The Summer Blazer

As most fashion-conscience well dressed men would agree, the blue or navy blazer is not relegated to the fall months. An appropriately designed, wool-mohair blend coat would be a fine compliment to most wardrobes for the spring and summer months. The wool will give the wearer the texture and the mohair will provide relief since it breathes and moves with the wearer than the typical wool only coat. This vintage picture of such a look provides a wonderful example of a look to sport this summer. Cheers!

The New Black - Men's Fashion

On July 26th, Stefano Tonchi of the New York Times wrote a feature entitled "Men's Fashion: The New Black" which provided an insight to the recent features on the runway and in magazines that are paying homage to Black models. While this issue seems to be a lightning rod for some since race always and continues to polarize us particularly in the US, I applaud the fashion designers and publications for taking a step in this direction. Unfortunately there are still many places like the fashion industry that have not embraced diversity wholeheartedly, if at all.

A few days ago, Vogue Italia released its July 2008 entitled, "The Black Issue" since it will feature 100 pages of beautiful black women from every corner of the globe as a tribute to their place in fashion history. While I celebrate this recognition, I feel a bit saddened that in 2008 we are still recognizing "firsts" when it comes to people of color. Perhaps, beauty one day can fully seen for what it really is......just beauty.

July 2nd Vintage Picture

A classic look for the summer, whether it is 1938 or 2008....courtesy of Laurence Fellows, fashion artist for 1930's and 1940's Esquire Magazine. Gabardine is truly a fabric for the spring/summer as well as a good weight for the fall.

New "old" picture for the day

Here's another one of the old illustrations that begs for a day in the past....

A Thing of Beauty - Italian Colors

Sometimes you come across a picture that just oozes color and style. This well-appointed Italian gentlemen has set the standard in this photo.

The Epitome of Horological Excellence

The Patek Philippe Ref. number 2526 is arguably one of the finest and most beautiful watches ever made. Only a limited number of these watches were made in the early 1950's, roughly 500-600. This was due in large part to the fact that Patek Philippe, like today, manufactures a limited number of timepieces unlike other brands that might produce 500,000 to a million pieces a year. Patek might produce around 50,000 a year.

Patek Philippe represents in my opinion the highest form of art and design when it comes to watches. Vintage Pateks are fetching the highest resale values at the major auctions today.

Domenico Spano - Apparel Arts Man of Style

For those not familiar, Domenico Spano or Mimmo as he is affectionately known, is arguably one of finest men's fashion tailors of our day. As evidenced by the photos, he is known for his expression of style, highly reminiscient of the 1930's epochal days of style. His blend of patterns, colors and cuts are a thing of beauty....