and T-shirt as the chances of somebody else wearing it out in London are guaranteed. What do you think do you love it? Or hate it?




Kieron



Sunday, 13 November 2011

STYLE COLLAGE SUNDAY ASOS SS12 PRESS DAY











Instead of S.S.A. normal Collage Sunday post, I thought it would be cool to change things up slightly this week and post about my recent trip to the ASOS press day a few weeks ago.








I have been attending for a few seasons now and the team behind ASOS menswear never seem to fail, they always seem to surprise. Again going from strength to strength with their menswear visions it was a delight to see as always, a sophisctacted presentation of strong looks for Spring Summer 2012.










So where do I start... Colour, pattern, tailoring, new brands accessories. ASOS have literally covered everything it was a serious feast for my eyes. Take a look at the photographs, modern menswear hasn't been this exciting for a while and you don't have to spend a fortune to look stylish. Next Spring Summer sees experimentation with layering, colour in sizzling festival hues to muted tones, pattern & print. Pay attention to great modern takes on classic style shoes and relaxed smart tailoring.





















If your stuck for a great back pack look no further check the selection above. There are some great options.

















The Mount Fuji collection was great, I liked how each seperate piece could be mixed and matched with others to creative individual looks. I predict that the Fuji festival inspired trend will go down a storm for next years festival season.




















I couldn't believe the quality and style the lightest of linen and the sharpest of cuts of the suits this is literally me all over especially the polka dot version if you have a summer wedding or major event next spring summer it would be a great investment to snap a tailored suit. S.S.A. will be featuring our favourite ASOS suiting from the SS12 collection in the new year.







Why not mix a printed cap with a none printed french worker style suit to add a little fun and how about teaming some great shoes too.





Strong detailed jewllery pieces. 













All images courtesy of ASOS





The SS12 collection is set to start selling at ASOS around March time. Please click the S.S.A. Facebook page here to see more pictures come and tell me your thoughts of the post by following S.S.A. on twitter




Kieron








Wednesday, 9 November 2011

STYLE STANDS ALONE INTERVIEW.



The good people over at Creative Forensics got in contact asking if I wanted to take part in a short interview they wanted to know a little about me and S.S.A. 


Creative Forensics is a new platform online where they feature, explore and learn from creative talents, up-and-comers in the industry, influencers and professionals who are progressing and elevating standards in their fields. It showcases  the people behind the ideas and the ideas behind them. 


I happily obliged it was a surprise and really nice to think that other people think I'm doing something good with S.S.A. I thank Creative Forensics and Cleide for getting in touch.




Please have a read of the interview tell me what you think it's the first interview from me for S.S.A. I hope I came across well :) have a look at the live version here.




Kieron




OCTOBER 20TH 2011

In Conversation With: Kieron from Style Stands Alone


After spending a lot of time on the internet, looking for creative people, surfing around for creative blogs and generally loving up people’s work, I found the men’s style blog Style Stands Alone.
A menswear blog with a clear focus on the modern-day man’s fun, energetic and stylised lifestyle, S.S.A. brings something new to the arena of men’s fashion blogs. 

Founded and edited by Kieron alongside assistant editor and contributor Alexander, S.S.A. was set up a year ago and is still going strong, with a full re-branding and launch of a website coming soon.
On the blog, Kieron, the founder and editor says; “I set up the blog to connect and hopefully offer a space where predominantly modern younger guys could get some ideas of dressing well and other cool elements.”


Describe to me what you’re doing with Style Stands Alone.
With S.S.A it’s a space on the web where predominantly guys (and that guy’s girlfriend) can come and find ideas, creative styling tips surrounding menswear for today’s modern man with a difference. I’m trying to also create a style bubble where other lifestyle elements are incorporated into the Style Stands Alone vision; this could be a feature of an exciting band, track or a stylish product for the apartment/home. 
I feel that those style elements, work well with menswear it’s good to mix things up, keeping things fresh.

With the blog I think it’s really important to communicate with a non-pretentious voice especially if you’re talking about fashion. Blog’s should show personality, creativity while having a to-the-point writing style and great content.

iPhone or Blackberry?
iPhone for sure, it looks great and it’s powerful I’m used to Apple and how they work! I also like the touch screen element. On the Blackberry the keypad is too small for my fingers and now I can say they’re un-reliable after the major Blackberry crash the other day. Crazy!

How many emails do you get a day?
Between 20 to 50, some of it good and some of it shocking!

What did you have for breakfast this morning?
I like to eat light in the mornings so I had toast with Raspberry Jam with Framboise Liqueur simple, yet with that little kick.
[Sorry to butt in here, but that sounds like one fine breakfast… The framboise is giving me l.i.f.e.]

What’s your beloved coffee drink?
No coffee for me it gives me headaches.

What’s your favourite destination and your dream destination?
My favourite destination has to be Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean it’s beautiful! My dream destination would be Japan.

What’s your favourite restaurant?
I Like the Caravan by Exmouth Market in Farringdon.

Favourite up-and-coming brand/person/designer/personality?
I really like what menswear designers Agi & Sam are doing at the moment, they’re representing a new flow of creativity in menswear and they’re British!

Name a brand that you believe is making the best use of social media and engaging with consumers?
ASOS.com and Mr Porter are doing this for sure, they are both really on point with social media and its deliverance to their consumers.

If you had a chance to work internationally where would you go?
Tokyo or Sweden.

Dream brand/designer to collaborate with?
International: Acne, Ksubi and Damir Doma.
British: Shaun Samson and Martine Rose.
All the above for their energy!

Do you have a favourite show from last month’s Fashion Weeks?
So hard to pick one! I’m going to pick Shaun Samson and T. LIPOP for SS12. Fresh!

Favourite song of the year?
I’d have to say Rihanna ft. Drake What’s My Name?  It’s a party track it brings a smile to my face when I hear it and I have heard some great remixes!

Which creative (from any field) do you admire / inspires you?
The late Steve Jobs, a visionary, he saw the future before a lot of people did and the whole creative industry owe a lot to him.

Do you think that deadlines hinder people’s creativity through constant time pressures or do they blossom under the constraints?
This is a personal question I think everyone works different towards pressure. I personally don’t mind a little pressure I perform better with it!
I feel something organic, creative and special can be created from pressure and deadlines. Everyone is different the key is planning and having that back up if all else fails!

What are your plans for the coming few months?
Next steps will the launch of the Style Stands Alone website before Christmas and I’m currently gathering a small team of creative, stylish guys (and girls) to push forward towards the next step of S.S.A. Next year should be interesting!

Also we’ll generally be spreading the word and getting more people to know about S.S.A.
I have some cool projects taking shape but you have to look at the site to keep up with all the news! ;-)

[Sorry for peeking in with the breakfast, but I seriously was drooling.] 

Cleide Carina of Creative Forensics