French luxury shoemaker Christian Louboutin debuted a small collection of men’s shoes for Spring/Summer 2010. Well known for his fiery-red soles, these pairs are no different. The shoes, also know as ‘Louis’, are featured in a fully studded, glitter and leopard print and are all worn by many celebrities. When I was in Dubai at Harvey Nichols I stopped by to see if they had anything interesting in stock during the big tax-free weekend. As posh and expensive Harvey Nichols can be, every now and then you can find something really cool. I ended up snatching these beautiful Christian Louboutin sneakers for only $150!!! I was pretty excited with them. As compared to the studded, glitter and leopard Louboutin sneakers, I would go for these sneakers everytime, hands down.

Pictures made by Sharon Jane
Big shout out to Whizzkid Abderrahmane.

The Dutch Glamour celebrated their fifth anniversary last wednesday at the Utrechtsestraat 17 in Amsterdam to mark their five years of fashion news, trends, styling tips, shoe porn and editorials. In honor of this anniversary, Glamour had put together a limited edition magazine wich will contain over 500 pages of fashion, beauty, interviews and clever tips on various household issues. Once inside, photographer Eugene and his girlfriend Zafiera saw that there were more than a few Dutch stars, fashion editors, stylists and bloggers on hand to pose for pictures. The event was really well organized and Eugene and Zafiera had a great time, saw great people and had some good food. And finally their night ended with a little showcase from an Amsterdam band called Valerius, a perfect finish to end your night right in the heart of downtown Amsterdam.

Pictures made by Eugene McFly.
Big shout out to Whizzkid Abderrahmane.

Louis Vuitton opened thier first in-store boutique today in a Bijenkorf department store and this beautiful bootique was designed by internationally renowned architect Peter Marino, who also completed the new flagship Louis Vuitton Maison on London’s Bond Street. This is the first Louis Vuitton leased department within a Bijenkorf store and marks the first new Louis Vuitton department store partnership in the Netherlands.

The Louis Vuitton Bijenkorf department store is the second Louis Vuitton location in the Netherlands. The store is 150 square feet and located on Bijenkorf main floor across from the designer watch department and offers a mix of Louis Vuitton leather goods, including designer handbags and luggage, alongside accessories such as Louis Vuitton sunglasses, ties and an extensive selection of women’s designer shoes.

The Bijenkorf department store also sells luxury brands like Viktor and Rolf, Burberry, Marc by Marc Jacobs and See by Chloé. It leaves one thinking what to expect next from the department store.

Bijenkorf Amsterdam
Dam 1
1012 JS Amsterdam

Pictures made by Eugene McFly.
Big shout out to Whizzkid Abderrahmane.

The Velour story started back in 1997 when Per Andersson rummaged through the store of his grandmother’s old ready-to-wear shop, which closed in the mid eighties after 50 years of business. He decided to make use of this asset and opened Nostalgi together with a couple of friends. The shop sold the dead stock clothes together with re-makes, art and design and became a forum for the Göteborg independent scene. It also attracted international attention. Nostalgi’s creative customers inspired the Velour team to take the step towards designing their own clothes in 2002, and the first Velour collection was launched in 2005.

I didn’t have any idea about Velour until one day I spotted a friend with the most amazing pair of Velour chino pants, from that day on Velour went right up at the top of my list!!! As you could also see in my previous post I was at the Velour store a couple of weeks ago to collaborate with the owners of the newly opened store in Amsterdam. It’s no surprise, that during the fitting process I got a glimpse of the new spring/summer collection. Now therefore, I had to show you this fine collection of wearable basics.

Also watch this video that provides a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view on the brand’s collection for this Autumn-Winter.

Bootyq is a platform wich will showcase two different styles on one day, one venue but with one local and one international designer. After two succesful editions this time Dutch designer Francisco van Benthum and British designer Adam Entwisle showed their beautiful collection yesterday and it certainly suggests both the designers deserve every bit of attention. The Francisco van Benthum menswear collection had an late 60’s look, with a twenty-first-century spin. And the Adam Entwisle collection breezily straddled two poles: fashionable womenswear and sophisticated tailoring for the modern woman.

Big shout out to Whizzkid Abderrahmane.

I’m a man of particularities. I have my favourites and my loyalties. Once and a while though, something new comes across my threshold and my interest gets piqued. When I first saw the Amsterdam Shoe Co. sneakers, I thought they looked ok. I’m a bigger fan of Clarks and Brogues these days but the details the shoes sported made sense and I liked the silhouette. When Morris from Il Rosso contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in trying a pair out, I said sure. When I picked up the box yesterday, Morris hooked me up with a pair of white and steal grey models, I was hella stoked.

And Less than 24 hours later I think I found my new Summer sneaker. Check out some more models at il Rosso.

Today I can give you a first look at the opening of the Avelon Showroom in Amsterdam. The much appraised Avelon-line is now in the hands of Erik Frenken, who was the old head designer at Viktor & Rolf. Having gained solid experience at Viktor & Rolf and Blue Blood, he now tries to make it on his own. I saw the lookbook and I simply can’t sit still for it. It is simply one of the best collections I’ve seen in a while, you should definitely order this collection.

Avelon
Raamstraat 7-9
1016 XL
Amsterdam

Aloe Blacc was in Amsterdam last week performing “I Need a Dollar” and other songs from his upcoming album ”Good Things” that are just as noteworthy. Aloe Blacc brought a Soul music sound to Amsterdam that was different from most of what I’ve heard before. Aloe Blacc has been in the game for a while but in the last year he has really skyrocketed in popularity. I guess it got something to do with the catchy theme song for HBO’s tv series, “How to Make it in America”

Pictures made by Tomasz Greber.

Louis Vuitton today unveiled the travel case it has created to hold football’s greatest prize, the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is the greatest honor in the football world. It’s kept and protected by the FIFA although the FIFA World Cup Winner Trophy travels around the winners of the FIFA World Cup. Thanks to the coming Louis Vuitton protective case, the authentic trophy in the future can travel in a unique and elegant way. It was unveiled today with Patrick Louis Vuitton, Thierry Weil, Naomi Campbell, Antoine Arnault, Pietro Beccari and Yves Carcelle. However, one pity about this gorgeous case is that you can never own one yourself.

Exclusive images of the case after the jump.

As we get closer to the Worldcup, one Nike Stadium store after the other is opening its doors. So far we have seen Milan, Berlin, London and Paris. Today I can give you a first look at the opening of the Nike Stadium Amsterdam, which presents the Piet Parra exhibition. Last week, Nike Stadium Amsterdam opened it’s doors at Precinct 5 to the public with a series of ongoing installations inspired by the Nike Mercurial boot and Tadanori Lee, a player who embodies the Mercurial spirit and style of play. This creative space features installations from Dutch artist Piet Parra and a stage where a multitude of artist’s could work on their pieces within the gallery.

Pictures made by Indra Ismail. 

Hi Everyone, I had a wonderful time last week!! I met up with AfterDRK, Stylescrapbook, JamiesBlog, and Commedesleroi for Cosmopolitans Most Beautiful Legs Contest 2010 at Hotel Arena in Amsterdam. We had a lot of fun despite the fact that it was so warm that it felt like summer. We get together so regularly that it was like I’ve known these bloggers forever. I also guess that’s the amazing thing about social media. You spend most of your time on Facebook and Twitter getting to know new people and fellow bloggers. Je ne regrette rien, it was a fantastic event with great food and drinks.

Picture in post thumbnail made by Noah Dinero.

Espadrilles are casual flat or high-heel fashion sandals originating from the Pyrenees. Ok, I know, Gucci Espadrilles!? But hear me out, here. Most people agree that they should buy shoes that are comfortable and fit their feet. After months of wearing thick socks and boots due to weather elements its time to pamper your toes and feet a little. These shoes are airy and keep my feet cool in the summer and I also hate anything between my toes but these do not bother me at all. But mostly because they really are one of the best things about summer. I mean, just look at them. Now if the sunny weather would just hurry the hell up and get here so I can actually wear them.

Pictures made by Leetography.

A private Closed event

Little brothers are so handy. Last Tuesday my little brother invited me to come to a little fashion party hosted by Jackie magazine at Closed. Closed is located in the Nine Streets in Amsterdam and best described as ’sophisticated casual’ with a constant dialogue between functionality and innovation. During the event the Closed staff were customizing some jeans because they believed that customizing your jeans reflects your personality. It also reveals a little bit about you to everyone you come across. I had a great time, saw great people and had some good food. And finally I was tired, I was in bed at 1 in the morning.

Pictures made by Reinder Weidijk Fotografie.

CLOSED WOMEN
Wolvenstraat 17
1016 EN AMSTERDAM
+3120 3307303

Grenson x Tenue de Nîmes – Factory report

Since most of us need something on our feet day today, I’m going to be looking at boots and shoes from time to time here. And I’ve got a damn fine specimen with which to start that trend: Grenson x Tenue de Nimes brogue boots. In November last year Tenue de Nimes visited the Grenson factory in Rushden, Northamptonshire to salute the construction of the first Grenson x Tenue de Nimes shoe. The company developed a black Tenue de Nîmes interpretation of the Grenson classic: the Fred. The shoe is a limited edition high top brogue with a triple layer -blue tone- leather sole. Last week I had a meeting with Menno van Meurs, who’s one of the owners of the unique Tenue de Nimes store. Tenue de Nîmes was amazed by all the stages of English craftsmanship and decided to do a new collaboration with Grenson (this is definitely a scoop). Check out these amazing pics after the jump.

Pictures made by Joachim Baan.

Jefferson and I at Champs-Elysées

A sneak peek of the Filling Pieces 2010 F/W Collection

On our way to visit the Pigalle shop

More shops

At the Eiffel Tower

I’m back from my brief trip to Paris. Together with my good friends we went to Paris for a few days and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by the weather and our apartment for the next few days. The apartment was on the 1st floor of a modern building on Rue Livingstone, just in front of the Marché Saint Pierre and the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. We did a lot of walking all over the city and there were very few places that one would call ‘ugly’ or ‘unappealing’. We were first concerned about getting off the subway in Paris and not knowing where to go and not being able to speak the language very well. But we had nothing to worry about because my homies Hervé Malauka and Dieylane Cisse showed us around in this beautiful city, this was certainly the way to see Paris. On our third and final day we ended up in Le Barbershop, were we celebrated the birthday of Ben de Fredonie.

Paris is so amazing and I just can’t wait to go back. Shout out to Ben de Fredonie, Dieylane Cisse, Hervé Malauka and Massaër Ndiaye for showing us la vie Parisienne réel.

I always keep my flipcam in my bag so I’ll let the video entail our trip further.

Hans Ubbink and Bart Chabot

Hans Ubbink is notoriously known for his unique creations. A Dutch designer with a twist. A man who sometimes comes across more of a philosopher than a fashion designer and a man who loves to travel. That’s why Hans Ubbink created this beautiful book together with Hu.man Holidays, with fun activities and things to see and do during your holiday. Today’s book launch is just the beginning of the journey.

The book will be available from May 8 at www.HumanHolidays.com

There’s a new club in town and it’s called DownTown 75. My hat was off, fresh from the barber — that was the best party I’ve seen in Amsterdam since… hell, ever. So inspiring to see something like this come off smoothly and to see everyone enjoying themselves so much. And it’s so much fun to see the diversity of the people, and to see college students, artists and adults all partying together on a Spring night in Amsterdam. A big Shout out to Selwyn Senatori.

Pictures made by Loubna.

Selwyn Senatori, Royalsteez and Ottograph

Made by Selwyn Senatori

Be sure to be ready for this one! This friday (April 16th) the three Musketeers Selwyn Senatori, Royalsteez and Ottograph will present a show about their favourite subjects: Sex, Art and Rock & Roll. Selwyn Senatori, Royalsteez and Ottograph had only exactly one month to come up with all the work in the show. Will they come up with loads of porn and cheap shots or will their work be subtile and refined? You’ll only know if you’ll be there one of the two days that this show will be available to the public.

The exhibition will be kicked-off in style for press and invites this Friday on April 16th between 18:00 and 21:00. Following up on that will be a party from 21:00 ’till 01:00 with DJ’s Mulat, Zender, Hero de Janeiro and other live acts. Saturday April 17th the exhibition will be open for public from 12:00 ’till 18:00.

Location: Down Town studios 75, Rokin 75, Amsterdam.

At Tenue de Nȋmes

A short presentation


The Nike Air Royalty ”Macaroons” in red

The end

As part of the Nike Sportswear Air Royalty Macaroons launch, Tenue de Nȋmes in Amsterdam was the next stop for Nike to release this bright coloured/flavoured sneaker. The Nike Air Royalty Macaroons sneaker was inspired by the French Ladurée Macaroons and in the Netherlands only available at Tenue de Nîmes. Nike couldn’t have chosen a better place and time to celebrate, it turned out to be a beautiful sunny Spring day.

Tenue de Nîmes – A Denim Based Concept Store
Elandsgracht 60
1016 TX Amsterdam
+3120 3204012

Selwyn Senatori

Morris Kotkamp

Today started early, around 11am (I don’t usually wake up that early) but I woke up cause I’d to meet with a PR Agency in the centre of Amsterdam. The meeting went very well, after which I had all day to chill with my good friends Morris and Selwyn. We spent most of the day at the Art Gallery and Studio ”DownTown 75″ having drinks and talking about planning a trip to Milan, so be sure to stay tuned.

The rest of the day was spent “chilaxsing”….and boy, you really need those days where all you do is nothing but……. whatever you feel like doing all day long……