Contrast is the name of the game here with this stand-out pair of loafers from Balenciaga. Leave it to the geniuses to play with color, texture and contrast all on one pair of shoes.

This eye-catching pair will not only stun and warrant bouts of shoe-envy but it will also take you places. For a full work day to the after-work celebratory drinks. Because you can’t help but feel powerful in this pair. The clean and modern lines make this an instant classic while the faux grey reptile print provides a luxurious hit of exotic cool without any of the cruelty.

Buy this Balenciaga Men’s Slit Vamp Shoes for 685 Pounds at LN-CC.

Your skin changes as you age and I realized that my skin underwent the most changes in the last 2 years. It went from very oily to oily to combination. I chock it up to age and the monthly laser treatments to help curb excess oil production. The goal is not to obliterate all sebum but to reach a balance of sebum and water levels in your skin.

Your skin gets a signal to produce more sebum when it is dehydrated which can in turn lead to breakouts and blackheads. Hence the key is to provide your skin with oil-free moisture. This particular serum from Caudalie is my new favorite. I’ve gone through 2 bottles and I can safely say that it does everything it says it would and then some.

The beauty of this oil-free serum is its ability to provide your skin with hydrating nourishment for hours; making it perfect for use with nightly retinoid treatments or after a clay mask treatment/home peel. Its 97% natural formula means it’s practically free of any harmful chemicals. I like how this soothes irritated skin too. On most nights, I mix it with Dr. Sebagh’s Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream 5×1.95g for a more potent concoction that not only hydrates but also brighten and promote collagen synthesis. You can’t go wrong with this.

Buy this Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum 1oz for US$48 at Skinstore.com.

Christopher Kane tee are one of my seasonal indulgences. I don’t fancy every season but when he gets it right, he nails it on the head. His prints are so vibrant it is as if his thematic tees have a life of their own.

This very Frankenstein tee has a fun, stand-out quality. You really can’t miss it. The fact that the Frankenstein’s head is embroidered gives this a luxurious feel that also makes this tee pop even more. Expect lots of looks with this tee on your back. Summer just got a lot more fun.

Buy this Christopher Kane Frankenstein Patch T-Shirt for US$285 at Matches.

Hedi Slimane’s collection for Saint Laurent is a lesson in modern-day cool. Directional, modern and desirable, he infuses classics with his trademark luxurious insouciance. This very shirt is everything.

Sharp and confident, this shirt is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Throw away what you know of shirts and let the lessons begin. The beautiful micro-square print is perfectly contrasted by the edgy black collar and cuff. Wear this with everything. Even shorts this Summer. Make your own sartorial rules because something this beautiful needs to be worn every way possible.

Buy this Saint Laurent Micro-Square Modern Collar Shirt for US$449 at Matches.

The House of Valentino is really on a home run streak and they continue to extend their streak with this pair of directional lace-up derby shoes. Perfect with today’s black Balenciaga pants.

The appeal of this pair is pretty self-explanatory. The studs add a hit of cool street edge that have a luxurious appeal but yet don’t feel precious at all. In fact, they look like they would be a good time; all year long. A very good time. No drinks or smart pick-up lines needed to take this beauty home.

Buy this Valentino Studded Lace-Up Derby Shoes for US$781 at Matches.

I’ve always said that if I had a religion it would be Balenciaga/Nicolas Ghesquiere. The way he crafts fabrics and the way these exquisite pieces fit is immaculate. Because of my weird body shape, it is tough for me to find pants but I swear by all of my Balenciaga pants.

You could never go wrong with a well-made pair of black pants. And this particular pair is on my list of must-have this season. Classic and yet subtly edged with tonal black stud detailing, this is one pair that you can dress up and down; all year long. With everything. In today’s bleak economy, this is one piece that will give you plenty of sartorial mileage and then some.

Buy this Balenciaga Men’s Five Pocket Pants for 256 Pounds at LN-CC.

It might not be kosher to say this but I do very much enjoy exotic skin especially snakeskin. There is something so breathtakingly stunning about snakeskin. Perhaps it’s the way the scales reflect light or the way that they stand out with just the right dose of luxurious insouciance.

This pair from Lanvin is checking all the right boxes today and everything about it works; from its grey rubber sole to its black heel. The luxe sportswear element on this pair is undeniable and it will make a striking companion to both day and night looks. I would rock this with traditional tailored pieces for an added dash of decadent contrast.

Buy this Lanvin Men’s Snakeskin Derby Shoes for 904 Pounds at LN-CC.

I’ve been told many times that my wardrobe consists of varying shades of grey and blue. And of course, black. ‘Try some color!’ they always say. But I know what looks good on me and what I am about and into so I don’t see a need to incorporate color for variety’s sake. How lame would it be to have to do something for the sake of doing something?

This tri-color sweater from Neil Barrett has my name written all over it. Made with a lightweight nylon, mohair and wool combination; this one works perfect on its own during cool Summer nights or as a layering piece when the weather gets colder. Whatever it is, you can’t go wrong with the varying shades of grey and black. Wear this with everything; everywhere. I certainly will.

Buy this Neil Barrett Black Cropped Tr-Color Sweater for US$275 at SSENSE.

Alexander McQueen’s skull tees have become one of my sartorial trademarks and every season, I look forward to their new permutations. I don’t like all of them but there are some that I would instantly buy and wear with pride.

This lady skull print is one of them. It’s a pretty genius move to take maidens and form them to create a menacing skull. Who would have thought really? It’s like a work of art and I can’t get anymore thrilled by it. The faded print adds a vintage, worn-in quality that only serves to highlight how great this piece is.

Buy this Alexander McQueen Lady Skull Print T-Shirt for US$149 at Matches.

After spending countless hours clearing out my wardrobe, I’ve come to the conclusion that from now on, I want to buy pieces that thrill me. That excite and that make me stop in my path. The kind that I won’t want to give away after 5 years or the kind that would make me wish that I had spent more time thinking about it.

I was in Bangkok a few days ago and I saw this magnificent Lanvin tee on the racks at Lanvin and I immediately knew that I had to have it. I am not usually a big fan of prints but this one kinda took my sartorial breath away. The confetti print has a vibrancy that is perfectly complemented by the dark navy collar. Bright, unique and made of a super-soft cotton, this is one piece that I am sure I would still want in 10 years time.

Buy this Lanvin Confetti Print T-Shirt for 240 Pounds at Selfridges.