Grooming Essentials via Bespoke

When I was a poor college student I used to place my toiletries in a plastic grocery bag and pray nothing opened while in transit and ruined my clothes. Those days are behind me now that I invested in a Dopp kit. This month's Bespoke Box brought a Blue Claw Co. dopp kit filled with top notch grooming products. They include some familiar names and some that deserve your attention. You'll get to try out Mitch products Double Hitter 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner and their construction paste. The Base Light Daily Refresh Bar Soap with peppermint will keep you clean and fresh along with the Maapilim face Cleanser and Marvis Classic Strong Mint toothpaste. The contents of this box will help you travel like an adult and look great day to day.

Razor not included

The Weekender- Bespoke Post

Guys, it's officially summer! This means, BBQs, rooftop parties, and (hopefully) some trips. In this month's Bespoke Post box, the coveted Line of Trade weekender bag arrived. The canvas body as it breaks in will have a beautiful patina and genuine leather trims will age nicely. The design was inspired by the bags stonemasons used to carry their tools. This bag has me all excited for the weekend trips in the near future. Can't wait for the adventures that await!

Line Of Trade- Weekender Bag #BoxOfAwesome

Do-si DO's for Nashville

Even as a non-country music lover Nashville, Tennessee was great for a getaway. You'll learn about one of the country's music industry hubs and discover some cool places. You'll go to enjoy the live music playing along Broadway, take a trolley to tour the city, find an exact replica of the Parthenon in the middle of a park and eat delicious food. In a couple of days you'll find you feel right at home. Go see more touristy pics in my IG story.

Jeans & Western Shirt- Wrangler | Boots- Sebago | Sunglasses- Ray-Ban

 

Shirt- Life After Denim | Khakis- Original Penguin | Sneakers- Gola Sneakers

Coincidentally during my visit to Downtown Nashville, Wrangler opened a pop-up shop just a couple of blocks away from Broadway and all the Honky Tonks. Make sure to make your way over and check out the latest offerings, a legit denim bar and even a stage for live music performances during the weekends. Get more details here.

217 2nd Ave S photo: Emily Blincoe

photo: Emily Blincoe

photo: Emily Blincoe

V-Day or Any Day

Presently, the cold and bitter temperatures have me thinking of what I would like for Valentines day- a trip to a warm tropical place sounds perfect. Whether you're leaving this weekend or planning for a trip in the near future here are some key pieces I think she and I would not leave without. These will have you both looking chic and yet coordinated.

Vilebrequin Trunks | J.Crew Cutout One-piece

En este momento, con el frio que hace solo puedo pensar que para este día de San Valentin lo único que quisiera es ir a algún lugar cálido y tropical. Si estas planificando un viaje este fin de semana o en un futuro cercano aquí les recomiendo algunos trajes de baño para ella y para ti esenciales para tu viaje. Estos los tendrán viendo elegantes y combinados.

Short Sleeves Shirts at The Miami Design District

As I was on my way to the airport on my latest visit to Miami, I decided to check out my high school alma mater's neighborhood, the Miami Design District. I was amazed to see how much it had changed for the better. Where there would be small independent galleries or vacant spaces there's a Tom Ford and Dior shop opening. They don't stick out that much as right across the street you can find  Givenchy, Burberry and even a Loewe boutique amongst other luxury brands. In the middle of all this there is a courtyard with a huge bubbly sculpture very similar to what you might've seen at the Dior Cruise collection show just a few days ago. So what do you wear to a place like this? Keep it classy and simple and because of the humidity South Florida is famous for a short sleeve shirt is perfect. Oh, and make sure to walk over to the neighborhood of Wynwood to check out all the impressive street art too.

Shirt and Pants- Bonobos | Sunglasses - Garrett Leight California Optical | Shoes- Aldo | Suitcase- Burton

 

One of the smartest travel decisions I've made is taking this Burton suitcase with me. After years of traveling this bag's wheels are so smooth it glides and everything I need fits. It's the ideal bag.

The Very Vesatile Wheelman & Co. Bag

All I can think about in the summer is going on trips be it a day trip, weekend trip or a full fledge vacation! Are you planning on going out of town before summer ends? One of your most important travel decisions is deciding what bag to take. This one from Wheelmen & Co. is one of the sleekest out there and a very smart choice. It has a water-resistant oiled leather bottom and a separate compartment for shoes. Also, this bag could work very well as a gym bag if you want to look more professional at the office. As you can see this bag has a lot of potential. The next question is, where are you going to take it?

Durante el verano siempre estoy pensando en ir de vieja ya sea por un día, el fin de semana, o ir me de vacaciones! Estas planeando de ir de viaje antes que se acabe el verano? Una de las decisiones que tendrás que hacer es decidir que bolso llevar para el viaje. Este bolso de Wheelmen & Co. es una buena opción. Tiene un fondo de cuero engrasado resistente al agua y un compartimento separado para zapatos. Además, este bolso podría funcionar como un bolso para el gimnasio si quieres lucir más profesional en la oficina. Como puedes ver esta bolso tiene mucho potencial. Entonces la pregunta es, ¿Dónde vas a llevarla?

hook + ALBERT's Perfect Weekender Bag

Summer is here, finally! Do you have any trips planned? This newly launched weekender bag from hook + ALBERT is so smart. It has a garment bag that folds along the folds of the curve of the bag and is available in Saffiano leather and waxed canvas. Also, it has separate compartments for all your accessories like belts, ties, and shoes. This bag will work for the trip your taking to your best friend's wedding or for your next weekend trip to the Hamptons. This bag makes me want to plan a trip stat!

You Can Take The Boy Out Of The City

....But you can't take the city out of the boy.

On my latest trip to San Diego the first things I grabbed were all dark items something that is totally not part of Southern California's fashion culture. My travel essentials for this trip include a  Retro Fox classic pique polo because no matter where you are in the US it's a step up from a t-shirt. The Jacob Davis raw denim jeans make everything I wear look cool and they're perfect for fall. For shoes I chose my beat up Chuck Taylors, they're like a fine wine and get better with age. And I recently got the bracelet from Giles and Brother and it immediately became one of my staples. When I travel I avoid looking like a tourist at all costs and find that pieces like these do the trick.

Polo- Retro Fox | Denim- Jacob Davis | Sneaker- Chuck Taylors | Bracelet- Giles & Brother

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.

San Francisco Pt.1

Three days in San Francisco just wasn't enough but I feel I got a good sense of the city. I rode the bus all around town and the cable-car for that novelty and I'm so glad I did. I got to see so much that way. But Let me tell you about a few things I learned so for those of you who have not been there or are planning on going back consider these travel tips. First, get the cityPASS it's seriously the best deal in town. 5 attractions plus a 7 day Muni and cable car passport. Muni is what the public transportation system is called in San Francisco.

3 dias en San Francisco no fue suficiente pero creo que tengo una buena idea de como es la ciudad. Tomé el autobús por toda la ciudad y también me monte en el teleférico por la novedad y me alegro que lo hice. Pude ver mucho de la ciudad de esa manera. Déjame decirte algunas de las cosas que aprendí para aquellos que todavía no han hido pero están considerandolo, aquí hay algunos consejos. Primero que todo, consiguete el cityPass la mejor decisión que puedes tomar. El cityPass incluye la entrada a 5 parques y un pase de 7 días para el Muni. Muni es lo que llaman la transportación publica en San Francisco.  

I've talked to some friends who've been to San Francisco and they had not heard of the Palace of Fine Arts. So for my second recommendation, go to the Palace of Fine Arts! It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too.

Hablé con algunos amigos que han viajado a San Francisco y muchos de ellos no sabían de el Palacio de Bellas Artes. Mi segunda recomendación es de ir al Palacio de Bellas Artes! Es uno de los sitios mas bellos que yo he visto en mi vida.

After you leave the Palace of Fine Arts take the bus and head to the Golden Gate Bridge. The View is amazing and you can then go down and walk along the shore.

Después de visitar el Palacio de Bellas Artes toma el autobús y ve al puente de Golden Gate. La vista es increible y después puedes caminar por el parque. 

It was so windy by the bridge as you can tell by my flowing lochs. The Golden Gate bridge is very impressive in person and there is a lot of construction happening around its base, they're adding a visitors center. There are more pictures and tips to come, stay tuned.

Habia tanto viento como puedes ver. El puente de Golden Gate es impresionante en persona y hay mucha construcción, van añadir un centro de visitantes. Habra mas fotos y consejos.