Warenski designed that knife for a Japanese customer with its jade and gold filigree handle encrusted with 153 emeralds (10 carats) and nine diamonds (5 carats) for which 28 ounces of gold were used and Warenski supposedly took 10 years to give the final shape to the work.

The world’s most expensive modern knife was originally sold for $1.2 million and re-sold at $2.1 million later. Designed by globally acclaimed jewelry artist Quintin Nel, the pricey blade also marked the collaboration of blade smiths Hoffman/Piper. The kitchen knife was made of sterling silver and featured eight diamonds costing $39,000 and was the sharpest knife ever known.

 Written by Samarpita Mukherjee-Sharma

Samarpita Mukherjee-Sharma is an Indian journalist-turned-freelance writer. She also contributes to a UNESCO project-Youth Leader Magazine. Samarpita is among the 6 Indians who were awarded the United Nations Voluntary Award for Youth Leader in 2010. She also edits an online magazine, 21Fools.

Let’s face it, we have several weeks to go before we can fully embrace Spring’s beautiful ensembles. But that doesn’t mean we can’t incorporate some lighter items into our wardrobe right now. I have seven pieces guaranteed to add a little sunshine to these drab days. Like MSMG’s printed cap! How cool is this graphic print with dark colors and neutral solids. Or Mugler’s asymmetrical jacket that can brighten up a dark look. I love the idea of highly saturated shoes with bright colored socks to take off cool winter separates.

Xodahlings

by Rebecca Alexis

Tired of looking like a replica of everybody in the office? Don’t worry. The solution is here.

Boredom can haunt you if you are stuck with the basic, black, gray and navy color patterns in the 9 to 5 daily office wear. The sole remedy is—gracefully step out of that color comfort zone and move into the brown spectrum excitedly.

Brown has never been a boring color as it can pair well with any stuff that you have in your closet. Yes.. I know what you have..  So don’t dither. Go ahead and invest in this season to make yourself glow in the office crowd.

Flaunting your favorite color is more than bravery and a great way of making yourself spectacular in the office compared to other habituated colorists.

A splash of color in good taste not only breaks the monotony but adds more to your joy when you wear them differently.

Xodahlings

by Rebecca Alexis

A good suit is a staple for any fashionable gent. As luck would have it, the runways were overflowing with chic and trendy suit options for the Spring/Summer 2013 catering to all tastes. While Prada experimented with color-blocking in various 60s-inspired silhouettes, J. Lindbergh stuck to more classically tailored monochromatic suits with a hip, urban flair. The Alexis Mabille Spring/Summer Men’s 2013 collection was checker-chic, fusing gingham-patterned suits with sporty details and accessories like Converse sneakers and baseball caps.

Meanwhile Balenciaga took us back to the 80s with exaggerated proportions and suits with bold pops of color. For the truly risk-taking gentleman (with a nice pair of Glam gams, perhaps?), CarinWester explored a new territory with ‘pointless men’s suits consisting of knee-length double-breasted suit jackets occasionally paired with matching shorts. Whyred gave the pleasant surprise in a slew of contemporary mod suits with clean and classic shapes paired with graphic black-and-white patterns.

Written by Alana Landa

*Alana Landa is a New York based attorney who moonlights as a freelance writer and fashion connoisseur. Her expertise is in men’s fashion, and she is a Mens’ fashion columnist .

By now, most fashionistas worth their salt are familiar with Missoni, the Italian-based fashion giant known for its cutting-edge knitwear designs in a multitude of patterns and kaleidoscopic colors.

Founded by Ottavio (“Tai”) and Rosita Missoni in 1953, the company soon altered the landscape of international fashion. Missoni has long been the favorite of big- and small-screen starlets such as Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, and Blake Lively, just to name a few.

Tragedy in the New Year

In the New Year, the brand hogged headlines and media limelight. Unfortunately, the news was not about its world-class clothing or cutting-edge design but it was about a tragic incident as Missoni CEO, Vittorio Missoni (one of the three children of the founders) went missing after a small plane carrying Missoni, his wife, and four other people, disappeared off the coast of Venezuela. The aircraft went missing on January 4, 2013, and search teams have not recovered any wreckage of the plane, Vittorio, or any of the other passengers or crew members.

However, the show will go on. Vittorio’s sister, Angela, the brand’s current creative director, and the rest of the family have decided to go ahead with the shows and collection even as the search for the plane continues. The decision follows the family’s desire to uphold a solid display of strength and hope. Even as the mood is somber, the iconic fashion house continues to shine thanks to its innate perseverance.

Written by Alana Landa

Alana Landa is a New York based attorney who moonlights as a freelance writer and fashion connoisseur. Her expertise is in men’s fashion, and she is a Mens’ fashion columnist.

Fashion Thoughts of a Minimalist Avante-garde (Designer)

Q. Where did you study and how did you learn your craft?

I went to school in New York City at Katharine Gibbs. I studied public relations for a few years and came back to New York and studied fashion merchandising there. After that I did a hands-on internship and then went to work with Diane Von Furstenberg.

Q. What was the inspiration behind this menswear collection for Spring/Summer 2013?

This past summer I saw an exhibition in New York by this artist about Mexican gangs and how members of the rival gangs come and leave messages and flowers for those who died at the hands of the opposite gang. I like to show the softer side of all men and highlight that they do not have to be strong, always. So I am just really inspired by that too.

Q. What is your background and how does that play into the work you produced for this collection? 

Everything is made in the Dominican Republic, where I belong to, but it does not really play a hard role in this collection.

Q. Your style has been described as a minimalist avant – garde. Would you say that is an accurate description?

Yes, I think so because when I design it is just soft, not too strong or too much of the fabric. For me, it is art. It is very simple but has special curves or cuts that make it avant-garde, but not as crazy as other things you see that you cannot wear.

Q. A lot of the looks have a very androgynous, unisex feel. Do you think they can be worn by both men and women?

Sometimes yes. It depends on the piece — if it is a dress with a certain cut a guy may not be able to wear it as the body shape is different. But some styles can fit both sexes depending on the fabric and cut. Though some girls do wear menswear, I design them mostly with guys in mind.

Q. Can you explain the idea behind one of the standout pieces, a vest with more detail and looping down the back?

That piece is unisex. I usually like to do something with elastic, shapes and design. It is really art Deco inspired and I like to put one, two, or three pieces like that in each collection. Sometimes I use hardware, because my father was a mechanic and I was always interested in that.

Q. One of the menswear pieces is a sheer pink lace over coat, very different for menswear. What was the inspiration for this one?

That is also a unisex piece that I put in the collection with other lace pieces, mostly inspired by the Mexican gangs, trying to bring in a softer look for men.

Q. How can your collection be worn by a metropolis man who is into an avant-garde look?

This collection is more of a fashion-forward sportswear collection, it is much softer than the ones before. The white shorts and pants in this collection are great to mix in, and any guy in New York City can wear them. The low-crotch pants are very good for guys who want to be fashionable with just a white T-shirt for a simple yet interesting, layered look.

Q. Last but not least, which designer would you pay homage to? 

McQueen. He was one of my many inspirations and continues to be so. Rick Owens and Vivienne Westwood are also there. For these three, I always pay attention to and watch their shows for what they do. Every time I am draping, I am thinking of Vivienne, and she reminds me to push the envelope further.

Written by Chelsea Olson

*Chelsea Olson is a model, fashion enthusiast, writer, avid traveler, and a food and wine lover based in South Beach. Chelsea is the city editor for Dining Out Miami, a magazine restaurant guide, and the editor for Eater Miami, a restaurant, bar, and nightlife blog.

Reciproque, founded by Nicole Morel in 1978, is the largest luxury consignment store in Paris. Couture designer brands from all over the world are sold at Reciproque.

The fashion mall measures 7,500 square feet and comprises six boutiques adjacent to one another along the Rue de la Pompe. The designer labels include Escada, Marcel, Trussardi, Armani, Costume National and Yves Saint Laurent to name just a few. Merchandise in the boutiques is organized by the designers. So it is easy to beeline to your favorite designers and search for the best bargain items.

Highlights

Three of the boutiques sell luxury designer clothing and accessories for women. N*93 houses a large selection of cocktail and evening dresses, accessories and lingerie. N*95 consists of two floors of couture outerwear, sportswear, shoes and hats. N*101 is also two floors, and sells leather goods, scarves, costume jewelry, swimwear, leather clothing and more.

Prices are very rational. For example, Chanel blouses in excellent condition are priced at less than 150 Euros while Prada handbags in pristine condition are retailed at a price of 300 Euros.

For more information on Reciproque, please visit http://www.reciproque.fr/en/.

Written by Kathy Karadza

*Kathy Karadza is a freelance writer with fashion and beauty expertise. She has worked as a Costume Designer for theatre and film, and as a Wardrobe professional on Broadway and for television. She is the owner and designer of Katerina handbags.

Now let us take a peek into the price tags. A Brian Atwood Zenith Lux can come at $1475 while the very chic Nico high heels can be yours for $1,100. If you love your boots an Anto can be had for anything between $1790 to $3100 and a freestyle boots can be purchased for $3219.

The most delectable Brian Atwood Adrienne booties can be yours for $894 where as the Cosmic booties will take you to the range of $379 – 755, in terms of price. The cost of Brian Atwood platforms is in the region of $1200 and you can enjoy the choicest picks amongst Karin, Tribeca, India, Hamper, Wagner and Maniac styles.

Written by Samarpita Mukherjee-Sharma

Samarpita Mukherjee-Sharma is an Indian journalist-turned-freelance writer. She also contributes for a UNESCO project-Youth Leader Magazine. Samarpita is the recipient of the United Nations Voluntary Award for Youth Leader India in 2010. She also edits an online magazine- 21Fools.

Though the weather outside is frightful, Bordelle sizzles you in delight!! Dahlings!!! As I see this collection all I could think was their superb intimacy in such seductive and dominating pieces.

Yes, I am talking about the lingerie that fits perfectly in that sweet spot between pretty and risqué. And I do not hesitate to accept the fashion gospels of Alexandra Popa who happens to be Bordelle’s Creative Director, when she says, ”The new little dress is sexy as well as the most essential!” She has a reason too- Valentine’s Day and Red Carpet Glamour and the tease by a springtime make us hot and call for a majestic pout”.

Alexandra is convincingly eloquent on the sexiness of a great pout that is sensational in this lover’s month of February. It becomes all the more special when it is a red one thrashing all the old rules.

It is very true that luxury is neither a handbag nor a cuff; it is absolutely second skin craftsmanship that you will enjoy wearing it as much as you love stripping it off!.

Xodahlings

by Rebecca Alexis

With the fashion weeks, becoming bigger and broader invites are being bandied out to the guys who have never been to any fashion week. Having attended so many fashion shows for nearly 10 years, I have been able to mark out a few who stood out like strangers in the show as if they have never attended any fashion show before.

I am talking about the ill fitting suits, the basic brown shoe with two stitches and the jeans making men look like soccer moms! It is not about looking like everyone else ! Dear God no!

And by no means are we giving you any sermon to follow. Nevertheless, a few things in passing that may beef up your chances of becoming a positive fashion talking point in the days to come. That is it.

• Always pair with the subtle intention to match such as the Comme De Garcons sweater and Balenciaga kicks. The yellow and egg blue accent in the shoes must bring it together without too much of the noise.
• Opt for loafers over lace ups this season and nothing says that I am stronger than the loafers!.
• Go for suits that are obvious; but leather blazers tailored to suit your physique such as this Lanvin piece is least expected.

by Rebecca Alexis