Janelle Gives you FASHION!

We all know that music and fashion go pretty much hand in hand.....it's something that cannot be denied. Well meet someone who pioneers in both her musicality and her sense of style: Janelle Monae.

Not only am I a big fan of Janelle Monae's music, I simply adore her fashion! The way she rocks a tuxedo is like no other! And that exclusive bouffant is unmatched! Her music takes you to another level just as her fashion does. She explains in INStyle magazine (June 2010) that "I don't really believe in menswear or womenswear, I just like what i like". Truly an inspiring quote! Thanks Ms. Monae, those are words I live by. Fashion has no boundaries, it belongs to whomever takes ownership.

If you don't know about Janelle Monae, check out her official webpage: www.jmonae.com, her twitter @JanelleMonae, and her facebook page!!

Dishevelled...yet, so chic

Sometimes, looking stylish seems so hard! Not at all. With new modern trends becoming so daring and almost pushing the limit, any guy can dress stylish w/ little effort. Follow these simple steps to creating a trendy, yet cool look:

1. Cut a pair of your old distressed denim at the knee-be sure they are a little snug and are cut slightly above the knee

2. Throw an old (or old-looking) t-shirt on w/ a low hanging neck-piece and belt.

3.Step into a pair of high-top Chuck's or old school oxford (or

even more daring, try a boot)

Simple as that! And if you wanna take it even further, put on a layer: a vest, lightweight jacket, summer cardigan. This "bum

chic" look is definitely for the guy w/ little to no style...it's like instant grits: quick and easy!

Let your Rainbows take a break.......

Guys, this summer do something different! Let your feet breathe with style....meet the Gladiator! For the inner-gladiator in all of us men!!!

Paired with the perfect shorts and the right t-shirt to compliment and you've re-created the modern day gladiator for the everyday-man. Some may think it's a little feminine, but, quick history lesson: picture it.....2000 years ago, Ancient Greece....Mount Olympia.....athletes.....gladiators! Don't let society dictate your sense of fashion, it's bad enough they control your income!

Party.......and Fashion.

Just wanted to share some HOT fashions with you guys! My brother and I were recently invited to a pink party.....and we delivered!

For this party we decided to step out a little bit edgier than normal. We got wonderful reviews and plenty of good feedback!

For some guys this look may be too edgy, but, if you wanna be recognized and/or praised for your style you can't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone every now and again. People respect a person with good fashion/style. I'm not saying you have to wear super skinny jeans and a pink blazer, but, I am encouraging you to find some odd pieces that you wouldn't normally wear and ROCK it!

The Look for Less....Literally.

With the recession effecting the economy today, money is no longer a play thing. Most folks are spending money only on necessities and keeping what they have. While it's true that you can spruce your wardrobe up by mixing and matching, you can also shop a little more thrifty and still be as trendy as the celebrities and socialites.

If you haven't noticed by now, one of my favorite places to indulge is the thrift store. Any and every thrift store! They hold some of the most precious treasures that others have thrown away.

Take this shirt for example. This is a vintage authentic Yves Saint Laurent button-down that I found for less than $5.00! Pair it with a vest and tie and hot pair of skinny jeans....you have thrift store couture.

Oxfords! Once frowned upon, now held as a must-have in every trendy mans closet. Browse the shoe section in the thrift store to find these dusty yet fabulously worn oxfords. I found these for just $4.00 and they were in perfect condition. Wear them w/ skinny jeans, a slummy tee, and a cardigan and you're set!

A classic blazer is ALWAYS a necessity in the trendy man's closet! This particular blazer happens to be super fitted and almost too small, but, only to add the European flare. When thrift shopping for blazers, look for a size slightly smaller than your normal suit size. This super fitted look will help you achieve that Euro-Stylish look that is so prolific in common fashion. This blazer cost me $5.00

Lest we not forget our faithful cardigan! Cardigans are such an essential piece in anyone's closet, they add so much versatility. I stumbled upon this lovely piece at a Goodwill in search for something else. It cost me just $4.00 and is in great condition! It can be worn casually and also dressed up. I've worn it to church as well as casual outings with friends!

Shop smart! Wearing labels is NOT always the attention getter. It's about flawlessly wearing what you can afford and styling it like something you cannot!

Know your Fashion [History]...

Just as everything else in our world has its roots, so does fashion. It has not always been appreciated not has it always been as influential as we may think. But, taking a look back in history we have a few individuals to thank for taking the fate of fashion into their hands and allowing it to evolve and flourish, resulting in the fashion industry we revel over today.

Gabrielle Chanel, (1883-1971) or Coco Chanel as we know her, was a revolutionary designer of her time and still holds the title as one the most innovative designers who lived. Using her talent as a seamstress (a trade which she was taught by nuns while at an orphanage) Chanel recreated

women's fashion and revolutionized the way we looked at fashion period. She had successfully opened up boutiques in more than two cities at a very young age. One of which still stands as her headquarters in Paris's Rue Cambon.

In 1925, Chanel stirred up the dull fashion scene and introduced her legendary "Chanel Suit". The suit was simply a collarless jacket worn with a fitted skirt. This exquisite design displayed

somewhat a masculine feel but yet held a most feminine appearance. No longer would women be bound by corsets and confining attire. Chanel also introduced the need for accessories; she always wore several strands of pearls with exciting bracelets and striking hats.

Chanel got her nickname "Coco" during her short career as a singer. It was a shorter word for cocotte, which meant "kept woman", something she definitely represented. Chanel died in 1971, but, today she is still survived by her revolutionary designs, her innovative creations, and of course her unforgettable scent Chanel No. 5.

(source: http://www.biography.com/articles/Coco-Chanel-9244165)

When referring to the survival of the lovely Coco Chanel, one must not omit the name Karl Lagerfeld (1939-). When she passed, he took over the house of Chanel and through his innate sense of fashion he headed the modern revival of her fashions. He is also credited for his work behind designers such as Valentino, Chloe, and Fendi which are all towering names in today's fashion industry. He reigns from Germany and is a total mastermind in the world of fashion; unprecedented and unmatched, Lagerfeld has an extremely powerful influence on the fashions we sport today. At the young age of 17 he started off working as an apprentice at Pierre Balmain (another fashion lord), then moved to work with haute couture collections with Jean Patou. Soon after that, his first collection was shown (1958) using the name Roland Karl. His career is full of designing and connecting with some of the most famous names in the fashion world. In 1984 he launched his own line Karl Lagerfeld in which he focused on "intellectual sexiness".

Lagerfeld is still at the top of every fashion/style list ever created. In 1997 he was deemed by Vogue as the "unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment." He remains a showstopper with his avant-garde designs and head-turning creations.

(source: http://www.biography.com/articles/Karl-Lagerfeld-9371367 : http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080420-karl-lagerfeld.aspx)

The list of pioneers who revolutionized fashion also include those in the likes of Gianni Versace, Pierre Balmain, Balenciaga, Yves Saint-Laurent. It is always important for one to know their history and from where they came, in my case, I must pay my respects to the names mentioned above and several others for making fashion what is today!

YAY for 2010!!

2009 is finally over! Welcoming 2010 with open arms, positive energy and of course.....an empty closet! I'm so ready to see what the new fashion trends are and certainly ready to participate in them. My 2010 resolution is to.....uuummmmm....I'm not sure, but, I know I wanna do a hell of a lot of shopping and networking. Stick with me this year as I continue to help you with your wardrobe issues and make you celebrity-trendy for so much less!

HOT SHIZZLE!!!!

Just some HOT looks that i came across while browsing the internet.

Suits are no longer just for formal occassions or work! Suits have become more versatile over the last few years, adding more options to the typical male wardrobe. The right suit can be worn with a tee shirt and some funky sneakers or even some boots and a cardigan.
This is a good example of the new fashion trend "dishevelled elegance". I love the trend b/c it's versatile, now not only can women look "thrown together" and still look hot but so can we!! Take advantage of it guys!
This is the look that I've coined the "swanky academic" look. It's super relaxed and super stylish. Perfect for the campus atmosphere and also versatile for the night on the town.

Join the Military...for the fashion.

Be all you can be. Join the ARMY. Make a Difference. An Army of One. Blah blah blah.......Now you can be in the military w/out being shipped off AND you can skip bootcamp!! Ok...well maybe not exactly...but, at least you can look like you've served your country.

D&G

The perfect winter accessory for the fashionably-challenged, modern male. Paired with right denim and the perfect tee-shirt or henley....this jacket will have you looking effortlessly stylish!

How the Celebs Do it!

Most guys often wonder and ask me "how do i wear boots?" I simply tell them to refer to celebrities for the perfect look! Luckily, celebs have stylists to assist them with making the right wardrobe choices, we normies have to depend on our own fashion intuition in order to deliver such stylish looks.

When it comes to wearing boots, simply throw them on with your fit and go. Girls do it, why can't we!!! If you put too much thought into you tend to make the look not work....i.e. one of the current fashion trends is "bum chic" or "disheveled elegance"....so looking sloppy is not a bad thing...you just have to look stylishly sloppy!

A few landmarks.

Need a few tips on where to get the most stylish wardrobe enhancers? Here are a few of my favorite "landmarks". These places are pretty much a guarantee on great findings!!

A little aged...but definitely CLASSIC!

The Polo look is an extremely classic and very chic look this year. Move over Ralph Lauren, you're not the only one who can replicate the style of horseback-riding jockeys!

Find the perfect pair of vintage riding boots and pair them with some fitted slacks (or denim) and the right button down shirt and vest. If not with a vest, find a super fitted blazer that compliments the rest of the ensemble. And of course, accessorizing with the proper scarf and bag will put the outfit over the top!!

Some addictions aren't that harmful.....

Ok.....so I must admit....I am an addict. I need, yearn for, lust after.....JACKETS!!!! But thankfully, this addiction is not as harmful as others. (whew)

Seriously though, the right jacket or coat is essential to any outfit during this season. The fit, the color, the style, the texture....they all play such an important role in completing the perfect winter ensemble.

Military style coats and jackets are always great pieces to have in your winter wardrobe. My favorite thing about these coats are all you have to do is have on a rockin' pair of boots and some cool ass jeans/slacks and you're good to go!

It's also good to be able to layer in the winter. Wearing one big coat my not necessarily keep you as warm as you think. Besides, layering gives you a chance to be more fashionably intuitive and create some ultra stylish looks! Layering layering layering! ugh...i'm such an addict!

I Inspire Me!

A good stylist always delivers....even on off days!

It's just a bag.....GET OVER IT!

Ok guys....now is the time to scoop you up a great bag!! If you're a student, a young professional, or just a trendy guy a bag is a must have! There are soooo many types and varieties that you should def. have more than one...maybe two....ok maybe TEN!!!

No longer do you have to choose between your manhood and a hot bag. They're made specifically for the male species: heavy duty, durable, versatile, trendy, and most of all MASCULINE! There's no reason why should have to carry your wallet, your cell phone, your planner, your chapstick, your business card case, etc....just throw it in bag!!

Fall....the best wardrobe all year!!!

Some may say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Granted you get great deals on buying new clothes, unexpected gifts from unexpected people, office parties...yada yada! For the stylish guy, fall is the best season all year!! It's the transisitional period in the climate and therefore allows you to wear just about anything imagineable!

This is the time of year that you can layer beyond all reason! It's not too hot, it's not too cold, it's a little windy...ugh...it's just a blissful time of year!

Guys...take advantage of this time of year to wear those awkward jackets or pieces that you're not so sure about! you can't go wrong with a trendy, light-weight jacket or sweater.

Keep everyone guessing with having a variety of light-weight clothing in the "outerwear section" of your wardrobe. Try to switch it up everyday and as little repetition as possible.

Remember, when layering you want EVERY piece to be fashionable just in case you have to shed them during the day! The weather can be iffy around this time of year.

A Few People You Should Know!

Oh Rachel!! We love Rachel Zoe, not just b/c she has her own reality tv show...but b/c of her intuitive and VERY influential taste in the industry. Rachel is among the top stylists in the country hired by various clients to do runway shows, photo shoots, celebrity events, etc. etc. This chick is def a breed of her own! She is best known for her vintage seventies tweek that seems to add the perfect element of glam to even her everyday attire!

When it comes to fashion, there aren't very man things Rachel can do wrong....hell.....when it comes to fashion it's IMPOSSIBLE for her to do wrong! Be sure to watch the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo Mondays @ 10 pm!

The lovely, the matchless, the super stylish....June Ambrose! With incredible taste and an innate sense of fashion, June Ambrose has turned the industry upside down with her magnificent skill/talent. Her perception of fashion is like no other and she is summoned by many celebs in the likes of: P. Diddy, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, and many more! She's even been on Oprah!!!

“In LA, your car is your armor. In New York, our sidewalks are our runways—we define ourselves through fashion.”--June Ambrose

June inspires me on such a level that is inexplicable! I love love love her and her style gives me life! Thanks June!! Get her book "Effortless Style"...it's an excellent read!

You look at this guy and you think "what could he possibly know about fashion?" Well, Think again! Tim Gunn is among the most influential male voices in the fashion industry. He is best known for his work in Project Runway, but, the guy is all over the place! You normally see him in a very stylish European tailored suit with a conservative tie. His eye for mens' fashion is extraordinary and I def admire the legend he has created!