Designer on the Rise: Rivay's Jon Ruti

Men have it so easy during the work week. All they need for an acceptable office outfit is a clean dress shirt, pair of pants and shoes. No jewelry, no makeup, no hair. But over the weekend, it appears that the sartorial tables have turned. While women have an assortment of apparel and accessories to choose from, what are men supposed to wear to create that fashion-forward, off duty weekend style? Enter Rivay by prosecutor-turned-creative director Jon Ruti, 37. Consider the menswear brand what your (future) boyfriend should wear: masculine, tailored and stylish sans Yeezus's pretentiousness. With traditional field jackets and graphic tees, Rivay is sure to be your next go-to company. Read on to learn more about the brand, designer and the future of menswear.

               

The Trendologist: Congratulations on the wonderful line! What was your inspiration behind Rivay?

Jon Ruti: Thank you!  I wore a suit everyday to work for seven years.  I began to notice how hard it was to find a good outerwear piece that could go from work to my weekend hobbies.  I recall a good friend of mine picking me up from work to go ice climbing in the Adirondacks for the weekend.  The only piece of outerwear I could wear after I got out of my suit was a technical piece from Patagonia.  It just looked off leaving the office like that.  That’s when I started really thinking about the gap between fashion and technical outerwear.

TT: What is the design process for creating a menswear line?

JR: Menswear isn’t about reinventing the wheel.  It’s about evolving pieces to fit the current time period, cultures and lifestyles of today.  We get inspired and evolve pieces to suit the lifestyles of our customer and the culture of Rivay.

TT: Can you tell me more about your target audience?

JR: He’s career-driven and puts a lot thought into how he wants to fill his down time.  He takes care of himself, dresses well Monday through Friday, but is missing a brand that understands his weekend passions.  From traveling, to riding his vintage motorcycle to surf trips with friends, he does a lot of interesting things in his time away from career.  The only thing missing is a brand with the same passions. 

Larkin Crew Neck Sweatshirt, $148

TT: Where did the name Rivay come from?

JR: Growing up, I was always fascinated with rivets and how they looked on airplanes, cars and other machines.  A good French buddy of mine were talking over drinks and he pronounced the word rivet as Frenchman would.  It stuck from there.  I reworked the spelling and Rivay was born.

TT: I know playing favorites is nearly impossible, but what is one piece from your collection that all fashion-forward men should own?

JR: I’ll play!  The Delaney waxed cotton field jacket.  It will take you from work to adventure and back again without missing a beat.  It looks natural in any situation, which is the hallmark of any good menswear piece.

Enfield Waxed Cotton Series Jacket, $325

TT: I would love to hear more about your work experience prior to founding Rivay. Can you please elaborate?

JR: I was a New York City prosecutor in the South Bronx for five years, handling everything from DWI’s to homicides.  I spent the last two years of my career at the Office of Special Narcotics in downtown Manhattan investigating and prosecuting large-scale narcotics enterprises.  It’s been one long episode of The Wire for me, but Rivay is the new chapter.  I couldn’t be more excited.

TT:  Has your former career in law helped with Rivay? How so?

JR: It taught me how to be a good storyteller and know who your audience is.  That’s half the battle.

Galvin Moto Sweatpants, $148

TT: From the New York Times launching a men’s style section to the debut of Men’s New York Fashion Week last month, there has been an extra emphasis on menswear recently. How do you think Rivay will contribute to this movement?

JR: I think it’s great: men are more fashion savvy than ever.  This presents Rivay with an opportunity to give the well informed man an exciting brand to turn to.  When he pursues his passions, Rivay will be there to make sure he looks as smart as ever.

TT:Where do you see the brand in five years?

JR: The growth in menswear and e-commerce in general has given unique opportunities to small brands, but the first five years are always tough.  We’ll continue to grow our collection and look for strategic partnerships and collaborations.  We’re interested in making Rivay a lifestyle brand as opposed to simply producing great pieces season to season.  Stay tuned, we have a lot of exciting things on the horizon!

TT: What is your advice for emerging designers?

JR: Know your brand identity.  Stick to it, no matter what. 

Can't get enough of Rivay? Follow the brand on Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Rivay

xx

Mens Spring 2015: Would You Date That?

As every fashion nerd knows, there's something undeniably attractive about a stylish guy. Okay, he doesn't need to know the difference between Brioni and Boglioli, but a man who can put together a solid outfit and has some level of trend awareness is a major turn on. However, for every coveted menswear trend that we're dying to see Bradley Cooper and Joseph Gordon Levitt try, there are a slew of fashion fads that are completely undateable. For your viewing pleasure, and a great way to review the latest menswear collections, let's play a little game called "Would You Date That," shall we? The ranking remains the same as always: 0= No way, 10= Here to stay.

Mono-Printed Suits: 3

Goodbye, traditional suit and tie-- spring is all about zesty, mono-prints. Though the type of print is up to the tastemaker, several collections have on thing in common: their mono-printed suits honor "in your face" patterns. Jeremy Scott's fast food craze continued at the Moschino men's show with soda pop themed suits. Equally bold, psychedelic color-blocking was all the rage at Alexander McQueen. On the other hand, Christopher Kane's mono-printed suits boasted subtle, yet undeniably futuristic, lines. And of course, florals ran rampant on the catwalk. Yohji Yamamoto smartly paired scarce florals with a baggy silhouette. Always the Euro romantic, Dolce & Gabbana's spring collection provided an alluring mixture of florals and ornate masonry. The Verdict: Whoever sports a mono-print suit is undeniably confident, but this trend ranks dangerously low on the scale. Matching separates is a surefire way for any fashionisto to effortlessly make a statement; however, this menswear trend screams trying too hard. And how annoying would it be if your beau's ensemble received more attention than yours did? So annoying. Unless the pattern in question is a small polka dot or seersucker, stay far away from he who wears mono-prints. (Moschino Look 1)

Stylish Stripes: 8

To be unapologetically blunt, the stripes phenomenon is nothing new. Everyone from sailors to Elvis circa "Jailhouse Rock" sported the classic lines. However, the nautical-friendly pattern has received an au courant  makeover. At Kolor, Junichi Abe presented head-to-toe stripes, yet the wide bands offered a modernist take on this staple.  Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent boys epitomized California cool: their stripes were paired with tight leather pants, embellished jackets, and wide-brimmed hats. Layering was key at Dior Homme as primary-colored stripes are thrown between crisp oxford shirts and pinstriped suits. Stripes are even on trend for outerwear as Emporio Armani showed off some seriously major slickers. And let's not forget Topman Design's take on this fad: with a bold color palette and flared jeans, design director Gordon Richardson is clearly scheming up a seventies revival.  The Verdict: Provided this trend is styled realistically (read: no wide-brimmed hats), stripes are a must for men this spring. Though the phenomenon is undeniably preppy, the pattern is versatile enough to be worn by every man. A striped shirt seems like the obvious option; however, jackets and shorts are two fresh alternatives. Or have your man revitalize this trend with unpredictable hues. Either way, the striped shirt guy would definitely make it to a second date. (Dior Homme Look 8)

The Unconventional Hoodie: 6

Hoodies have always been a staple in mens' closets; however, gone are the days when neutral zip-up and pull-overs are the only acceptable way to wear this piece. This spring, look out zany colors, bold patterns, and even unpredictable fabrics. Balmain's menswear collection presented electric colors and geometric shapes, which were cooly styled with moto-inspired pants. No stranger to making a statement, James Long revitalized this piece with patches of color and loads of stripes. But no example of innovative hoodies is as unconventional as Umit Benan's collection. Nothing turns heads quite like perforated sheen. The spring shows even offered new ways to style the trusted hoodie. For exmaple, Gosha Rubchinskiy's models sported jean jackets over their zip-ups-- two trends in one look. Similarly, Ami mixed classic hoodies with bold striped coats. The Verdict: Cozy, versatile, and the ideal piece to snag from your beau, a hoodie is definitely dateable. But unless the fashionisto in question is experimenting with new textures and prints, this trend could steer in the way of basic and safe. A surefire way to bring this phenomenon to to the next level is by layering. Isn't there something sexy about a guy with a hoodie and leather jacket? (Balmain Look 15)

The Reinvented Bomber: 9

Look out, hoodie: there's another casual jacket that's getting a makeover. Though the bomber already screams effortlessly chic, the newest takes on this fad pushes the sartorial envelope just enough. Silky prints and subtle metallics cascaded down the runway at Dries Van Noten while Fendi's take on the bomber paid homage to the T-Birds with cool leather. While Brioni gave the classic silhouette a very sporty twist, Kris Van Assche spruced this piece up with sharp lapels and bold stripes. And then there was Marc Jacobs, who adorned his bomber jacket with an attention grabbing flamingo. The Verdict: Unless the man in question is sporting a flamingo-embellished jacket, which could either mean he has a great sense of humor or is already waving some major red flags, this trend is insanely dateable. And for all of you who have watched Grease a few too many times, this piece isn't strictly for goodie two-shoes. Your man can give this trend a much-needed edge with ripped jeans and ultra-cool aviators. (Dries Van Noten Look 32)

Daring Denim: 5

It seems as if we've been obsessed with denim-on-denim for many seasons, but this new take on the trend exceeds the traditional Canadian tuxedo. For example, Junya Watanabe's menswear collection boasted loads of patchwork denim while Sibling jazzed up the American fabric with jeweled applique. However, there were swarms of more traditional ways to rock denim. Christopher Bailey tucked a jean jacket underneath an equally relaxed blaze at Burberry Prorsum, and Miharayasuhiro played it safe with denim jacket and matching pants. Trussardi was inbetween the spectrum with a bold denim blazer and trousers. The Verdict: The datability of this trend rests on how it's styled. While a chambray and jeans is undeniably sexy, a man in embellished ensemble would most likely upstage your very own outfit. And we all know that's not the foundation for a lasting relationship. If your guy is looking to revitalize his denim, layering or a patchwork shirt is a healthy mix between the two. (Junya Watanabe Look 6)

Utilitarian Jumpsuits: 1

While this isn't one of the biggest trends for spring 2015, the utilitarian jumpsuit did have quite the impact. At Kenzo, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim's jumpsuit was reminiscent of a race car driver's uniform with some subtle color-blocking and sporadic patches of honor. The trend quickly took a show-stopping turn at Louis Vuitton with a jumpsuit that's covered in rivets and grommets.  3.1 Phillip Lim, on the other hand, opted for clean minimalism in a versatile neutral. The Verdict: As much as we all love Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" music video, a potential beau who sports a jumpsuit as ready-to-wear is questionable on multiple levels. Occupation aside, save the onesies for young boys. (Kenzo Look 33)

What do you think about these trends? Are they dateable? Sound off below!

All runway photos courtesy of Style.com

 xx

Spring 2014 Menswear: Would You Date That?

When it comes to menswear, style is so much more complicated than a simple suit and tie. As much as we gush over Brad Goreski and David Beckham's fantastic style, some menswear looks are just too much. In fact, some would even say undateable. In honor of the most recent menswear collections, I'm excited to revive "Would You Date That?"As a reminder, the rating system is the following:

0= No way!

10= Call me, maybe?

I'll be a first one to admit that fashion is one of the most powerful forms of expression out there, but when does it become too much? Keep reading! 

Alexander McQueen: 2

Though sporting a matching suit is the ultimate way to score an effortlessly chic ensemble,  the pretty florals and the lace overlay are a bit much. They'd be ideal for a forward-thinking fashionista, but for a guy? No thank you! And I can't help but think those long vests eerily resemble ladylike dresses. A woman has her right to wear the proverbial pants in a relationship, but men should never opt for a pants-free outfit. However, even with the array of baggy pants, I must say that these looks are tailored to perfection. (Photo) 

Dolce & Gabbana: 4

Deny it all you want, but guys' clothes are undeniably more comfortable than anything a girl owns. Whether it's that snuggly feeling or the faint Old Spice scent, you know it's true. As much as I'm loving these printed tops, this collection is not boyfriend-approved. Sexy as it seems, you wouldn't want this Casear ensemble to take you out to dinner. And while the tank top/briefs combo may be a great way to see your fella's amazing muscles, it's just too comfortable for the real world. Are we in the wrestling rink? No, so this needs to go. That being said, the crisp white suits are absolutely divine.  (Photo)

Burberry Prorsum: 5

A pop of color is never a bad thing, yet this collection feels like a Kate Spade catalog. And while women may love the ultra girly brand for themselves, it' doesn't scream "boyfriend material." Though the silhouettes are simply timeless, the crazy color palette and excessive use of polka dots are quite clownish. Plus, what's happening with these strange necklines? To be blunt, the sweaters are sloppy and the infinity scarves are unnecessary. Even still, this collection as a whole revisits the typical, stylish man of the 1950s.  (Photo)

Vivienne Westwood: 0

We shouldn't be asking ourselves what about this collection is dateable; we should be asking ourselves what about this collection is aesthetically pleasing. I know what you're thinking: harsh. Allow me to explain!  From the oversized jackets to the ever present flip flops, this whole collection was cringe-worthy.In fact, this show felt like a sad attempt to revisit the "Dawn of the Aquarius." Vivienne Westwood is such an innovative designer; however, she should stick to womenswear. It's just what she does best. (Photo)

Bottega Veneta: 10

There's something undoubtedly sexy about a classic suit.White suits, black suits, grey suits-- love them all!  Fortunately, Tomas Maier brings back this classic while adding modern pieces into the mix. Sometimes, I feel bad for fashion-forward guys: there's only so many ways to make a sartorial statement with a shirt and pants. Unlike many menswear collections that stick to the average sweater or collared button-down, Bottega Veneta gives men options. What a concept! With a plethora of short button-downs, saucy v-neck sweaters and funky vests to choose from, men now have easy-to-wear options that are both stylish and tasteful. (Photo)

Thom Browne: 1

For Thom Browne this season, milita is not just a mere source of inspiration. From massive aviators to general-approved silhouettes, each look is fit for a soldier. Though the artistic perspective deserves a round of applause, is this collection dateable? To dig a little deeper, are these military threads even marketable? As well-executed as this collection is, I'm curious to see how this overarching theme will do in the mass market. But let's go back to the dateable factor, shall we? Though we may love Leo in The Aviator, these looks resemble a Halloween costume. Maybe in October. (Photo)

Saint Laurent: 9

"Jailhouse Rock," Danny Zuko, Cry Baby-- admit it, everyone has an everlasting crush on the stereotypical 1950's guy. Lucky for all of us Sandy wannabes, the latest Saint Laurent collection revisits this bad boy aesthetic. Without a doubt, the slew of standout jackets reign superior. Sporty bomber jackets? Please. Rebellious moto jackets? Swoon. And before you think this collection is a little too masculine for the catwalk, the brand unveils a ton of metallic blazers. However, the last chunk of looks takes the whole "bad boy" rep to a new level with bandanas and tough vests.Thought-provoking? Yes. Boyfriend material? Not so much.   (Photo)

Marc Jacobs: 7

Attention all Brad Goreski posers, Marc Jacobs's latest menswear collection is for you! With tailored suits in creamy sherbets, punchy dress shoes and a bevy of fun tops, this collection blends preppy with contemporary. Though several of the pieces are little too ostentatious, you can't deny that this overall collection is pretty brilliant. Want to dress your honey in this collection? Pair these colorful pieces with neutral classics.    (Photo)

What do you think about these menswear collections? Sound off below!

xx

Menswear Fall 2012: Would You Date That?

Men's fashion truly intrigues me. There's a very fine line between dateable menswear and fashion friend with no benefits. While some people would want their guy to dress in a simple tee and jeans, we fashionistas need someone who won't cramp our style. So let's cut to the chase, shall we? I'm very excited to bring back my favorite type of blog post, "Would You Date That?" As always, my scores will range from 0 to 10.

Miharayasuhiro: 6 

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Miharayasuhiro's spin on menswear is a complete success. Unlike other collection, many  of the looks could be worn right off of the runway.  The baggier silhouettes  make this collection more "real man-approved."  Many of the separates in this collection can be restyled in order to give every man that fashionable edge without going too far. Perfecction. Also, I love how the designers mixed in some gorgeous dresses: looking at menswear is only fun for so long!   However, some of the suits are just not dateable. But, I'd love to see them on Brad Goreski! 

Versace: 2 

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While the execution of each piece was so right on, I'm a little concerned. As a whole, the collection is a little too feminine for me. Don't get me wrong, I love florals and pizazz as much as the next glamazon; however, I wouldn't want to date someone who's sporting bedazzled denim. I know, call me crazy. 

Alexander McQueen: 5 

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I'm torn: some of these looks are super chic while others are just...too much. The checkered suits scream John Legend to me, which I'm kind of loving. And that white tux? Too good for words, literally. Although the brushstroke-inspired suits are totally fabulous, I definitely wouldn't agree to a second date with a guy who sported one. I think half of the collection is awesome and the other half is a little too bold for your average Joe.

Givenchy: 3  

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This collection can be define in three words:versatile, cozy, and edgy. A lot of the separates are super chic and could work in well with a great masculine look. Maybe it's because this winter weather is less-than-ideal, but I'm all about chunky knits. I know it's so weird to call Givenchy cozy, but these sweaters make me want to snuggle.  Also, the monochromatic red looks are awesome: pairing it with a pair of jeans or a black tee would be so cool.  However, those skirts are definitely not dateable. Unless your boy is Scottish. 

Burberry Prorsum: 7

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Christopher Bailey always does something polished, yet sexy, when it comes to menswear.  What always impresses me about Burberry Prorsum is how any piece could be dressed up or dress down. The green bomber jacket, for example, would look super sick with a graphic tee and skinnies. Definitely hipster, but not too in-your-face. The chunky sweaters are to die for... so precious! Can we stop and talk about all of those velvet pieces? Say what you will, but I secretly  want to date Chuck Bass. Your guy could even dress a velvet blazer down with jeans and a simple white tee.  The only downside about this collection is the less-than-fabulous array of newsboy hats. I hate newsboy hats so much, I'd probably break up with someone if they sported one. 

Thom Browne: 0

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I've never been so afraid of fashion. While I'm a huge proponent of the "art is fashion" movement, what guy would ever wear this? This isn't male couture!  Not only are the prints absolutely insane, but those shoulders are terrifying. While I love tall guys, I'm not look for the Hulk. 




Louis Vuitton: 10 

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Literally, this is perfection in a collection. Everything is so fashion-forward, but also sticks to a masculine aesthetic (well maybe not that hat). The collection's color scheme is so rich and versatile, which means that it will look good on any guy. I also love how  this collection brings back the trench. I mean, hello, Breakfast at Tiffany's?! Okay, I'm sure some of you are questioning this high rating because some the sweaters are a little...avant garde.  It's all about the styling. For example, they could be used as outerwear or paired with skinnies. Innovation, people!  And who doesn't love a man in a suit? 

Balmain: 8 

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This menswear doesn't disappoint. Usually, European menswear isn't very datable; however, the emphasis on black makes these looks more casual and attractive. The blazers, for example, are chic and have a dash of toughness. On the downside, white jeans on guys kind of freak me out. But it also doesn't hurt that the model is super gorgeous.



Walter Van Beirendon: 0

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I think this is pretty self-explanatory. 

Hermes: 9

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I love this collection because it's chic, but definitely dateable.  The suits are perfectly tailored and super classic. In addition, Hermes' outerwear is phenomenal: the perfect mix of masculinity and fashion-forward.  You may be a little skeptical about the aligator-inspired pants, right? The way I see it, they'll come in handy when you secretly wish you were dating  Russell Brand 

xx

The Weekly: Men, Men, Men, Men, Manly Men

Menswear couldn't have come at a more perfect time. For a few days now, my mother and I have been singing the Two and a Half Men theme song all around our house; once that song gets in your head, it'll never come out. Ever.

Sorry, I had to.

Anyways, back to menswear. As a girl who's single and minglin', and obsessed with all things  fashionable, a guy's outfit is one of the first things I look at when checking out a prospect. Shallow? Maybe. But I honestly do think the way a person dresses, especially a guy, tells a lot about what kind of guy they are. 

I mean, who would you rather date based on the clothes?

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OR

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I rest my case.

So in order to accurately analyze the latest menswear collections, and bask in my own singlehood glory, I'm bringing back Would You Date That? HOORAY!

ALEXIS MABILLE

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Rating: 3

Well, I was definitely a fan of the male models; however,  this collection kind of freaked me out. I'm not a really big fan of product placement on clothes, so this really did bother me.  While there were some looks that embraced both masculinity and chicness, Mabille's collection was too... feminine for me. Honestly, would you date someone who wears chained shoulder bags? That's our job, ladies! And the unitards? Way too much man for street wear! Okay, now I feel like I'm really bashing this collection so let's be positive, shall we? The color scheme of this collection was very suave and could be very Chuck Bass at times, which I loved. And I did love the little hints of leopard! All in all, not that dateable. 

BALMAIN

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Rating: 10

To quote my man, Justin Timberlake, this collection is essentially "flawless like some uncut pie."   In my mind, this reminded me of a chicer version of Bruce Springsteen's wardrobe back in the day. The reason this collection is such a win is because it perfectly combines fashion forwardness and masculinity together. The pastels and the use of jean vests (a must-have in my humble opinion) make are rugged and trendy. This collection screams, "Yes, I do care about my personal style but I'm going to pretend like it's no big deal." I mean, I know I'd hate if a guy I was dating cared more about fashion than me. At the same time, who wants a slob?  The juxtaposition of the hiker boots, which I don't love but I'll deal, and the long scarves make this look seem completely effortless.  And that's very sexy!  

ISSEY MIYAKE

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Rating: 5

I truly have mixed emotions about this collection. On one hand,  really enjoy the nice jackets, vibrant colors, and the sophisticated styling. On the other hand, I hate baggy pants and the matchy-matchy. It reminds me of a playsuit andWHAT KIND OF BOY WEARS PLAYSUITS?! I admit, I do love a good playsuit...for girls. Not for boys!  I just feel like the baggy-ness and partial androgynous aspects of this collection makes it seem like boys must wear girlie clothes to be chic, which is so false. But at the same time, the color scheme and prints don't shout "girl." Is it just me being overly sensitive, or is something funky happening in this collection?  Maybe this was a "look-by-look" situation, but I'm still very torn.

LOUIS VUITTON

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Rating: 8

I liked this collection for two reasons. First of all, this is was so clean and "All American." I know everyone pretends that they like bad boys, but don't we all love a little cutie deep down? Second of all, I felt like I was watching little Ken dolls strut down a runway. It was like dress up!  What makes this collection successful is balance. Yes, there were some very...fashionable pieces which I questioned, to say the least; however, the classic pieces  gave this collection some normalcy. It's one of those collections that any man could find something he liked, which I find  imperative. I thought the hemlines were kind of weird on some of the suits and some of the jackets are unrealistically fitted, but it was fabulous. Also, I really want this jacket for myself! 

RICK OWENS

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Rating: 0

I'm so disturbed by this collection, so I'm going to make this short, not-so-sweet, and to the point:

Dear Rick,

Nobody, I tell you NOBODY, wants their guy to look like a girl. Dresses are for ladies. This is painful to look at. Please change the way you view boys; I'm sure they aren't thrilled with you either.

xx,

Me.

PS:  You and Yohji Yamamoto both need to work on your feminine situation. Maybe a nice coffee or luncheon to settle things? 

Well that was oodles of fun but now it's time for a short, but sweet, weekly.

So...onto The Weekly!

• Emmy Rossum at a press event for Shameless (Lyn Devon): Even though Emmy Rossum essentially fell off the face of the earth, this look is so classic on her. I love the white Dolce and Gabbana peep-toes with this fun print: the white in the shoes really picks up the white in this dress. It was so smart of her/her stylist to accessorize with hoops: normally, someone would want to channel their inner-Jackie O and wear pearls or some really feminine jewels. The hoops, however, spice it up and make this look relevant. As much as I love stacking up bracelets and necklaces, I feel like copious amounts of jewels would make this look lost in translation.  The blowed out hair and pinkish glow also looked stunning. Now only if she smiled...
• Sofia Vegara at some Harry Winston shindig (Marchesa): Absolutely stunning. I truly believe Sofia Vegara is every man's dream and every woman's worst nightmare: she's so beautiful and who doesn't wish they were on Modern Family? Anyways, back to this look. By nature, she's a curvy woman and I love how she literally shakes what her mama gave her. The corset bodice is incredibly flattering and, if anything, makes her look narrower. I think a lot of women are afraid of embracing their curves and, though not everyone is built like her, Sofia Vegara shows everyone that they should flaunt their figures. ANYWAYS, the white looks absolutely stunning on her tan skin. The light shoes actually works with this look since she is so tan. Since they're not white, the focus is still on the dress. Though I wish she didn't accessorize with a watch (what?), I loved the way her dangling earrings looked with her sleek hair.  Incredible, as always!

xx

Why I Want to Be Blake.

So Blake Lively's Chanel print-ad was released.

But that's not why I want to be Blake Lively.

THIS IS:

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If you don't know what's going on in this picture, Blake Lively is on a shopping trip with THE Christian Louboutin.

It's official, she is the luckiest girl on the planet. I don't really have anything else to say about this matter, just that I'm extremely jealous. Since I frequent talk about my love/hate relationship with Blake Lively, I thought this would be appropriate. And in terms of the Chanel ad, I like it: the asymmetrical composition is interesting and let's be honest, she looks fabulous.

ALSO, I'm watching television with my friend and he really wants a pair of super fierce animal shoes  these:

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I think they are pretty cool! Let's pair these with black jeans, a white tee, and a grey scarf? It's the perfect accessory for menswear!  And who doesn't love cool shoes? Nobody. My friend would also like to tell everyone that he is a size 9, if anyone is feeling generous.

xx

Menswear Fall 2011: Would You Date That?

I've decided to add some fun to this blog with a new segment I call

"would you date that".

Here's how this section will work: I am going to review a plethora of looks from Menswear Fall 2011 and, to add the girly and creative touch, I'm doing to discuss the date-ability rating.

0= No Way

10= Here's my number.

So let's do this thing!

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Viktor&Rolf

Rating: 9

How can you go wrong with sleek? Viktor&Rolf's collection was so classy and sleek. I love how everything was so simple, yet there were pops of great color and different fabrics. Anyways, back to this specific look. So James Bond meets Michael Buble. In my opinion, there's absolutely nothing sexier than a black and white suit. Everyone can pull it off and look suave.

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Jean Paul Gaultier

Rating: 3

This collection overall was really quirky. But in terms of this look, I love how All-American and equestrian the sweater is, but real men do not wear skirts. That's just common sense. 

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Louis Vuitton

Rating: 4

Although I may secretly wish my own boyfriend embraced fur, this is definitely NOT a datable look. The pants and white suit jacket are relaxed enough to work for a bohemian kind of girl, the fur will get a guy nowhere, especially light fur like this. Dark fur is definitely more chic and luxe. If you took hints of dark fur and added it to a jacket, it's 10 material.

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Burberry Prorsum

Rating: 10

This is absolutely perfection. I love the shearling jacket, the pants are fitted like a boy's pants SHOULD be fitted. The color scheme is so manly but the actual outfit is the perfect amount of chic. Bravo, Burberry Prorsum, bravo!

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Missoni

Rating: 7

This look may not be as agreeable as Viktor&Rolf, but I think it's really hip and trendy. And  isn't everyone secretly attracted to hipsters? The plaid is so cool, and I love the multiple layers. This look definitely screams trendy without being too much...but maybe clashing might be a big issue. Seven because it's trendy, but not universally chic.

So in conclusion, I wonder if there is such a thing as a perfectly fashion forward man for all of us aspiring fashionistas.

I guess we'll have to find out!

xx