ONE TO KNOW: TAKEHARU SATO
Monocle Men’s Fashion Market Editor Takeharu Sato is a good person to know of. His work for the incredibly informative and always spot-on international digest covers many emerging brands you have yet to hear of, but should definitely keep an eye on. There is a smart functionality to Monocle’s fashion portfolios, with Mr. Sato largely responsible. Here is a lighthearted and brief interview with Mr. Sato, from the J.Crew website that includes some interesting tidbits, like his favorite city and the 5 things he loves (more…)
THE HISTORY OF THE TUXEDO
As New Year’s Eve approaches, it’s a good idea to know the history of the Tuxedo, even if your plans are low key. Remarkably, it was devised as a way to dress-down in England in the 1800′s for the stuffy social set needing a break from wearing coat tails and top hats. Once considering semi-formal, the tuxedo now often represents the highest level of dress for a gentleman, particularly in America. Here is the story: in 1860, Henry Poole & Co. (Savile Row’s founders), created a short smoking jacket that was spotted and worn by New York millionaire James Potter while on a trip to England. Potter then (more…)
A LEADING VOICE: JAY FIELDEN
When it comes to expanding your knowledge of what it is to be stylish – and that means more than just looking the part, but actually living it – Jay Fielden is at the very top of the list – someone to read, emulate and follow. I had the pleasure of meeting Jay many years ago in Milan while he was Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Vogue, and I the Director of Men’s PR for Prada tasked with coming up with three new front row seats for his team. Of course this was not a problem, anything with Vogue attached to it is well placed at the table. Following the magazines retirement in 2008 there was a quiet period, but fortunately for those who enjoy living well, or at the least like to daydream, Mr. Fielden returned this past summer to a perfectly suited position: the lofty stewardship of Town & Country. Since he took over, the magazine (more…)
LESS AND MORE BY DIETER RAMS
If you appreciate beautiful design then Dieter Rams is someone you should know of. Born in 1832 in Weisbeden, Germany, Rams is widely regarded as one of the preeminent designers of his day. Working as Chief of Design at Braun for 30+ years, many of his designs — coffee makers, calculators, radios, audio/visual equipment, consumer appliances and office products — have found a permanent home at many museums over the world, (more…)
TRIUMPH JAMES DEAN SE JACKET
The “James Dean SE” jacket from Triumph, is exactly that, a triumph. Licensed by the James Dean estate, the SE is inspired by vintage jackets worn by the young Hollywood icon in the 1950′s. It’s tough and durable, with double stitched seams and removable shoulder and elbow protectors. $450, available at Triumph.
STYLE ICONS: JOSEP GUARDIOLA
Vanity Fair’s annual “International Best-Dressed List” gets tons of press, despite being straight out boring and tame each year. How can you explain Justin Timberlake and Stavros Niarchos making the list? Maybe if it was “LA’s Best-Dressed-While-Going-Clubbing List,” but come on, you can do better. One person we’d add right up at the top would be (more…)
OPRAH GOES RANCHING
Oprah showed up at Ralph Lauren’s 17,000 acre Telluride Ranch yesterday and took a much heralded ‘first time ever’ television look at the ridiculously opulent retreat. “Rustic Perfect” would best describe the property, with lassos, cowboy hats and pine cones predominantly on display, but alas no dirt or dust anywhere to be seen. The opening of the video is pretty funny, and also a little awkward, you can tell the producers thought it would look cool (more…)
ICONS: ROBERT DE NIRO
It’s good to see Robert De Niro looking his absolute best at opening night of the Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, sporting a smartly tailored classic peak lapel tuxedo, medium size bow tie and point collar dress shirt. From his wry smile (more…)
TIMELESS STYLE: JAY Z AT THE MET
Jay Z gets it; when it comes to formalwear, a timeless and classic approach is the best route to take. Let the woman in your life risk looking ridiculous and uncomfortable, like Beyonce here. A white tuxedo jacket, black bow tie and subtle black shoes are all you need to look dashing and sophisticated. For the exact opposite of tasteful, check out this pic (more…)
THE UNKNOWN VOICE OF HARRY NILSSON
Quite possibly one of the best musicians you’ve never heard of. Harry Nilsson was named by the Beatles as their favorite American artist when he was still a relatively unknown musician.
To understand their admiration, listen to the entire album “Nilsson Schmilsson” produced by Richard Perry. If you want to skip to two of the best songs, listen to “Jump Into the Fire” & “Without You.”
For a more in depth look, watch the recently released documentary “Who is Harry Nilsson?” A stark and depressing portrayal of Nilsson’s incredible talent and gradual self destruction. Nilsson died in 1993 at age 52 of a heart attack.
MEN’S COVER TREND: TRUE GRIT
Esquire and V Man went with remarkably similar covers in both look and feel for their October and Fall issues. Javier Bardem, shot by Nigel Parry, Josh Brolin shot by Hedi Slimane, both black and white, no frills portraits of strong, rough-around-the-edges leading men. Maybe a nod to the popular movement in men’s fashion towards brands, designers and grooming products that put authenticity first. Red Wing, Billy Reid & Kiehl’s are strong examples. European men have always cared about how something is made, are American men finally catching up?
Look for Brolin this December in “True Grit” with Matt Damon & Jeff Bridges. Directed by Ethan and Joel Cohen, the film follows a tough U.S. Marshall as he helps a young woman track down her father’s murderer.
BOB GUCCIONE, FOUNDER OF PENTHOUSE, DEAD AT 79
Wall Street Journal. Bob Guccione, founder of Penthouse magazine, has died. He was 79 years old. According to a statement from his family, Guccione died on Wednesday at Plano Specialty Hospital in Plano, Texas, following a prolonged battle with cancer.
Penthouse, founded in 1965, was a kind of dirtier distant relation of the relatively classier Playboy. While Playboy employed top writers to pen it’s articles, and lured leading female stars to pose in its pictorials, Penthouse was more focused on pure (and not so pure) sex. To read the remainder of the article from the WSJ, click above.
STYLE ICONS: CARY GRANT & THE TIMELESS GRAY SUIT
Cary Grant, New York City. 1938. A true style icon, Grant often wore a sharply tailored gray suit, white shirt and black tie. A timeless, classic look that is as leading-man appropriate today as it was in the 30′s. The above photo shows Grant returning from a vacation in Europe. On board was Phyllis Brooks, whom he would soon go on to marry. To get the look, find a gray two button suit that fits precisely and pair it with a white point collar dress shirt and a medium width, solid black tie.
J.Crew’s 2 button gray “Ludlow” suit jacket ($395), matching trousers ($195), dress shirt ($65) and solid black tie ($49)StS.
2010 OSCAR STYLE
The floppy bow tie was a popular look at this years Oscars, worn by Chris Pine, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin and Colin Firth, to name a few. Tied with a larger knot, the floppy bow tie hangs more loosely and has a vintage, classic look.
VINTAGE WATCH STYLE – TAG HEUER
Steve McQueen in “Le Mans,” 1971. A well styled, classic racing film with little dialogue and lots of racing. Le Mans is a staggering 24 hour long race held in France each year.
THE MAKING OF STAR WARS
Star Wars scholar J. W. Rinzler takes readers back in time for a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes look at the nearly decade-long quest of George Lucas and his key collaborators to make the “little” movie that became a phenomenon.
ISAMU NOGUCHI
Master sculptor, designer, architect and craftsman Isamu Noguchi in Versailles.
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER
Buzz Aldrin with his Omega Speedmaster, the only watch to have reached the moon.
