Social Suicide’s new collection christened as “Dictators of Fashion” will have its launch party on Halloween from 5PM at their flagship store on London’s Ganton Street. If you’re in town and in the neighborhood, be sure to RSVP and check out their launch party, they promise booze, food and speeches. The image above is of the AK 47 jacket. A tribute to the machine gun Avtomat Kalashnikov’s creator Mikhail Kalashnikov. The Kalashnikov jackets are available in wool flannel or super 150s wool, gold embroidery on black or cream. Mao, Stalin, Fidel, Churchill, De Gaulle, Mandela, Malcolm X to follow… The collection is simply brilliant!

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In the coming weeks Social Suicide’s fall collection is slated for release. Their creativity and quality is top notch and the social commentary that surrounds each hand made collection makes me even more curious to know what this season has to bring. This collection is inspired by 20th century dictators and tyrants, both hero’s and villains. Who should we expect? Well, there will be eight characters, eight cuts and eight stories: Malcolm X, Winston Churchill, JFK, Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Mandela, Chairman Mao, General Kalashnikov and last but not least Benito Mussolini.

pic and info: Social Suicide

John Varvatos just launched their online store last week. Pity they ship only to US addresses. I’m liking this piece. This snug black double breasted trench is claimed to be a runway favorite. It has taped seams and the fabric is coated with a special oil which giving the garment a light water repellency. Made in Italy. Cost: $1,495.

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YSL creative director Stefano Pilati again presented his men’s collection with a short film, this one shot by French actor/writer/director Samuel Benchetrit and starring Benchetrit’s 11-year-old son, Jules. Jules, who portrays a young 21 Jump Streetesque Johnny Depp finds a key to a room at the Bristol Hotel on the sidewalk, who then enters its corresponding suite. Surprising, he’s in no rush to leave, or ransack the venue. In the process of modeling the clothing of the vacant suite’s tennant (as well as delving through his other personal belongings), he also casually performs the iconic Taxidriver scene in front of the washroom mirror. Our pre-pubescent hero is so cool knowing how to manipulate an iPod, or the ability to absorb the lux-ambience around him that he has to portray a cultured someone who’s at least 10 years older, or whatever fantasy-like reality, or rather persona we project into this character. Furthermore, the sound of opera can and will inspire anyone. Even an 11 year old child who reads and recites a passage from Musset’s Confession of a Child of the Century. Yes, there is a latent and overlapping love story told in the plot’s related imagery. And yes, after seeing the film we now know what era, emotions, culture and philosophy had inspired the new collection’s appeal. It’s a stimulating flick. Tim Blank’s review of the collection here.

Paul Smith suiting always has a high closure and snug fit that won’t please all who try it on. The hand stitched linen canvas structure gives the garment its perfect shape and fit for those lucky enough to wear it. This piece is half-lined and perfect for the summer. Added details to this navy single breasted two button suit would be the sloping semi-jet flap pockets, side vents and the 4-notch lapel.  That piping detail in the lining with those signature stripes is an added touch. For a change the garment is not made in Italy, this one is sewn by tailors in Japan. It’s available online at Matches.

Duchamp put out some nice black and white ties for the spring.  True to their benchmark they’re all pure silk, handwoven and made in England. As usual paisley, geometric and floral are those patterns that are  just ab fab with those bold shirts. All available at the Duchamp online store.

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Dunhill’s RTW collection for FW09 was designed by Kim Jones. She was appointed to add some attitude and a street twist to the otherwise conservative label. Short jackets. Shorter sleeves. Emphasis on cuffs, and the beltline.

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For FW09 the Salvatore Ferragamo fashion house added a croc trench to its outerwear collection. The piece is entirely made of crocodile leather and lined with silk.  Available in only matt black, the handmade, custom, made-to-order coat will set you back $250,000.

pic and info: Luxist

Last week in Canali showcased their ready-to-wear collection during Milan’s fashion week. The collection presentation was somewhat casual as the models lounged about in the soft structured garb with a good read in hand. The collection consists of several limited edition pieces and luxurious fabrics blends of cashmere, silk and vicuna. This year the company’s celebrating its 75th anniversary.

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The SS09 Louis Vuitton collection will be decaled with Stephen Sprouse graphics. Marc Jacobs and Sprouse  worked together in 2001. Marc at the time had created some memorable pieces embellished with graffiti and rose imagery. It’s apparent that the collection is to ring in the Stephen Sprouse retrospective exhibition, which is to be held at the Deitch Gallery.

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