PRE VIEW: REISS AW 13

Reiss lifted the lid on their Autumn Winter 2013 collection this week and I was lucky enough to be attend the press day. Reiss is one of the few British labels that deftly balances luxury, high end quality with much more affordable prices.

My preview of the new collection started off with a Reiss benchmark: fine tailoring. I really liked the modern, slim fit silhouette for the season, cut in a variety of luxe fabrics and colourways. I was immediately drawn to a soft grey three piece suite in Prince of Wales check, styled with a matching houndstooth military overcoat. It's just quintessentially British and totally on trend when you look at some of the other great winter collections. The colour palette for tailoring and the collection as a whole expands to include deep, inky blues, crisp wintry whites and rich shades of brown and green.

My favourite part of the collection has got to be the outerwear. It's usually the backbone of any great winter collection and Reiss really knocked it out of the ball park with their offering. It's a great mix of formal overcoats and trenchcoats to more casual options like quilted biker jackets and this year's breakout wardrobe favourite, the bomber jacket all presented in fresh contemporary cuts and fabrics.

Aside from the clothes, I was really impressed with the new fragrance line from Reiss. It's made up of two perfumes, Black Oud for men and Grey Flower for women. The fragrances were created by Reiss founder, David Reiss and perfumer, Azzi Glasser. I tried both of them and I think they are truly a feast for the senses. As much as I love both of them, I preferred Grey Flower. The scent is surprisingly musky for a women's fragrance. It's not flowery or frou-frou but quite mature with a spicy kick. The perfume range took over two years to develop and from what I can tell, the outcome was worth the wait. they've got the look and feel of luxury and decadence without breaking the bank. Look out for Black Oud and Grey Flower when they launch in September.

Looking back at the collection it's clear that Reiss are looking at creating timeless pieces. Pieces that will sit well in your current wardrobe and transcend seasons without looking dated. With so much disposable fashion at both ends of the scale it's great to see a brand that understands what true style is all about.

BLEU06 Loves 1971 - Spring/Summer 2013

1971 is the youthful diffusion line of British fashion heavyweight, REISS. Like other great diffusion lines like T by Alexander Wang and Marc by Marc Jacobs, 1971 delivers all the quality and creativity of the main line at a more affordable price. A dream come true no? I really love how fresh and contemporary the collection is as a whole. The citrus hues and hints of grey and white are what spring is all about. It's a mix of edgy seasonal pieces and classic wardrobe staples with a a sharp, punchy twist. Don't just take my word for it though, check out the campaign, shot by USED Magazine and featuring the irresistible Jed Texas:

Now that you've had a glimpse of the new collection, I've picked 3 of my favourite items and styled them with pieces from both the 1971 collection and the REISS main line. I went with wardrobe staples in clever fabrications and colours that work well as complete looks or separates.
The New White Shirt At first glance the Oliver shirt might seem a bit chaotic but I was drawn to the multi-directional stripes almost immediately. The cut is youthful and the stripes are just the right width. I paired it with the sports luxe feel of the Vulcan baseball jacket and Yale chambray trousers. As a HUGE fan of anything made of suede I couldn't think of a better way to cap this look off than the tasselled Stasko loafers. 

The Classic Leather Jacket: Revisited I'm in love with the April Leather Jacket in Airforce Blue, the raglan sleeves and the steely shade of blue make it the perfect alternative to the classic black leather jacket. Paired with the seafoam Juke jumper, crisp white Wickham chinos and the Chato canvas pumps, this is my dream off-duty look.

The Bold Knit Jumper My last pick from the 1971 collection is this William jumper with contrasting navy and off-white panels. It's bold and edgy and definitely way up there on my must-have list. The small flecks dotted all over it add a soft touch and texture that I can't get enough of. The Robinson  man-clutch document wallet is another personal must-have, it matches that tiny sliver of neon orange in the jumper's concealed pocket, perfection! The Charger jeans have the most flattering slim-fit silhouette, with the hems rolled up and finished off with the Stasko loafers as before.

'Tis The Season To... Party - Top 5 Blazers

Whether you're looking to make a big entrance at your end-of-year shindig at work or a fancy family dinner, a statement blazer can really uplift any dreary outfit. Rich velvet and jacquard are some of the go-to fabrics for this time of the year. In terms of colour, the festive season is the best time to experiment with deep, full-body colours like navy and oxblood, subtle metallics will add an extra bit of sparkle but nothing says class more than black.

The great thing about a statement blazer is that you don't need to bother too much with fussy accessories, paired with a sleek shirt, tailored trousers and a great pair of brogues you're guaranteed to achieve the debonair look a la Daniel Craig. Here are my top 5 show-stopping blazers:

Reiss 'Goodwood B' Velvet Blazer - Reiss
TOPMAN Black on Black Metallic Jacquard Blazer - TOPMAN
Paul Smith Navy Floral Print Blazer - Paul Smith
Balmain Satin Trimmed Velvet Blazer - Mr Porter
TOPMAN Red Skinny Tux Suit Jacket - TOPMAN

Red_White_Blue

BLEU06 wishes our American brothers a great Independence Day tomorrow, whether you’ll be heading down to a beach party, barbecue or fancy dinner, we’ve put together some 4th of July-inspired looks to put you in a patriotic mood.

Lacoste Eastport Coated Canvas Bag - Lacoste
TOPMAN Stars and Stripes Denim Shorts - TOPMAN
River Island Plaited Wristbands - River Island
DC Pool LE Shoes - Urban Industry
The Quiet Life Painted Stripes 5 Panel Cap - ASOS
Reiss Rovner Crew Neck Top - Reiss

Paul Smith Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Twill Blazer - Mr Porter

Dolce & Gabbana Solid Classic Shirt - Matches

TOPMAN Stone Skinny Smart Trousers - TOPMAN

Grenson Archie V Brogues - Grenson

Nick Bronson Knitted Silk Tie - Liberty 

Bald Eagle Brass Brooch - Etsy