新年快乐!

With the continued opening of the Chinese market, it's been great to see the further acceptance of Asian faces within the fashion industry.

With the successful launch of sister publications from mainstay industry staples -- like Vogue and GQ -- to the Chinese viewership has come the celebration of Asian faces in modeling and the opportunity for ethno-centric editorials.

We here at HDNB wish you a Happy Chinese New Year. We're sure Du Juan wishes the same as well.

image per Vogue China (60 Memorable Fashion Moments) by way of Kazaf @ tFS

Alexander Wang FW 2010

Trendwatch: Thick framed sunglasses over matted and flattened hair.

Thank god for Showstudio to add some purpose to a weekend day.

Natalia! I've missed you!

Hoping my sister will be watching this on the American Eagle LED billboard in Times Square shortly...

J. Crew Fall 2010

Through GQ, and in keeping with NYFW for Fall 2010, we get a look at what J. Crew is offering this coming fall. ALREADY! Spring merchandise has only flooded the stores for a short while, but of course, it's already time to look ahead into the future.

For fall, based on the selected looks GQ used to showcase Frank Muytjens' directorship over at J. Crew men's -- these images come from GQ/CFDA's Best New Designers in America event held a couple night's ago -- we clearly get a continuation of the themes and aesthetics that Muytjens' has brought to the company. There's clearly an Americana workwear element once again as shown through the boots and sturdy dark denim pieces, infused with military-inspired looks through utility jackets and muted colors (navy, olive, khaki, grey). This is all complemented with tailored slimmed down suiting complete with cropped pant hems. I'm personally enamoured with that Fair Isle sweater, that definitely ends up on the top of my list of things to look out for later this year. I didn't include the shot of Daniel Liu in this series, as I already posted on him (here), but I'm also going to keep my eyes open for that olive cardi he's sporting when the time comes.

Close fitting suits of this specific silhouette and cut are nothing new, especially when one conjures up previous Thom Browne and Band of Outsiders collections, and in general, American-inspired fashion is still in the midst of enjoying a hey-day of sorts. So in a way, J. Crew really isn't doing anything more than what it does best -- translating key trends and concepts in fashion and making them acceptable to the mainstream perspective. And although I do appreciate that J. Crew does this with a much softer pricepoint, and what that in turn can do for my need-to-look-presentable portion of my wardrobe, doesn't this all usually mean it's time to move on and see what's next? So my next question is, does this really make Muytjens worthy of being nominated for the title of Best New American Designer? The award actually went to Billy Reid, and personally, I would have voted for Vincent Flumiani of Caulfield Preparatory, who doesn't just adopt a look/trend (the ever-present collegiate and erudite preppy casual), but...subversifies it and turns it into a darker less-explored look...umm perhaps a visualization/interpretation of a certain J.D. Salinger character, anyone?

But I digress. So back to J. Crew, what happens when the bubble for this trend bursts, as pondered by the team over at Fashionista? I agree with the notion that there will always be a devoted following to the looks that just happen to also dictate the current style of the times, but is that enough to support a big company like J. Crew?

image source

Daniel Liu for J. Crew at GQ's Best New Designers in America Event, 02.11.10

I've always thought J. Crew could use an Asian male model in its catalogs. Asian women have broken down that barrier for quite some time now (Hye Park, Du Juan, Liu Wen), but I wonder if that will ever translate to the male gender. Well until that day actually comes, whenever that will be, we in the meantime have Daniel Liu head-to-toe in J. Crew at the Best New Designers in America event put on by GQ. Editing and styling were done per GQ, so who knows how much say each label -- J. Crew included -- had in the casting of the models. However, there are a few other J. Crew favorites that pop up in the series. So who knows.

ALSO, J. Crew Fall 2010 ALREADY! It's great to catch a glimpse of what will be coming out. Apparently, Red Wings are still good for another season. Wait. Maybe I should devote Fall 2010 @ J. Crew to a post of its own...

Keep on popping up, Daniel!

I wish there was a better version of this photo floating around somewhere. Big THANKS to Flashbang over at tFS for finding a better quality version of this photo!

all images per GQ.com

Frank Muytjens of J. Crew in GQ March 2010

GQ.com has put up its March 2010 photospread featuring men's designers it deemed as worthy contenders for its 4th annual award for best new American designer. The list of nominees has been circulating forever, and so it been no secret Frank Muytjens of J. Crew was one of the prestigious few to have been chosen. As it played out, Billy Reid won the coveted title last night. Which is just as well, Reid's eponymous label really sets a romantic tone for the southern dandy.

But back to Muytjens...his shot features him alongside a bevy of beautiful models (a good several are J. Crew favorites, having appeared online and in the catalogs, yea you know you recognize them...hey R.J.!) in front of the company's Liquor Store in Tribeca. It's a beautiful photo, the background serves as the perfect setting for the clothes. You really get the sense the clothes serve a purpose within a modern urban dwelling, no fuss, but on the money in terms of taste. Those shorts I want (3rd from the right) are in the picture too! I'm hoping a scan from the physical magazine will pop up soon, if you have one, send it my way! I'd love to have a bigger version of this picture.

Oh, and the short interview w/ Mr. Muytjens is a fun little read too.

Daniel Liu for John Bartlett FW 2010

Glad to see my favorite Asian male model pop up at NYFW. Here he is at John Bartlett. Cue resurgent/ongoing crush.

image source: GQ by way of Flashbang over at tFS

RIP Alexander McQueen

According to the WSJ and the UK Daily Mail, Alexander McQueen committed suicide early this morning.

Oh this is kinda wierd, sad, and unfortunate all at once. Obviously, I never knew the guy, and the "closest" I ever got to him was browsing through his store in the Meatpacking district. But it's still wierd to think about, after having seen pictures of him and his work countless times.

Perhaps this is why his site is down?

My condolences.