Interview | Asher Weinberger Founder and CEO of Twillory

Do you own non-iron shirts? Do you know how they're made? I had Asher Weinberger, Twillory Founder and CEO answer a few questions about non-iron shirts, the chemicals that go in to them and what makes Twillory shirts special.

How long has Twillory been in the shirt making business?

We like to say that we are a startup from the 1800’s. Our family heritage in the shirt making business goes back well over one hundred in years and across multiple continents and countries. On the other hand, with Twillory we have tried to re-tailor our tradition for the modern man.

What makes your shirts special?

What makes our shirts special is that they have been designed sensibly. Producing millions of shirts annually for brands everywhere has given us deep insight into exactly what guys actually want to wear and how they want it to fit. For example; there is a misconception that the way to make a shirt “slim fit” is simply to remove extra fabric. That’s how you would produce a “tight shirt”, not a “slim fit." Knowing how to properly angle an armhole so that the shirt drapes the body with a more slimming effect is the kind of sense that isn’t so common.

 How has Twillory solved the non-iron shirt problem?

This one is pretty straightforward. All non-iron shirts contain Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Why don’t consumers know about this? There has been no effective alternative and considering that non-iron makes up the vast majority of shirt sales by major brands, it wasn’t a secret anyone wanted to share. We made it our mission to not only educate guys about what goes into their shirts but also to engineer the first and only solution to the problem; SafeCotton.

What's next for Twillory?

We are pretty excited about continuing to build upon the SafeCotton disruption. We have a few new exciting products in the pipeline we'll be launching soon ;)


Here's a couple of articles about the non-iron shirt industry:
GQ-  Non-Iron Dress Shirts Are the Worst
WSJ- The War Over Non-Iron Shirts

Interview | International Model Ryan Taylor

I met up with Ryan Taylor ( VNY ) at the Nomad Hotel lobby in NYC to catch up and see what he's been up to. It's common place to read about models who are musicians or skaters but there are a few out there that are taking matters in to their owns hands with an entrepreneurial spirit. Find out about Ryan and all the adventures his embarking on when he's not in front of the camera in this exclusive interview for Adentro Style.

Photo by Alejandro Brito

Where are you from?
Toronto, Canada

Relationship status-
Currently single, recently currently single

Any plans for the summer?
That's a tricky one. I'm actually going to go with some friends and family from Canada out west to Vancouver Island and we're going to do a 2.5 week hiking trip in the middle of nowhere. Kind of like the west coast version of the Appalachian trail. It's supposed to be very beautiful. I've never been to British Columbia before except for the Rookies which is completely different from what you get in the coast. It will be nice to see it.

How long have you been modeling?
10 years, I started when I was 15 years old. I haven't been modeling the whole 10 years. I took off 4 years and went to college and did some other stuff here and there  Closer to 5 years doing it full time.

Louis Vuitton SS12

What is one of your most memorable photo shoots or projects that you've done as a model?
The one that always sticks out in my mind was an editorial, I want to say it was for Details Magazine. This was a long time ago, about 2007. We were shooting in Tenerife an island off the coast of Africa and we were shooting in a crater of a volcano. It looked like mars, everything was red it was one of the most striking landscapes I've ever seen. The team was amazing and we had a lot of fun. I had never been anywhere close to Africa before at that point in my life- it was a wonderful experience.

United Colors of Benetton FW 2009

What do you do when you are not modeling?

When I’m not modeling, the rest of my time is taken up working on a tech startup, (Bookt) that my partners and I  launched a few months ago. It's basically a communications tool for models and agents. The software focuses on making the casting process easy for models. It automatically puts their castings, jobs, and call-backs into an simple and easy smartphone app. Bookt also calculates casting wait times, provides models with Google powered directions, and helps models keep track of their income with a “quick” bookkeeping feature. This solves many problems agents have had for years. In addition, Bookt provides agents with notifications when models have arrived at their castings, increasing accountability. Agents commonly claim that 20% to 30% of their models don’t go to castings. That's a lot of lost potential income. I'm really excited to work on this project and we have a lot of really valuable features coming in the future. 

How long have you been working on this project?
I've been doing this now, full time for 6 months. The project has been going on for about 13 months. Right now it's available for download and it's free! We're already with a couple of big agencies and close to 1K users. we are currently exclusively in NYC but we plan on branching out.

Bottega Veneta SS13

Where else do you see this App taking you guys?
I see it branching out in so many directions because it's applicable in so many different industries.

Is there anything else that we should know about you?
I love adventure, traveling and back packing, new experiences. I'm the kind of person that would rather climb a mountain for 7 days then go to any club in NYC- that's my cup of tea. Jumping out of a plane, doing whitewater rafting, I feel alive when I'm doing that kind of stuff.

WOOLRICH Turns 185!

There aren't a lot of companies that can say they're celebrating their 185th anniversary- congrats Woolrich John Rich & Bros.! As part of their celebration an intimate fête was held at the Soho, NYC location. To make the festivities extra special Fashion Illustrator Blair Breitenstein aka @Blairz showed drawings inspired by the Fall 2015 collection. Josh Rich 8th generation descendent of John Rich who founded the Woolrich Company took a moment to answer a couple of questions about the 185th anniversary collection.

Rocco Scazzariello, Blair Breitenstein and Josh Rich

-What elements from the archives were used in the FW15 collection as part of the 185th anniversary?

The Hunting Coat and Hunting Vest in Traditional Woolrich Hunting Check which is part of the Pennsylvania Tuxedo. Also different blanket patterns that were used as lining in the Arctic Parka.

The Greenlander Stripes (pop color stripes on cream color Wool) which were mainly used in the 70’s for Coats and Blankets. Also, different blanket patterns from the Civil War series in Wool Coats and linings.

-What piece from the collection would you say everyman should own?

Definitely the Arctic Parka which is an absolute timeless piece that can be worn for every occasion and with every kind of outfit.

-Which are your favorite pieces?

Different interpretations of the classic Arctic Parka in Stretch Cordura and Gore Tex and there are also very soft and luxurious Cashmere sweaters.

--As a bonus I also asked Blair Breitenstein a few questions about her great illustrations too!

-You typically focus on womenswear illustrations, how was it for you to interpret the Woolrich woman and man?

The Woolrich man was easy to interpret for me because the Arctic Parka is essentially the same on a man or a woman! I simply sharpened the edges on the men's faces and shoulders to enhance the masculinity of the sketches... To create a contrast to my round slim female figures. I exaggerated square shoulders and jawlines on the men wearing the Pennsylvania tuxedos as well.... Just because I like to exaggerate! 

-Will you be doing more menswear illustrations in the near future?

I still prefer drawing women's clothing to men's clothing...I just find them more interesting in the way of shape/ volume and color. 

-What's your favorite piece from the FW15 collection?

I loved the Woolrich Mink, black and red polka dot cape! 

A Male Model's Fall Must-Have

Take cues from these male models from Soul Artist Management as they tell us in these interviews their must-haves this fall. Guys, these are some great options you should add to your wish list- stat.

Topcoat- Bespoken | Shirt- Belstaff | Jeans- Levi's | Watch- Skagen | Bracelets- Scocha

Dan Murphy

Hometown: Sarasota, Florida

Instagram/Twitter: @DanMurphyModel

What is your must-have item this fall? Why?

My style is very simple but I love to add a bit of sophistication to it, so my must-have item for fall is a topcoat. I like to wear tailored coats in darker muted colors like olive and burgundy because it's a subtle way to add luxury to a basic look.

What do you do when you're not modeling?

I model full time, so most of my days are spent either in the studio or on the road for work. On an off day I try to spend it with friends or family. Food is another passion of mine, so I love exploring new restaurants as I travel around the world. When I'm home in NYC, I  like to spend an evening with friends and taking cooking classes.

Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?

I have a house in Florida near my parents and grandparents that I enjoy spending time at over the holidays. Since I travel most of the year, it's important to me to take some time off and spend it with loved ones. While I'm in Florida I make sure to watch the sunrise on the beach with my morning coffee. It's a great break from NY snow!

Parka- Alpha | Shawl Collar Cardigan- Turnbull & Asser | V-Neck- Parke & Ronen | Beanie- Adeen

Austin Scoggin

Hometown: Sherwood, Oregon

Instagram/Twitter: @AustinJScoggin 

What is your must-have item for this fall? Why?

My must have item for fall, is beanies. Beanies are great for fall because they add some style to every outfit and they keep me warm.

What do you do when you're not modeling?

When I'm not modeling I'm either cooking, at the gym, watching Netflix/YouTube, or out with friends.

Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?

My favorite place to spend the holidays is wherever my family is.

Jacket- Calvin Klein | Hoodie- Parke & Ronen | Shirt- Burton

Mitch Baker

Hometown: Edmonton Alberta Canada

Instagram: Mr_MitchBaker

What is your must-have item for this fall?

My leather jacket.

What do you do when you're not modeling?

I love nature so I jump at any opportunity to go to the mountains or get out on the water. I also spend a lot of time reading. I'm fascinated by the way people think and interact so I am usually reading something that has to do with how the human mind works. Staying fit is another thing I spend a lot of time doing when I'm not modeling. I do hot yoga once a week in addition to my usual gym sessions. I also love to dance, I may not be any good at it but I still have fun doing it.

Where is your favorite place to spend the holidays?

Surrounded by my family and friends. But one year I would love to spend the holidays on a surf and yoga retreat in Bali or Costa Rica.

Photography: Ty Mecham
stylist: Alejandro Lopez
Grooming: Sarah Salice

Meet Model Emilio Flores from Spain

ph: Greg Vaughan

Spanish model, Emilio Flores with Soul Artist Management in NYC took a few minutes to answer some questions. To switch things up we'll start with the interview in spanish as that's how the interview was originally done and then the translation in english. Make sure to follow Emilio on all his adventures in NYC and abroad on Twitter and Instagram.

-Como empezaste trabajando como modelo?

Mi familia y un amigo me presionaron a intentarlo ya que si fuera por mi nunca habría dado ese paso, no me veía capaz de ganarme la vida con mi físico.

-Cuanto tiempo has estado modelando? 

3 años; empece en el verano de 2011

-Cual es tu experiencia favorita hasta el momento como modelo? 

La vivo cada día, es difícil decirse, por que cada día es inolvidable, es como crear una historia día a día, paso a paso. Pero hay una que aun me llena de felicidad fue cuando vi emocionarse a mi booker Reinaldo (Traffic Madrid) el día que me conoció.

-Cuales ejercicios y deportes son parte de tu entrenamiento (regime)? Normalmente me levanto bastante temprano para caminar, me encanta caminar sobre todo por Nueva York. Tambien practico Karate, muchos estiramientos y como dice mi madre, "no estar nunca parado excepto cuando duermes"…Hahaha

-Comer saludablemente es una parte importante de tu vida. A donde te gusta comer en NYC?

Me encanta comer, pero para mi la comida es mi medicina y vario mucho de alimentación, pero sinceramente mi sitio favorito en Nueva York es sin duda Whole Foods.

Ph: Edu Garcia

-How did you start modeling?

My family and a friend insisted I try it out if it were for me I would've never thought I would make a living from my looks.

-How long have you been modeling?

3 years. I started the summer of 2011.

-Up until now what has been one of your favorite experiences as a model?

I live it every day. It's hard to say because every day is unforgettable, it's like creating history day after day, step by step. But there is one experience that still fills me with joy, when I saw my booker at Traffic Madrid, Reinaldo, get excited when he first met me.

-What exercises or sports are part of your regimen?

I usually wake up early to walk, I love to walk especially in New York. Also, I practice Karate and lots of stretching and how my mother always says, "never stand still unless you're sleeping"…hahaha.

-Eating healthy is an important part of your life. Where do you like to eat in NYC?

I love to eat but for me food is my medicine and I eat a variety of foods. Honestly, my favorite place in NYC without a doubt is Whole Foods.

ph: Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca

Interview | Meet The Talented Mr. Nieves

I'm pleased to introduce you to Mr. Sam Nieves-Velez and his first menswear line, Mr. Nieves. He brings us modern silhouettes with vibrant patterns and fabrics inspired by his Puerto Rican heritage. Needless to say I am filled with Puerto Rican pride as I write this and especially as I viewed his collection first hand. The collection has everything you need from polos, t-shirts, swim trunks, to slim fit trouser and even Guayaberas. Every piece of his collection has the vibrancy you've come to love about spring and summer.

What motivated you to launch the Mr. Nieves collection?

SAM - The motivation came from the success of my Womens line Nieves Lavi. I then started creating items for myself that I could not find out in the market, and found that guys would stop and ask me where they could find it.  (aha aha moment, finally came to fruition)

How long have you been working in the fashion industry?

SAM - Longer that I will admit.  But, long enough to have a clear understanding of what goes into creating, operating and building a business. I was fortunate enough to have worked for companies that have taught me a great deal.

With limited examples of successful and talented hispanic designers, what would you say to a young hispanic person with a dream to pursue a career in fashion?

SAM - My best advise would be to go out and learn ALL that you can. Be curious about every part of design from the creative to the technical. Fashion goes beyond just a sketch. Launching a new business these days takes more than desire and motivation. It requires experience and knowledge.

Which is your favorite piece from the SS15 collection?

SAM - It’s difficult to single out my one favorite piece in the collection, when you put your heart and soul into it all. But, I would have to say the embroidered shirts, I am very fond of, and have been getting a lot of recognition.  Of course the Guayabera, a staple in every latin mans wardrobe. I liked mixing the prints with the Guayabera elements, it gives a wild modern spin on a classic.

What is one place in Puerto Rico you recommend for everyone to check out and visit?

SAM - This is even more difficult that picking my favorite piece from the collection. I would say it depends on your personality. There is something for everyone on this “Enchanted Island." If you are adventurous, I’d say to go hiking at El Yunque, the only Rainforest in the USA. There are B&B’s nestled in the mountains where you can stay with breath taking views and incredible food. Or a seaplane tour around the island. If your more of the leisurely type, fly or ferry over to Vieques Island. There is a W hotel that that will cater to your every need.  From afternoon sails to midnight kayaking at the bioluminescent bay. And for the true (Christopher Columbus) explorer, just rent a jeep, and navigate the island to discover what every corner has to offer. Don’t bother to pack breakfast, lunch or dinner, there are incredible food vendors on every roadside, just waiting to be discovered and devoured. Buen Provecho.

Que te motivó para empezar la colección de Mr. Nieves?

- Fue por el éxito de mi linea para mujer Nieves Lavi. Comencé creando piezas para mi que no podía encontrar en el mercado, encontré hombres que me detenían para preguntar me donde podían conseguir las. Esas experiencias echaron fruto.

Cuanto tiempo haz estado en el mundo de la moda?
- Mas de lo que querría admitir. Lo suficiente largo para tener un entendimiento claro de lo que se require para crear, operar y construir un negocio. Fui lo suficientemente afortunado por haber trabajado en empresas que me han enseñado mucho. 

Hay un limitado numero de ejemplos de diseñadores latinos exitosos, que dirías a un joven hispano que sueña con tener una carrera en la moda?
- Mi mejor consejo seria de aprender lo mas que puedas. Se curioso acerca de todos los aspectos del diseño desde la parte creativa a lo técnico. La moda va mas allá que un dibujo. Empezando un negocio en estos días toma mas que solo un deseo y motivación- requiere experiencia y conocimiento. 

Cual es tu pieza favorita de tu colección SS15?
- Es difícil escoger una sola cuando pones tu corazón y alma en todo. Tendría que decir que las camisas bordadas. Me encantan y han recibido mucho reconocimiento. Por supuesto la Guayabera, es un clásico en el guardarropa del hombre latino. Me gusta mezclar estampados con los elementos de la Guayabera, le da un toque salvaje y moderno a un clásico. 

Que lugar de Puerto Rico recomiendas ir a ver o visitar?
- Eso es mas difícil que escoger me pieza favorita. Diria que depende de tu personalidad. Hay algo para cada uno en la "Isla del Encanto." Si eres aventurera puedes ir a caminar en el Yunque el unico bosque tropical en los EEUU. Hay hoteles en las montañas donde te puedes quedar con vistas espectaculares y comida increible. O toma una vuelta en avion alrededor de la isla. Si te gusta algo mas relajado te vas en lancha o avion a la isla de Vieques. Hay un  W Hotel que te brindara todo lo que necesites. Desde la tarde en veleros a kayaking a la medianoche en la bahia bioluminiscente. Para el explorador como Cristobal Colon, alquila un Jeep y recorre la isla para descubrir cada rincon que ofrece. No te molestes en empacar para desayunar, almorzar o cenar hay vendederos de comida increible en cada carretera, solo esperando ser descubierto y devorado. Buen Provecho. 

Interview | The Duo Behind Criquet Shirts

The polo is an essential piece in every man's wardrobe which is why you should meet Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown the duo behind Criquet Shirts. They've made the American classic even better. Billy took a moment to answer some questions about Criquet Shirts and who the Criquet man is.

Did you guys work together before Criquet Shirts? How has it been working with your best friend on Criquet Shirts? Hobson and I did not work together before Criquet, but we have always been looking for a way for us to collaborate and capitalize on our skill sets. Hobson's background is in e-commerce and online marketing, while my background was in design, specifically architecture (with a family history in apparel).  We thought that Criquet presented an opportunity for the two of us to work together and grow something special. Of course working with your closest friend is amazing. Not without challenges of course, as working relationships are different than friendships, but we have done a great job of balancing the two.  

Why is Austin your hub as opposed to NYC or LA? I moved to Austin back in 2007, after having lived in California and Oregon for the previous 15 years. Hobson was living in the Bay Area at the time the idea for Criquet was conceived. Having worked remotely for around a year and a half, and approximately 8 months before the official launch of Criquet, Hobson, and his expectant wife, Blake, moved to Austin. The move allowed them to be closer to both of their families, as they raised their son, and also positioned Criquet in one the fastest-growing, coolest cities in the country. Austin is a small city with a global reach.  It's an incredibly supportive town, with a great entrepreneurial spirit and a community of talented, creative thinkers. NYC and LA are obviously the epicenters for fashion and apparel/ fashion brands, but being in Austin allows Criquet to separate itself, as a Texas based lifestyle brand that appeals to a national audience.  

Who is the Criquet man? He is a classically styled, forward-thinking man. He cares how he looks, yet doesn't take fashion, or his style, too seriously.  He loves the game of golf, but understands that its more about the camaraderie than the competition. He appreciates clothing that works as well at the 19th hole as it does on the 18th. He walks 36. He mixes a mean cocktail and knocks back a beer with equal gusto. He takes care of business. He gives a damn.  

You started out doing men's polos and now are doing boy's polos. Do you see yourselves doing women's polos in the near future?  We launched back in November of 2010, with a women's line, The Lady Players Shirt (pics attached).  We loved the shirts, but they did not sell as well as the men's shirts, primarily because Hobson and I are far better at speaking and marketing to men (go figure).  That being said, 25% of our customers are women buying for their men, so we have every intention of bringing the Lady Players Shirt back in the fold.  It's a matter of timing at this point.  

Hopefully they'll bring these polos back.

Make sure to check out Criquet Shirts' website and stay connected +Criquet Shirts on google plus, @CriquetShirts on twitter and on Facebook.

Interview- Peter Manning Five Eight | New York

Time and time again, I've pointed out on Adentro Style great menswear style. One of the things all these looks have in common is a great fit. When presented with the opportunity to interview Peter Manning from Peter Manning Five Eight | New York, I had to take it. He facilitates for men of a smaller stature (5'8'' or shorter) to have access to clothes made especially for them. Peter explained that it's not the same for a guy to buy a pair of khakis or jeans at a another store and hem them a few inches. You see, pants are made in such a way that your knees are supposed be at a certain height and the closure of the pants are also supposed to be a specific measurement. By hemming them you are altering the overall design of the pants and they just wont fit right. At Peter Manning every detail and measurement is taken in to account to make perfect fitting jeans and khakis. As we continued to talk, I asked him about shorter guys wearing stripes, especially striped suits. Peter recommends to stay away from them all together unless it's a very subtle pinstripe. With the wintery season still here he mentioned that his must-have of the season are sweaters. There's seriously nothing like a great fitting sweater especially when you have to layer. You'll find a great selection at the site too! Now, if you are wondering were the Five Eight on the company name came from- it's Peter's height. This clothes line is very personal to him as he knows what it is to have limited selection of clothes available to shorter guys. One of the my favorite tidbits from our conversation is when he explained the nature of the site. The Peter Manning Five Eight | New York website does not sell collections this allows for items to be available in a more organic way and reflective of the needs of the customers. It was a pleasure to speak with Peter and learn about his great company. If you are a gentleman 5'8'' or shorter do you self a favor, don't wait check out the site!

Interview: Pierre Bernheim of 88 Rue De Rhone Watches

Swiss luxury watch makers Pierre and Elie Bernheim launched 88 Rue de Rhone, the world's first accessible Swiss-made watch brand. Together they've created sleek and modern designs keeping true to the Swiss watch making heritage. I've asked Pierre to answer a few questions about the brand and his most memorable gift.

- Why should a man invest on a watch? 

For me a watch is a landmark, a reference. It is also one of the only jewels that a man can wear and it reflects his own image, story, personality.

- What makes 88 Rue du Rhone different from other watch companies out there? 

It’s ours (My brother and I)!

- How would you describe the 88RDR man? 

He is an elegant man, who likes classic things, stylish, but also contemporary. He is ambitious and confident and likes niche brands, he is a trendsetter, a modern entrepreneur and a Swiss watch connoisseur.

- How is it working along side your brother? 

We know each other very well and have a high trust. We know when it’s time to talk or make big decisions, and when we need time. We both work for family, it’s the same fight, and together we have complementary temperaments.

- Aside from a watch, what has been the most memorable gift you've ever received? 

For an object I would say a pilot jacket from my grandfather otherwise it is obviously my daughter!

Stay Connected with 88RDR! Twitter @88RDR Instagram @88RDR and  Facebook

A Moment With International Model Dan Murphy

International model Dan Murphy took a few minutes to chat with me about some of his current projects and his view on social media and the fashion industry. He's worked with companies like Armani, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gilly Hicks and Barbour to name a few. And he is represented by Soul Artist Management (NY), David Todd MM (LA), Elite (Miami) and many other agencies throughout the world. 

Hometown-

I grew up in Hong Kong. For about 6 years that was really my childhood home. My family moved around almost every other year due to my father's job. During the summers we would go back to Sarasota, Florida where my grandparents were. That's where we always had a home base.

How long have you been modeling?

Going on 8 years.

How have you seen social media affect the fashion industry?

Companies in the fashion industry, like all others have seen a decline in advertising dollars as the economy's crisis was in full swing. This left companies looking for new ways to reach their target audience while on their newly reduced budgets. Social media has been one solution. Not only does social media allow you to put out your brand's message, it encourages consumers to engage with the brands and give feed back.

Social media is something that in the last 2 years I've received a lot of encouragement to post more pictures on instagram and post more on twitter. I try to keep FaceBook for friends I went to school with or have met while traveling. However on Instagram, I like to post behind the scenes stuff while on set or some of the locations I've visited. But I also am more personal with the pictures I post, whether it is a motivational quote I'm really feeling or flying an airplane or a cool pair of shoes. As for Twitter, it gets a lot of the pictures I post as well but I like to engage with people on twitter. I had fans write me and say they've found a picture of me in a magazine in Korea or a billboard in Ecuador or even recognize me at an event. It's pretty amazing!

What has been the craziest shoot you've work on?

I literally just got back last week from a four day job in Scotland for Barbour. I've been fortunate to be working with them for a couple of seasons now and every time I'm simply blown away by the people and places they introduce me to. This time we were based out of this old lodge on a river outside of Inverness. The guestbook was filled with celebrities who had come to get away from it all. And I understand why: no cellphone service, no internet service, just the sound of the rushing river and crackle of the fireplace at night. Watching the haze burn off as the sun came up over the hills was truly special.

What do you do when you're not modeling?

I model full time and my agencies around the world keep me pretty busy. However, in my free time I love to cook elaborate meals, work out, and I'm also working on my pilot's license. I try to attend charity events when I'm in NY. Even just spending time with friends at a speakeasy is nice when you travel so much.

How do you stay fit?

From my days as an athlete, I've always loved olympic weightlifting. Free weights, TRX - standard gym stuff is good for aesthetics, but I can find it boring at times. When I found crossfit a year ago, it combined all of the things I loved and needed in a workout program. The biggest thing about staying fit is finding a balance in your life. Dieting and training 365 days a year is intense. You have to enjoy the process of getting and being fit; and sometimes that means indulging on your favorite sweet treat.

You can follow along Dan's adventures on twitter and instagram @DanMurphyModel.

It's Time You Met The Sunflowerman

One can find inspiration anywhere be it a room, a car, or even a piece of machinery. I came across the menswear illustrations by Matthew Miller aka Sunflowerman and immediately became inspired. His style is detailed without being to realistic which lends for a more playful approach to menswear. Matthew was kind enough to answer a few questions including where he finds inspiration and about the name Sunflowerman.

Illustration commissioned by Ovadia & Sons

Where are you from?

I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Living near a great body of water like Lake Michigan will spoil most places. My formidable years were spent in Atlanta, Georgia. I moved there when I was 20 with little money, no friends, no home, no job and loose idea on what I wanted to do. Atlanta taught me who I am. It hardened me to many difficult situations. Atlanta led me to my current work in men's fashion illustration and introduced me to my wife Ruth.

How did the name Sunflowerman come about?

Sunflowerman is a funny name and has had numerous iterations over the years. It really began as a summer camp identity in my early 10′s. Somehow it held on through the years and subtly bonded itself to my reality. I have been pleasantly surprised at the magnificent response people have had to the name and I am proud to carry the name Sunflowerman.

From The Fashion Daily project

How did you get started working on these illustrations?

When I first started illustrating men’s fashion, I knew I needed to understand the form of a jacket and how it fits, so I started to review fashion blogs and men’s style images. I would take card-stock and a wide brush, not thinking about detail but really focusing on form and shape. One day when I was illustrating I ran out of paper. I needed to keep going, so I took some of the pages of an old book I had that was falling apart. Once I completed the illustration, I really loved the way it looked. I’ve been doing these Book-Page fashion illustrations since.

Where did you go to school? Did you study illustration or a similar field?

I have been to several schools actually. In Grand Rapids I did two years at Kendall College of Art and Design and took a class at the Community College. In Atlanta I did a year at the Savannah College of Art and Design, was accepted at Georgia State University and stopped myself just short of signing up for classes. I have always studied in an illustration program. These schools all have a lot to offer and I learned a lot but if I could do it over I would have skipped school all together. My experience with institutionalized arts education has been full of disappointment. I expected to learn how to become an artist but all I seemed to be doing was paying to earn a piece of paper. If I were to encourage a young artist I would let them know the world is full of so many opportunities. Getting a degree in the arts seems to be less and less pertinent. Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars to get a piece of paper that says your an artist go out into the world and travel. Take online courses to learn the things that you love and spend money to learn from artists lectures and demos. Intern with a master artist. Watch tutorials on youtube and practice your craft everyday. 

In addition to menswear where do you find inspiration?

There are so many inspirations. Men's Fashion is a specific outlet and certainly a place for inspiration but honestly inspiration is everywhere. T.V. shows, books, podcasts, paintings, the sky- oh my gosh the sky!! I know I'm not the only one who looks up at the sky and is almost always brought to tears. The sky is inspiration. 

Marcus Troy as seen on the Sunflowerman blog.

Currently, Matthew has a few projects underway like the Fab Collection which is still available at sunflowerman.com but has begun the next book page project called the '100 Watches Project.' The project is 100 paintings of watches in 100 days for $100 each. Currently on Day 35. The other project is the Daily Fashion Project. This is also submission based but has no definite end. Anyone can submit their style at sunflowerman.com and each day he picks one person to illustrate and feature on the Daily Fashion blog. Here is where you hurry and click on the link and check out the site...and get inspired.

You can also find Matthew on Twitter: @SunflowerMatt and Instagram: Sunflowerman

Fashion Muse: Principal Dancer Roberto Bolle

On September 17, international dancer, Roberto Bolle will be in New York for the premiere of "Roberto Bolle and Friends Gala" a showcase for which Bolle is both creative director and star. Sponsored by Acqua Di Parma the evening will be filled with modern and contemporary performances from international dancers. Off stage Bolle has appeared on countless fashion editorials around the world and was the subject for the book An Athlete In Tights by Bruce Weber. Bolle took time out of his busy schedule to meet with me and answer a few questions about his upcoming event and his life off stage.

Fantastic Man Ph: Andreas Larsson

What can we expect to see at the Roberto Bolle And Friends Gala?

It’s going to be of course a gala event so it’ll showcase very high quality dancing. The gala will include principle dancers from different parts of Europe. Many of them I’ve had in my gala in Italy and around Europe. It’s the first time I’ll present my show here in NYC and I’m very excited to do it in this special occasion- The Year of Italian Culture in America. There will be of course some pieces linked to the Italian tradition of the Ballet, great examples of the Grand Italian Ballet, like the most famous in the world, Excelsior. The show will showcase solos and pas de deux that have never been performed here in New York. 

Name some of your travel essentials?

My luggage is full of all I need for ballet, of course. I can't travel with a few things because I always need something to wear for a fashion or gala event or to attend a performance. I have to wear something very fashionable but I actually like to dress very casual and comfortable. I also need things to prepare for my performances- makeup and hair products and small equipment to stretch and warm up. Sometimes I bring bathing suits because I swim at the pool where I stay. Something very important is my Iphone charger and my computer; I’m constantly answering emails and lots of calls.

What do you wear when you're not working?

Sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt, basically what I’m wearing today. It’s the most comfortable outfit. Sometimes I wear a shirt but not really that often. The easiest and most comfortable for me is what I like best when I’m off stage and not working.

What has been one of your most memorable photo shoots?

If you ask me for one...I would say in Miami with Bruce Weber. We’ve done quite a few there and around the world. I have to say, I had a great time and it was quite special to work with him. Bruce and I have built our relationship with time because we’ve done the book and spent about 2 years taking photos around the world. Its been a process and we’ve gotten to know each other quite well so it was a great time to work with him.

I’m quite lucky, in my career I’ve been able to work and be photographed by major photographers. I don’t think many ballet dancers have had this chance. To work with such great photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, and Bruce Weber they are really huge names and also artists. It has been really special to do things like these outside of the world of ballet. 

What are some things someone who's new to the world of ballet should know before viewing the showcase?

A gala performance doesn’t really require any previous knowledge. You can get impressed by the level of the dance and quality of the artist, they are all very different. We all get together and choose different pieces for the program some modern some classical and some more contemporary pieces that represent different styles and different moods. It will be quite easy to understand because of the beauty and the quality. It will be easy to find a piece you like the most and to appreciate what you see.

It’s not like when you go see one evening a full length ballet and you have to prepare yourself knowing the period it was created and the story of the ballet. Sometimes you don’t get the whole idea because you might not know the pantomime. In the gala performance it is much easier you’ll be able to just go and enjoy the show.

Ph: Luciano Romano

For more information on this one night event go here or at the box office at 131 West 55 Street or call City Tix at 212-581-1212.