Seeing Red

Two of a Kind

Shirt Detail

On Broadway

Saturday, 4:53 p.m.

Dynamic duo: Champagne, cameras, lights, and lineups welcomed Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED² fame into town.

So Much to Love

Windswept 2

Genteel

Windswept 1

That Color

At the Train Station

On Time

The world seems so much nicer when we take our time. Destinations turn into journeys. This applies very much to sartorial journeys where personal styles evolve over time. From where we have come from, to where we are heading, it is best to savor each moment.

Workshop Visit - The Milliner

Here are pictures of a millinery studio/boutique I stumbled upon during my travels in Portland, Oregon.

Above is a semi-finished hat, with its brim and crown formed. All that is left to do is to sew on a hat band and decorative ribbon.

This hat started out as a shapeless piece of wool felt which was formed over a wooden block with steam and pins, a process called "blocking''.

Blocks come in all shapes and sizes, and in turn this translates to hats. A blockmaker skilled in woodwork and design is a valuable asset to a milliner as blocks give hats their shape.

With thanks to Dayna Pinkham of Pinkham Millinery.

In Thought

For the Day

Sunday, 2:50 p.m.

The show must go on: Wind, rain, cold and a passerby did not deter the picture taking at hand.

A Delight

Trim

How We Love to People Watch

Ah, a little bit of people watching to while the day away. Good for a pastime and in passing. With as many looks out there as there are people, there will definitely be a pleasing detail or two in amongst the crowd. Just bring an open mind, and keep your eyes open. And if you do catch someone's eye, offer a kind smile or hello.

Dégagé

Out in the Crowd

The Musician

Spring Coming 2

Spring Coming 1

On the Town

Saturday, 2:07 p.m.

On the sheet: Fashion show at the Robson Square ice rink.

Textures

Epaulet Utility

Looks 1 and 2

Wanted to show that hats, bow ties and pocket squares are imminently wearable - much like scarves and gloves. If not for accessories then what would we have?

The Classics in Our Wardrobes

Classics - that little black dress for her or that blazer for him, for example - channel a discreet elegance and timeless style. They are the things we keep going back to, and the things which keep us looking great. Not only a foundation of a solid wardrobe, but a fine cap to one as well.

Closure (of a Sartorial Nature)

What better way to close out the year than with a nod to hand-sewn buttonholes.

A timeless detail appreciated by the few. Fewer are the tailors with the skill, patience and inclination to do such meticulous work. It is something one asks for, looks for and looks forward to. Discrete. Luxurious.

And what beauty, arising from thread, needle and hand. A metaphor for sartorial dress.

Trends and Must-Haves

I came across an "Ugly Sweater" photoshoot - students doing an assignment for their photography course - and thought it charming. No more, no less.

Only now I have discovered that ugly sweaters are all the rage. Ugly sweater parties are popping up all over the globe, with the original one attributed to Vancouver. Sweaters, especially the ugly ones, are flying off the racks and vintage stores are running low on them.

Eight years on since the original party. What will come of this trend? Oh, our ability to laugh at ourselves knows no bounds.

Travels

Sunny Days

Vested

Between Parties

Time

Layers

London

Navy

Friday, 4:55 p.m.

A cut above: Grooming enjoyed by men in hats and deer alike, at The Belmont.

How We Compliment

Oh, the many ways we compliment one another - an act which is seemingly random, always unexpected and disappointingly rare. If you can muster it, a warm smile is always preferred over a blank stare. And when words are fancied, a simple "you look great" or "you have great style" makes for a pleasant exchange.

One can be spiffy or sharp, depending on the observer, and indeed sharp-as-shit, although I have yet to associate the latter with being the former. Sometimes just loving a look will do. And when someone is dressed up, does that imply others are dressed down? I like to think people with great style merely dress.

As tastes go, it strikes me as odd that one can be described as tasty or delicious, and having thought about it for some time, my preference is for being delicious. Who would not?

Friday, 6:55 p.m.

Volume 01 Number 01: Launch of first issue of Inventory. Roden Gray hosted the party, and shop-within-shop featuring fall Inventory Items - collaborations with designers and craftsmen. Considered content on menswear, in print.

Now where did I put my...

...black shoe? Clockwise from top, shoes in: oxblood, brown, whisky, brandy, tan, olive and claret.