Bring Your Whole Crew Part 2

Remember how much I love editorials shot with a whole crew?
Well, get a load of this spread from GQ Style Germany:

Images from The Fashionisto
I am particularly drawn to the tonal dandies in the third picture down. It is like everything I love about Phoebe Philo's new minimalism on German dudes wearing nude tones: LOTS OF GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING HERE. Presenting the season's fashions as a group really highlights trends. After all, aren't trends born within social circles? Styling notes are found all over the world amongst groups of friends and the uniforms they wear within their subcultures. Which tribe (and I use that term loosely since no one can ever agree on labels) do you subscribe to?

And speaking of group shots, a preview advertisement for the H&M x Lanvin collaboration has been circulating the interwebs. Check out the runway inspired looks. If this is any indication of how the menswear will be designed, I just might get to own a silk parachute parka!!





- jerome

Old News

SAN FRANCISCO: A CITY OF JAYWALKERS SINCE 1906


As seen on CarLust
My beloved friend Ethan brought this incredible video to my attention. Some of you may have seen this already, but it is fresh to my eyes so I am still in a state of wonder. This is a video captured on April 14, 1906. The footage shows the view of a cable car traveling down Market Street in San Francisco less than a week before the great earthquake. First of all, Air's music usually puts me into a trance. The song "La Femme D'Argent" (the silver lady??) only adds to the incredible experience in viewing this short film. To see a candid view of how everyday life in San Francisco is pretty surreal, as my morning commute is basically this exact route. Take note of the newspaper boys, men in coats, and women in full Edwardian-Gibson-girl realness. Enjoy!


- jerome

Currently Reading

READING IS GOOD FOR YOU

1. VOGUE HOMMES JAPAN A/W 2010 Vol.5
2. TEN MEN/ AUTUMN WINTER 10 Issue 23
3. "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk" by David Sedaris

There are many necessities that pretty much drain my checking account every month, one of them being fashion magazines. I have been collecting i-D and V since I was 17. I draw inspiration from the photography and writing housed on the glossy pages within these publications.

The latest issue of Vogue Hommes Japan features Lady Gaga's alter ego "Jo Calderone." I cannot read anything, but the editorials are stunning (more CREW style!!) and there is a poster of Lady Gaga wearing the infamous meat dress by Nicola Formichetti, photographed by Terry Richardson. The TEN MEN anniversary issue is all about the cover star,Tony Ward. He is featured on almost every page - which is totally fashion porn. Actually, it is just porn if you don't believe nudity can be seen as art.

I also picked this up while I was at Borders during my lunch break And when I am on fashion overload, I like to take a break with some humorous literature. David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors. Somehow I manage to be out of the country every time he comes to read in San Francisco. Sedaris is famous for writing about his every day life, but this latest work is a collection of stories examining everyday life through the eyes of animals. I do not LOL like I normally do at his books, but the morbidness of the writing and illustrations by Ian Falconer make this book a fun read. Quick too, I read the entire thing in an hour or so.

Happy reading everyone! What is on your coffee table this month?

- jerome

Weekend Update: Mad Relevant

Thanks, Donna Karan.
This look from the latest DKNY menswear collection is a perfect blend of classic and modern. I am finding new ways to wear trench coats. True classics can be dressed up, dressed down, worn in, and worn forever. That is the rule I am trying to follow when shopping now, especially with designer apparel and accessories. It is important to find pieces that will be relevant when the current fashion moment passes.

I have been really busy with work, so I apologize for the lack of updates. Thank you to everyone who voted!! My heart is with you, readers all 26 of you!. I am in love with the Smoke. However, it seems that I am not the only one. Everything is now up to fate - which bag will be re-stocked first?? Stay tuned...


- jerome

p.s. I saw the movie Easy A and have such an adoration for Emma Stone, but Blake Lively is still my number one girl ;)

Isn't It Ironic?

Openly pregnant Canadian Alanis Morissette was seen at the Los Angeles International Airport last night as reported by Perez Hilton. More importantly, it seems that she is rocking the Proenza Schouler PS1 in Smoke. The votes are in, and it seems that my two top choices, Smoke and Military Olive Green, are at the top. Keep voting (in the poll on the right)!! My heart is with the smoke color still. Oh the irony!!

- jerome

p.s. My high school English teacher made a valid point about Alanis Morissette's song Ironic. Morissette mentions "ironic" situations including:

- rain on your wedding day
- a free ride when you already paid
- ten thousands spoons when all you need is a knife

However, we all agreed that these situations are not actually ironic. They just suck.

Stuff I Wish Guys Could Wear

Guys who wear women's clothing are usually/apparently/eventually gay. And if you think those guys who wear ladies' clothing "because Miuccia is a genius" are straight because you hooked-up with them... chances are I know a few men who have too. I may be generalizing here, but only from personal experience. I am obviously not a homophobe and I fully support self expression, but c'mon ladies, YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE DATING PELAYO DIAZ.

For years I have shopped for both menswear and womenswear. It was never my intention to do drag, but at one time it was impossible to find jeans tight enough or jersey that draped properly in the men's section. One of my New Year's resolutions was to stop shopping in the female section (except for handbags and accessories of course) because I find that I end up selling back most of the womenswear I buy. This might have something to do with realizing my body type is not as androgynous as I would like - or maybe tastes are changing. I have actually held to this resolution all year, but every now and then there will be a revelation that tempts me. For example: Céline Spring/Summer 2011.

HAIL PHOEBE, FULL OF GRACE

Phoebe Philo captured my heart years ago with her work at Chloé and returns to rock my world by reinventing minimalism at Céline. For SS2011 Philo uses color print blocking in a variety of looks. This design element, paired with modern silhouettes and crafty textures, all make my heart flutter. Sure, the leather tunic may not be so masculine, but I swear I could really fall in love with those printed-track-suit-things. Don't even get me started on the bags. I normally do not cover womenswear on this blog even though I follow it closely. Philo's collection was just too good not to write about!! I hope you have all enjoyed the shows!!


- jerome

Seeing Green

Parka by Burberry, Shirt by Virgin Blak, Shorts by See by Chloe, Boots by COS
EXCUSE ME, SIR, YOU HAVE NAKED PEOPLE ON YOUR SHIRT

Upon my return from Europe, I decided that my living quarters are not nearly as lavish as they should be. I am endlessly grateful for what I have; what really disappoints me is my failure to maximize my time and energy with beautifying my castle (castle GaySkull as Jeremy calls it). There is an intense home homme improvement bug growing inside of me and I am ready to commit. If any of you know where I can source baroque moldings or the palace interior wallpaper a la Anna Dello Russo, please let me know immediately. The renovation begins with trying to find frames large enough for my huge Alphonse Mucha posters. I need more paintings and lithographs in my life (starting with this shirt).

My short visit to Vienna left a lasting impression on me. Learning about Elizabeth "Sissi"of Bavaria was interesting. She was the Queen of Hungary, Bohemia, and Croatia who had an actual influence on politics - but lived much like a celebrity with a very real eating disorder. In her day she was considered the most beautiful woman in Europe. Seeing where she lived got me thinking: WHY THE EFF DID PEOPLE EVER STOP DECORATING IN BAROQUE STYLE??!! Dare to dream.

If you haven't noticed it already, I am really back into army green. This may or may not last into the Autumn/Winter season when I obsess over jewel tones. Nonetheless, this fuels the dilemma with picking a color for the PS1. Do I like green enough to buy the Olive leather, or should I stick with my first love of smoke?? There is still time to vote!!

- jerome