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Menswear Label to Watch - Beekay

   “I want to do something extreme,” says UCA graduate Beekay, of his first collection. The Pakistani-born menswear designer debuted his Spring/Summer 09-10 collection at 080 Barcelona Fashion Week and On|Off for London Fashion Week. It features kilts, hoods and combat boots. He explains: “It’s an extended version of the collection from my university.” By mixing textures and cultures, Beekay achieves a diverse and engaging look, far from the clothes he grew up with in Lahore. “The strong culture of Pakistan made me go against it,” explains Beekay. His premier collection is rebellious and aggressive.

    Burhan Khan or Beekay as he prefers to be known is a self confessed workaholic. “There's still a huge market to be taken, especially in menswear,” the young designer explains. He spent three seasons with women’s-wear label Aminaka Wilmont; a Scandinavian duo who put an emphasis on shape and silhouette. This experience gave Beekay great ambition and a head for business, not to mention a love for his signature material; leather. He has plans to eventually show his designs on the couture catwalks of Paris.

  Naming his first collection ‘Post- Apocalypse’ it is clear to see Beekay is inspired by everything around him, “music and movies play a huge part in my designs” he says. With a slim silhouette, harem trousers and hoods his clothing has undertones of apocalyptic cinema.

        Beekay’s Autumn/Winter 2010 work was recently shown at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. He uses latex-cindered denim, Lycra and leather to produce a New-age masculinity. He takes his inspiration for this collection from trees “I wanted to challenge myself by using a very simple starting point,” says the young designer.  Behind the collections dystopian and almost fetishist aesthetics are clothes that provide comfort and movement. “I don't want to create anything which I wouldn't wear or feel comfortable in,” he explains. Uniqueness and wearability are paramount to Beekay.

    The entirely black collection is deceiving; on closer inspection the intricate detailing becomes obvious with twisted, distressed leather and an abundance of YKK zips.  The inspiration of the “tree” is seen in the print on the t-shirts and in the natural round shapes created by the hoods and the panelling.

     “I believe in every individual creating his/her own fashion statement,” says the young designer. His next collection is sure to make a statement with rumours of “bugs” being the inspiration. Beekay creates conceptual and innovative designs of the highest degree, his pieces are intricate, powerful and meticulously designed. Beekay juxtaposes industrial themes with flowing and wearable fabrics for an alluring androgyny.

  Beekay’s work exudes the ‘London cool’ exterior so many menswear designers strive for. “Using leather comes naturally to me,” he states. Mixing materials and keeping a dark palette give a grungy and futuristic feel to his brand. Beekay is comparable with Julius, a Japanese menswear label that utilizes the colour black extensively.  “I just love what he does” says Beekay of Tatsuro Horikawato the designer behind the label Julius. Both of the designer’s work is moody, experimental yet accessible.

     “Making people feel good about themselves” Beekay claims, is what he does. Although not stocked anywhere yet, this menswear designer has the skills and ideas to take him far. With his black colour palette, intense and energetic designs Beekay’s name is predicted to join the ranks of notable menswear designers in the coming years. 

Frightened Rabbits- Music Review

   A few posts below I spoke about We Were Promised Jetpacks and compared them to Frightened Rabbit. A reader commented on this post saying they had never heard of either of the bands, so I thought I would do a music review on Frightened Rabbits. They are sure to make it big soon, I can't recommended them enough.


   Frightened Rabbit is also a Scottish indie-rock band. Their music has a slight folk-y edge and their sound is very easy on the ears. The band formed in 2003, and their line-up consists of Scott Hutchison (lead vocals, rhythm guitar and lyrics),Billy Kennedy (guitar and bass) , Andy Monaghan (guitar), Grant Hutchison (drums) and Gordon Skene (guitar and keyboard).

   Like We Were Promised Jetpacks they are on Fat Cat Records (steadily becoming my favorite label)  . They have released three albums: 

Sing the Greys
The Midnight Organ Fight 
The Winter of Mixed Drinks

   Their second album received wide critical acclaim (give it a listen and you will see why), their third one is sure to follow suit. The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released on the 1st of March, 2010. My advice, if you like the clip below...pop to the shops and buy it.

(This is from their newest album which is in HMV now.)

Shutter Island- Film Review

   I predicted the ending before I saw the film, that is not to say that I am a highly intelligent being...it is to say that the ending is highly predictable. I however, still LOVED it. The film kept an uneasy, suspenseful atmosphere throughout, not once did I think "oh god when is this going to end" a thought that often pops into my head whilst at the cinema. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but then again I am a massive fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, and why wouldn't I be? He is a very talented actor not to mention his looks.


  Leo doesn't disappoint in Scorsese's  newest thriller. With the films score (soundtrack),dark locations and twisted plot Scorsese achieves a haunting movie that may well have you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend you try and catch it in the cinema, as it is definitely a film that deserves to be seen there. Check out the trailer.

We Were Promised Jetpacks- Music Review

Indie rock band haling from Edinburgh- We Were Promised Jetpacks is what you need to be listening to. THe band is comprised of Adam Thompson (vocals, guitar), Michael Palmer (guitar), Sean Smith (bass) and Darren Lackie (drums). Their debut album These Four Walls was relased on the15 June 2009 on Fat Cat Records.
  They have a really good sound and cite label mates Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad as influences, alongside Biffy Clyro's early material. 

With influences like that...what's not to love? One of my good friends introduced me to them a while ago, along with laughing at their unusual name I really enjoyed their music...and still do! This is their first single, I am hoping they are just about to take off, and why wouldn't they with a sound like this, it is totally comparable to the aforementioned bands. Love it and fully recommend you give them a listen.

She & Him- In The Sun

Give it a listen and a watch. Very sweet and I love the music. How could you not love M.Ward and Zooey.

Can't beat the Smiths

I had a spare minute so took this photo.

gala

From am-lul's closet. Great blog, check it out.

Dree Hemingway for H&M 2010

How right are H&M getting it at the moment? They can do no wrong. Dree Heminway's shoot with them is beautiful. The last image wasn't originally black and white but I changed it so the three looked good together. The images have a relaxed summery feel and the fashion isn't shoved in your face, it's subtle, almost like holidays snaps rather than an advertisement. Love it.

Happy Mother's Day

American Vogue. Field of Dreams

light, bright and breezy.

eeek I can't remember where I got this from. I just love how summery it looks. I want it to be Summer or even Spring!

Yeasayer- Music Review

Yeasayer have recently shot to fame with the release of their new album One Blood. Their first album was not as successful but I fully recommend it also.

It's not a technical analysis but their music is happy and summery sounding, just give it a listen!

Paying Homage

A photo I took on a recent shoot, paying homage to Norman Parkinson, a god in the world of photography and certainly a favorite of mine.

Model- Annabeth Murphy from Select Models.
Dress- TopShop
Umbrella- Gift shop
Location- St. Pauls Cathedral

On track

Image from Vogue Nippon

Leather shorts..so wrong they are right?