Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Pause for Prose: Baby it's cold outside



There are universal questions that we all ask ourselves throughout course of our life's journey. One of them seems to always be “Who am I?” For some of us it feels like it takes a lifetime to answer while we are met with more and more intense questions at varying crossroads that often feel frightening. Frightening because it requires reflection of ourselves, who we are and we desire to be.
Yesterday I awakened work to freshly fallen snow that covered all of New York as I was getting ready for work. This was a totally new experience for me because I am from Texas. It rarely snows there, and when it does everything shut down. Here in New York folks don’t miss a beat, so with a “when in Rome” attitude I began my trek to the job.
In the midst of tingling frozen fingers, a runny nose, and a flurry of flakes hitting my face, I had an epiphany. Not just that it was cold but something more. As I walked down the avenue to my train I noticed footsteps in the snow going in every direction. Some seemed to disappear in the dirt and grime of the street while others were going right and some retreating back from whence they came. As I began to make my own impressions I thought about all of the pressures I have put on myself to be something grand and to make my impression on the world. I heard the crunch of contentment and felt myself slipping on a path that says, “Life is too short for mistakes you have to get things right the first time” yet when an elder passes we are often met with words of solace like “they made many mistakes but with those mistakes that were life lessons, and left impressions on them that made them the person they are. We should celebrate their life for their greatest successes and many failures.”
Too often we focus on the destination that our footsteps will take us to, yet we forget to enjoy the texture that life brings and the journey that leads us to our destination. We step out into the cold world feeling all alone, on our own trying to make sure that we don’t slip and fall, or get on the wrong path and having to turn around.
Often discouragement and fear lies in the knowledge that these paths are unchartered and therefore unknown. There are holes you could sink into, snow covering ice that could cause you to slip an fall, slippery walk ways that could cause you to lose your footing. For this reason it seems that many of us run from the path that was laid before us, retreating back to beginnings and never progressing. You got folks telling you, you may get out there and that cold is going to kick your ass, only to find out that it’s not that bad. For me as I moved forward I began to see things differently, as I took each step I was creating a temporary path for someone to use as a guide and even if I were to fall or step in a hole my mistake helped expose my followers to not step that way. But the thing I think I liked most about the snow is that any misstep I made would soon be blanketed so that I could try again, and soon after it will all wash away when I reach the warm destination of self-contentment.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A night at the Opera

Despite a long day, working midnight shift then getting off at eight in the morning to be at my internship at nine, I was anticipating going to my first opera with a co-worker of mine who is a lover of the arts. After I received the call that she had gotten the rush tickets (if you don’t know you better ask somebody) I hopped on the bus headed to 62ndstreet. There was a light but consistent rain as I got on that was just heavy enough to make it annoying. That, coupled with the traffic from the lighting of the tree in Rockerfeller Center, would have been enough to aggravate most but I was enjoying the rest I was getting and knew that we had time before the show started.



Because we arrived so early we had about an hour and a half to spend, so we decided to check out the gift shop. I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to find something for my mother for Christmas. Unfortunately even the smallest trinkets were out of my price range. Still, the place had some beautiful costume displays and other nice memorabilia to look at. As we walked a little further and listened to Pavarotti playing lowly in the background


I was drawn to this painting. The gentleman in it was poised and elegant in a brocaded suit with knickers, cream silk stockings, and pumps with a cape to match. I couldn’t help but feel underdressed in my car coat, cable knit, and cords, but it was my first time at the Opera so I figured my fellow patrons would cut me some slack.





Before going into the lobby area we checked out an exhibit entitled Mary Magadeline that showcased artist's different interpretations of Mary Magadeline. Check the “Good Book” for more info on her. The thing I especially enjoyed about these remarkable artists was that they each had a individual interpretation of who Mary was and what she represented and they conveyed them in an array of mediums -- one in sculpture another in mosaic, some depicting her as a saint, others demurely, and others still in a more seductively and rakish manner. While the mediums, depictions and dispositions were quite different from one another, all of the artists came together to create something beautiful. Life is a lot like art in this way.



As we walked through the museum the pictures and keepsakes from the house spoke to it’s rich history. Speaking of history, this is the perfect place for a little bit about the Metropolitan Opera House, it was founded in 1883 by a group of business men who wanted their own theatre. In the beginning the management and language changed frequently which often meant translating original scores from one language to another. Finally management decided it would be easiest to keep each play in its original language. The Met (as is it is typically referred to) host more than two hundred performances with more than a quarter million people in attendance each year. New York’s socialites and movers and shakers often come out opening night in sartorial splendor to celebrate first curtain. The Met seems to be vested in continuing the arts developing a new program that commission playwrights and composers with whatever they need to develop new works that can be produced at The Met. The Met also offers a rush ticket program that provides discounted seats ($20) in the orchestra section which provided this opportunity.



With all the visual and audio stimulation around me I was amped going into the autotorium and was pleasantly surprised to see that I wasn’t under dressed. We found our way to our seats and I prepared myself for “The House of the Dead”. I was comfortably in my seat as a hush fell over the crowd when a the first act began and the lights went out. And then, so did I. I was awakened by my co-worker telling me she had to use the powder room and if I didn’t see her she enjoyed attending with me I couldn’t believe it, I had fallen asleep. Oh well at least I could say I had been to the Opera and I had a reason to go again.

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Holiday Spirit.



With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to offer an alternative perspective to typical mindset that comes with the season. With the economy on the rebound and consumer confidence on the rise, some say there is a temptation to be sucked into the commercialism of the Christmas season. But is that the attitude we should have? With Thanksgiving having just passed I have had an opportunity to take a moment to think about on what I was really thankful for. While I am sure we are all thankful for the turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie, let’s not forget that all these things are “dressings” for the real reason for the season.



This past Thanksgiving I had the pleasure of engaging in lively conversations with my new extended family over a few glasses of wine and several glasses of iced tea because still I had to work that night. We shared laughter, jokes, and had a wonderful time enjoying each other perspectives on the goings on of the world around us. It was in that moment that I had an epiphany - it is these moments--these experiences--that we should hold on to...that we should be thankful for. You cannot put a price tag on these moments. They are our most pure and priceless keepsakes.



One of my brothers from another mother took a picture of me and a literary friend of mine engaging in a conversation (...because we can fly blog at www.deborahcowell.com, check her out she may just bless you). She made mention during that conversation that the picture could be anywhere in years to come, and someone could be asking questions like, “What do you think they were talking about?” “What was going on in the world at that time?” We have the power to inspire thought, research, and inspiration through images, but what’s more is that we have a forum with which to discuss it on a global scale. For others to be invited into our life to see things through our eyes, and experience a different walk in our shoes.



I am thankful to my family back home, who cultivated and developed my curiosity which put on the path that led me here to this beautiful city. And I am thankful for the wonderful people that challenge me to be better and inspire me to contemplate deeper things, and live a more fulfilled life. As Christmas quickly approaches, and we rush out to buy the latest electronic devices, new toys, or trendy articles of clothing let us not forget about the gifts that can’t be bought but carry so much more value: family interaction, being with to the ones you love, and seeing Christ in those we interact with. That’s definitely something to be thankful for.

Friday, November 27, 2009

School is in secession

The longer that I live here in “The City”, the more I realize that my hardcore education did not really begin until the moment I stepped off the plane to this new chapter of my life. Whether it has been the fast pace of the people on the streets, the grit and rawness of almost everything, or the realization that you really do have to make it here on your own the lesson to be learned from it all is not cliche -- if you can survive here then you really can thrive anywhere. New York, as a mentor of mine has explained, is a kinetic city. It gives you right back what you put in, and you never know what seemingly random interaction might open the door to your greatness. I have been blessed to be in the right circles around the right people to educate myself on things that others may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience, but as the good Book says, "Ask and you shall receive." I have done just that and that request has lead me here.



As soon as I arrived in New York my mentor told me I had to stop by the Alan Flusser Shop on 5th Avenue. As I walked passed Rockerfeller Center and Bloomingdales on this historic avenue I expected something a bit more grand than what I found. When I arrived at the address there was a nondescript buzzer on an unassuming building that many pass on a daily basis without a second thought. It was only after I got off on the elevator and entered what could only be described as a university of decorum, refinement, social interaction, and sartorial arts that I understood New York, a city often noted for its exportation of the grandiose, is a place where the great ones learn and teach of being understated and demure. There is an art to this.



If you aren’t familiar with my dean let me enlighten you. He is the author of several books on dressing and style including: Clothes and the Man, and Style and the Man, and most recently Dressing the Man. As a designer his accolades include receiving the Coty Award for top men’s designer, and being a costume designer for the move Wall Street. He remains a leading authority on men’s style and matters of taste. But the man himself is quietly reserved, confident, and mild in manner. His style, however, hints to something more engaging. Sonething that seemingly promotes conversation, and the guy seems to have a interesting story about a lot of things that you could listen to hours to. The rest of the professors have been in the retail industry for twenty plus years but beyond their knowledge of analytical operations, the offer lessons in color theory, sartorial textiles and origins, fit 101, and the psychology of clientele interaction. As my dean Alan Flusser has stated “This shop is a university of sorts teaching not only matters of sartorial knowledge, but social interaction and hospitality.”





While I am truly grateful for my matriculation and degree, I believe that it was all just preparation for the real education of life. As Oscar Wilde once said “Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”

Monday, November 16, 2009

The Season of...




Behold that old things must pass away to make way for things to become anew. Life is all about change, and transition. Funny thing about transition it seems to be one of the most exciting, yet awkward, and confusing times in life each time it happens. I have equated it to walking into a dark room and trying to find your way around, being able to see images but unable to make out what they are or fully appreciate where they are. We tend to think these things are obstacles having to feel our way around and use other senses to guide us to our destination but once we arrive at the switch and turn the light on, it is revealed that those so called obstacles were actually gifts that we could only appreciate after we felt them out, often times we take precious things like the metamorphosis of maturity for granted and can only appreciate arriving at a desired destination if we had to go through something to get to it.
So I must begin this change that has started to take place with an apology. This journey that you are all taking with me should be so much more than fashion, or the proverbial luxurious lifestyle. As a side note I had the pleasure of meeting a very wise gentleman who spoke to me about what luxury is and he said that, “True luxury is having the resources and time to the things that you want to do at your leisure.” With this new revelation I will be attempting to take you on a luxurious experience filled with new understanding of self, and the world around me, through the relationships I build and maybe even some that I have discard. But I believe it was best said in David Copperfield when he said, “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”

With that said I thank you for taking this trip with me…

Saturday, September 19, 2009

My Sincerest Apologies

Ladies and Gents I must offer my sincerest apologies to you all who have been checking for updates. So many incredible things have happened to me. First I have relocated to Harlem, NY. Between looking for a place and roaming the streets I haven't had a lot of time to update the blog, now that I am moderately settled I will be updating about once a week.



New York has been a filled so many visually stimulating things it's amazing and as luck would have it I arrived just in time for NYC fashion week. We Stepped out for Fashion Night Out. And we decided to settle at the Bloomingdale's Store at 59th and Lexington and I was definitely glad we did. I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with a gentleman who was constructing Timberland's on site it was quite impressive to watch.


And I had the chance to hang out with my partners in crime...here's one introducing Mr. Kevin Brown author and designer in all his natty glory.



We end the evenings festivities at an exclusive soiree' hotel suite



NYC Fashion week also brought with it my first NYC Fashion Show it was in an Art Gallery in Soho and for designer TELFAR




All in all I have to say I'm loving NYC and I think it loves me too...see you soon...until then keep creating and innovating. Ciao.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Do you're best forget the rest

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

And the winner is...




Dan T.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

My apologies

For all of my readers my apologies I will be back on point on the first of September 1st. I promise it'll be worth the wait...Follow me.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ascension



“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death” Albert Einstein

Intelligence is rooted in education, yet contrary to popular belief scholastic education isn't what college is all about. College is an examination...It's an examination of thoughts, of perceptions, of self, of life and what we want to make it. "The unexamined life isn't a life worth living." -Plato

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Like Mommy and Daddy Did...

Come here my lady take my hand let's run away to lover's land, lets pretend I'm not your man so we can share the smile the first time we saw each others eyes, and relive the adventures we experienced on those long drives, when we didn't listen to the worlds lies telling us we couldn't last, telling each others secrets like school kids, admiring every little thing each other did when love was simple, playful filled with life and color, the time I met you and new for me there was no other.









I found this wonderful fashion well perusing around one of my favorite fashion sites The Fashion Bomb and thought I'd share it with you. Enjoy.

New Age Art Old world style

Visual design for a store not only references the brands lifestyle expression it has the opportunity compile visually striking elements that brought together provide a retail portrait functional yet artistic. Hollander and Lexer's Williamsburg store are a wonderful example of this sentiment. Enjoy.



Fall Picks My Top Ten

The texture of chroma sculpts the sartorial silhouettes with crisp whispers of enlightenment that fall brings, new moments, new memories, renewed opportunities to transform commonalities into something uniquely magnificent. Take a trip through creative minds and experience somethings old, somethings borrowed, somethings the blue, all referencing the past yet begun anew. ---


Over the weekend Men.style.com (which I've heard will be shutting down due to the economy :( ) posted it's bi annual picks which looks at different retailers pics for each season here are some of my favorites.

Fay by Giles Deacon peacoat
available at Barneys


While there may be nothing new under the sun referencing the past can always offer new inspiration.

Bess NYC leather moto jacket
available at Barneys


The passing of Michael Jackson (RIP) has inspired an indulgence of oppulence despite our current economic hardships in my opinion. I love seeing pieces that my alter ego (if I had one) would wear with bravado and arrogance, this piece reminds me of a modern day Rebel without a Cause or something the modern T-birds would incorporate.

BBlessing for Molly Yestadt "Melville" fedora
available at BBlessing


Dandys and Hepcats will appreciate this fedora smooth styling and color, while simultaneously adding a bit of gruffness with the felt definitely a timeless piece.

The Finnish raccoon trapper hat
Available at Bergdorf Goodman


There is versatility and vanity in fur hats, to me they are like art you can wear. The silent opulence that spoken by wearing one often can be heard from across the street when spoken eloquently of course. And aside from PETA I think that's why we love em.

Band of Outsiders Shetland sweatpants
available at shops of the confederacy

Who says sweats can't be sartorial. And I think their quote said it best "I am of the philosophy that even in your bumming-around hours, you should look stylish—these are the answer to that conundrum."

Dries Van Noten portfolio
available at Jeffery New York


While "man bags" are often thought to be too "metro" for many the attache' offers professional charm in its design but bold options for those looking to leave lasting impressions.

Balenciaga varsity jacket
available at Jeffery New York


If any of you played sports varsity sports was always our goal, and the letter man's jacket represented achievement and playing at the top of your game...same concept different game.


LD Tuttle motorcycle boot
available at Oak NYC


I love the paradox of hard design co-mingled with soft media the leather boots are that representation.

Opening Ceremony quilted dress shirt
available at Opening Ceremony


As dandies it's our job to push the sartorial envelope and I think this is one way to do it, I could see this paired with a velvet bow tie and waistcoat over some flannel trousers and the moto boots.

Kolor stretch glen plaid suit
available at Opening Ceremony


Tom Ford once said "A man should feel so comfortable in a suit that he's just as comfortable in a suit as he would be in sweats." I think this is a nice compromise.


These were a few of my favorites but take a look at all of the looks on men.style and may your fall be as colorful and beautiful as these pieces.