Faded.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Thursday.

Watch The Throne was released a few days ago. I'm just getting around to listening to it. To celebrate its release, GQ released a Jay-Z v Kanye West fashion battle to decide which of the suave-spitting MC's effect the hip hop fashion world the most. While GQ allowed the couple to trade blows with their style, they used an image that reminded me of a Kanye that I had forgotten even existed. Do you recall Kanye West's hiatus? The dipped out of the social spotlight during a very complicated year of heartbreak? When he returned he did so with the highly underrated album 808's and Heartbreaks which still gets an incredible amount of play on my iPod. With that came the craziest, and most influential style phase that I have seen in the world of hip-hop. The famous picture of Yeezy sporting a plaid, grey suit, white shirt, no tie, white sneaks and the iconic red heart lapel embodied his style for the most part. The hiatus was accompanied by a heroic, transient beat in his music that would rip the soul out of every listener that would actually pay attention. Stunning videos such as: Amazing, Love Lockdown, Paranoid and Mr. Hudson's Supernova to name a few were symbols of what it was that was really coming out of the super-creative phase in the rapper's life. It was this phase however that really let me appreciate what it was that made Kanye, Kanye. Taking the opportunity to do something other than rap, it made him really something that many close-minded people couldn't grasp anymore. In fact, it made him something that no one could grasp. While not giving the artist the status of a deity, he certainly gave us something to think about when listening to music, reading magazines and picking our ensemble for the day. However, knowing that the man singing about a heartless woman was also the same man who made a song about a fellatio workout proves his diversity, and why he is my favorite musical artist, hands down. 

Mr. West, 808's Era.
All credit due to the owners of these photos.

I feel like anyone who took heed to Kanye's transformations got a sneak peek at a bit of his soul. This is something that a lot of artists don't really reveal to their fans. A lot of fake smiles, stuntin' and city shout outs is expected from hip hop artists nowadays. Of course, to really see what it takes that composes someone's thoughts, that's what really makes an artist stand out. While the argument that Ye makes this a bit too simple, with flagrant outbursts of emotion that seem to pop up every year or so, it's still more than I've seen from a number of other people. I've seen rappers do some crazy things (coughCam'romcough) and I've seen rappers do some pretty inventive things (will.I.am. wtf?), but I've never seen anyone dominate so many different aspects of influence as Yeezy does. If it isn't obvious yet, I'm a fan boy of the Louis Vuitton Don, but I'm only showing my admiration so adamantly because of my issues as a young man making the transition from creative to conformist. I'm always going to be able to listen to Kanye, and I'm always going to be able to wear what I want when I party, but for the majority of my waking week, soon I won't have many options. However, Ye gives me inspiration in this department. The ability to bend barriers until they mold to my liking is what I want, and I know it's going to be a risky maneuver, but I know it's going to be worth it. There's nothing worse than the stifling of creativity. I'm limiting the topic to fashion either! Sure, dress codes are a welcome counteraction to uniforms, but at the same time, there are still strict rules that prevent out-of-the-box thinking. I don't want to be in a position where I can't even think the way that I want to, but it may get to the point that I will have to if I want to make something of myself. That's why I can look at Yeezy as inspiration. I don't want to become the non-rap equivalent of the Dem Franchize Boys. I don't want to become a cliche. I would much rather be an anomaly. Murder to excellence, right?

By the way, OFWGKTA on two tracks. Frank Ocean = Beast.

Retrograde.

Proper way to pull off a fedora.
Photo from The Style Blogger.

Wednesday.

The Louis Vuitton Don.
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Hellacious.

Photo from Fuck Yeah Nick Wooster.
Farewell Shark Week.

Red.

Photo from Paris x 3.
I miss layering... 

Leather.

Photo from Paris x 3.

Clash.

Photo from Backyard Bill for GQ.

Balloons.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Monday.

I put a few things through the ringer today. In an attempt to shrink some of my clothes which have become a bit over sized, I came across a pair of pants that are mind blowing in their cool. A pair of black and white plaid pants, that are no doubt older than me. I've never word them for both their size, and their design. I love the pants, don't get me wrong, if I could I would wear them every other weekend with a white shirt and a suit hat, with a little feather on the brim. Yes, cheesy I know, but these pants are a testament to what style used to be. Perhaps you might notice, when looking at pictures of the 1960s, or 50s, men used to wear those hats with their suits. If you were outside, and you were wearing a suit, you were wearing a hat. If you didn't, you would be one of those new age hipsters that didn't know how to be a grown man. (or JFK) After typing this, I immediately think of the USA television program White Collar. The main character, Neal Caffrey, is often seen wearing a hat with his suits. Taking a new age approach on the classic tradition however leaves me to think that he looks a bit- silly, wouldn't you say? While I have never been a huge fan of fedoras, I've come to accept them in some social circles, however these social circles are not white collar work places. However when looking at old pictures of the common man, I have an appreciation of the accessory. I know, I'm spouting a river of contradictions, but I have a point, I swear.

A functional suit + fedora.
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Some things take time. A few years back my brother was really in to wearing bow ties at the work place. While I had nothing to say to him back then, in retrospect I think that it was a pretty nifty idea. Substituting ties for bow ties takes a certain amount of skill that not just anyone can jump in to. The same goes for double breasted suits, pinstripes and certain liquors. I've always been an adamant believer that confidence is the most valuable accessory, but sometimes confidence just isn't enough. Get read for this, because I'm about to drop something heavy on you: Knowledge is more powerful than confidence. (School House Rock!) My brother knew what to wear bow ties with, as well as what colors work well together. He didn't go out and buy a random red bow tie and assume himself a fashionisto. I think it's very possible for someone to wear a hat with their white collar business attire, but knowledge of the accessory is absolutely key. With a combination of confidence and knowledge, it is possible to make just about anything possible, even outside of one's wardrobe. I mean, who was it that decided that thick brimmed glasses were cool again? I promise you it wasn't someone who was afraid to try new things. That's my soapbox speech of the week. Hope you have walked away ready to be adventurous! 

Woody Allen, a man who knows his tastes.
All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Don't forget: Back when they thought pink polo's would hurt the Roc, Before Cam got the sh*t to pop, the doors was closed. 

Obsidian.

Photo by Jak and Jill.

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.

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.

Blue.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

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.

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...

Boys.

All credit due to the owners of this photo.

Liberty.

Photo by Avid Courtesy League.