Things are starting to heat up this summer! Are you feeling a bit left behind when it comes to your reading requirements? Don’t panic! I’ve gone ahead and created a cheat sheet for you. Check out 6 killer trends you should be sporting this season, ladies. Know them, learn them, love them! I’ve also given simple and stylish explanations on how to wear them over at Hercampus.com. Continue reading here…
CTMA is going to be taking on a whole new look soon. My apologizes for the inconvenience, but we’re getting a complete makeover. Stay tuned!
If you haven’t already heard, rumor has it, one of my all-time favorite designers, Tom Ford, is set to launch a new beauty line this coming fall. Unfortunately, it isn’t for the ladies. Known for his well-manicured look and flawless style (which I adore), Ford has made the decision to enter the men’s multi billion dollar beauty industry upon recent success of his women’s line he created in 2011. He is not the first to create such a line, and will be sharing real estate with other big names like Marc Jacobs, who already has a line of “unisex”products that are helping both women and men give their best face.
With retail prices expected to start at $80 and up, the question is, aside from a more self conscious man being more select with his fashion choices these days, are they ready and willing to add a couple more products to their daily beauty regimen. I don’t mind! But then again, I’m a gay man who works in fashion. According to Business Week, men aren’t going to mind either (straight men that is,) seeing numbers don’t lie with an increase of just 2.6 billion dollars of spending power since 1997. I find it a little hard to believe thou, that guys are ready to run off to the men’s room to powder their noses. Although with a name like Tom Ford behind it, I’m sure with some provocative marketing, convincing them they’ll get laid more will be no hard task for him. Just Google his previous ad campaigns!
(Photo Courtesy of Thefrequenttraveller.net)
Fridays just got a whole lot easier thanks to summer. A time to disconnect from your regular routine, it’s all about keeping the weeks short and weekends sweeter. With just 93 days to spare, many of us will be dashing off to the nearest beach or lake to focus on our tranquility, tan or tequila intake.
Aside from loosing some focus at work, I like to do the same when it comes to my wardrobe. If you’re like me who sweats at the mere thought of humidity; staying dry is the name of the game. A relaxed look is what I’m all about, and avoiding any wardrobe malfunctions is the perfect summer, if you ask me.
Let the dog days begin!
This Friday marks the official start of summer, and although many of you might be gearing up for this years season, us fashion folks are already looking ahead to 2014. The kick-off started this past Sunday with the men up first showing collections in London. A 3-day event, something a bit out of the ordinary was the presence of one of my favorite designers; Mr. Bailey for Burberry Prorsum. Usually showing in Milan, I quickly found out he decided to come home.
After checking out the collection via Style.com, I have to say I was bit disappointed. Falling in love with him for his staunchy youthful appeal, I didn’t feel that yesterday. Where were the bold patterns, studs and sick bags? A bit bland, it was definitely lacking some luster if you ask me. I’m no Tim Blanks but anybody could see that this collection took a step back and not forward. Just turning 30, I want to look 20, not 40.
What did look youthful to me was the use of bold color throughout. From the ties, to the jackets, to the shoes, to even the sunglasses, it was a runway full of boys in berry hues. Refreshing to see, it looks as if next summer could possibly resemble one of my favorite desserts. Yum!
(Photos Courtesy of Style.com)
Leave it to me to always get things done at the last minute. I just realized that Father’s Day is this Sunday and I haven’t even thought about what I’m going to buy. I’m sure I’m not the only person out there in this same predicament, so I thought I would put together some of my pop’s favorite things to help out those last minute shoppers (including me.)
If there’s one thing my father can’t live without, it would be golfing. Since retiring, he is literally at the country club almost everyday practicing on his stroke. Unfortunately, I was never a fan of the sport as I was more interested in what I was going to wear to go play golf. Something with argyle in it was always a MUST! I did also enjoy driving the carts until the time I ran one right into a tree and knocked the wind out me. Gave my dad and his friends quite the laugh.
One of my fondest childhood memories I have of being with my father are on Friday nights when he would pick up my sisters and I at my mother’s house to go with him for the weekend. He would break out his favorite guitar and blast records to bands like Marshall Tucker & Allman Brothers. Singing and playing like he was entertaining a stadium sized audience, I knew this was a favorite pastime of his. Of course the kids had to get in on the act and we would pretend to be his back up singers (and dancers at times.) I love that this type of genre is coming back with favorites today like Mumford & Sons and Lumineers.
I’ve always had a sweet tooth since I was a little boy and my dad is no different. He can never get enough of a chocolate treat called Turtles. Growing up, I couldn’t grasp the idea of what the heck was even in it that made him so addicted to them. At one point I thought it might have something to do with an actual turtle. Yuck! Quickly, I realized that it was just pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate. To this day, I still don’t get why he loves them so much; I like chocolate and caramel minus the pecans.
When it comes to my father’s feet, you can either find him in golf cleats or easy to slip-on boat style shoes during the warmer months of the year. Mostly in the color brown, he’ll have them on his feet till the souls wear through. I could never understand what his obsession with this style shoe was until I tried on a pair for myself about a year ago. Since then I’ve added several to my own collection.
Being irish, my father enjoys an occasional beer or two. Aside from Coors, he likes to support local breweries like Saranac.
When not on the golf course, you can find my dad always working on or fixing something. If it’s not building a shed behind his house, working on a car, or cutting down a tree, he proves that where there’s a will, there’s a way. He’s basically Macgyver but with an AARP membership. To carry the miscellaneous tools, nuts and bolts that he needs to build or fix whatever he’s working on, he’s always got on a pair shorts with pockets as he refers to them. Tool belts are for rookies and cargo shorts (as I like to call to them) are for my dad.
All jokes aside, I want to acknowledge my father’s love and support throughout the years. He’s not only accepted me for who I am, but has stood by me in some my darkest hours. He’s taught me in life to do what you love first and the money will come after. He’s also taught me that if you want something in this world, you’ve got to go out and get it. As I grow older, I’ve become more aware of these lessons he has tried to instil in me since I was a little boy. Not always believing him, I now realize that he just wanted me to be the best that I could be. At times, seeing it in me when I couldn’t. BTW-The picture below was taken in May of 1983. I was only 15 months old. Wow, does time fly!
Known for their thrifty style and contagious energy, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are gaining fans with every song they create. Ellen Degeneres recently had them on her show to let the world know how much she really loves the rap duo. Their album “The Heist” was released back in October 2012, and is now gaining worldwide attention with hits like Thrift Shop & Can’t Hold Us.
Same Love, the most recent song to hit the airways, is what has made me a fan forever. While leaving the gym one afternoon, I happened to catch it on the radio for the first time, and had to pull over in a parking lot because I knew I was about to take in something quite profound. Closing my eyes and just using the sense of sound, I felt as if I was listening to the truth. No bullshit, no lies, no promises left for dead; just the plain ole truth.
A well-known biblical figure once said, “The truth will set you free,” and if you didn’t feel a bit liberated after listening to this song; I suggest you go back and press replay. As a gay man and someone who has struggled in his early life to accept himself for who he is, this has become my new anthem.
With gay marriage now legal in 12 states, a president who supports the idea of same-sex marriage, primetime television creating shows based around gay characters, and the first NBA player to publicly come out as an openly gay man; Macklemore & Lewis’s Same Love reminds us that in order to get to the truth, we must strip away the fear and rise up.
June is a special month for the LGBT community celebrating equality, and the song couldn’t have come at a better time. It continues to climb the charts and already has a little over 45 million hits on Youtube. Whether you are for or against gay rights, you are listening to the voice of the future.
Every year, a who’s who in the world of fashion (and a celebrity or two or three) gathers in New York to acknowledge those who are truly setting the trends for the CFDA Awards. For those unfamiliar, CFDA stands for Council of Fashion Designer of America which was created as a not-for-profit to aid in the development of American fashion as a global industry. Founded in 1962 by Eleanor Lambert, her vision once a mere prediction, is now celebrated globally. OK, enough of the history lesson!
Speaking of celebrating, Monday evenings event brought out a slew of designers both nominated and supporting. Winners included front runners like Proenza Schouler, Thom Browne and Pamela Love. More importantly, what was so exciting for me to find out was that Dao-Yi Chow & Maxwell, who literally could be Maxwell’s twin brother (the singer), of Public School, won for the Menswear category by Swarovski. An unlikely win, many took to their Twitter accounts to show their support. With only 140-characters to spare, the love was in the Twittersphere for these two.
Started in 2008, these boys continue to add a fresh take to the tailored look with the streets as their inspiration. Made in New York, most of their production is produced right here in the Garment District. Now a member of the CFDA with their recent win, it looks like Public School could become Ivy League. Congratulations guys!
(Picture Courtesy of Instyle)
stylesourcedotme.wordpress.com 
Luwow!
When not glued to my computer, on a call, or simply just trying to build the agency, one of my favorite pastimes of the summer includes spending it with my close friends and family. There’s nothing like going to a gathering where everybody knows your name. It doesn’t happen often for me these days, but when it does, I like to take full advantage of it.
Whether it be a swanky rooftop soiree, backyard BBQ, or loud luau, I like to keep my look casual since it is summer and a time to let loose. With that said, I’m a sucker for anything bold or shiny. From colors, to prints, to accessories, this season is all about making a statement.
Personally, I can’t walk by anything metallic without checking it twice. When I ran into these high-tops by Hugo Boss resembling dorothy’s slippers a couple season’s ago, I knew I had to add them to my collection. Since then, they have given me nothing but joy (and a bit of attention) when on my feet.
I’ve also recently added another pair of Ray-ban aviators with a green metallic finish to my sunglass collection that are just pimp. When I noticed these puppies in the window; they had my name written all over them. I’m sure they’ll be glued to my face all summer long.
The shorts I’m sporting are by Parke & Ronen. They can be doubled as swim trunks which is great for those summer parties with a pool nearby. Hey, I’m an aquarian and love the water.
The clutch is by Lacoste which I picked up at the outlets in Woodbury. I love fashion, but I also love it at a discount. One thing you should know about me is that I never pay full price for anything.
Lastly, one of my favorite looks for summer is a cardigan and shorts. It’s casual, simple and effortlessly chic. This one I picked up at Club Monaco a couple season’s ago at a sample sale.
Anywho, enough about me! Drop me a note and let me know what looks you like to rock to your favorite summertime social.