Swim Trunk Guide: A Short Story

If you're like me you've probably worn board shorts to the beach or pool for years. For your consideration, I present the 4 inch swim trunk. At first I thought short swim trunks would be ideal just for guys who are 5'5 or shorter so they can look taller but that's not so. As a guy of average height (5'10) I tried them out for myself and realize short swim trunks work for guys of all heights. And let's be serious, a lot of guys hike up their board shorts when laying out in the sun. A shorter swim trunk will give you one less thing to worry about while catching some rays.

Here are some short swim trunk option: Parke and Ronen (as seen below), Diesel, Original Penguin,  Emporio Armani,  and Andrew Christian.

Pattern Play- The Parke & Ronen swim trunks have a small pattern. Don't be afraid to partner them with another pattern like seen above.

Shirt- Life After Denim | Swim Trunks- Parke & Ronen | Watch- Skagen | Shoes- Aldo

 

 

Photos by Phillip Van Norstrand

Si eres como yo lo mas probable es que te has puesto bañador bermuda para ir a la playa o piscina toda tu vida. Quisiera que consideres el bañador de 4 pulgadas o bañador bóxer. Antes pensaba que un bañador boxer es ideal para un hombre de baja estatura para verse mas alto, pero no es así. Yo mido 5'10 y los probé por primera vez aquí. Sabes que? No importa la altura de uno, el bañador bóxer es para todos. Ademas, el bañador bóxer permitirá que haya mas de ti expuesto al sol. La decisión es tuya.

Woodies: Made For You

I've talked about different custom made clothes before on the blog and one of the things they all had in common was that you needed to have someone take your measurements or for you to measure yourself. Woodies has found a way to bypass that by having you enter the most basic information like your weight and height. If you know your neck size and sleeve length awesome, fill it in too. If you don't, no worries, Woodies will take care of the rest. Pick the fabric, favorite collar, cuff style and more. Now that the temperature is getting warmer and you'll be wearing less layers you will want to make sure your shirt fits right. Don't just take my word for it- check out the site!

Shirt- Woodies | Tie- Ties.com | Jeans- Wrangler Red Jeans | Sunglasses- TOMS

New York Men's Day: Round Up

One of the highlights of New York Fashion Week is the New York Men's Day. This year there were 12 emerging designers who presented their Fall/Winter 2015. It's a feast for the eyes and there is so much energy as all the editors and stylists are running from one presentation to the next in one building and across the street. Here are a few of my favorites from NYMD.

First off is Mexican designer GARCIAVELEZ, this is my first time viewing his collection and I immediately loved it. The color palette of black, grey, and navy were right up my alley. The collection has a strong architectural influence and he juxtaposes different fabrics and textures.

Next is CADET, their F/W 2015 collection was inspired by wartime in the 1940's. You'll find single and double breasted suit, jackets and trousers. Their collection is all about form and function.

Last but not least is LUCIO CASTRO, the collection took cues from the made-for-tv movie "Ubu Roi" by Jean-Christophe Averty in 1965 (It's ok, I've never heard of it either) it's based on the play by Alfred Jarry. "We were taken by it tension between serious and playful, innovative and primitive. And also a sense of alluring repetition that is so relevant right now through the extensive use of gifs and memes."

Photos by: Phillip Van Norstrand

Very different concepts and source of inspiration but that's the great thing about fashion and the growing number of menswear designers. You will be able to find something that speaks to you. As for me these designers are just some that spoke to me and have me looking forward to Fall 2015.

Carlos Campos Fall/Winter 2015

I spoke about the casting process for the Carlos Campos in the previous post. Now see the finished product! The Fall/Winter 2015 collection came about from two artists inspired by each other. Artist and Art Director Rafafans created a series based on Carlos' Gaucho-inspired Fall 2014 collection. Carlos was then inspired by the image overlay and technique Rafafans used in his series. Staying true to his tailoring and minimalist DNA Carlos Campos has created another beautiful collection. Take a look at a few of my favorite looks.

Qing- wears the double breasted suit with a bomber. Take note of the cropped suit.

Toni- A huge fan of the color block and tuxedo pants.

Mac- Probably one of my favorite looks. This is a jumpsuit partnered with a neoprene gilet!

Patrick- Color block tunic with dropped rise trouser.

BTS: The Carlos Campos FW15 Presentation

Have you ever wondered how a fashion presentation is put together for New York Fashion Week? I was invited to sit in and see first hand how menswear designer Carlos Campos and his team get ready to present the Fall/Winter 2015 collection and choose the models for New York Men's Day in NYC. This is what I learned.

• In a span of 2 days the casting team sees 100 male models from all over the world.
• 13 of the top agencies in NYC send their guys including Wilhelmina, VNY, New York Models, Soul Artist.
• Models walk in one at a time, present their book and comp card. (contains sample of their work in editorials and ad campaigns).

Toni Petkov, Wilhelmina

• Models are asked to walk and try on one of the blazers or coats.
• They are looking for THE Carlos Campos Man, more often then not they know as soon as they come in to the room. Trade Secret! This particular casting director keeps three boxes in front of him to organize the model's comp cards for future reference. The boxes are not labeled but they are designated as yes, maybe, and no. The suspense, I know!

• Once the models have been seen the casting team including the designer look through the boxes and choose their final models.
• The comp cards are placed on the wall for further review throughout the casting and fitting process including alternates.

• Once the models have been selected and available they are asked to come in for a fitting.
• Fittings take about two work days. Each model needs about 30 mins per fitting.
• The fittings are to figure out which looks work best for each model and to make any alterations to the clothing as needed. Trade Secret! At Carlos Campos, they tailored every look so it will look perfect on every model.

Chris Moore at Wilhelmina

Photos by: Miguel Martinez

Want to see more behind the scenes pictures? Visit Adentro Style Annex.

Ernest Alexander Spring/Summer 15

Although it still doesn't feel like spring will be here any time soon you can start getting ready now. Spring collections are now hitting stores and sites, so get excited! Ernest Alexander is one you should check out. Inspired by the 1960's Americas Cup the nautical theme is seen throughout the collection. Tailored blazers, pants and shorts are lightweight and perfect for warmer weather. I love the bright yellow jacket and bags along side the periwinkle and slate grays. Take a look here at a few of my favorite looks from the Spring/Summer 2015 look book.

Photography: Eric Ryan Anderson | Model: Daut Berisha (Red Model Mgmt)

#FBF: Wall Of Sound with Mark Ronson

Every time I listen to Uptown Funk I can't help but think of my shoot with producer extraordinaire, Mark Ronson. So on this special edition of Flashback Friday, I think back of my days as a fashion stylist assistant on set for British GQ's April 2008 issue. These are just a few of the shots from the editorial but you get the idea of the amazing space we were in. We went to a warehouse in Queens where every floor seemed taken from a page from Alice In Wonderland. It was truly unforgettable.

Photographer: Danny Clinch

Stylist: Jo Levin

Fashion Assistant: Alejandro Lopez

Groomer: Heart Mondtalbano

The Bomber

Jacket- Lucio Casto | Shirt- Original Penguin | Jeans- A.P.C

Out of nowhere the bomber jacket has become the go-to jacket on the runway and on the streets. This one by Lucio Castro is one of my favorites. Check out his site to see his other interpretations of the bomber jacket in leather and quilted styles. The fit is great and for winter you want to be warm but wear the least amount of clothes. This jacket will help minimize the layers and keep you looking cool.

De repente el jacket estilo bomber se a convertido en uno de los estilos mas populares en las pasarelas y en todo lugar. El diseñador Lucio Castro ha diseñado unos de mis favoritos. Echale un vistazo a su sitio web para ver los otros estilos en cuero y acolchonado. El corte es estupendo, para el invierno uno quiere evitar poniendose mucha ropa. Este jacket te ayudara verte bien y pasar menos frio.

Photographer- Patrick Kolts

Stylist- Alejandro Lopez

Model- Nathan Linkous at New York Models

Sneak Peek! Ben Minkoff Pre-Fall 2014

Here is a sneak peek to the Ben Minkoff Pre-Fall 2014 collection. I picked a few of my favorite styles from the collections. One of my favorite characteristics of the collection is the use of color. Ben Minkoff makes it easy for a guy to use color without being too out there. The durable and chic fabrics make it a great companion on your day-to-day be it in the office or running errands around town.

Hang Fire by Ty LaMont Mecham

Dolce & Gabbana

Jacket- ASOS | Sweater- Kai-Aakmann

Coat- Hardy Amies | Sweater- Burton

I'm very proud to share the most recent editorial I styled with Andy Walters in front of the lens. Take a look at the rest of the editorial at Creem Magazine!

Photographer- Ty LaMont Mecham

Stylist- Alejandro Lopez

Stylist Assistant- Karen Opong

Groomer- Michael Chua

Model- Andy Walters at New York Models