Amuse Bouche

LET ME GIVE YOU A TASTE
There are certain things in life you just cannot live without, and for whatever reason life tries to throw some obstacles in your way. This month my checking account said, "DAYUM! Enough!" the stars aligned and I finally acquired two of the most special pieces in my wardrobe. I am excited to share them with you in all their glory, but only when the time is right and there are photos worthy of presentation.


- jerome

Can't Get You Out of My Head

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2011 Shoes
A few days ago a friend of mine posted a picture of his new Phillip Lim shoes. Gasping with envy I made it my mission to track down a pair, but due to my ignorance I failed to realize what season the shoe was from. I mean, how am I supposed to get a pair of RUNWAY SAMPLES?? Good thing this spring, Lim has brought back the tassel motif. The shape of these boots are perfect. My favorites are the monk strap shoes. Looks like I have to keep eating cup-of-noodles for dinner my work cut out for me.


- jerome

Eyes On Your Own Paper Pt. 2 - PS WHAT?!!

I mean I thought it was peculiar that Jack and Lazaro were missing from all the latest Target Go International marketing collateral. Clearly Proenza Schouler is one of the most successful collaborations within the series, which is why some of their garments were included in the revival season. Maybe I am jumping to conclusions, but these might have something to do with it:


Check out these PS1 knock-offs by Mossimo. The similarities are too abundant to ignore. I can get passed the school boy satchel shape but the hardware and closure are practically the same. I would feel really betrayed too if a partner of mine made profits from a copy of one of my greatest works.



I NEED THE PS1 IN SMOKE. The color sells fast, but I have high hopes because of the bag's popularity. It-bag stigma be damned, the PS1 is forever.

UPDATE: I was right! Check out this article by Cathy Horyn and the statements issued by Proenza Schouler. Such a shame :(

- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 7: Back to Basics

X #7 of 7: The Half Tuck
7XL Tee, Denim by H&M, Belt by Hermés, Sandals by Burberry Prorsum
We come to the end of our extra extra extra extra extra extra extra large little experiment with one of the most basic styles - the half tuck. Tucking in the front of a button down or t-shirt is an excellent way to show off an accessory like a statement belt. It is also flattering (on my body type anyway, I think) and can add interest to the styling of an outfit. There is a lot of fabric to work with so I strategically tucked the front and sides to drape a cape in the back. Rolling up the sleeves was the romantic, masculine finish.

Céline A/W 2011
I draw a lot of inspiration from the work of Phoebe Philo. Her work at Chloé really spoke to me, because it was even though it was really feminine. And now at Céline, Philo's work is still relevant in my life. She has defined modern minimalist fashion, striking a chord in the way I dress myself. My current guidelines for getting dressed are keep it simple, keep it classic, and add one element of flare with a touch of print/texture/jewelry.

I had a lot of fun doing the 7X 7 Day challenge. It makes me look at clothing in a whole new way. There are garments on the market today that are designed to be worn in many different ways. Go beyond suggestions and find a new way to wear each piece. Remember that clothes do not always have to be worn one way!!


- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 6: á la Owens

X #6 of 7: The Cross Drape
7XL Tee, Denim by H&M, Boots by Virgin Blak, Leather by Codes Combine
Okay this looks complicated to pull off, but it is quite simple. First, put your head through one of the sleeves and you arm through the neck. Then, gather the shirt and wrap it across your body until you can slide your arm through the other sleeve. You should be able to drape a structured funnel neck and create a beautiful drape with the remainder of the fabric. This took some experimenting, but the end result might be one of my favorites.

Rick Owens A/W 2010
Long before my uniform of collared shirts, brogues, and khakis, I was known for my long hair, cuban heels, black pants, leather jackets, draped tops, and all the other accoutrement of an avant garde fashion fanatic. I couldn't choose my favorite designers of the day now (because of my indecisive nature and hunger for something new) but back then I immediately would have said Ann Demeulemeester, Helmut Lang, Raf Simons, Hedi Slimane, and Rick Owens. Any collection polished off with a healthy showing of leather jackets had me researching blogs and stockists for hours. This 6th interpretation of the 7XL Tee is an ode to some of my beloved designers. What is collectively genius about their aesthetic is the combination of draped and tailored garments in a single look, forging a new ideal of masculinity.

It's fun to revisit old inspirations and looks every now and then, but I don't think I want to go too far back to a time when I wore cowboy boots and gold chains. Uh oh, I think I am going to look for my eyeliner now.


- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 5: Hood + Scarf = Snood

X #5 of 7: The Hoodarf
7XL Tee, Shirt by Tim Hamilton, Denim by H&M, Trench by Burberry, High-Tops by Lanvin
Wrapping a long piece of fabric around your neck seems so natural. I love me a good scarf, but when it doubles as a hood it's like having your cake and eating it too. Using a scarf as a hood is practical when you want the coverage but can go without the extra layer of a full hoodie. Of course the 7XL Tee is perfect for wrapping around your head-space. You can drape a voluminous hood or bundle up with a thick scarf. Burberry calls the combo a snood.

Burberry Snoods from A/W 2009
Photo by Imaxtree via TheCutBlog
A few designers presented what The Cut Blog calls the "Hoodarf" You can see A/W 2011 looks from Robert Geller, Simon Spurr, and Antonio Azzuolo above (from left to right). I can get down with a monochromatic palette and a good hoodarf. Perhaps using the 7XL Tee as a scarf/hood/snood/hoodarf/whatever is kind of obvious, but it is on trend.


- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 4: Reverse Richter

X #4 of 7: The Hooded Shrug
7XL Tee, Shirt by Tim Hamilton, Denim by H&M, Harness by Zana Bayne, Mirror Belt by Virgin Blak, Boots by Dr. Marten's
Scott Pilgrim VS The World is one of my favorite movies of all time. That is a bold statement, but I can say that without a doubt. It has everything I want in a film: comedy, romance, homos, fight scenes, hot dudes, and a high level of nerd sensibility. There are many great characters in this universe of crazy, but one particular character left a huge impression on me - Roxy Richter.

Roxy is the 4th evil ex (out of 7 evil ex-boyfriends) that Scott Pilgrim must face to win the hand of his true love. Richter is the only ex-girlfriend AND SHE HAS A RAZOR WHIP. Pretty much any movie with a whip fight will win me over but this was a girl fight, with a whip, and a sledge hammer, and an orgasm. KABOOM. (SPOILER ALERT. Don't watch the video if you plan on seeing the movie)



I have to make it clear that I am not a fanboy. I do not do cosplay, and I don't troll message boards hoping to meet that special someone who replies to my comments. However, after seeing this movie, I knew that I needed to have a razor whip belt, or something like it. There were a few that I found online, but the razors were tacky edge blades similar to the kind girls like to wear to look "alternative." Thankfully I was able to track down a mirror belt that has the luster of Ms. Richter's weapon. Roxy inspired this look. I needed to find a way to create a hooded piece using the shirt without looking like the great cornholio. Thank goodness for bondage and harnesses! I wore the hoodie a little on the shorter side just like Roxy's but there is still enough fabric to do a longer, short sleeved piece.



Speaking of the Richter, I am deeply horrified and saddened by the tragedies caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The video coverage I have seen online really scares me. Watching cars, houses, and entire towns being washed away is absolutely surreal. The fact that scientists say San Francisco could be next is shaking me to the core. My friends and their families in Japan are all safe for now, but there are so many who are less fortunate. If you have anything to contribute to help the victims of this natural disaster, please DONATE to The Red Cross HERE.


- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 3: Japanese Style

X #3 of 7: The Kimono Shrug
7XL Tee, Denim by H&M, Tank by Dior Homme by Hedi Slimane, Vintage Zori
I love a good kimono. The weight, the volume, and the costume of beautiful Japanese silk can be an amazing addition to any closet. Not everyone can/will wear one outside of the house, but kimonos create impact for those who wear them well. Vibrant colors and print usually discourage the average person from wearing the traditional Japanese garment on the street, which is a shame because the shape is really beautiful. By draping the 7XL shirt over the shoulders, you can simulate the look and feel of a Kimono.


There is a certain romance to clothing with volume, so try experimenting with oversized clothing and larger sizes. I am wearing the tee over a thinning Dior Homme tank. This was my first Dior piece and has aged beautifully. My favorite part of the tank is the discreet bee logo, still found on select pieces from the brand.

Vogue Hommes Japan s/s 2011 Issue Vol.6: Eastern Promise
In other news, I just picked up the fabulous new issue of Vogue Hommes Japan. It was really expensive. I am heart broken because I am starting to feel how much fashion magazines cost ever since I started paying for my own stuff in this recession. And you will get why the burn is particularly scathing in my next inventory post. But I feel it is my duty to contribute to the magazine industry. I get that most editorial spreads are available online, but I still believe in the power of print. There is nothing like having a fashion magazine in your bag and waiting anxiously during the day to get lost in it. Luckily this magazine never fails to impress. So worth it ♥


- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 2: Man Skirt

X #2 of 7 - The Peplum Playsuit
7XL Tee, H&M Denim, Cloak by Bexist Japan, Shoes by TOPMAN, Custom San-X's Rilakkuma Plush Toy Necklace
My first instinct when forced to wear a top too large is to belt it. Belting instantly creates shape and dimension to a garment. The 7XL shirt is overly voluminous even when belted, so I gathered the excess to create a skirt. It is not quite a peplum, but it fits my current fetish for such a silhouette. I still love how long the sleeves are. Here I layered the top with a black wool cloak and accessorized with some plush toy keychains for whimsy. Observe, I am a magician.

Tim Hamilton A/W 2012
One designer (of many) that has caught peplum fever is my favorite Tim Hamilton. His Autumn Winter collection features lengthy layers and beautiful colors. All of my favorite elements in my everyday look are here: Simple color palette with a splash of print, check. Lace-up platform boots, check. Cropped trouser, check. Peplum, triple check.

Here is a closer look at the plush toy necklace I made. It is simply many keychains strung onto one longer neck chain. I collected many Rilakkuma charms during my trip to Tokyo a few years back. This is the same necklace I used in the editorial shoot that was featured on The Fashionisto.


- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days, 7 Ways

XXXXXXXL Shirt
A few months ago my co-worker told me about the $16.00 10XL plain white t-shirt his brother purchased at a liquor store in Oakland. I nagged endlessly was intrigued and wanted "pictures or it didn't happen." As a surprise, my generous associate bought me my very own huge XL tee. It is a modest 7XL, but the size of this shirt still makes it more akin to bedding than apparel. This gift presented me with a challenge: make this piece-of-sheet wearable. Clearly I am not large/hood enough to pull off wearing the tee normally BUT I AM NOT A QUITTER. In fact, I found 7 ways to wear the shirt in modern fashion - not counting the Jesus look. The following is the first.

X #1 of 7 - The Full Tuck
7XL Tee, Denim and Shoe by H&M
Try not to be distracted by my baby arms (oops, I probably shouldn't have said anything). It's funny how the neck size of the tee remains normal even though the shirt is 7XL. A draping effect happens when I wear the tee and naturally an elongated sleeve occurs. Oversized doesn't quite cover it. This look is inspired by the volumized tuck-tops of the early 1990's, not unlike the shirt of any member of the Babysitters Club.



In the coming days I will post more ways to wear this 7XL tee. The pure white palette helps me to envision the look with any color, so I'll probably stick with that. Wearing garments in new and different ways can be challenging, but fun and most rewarding at the same time :)

- jerome

New Orleans

Last week I returned from a wonderful trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. This was my first time in the South and it was a pleasure and privilege to experience Mardi Gras with locals. The vacation was part of an epic birthday celebration for one of my best friends, Nida. She was a California transplant by way of Hurricane Katrina, so going back to New Orleans with her was a humbling experience. There is nothing quite like New Orleans in my opinion: the people are well mannered, the food is prepared with real butter and more salt tastes better, and life is lived on a slower clock. Of course my city-folk-self felt like I was on an intense caffeine binge in the beginning, but by the end of the trip I was calmed down by peeling crawfish and taking my time with some amazing beignets. Louisiana has a rich history and it was fun to hear it unfold via Ghost Tour. I don't understand what it is about the French and settling in uninhabitable swamps (Versailles anyone??), but there sure are a lot of ghosts in New Orleans. The French Quarter's architecture is a uniquely European and houses a variety of shops and galleries. It was strange to notice the lack of tall buildings. Oh yeah, and people drink a lot on Mardi Gras. Boobs, peepees, and beads, OH MY!! Unfortunately, Bourbon Street by night is not the safest place for a camera. Even the beautiful parades would have been awesome to photograph, but I saw a couple people injured from flying beads and the like, so I kept my camera in my bag. Documentation might have been a total fail, but I think I was pretty successful in really living the experience. Southern hospitality truly does exist, and I was fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people during my stay.

Top to Bottom: Dream House Inspiration #1/ Beignets courtesy of Cafe du Monde/ Bourbon Street by night/ Crawfish pre-boil/ Nida and I at MRB

As much as I love going on vacation, it is always refreshing to come back to the city. Sometimes you have to leave somewhere to fully appreciate it. It feels good to be home. I missed you, San Francisco.

- jerome

VACATION

I am off to New Orleans for Mardis Gras. Wish me luck! I will try to document the experience as best as I can. Miss you already, Bay Area.

- jerome

Stacked

All bracelets by Hermés, Barbed Wire Ring by Burberry Prorsum, Sea Creature Ring by Ugo Cacciatori, Vintage Rings
This is how my wrists have been looking lately. I have been spending a lot of time hunting down accessories. Bracelets are my new fetish, along with my undying love for rings, leather goods, and shoes. On top of all this, I have made great strides in decorating my house. Something slowed down the creative process these passed months and my dwelling has not yet reached its full potential. Thankfully I stumbled upon the perfect pieces for the living room. Pictures to come soon.


The second issue of Industrie Magazine is also out on newsstands (the one where the cover shows Marc Jacobs is in drag). It was heartbreaking to buy it at the Borders by my work because I discovered the location was closing down. Borders served as a convenient/surprisingly dependable source for most of my favorite fashion magazines. I am sad to see it go. Anyway, this issue of Industrie reviews a list of influential fashion people in 2010. The magazine is "dedicated to the culture of fashion," making the content particularly current and relevant because we live in a new age where magazine editors, writers/bloggers, and photographers are celebrities. The new year has already garnered enough content to write about for the rest of 2011. Carine Roitfeld's departure from French Vogue, John Galliano's dismissal from Dior, and now Kim Jones' new direction Louis Vuitton are all a bit mind blowing right now.

BTW Congratulations, Mr. Jones. I love your work with Umbro, and I cannot wait to see what you do with the menswear collections at Louis Vuitton. Sorry that your moment is totally eclipsed by Galliano's epic scandal.


- jerome