Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In vogue

Holly Shackleton keeps us up to date with the latest trends and news from the world of fashion

Boy’s own designs

Belgian designer Simon-Pierre Toussaint proves a hit with his debut menswear collection

Simon-Pierre Toussaint has been announced as the winner of the 24th Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival. The 23-year-old graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp wowed the judges – including Dior Homme designer Kris van Assche and Dazed & Confused editor-in-chief Jefferson Hack – with his debut menswear collection entitled The Trees Can Hear You if You Talk to Them.

Inspired by boys who “try to be harder than they really are”, key shapes included cocooning padded capes, futuristic trench coats with star-print lining, graphic-printed long johns and a fantastical fibreglass wooden suit, in a collection that demonstrated an eye for fairytale. www.antwerp-fashion.be

Fusion without frills

Uniqlo and Jil Sander join forces for a new collection

In a match made in fashion heaven, the queen of minimalism, Jil Sander, has joined forces with Japan’s no-frills retailer Uniqlo for a capsule collection. The highly anticipated line, entitled +J, includes 100 pieces for women and 40 for men. Although the collection’s fine details are still top secret, key items promise to include a perfect crisp white shirt, in keeping with Sander’s minimalist aesthetic. www.uniqlo.co.uk

All feet on deck

Slip into something comfortable this autumn

The must-have shoe of the summer looks set to continue its appeal well into autumn, with deck shoes popping up on the feet of the trendiest boys and girls about town. Stay one step ahead of the crowd with Band of Outsiders’ two-tone grey woollen slip-ons in collaboration with boat shoe specialists Sperry. These slick slippers are available as low-cuts or high-top boots with a blanco sole. www.bandofoutsiders.com, www.sperrytopsider.com

Bag that book

Louis Vuitton designs in black and white

Louis Vuitton celebrates its transformation from a humble luggage brand into a fashion powerhouse with the release of self-titled book, Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture. Delving into the brand’s illustrious history (it was founded in 1854), the book takes a detailed look at the various collaborative projects it has been involved in under the guidance of artistic director Marc Jacobs. Over the years, Jacobs has invited some of the world’s most celebrated artists to join forces with Louis Vuitton, including Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince.

Written by international critics, the book is available in three languages: English, French and Italian. A special deluxe version is on sale from 1 September at Louis Vuitton stores. www.louisvuitton.com

Animal magic

Adorn yourself with jewellery with a difference from Mouton Collet

Avant-garde jewellery label Mouton Collet is the brainchild of Belgian school friends Matthew Mouton and Nicolas Collet. Inspired by the vegetable and animal world, the duo are fast making a name for themselves with their exquisitely crafted jewels with a dark, poetic edge. Stand-out pieces in the latest men’s collection include slick geometric chains, a beetle pendant necklace, beetle broaches, moth cufflinks and the defiant head of a piglet on a chain of gold or silver. www.moutoncollet.com

Back in black

Defy the naysayers with the latest collection from Comme des Garçons – designed exclusively for the credit crunch

Comme des Garçons is fighting against the credit crunch with a temporary guerrilla label entitled Black. It will exist as long as the recession does, and at the first signs of economic recovery the Japanese brand will whisk the clothes off the shelves and file them away in the Comme des Garçons archives. This means any items you do manage to get your hands on are guaranteed to be investment pieces.

To complement the temporary nature of the line, Comme des Garçons is opening 11 pop-up stores across the globe with further locations in the pipeline so look out for one near you. With new styles arriving every six weeks, key pieces in the collection include black zip-fronted asymmetrical jackets, pleated black skirts and shorts, shirts, and T-shirts and outerwear featuring polka dots, gingham and checkerboard prints. www.doverstreetmarket.com

Covetable collaboration

Treat your wardrobe to some new jeans

Turkish/Cypriot designer Hussein Chalayan has collaborated with denim label J Brand on a covetable range of new jeans. The collection comprises three key styles: the Beau, this year’s must-have boyfriend jean; the Legging, fashion’s skinny staple; and the Circuit, a stylish capri pant perfect for the last few lazy days of summer. Each style is available in a dark finish and flaunts Chalayan’s and J Brand’s love for clean lines and stylish finish. www.husseinchalayan.com, www.jbrandjeans.com

The eyes have it

Don’t mourn the end of summer – these shades will look great in any weather

Fabris Lane’s debut men’s collection heralds a new era in luxurious eyewear. Fittingly named Homme, these slick, sexy shades are available in a variety of classic styles, retro-inspired frames and sports-orientated shapes that not only offer wearable, understated styles at affordable prices but also provide the best in UV protection. Favourites include the retro Clark – a 1950s shape available in a variety of frames – and a modern take on classic aviators. www.fabrislane.com

Leave a Reply