Sometimes being half-dressed is just as attractive as wearing the perfectly put together ensemble. That said, the Conference Of Birds Spring 09 show conjured the dressed-up business man who had just gotten himself into a little bit of after-hours mischief. Untied neckties and bow ties, sweats and pajama bottoms mixed with blazers and trouser shorts, gave this collection a cool perspective on the modern state of dress. This is a style we see in New York quite often. Many fashion forward young men in New York who buy clothing at a contemporary price point are in creative professions or are otherwise self-employed. For this particular group of men (and it is a large group), there is no uniform for them to adhere to and though they enjoy suiting just as much as the next gentleman, they don't part with their sneakers and t-shirts and jeans. So we see a lot of this, style-wise in New York (and we'd venture to say, America) but it's especially neat to see designers playing off those trends. Conference of Birds is designed by Andrew Holden who is known for mixing American workwear with British tailoring. This is his second collection and, we have to say, it seems he's onto something.

Everything was light and easy at the Obakki Spring 09 Fashion Show. The show was part of the contemporary community's attempt at reviving men's fashion week in New York. No matter who sponsors this, if it all works out, we hope that men's fashion week will be known just as 'Pier 92'--it just sounds so cool.

Anywho, the Canadian brand Obakki, headed by designer Treana Peake, is all about super refined pieces that are clean and easy. Everything from Spring 09 looked light as air and mix and matchable. The palate was diverse but most of the shades were toned down to their most muted versions (punctuated by the occasional jolt of color). Our favorite looks were, for women, a pair of smart grey trousers and lab-like overcoat, and for men, a classic blue shirt, buttoned up all the way, paired with dusty blue trousers, rolled up at the bottom. It's the kind of smart, type-A clothing that makes you want to gut your wardrobe and give your desk a Muji makeover. A welcomed aesthetic, if you ask us.