Mint Condition

As spring is upon us it has become increasingly apparent to me that my wardrobe is simply not prepared.  Every once in awhile I reach a point where I don't like any of my clothing and crave something new.  And by "something" I actually mean "a great deal of things".  So, I have spent the last couple of weeks focusing on searching out a few great new pieces in preparation for warmer weather.  This has lead to a hiatus in outfit posts, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the upcoming results.  Everyone deserves to treat themselves with something new every now and again!  Whether or not this is really true, or just what people with shopping addictions say to make it all better, remains to be seen.

I can't properly describe in words my current obsession with the color mint green.  Even though coral is dominating stores as the most popular fashion color this spring/summer, I assure you that light powdered green is coming next.  If you're a Zara shopper, you already know what I'm talking about.  The floor is filled with it, and customers can't seem to get enough.  If you haven't already, it's time to go green.  But don't feel limited to this color only.  Light pastel tones, or "powdered brights", are ready to take front a center stage when everyone is tired of bright primary colors.  I've already started stocking up because let's face it: bright orange, kelly green, and canary yellow just aren't my colors.  As a designer, and as a fashionable person alike, I'm screaming for pastels.  I found this spearmint t-shirt at Urban Outfitters, practically sold out, and it is exactly what I needed to start preparing for the summer.  I have a serious Mint Condition, and I'm ready for some therapy.  Retail therapy, that is!

Marc by Marc Jacobs blazer, H&M vest, Urban Outfitters BDG spearmint heather t-shirt, Levi's skinny jeans, Converse all black All-Stars, Urban Outfitters trilby hat, Ray-Ban white wayfarers, Michael Kors runway watch, ASOS black carry-all bag

This is what I look like all of the time.  Sorry 'bout it. Tweet me at @ChChChCheckIt!

Special thanks to my beautiful friend Dawn for taking these photos before a boozy brunch session.  She's a talented illustrator, and I'll be posting her work for you all see some day soon.  I know you'll be as impressed as I am.

Plaiditude

Recently I spent a fun afternoon feeling out of place on fifth avenue with my dear friend Jill.  Nothing will make you feel inadequate quite like window shopping at Bergdorf Goodman, where even an iced coffee seems out of your price range.  As a volume fashion designer being around unattainable luxury is par for the course and something that I've actually grown very accustomed to.  But as a cheerfully self indulgent only child, the concept of "you can't actually have this even though you want it more then anyone else, allegedly" leaves me feeling rather bummed out.  To celebrate my lack of personal shopping budget this month* I decided to outfit myself in dreary shades of grey, as if mourning my inability to add primary color to my wardrobe.  Eventually I will hit the stores to fill the void in my life of this season's hottest trend of colored denim and solid brights, however on this particular shopping excursion I took nothing but photographs and left nothing but fingerprints (on the windows of Bergdorf's).

* I actually shouldn't complain about this because the recent loss of petty cash is a direct result of purchasing Madonna tickets, which has been a life long dream of mine. The silver lining in this case is chest popping to a semi-live rendition of Vogue at Yankee Stadium with some of my best friends.  Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Club Monaco plaid blazer, H&M black vest, Marc by Marc Jacobs waffle knit henley, Calvin Klein Jeans grey straight leg jeans, Alexis Bittar talon necklace, H&M classic slouchy hat, Ted Baker shoes

Salvage

Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket, Gap sweater, Alfani collared shirt, Levi's jeans, Oscar de la Renta vintage necktie, H&M slouchy hat, Calvin Klein shoes, Michael Kors Hamilton tote

Inspiration:

James Plumb refurbished suitcase chest of drawers

Chasing Fall

Happy Fashion Week!  New York has been bustling this week as the top american designers show their Fall 2012 collections.  While this week means fashion shows, industry parties, and stunning ensembles for buyers, press, and public relations, it means quite the opposite for me.  It means that I'm totally exhausted!  Fall 2012 is always the most challenging season because it coincides with Chinese New Year and is difficult to get samples made on schedule from overseas factories that lose focus months in advance of the holiday and then close up shop for close to two weeks causing endless delays.  While chasing outstanding Fall samples like a bounty hunter and trying to put together outfits with what I have so far to show for Market Week, I'm also designing Holiday/Resort season now, and finishing up Summer production fittings. While other people are prancing around Lincoln Center in Derek Lam, I am at the other end of town wrangling my line together like Derek Had-A-Little Lam.  Therefore this fashion week I'm keeping things cosy and comfortable, focusing on showing color in my outfits instead of tailoring.  And I'm skipping the industry parties to snuggle up in bed and get some much needed rest and relaxation.  I hope that everyone has a great week, and keep up the good work!

Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket & t-shirt, J.Crew Sweater,  Levi's jeans, Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply chambray scarf, Clark's chukka boots, H&M slouchy hat, Topman colored socks

Unbe-weave-able

I love Brooklyn.  I lived in Clinton Hill for my first eight years in New York City.  Although I live in Manhattan now, Brooklyn molded me into the person that I am today and I will always consider myself a Brooklyn guy to my core.  Whenever I get a chance to go back and hang out there I jump at the opportunity.  I love the culture and style of Brooklyn, and the food and nightlife is unparalleled.

Recently I've been seeing backpacks everywhere and slowly but surely decided that I had to have one.  I'd say that they are the must have accessory this year especially for men.  I've been shopping around for the best one for months, and I was surprised at the option that I finally settled on.  It is actually a design for junior girls, but who's really counting?  I found it at JC Penney by Olsenboye.  JC Penney has been in the news early this year for introducing a brand new pricing structure, and then more recently has been caught up in a controversy after hiring Ellen Degeneres as a spokesmodel.  As a strong believer of equal rights, I made it my mission to support JC Penney in their decision to stand behind Degeneres.  Although truthfully that was only slightly what tipped the scale for me.  I actually love this bag!!  It's a great design.  I love the faux leather colorblocking combination, and the trim on the straps makes it feel really cool and special.  And at only $35 it wasn't hard on my budget in the slightest.  I compared this bag to all other similar options that I found, and it won over the others hands down.  I'm actually really excited about this purchase.  Also, I'm kind of a major Olsen Twins fan, so that certainly didn't hurt either.

photos courtesy of my good friend and current Brooklynite Diane

Marc by Marc Jacobs trench coat and printed shirt, H&M henley and slouchy hat, Levi's skinny jeans, Repeat Cashmere infinity scarf, Frye motorcycle boots, Urban Outfitters reader glasses, Olsenboye backpack

Nevermind

What's that smell?  ...Is it? ...Could it be?  ...Why yes, I know!  It smells like TEEN SPIRIT.  As a youngster, at around the same the time when I started paying closer attention to clothing in a serious way, it happened to also be when 1990's grunge hit the scene hard.  Albeit I lived in a clueless small town deep in the fly-over states where a university sports sweatshirt was the preferred apparel item worn one size too large not ironically, this grunge movement still made quite an impression on me.  Grunge style clothing was a cool and attainable way to look like the people I saw on MTV, and synced perfectly with the teenage angst I felt the need to express through my wardrobe at the time.  Kurt Cobain was and always has been a fashion icon of mine.  Then recently grunge started making its way back into mainstream fashion, and I was at the front of that line with arms full of waffle knit and plaid flannel.

J. Crew sweat shirt & t-shirt, Gap plaid shirt, Topman chambray joggers, H&M slouchy hat, Jack Purcell shoes from J. Crew sample sale, Michael Kors watch, Marc Jacobs bracelts

This oversized runway watch from Michael Kors is my absolute favorite.  I wear it everyday, and it's a staple part of my look.  You can see it in closer detail at the online store that  I curate at StyleOwner.  Check it out!

Inspiration: