Sunday.

The wonderful season of autumn is slowly creeping along the outskirts of the year to deliver a swift headbutt to our subconscious. While we are merrily entering the month of August, it is our final adieu to the summer before we rendezvous with September. While of course September isn't going to be causing us to pack up the shorts and tee shirts just yet, it is the harbinger for what we all know will be an immediate, blunt fall; a fall that I am incredibly excited for. Aside from autumn being my favorite of the four seasons, the fall of 2011 is something that I am very eager to endure. What's not to like? Neutral tones, casual scarves, sports coats, cardigans, auburn up the wazoo etc. Aside from just the arbitrary enjoyments of fall, there are also a few things to look forward to as well. A list of new music is likely to release this semester, which I have no doubt will be mind blowing. Albums from artists/groups such as CSS, David Guetta, Lil Wayne, VHS or Beta and Feist (omg) just to name a few, I can already tell that I'm going to be excited. Not to mention the plethora of enjoyable holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Veteran's day, autumn pretty much speaks for itself when it comes to being the best darn season there is. However, there are a few things in particular that I am looking forward to this season that I haven't really spoken to yet. Ironically, they both involve Kid Cudi.

Watching the video above will show you a sneak peek of what it is yet to come from the creative minds of Scott Mescudi, Cage and Shia LeBouf. While the premise of the short film has yet to be released, I have understood it to be a horror short based on the song by the two recording artists. With Shia taking the creative lead, he is exploring his capabilities as a director by taking us fans of the artists down a macabre road that no doubt will leave us wanting to leave the lights on. However, considering my absolute love for the song, I am no doubt going to find myself as addicted to it as I was to Kanye's own mini-movie, Runaway. It should be interesting to see the same concept of music-inspired film between two completely different minds. While I don't want to automatically compare Shia and Kanye, or Kid Cudi and Kanye, this project is going to ensure that we do it anyway. Now, as you can see, Maniac comes out in October of 2011, Halloween day in fact. However, Kid Cudi has yet another film project that will also be debuting in the month of October. One of my favorite television shows is rearing its head out of hiatus to give us a much anticipated return. How To Make It In America is coming back to show us just how Crisp is fairing after their restless attempts at making a name for themselves in the previous season. With more women, higher stakes and no doubt more swank, the second installment of the series is no doubt going to attract more viewers than the previous season. HBO has yet to disappoint me with an original series, and with such a down to earth series like HTMIIA, I'm already prepping myself for its awesomeness. Check out its teaser trailer below.

Is that Theophilus London I hear? Oh yes, his LP is out. Go get it. Now.

Blue.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Obsidian.

WARNING: Extremely Creative! Watch in Full Screen.

Saturday.

ANOTHER BS POST. Haha, here's a pretty cool picture to try and make up for it. 

Photo from Rich White People.

Blue.

Photo by Guerre.
I want one...

Ivy.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Electric.

Great music. Bad advice. Watch in Full Screen.

Friday.

Another useless excuse for why I haven't posted this week. Another quote which has nothing to do with anything. Haha.

She's gorgeous, when niggas she her jaws hit the floor so when she left, it didn't break my heart it broke my torso. - Earl Sweatshirt.

Spice.

All credit due to the owners of this photo. 

Oxford.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Honey.

Watch in Full Screen.

Thursday.

Every time I listen to the song Marvin's Room by Drake, it puts be in a weird mood. While I don't become depressed, furious or any form of being upset, I still feel a bit empty. I think the song makes me more eager than anything. While many of us can say that we've had our fair share of heart break, none of us can really relate to each other's emotion. However, whenever I hear Drake's voice proclaiming how he deserve's a girls love more than the one that she actually loves, it makes me think just how cool this guy is. The same goes for when I listen to any song by The Weeknd, (which you have to listen to if you haven't already!) or anyone else like them. When The Weeknd is talking about losing his girl to another girl in The Knowing, and how he's discovered her secret, but how he still loves her it just puts me in an emotional grind. As we all know, emotions are not 'cool.' It isn't cool to lose your girlfriend. It isn't cool to be lonely. Tears are not cool. However, the after effect is. Nowadays the brooding, dark and mysterious figures which populate the back of the bars, clubs and taverns are the ones that are the coolest. Falling into habit to fill some sort of void, that is something that we can deem cool though right? I don't know what it is that makes these people cool, but what  it shows us is that happiness is not 'cool.' Which sort of draws a rift between what it is that we want, and what it is that we need. (Haha, no pun intended.)

Anne-Catherine Frey... has no reason to be pictured here. I just want to be her friend. D=
Photo from A Truly Intriguing Subject.

I love my friends, many of them are like siblings to me, and I think that many of them are really 'cool.' At the same time, it was a process to become friends with them. It wasn't easy to become friends with a lot of them, while others was incredibly simple to befriend. I think their 'coolness' comes from their elusiveness. People are  animals, plain and simple. In the social jungle that we live in, being elusive allows one to protect themselves many times. Acting cold to strangers, and being unfriendly to most people prevents one from having to open up, or waste time on people that may either harm them or endanger them. It takes effort to befriend a 'cool' person. However, this self-defense system essentially sacrifices their friendliness. On one side we have being able to defend oneself from the tribulations that Drake and The Weeknd face in their songs, by being elusive and thus mysteriously cool. On the other side we have the opportunity to meet people who we want to befriend, and enjoy the company of people that we can trust. I've had many friends that have betrayed my trust. For that reason, it would make sense to limit my social circle, but it just makes my selection of 'real' friends rather small. There are very few people that really know the real me, and I like it that way. Of course, this isn't because of some sort of hidden aspiration to be the cool guy, but makes me seem either stoic or unemotional. The truth is, it takes effort to know me, and the same goes for anyone that knows the difference between a friend and an acquaintance. Obviously you wouldn't tell your entire life story to a person you meet at the store just so that they could be your friend, right? It takes time to open oneself up to other people. Media makes us believe that the harder it is to crack open that exterior, the cooler this person is, because they know the significance of solitude. Whether that's true is questionable, but I find it fascinating. 

Like minded friends.
Photo from Black Fashion

I guess it also makes friendships more valuable. CONTRADICTIONS.

Blue.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Ocean.

Trippy video. Dope song. As expected from the boys (and Syd) of OFWGKTA. Watch in Full Screen.
By the way, this video cuts out about two minutes of the song, so go listen to the extended version.

Leshner.

Photo from Citizen Couture. Meet Fay Leshner. 

Every so often I come across an individual with such profound uniqueness that it subconsciously puts me in dreamlike state. It’s like submerging your body into one of your favorite painting or freeing your soul into music with no recollection of time. The feeling was no different when I came across Fay Leshner... - Jason Jean; Owner of Citizen Couture.

I concur.

Yay!

Origami Citizen hit 1000 hits today! Thanks to all of the readers that have taken the time to look at this blog. Hopefully this is the first step towards many more in the future!

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." - Booker T. Washington.

Much love, guys.

Wednesday.

Haha, I didn't do much today, so I guess I don't have much to talk about. This is turning out to be a very long summer if I do say so myself. I've been doing some secretary work for my father, and have been having people call me and spill their souls about their current parental issues. They talk about things like child support, custody rights, lawyer fees, halfway homes etc. It's really sad stuff, but I can't help but think to myself that, it's not really sad. I don't know how sinister it is for me to say that these are responsibilities that these people have decided to engage, and that I can only hope that they thought about the severity of taking on a life. A child is more than just an accessory, they're a human life. It's not just feeding them every day and washing them every week, like one would with a pet. While this all seems like common sense, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff that I hear. Of course, I'm not allowed to divulge anyone's information, not would I want to, but after a while it starts to make one thing. I'm not trying to preach to anyone, because life is a beautiful thing, but at least be ready to accept the responsibility. Perhaps I'm just not ready for that sort of thing in my life now, but that doesn't mean others are not as well. I got word that a friend of mine from childhood recently had a child, simply because she wanted to. I thought it was a really spectacular thing to embrace, but at the same time I couldn't help but think to myself that I can't see myself doing the same thing. Moreover, my cousin recently was married just a few months ago, a cousin that is just a year two months older than myself. Again, a beautiful thing, but is it too soon? Perhaps we're in the stage of our lives that we are rushing to grow up, and show our significance from our adolescent counterparts. A man is defined by his actions, so does that mean we have to do adult things to be considered adults? It's a scary thought, but it's something that we have to face. Having a family isn't going to happen by sitting around and thinking about it. Perhaps my friends and family are just ready to start that stage in their lives, and I love them for it. I can appreciate their strength and I can admire their perseverance. 

Father and Daughter
Photo by The Satorialist

Well, that's all I really have to say for today. Maybe I'll have something more beneficial to say tomorrow. Haha.

Desert.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Mushaboom.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.
The second Canadian of the day. There's only one thing that can match up with Feist's flawless musical ability: her beauty. Not only is she gorgeous, cool and foreign, but she's been on Sesame Street! You know she's the kind of girl you take back to mom!

XO.

If you still haven't DLed 'House of Balloons,' you're really missing out. Watch in Full Screen.

Tuesday.

Just finished watching Chris Nolan's Inception, and after seeing it for the fourth time, I'm still speechless. The incredible amount of depth that went into this film is something that is incomparable to any sort of film that has been released in the passed ten years. Of course, not being on the same level as movies pre-seventies, that is not to say that it is above or below them either. It seems to me like Inception is the type of film that is capable of grasping the audience with something that cannot be beaten in modern day cinema. What is that thing? Hell if I know. If I did, I would be in Los Angeles making a name for myself. However, I do pick up some things about the movie that really make me giddy. While I am not going to talk about movies for two days straight, I will be focusing today's entry on what it is that makes this movie so good. This may reveal some things that expand through the film industry as well. The first thing I'd like to make note of, and which is something that very few people take appreciation in, is incredible attention to detail. Many products which we as consumers effortlessly ingurgitate are created just for that: consumption. The food industry is an ideal showcase to this. While many people have a supreme appreciation for food, despite quantity, many times people are turned on by the quantity as opposed to the quality. Prime Example: Le Big Mac. A combination of lettuce, white buns, imitation beef and imitation cheese. It is literally fake food, and yet I wouldn't think twice about rolling up to the McDonalds drive-thru and ordering one with a side of fries. This is because it's filling, easily produced and cheap. It has no detail, no individuality. It has been produced to have no individuality, and that's what makes it fast food. On the opposite side of the scale, we have the fine cuisine that many of us rarely have the opportunity to try, because of it's individuality. The reason that many of these places charge so much for such small quantities should be obvious by now. It takes effort to make these dishes. From the what they're made of, to what they look like, every part of these dishes are made to order, which makes them completely authentic. While the dining industry is just one example, we can use just this small aspect of what makes movies like Inception so great and apply them to just about anything. 

Ralph Lauren Black Label
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Let's look at the fashion industry. (Yay!) We can easily compare two brands much like we compared McDonalds to fine dining. We can go with my favorite clothing brands, Ralph Lauren, versus another brand, US Polo Assn. USPA clothing has been around long before Ralph Lauren, which only adds insult to injury when declaring that Ralph Lauren products trump USPA products. Let me be the first to tell you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with USPA clothing. In fact, many of their styles are reminiscent of RL in many ways, and because of that it is admirable in its own degree. However, what makes RL trump USPA is, you guessed it, the attention to detail. Ralph Lauren clothing has been designed to fit a specific image which has changed only slightly changed in its 44 years of existence. In fact, a fancy bit of information is that Ralph Lauren was in fact hired to style the cast of the movie The Great Gatsby, which anyone who knows anything about fashion knows is an incredibly well dressed movie. This defines the artisan from the craftsman. Being able to see something for what it's worth, and then expound upon that detail to make it better. If a sword is meant to be sharp, then take the aspect of it's sharpness and make the sharpest sword there is. If a movie is meant to keep you watching, then take the aspect of it's intrigue and make it the most intriguing movie there is. This is what Inception has done, this is what Ralph Lauren has done, and this is what five-star eateries have done. One can only hope that we can do the same with whatever craft we have decided to pursue. They have taken their craft and perfected it. 

Burberry ad. Guess what they make? Hint: They're all wearing one.
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

That's why they all cost so much damn money...

Brew.

All credit due to the owners of this photo. Check out these new brews from Newcastle! 

Boys.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Freak.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.
This guy sounds just like Justin Timberlake...

Monday.

Today was a rather unproductive day at home. My day literally consisted of starting a new workout, reading some blogs, talking to a few friends and downloading music. That means that don't really have much to talk about today, but after missing two days this weekend, I can't start to fall into the habit! For that reason, I'm going to write a BS entry about one of my favorite things: international film. While I am not the most avid filmhead, I know a good movie when I see one, and I know that most of the movies that I've seen from other countries are pretty darn good! In fact, my favorite movie, Prague, is an indie from Denmark that has crazy amounts of drama, suspense and love. While the reason for being my favorite movie is not hidden in it's country of origin, I still love it nonetheless. I highly suggest that if you get a chance, to get it from Netflix and watch it with a friend who knows how to appreciate subtitles. Yes I know, most people don't like international movies because they don't like reading subtitles. It makes sense, it's hard to read both emotions and words at the same time, I agree. However I feel that in many other languages, even in Danish, emotions literally explode off of the screen. I've seen a few American movies where the acting has been good enough to allow the script to flow from the page and into an imaginative reality. However, only a few. Even my most loved American drama's have trouble making their scripts seem as authentic as many international actors and actresses. Perhaps it's the mystique of having a language that I am unfamiliar with spoken in such a powerful tone that really draws me in. However, it's not just the acting that really reels me in, we obviously have great actors here in the US, but also the stories as well.

Screenshot from the french film Angel-A.
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

I attended the Cleveland Film Festival a few years back, and had the pleasure of seeing a very simple Japanese movie. While the name escapes me (it's been like, five years), I do recall the story. It was about a big shot photographer who comes to visit his family in his one-horse hometown after his mother's death. While there, he is reunited with an old flame who he had once had feelings for. However, it would turn out that his older brother, who still lives in the town has also developed feelings for this girl. No doubt a typical love triangle, the story turns sour when the three are out for a walk, and the main character moves ahead of the group for some reason. At this point, the older brother confronts the girl, explaining his love for her, only for him to reject him. We are then presented with a slight twist in the story: her demise. Though just in time to see, it turns out that the younger brother witnessed it all. From this point on, the movie becomes a tragic confrontation for the young man. Having to choose between keeping his family together with the protection of his brother, or getting revenge for the girl that he had begun to love. While I'm sure this doesn't sound all too unique, it is driven home with a very unique cinematography and excellent scenery, which is something that we are honestly lacking here in the states. Movies all seem to be the same thing for the most part. It's as if cinema has become a creature of habit. If it breaks away and does something different, then we hail it as one of best movies out. Hell, even if it doesn't do anything different, it will still be hailed as one of the best movies out. (Avatar?) Well I'm not going to stand on my soap box and pronounce all American movies trash, but I will say that it's good to ground oneself with movies that you'd never expect. Get a good insight into the cultures that populate the world. What better way to do that than watch a movie? If you can't speak, read or understand the language, then watch a movie, throw on the subtitles and learn to multitask, because otherwise you're missing out on something spectacular.

Artwork from Akira Kirosawa's Yojimbo.
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

You haven't lived until you've seen an Akira Kurosawa film. 


P.S. That being said, most people won't like Akira Kurosawa films. Haha.

Freedom.

Watch in Full Screen.

Platt.

Photo from Citizen Couture.
Meet Lauren Remington Platt. This woman has it all. The face of an angel, remarkable style, an education from Colombia University, CEO position of her own company and most importantly: youth. The founder of the exclusive Vensette.com, Lauren is off to a good start. With the exception of not having accepted my marriage proposal of course.

Liberty.

Photo by Avid Courtesy League.

Jazz.

Photo by Guerre. Black, Brown and Beige.

Sunday.

The unholy sanction of crippling heat and debilitating rain begets the hell that was these passed two days. While it has not prohibited me from posting an entry yesterday, or the day before, other things of course did. Those things? Friends and Family. Pretty good excuse right? Well I hope so anyway. These passed few days I've been engaged in a number of conversations concerning music. Attending a concert on Friday where I was able to see the likes of Far East Movement, Lloyd, Keri Hilson (faint), Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne, I had a magnificent day. This of course was accessorized with a day of browsing around various retail stores and finally a night on the town with a merry band of cohorts. While I can't say the weekend went off without a hitch, it certainly was one of the most entertaining of the summer. I think it was well worth it to miss a couple of days of posting on my lil' ol' blog for! Besides, as I promised, I'm going to treat my readers with something a bit special today as opposed to the normal crap that you read on a daily basis (if I'm so lucky). Well, it's not that special, but it's significant enough to make up for the two days that I missed. Haha. In order to make up for two days, I'm just going to show you all the best two music videos you've never seen, and then I'm going to talk a bit about another one of my menswear inspirations.

While this young, Pittsburgh based, rapper is far from what people would normally expect to see from the countless stereotypes that are produced from the media, this video shines in its ability to be honest. Instant comparisons to Eminem or Wiz Khalifa noted, Malcom McCormick is in a league of his own. Not coming from a broken home, or poverty, or surrounded by adverse influences, it all comes clear in the intolerably cute home videos that he submits in the beginning of this video. Still young, Mac's decision to pursue hip hop seriously would only rear it's head four years ago. So while I was packing my things for a four year stay at The College of Wooster, he was honing his performance skills and memorizing lyrics. What has it done for him? Well he's officially been signed to Rostrum Records, which is the same label that supports recording artist Wiz Khalifa. So I suppose if you're going to compare Mac to the global nomad, compare him in terms of determination... oh and the fact that they're both from Pittsburgh. (Black and yellow, black and yellow etc.)

The first time I found this video, I replayed it a total of six times. Three times for the video, two times for the song, and one time to see them work in unison. I've lost count of how many times I've watched it afterwards. The powerful animation does little but honor the capabilities of ambient melody that Danger Beach produces. Almost reminiscent of a musical story ala Peter and the Wolf, Danger Beach allows our imagination to run wild with the story that we create with these three unique styles of play. However, it is this video that puts our imagination into fruition, with an animation design which rivals our conception. I could spend hours talking about what this video means, but at the sake of not wanting to sound like one of those guys, I'm going to let you decide what you want about this video, and the song it is based on.

Theophilus London
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Who the hell does this guy think he is? It's one thing to be envied for your musical talents, I get that. He makes music that is not only genre-defying, but authentic art, I get that. It's something completely else to be one of the coolest guys on the face of the earth. He's cool, having a wardrobe to die for he gets away with things that most people would be mocked for wearing. Now, it's something that's unforgivable to be all of these things, and only be twenty-two years old! There are only two male musicians that I admire for both their music and their fashion sensibility. The first is Kanye West, who needs no further explenation. I mean, the guy has a song called 'Christian Dior Denim Flow' for heaven's sake. He's collaborated with an incredible amount of famous brand names from Louis Vuitton to Nike, and is even rumored to be launching his own line this fall. The fashion photographers love him, and for good reason. So for Theophilus London to be capable of comparing to the Louis Vuitton Don is saying something: instantly. Having style tastes that rival my own, I know that if I were ever to meet my icon, I know that there would be instant conflict. Why? Jealousy. True, while last name London, first name Theophilus has a style that is an ode to his hometown of Brooklyn, he still holds my heart when it comes to the ability to dress how one wants, when one wants. I mentioned earlier about about stereotypes of rappers. While I'm no longer convinced that Theophilus falls under that category, he still breaks the mold. Chains and shades aside, one would be hard pressed to find a rapper nowadays that wears his paints on his waist, with his shirt tucked in, and a sun hat on top of his head. What makes matters worse is that he's not just a snazzy dresser, he also produces music of incredible quality.

Theophilus London ft. Ducks
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Having released an incredible amount of music in the form of both singles, mix-tapes and EP's, Theophilus has yet to disappoint me with a single key of music. Having recruited the musical talents of Devonte Hynes (aka Lightspeed Champion, for who I've been a longtime fan), Mark Ronson (incredible!) Solange Knowles (not so much) and others, he is quickly finding himself with a legion of fans waiting to see what he is capable of. Even having big names like Va$htie produce his video for his cover of Tweet's "Oops," he was able to land the artistic, and well appreciated talents of Lindsay Lohan. While it appears he is taking a different route than another one of my favorite up and coming rappers (Tyler the Creator), there is no mistaking the fact that his audience is behind him all the way. Also, his LP is purchasable on iTunes for $10. 

Now someone get this man a Wikipedia page and lets go hate on his Complex fashion shoot!

R.I.P.

Inspiration.

vs

"About to go Thriller, Mike Jackson on these..." Watch in Full Screen.

Saturday.

Sorry that I missed today's post! Haha, I guess I broke my promise to give you guys something special... but this Gary Coleman animation should make up for it... right?

Archandroid.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.
There's only ever been one person who I've seen dawn a pompadour, and still be considered stunning. That person is Janelle Monae.

Shhh.

Photo from Rich White People.

Childish.

Explicit lyrics. Watch in Full Screen.

Obsidian.

Photo from Uncrate. BMW 328 Hommage.

Friday.

Won't be able to make an entry today. Though, I'll make sure that tomorrow's post is extra-special. For now, I'll just leave my reader's with some words of encouragement. 

"Decadence is a difficult word to use since it has become little more than a term of abuse applied by critics to anything they do not yet understand or which seems to differ from their moral concepts." - Earnest Hemmingway.

McPherson.

Photo from Citizen Couture.

Meet Tamu McPherson, the creator of the very cool blog, All The Pretty Birds (Check it out!). In addition to being a fantastic photographer, and a wicked dresser; Tamu is a heavyweight knockout.

Blue.

Photo from Fat Stanley.

Pink.

Photo from Rich White People.

Billy.

One of my favorite songs. Watch in Full Screen.

Thursday.

I have a little story to tell. After posting yesterday's entry, I stayed up for a few more hours. During my two cups of late night coffee, I continued to promote Origami Citizen on Twitter, which of course is nothing out of the ordinary. However, what is out of the ordinary is that the focus of yesterday's post, Nick Wooster, got wind of the post, and of my tweets and decided to let me know about it. Of course, he being the man that he is was no doubt awake far before my nine o' clock alarm went off. So as I fumbled awake this morning, the first thing I noticed was an e-mail from Twitter notifying me that I had a new follower: Nick Wooster. Ecstatic, I tweeted my thanks and admiration to him, only for him to thank me. What a magnificent guy! People say that the fashion industry is precarious and shallow? They obviously haven't met Nick Wooster. I'd say he's a pretty well rounded gentleman. Haha.

Nick Wooster
Photo from Fuck Yeah Nick Wooster

On another note, today is indeed Thursday. This of course means that at ten o' clock tonight, one of my new favorite television series will be airing it's fifth episode. While I am not really a TV person, every once in a while there is a series that really catches my attention. In fact, I could probably count the list of my favorite television programs on one hand. However, when I heard about USA's new series Suits, I knew that I had to at least give it a try. After watching the hour and a half long pilot, I was instantly hooked. Following the life of a twenty-something college dropout with the, now overused thanks to Psyche and The Mentalist, ability to remember things in the blink of an eye, and his hot shot lawyer boss, this series is absolutely promising. What makes this show stand out, considering super-memory is now cliche, is the chemistry between the characters. The slick back hair, pinstripe loving, three-piece-suit persona that is Harvey Specter is devilishly smart, and has the word 'ambition' written on his forehead. He holds the throne for what every man wants to be: a smart, daring, stylish, rich womanizer who knows how to get what he wants. His partner, Mike Ross is what the reality of the situation is. In over his head, his intelligence is only an accessory to his work ethic. Being the 'new guy' at the firm, his coworkers are reluctant to help, giving him more trouble than assistance for the most part.

Harvey (center) and Mike (right)
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

However, there is an element of romance slowly starting to crop up between all of the busywork that Mike engages in. Between filing paperwork and being scolded by Harvey, Mike interacts with the firm's most promising paralegal: Rachel Zane, played by Meghan Markle. While this is my first time seeing the actress' work, it goes without saying that she is a bombshell. With a quirky attitude and a chip on her shoulder, Rachel is what every man wants in an office romance. Mysterious gazes, complex outfits and a smile that is only saved for those who earn it, she has the whole package. However, considering we are still in the introduction phases of the program, Rachel and Mike have had only one douse of drama. While I'm not going to spoil anything for those who wish to catch up on the program, I will say that we've all been there before. So listen, do yourself a favor, watch the show. While I would say the series markets at those 19-30, it gives some inspiration for not only how hard the corporate world is, but how to dress in it as well. At least once per episode, Harvey will scold Mike about what he's wearing, which I find pretty interesting. Kids these days. 

Ms. Markle
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

You know, I'd even go as far to say that I almost like this show just as much as I like How to Make it in America. Almost.

Red.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.
Meet Florence Welsh. When I imagine an angel's voice, it sounds peculiarly like hers. Beautiful woman.

Wednesday.

While I'm not sure if I have a living style icon, there is one guy that comes pretty darn close: Nickleson Wooster. Sharing the same surname as my alma mater, Nick Wooster is daring, classy and incredibly knowledgeable about men's clothing. So much so that he is capable of wearing a pair of heels (yes, stilettos) and still be considered cool in my books. While I would never be so bold as to don a pair myself, I understand that style is all about testing oneself. This philosophy is clear as day on Bergdorf & Neiman Marcus' previous Men's Fashion Director. While never really having the option to wear any of the things in Mr. Wooster's closet, he follows the same fashion inspiration that I do, and it is seen in a number of his outfits. This is the idea of a 'splash.' What is a splash you ask? Simple: A splash of color. Neutral colors are eternal. We have work white, black, grey and brown for centuries, and they continue to be our most decadent color choices because of their simple versatility. So while wearing what we can rely on, in neutral colors, we can include daring spots in our ensemble with a different color or design that stands out in your outfit. Of course it's not a matter of just wearing a random color and being cool, it's a matter of knowing which splash works for which combination! That's what makes Nick shine so much. 

Nick Wooster (above)
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Let's look at men's fashion first. There are three corporate shirt colors: white, blue and soft pink. Any other colors would be considered either unprofessional or daring to many corporate offices. However, where a man really gets to express himself in the office is his choice of tie. True, it is possible for a tie to be inappropriate as well, but if your boss calls you out, just change it! While I would never wear a pair of canary yellow bucks, Nick seems to make them look amazing, despite their ridiculous hue. The simple suit, with the perfect splash of color to drive it home. Again, much like I was saying yesterday, women have a few more options than we do when it comes to 'dressing up.' Though instead of the tie, women have the option of shoes or accessories. It is very possible to wear unprofessional shoes in the office, but it would be much more unlikely for your boss to call you out for wearing a black suit and canary heels than it would be for a man to wear a black suit and canary oxfords. The secret is to be subtle with your colors. Don't go for something that's incredibly loud unless you want to be incredibly loud. Take some inspiration from 'The Wooster,' and see what you find. If you like it, then stick with it! If not, then don't worry about it, on to the next inspiration. Just remember to be creative!

Nick Wooster as "Mustached Yakuza."
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Of course, these are my own personal tastes, but if the previous Men's Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus does it, then why shouldn't I?


P.S. If you want to see more Wooster looks, check out his stalker's paradise, or his own blog.

Tyler.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Vespa.

Photo from Anne-Catherine's blog: A Truly Intriguing Subject.

Inspiration.

vs

I didn't even know Kanye's song Spaceship had a video. Watch in Fullscreen.

Cassius.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Tuesday.

Today was another hot day, only describable by it's ability to infer itself upon any article of clothing that I wear, and cement itself to me. My pants become ovens, and my shirts become prisons. The heat swarms me when exposed to the sun, and yet I find myself incapable of liberating myself from them. I'm not very fond of random nudity. I'm referring to people with a lack of the two essential articles for proper service: shirts and shoes. For this reason, as well as not being able to wear half of my clothes, I dislike the summer. While not my least favorite season, it is very... challenging to dress appropriately as a young man. As someone who feels that a collar should be mandatory eighty percent of the time, it's near impossible to wear collared shirts in the heat. Sure, tons of blogs, articles and magazines describe ways to 'stay cool' while being professional. They describe the right fabrics to wear, so that when you put on a suit, you won't be that hot. It's all bologna. Regardless of what fabric I'm wearing, I know that garnishing a tie, and a jacket is suicide in the sun. If I don't sweat away all of my natural fluids, my body's going to at least try. Women don't really have the same issue. What I would give to be able to let my legs breathe and still follow dress code. That being said, I guess I'll get to the point of this entry: women'swear. Not just any type of women'swear, but menswear inspired women'swear. 

Helen Weselcouch (above)
Photo from The Style Blogger

I'm no male chauvinist. I appreciate women more than they appreciate each other. However, there is just something so enticing about a woman who uses the same elements in her wardrobe as I do. I'm unsure if I like the idea of her being so creative, or knowing how to stay versatile, but I'm sure that I enjoy it. While the picture above depicts a woman wearing men's formal/semi-formal attire, my appreciation doesn't stop there. Just yesterday, I went to a movie with a friend of mine. While her outfit was very much feminine, I could tell that she was using something that a lot of fashion conscious women don't seem to: a plain white t-shirt. Of course, you might suggest that I'm insane for thinking girls don't wear plain white tees, but allow me to explain. Her shirt was worn the way a guy would wear it. While I'm not sure if the shirt was unisex or menswear, I am certain that it wasn't women'swear. Additionally, the fact that it was her shirt made it all the more interesting! Not many people know this, but a woman's outfit is centered around the upper portion of her body. They create their outfit based on their tops (fun fact for the day!). Men, on the other hand, on their trousers. I loved her outfit just for that reason. Minimalist, fashionable and creative, she knew what she was doing, even if she doesn't realize it! There are a multitude of options for girls to wear like the women in these photos. If you want to visit The Style Blogger, you can even see that half of their outfits are composed of skirts! While a lot of girls feel like they can't wear things like the photos above and below, I'm going to present you with my mantra of four years:

Jenilee (above)
Photo from The Style Blogger

Confidence is your most important accessory.