A few weeks ago we were contacted about the launch of a new London based label known as A.Hallucination. A.Hallucination co-designer, Chung Chung Lee asked us to check out their new A/W 2010 collection, as it would be their "great pleasure" if we could help to introduce it to our readers. So we had a look, and, needless to say, we loved what Chung Chung Lee, along with co-designer Hwan-Sung Park put together for A.Hallucination's debut collection. Seeing the opportunity to showcase this label in its early stages, I asked if Chung would like us to take our feature of A.Hallucination a a step further, and allow us to interview them. Chung agreed, so we present to you an unedited glimpse into the minds of these talented designers.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Both of us are from South Korea. Actually we call it ‘The republic of Korea’.  

Q: What is your educational/professional background?

A: Hwan:  In my educational background, I graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2008. (Majored in menswear.) and ,before CSM, I had been majored in fashion design at the SEJONG University in Korea. In the professional background, I’ve worked for Burberry, Tom Ford, Alexander Mcqueen as a menswear design assistant and once worked for a design-consulting agency as a menswear assistant designer for short time.

Chung: In my educational background, I graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2008. (Majored in menswear.) Also I had majored in Art & Design at CSM before I started to specialize in menswear from 2006. But I often have joined the design team as a collection staff or as a designer to help my father for long time. (His father is famous fashion designer, named Lie Sang Bong, in Korea and Paris.) In the professional background, I’ve worked for ‘Lie Sang Bong Paris’ for many years taking various roles in the design team, as mentioned above, and worked with many other local young designers for many projects. Also I once worked for Ozwald Boateng, based in Savile Row, to help his collection. 

Q: How did you get into fashion design?

A: Hwan: I would say.. “Bone to be a fashion designer”  (sorry, just kidding) I have been always very interested in nice clothing and drawing from my youth. So it drove me into the fashion world so naturally.

Chung: My father is fashion designer and my mother also works for his company. However I didn’t imagine being a fashion designer when I was young. When I studied in BA Arts & Design course in Central Saint Martins, I experienced many subjects about arts & design. Through the course I realized I love fashion and I decided to get into fashion design. 

Q: What was the first thing you designed (professionally or personally)?

Hwan:  My first thing was the men’s hoody rain cape for the project show during the university festival when I was junior grade of university in Korea. At that time, I was a totally beginner in fashion design.

Chung: Series of shirts which are influenced by Gustav Klimt when I prepared portfolio for college. I love Klimt and it always give me lots of inspiration.  

Q: When did A. Hallucination come to fruition? How was your partnership forged?

A: As you might know, we are just starting-up menswear label from February in this year. We successfully launched our first Fall/ Winter 2010 Collection during London Fashion Week in last February. Our partnership is complementary cooperation to each other. Hwan is strong at directing the total concept of the theme and colour, and organizing the design map for the collection. On the other hand, Chung is strong at developing design details, adding some creative elements, and directing the collection with artistic approach.

Q: Who is this A. Hallucination for? Describe the man who wears A. Hallucination.

A: A.HALLUCINATION is designed for the 25-40 year old man who values quality and smart dressing as an important aspect of life. Our garments are translatable for work, casual, and evening activities and present a sleek, sophisticated look for everyday wear.

Q: How did you go about developing the A/W 2010 collection? What was your process? What was your inspiration?

A: We would like to show the new ‘modern English dandy’ through our first collection. Presenting their first collection entitled "The First Peal," our main theme was an interesting combination of modern and classic, inspired by the scenery of London such as London Eye with Big Ben and Gherkin. We think the mix of classic fabrics and modern design and cutting represent the true London.  It’s like how the Saint Paul Cathedral and Millennium Bridge goes very well together.

For preparing this collection, basically we approached the design progress with complementary cooperation, from the researching to the making samples. We researched sometimes by each, sometimes by together and set up the basic essential ideas. Then, we had a lot of meetings discussing a lot about the designs of the collection. After deciding the designs, Hwan was in charge of making jackets and shirts. Chung was in charge of making trousers, accessories, and developing the quilting detail techniques, which were the main details of our first collection.

Q: What do you want A. Hallucination to be known for? What would you say is your trademark.

A: We want to presents a sharp, contemporary take on the classic British dandy look with urban citywear influences and the styling offers a modern twist to a classic look

Q: What are your favorite pieces of the A/W 2010 collection?

A: Actually, the most popular items are cropped trench cape and new cut JKT with quilted under-top collar. Many people would love to have them. (Officially, Key pieces include darted slim-shaped side-seamless jackets, new cut shirts, low crotch pants, with intricate quilting details and techniques textured jackets inspired from Gerkin. All the pieces are given modern makeovers to create a highly wearable, yet very on-trend look.)

Q: What about the process do you enjoy most and least?

A: We enjoy all the process from deciding the theme for the collection to making the collection line-up with our final outfits. (But, in honest, we feel bit stress while we are in the period of making samples.)

Q: Where can readers find your work?

A: As you know, we are just starting-up label from last 2010 A/W season. (We were supposed to focus on promoting ourselves now, and expected that sales would begin in earnest from next season. But, beyond our expectation, Actually we got many sales offers from few stores, but we put them on hold.) That’s why we don’t have any stockiest at the moment. But, recently, we got some nice offer from famous buying agency based in London. So hopefully we can take a nice opportunity to show off our garments in the stores soon.

Orgasm.

See more at Jessica Darwin.

Perfect for every occasion... even for those pant-less moments when you pick up the paper in the morning.  

See more at C. Viviani

Let me first preface this by saying that Nick Holland is a "G". The man certainly knows his craft. The Holland Esquire Hand Customised collection, highlights the complexities of suit construction by emphasizing the individual pattern pieces of the build, as the Gent Pipe Jacket exemplifies. If you are into details like I am, then hit the jump for more views. Check Coggles for even more pieces (for the low). [Via Coggles] 

To make a long story short, I ended up corresponding via email with Collin Thompson, the designer behind Cipher, following my post about the Cipher 2010 footwear collection. He offered to send me some shoes to review, and I just couldn't turn that down. Anyway, fast forward to about a week ago, when FedEx leaves a note at our door about a package coming from Hong Kong. Mind you, I had no idea what it was, but chances are if an unidentified package is coming to you from Hong Kong, it must be something epic. Of course FedEx made me wait a whole entire day to find out what gifts The East had in store... and so my journey began...

I cracked the battered brown shipping box open to reveal a sleek, matte black box with the word Cipher written in clean white lettering. This was truly some ninja shit. Have you ever held a shoe box in your hand and known that the contents of the box must be incredible, just because of the weight and quality of the box itself? True story. So I opened the box, and was greeted with a personalized letter from The Cipher Team, signed by Collin himself (as if the kicks were not enough), thanking me for my support and giving some background info about the Cipher Seditionary, a design inspired by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McClaren's SEX boutique.

I ripped open the tissue paper (i had no choice... have you ever tried removing a sticker from tissue paper?) to reveal a silky white bag with Cipher stitched in black lettering in the bottom right corner. I was impressed by the detail and thought that went into each step in unravelling the treasure that awaited me.

Finally, I got through all the wonderful packaging, and made it to the holy grail... the Cipher Seditionary with the all black upper, and the white sole. We wanted to give you as many looks as possible, so pardon our photo skills in advance.

The attention to detail was continued in the design of the shoe... very clean lines... pretty much all the seams were double stitched with no traces of weirdness or globs of glue. Good leather... soft suede... the construction is very legit, and the materials are top notch. My favorite part, and perhaps the most distinct part of the shoe is the large strap at the top. There is no Velcro involved in the closure, instead they opted for two matte black metal "clasps" that fold to lock in two smaller sections of the strap.

Upon trying them on, I would have to equate the fit to a Chuck Taylor All Star, but with plush cushioning. They sent me a size 9, which is slightly narrower than the SB Dunks that frequent my feet, and about as long as my 9.5 men's US Nikes, so keep that in mind when you pick your size. All in all, the Cipher Seditionary is easy to style in, and I look forward to many great things from The Cipher Team. 

Out of the minds and souls of two talented youngin's called Askh, comes the above.  Intense, sensitive and strong.  Why can't everything be this way?

Reason #672 to be irritated with the world:

Ann Taylor is still in business, yet there is no way for me to get my hands on this.  Life makes no sense. 

I love the tone of this video. I think it matches with the overall persona of Drykorn. Once again Drykorn kills it with their 2010 men's summer collection. I loved what they did for summer 2009, and I'm feeling this latest installment as well. Check out the Drykorn site for the full gallery of men's and women's look. 

These pieces from Fannie Schiavoni are glorious.  One is moved to watch simulated battles on The History Channel just to get more chainmail action.  The versatility of these pieces is what strikes me most; these accessories would look just as good with jeans as they would a gown.  

Anyone who has been reading my posts knows that I am all about the details. TravelTeq Trash Bags... I mean... there's a pocket for everything... I don't know if I'm more impressed by the level of detail in the storage areas, or the level of detail in the handmade craftsmanship... The leather is Italian butter. Not only can you trolley this thing on top of your luggage, but you can safely stow your airline tickets, cellular device, home-rolled cigars, your 15 inch Macbook Pro (or IPad for that matter), and just about any other little unnecessary trinket that you can think of. There's a pocket for that.

Plenty more detailed views in the full post, including diagrams of all the compartments.

Successful pattern and texture mixing such as this should be revered throughout the world and touted as the only path to peace and harmony on this planet.  

Yup.

PC: The Quirky Stylista