Hermès Fall Winter 2012/13

(Keep it..) Simple. (Get some…) Confidence. That’s really all that one needs to look good.

Link: Hermès

Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012-13

Thom Browne fashion shows are never boring. Theatrics aside, the guy knows how to cut a jacket. Slim sleeves and really high arm holes.

Link: Thom Browne

I’m Immortalized on the hood of a Porsche

To celebrate having 2 million Facebook fans, Porsche plastered the profile pictures of their supporters on a Cayman S…..HOW AWESOME IS THIS?!?

Searching by my name, I found that I made it on to the hood. Check it out….

… Continue Reading

Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012/13

I really like this jacket from Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012; the colors are rich, the fabric luxurious, and the craftsmanship is evident. It’s unabashedly flashy and in your face.

Link: Dolce&Gabbana

Prada Fall/Winter 2012/13

For me, Prada has always been an “intellectual” brand. I imagine their clientele (both women and men) to be bookish and worldly; the types to be sitting at cafes, drinking espresso, smoking cigarettes, and having lively conversations on art and politics.

In any case, at Prada, I’ve always found the cuts to be smart, the fabrics luxurious, and the construction built with quality. It reasons, then, that I’m always interested when Milan Fashion Week rolls around. And, scanning the photos from Prada’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection, this is definitely my favorite look.

I really like the contrast in pinstripe thickness between the pants and jacket. The accoutrements in the chest pocket are spot-on as well, adding color to an otherwise, somber palette.

Link: Prada (You can watch the show on their website)

Saphir – Best Shoe Care Products

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m trying to get serious about caring for my shoes. I researched and found many menswear blogs and forums praising the offerings by Saphir, a French company specializing in shoe care products. So, I gave it a whirl and purchased a “minimal” amount of stuff to take care of my black and other colored shoes. Namely, Rénovateur (Cleaner and Conditioner), Créme (Shoe Cream) in black and in light brown, and Pate de Luxe (Shoe Wax) in black and in neutral.

… Continue Reading

Brooks Brothers Cedar Shoe Valet

Up until now, I haven’t given my collection of shoes the care that they deserve. So, the other day, I invested an afternoon to research what is involved to properly shine shoes — I Google searched “best luxury shoe polish,” watched countless Youtube clips of people polishing shoes, and read a bunch of Menswear blogs and forums on the topic. And you know what? I learned a lot, from the proper tools of the trade to what to look for in a quality shoe polish. Armed with information and intending to make shoe shining part of my quarterly routine, I decided to splurge on this well-crafted cedar shoe valet from Brooks Brothers. It’s essentially just a cool-looking and fine-smelling box to hold shoe polishing gear.

… Continue Reading

Arfango – I’m Not Available

Another cool-looking (albeit uncomfortable!) velvet loafer.

Link: Arfango

Dear 2012 Santa….

… I’ve been pretty good this year….more or less…..so, how about it?..

Top Row:

• Hedi Slimane: Anthology of a Decade. This coffee table book set captures a bunch of Hedi’s photographs. I’m particularly intrigued by the FR (for France) book, which shows some of his couture work at Yves Saint Laurent and Dior.
• Double Breasted Velvet Blazer by Yves Saint Laurent. This is an amazing piece I need for the current party season. I wear a 36, but can take the 38 and have my tailor take it in. =)
• Ardbeg Supernova. I have yet to try this particular expression of Ardbeg. However, the reviews of it have been pretty good – a lot of peaty and smoky notes; exactly how I like my scotch. Malt Advocate gave it a respectable 90 point score.

Middle Row:

• Cannondale Supersix Ultegra DI2. It’s a road bike with heritage, race-winning pedigree, and many more features than I need, but it looks pretty badass.
• Santiago Gonzalez Card Case made from a Colombian crocodile in a rich, navy blue. When it comes to personal accessories, I prefer to have something classic, and not so mainstream.

Bottom Row:

• Mr. Hare Jopling Patent Leather Shoes. I need these, especially with the raised cube toe.
• Garmin FR 70. It’s a heart rate monitor watch with ANT+ technology, which allows it to sync with the monitor on my gym’s stationary bike. I need this to better gauge the number of calories I burn.
• Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking is much, much more than a cookbook, and even though I don’t really cook, I still appreciate the craft and skills involved in it. And this six volume set seems like a good place to understand all of the techniques involved in many of the restaurants I’ve been fortunate enough to frequent.
• Lanvin Flower Lapel Pin. I like accessories.
• Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Illustrated is a bottle of the 20 year old, but really, I’d take a 15 year old also. Currently, there is a lot of hype about this spirit. The reviews have been stellar, and admittedly, I am very curious.

My Personalized Calling Card

According to the Art of Manliness…

In the 19^th and early 20^th century, social interaction was a richly cultivated, well-mannered affair. The tool that facilitated these interactions was the calling card. Calling cards streamlined introductions and helped remind people of new acquaintances and needed visits. The calling card also served as a way to brand your social identity. The way your card looked and felt or the way you handed it to someone communicated your standing and relationship with the receiver.

… and it’s much easier and less awkward than having to write down info on a scrap of paper, or input digits in the mobile phone on the spot. I’d much rather hand out a card.

I kept mine simple, using the standard American business card size of 3.5″ x 2,”  with 3 lines – name, phone number, and email. To add a touch of elegance, I had my info Letterpressed in black ink, using Neutraface font, on Crane Lettra 220lb stock – love the heft and thickness. It feels solid in the hand. I kept one side blank for hand-written notes and messages. Finally, I had the edges colored in gold.