SECOND BOW TIE SIGHTING IN AS MANY DAYS!

I'm at the bank, and in front of me is a jackpot of looks all on one guy. The well cut oxford shirt, short pants, suspenders hanging (it worked, the guy must have been 21), the Converse shoe. But the killer was when he turned around, he was wearing a bow tie, undone - sitting just so...

My first thought was 'This dude works at Deisel' but where ever he works, there's something going on when I see 2 bow ties in late July at Union Square.

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER

...like a black bathing suit. Does it?

AMID THE SEA OF TITS, TATS & FLIP FLOPS

...walked something truly radical in Union Square Park. A guy in a bow tie, white shirt with jeans and oxfords. He was asian, which of course made the outfit all the more interesting. But that's what it's come to people. The head turner is the guy in the bow tie.

(Please remember to click on the picture to see it 'right sized')

THIS IS WALTER, BACK FROM TOKYO

...When I was a kid people came back from Japan with jade bonsai trees and geisha dolls. Now they bring anime t shirts (from UT, the Uniqlo T-shirt store) and gladiator sandals (from the store 'Hare').

Walter is very cool and kind enough to pose and chat.

OH. DID I MENTION I HAVE THE SAME JACKET

...in a very heavy denim construction Italian linen. It's the same 4 pocket jacket mentioned in the previous post. I have the samples from a line I designed which will not see the light of day, or the light of a retail store. But I'll spare you the details of that...

Anyway, the jacket is genius, if I do say so myself.

'SHOUT OUT' TO ILLUSTRATORS OF BYGONE DAYS

...I can't do this blog about illustration and menswear w/o recognizing some great illustrators of the 20th century. 

This cover was by an artist named Pierre Simon. I know nothing about this guy, but I love his work. Such a confident, bold line (I mean, look at her. Totally Juliette Greco-ed out). The magazine was called 'ADAM' - out of Paris. This issue is June/July 1951. I have about 10 issues - used to buy them from a guy in the Marais until even he couldn't find any more issues. 

In the issue you can see Americanism creeping into the lives of the French - Coke, TV, jazz. But there are pages of men hunting in suits (pheasant season is approaching!) that might as well have been from 500 years ago.

IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO SHIFT THE BALANCE

...in menswear. I was walking down the street wondering what I would post next, when I looked up and saw this guy. White T shirt but the neck was a lot more open, lower and wider. Not girly. He wore big Ray-bans, black jeans and was walking a black bike. I love watching an icon like a white T shirt evolve and shape-shift with the times.

Streets of NYC never fail!

I DREW WHAT INSPIRED ME TODAY: ME!

...New York in late July and August is not at its most seductive. In reality, it stinks. Add to that the fact that I spent the day in mid-town -  it was not very inspiring.

So I figured I would sketch me in my favorite poplin safari-ish jacket I designed for a company I've been consulting for. White Italian stretch poplin + real sleeve button holes + great shape = summer relief.

SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LOST GERMAN TOURIST

...to realize how great plaid cowboy shirts really are.

JULY 20 = AUGUST IN NYC

...heads are shaved. Jeans are cut. Cuffed. Socks are an unnecessary layer.

KATE MOSS ON THE COVER OF AUGUST VOGUE

...and it's about time. This blog is for menswear. It's the area of design that I love, and feel not enough attention is given to it. But when it comes to Kate Moss, all rules go out the window. She's on the cover of the new US Vogue with a story as well.

There's also a much deserved story on a friend who has just as much style - Elissa Santisi. She's a Contributing Editor who I've know for many years, and who's never missed a beat look wise. Her quote about age 'I'm younger than I thought I'd be at this age' hits the nail on the head!

(Anyone know what the deal is with drawing from photographs? Am I pushing my luck here?)

'i live by the sea.' WTF??!!

I stumbled onto this site this evening. 'John Laurence. i am an Englishman. i live by the sea.'

The guy is a designer, or takes vintage pieces and reworks them. Either way, for my taste you can put almost anything on a vintage dress form and it will look good - but these pieces are so beautiful.

And the fact that he reveals so little about himself or the clothes - unlike the rest of us as we travel on this internet highway -  just makes it that much more interesting...

TODAY SUCKED...

Not totally. I had lunch with my friend Rebekah, who is inspiring, smart and funny - so that was great. And the end of the day was spent reading Tolstoy 'aloud' with a friend at the Charles St. pier (that was not my idea - I can't take credit for something that literate. James told me to bring something to read and I thought 'Vogue')

It was the time in between that I found my energy being sucked out of me. And why? Because I went to the Columbus Circle whatever it is and by the time I got past the Bebe shop I knew I had to get home fast.

On a more optomistic note, there were some nice things at J. Crew (the top of the 'C' reminds me of a fish hook). Very early Perry Ellis dots and navy or black on creme combos. I really liked the cardigan I sketched here.

Jesus. What's August gonna be like...

FOUND THIS STORE IN BROOKLYN

called ALTER www.alterbrooklyn.com. They had these great shoes - kind of a version of the Prada dress shoes on rubber sole. But these had a vibe all their own. And the store is great. The nicest person working there (I keep finding this in Brooklyn - nice people). And a very good mix of merch.

The store is doing so well they are expanding to a second space across the street. How great is that - someone doing well and expanding.

YOU KNOW IT'S MIDSUMMER IN NYC

when almost every color is either a shade of blue or white...

YOU KNOW IT'S MIDSUMMER IN NYC

when the idea of 'dressed up' is a pale orangecicle colored shirt with striped navy/white pants...

YOU KNOW IT'S MIDSUMMER IN NYC

when the guys wear white tank tops with their Hermes belts and jeans...

WE'LL SAY 'BYE' TO LUDLOW ST. NOW

and go back to Paris & Milan. Here's some of what I liked from the collections. 

1. Hermes

2. Paul Smith

3. Bottega Veneta

4. Dolce & Gabanna

MORE 'DEAD BETTIES'

this is the last sketch from last night that I post. I promise. It was just so much fun to listen to/watch/draw. 

THIS GUY WAS @ THE CAKE STORE TOO

White jeans. Grey T shirt. Buzzed haircut.