Author Archive

Concept 8366 1/2 from WITTMORE

Published on Tuesday, 11 June 2013 15:20

Matt Bell

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You probably know online shop WITTMORE for it’s stocklist of wearable but unique pieces. A little of this for work…a little of that for the weekend. Nothing too crazy, nothing at all boring. Less than a year after it’s launch, it’s grown exponentially and just a few weeks ago opened its fist ever bring and mortar location—a 45 day pop up shop in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Located at 8366 1/2 West 3rd Street in West Hollywood, the store is serving as a test location for WITTMORE which has the intention of opening a permanent location by year’s end. What started out as a blank canvas white box with polished concrete floors, bay windows, and ample sunlight, has been temporarily transformed with clever use of modern patterns in collaboration with Pantone, the world-renown authority on color. Clothing and accessories are displayed on steel rolling racks with cast iron fittings and casters, and adjustable freestanding tables and shelves made from reclaimed wood and steel. The 1920′s storefront, featuring an historic cast iron Art Deco pattern across the facade contrasts with the modern and clean WITTMORE aesthetic. The shop is being called Concept 8366 1/2 and featured brands include Archival Clothing, Armor Lux, Cardigan, Etiquette Clothiers, Fred Perry Laurel Wreath, Gant Rugger, Gloverall, Hook + Albert, Ian Velardi, Il Bussetto, Isaora, Levi’s Vintage Clothing, Mark McNairy, Miansai, Mollusk, Norse Projects, Olasul, Quality Peoples, Relwen, Sandqvist, Smathers & Branson, Splendid Mills, Stanley & Sons, Timo Weiland, Topo Designs, and Universal Works, with many exclusive and limited edition styles and colorways. Definitely worth a pop in… and don’t forget your plastic.

Dad’s Bad Style: Original Penguin Can Help

Published on Tuesday, 11 June 2013 10:46

Matt Bell

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Original Penguin Style Sessions Father's Day Gifts Ideas Style Advice

As you know, there’s a profusion of “Father’s Day” promotions going on right now. Some are good…some…are a stretch. This wasn’t presented to us as a Father’s Day thing at all but,you know, it’s probably one of the best gifts you can get a dad. Especially if he’s dressing like his dad (and not in the stylish, retro-cool, way) and says he doesn’t have the time to shop. To the point—5 Original Penguin locations have just launched, “Style Sessions,” wherein one calls/emails and sest up a post-store date with a fashion guru/stylist who helps with some personal style consultation. Since you’re reading Essential Homme, we’ve no doubt this is something you could also do, but for some reason, hearing style advice from a stranger can sometimes be a lot easier to swallow.

Style Sessions are now being offered at these following locations:

Bryant Park – 1077 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10018 (646) 443-3520
Miami – 925 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-0722
Chicago – 901 N. Rush Street Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 475-0792
Los Angeles – 8215 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 655-0401
Las Vegas – 3663 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 734-0089

Kenneth Cole for the Human Rights Campaign 2013

Published on Monday, 10 June 2013 14:06

Matt Bell

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Kenneth Cole has a message for you—”Equality…Get Married to the Idea.” It’s a message splayed across summery heather-red T-shirts that Kenneth Cole has made in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as the fifth in their ongoing collaboration of limited edition t-shirts that encourage people to voice their support marriage equality. The shirt is only available during the month of June, which some know better as “Gay Pride Month” and 100% of the net profits from each sale get donated to AWEARNESS, the Kenneth Cole Foundation in support of the HRC.

A quick refresher on the, uh, heterosexually married Mr. Cole’s support for the gay community reads like an Oscar award winning movie. The man was one of the first people anywhere to vocally support the gay community back in the 1980′s when the HIV crisis initially struck. Since 1985, Kenneth Cole has served as a Board Member of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmfAR). Long before it was cool…or safe to speak out for gay rights, Kenneth Cole used his advertising to raise awareness about how HIV was spread. The first ad ran in 1986, and featured all the top models of the day (barefoot) posed with children and the copy read: “For the future of our children… support AIDS research.” At the time it was shocking for anyone to publicly speak out about AIDS or gay issues. People back then were so scared by the virus that some though it could be transmitted just by touching someone who had it. A ballsy move for a man whose business depended on clothing, but his determination was infective and led to greater discussion in the media about the AIDS crisis and gay issues in general. The AWEARNESS campaign continues and Kenneth Cole is still one of the most potent voices in the search for a cure.

These days though, he’s also on the forefront of the fight for marriage equality. With the fight almost ready for a big Supreme Court decision (though not quite yet), the this year’s Ts are especially relevant. Who knows…next year the whole same-sex marriage fight could look a whole lot different.

The shirts will be sold throughout the month of June at select Kenneth Cole retail stores, on kennethcole.com, shop.hrc.org, and HRC stores in Provincetown, MA; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, D.C. Signage appears at all 99 of the Kenneth Cole retail and outlet stores nationwide for PRIDE throughout the month of June.

Additionally, Kenneth Cole will hold in-store events on June 27th in New York City and San Francisco with local screen printers on sight to print customers favorite Kenneth Cole and HRC graphic collaboration.

Beige for Summer?

Published on Friday, 07 June 2013 11:30

Matt Bell

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Our good friends at Men in Cities have gone against all odds and declared a full on beige moment to coincide with summer. Strange, since this is when you might be more apt to toss on that fire engine red belt or acqua marine tie, but maybe they’re onto something. The beige of their ties, pocket square and belt have reminded us that beige is quite a similar shade to Caribbean beach sand. And the wallets, which you might consider to be closer to brown, resemble at least one rusty shade that of the sun setting into said waters. Or they could all be varying shades of planks that make up the pier or boardwalk at your favorite beach. Beige, it turns out, is actually quite a suiting color come summer, plus it matches with everything. Even itself (just ask Duckie Brown). At least that’s our take. Men in Cities have their own take, as presented in the video clip below which is unveiled for the first time here.

There are 9 sharp pieces in all at menincities.com

Men In Beige from Men In Cities on Vimeo.

Angelo Galasso Fall/Winter 2013

Published on Friday, 07 June 2013 02:24

Matt Bell

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One of our favorites from the Milan Fall 2013 collections, Angelo Galasso, has just released some sneak peak images at their fall ad campaign and behing the scene footage. The collection was one of the italian designer’s strongest to date, emphasizing all manner of style you can get away with in those most elegant of European capitals. Here Florence. Think ascots for days, ostrich leather jackets, leather trenches, double breasted peak lapel suits, cashmere and velvet. It’s distinctly old world meets new world and gets filtered the flamboyantly through the Angelo Galasso lens in the ad campaign. Shot on time worn streets in black and white film and set to the tune of looped back jazz house, it’s a vision of modern European opulence that’s quite aware of it’s heritage.