Color perfect

New York Fashion Week is going to start in about three weeks. Of course menswear have already been set in motion with the European shows, and while we'll still see a few top men's designers in NY, I think I've already found my favorite collection for next season.

How can Jil Sander be so absolutely flawless? The collection was breathtaking -- silhouettes were at once masculine and sleek, proportions were flattering, colors were bright but not garish and prints were vivid and awe-inspiring. The collection gave us everything we should want to wear. And I do. I do really want to wear everything in it.

Here's some imagery (from GQ.com):

 

 

A corner

Returned from Canada at some random hour of Sunday night (or Monday morning), started new three-month freelance project on Tuesday, this means my room is much messier than usual.

Proof: Today, I returned from the Helm party (which I went to after hours of work) and just tossed everything into a corner. Everything will remain there until I find the time to clean, which won't happen until I get used to this new work schedule.

Notice the shorts, portfolio, laptop, Helm boots, Bastian Schweinsteiger World Cup 2010 jersey, and stacks of paper crowding a corner of my room.

Maple Time

Heading to Quebec City tomorrow. A couple of friends and I are driving up (which takes approximately nine hours from NY) so it should be a great time to sing, talk and travel.

Below are some of the items I'll be bringing with me to the trip. Packing is always such an exhausting activity for me. I never really bring anything that is too (emotionally not financially) valuable. If it's something that would be send me into a depressive spiral if lost, I don't travel with it. But because we're driving,  I'm a bit more daring with my choices.

My first pair of espadrilles. They'll look great with skinnies or even too-short shorts. 

It's a man's world

Dude! Ken is modeling Prada, Burberry and Paul Smith for Esquire UK. There's a cameo from his gal pal, Barbie, too.
Ken may not be anatomically correct, but he sure does look awesome. Here's some highlights. For more, check out Esquire UK.

School's out for summer

Sartorially, I'm not particularly adventurous. There are things I know will work, and I just stick to them with religious fervor. And by stick to, I mean I look the same everyday.

Here's my foolproof summer uniform.

The wardrobe:

• A lightweight blazer is absolutely necessary for coolish nights (when dining or drinking al fresco)
• A slew of easy, crisp white shirts almost makes a guy look more put together
• Henleys are just like any t-shirt out there, except sexier
• Horizontal stripes are classic details that telegraph the balmy atmosphere of the season
• Who wears shorty shorts (no one needs to full length pants. I don't care what those dumb clubs say)?
• Chucks are essential to mindless kickin' around

Go nuts!

Today I'm at Starbucks taking advantage of the free Wi-fi and coffee refills. Officially, I'm working on a couple of projects for a few magazines I write for. Unofficially, I'm checking out the fine folks who are spending their cloudy Sunday afternoon in a climate-controlled, caffeine-scented room.

In any case, about an hour ago I found myself peckish and in desperate need of a snack. Unexpectedly, Starbucks sells these packaged nuts from Sahale Snacks that come in various flavors like parmesan and herbs, chili and cheddar and pomegranate and vanilla. I chose the barbeque almonds with mild chipotle and ranch. They're really good. I ravaged through the pack in like 5 minutes. Starbucks is an exclusive retailer, and at $2.50 a pack, they're more expensive than anything Planters sells, but with these interesting flavor combinations, I say go ahead, girl, go ahead, get down.

Dye Chuck Taylor! Dye!

It's sample sale season, and I'm trying my best at something called self-discipline. But because I am a work in progress, I did venture to check out the goods at a few: Buckler (Amazing), Jil Sander (Pretty good -- better for women, really), Opening Ceremony (Ok), Steven Alan (It's been better) and The News (Same old). I purchased a few really great items that I think will blend seamlessly into my summer wardrobe.

One of the items I'm most excited about was something I came upon purely by accident. I was waiting for a friend to meet with me for dinner, and in my impatience, I decided to check out the Gap for basic, short-sleeved henleys (one can never have too many). Sadly, no henley at the Gap proved good enough for putting me in further debt. There were however a selection of Chucks on markdown, exclusive to the ubiquitous American brand. Most were variations on blue denim and some in pink. I fell in love with a pair of tie-dyed low tops that I can't wait to wear all the summer long. Perhaps with the the yellow trousers I snagged from Buckler.

Here they are below. I'm terrible at taking photos so these really do not do them justice. Eh, next time.

Another fun factoid: these Chucks come with two sets of laces: one white, one blue. A nice touch.

There is only one Sasha fierce

I used to be obsessed with models. Obsessed. One of my favorites was Lily Cole, and I convulsed when i saw her live on the runway for the very first time. Now, not so much. But I do enjoy scouring the internet for magazine photo spreads and ad campaigns to check up on the girls.

I've always loved Sasha Pivovarova. She has a quiet intensity that translates so effortlessly and beautiful on photos. She is captivating. Paolo Roversi recently shot her (along with Guinevere van Seenus) for a Italian Vogue story. I found scans of the entire story on noirfacade, but here are my favorites of the only Sasha fierce there is and ever will be.

In the same issue Mario Sorrenti shot Sasha for a slightly darker and oilier story. Again, the entire spread is available on noirfacade, but my favorites are below. She shows incredible versatility. First, she's a fresh-faced waif dressed in white; minutes later, she sheds the innocence for a tougher, harder look, and she's just as perfect.

Knocking It Out

I'm a firm believe that the Met Gala is the biggest fashion event of the year, bigger than the Oscars. The fashion, as one can expect, is always inspiring. We often see so many insipid dresses worn to the Academy Awards that people go ga-ga over. Kate Winslet, for example, accepted her award in a terrible gown. Not that this doesn't happen at the Gala, but even when they're bad, they're at least interesting.

My best dressed from this week's event has got to be Jessica Szohr, of Gossip Girl fame, in Atelier Versace. She brought everything I love about red carpet dressing: she was interesting, fashion-forward and sexy. She selected an excellent silhouette that showed off her bangin' body and the color was A+. All and all, I thought she looked absolutely stunning. While others were drooling over J.Lo's princess dress or Blake Lively's obvious option (both of whom looked great), I couldn't get over how perfect Ms. Szohr looked. I was blown away.

Put on my blue suede shoes...

As I said in the post below, I will be taking greater care in showcasing my collection of footwear -- a collection I cherish with alien devotion.

My first is, strangely enough, a pair I rarely wear, because I don't want to destroy the awesome baby blue suede. They're Lambertson Truex, and I bought them at Bloomingdale's a few years ago (for dirt cheap). The friend I was shopping with couldn't get his head around why I would want baby blue shoes, but why not? I think they're awesome and perfectly encapsulate my sartorial point of view. Everything about them is pretty subdued - - the classic silhouette and the soft pastel. But I think they still add an unexpected touch. Plus, they are incredibly comfortable. Comfort is not usually a factor in my shoe-buying excursions, but it has to be noted how wonderful these are to wear.

Get on my feet!

It has been about six months since I've last purchased a pair of shoes. For some this may not seem like a serious grievance, but for me, it's a truly unnerving reality. I just don't have the funds to buy the shoes I want. That's the bottom line. Thus, I've been living in fantasy world, and patiently waiting for sample sale season here in NY, which begins in a few short weeks -- just in time for my "25th" birthday.

It's no surprise to anyone for me to reveal my boundless love for shoes, but I am a firm believer in the vital role they play in creating your style identity. Thus, I'll be taking greater care in chronicling my footwear choices going forward.

But back to fantasy world. Below, I've selected a few pairs I've been drooling over.

Look 'ma, I'm a football star!

It's the middle of fashion weeks the world over. And everywhere you turn, there's coverage of what we'll all be wearing next fall. I'll be back in the coming weeks with my favorite looks from the collections, but for now, all I want is warm weather! The smorgasbord we've been getting in NY has been frustrating. We get something new every day. Now, it's a bit of a wintry mix of rain and snow.

So I dream of calmer climes. I want it to be warmer so I can stop wearing heavy knits and jackets. Once we do reach the drier, hotter weather, I'll be back to  shorts, blazers and the like. I'll need to be creative and resourceful, because I've placed myself on a budget. I realize my spending has been out of control. I'll be more judicious with purchases while having more fun with what I have now.

Something I'm really coveting? This Anzevino & Florence shirt.

It has everything I like in a garment: a simple silhouette with quirky details. I can already picture how well this will blend into my wardrobe. One day it will be with denim cut-offs; another day with trousers. It's called the football tee, because of the incredible lacing on the shoulders. Amazing! 

(Photo credit: I don't like Mondays)

SHOE ENVY

Everytime I go to Europe, I become gripped with jealousy. Shoes there are just a lot more fun. The extensive selection of men's footwear completely trumps what I've come to realized is a paltry offering here in the US -- even in New York. Sure, some of these labels are available online, but I don't mess with shopping for shoes on the net. It's just not as enjoyable, and sizing is always tricky. I'm often between sizes, and I don't really want to order two or three different pairs. And again, there is no greater joy than purchasing an amazing new pair of shoes in person. NO GREATER JOY.

In any case, I've been stalking the amazing British label Mr. Hare for a number of months now. I often visit their site to check on new styles, and the spring 2010 collection is just jaw-droppingly amazing. Sadly, they are not distributed in the US at all. So, I shall have to stick to drooling over my laptop until I make it to London, or any of the other cities where they are sold. Bah. Sadness all around.

Below are my favorite styles for spring.

This one here is the FELA, and as you can see it's made with one cut of leather. I've yet to own a pair that's of a single cut, and I would love it if this were to be the one.  They also offer the PACHECO which is the same shoe but a Brogue.

How incredible is the BARRETTO? I love the leather and suede combination, and the cut-outs will offer ventilation for super-hot summer days. I can see it with a great white shirt and too-short shorts.

Saddle shoes are classic in every way. And the black and white JERRY LEE offers, per the site (and considering how much these things cost, I'm going to go ahead and believe them), perfect construction and unbelievable comfort.

For the rest of the collection, check out the site. Right now, you can only buy them in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Singapore -- and oki-ni.com. Darn my life!

(Photo credit: Mr Hare)

TIE DYE GROUND HOG

So that damn ground hog predicts six more weeks of winter. How depressing. It is mind-numbingly cold in New York -- I can barely stand it.

There's plenty to look forward to once warm weather is here. I can play more tennis; I can wear shorts again; and I won't need a coat to hide my outfits. As I mentally prepare myself for Spring, I can't help but reference the SS 2010 Menswear collection from famed Italian label Bottega Veneta. I remember seeing it on Men's Style (before it became GQ.com) for the first time, and my visceral reaction was entirely too spiritual. I loved everything about it. The colors and silhouettes were fantastic. It was masculine with just enough whimsy to make it absolutely magical. And the accessories? Amazing.

I will try my hand at being this Bottega man. I feel that I have the basics to make it work like the penny loafers, a large bag, scarves, etc. The colors are easy enough, too. But here's what I need to really personify the collection:

1. tie dye sweaters
2. shiny shorts
3. statement making weekender
4. floral print shorts (I don't think I can rock that print on full length pants)
5. a varsity jacket or safari jacket

I'm gonna try the usual suspects: Uniqlo, H&M and Urban Outfitters first. I hope to be this man full-time when my birthday rolls around in May.

Bonne chance a moi.

MAN CAN LIVE ON TACOS ALONE

I love tacos. I eat so much of it (rice is its only rival). Thankfully, living in the New York area means there's always a taco source nearby. And really, I've never met a taco I didn't like; surely they do their part in keeping me just a little bit fat.

There's a small restaurant here in Jersey City called Taqueria (left) that serves delicious Mexican fare. The menu isn't very expansive, and the owners vow never to wow you with table side guac demonstrations. This is all for the best, because I go there for the amazing fish ($3) and pork tacos ($2.50) -- with a side of rice and beans. A perfect little meal (for very little money).  If you ever find yourself in Jersey, go to the corner of Grand and Grove and indulge.

This might be an embarrassing revelation for some, but I also really, really love the wonton tacos (right) from Applebee's. It's not a traditional taco by any stretch, but it's quite tasty. It comes with either chicken or pork, and I've never had the chicken, because the pork is so good. The wonton shells add a wonderful twist.

But of course the search is not nearly over (I suspect it'll never end). I want to discover more of the best tacos out there. When I was in Berlin in August, I read about this great new Mexican restaurant in Mitte called Maria Bonita.

Berlin isn't known for its selection of Mex cuisine (though delish Turkish street food is everywhere) so when all the blogs are raving, I had to try it out. Opened by a group Australians, it's apparently a big post-work hangout for expats looking to fill their Mexican cravings. I trekked from my hostel for lunch and, thankfully, it wasn't very busy. It's small, and like Taqueria, it's fare is limited to a few staples. Sadly, I didn't have the tacos (I like to mix it up), but I did have some bangin' enchiladas. It's unfortunate I couldn't go a second time (I was very busy stuffing my face with doner kebabs), but as a self-proclaimed Mex connoisseur, I'd say it was well worth a visit. And if you do, try out the tacos and let me know how they are. I'm so in love with Berlin that going back for tacos can hardly be a bad thing.

WRAP IT UP

I don't typically wear jewelry. It's not really my thing. But last summer, NYC jewelry designer Laura Lobdell stopped by the office to drop off a gift. Part of her Seeds of Silk collection, the knotted bracelet was made by disadvantaged Cambodian women. Each piece, which can be worn a variety of ways, is accented with embellishments like gems and sterling silver charms.

I totally fell in love with it and tried to use it as often as possible (as a jewelry neophyte this required concentrated effort). I wore mine as a bracelet a few times and have recently also worn it as a necklace. Since receiving this gift, I've procured a couple of other wrist pieces, with which to layer.

From left to right: a strip of I don't know that a friend bought me from an artisan outside the Met Museum; an ombre knit bracelet from the Gap; and the Laura Lobdell bracelet.

HAIRY SITUATON

When my hair gets to be too long, I stop doing things to it entirely. I let it air dry; I will rarely put product in it; and I won't style it. Instead, I try to find accessories to put on my head to distract people from the mess that it is. Today, I'm wearing an oversized knit beanie.

Earlier this fall I started wearing headbands/bandanas. My friends weren't big fans. I was called many things including Rambo and loser. Personally, I enjoyed the look. So I tried to find other guys rocking it. Culling through the vast recesses of the internet for boys wearing a traditionally female accessory should be easy enough. Alas, it was not. Here's what I discovered.



They all look great, but I suspect my head is larger than theirs. Being a little bit fat means having a sizable noggin, sizable enough for me to doubt I'll  be able to pull these looks off as these guys do. I shall continue the struggle and post photographic evidence soon enough.

A HELLO AND AVIAN FECES

When Blogger asked me to provide a description for this here blog, I simply typed in: "foodstuffs and fashions." And while this little corner of the interwebs will certainly be chronicling the the synergy of eating and clothing in my life, I will also be addressing other topics like popular culture, literature and warfare.

But to begin, here are two photos of something I will never, ever eat (a rarity, to be sure).

They are flamingo poop-shaped candies. A fascinating treat for my eleven year old sister; a neon-colored source of terror for me. 

An auspicious start to a blog, no?