Born from the primary syllable in “human,” Hu, from adidas Originals and music mogul Pharrell, shoulders a heavy burden of its own intention—combining differing cultures into one line of collective global distillation. With an end goal of worldwide inclusion, and past releases of multilingual graphics and reworked footwear shapes to support the claim, the collaborative pair release the Tennis Hu, the first signature model of its kind from the “Happy” crooner. Primeknit rears its breathable head once again in the shoe’s upper and a flexible waffle structure offers an adaptive, featherweight design to craft a shoe with a barely-there feel. Developed in white—this season’s sure-fire neutral—eagle-eyed fans will recognize two similar colorways reaching into adidas’ sporty past, the green iteration mirroring the iconic Stan Smith with the gold a Forest Hill mimic. Never one to remain stagnant, expect Pharrell to redefine future iterations as he embarks on a late-2017 globetrotting excursion to expand his creative landscape and enrich upcoming color schemes with a multi-cultural touch.
Image: adidas Originals.
The adidas Originals x Pharrell Tennis Hu will be available online beginning May 6th, 2017.
Image: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Salvatore Ferragamo.
Last week, Salvatore Ferragamo fêted its fall-favorite fragrance turned year-round champ Uomo—a woody, masculine interplay of Italian aromas—at New York City’s Rose Bar with an intimate party hosted by friend of the family Ben Barnes. Most known for his roles in “The Chronicles of Narnia” films, “Westworld,” and the forthcoming “The Punisher” series, the actor stars in the scent’s Emmy Award-nominated film director Francesco Carrozzini. In advance of the aperitivo, EH sat down with Barnes to speak about the art of living and the wonderment of having fun.
ESSENTIAL HOMME: Congrats on the Ferragamo campaign! You’ve been an ambassador for the house for a little over a year now. How did the relationship begin and how has the experience been so far?
BEN BARNES: I’ve never wanted to do campaigns or endorsement just for the sake of being a salesperson. I want to represent, and I want [each opportunity] to represent me. It’s all been so wonderful, but there have been two main highlights in the experience so far. The first was shooting our TV commercial. Francesco Carrozzini, the director, is this outrageously passionate Italian man who drives a red Ferrari around Los Angeles. What more of a template do you need for this kind of Uomo Italian man lifestyle? He’s always got one button too many undone. He was so much fun that we’ve become pals since; we just goofed off on set! I think that’s the main thing Ferragamo wanted from me—in terms of my input—to breathe a sense of fun into the scene. It’s a very elegant, stylish brand—and that wasn’t going to go away—but there tends to be a shortage of “funness” in these things. If you want to represent a cologne, it’s almost as if you have to be afraid to enjoy yourself; you have to stand on a rock with your shirt off and stare into the camera with the look of death on your face. So I really enjoyed bring a bit of humanity to it. I also really loved announcing the fragrance in Florence.
EH: What was the launch in Italy like?
BB: It was amazing. I had never been to Florence before, and I can personally guarantee you that there’s no better way to see it then to be invited there by Ferragamo, because they have their own hotels and amazing restaurants and it felt like a cultural mafia—they can get you into anywhere. We were in the Boboli Gardens, which was amazing. Coincidentally, I had just finished reading Dan Brown’s [“Inferno”], which is set in the city, and I had all these places and characters in my head. We were there at night, when no one else was, at this amazing dinner with music by Nicola Piovani, the composer from the film “Life is Beautiful.” He came on and played some strings in the middle of the garden and it was great. I mean, “great” is not the right word for this experience at all, but it certainly was a magical evening.
EH: Salvatore Ferragamo is an Italian house defined by codes of Florentine history. Coming from outside that as a Brit, what did you find in the brand or lifestyle to relate to?
BB: I approached the campaign a little like I would an acting role in terms of the absorption of the attitude. Luckily for me, we were surrounded by a very loud Italian crew, who were very inspiringly passionate about making our film in the same sort of way Italians approach everything. If they’re eating, it’s mindful. If they’re smelling something, they’re really absorbing the smell—trying to define what it is like one would with notes of wine. Approaching life with a little bit of wonder is something that we can all do a bit more of. Especially in England, where we stereotypically are closed off to new experiences.
Image: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Salvatore Ferragamo.
EH: Fragrance campaigns can mark a significant point in an actor’s career. This being your first, how does it feel?
BB: I find it very flattering that somebody wants me to represent them. But I also feel that way every time I get a job. Every time I audition and someone chooses me, there’s a real high and a real thrill. There’s a lot of rejection in this job at every level. People think, “Once you’ve been the lead in a film that must be where that rejection stops.” And it’s not. It’s all the way up to the very top. Even the top A-listers don’t get a job, because another one gets it. Anything that counteracts that balances it out, because it’s hard to stay stable and in the middle. There’s always very dramatic highs and lows.
EH: Billy Russo in Netflix’s serial “The Punisher” is the next role we’ll see you in. Can you share what we can expect from the highly anticipated franchise later this year?
BB: There have been a couple of films about “The Punisher” before, but no real proper exploration of the characters and themes. I think we’re delving on a real human level into that story, and I think [Frank Castle] is a really important character to a lot of people, especially in the armed forces. This series is interesting because it explores a lot of the different sides of men, particularly those who’ve suffered from traumas and abuse. It’s a really important thing to make a series about, and it just so happens to have a very iconic symbol on the vest of one of the main characters. But it’s not really a superhero show, because nobody has any superhero powers. It’s not going to be what people expect, and I’m very excited about that.
Poised to take center stage in American Ballet Theatre‘s spring production of Onegin, adapted from Pushkin’s 19th-century novel of the same name, principal dancer Roberto Bolle has enjoyed an amorphous career. Balancing between Italian dance connoisseur, model, and, with his past appointment as Dolce&Gabbana‘s brand representative, men’s fashion icon, the Goodwill Ambassador has cemented his position in the cultural collective. Relive his ESSENTIAL HOMME June/July 2014 looks before he descends upon Lincoln Center for his 10-year anniversary with the company.
Image: A.P. Kim.
Image: A.P. Kim.
Image: A.P. Kim.
Image: A.P. Kim.
Clothing available at select Dolce&Gabbana boutiques worldwide, 877-70-DGUSA, and DolceGabbana.it.
Styled by Terry Lu
Grooming by Elizabeth Morache at Workgroup Ltd. using Oribe
Photo Assistant: Sam Cornwall
Fashion Assistant: Ellie Rogers
Special thanks to The New York Palace.
This week’s complete social snapshot, distilled for your pleasure.
From the hottest celebrity parties to the regretful morning-after shots, ESSENTIAL HOMME‘s Weekly Instagram Roundup brings all of the hottest designer, model, and trendsetting pics from the week directly to you. After all, no one has time to scroll through anything but the best.
Lanvin
French fashion house Lanvin released a first look at its latest line of sneakers and loafers—the apple of designer Lucas Ossendrijver’s urban-meets-vintage eye. With mismatched laces and the brand’s penchant for patterns—stretching as far as last year’s graphic-heavy Mr. Porter collab—the kicks are a peppier version of Lanvin’s Autumn/Winter 2016 aesthetic, both sharing in a muted palette with a rugged finish.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Though the dust from Salvatore Ferragamo‘s upper level shakeup may have settled, the brand has anything but. Highlighting its popular Uomo fragrance in an event at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, a Hollywood A-List crowd turned out in droves to support the scent’s latest ambassador, actor Ben Barnes, including actress Susan Sarandon, model Mitchell Slaggert, and more.
AMI
Alexandre Mattiussi’s AMI walked Paris’ Autumn/Winter 2017 Fashion Week with a line of, coincidentally, spring-inspired wardrobing. Getting a first glimpse at the pieces fully realized, the French label shared a behind-the-scenes snapshot of the upcoming campaign, backing the looks with the same purple palette featured on the clothes themselves. Simple and fun, it was only a matter of time before the Andam Fashion Award-winner distanced himself from the neutral-toned collections of seasons past.
Kim Jones
It’s no secret that everyone needs a break now and then, and Louis Vuitton Menswear Artistic Director Kim Jones is far from the exception. Skipping out of town just as the excitement around the brand’s recent Jeff Koons collab reached maximum levels, the designer took to the waters of the Amangalla Hotel in Sri Lanka to share a poolside pic of his Louis Vuitton slides. Glowing in the glossy Indian Ocean sun, the currently un-released pair features a similar silhouette to the brand’s ever-popular Waterfront iteration.
Omega
Omega‘s celebration of its Speedmaster design’s 60th anniversary saw a star-studded guest list, including actor George Clooney and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, overtook the Tate Modern in London for a night of gravity-defying fun. Serving as a platform to announce the watchmaker’s latest iteration, Moonphase, the out-of-this-world event featured “Active Cell Regeneration Fuel” cocktails, a high-flying acrobatic performance, and a barrage of roaming astronauts for a truly “Lost in Space” extravaganza.
Miuccia Prada’s current image for her namesake fashion house’s men’s line is one of sleek accessorizing and resort-inspired wear. Aiming to recenter and revamp focus on its more luxe offerings, Prada announces “Made to Measure,” taking its top-tier product line to the next level of service. Available in stores worldwide, the offering allows customers to choose from hundreds of fabrics to fit suits, coats, and shirts to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect a more personal nature. Its key is vertical integration, a several-step process ensuring that each stage of creation is met with quality and care, consistently updating itself with the best tailoring practices. For those seeking a more intimate moment within the Prada brand, VIP rooms are available, a heightened experience that allows the individual its own onsite team—taking measurements and crafting designs for an unrivaled personalized style. With the devil-in-the-details—Prada also offers monogramming and varying seasonal patterns—the service is a much needed step into the individualized, client-focused marketplace where the customer remains king.
Image: Prada.
Image: Prada.
Image: Prada.
The Prada “Made to Measure” service is available in stores now.
Equal parts fashion, art, and lifestyle, Acne Studios‘ multi-disciplinary agenda subverts the norm by branching out beyond the scope of its intentions—ready-to-wear, yes, but also furniture, books, museums, and print publications. For Spring/Summer 2017, in particular, this thematic element rings true as the Stockholm label releases its latest line of eyewear. Featuring three new styles—Valeska, Scientist, and Hole—the spectacles pull inspiration from every corner of the brand, each bearing a distinct personality that projects onto, rather than supplements, its wearer. Debuting in a range of sunburnt, Southwestern colors, the shades are a striking addition to Acne Studio’s wide-ranging eyewear lineup.
Image: Acne Studios.
Image: Acne Studios.
Image: Acne Studios.
Image: Acne Studios.
Acne Studios’ Spring/Summer 2017 eyewear collection is available online now.
Few styles have such universal appeal as the iconic Baracuta Harrington jacket, worn by icons such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra and popular among British punks and Ivy Leaguers alike. Paying tribute to these eclectic subcultures and the piece’s unique history, Baracuta teams up with Barneys New York to release a limited edition G9 Harrington jacket, dubbed XO. Replacing the traditional Fraser lining with leopard print and woven vintage, the jacket is a throwback to British counterculture from the ‘60s and ‘70s, times when people reclaimed style as their own. Windproof, water resistant, and available in two select styles, XO features a double zipper, ribbed cuffed hems, and a classic fastening collar. With a lightweight, oversized fit, the jacket is easy to pair and promises a foolproof style that will last through generations.
Image: Baracuta x Barneys New York.
The Baracuta x Barneys XO will be available in select stores and online beginning May 1, 2017.
As true believers of the work hard, play hard mantra, we present you with It’s Been a Long Week, a weekly column aimed at awarding some liquid appreciation to you for just being yourself, dammit. Make a glass or two on us, you deserve it.
WHAT
Tutto il Giorno’s The Aviation
Tutto il Giorno’s The Aviation lives up to its namesake eatery’s mission—bringing Italian excellence to the masses. Inspired by Gabby Karan’s piloting husband, Gianpaolo de Felice, the refreshing cocktail speaks volumes to the NYC hotspot’s always fresh, familiar heritage beat.
HOW
Ingredients:
2 parts Gin
1 part Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
1 part Fresh lemon juice
Dash Crème de violette
Image: ESSENTIAL HOMME, Luxardo, Giffard, and Beefeater London.
THEN
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass over a brandied cherry for garnish.
As the men’s grooming industry continues to rocket toward sonic boom proportions—the sector grew over 300% in 2016 with $21 billion in overall sales—the heavy market saturation of creams, gels, and pastes makes competition fierce. Aiming to stay at the forefront, Baxter of California, a catalyst for the industry’s current swollen state with its Super Shape skin conditioner in 1965, gives its Invigorating Body Wash line a well-deserved facelift. Beyond the obvious visual updates—the bottle ditches pastel turquoise in favor of the brand’s high-voltage blue—the formula within has been reworked to provide an easier lather with a quicker rinse time. Those with picky pores will be happy to know the scrub is both sulfate and paraben free, leaving skin smooth and hydrated as the sweltering months begin to roll out. The scent, a tingling mixture that lasts, fuses bergamot with pear to take a summer Italian-orange sweetness and serrate its edge with a cutting bite of cedar wood. Through a subtle touch of aloe vera, a champion of the burn-prone season, the total effect is one of cooling calm, a relaxing update that hits all the right olfactive notes.
Baxter of California’s Reinvigorating Body Wash is available online now.
Kanye West’s YEEZY line accomplished a near impossible feat within today’s exclusionary fashion climate—turning from fashion rebel to must-have collaborator. adidas, true to its market, got in on the ground running, partnering with the “Saint Pablo” artist on a number of ready-to-wear and footwear pieces throughout five seasons that feature West’s signature neutral-toned silhouettes. Expanding the lucrative partnership further, the powerhouse pair are poised to release YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 Cream White, a kid-in-a-candy-store iteration for diehard sneakerheads and casual fans alike. Though the shoe has previously released in darker colorways, such as the popular pirate black and steel gray, this angelic twist allows for a more dynamic wardrobe alongside the recent Yeezy season five lookbook—utilize the shoe’s bright purity to balance out an ensemble’s heavier shades of the season. With the instantly recognizable semi-translucent rubber outsole and adidas’ Primeknit material constructing the shoe’s upper, the piece distinguishes itself with a dynamic center stitching and a shock-resistant sole. In true limited release style, the pieces are poised to fly, the collab releasing in a first-come-first-served basis with a rapidly swelling wait list—grab them before they’re gone.
Image: adidas x Kanye West.
The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 Cream White is available on a wait list in select adidas stores and on the adidas Confirmed App now.
Drawing inspiration from ‘90s streetwear, modern architecture, and the latest sports technology that doesn’t sacrifice style, Lacoste releases its Spring/Summer 2017 Tennis Sports Collection. Fresh off its latest Yazbukey collaboration that invigorated classic apparel, the latest line features traditional piqué polo shirts with dramatic color accents—bright coral, turquoise, purple, and orange—splashed across the chest and jacquard collar. The geometric print alludes to the layout of tennis courts, though it doesn’t forget Lacoste’s heritage clean-lined, slim-fit aesthetic, honoring its history with the iconic crocodile on the breast pocket and shorts cuff. For the rainier games, the water-resistant taffeta jacket features in fluorescent yellow and white and navy, and a gray sweatshirt boasts a chic tennis player print, a vision of the Lacoste man. Finishing the collection are the LT Spirit and LT Spirit Elite footwear styles, available in versatile black, gray, or navy. With a heel comfort clip and dual-density outsole, the shoes combine on-court precision with off-court style. Executed with variety and functionality in mind, Lacoste continues to push sports innovation.
The Lacoste Spring/Summer 2017 Sports Collection is available online now.
With a slight Texan charm imbued within each thread, brothers and Devereux founders Robert and Will Brunner usher in the brand’s first foray into performance-wear with the Gravity Pant. Following the label’s focus on “proper threads,” a tagline meant to symbolize the company’s commitment to quality materials, the pant utilizes textile tech to ensure men are covered no matter the activity. The hybrid stretch woven fabrics, allowing ample adaptability, release constricting cuts for a gentle stretch that frees and breathes, and, should the spontaneous schooner trip arise, the quick dry properties protect from unwarranted moisture. With zippered-cuffs to break the traditional definition of a jogger, the look is elevated through its slim-fit, short-cropped demeanor. Distinguishing itself as a cross between nighttime cocktail must and golf course-chic, the Gravity Pant bridges a smart/sporty divide and offers up the gentlemen’s answer to hybrid athleisure.
