Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu Guest Designer at Lutz & Patmos

South African arch bishop Desmond Tutu recently bowed out of public life as one of Christianiaty's most recognisable humble servants. It appears he had another career path in mind when doing so. The 78-year-old priest has, believe it or not, teamed up with the luxury cashmere and knitwear label Lutz & Patmos as a guest designer. The result is a short sleeved scoop neck top with a detachable bead necklace, as seen below. In a time when everyone and everything has to have its own perfume and clothing line, I suppose it was only a question of time before this happened. God Help Us!

King Magazine determines Best Dressed Swedish Politician

Sorry guys, this is in Swedish so only a few of you will be able to enjoy this fairly insightful TV4 conversation about Swedish politicians and their dress sense. King, a Swedish fashion magazine, have polled the readers to find out who's the Best Dressed politician. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt was the clear winner. You be the judge...

Julia Gillard - The Spin - Another Mag.com

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/348/Australian_President_Julia_Gillard

The Spin | Australian President, Julia Gillard


It’s an elite group, but to Argentina, Germany, Finland and the seven other countries that have female presidents or prime ministers, we can now add Australia. At the end of June, after predecessor Kevin Rudd stood down, 48-year-old Julia Gillard became the leader of the Labour party and took over the reins down under. But Gillard’s political honeymoon could be a short one: since she was elected to her post by the Aussie parliament, and not by the people, the PM has called an August election, opening the door for the opposition to take back power.


Whatever happens, this is a first for Australia. Even if the Welsh-born Gillard’s time in charge is short-lived, from an equality point of view, anything is better than nothing. Also, Gillard has acknowledged the uncertainty of her position and her unlikely road to it, claiming that she had a bigger chance to be recruited as an Australian rules football player than taking over after Rudd. Apparently she’s tougher than most thought!


Aesthetically, the only thing that’s more eye-catching than Gillard’s pinstriped suits and white Anne Fontaine shirts is her glowing red hair. Is her temperament as fierce, one wonders? But her sense of style hasn’t gone down all that well in Australia. The press has gone all out for the politician’s wardrobe. Her first week in office saw Gillard sport a patterned coat, which an anonymous local “fashion expert” likened to a “cheap motel bedspread.” Press reports have indicated that the new PM went on a shopping spree, buying 12 new suits, shortly after landing her new job. Maybe she should call up Angela Merkel to get some advice on power dressing, or talk to Hillary Clinton about brooches.




David Hellqvist is the Commissioning Editor of Dazed Digital, a freelance contributor to Men’s Vogue and GQ in China, AnOther Man, ZOO and i-D Magazines. He also writes the blog Fashion in Politics

Nicolas Sarkozy - The Spin - Another Mag

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/289/Nicolas_Sarkozy

CULTURE
The Spin | Nicolas Sarkozy
— June 22, 2010—
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his column The Spin


Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni at Pittsburgh G20 Summit Courtesy of The White House, Photography by Pete Souza
“A world where there is an election every six months – I feel for you: horrible, horrible, horrible!” So French president Nicolas Sarkozy is reported to have told Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld after awarding him the Legion of Honour. And he’s spot on – in fashion, you’re only as good as your last collection. The same applies to Sarkozy and his political colleagues – if they don’t please the electorate, they’re out. But Sarkozy has done all right for himself since sweeping to power in 2007.


More than anything, of course, he’s sorted himself out with a proper French beauty. Carla Bruni, ex-girlfriend of Mick Jagger, is not only a successful recording artist but also a former model. And fashion icon, too – no one pulls off deep purple quite like her. Sarkozy himself also looks pretty smart, but then again he lives in the unofficial fashion capital of the world, Paris.


The president’s most striking physical feature – or lack of it, perhaps – is his height. Sarkozy is reported to be only 5ft 5in tall, preferring shoes with a slight heel. And, allegedly, Bruni must wear flat shoes when seen in his company. A recent example of Sarkozy’s sensitivity on this issue was made public when he was photographed standing on a box behind a speaking pulpit, just after taking over from the tall US president, Barack Obama.


But Sarkozy’s status as a style icon is somewhat undecided. In the past he has been voted both one of the “best dressed” in Vanity Fair and placed at the bottom of a similar list by GQ magazine. Bruni, on the other hand, is of course universally lauded for her sense of style, and is only matched on the worldwide political (spouse) stage by Michelle Obama. Mind you, of the two associated gents Sarkozy is the more stylish, his 2007 inauguration suit rumoured to have been Prada. But you can own as many fancy suits as you like, Nicolas – you’re merely stealing Kim Jong-il’s look when you wear those platform shoes…


David Hellqvist is the Commissioning Editor of Dazed Digital, a freelance contributor to Men’s Vogue and GQ in China, AnOther Man, ZOO and i-D Magazines. He also writes the blog Fashion in Politics

Vladimir Putin - The Spin - Another Mag

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/269/Vlads_Castle

CULTURE
The Spin | Vlad's Castle
— June 8, 2010—
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his column The Spin


Vladimir Putin in combat Courtesy of The Kremlin
Vladimir, oh Vladimir, where have you been for the last few years? What was that? You had to resign as president of Russia and become the country’s prime minister because your time at the top was up, but you will return to the top job as soon as you are constitutionally allowed? Oh OK, good – things haven’t been the same without you.


In 2008, after having been twice elected as president, Putin stood down and became PM. Ever since, his critics have claimed Putin only supported Dmitry Medvedev’s presidential candidacy so that he could control and manipulate him, and it’s true that Medvedev hasn’t been as strong and popular as Putin. But succeeding Putin cannot be an easy task; the man has charisma and a well-trained torso.


Putin isn’t really famous for what he’s wearing, more what his wardrobe leaves out. Often that’s a top or a shirt. He seems to have affection for outdoors activities – hiking, hunting, riding, etc – where he can pose topless with wraparound sunglasses and army fatigue trousers. His predilection for military accessories probably comes from a long and successful career within the Soviet secret police, the KGB.


Another interesting detail in the curious case of Vladimir Putin is his fondness for martial arts. When he looks at you with the dark eyes of a communist spy and says, “I can kill you with my bare hands,” remember this: he isn’t kidding. A 6th dan in Judo, Putin would kick Obama’s skinny ass in a minute or two.


Because of Putin’s affiliation with the army and KGB, it’s considered OK for him to don uniforms and pose in fighter plane cockpits (flying a MiG jet is probably just like another hobby to him, next to bear hunting and torture…) – unlike George W Bush who never did military service and just looked like a twerp when he wore a flying jacket.


There’s no doubt Putin is here to stay; he will surely try to run for the presidency again, or maybe just puppeteer Medvedev into doing it Putin-style. His leadership has of course attracted positive, as well as negative, feedback. Former president Mikhail Gorbachev, for example, has credited Putin with saving Russia from chaos, and Time magazine crowned him Man of the Year in 2007. But, as one of his critics pointed out, that esteemed publication gave Hitler the same title in 1938…


David Hellqvist is the Commissioning Editor of Dazed Digital, a freelance contributor to Men’s Vogue and GQ in China, AnOther Man, ZOO and i-D Magazines. He also writes the blog Fashion in Politics

Fashion Icon: Yukio Hatoyama

A while back I did a piece on the ANC sanctioned leather jackets that the South African party was selling, and now the turn has come to Japan's Prime Minister and his shirt. The difference is that it isn't Yukio Hatoyama who is flogging his own wardrobe. No, it's the Shanghai based shirt company ShirtsMyWay.com that's manufacturing the check and multi coloured piece, which is yours for a mere $500. You'll find it under the sub heading of 'Prime Minister of Japan & Fashion Hero' on the website. Funnily enough, this seems to be Japanese political fashion week as the Spin post shows below! A Guardian piece quote the designer Don Konishi saying, "Is anyone able to stop him wearing such a thing?" - which I think makes the shirt even more loveable...

Yukio Hatoyama - The Spin - Another Mag

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/253/Yukio_Hatoyama

CULTURE
The Spin | Yukio Hatoyama
— May 25, 2010—
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his fortnightly column The Spin


Today, the topic of discussion is Japan’s Prime Minister – known to many as old, you know, whatshisname. But while Yukio Hatoyama might not be the most prolific statesmen on the scene just yet, to his credit he’s only been in power since September last year. Hatoyama-san represents the Democratic Party of Japan, which is a great name since it kind of infers that the opposition is not democratic, but totalitarian, fascist or another unpleasant form of government.


Japan is a funny one. While far from geographically massive, it is a heavyweight member of the almighty G8 and as such helps set the agenda for the rest of the world. Since World War II the country has become synonymous with major car and electronic industries, but it is also a major fashion exporter. Imagine if all world leaders had to wear clothes from national designer treasures: Cameron in Gieves & Hawkes, Obama in Ralph Lauren, Sarkozy in Dior and Berlusconi decked out in Armani. That’s all fine but Hatoyama could be rocking Junya Watanabe brogues, wrinkly Issey Miyake cords and a light blue Comme des Garçons Homme Plus shirt under his khaki Yamamoto jacket with Nehru collar…


That, alas, is not his outfit of choice. Hatoyama is very traditional, and not even in an exciting Japanese way. His wife, however, is far from boring. A former actress, these days Miyuki Hatoyama categorises herself as a “life composer.” Because no one knows what that means, Miyuki is now a mainstay of the chat show circuit, repeatedly invited on to talk at length about her life and opinions. It was on one such show that Miyuki claimed to have been abducted by aliens, while on another occasion she let slip that she knows Tom Cruise since the actor used to be Japanese in a previous life! Miyuki Hatoyama for Prime Minister!


David Hellqvist is the Commissioning Editor of Dazed Digital, a freelance contributor to Men’s Vogue and GQ in China, AnOther Man, ZOO and i-D Magazines. He also writes the blog Fashion in Politics

Jacob Zuma / The Spin / AnOther Mag

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/239/Jacob_Zuma

The Spin | Jacob Zuma
— May 11, 2010—
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his fortnightly column The Spin


South Africa has a long tradition of charismatic and colourful leaders. Everyone knows Nelson Mandela; and FW de Klerk has also gone straight into the history books. But both men can learn a thing or two from the current South African President Jacob Zuma when it comes to making the most of an entrance.


The 68-year-old Zuma took power exactly a year ago and visited the UK only a few weeks ago. Zuma, like Mandela, represents the African National Congress (ANC) which not that long ago brought out their own line of fluorescent leather jackets. The collection brought on a fashionable media storm, that is until punters noticed the jackets were by ANC, not APC.


Zuma’s own personal style is best described as eclectic. When he got married in January – to his third wife – Zuma was pictured performing the ritual dance moves of his Zulu tribe, wearing a leopard skin, several animal tails as a skirt and a leopard head band. To enable the dancing, Zuma wore fresh-from-the-box Reebok trainers and Reactolite glasses.


The President is an avid believer in frequent reproduction, and has fathered 20 kids. Open about his polygamy, he says: “There are plenty of politicians who have mistresses and children who they hide so as to pretend they are monogamous. I prefer to be open. I love my wives and I am proud of my children.”


During his political career, Zuma has been accused of racketeering, corruption and rape. No charges have been pinned on him and he was acquitted in the rape case. In fact, the only thing Zuma has ever served time for was his attempt to overthrow apartheid, which in 1963 resulted in a 10-year prison sentence that he served on Robben Island, together with Mandela. Still, he should have been sent down for those leather jackets.






David Hellqvist is a freelance journalist for AnOther Man, Dazed & Confused, i-D, ZOO and a Contributing Editor to American website JC Report

Labour's Own Balmain Bride

A while ago I read a piece in a fashion mag where the writer was questioning the credentials of Balmain. 'How many seasons can you go on using big angular shoulders?', the person rightly asked. Margiela did it a few years back, Christophe Decarnin at Balmain continued the trend, made it big, exploded the brand and then....he continued doing the shoulders....again and again.


Surely this image, if nothing else, must be end of this trend. This is Margaret Hodge, Labour MP of Barking and Dagenham, who the other day beat the political crap out of BNP's Nick Griffin. Great, well done Hodge. But WTF are you wearing?


You are not standing one the command bridge of the USS Enterprise, even though it looks like SPOCK standing on your right. I know, I probably just confused two very different sci-fi series....but you know what? I don't give a shit, they're equally bad.


Anyway, back to the point; shoulders. A massive thanks to Margaret Hodge MP for beating the BNP and for single handily killing off the massive shoulder trend. 

Nick Henman

It's the night before the election and all three party leaders are still out campaigning. The whole country is of course at home, watching shit telly, so Gordy, Dave and Nicky are probably preaching to their PA. Anyway, we know that Tony Blair once was in a rock band (admittedly they were called Ugly Rumours, but still...), Cameron once dressed daft with his homo erotic band of brothers in the Bullingdon Club and Gordon he....well, never mind what he got up to as a youngster, because he probably doesn't know himself....but now we also know what Nick Clegg did on his adolescent spare time. Tennis. That's him, second from the left, you neo-conservative little social democrat in a cricket jumper! Apparently he also did a bit of amateur theatre. Of course you did mate.

Election Anthems - Who's The Winner?

Scary as it is, Hadouken, Nu Brand and Right Said Fred have all done their versions of party anthems for the election....listen and fear the future, my friends. Who ever said 'Thank you for the music, thank you for the joy it's bringing' was wrong....Who do you reckon is the least crap one?

FiP interview on Vogue.co.uk

http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/100428-style-file-miriam-clegg.aspx

Style File: Miriam Clegg
JULIA NEEL 28 April 2010


Miriam Gonzalez Durantez - aka Mrs Nick Clegg - has made a reputation for herself as a no-nonsense woman who works hard and is taken seriously. Whereas her rival wives in the race for Number 10 - Samantha Cameron and Sarah Brown - have been pictured with their husbands in an array of headline-making outfits, international trade lawyer Miriam has quietly gone about her own business.


"I don't have a job I can abandon for five weeks and I imagine that's true for most people," she told the Daily Mail in April of her comparative absence from her husband's side during the campaign.


"Miriam has shown that it's not always best to be everywhere and wearing the loudest colours," says David Hellqvist of Fashion in Politics. "She has been going to work and getting on with life, which has earned her kudos from the press and the public."
Be that as it may, we have seen a penchant for elegantly feminine dresses and neat separates from the Liberal Democrat leader's wife and she's often pictured with her ready-for-anything, across the body satchel by Bimba & Lola.


But does what the leaders' wives wear bear any reflection on the outcome of the election? "What the wives wear is of course irrelevant to Westminster politics and policies," Hellqvist goes on. "But the ladies' looks say something about the person behind the politician, and we are after all in the process of voting for one of them as the new Prime Minister. So they matter very much in that sense. Saying that, though, it is pretty fun seeing SamCam and Sarah Brown competing in their 'Who Can Wear The Most Erdem Dresses Race'."

The Spin / Nick Clegg / AnOther Mag.com

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/228/The_Race_is_On

The Spin | The Race is On
— April 27, 2010—
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his fortnightly column The Spin


Animated Debate still Taken from an animation by El Mysterioso, origianl image by New Folder


The race is on; the General Election is around the corner but the biggest political news to emerge over the last few weeks of campaigning is not the Bordon Brown’s sense of humour – sorry, that’s meant to be Gordon – or David Cameron’s love of the NHS. No, it’s the apparent existence of a third party and its leader, Nick Clegg. I know – who?


Admittedly that’s a bit unfair: most people of course know of the Liberal Democrats, but hard working TV reporters often don’t stop looking until they find an interviewee who sees a picture of Clegg and think he’s the guy who sold them their new car last week. The reason for this change of direction in the election campaign is primarily Clegg’s impressive performance in the two recent Leader Debates. But to be honest, all Clegg had to do was to point at Brown and Cameron and say “I’m not them!”


Also Vince Cable, Clegg’s political wife, helped out. When both other party leaders showed off their spouses at the start of the campaign, Clegg brought along his financial guru for a cuddle and photo opportunities. But the successful marriage makes sense: while SamCam and SarBro fight over the latest Erdem dress, Clegg’s man wife is busy planning the country’s economical recovery.


Speaking of wives, Clegg’s real spouse, Miriam, often refuses to compromise her day job as a solicitor to appear as Lib Dem arm candy. But a recent Clegg interview in GQ suggests that Miriam might want to keep an eye on her husband. Journalist Piers Morgan made the Cleggster admit to having bedded “no more than 30 women,” which might seem as an optimistic figure, but let’s face it, Clegg’s the most attractive one out of the PM wannabe trio.


There is very little to say about how Nick Clegg dresses, except for the fact that if you saw the three party leaders without showing their faces, you would be able to pick Bordon out because he’s got the most generous chest size; Cameron would stick out because of his manicured finger nails; while the only thing to give Clegg away is that awful yellow tie he always wear. Wouldn’t you love it if Clegg and the Lib Dems changed party colours to black, silver or maybe even gold, just anything but…yellow!






David Hellqvist is a freelance journalist for AnOther Man, Dazed & Confused, i-D,ZOO and a Contributing Editor to American website JC Report


The original animation can be seen here

Vogue Does Fashion & Politics

The Guardian might have created a whole new page dedicated to the General Election, but it seems that Vogue isn't far behind. Having realised the power that lies in fashionable politics and political fashion, the website version of Vogue has taken a sartorial point of view on the current election campaign. Vogue.com's UK fashion editor Julia Neel presents a running commentary in the shape of style profiles on Sarah Brown and Samantha Cameron  and more in-depth pieces on what kind of accessories the wives of our party leaders wear...Have a look before you vote!

One Film Says More Than A Thousand Words

Kindly sent in by loyal FiP reader Paul Davies. Taken from Armando Iannucci's Time Trumpet (2006)

David Cameron - The Spin - AnOther Magazine

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/211/David_Cameron_Fashion_Face_Off

The Spin | David Cameron: Fashion Face Off
— April 13, 2010—
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his fortnightly column The Spin


Three things come to mind when thinking of David Cameron and his style: a bicycle helmet; the rolled-up sleeves of a tie-less white shirt; and his puffed-up baby face. Two of these are manufactured elements and part ofthe current election campaign: the third is just the way he is. What you see is what you get.


No one can have missed the General Election campaign in the UK. Since last week, and until May 6, Britain’s roads and doorsteps will be crowded with politicians, and Dave’s one of them. More than likely, you’ll see him without a suit jacket or tie and with rolled-up sleeves. If you didn’t know, that’s because he is one of us: Dave isn’t afraid of getting his Thomas Pink shirt dirty. With the collar unbuttoned, Dave is able to relax with the common people.


The bicycle helmet is obvious. The Tories used to be Blue, now they’re Green. The helmet shows how engaged Dave is with environmental issues. He really cares about global warming, even enough to catch a flight to the Norwegian archipelago to see the icebergs melt for himself. Dave rides his bike to work, at least before it got stolen because Dave failed to grasp the elementary function of a bike lock. This way Dave gets his exercise AND helps reducing carbon monoxide. It’s just a shame that his PA was caught driving behind him with his briefcase…


The baby face, lastly. How can we have missed it? For a while it was plastered on every single wall and billboard throughout the country. At least that’s how it felt. Had he been airbrushed or not? That was the question on everyone’s lips. But if he had been polished, it only made his baby cheeks even more pinchable. But that makes sense because, in political terms at least, Dave is just a puppy. At 43 we would be one of Britain’s youngest Prime Ministers ever.


I’m just waiting for Gordon Brown to walk up to Dave during PMQ one day, put a bicycle helmet on him, roll up his sleeves, and pinch those cheeks, so that Dave can go out and play with the other kids.






David Hellqvist is a freelance journalist for AnOther Man, Dazed & Confused, i-D,ZOO and a Contributing Editor to American website JC Report

General Tie Competition 2010

Any man who can't tie a tie needs to learn that skill immeditatley. It's a bit like riding a bicycle: once you've learnt you always know how to do it. You might think you're never going to need it, but one of these days you will, and having to ask for help is not on. I'm not suggesting that any of these three gents can't tie their own tie, but I'm interested in how they tie it, and what kind of tie they normally go for.


There's always that classic argument that DC needs a blue tie, GB a red and NC a yellow one. And as you can see, they often feed into these stereo types themselves. But forget about the colour for a while; look at the knot. I'm terribly dissapointed in GB's tie knot; out of these three, he's closest to a Banker Wanker tie. You know, the massivly over sized ones that everyone in the City sports. One wonders what is they're trying to compensate for? It ain't a lack of dosh, that's for sure....


Also, except for the knot, I'm not crazy about the shiny shade of purple he's gone for. Genrelly speaking, fellow gentlemen, avoid purple. It has too much Burton and Bluewater shopping centre about it! Also NC has a too shiny tie, and yellow is rarely a good colour for clothing - even though, in this case, it is his party's fighting colours.


It pains me to say it, but DC is the winner. Blue, out of the three party colours, is by far the most versatile and subtle colour. The Tory knot, surprisingly enough, is also the best one; Where GB's is too big and shiny and NC's a bit too thin and pointy (plus shiny), Cameron has the perfect size and angle...but he looks a bit puffy in the face, doesn't he....

Kimmy - Best Dressed In The World!?

The Daily Telegraph brings exciting news from the far east. It claims that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is a fashion force to reckoned with. We knew that! According to the local commie rag, Rodung Sinmun, Kimmy inspire people all over the world with his sartorial decisions. "The reason is that the August image of the Great General, who is always wearing the modest suit while working, leaves a deep impression on people's mind in the world. To sum it up, that is because his image as a great man is so outstanding." It's an odd thing to say, but it gets better. The paper quotes a "French fashion expert" (probably the cleaner at Vogue), who says: "Kim Jong-Il mode which is now spreading expeditiously worldwide is something unprecedented in the world's history". I want the jacket, I want those sunglasses and I wan that haircut!

Kindly sent in by loyal FiP reader Danica Lo

Obama Throws Up...A (Hair)Ball

It's always a treat for us here at FiP when POTUS Obama - or indeed, any other Western politician - enters public life in something else rather than a suit. In Obama's case it unfortunately means that is again time for his regular baseball pitch. I wonder how often he has to do it? It can't be just once a year, right? It wasn't long ago since we covered the last one here and on POP (image below)

But it seems that Obama has listened to my critique of his mommy jeans and dreadful Ascis trainers. This time around, as you can see above, he's smartened up and with leather brogues and formal trousers. But I'm afraid it ain't no improvement, Mr President. I suppose it's not helped by that over sized red jacket...

With Mr Obama it's - it seems - either trashy casual or nerd smart. Neither is good on him. I'm (sort of) looking forward to the next pitch..and an improved throw outfit....

Don't Put Baby In A Uniform

If you're an exhibitionist, how do you get attention? Well, back in the good old day it was enough to do something weird to yourself. Then that became old news and our focus was moved on to animals, preferably a cute pet. If you exposed a kitten to something peculiar, everyone went ape shit. Then MJ happened. Or rather, Michael Jackson decided to dangle his baby on the wrong side of a fifth floor balcony, and then we got it. So now, if you really want to be branded an outcast in society, use your own kid...

And that's exactly what Danish artist Nina Maria Kleivan has done. She dressed her baby as Mao Tse Tung, Idi Amin, Josef Stalin and, for dessert, as Adolf Hitler. Then it was off to do the rounds on the Internet. She wanted to show to that everyone has potential evil within them. Well, the baby looks scared as hell as Mao, slightly gay as Idi Amin, pretty cool - I think - as Stalin, but quite harmless as Hitler. But you should seen him as David Cameron....

Kindly sent in by loyal FiP reader Linda Andersson

The Spin/Hugo Chavez column for Anothermag.com

The Spin | Hugo Chávez

— March 30, 2010—

David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World 
Leaders in his fortnightly column The Spin

There can be no doubt that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has friends in high places. Actor Sean Penn seems to be constantly defending Chavez, American film director Olive Stone has made a documentary about him, and – to top it off – British Super model Naomi Campbell once interviewed President Chávez for GQ Magazine. Not bad for a man most people struggle to label a dictator or a socialist hero.


Chávez, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Venezuelan army, divides opinion wherever he goes. We know for sure that the US doesn’t like him – and vice versa. Of course Chávez is more friendly towards Obama than he was with Bush, and Chávez has even claimed that POTUS Obama is more left wing than himself; a statement Obama probably wasn’t too happy with.


Hugo Chávez might be on fairly good terms with Obama, but his real political and fashion hero is Cuba’s Fidel Castro. The socialist regime of Castro’s island and the length of Fidel’s presidential tenure are both major sources of inspiration for Chávez. The Venezuelan president has been in power for more than 10 years, and it’s safe to say that he wouldn’t mind doubling that.


The strongest sartorial point to Chávez’s political wardrobe is his consistent colour coding. On that point he even outdoes Castro, who always wore a khaki uniform. But Chávez and his stylist have gone for a more Communist approach through ALWAYS making sure the colour red is part of his outfit. Be it a beret, a tie, a t-shirt, or several of them at the same time, blood red is his constant fashion friend.


As we all know, red is a difficult colour to pull off. Its strength and connotations threatens to out manoeuvre the wearer. Therefore it’s a testament to Hugo Chávez’s political charisma and fashion courage that he pulls it off. And who am I to tell Venezuela’s President that blue is actually his colour…




David Hellqvist is a freelance journalist for AnOther Man, Dazed & Confused, i-D,ZOO and a Contributing Editor to American website JC Report

Guess who's back...

                                       

EX PM TB is back on the campaign trail, supporting GB and slagging off DC.

Slick, wealthy and righteous, Blair spoke to a Labour meeting in his old constituency, but - a bit like his whole political life - TB and what we wore look better from a distance, rather than up close! 

New Generation Tory Toffs

This is the new generation Tories, according to a Guardian story. They bothered with what they had to say. I didn't. I know anyway. "We need change. We need this and that. Today is bollocks, tomorrow will better", and all that. But no mate, tomorrow won't be all that good as you make it out to be. You'll bloody well find a way to fuck it up.  


Nice parka dude. This reminds me of that politics fashion shoot the Observer did a while back. Shirt by Thomas Pink, Parka by Lambretta, haircut by Mr Topper and magazine by The Spectator. Twat.

This guy is, of course, just cool. I dig him.

    

Are you getting undressed or are you putting the jacket back on? Either option is disturbing to me. And white. The colour of innocence. What are you hiding?

Trainers? What are you trying to do? Look like 'one of the people'? Put your feet down woman, and get changed - unless you're off for a run? Casual is good, yes, don't take such liberties, Tory woman.

The Spin/Barack Obama column for Anothermag.com

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/184/POTUS_Style

The Spin | POTUS Style
David Hellqvist tries to make sense of the sartorial choices of World Leaders in his fortnightly column The Spin


Like many powerful men on the international political stage, President of the United States, Barack Obama is often upstaged by his wife. This is in no condemnation of the President’s personal style, more a testament to Michelle Obama’s glowing personality, colourful wardrobe and sartorial freedom. Quite often the American leader is even pushed out of the fashion limelight by his two daughters, Malia and Sasha.


Nevertheless, we have a high and mighty POTUS: his slender 6”1 frame makes him stick out in a crowd, and simplifies the process of making him look fashionably presidential. Consider the facts: tall and slim is ALWAYS better than short and stubby. Of course, POTUS also has facial advantages, and there is no doubt that – if there ever were to be one – Obama would score highly in a US Presidential beauty pageant.


Certainly, Obama is better known for his rhetorical skills than his personal style – the compulsory suit offers harsh boundaries in terms of imaginative sartorial adventures. But in his spare time, Obama has both impressed and let down his dedicated following. Recent holiday snaps revealed the president sporting beige slacks and a simple yet stylish navy polo shirt. Less is more, and this guy knows it. Simple colour combinations; easy on the details: let the authority of the office do the talking!


On the other hand, we have seen Obama on stylistic crash courses. Especially in his far too modern wraparound Ray Ban sunglasses, and last year when he pitched the obligatory first baseball throw in the NBA league: he stepped up to the plate in ill-fitting and stonewashed jeans, teamed up with the wrong kind of Nike trainer. Not a good a look for anyone, let alone the Leader of the Free World.




David Hellqvist is a freelance journalist for AnOther Man, Dazed & Confused, i-D,ZOO and a Contributing Editor to American website JC Report

Dati + Dior = Love

Rachida Dati, a French MEP politician, wears leather trousers and adores Dior. How can you not like her? And when she isn't out shopping, she's busy in Brussels slagging of the European bureaucracy. Read the full story about the poor immigrant cum French top notch politician under Sarkozy HERE

Michael Foot and his Donkey Jacket

The passing of Labour legend has led to salutations and honourable messages from politicians across the field. British politics has lost a giant. His legacy has been heavily discussed, as it should be. But it is also worth mentioing Foot as a snappy dresser, albeit a controversial one. As this article in today's Times point out.


At the Cenotaph in 1981(pictured), Foot wore casual shoes and a green coat which was dubbed a Donkey jacket. The press at the time didn't like it. The Times, at the time, said Foot looked "dressed as if he had just returned from walking his dog on Hampstead Heath in green donkey jacket, sneakers and paisley tie". In the early Nineties Foot, through his biographer, said the coat was from Jaeger and that the Queen Mother complimented him on the day. “Why, Mr Foot, what an awfully nice coat,” she said, adding that it was “a smart, sensible coat for a day like this”.

Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai - The Mad Hatter

Hamid Karzai, the man once proclaimed by Tom Ford to be "the chic-est man on the planet" due to his hat, is losing his sartorial credentials as we speak. Or rather, as I write. In his ever-present Karakul hat - made out of the pelt of foetal or new born lambs - was the coolest thing around when Karzai took power in Afghanistan in 2002. Not so much anymore.


Now, a whole war later, the hat isn't what it used to be. Karzai is struggling in the political arena, and his signature accessory is suffering a similar fate, at least according to this NYT article. The decline of the man and his hat has left a road heavy with fashion victims and, if we're to believe Ahmed, an Afghan in his 50s shopping for a new hat, not much cred to presidential role: “I went back to my village in Logar wearing my karakul hat and people laughed: ‘There goes the old man who thinks he’s president'". It ain't easy be a trend setter. Hamid - or being a prophet in your home town, for that matter...

Guardian gone Fashion in Politics mad....

A political fashion shoot - who would have thought....

This what you're supposed to be wearing as a Tory, Lib Dem or Labour supporter....

Sarah Brown & Samantha Cameron...and their eternal Erdem fight

As the General Election looms, the battle between the two First Ladies (one in waiting, the other currently in No 10) is getting more intense by the day.


The biggest arena that these two political heavy weights will fight on is of course the fashion catwalk. They won't so much walk the walk themselves, but try to stake out an personal style and direct their influence on the British fashion crowd and its customers. Sarah Brown has done an excellent job on that by affiliating herself with London Fashion Week and....Naomi Campbell!


Anyway, I give you this excellent Guardian break down of the two ladies finest and worst fashion moments....enjoy!

Sarah


The look The Erdem-wearing, best friends with Naomi Campbell Sarah Brown we now know is in marked contrast to the Sarah Brown who ­became prime minister's wife in June 2007. At the start, she was stiff and uncomfortable looking. Having given up a high- powered career to be a political wife, her wardrobe seemed unwittingly to convey a sense of her new role as a dull and fraught job – which, let's face it, it probably is. But the role of a modern first lady is to breathe life and emotion into a leader's image. Instead, on her first holiday as prime minister's wife, she dressed in an ill-fitting shift dress and tights, looking as if she were about to give a parti cularly tedious middle-management PowerPoint presentation.


Fast forward to 2010, and Sarah is transformed. The office tailoring has been jettisoned in favour of smart but feminine belted dresses, the hemline lifted from that dreadful, upper-calf length to a more modern, on-the-knee point. Lighter colours and jazzy prints have replaced drab shades. And, crucially, the makeover has felt natural, that of a woman becoming comfortable in her role.


Finest fashion moment The Erdem golden-toned, floral-print dress Sarah wore at the most recent Labour party conference was a triumph. In a ­conference season that turned into something of a first lady dress-off, Sarah won the Erdem round hands down (Samantha Cameron wore a black Erdem jacket a few days later). Holding her own next to Michelle on the Obamas' visit was also a triumph.

Fashion mistake Sarah has been dealt a tough hand: who would choose to join the first lady sorority at the same time as Michelle Obama and ex-supermodel Carla Bruni? But truly, there have been some atrocious jackets (the white Jaeger one stands out). Recently she has figured out that slightly retro, swing or box jacket shapes suit her better than fitted ones. Other low points: that purple beret for the Queen's Speech was dreadful. And Graeme Black may be Scottish and really nice, but his clothes do her figure no favours.


Key accessory Sarah has become a sharp accessoriser. She prefers simple clothes, but has learned to lift them with great jewellery from Astley Clarke. She chooses chunky necklaces and earrings in stones such as garnet, cornelian and brown sapphire, tones that work with her colouring.


Grooming Great hair, these days: a walking advertisement for the power of subtle highlights and a bit of a blow-dry. She has to be photographed with celebrities, and she has decidedly civilian skin tone. Good on her for sticking to her guns: she's just not the spray-tan type.


Favourite designer Erdem, designed by RCA graduate Erdem ­Moralioglu, who worked for Diane von Furstenberg before setting up his own label. Also partial to Jaeger, the Keep Calm And Carry On of British fashion brands.


Samantha


The look Deliberately normal. The subtext is: "I read Grazia. I shop at Zara. I do not wear tweed jackets and jodhpurs on the school run, or nip to the shops in ballgown and Hunters." Samantha is creative director of Smythson, where she has come up with some of the most covetable handbags of recent years: this is a woman with a keen understanding of the nuances of fashion. She has used this know-how expertly to rebrand the Tory wife as a working mother with traditional values but a modern mindset. She often wears trousers, and steers well clear of anything that smacks of privilege, so no family jewels and no country-set twinsets or pearls. She is adept at finding funky yet demure looks that play well across different audiences. Take, for example, her use of bright colour: to those of her generation and younger who know (or care) what colour-blocking is, she looks bang on-trend, while traditional conservative voters just think she looks like a jolly good sport.

Finest fashion moment The teal Reiss blouse with red jacket she wore to arrive at the most recent party conference. (Party conference is wardrobe crunch time, for first ladies and would-be first ladies.) The mustard-yellow Topshop coat. Any number of covetable blouses in soft colours, for that Boden catalogue, demure and wifely without being frumpy look. Excellent use of peg-leg trousers: this kind of look is fashion that men categorically don't get, so it sends a message that she has a mind of her own.


Fashion mistake Seldom puts a foot wrong. Could be argued that the grey M&S polka-dot dress she wore for Dave's speech last year seemed a little too focus-grouped. Occasionally allows herself to be photographed with sunglasses pushed back into her hair, which is a gaffe because she suddenly looks like a braying brunette Chelsy Davy. Ditto leather knee boots, which are a little bit too just-back-from-Oxfordshire-in-the-Range-Rover for comfort.


Key accessory Smythson handbag, naturally. Also partial to a bumblebee necklace and simple hoop earrings. Avoids pearls or diamonds or anything too posh as alienating. Scored fashion points with a yummy pair of Zara dove-grey faux-suede court shoes last autumn.


Grooming The hair has been inspiration for more than one across-the-barricades secret fringe crush. As with most women in the public eye, it has got glossier and bigger the more she's grown accustomed to being photographed – the annoying truth is, it looks better.


Favourite designer Erdem (see Sarah above) who has cornered the market in first lady patronage, a cross-party Jason Wu. Loves a bit of high-street- for-grown-ups: look for her in Jigsaw and Whistles.