Threads...

Aight fellas now we all know it's easy to do jeans and a polo for the summertime, but just in case you're tired of the monotony of the mundane and contrived try these threads on for size...

Gingham:
When originally imported (in the 17th century), it was a striped fabric, but from the mid 18th century, when it was being produced in the mills of Manchester, England, it had become woven into checked or plaid patterns (often blue and white). It now comes in an array of colors and sizes. You can dress it up under a suit and tie, or keep it casual with some nice chinos and flip flops, however you decide to wear it you'll always make a statement.





Seersucker
Deriving its name from from the Persian words "shir o shakar," meaning "milk and sugar" this thin, striped, all cotton fabric which resembles the smooth surface of milk and bumpy texture of sugar.Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places. This feature causes the fabric to be mostly held away from the skin when worn, facilitating improved heat dissipation and air circulation. While it initially only came in a grayish blue, and light blue and white you can now find this fabric in numerous colors from yellow, to purple to lime green. Seersucker has originally be characterized as a "country" fabric but hey I'm a southern boy so I love it. This wonderful fabric can be dressed up as a suit with bow tie, and suede loafers, or can be worn as shorts with a silk v-neck sweater with some velvet slippers on, while enjoying that casually luxe life....at least that's how I wear it.




Madras

Madras fabric is a light, cotton fabric that is typically that at first glance may appear to look like plaid however it is associated with summer clothing. The name is based on the initial inventors of the madras fabric style, the Eastern Indians and especially on the black and red check fabric that was exported from Madras, India. The fabric now comes in a rainbow of plaids and in recent years has been patched together to create unique patterns. I like the contrast of one bold color paired with madras for instance try pairing some madras pants with a cool polo that are also in the pants and put on some athletic inspired shoes, or drivers, a leather/suede belt and go on your merry way. Or you can pair a madras jacket with some basic pants or shorts and pair them with a bold dress shirt sleeves rolled up with some statement making shoes as seen in the picture...




These are just a few of my paints that I use to paint pictures of casual elegance I can't wait to see how you use these tool to create your own artistic composition.

Train up a child...Vogue Enfants

I can't lie this is one of the reasons I look forward to having kids...

There's nothing wrong with a bit of "puffery"

Classic ways to fold silk pocket squares...

me I believe that a pocket square especially a silk one should be a reflection of your attitude, demeanor, or personality...the ways that were mentioned in the video are great ways to get started but don't think about it to much just let your hands make the moves and plop it in your pocket, and "poof" you got flare.

A beautiful mind is a terrible thing to waste...

Happy early Wednesday to all my beautiful people out there, I hope that your weekend is starting out well mine has been hectic to say the least so I apologize in my delay in posting but rest assured Friday I will have more post for you. My delay is due to the fact I'm studying and completing projects for the end of the semester, pray for me, following this semester and one secession of summer I will officially be a graduate. It's been a very long time coming and this last year of my matriculation it has truly been a struggle but it was very necessary. I was seriously thinking about calling it quits last semester and when divine intervention came through the medium of CNN and a special called "Black in America" it happened to cover the social climate between men and women it stated that black men had a scarcely low attendance rate among colleges and universities, and an even lower graduation rate.
FYI Nationally, a mere quarter of the 1.9-million black men between 18 and 24 attended college in 2000, the last year the American Council on Education reported such statistics. By contrast, 35 percent of black women in the same age group and 36 percent of all 18- to 24-year-olds were
attending college (based on 2000 study its said to have declined even more since then). I couldn't be a statistic...and for my fellas in school whether you're black, white, latino, asian, etc don't be either. While it's cliche' I found that College isn't about scholastic enlightenment at all (let's be honest you could get twice the knowledge for half the price online and at the library) I found that my matriculation brought with it self enlightenment and discovery, friendships, and social networks that will be both beneficial and profitable in the future...so with that said back to the books and I'll be posting very soon. Ciao.

Bachelor Pad

It is my belief that a bachelor pad should be inviting, and enticing to the opposite sex while maintaining an encompassing aura of masculinity, sensual fabrics fused with angular pieces, color and lighting that evokes mood and feeling, and ultimately something familiar yet unassuming to the feminine psyche (may I suggest an androgynous flower an orchid perhaps) that draws the lady in subconsciously. The pieces that Milan Vukmirovic designed for Trussardi encompasses these elements with a casual ease.

You must take the A train...

So a little while back I introduced you to a good friend of mine Mr. Damien Brown a future Morehouse Alum and a sartorial savant, he truly understands and embodies what it means to be a well dressed young man. So it is no surprise that he is connected to some of the best menswear shops in New York and now Atlanta, one of them is B.Oyama in Harlem, NY which features fine tailored menswear and accessories with a touch of flair and panache, the price points are moderate with suits ranging from $500.00 to $1500.00 shirts in the median range of about $125.00 and ties around $75.00. So if you're ever in Harlem it would do you well to take a trip to see this gentleman and let him get you together. Here is a video of the shop hosting client singer Ne-yo in the shop (look out for the cameo of Mr. Brown himself).

3sixteen Autumn 2009 Photoshoot

3sixteen Fall 2009 Photoshoot from 3sixteen on Vimeo.

It's just those rainy days...

Last week I was caught off guard...I was wearing my velvet slippers at school (as I do most days) and it began to rain and I panicked...I definitely wasn't trying to damage my "sneakers" but I needed to get to my next class my solution? I simply asked one of cleaning technicians for a two of the small linings for the trash and tied them around my feet and was good to go...of course by the time I did that it stopped raining lol. But should you ever get caught in one of those rainy days a better solution is to get some shoe covers like these by SWIMS they are specially created to protect your shoes with a tight fit, and the inner lining is low frictition when slipping on & off which maintain the life of the shoes, has moisture prevention, and insulation to keep feet warm in cold weather with a unique polishing action. - Extra traction helps for better grip on slippery surfaces - Shock-absorbing heal.
But at $126.00 they may be out of some of our budgets so if you can't afford these there are other alternatives like these shoe covers

which are $9.95 for 25 pair and are disposable, of course they're not as fashionable and may not fit as well but they still do their job quite well, they are also a good travel accessory.
There are also the totes rubber shoe covers (which I picked up) they fit moderately well but definitely keep your shoes dry, are reusable, and while they're nothing to look at aesthetically for $17.99 I'm not complaining too much.


Still I definitely need to get some of those SWIMS cause they add an extra flair to any wardrobe despite the elements, while allowing you to get a little dirty with out apprehension.

My kind of Girl...That girl is fancy

Carine Roitfeld

Born September 19 19(it's not polite to reveal a woman's age) Paris France

Lineage

Father a Russian film producer

Mother a "very classic Frenchwoman" (Carine Roitfeld)

Career:

At 18, Roitfeld began modeling, having been scouted on the street in Paris by a British photographer's assistant. She became a writer and then a stylist for French ELLE. While she was working as a freelance stylist, her daughter, Julia, was in a children's fashion shoot for Italian Vogue Bambini in 1990, photographed by Mario Testino. Roitfeld and Testino soon after began working as a team, doing advertising work as well as shoots for American and French Vogue. Roitfeld went on to work as a consultant and muse for Tom Ford at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent for six years.

Family:
Julia Restoin Roitfeld (born in Paris on 12 November 1980)
Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld (born in Paris in December 1982)

reference: wikipedia

Old School Style...Nouveau School Flair

If you're into tailored suiting or you've walked through any of the upscale retailers you know a little bit about Brioni Suits...but here's a little history about them, as we enjoy the S/S 09 collection.

BRIONI
Named after the resort on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, now called Brijuni in Croatia.

Established in 1945

Master tailor Nazareno Fonticoli and his business partner Gaetano Savini opened their first suit shop in Rome's Via Barberini at the end of World War II.

Brioni's 900 tailors create 200 models in different styles and sizes every year. A quarter of the production consists of made-to-measure tailored suits for an elite of 25,000 customers.

Construction:

5,000 fabrics to choose from

Bespoke suits 100% hand made

30 to 35 hours to construct

Maid to Measure suit 6,000 dollars

Bespoke suit 6,000 to 46,000 dollars

Knowing you're the best dressed man in the room...priceless.

Interesting note:

As of February of 2009, Brioni is currently offering a $43,000 pinstripe suit made of the some of the world's rarest fabrics including the astronomically expensive wool of the vicuña, a rare South American relative of the llama. The suit's pinstripe stitching are genuine white gold.

Recession what recession?

Uniform Conformity...a perfect world?

thom browne a perfect world

I often wonder if style is a catalyst of fashion or vice versa, and find myself constantly redefining what fashion is and what style embodies and wonder...if everyone had the same uniform the had to conform to how many of us would find ways to "stick" out. See for me style isn't about what you wear, rather how you wear it from fit and silhouette, to placement of accessories and staples, to honoring the natural deterioration of textile, whether we're relegated to a uniform dress code or not, people with true style always find a way to stand out...

Can I live?

Happy Wednesday All..
It has been awhile since I posted on one of my favorite designers...Mr. Tom Ford. But with his recent opening of his Vancouver store, and the Release of 007 Quantum of Solace ,which Tom Ford styled for, (if you don't have it you're missing out)I'd thought I'd post some of his new spring pieces.






What travel looks like:


Tom Ford Croc Day bag



Tom Ford Panama hat


What luxury looks like:



Tom Ford Pajamas



Tom Ford Tassel slippers

Now tell me is there truly any other way to live? Guess it's time to start to pursuing our dreams and accomplishing our goals.

“A gentleman can live through anything.”

I constantly am wondering what type of man I will grow up to be, if I will leave a lasting mark on society or fade into the oblivion of obscurity, but in any case a gentleman I must always remain and continue to be.

It's amazing that a true gentleman transcends race, culture, and even time and simply exist to enhance the lives of others. If you are a fan of the arts as I am I'm sure you have heard of James Lipton of Inside the Actor's Studio. He was interviewed for the 200th episode of the Actor's Studio by non other than Dave Chappelle, I must admit I'm awed by the condor of his story but the eloquence with which he tells them, the sincerity of his character paired with his elevated poise and demeanor, yet most impressed by his genuine approachable nature all the while demanding your attention. Here is an excerpt from the 2 hour show, if you get the opportunity check it out on Bravo it's truly a treat.

and while you're at it

Here's an easy recipe that would go perfectly with a picnic.





Ingredients

* Leaves from 2 bunches fresh basil
* 2 tablespoons pine nuts, untoasted
* 1 garlic clove
* 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 pound bow tie pasta
* 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a blender and blend to a puree. Add the cheese, salt and pepper, and blend again.

2. Cook the pasta in the boiling, salted water until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

3. Add the pesto and toss. Taste for salt and pepper, and add a drizzle of oil, if you like.

4. Garnish with basil and cherry tomatoes.

Spend the day Un"wine"ding

Mulholland’s Wine Bottle Carrier

$380.00

Wine Bottle Accessory Kit Sirtified

$26.00


I love the thought of just going to a park on beautiful day and (obscurely) toting a nice bottle of sangria fruit and cheese with a blanket for a day of stimulating conversation and beautiful weather.

Tea TIme

"Pour" Tea cup saucers created by Elisa Werbler.

Who are you serving ?

Scott Campbell
exhibit shown at O.H.W.O.W. GALLERY

Antonio Azzuolo Fall/Winter 2009

He's worked with some of the greats from Ralph Lauren (design director for black and purple label) to Hermes' and Kenzo, and it's reflected in the exquisite tailoring, color, and textural choices for his F/W 09' collection a beautiful mix of refinement that can also be casual, definitely a quality purchase.

The Troublemaker...

Mr. IX from Mr. IX on Vimeo.

If you're going to do it, do it with flare...

Cobra MK VI
Crafted by hand
a Corvette 6.2 liter V8 unit that produces 437 hp for the GT and 647 hp for the GTS version
0-62 in 3.3 seconds
cause I have to make moves...

Is Brooklyn in the house

If you know me you know I enjoy true exclusivity...true you have to pay a little more it, but you also ensure that whatever it is doesn't become common place. Brooklyn was created by a company called Bond No. 9 outta (where else with a name like Brooklyn) New York make sure you check them out. The scent consist of a woody, spicy-filled oriental that mingles cardamom, geranium leaves, and cedarwood while grapefruit and juniper leaves accelerate the scent, and South American guaiacwood and leather bring a tender, beckoning touch. One of the great things about this eau de parfum is that is has what is called sillage which means that the scents notes will diffuse throughout the day...a couple of sprits and your good to go.

Bond No. 9 Brooklyn $220 SAKS FiFTH

Table talk....

While it seems we live in the age of insolence, and vulgarity there are those of us who strive to experience something more elevated in life, yet there aren't many examples of how to do this or what "elevation" even looks like, my solution? Research and development like this wonderful series the Gentlemanners collection. I'm sure some of you have as a gentleman would say, a gentleman pens a note by John Bridges well this collection is comprised of some of his first books including "How to be a gentleman" "As a gentleman would say" and "A gentleman gets dressed up". These are great for any of your friends who aspire to such heights or just to spruce up on your etiquette. Enjoy.