video vidi visum amo

A collection of have, wants, and admire from the world of art, design, and of course men's wear

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reed pages

With the age of the internet and people's interest of reading going down to 140 characters, its great to see that some publications are a) still printing and b) launching. Case in point jeff staple's newest endeavor reed pages. According to mr. staple it's not what you expect from a typical street wear store. It offers content in regards to all aspects of culture - music, food, views from a local, and history -

“Reed Pages is at the forefront of contemporary culture, art and design. It is dedicated to delivering inspirational, informative and authentic content. It brings together the new and the reinvented, the homegrown and the foreign, and the independents and the conglomerates.”

Another cool note, there are no ads, just grants and funds from companies and brands that share the same belief as the store, magazine, staple design team, and the man himself. It's all about the positive social contagion.

Check out the magazine in it's entirety (for now) and then check out the store to grab yourself a copy and see what this whole positive social contagion is about.

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Rules of a Man according to Karl G.

Really they're "style thoughts" but all in all it's the same. Now, I don't completely agree with all of these rules, but #1 is the most important:

1.The fit of clothing is the most important thing about your wardrobe; you can buy the most expensive attire but if it isn"t the right size or doesn"t fit your body proportions correctly it"s just going to look sloppy.

If you're not going to listen to me, will you at least listen to Karl G.

Read the whole list here.

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Ascot Chang

A friend of mine recently asked me where's the best place to get a custom made suit for cheap in NYC. To be honest the first thought that came to my head was "Ugh none they're all in Asia." I mean if a regular normal NYC meal can cost you an average 20 bucks, then a customized suit will be well above a "G." Let's be real living in NYC ain't the cheapest option.

After some research I found a HK company that has bespoke services, mainly they make the customized goods. Customers can pick out the collar style, fabric, and cut. I know what you're thinking "ugh didn't you say HK, just now?"  Ugh yeah...but you didn't let me finish did you? Anyway though they're based in HK, they have locations both in LA and NY (sorry middle of America, guess you have to come to the coasts). With Ascot Chang, you get your own choice of collar, color, fabric, and fitted cut, in addition to getting a monogram in CHINESE! So for all my people wear your pride (/family name) on your sleeve. It'll be our version of a crest.

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Marlon Gobel F/W 2011

Yes I know we just hit what was known as Spring, but now known as incredibly hot and humid SUMMER. Now that the warmer weather is here, I bet you're biting your words from the winter wishing for these days. Me, because winter was so dreadful, knew that the summer was going to be just as brutal. Yep mentally preparing myself for weather that can be best associated with the likes of South East Asia.

I know right now you're trying to get away with wearing the least amount of clothes without looking sleezy or somehow always being in pool on a rooftop of some cool spot with a watermelon/cucumber mixed drink in hand (no judgement, they're refreshing). Let's keep in mind that Sprummer (= Spring + Summer) will eventually end and we'll go back to the crisp air that we all know and love. That being said keep an eye out for Marlon Gobel. Introducing velvet blazers with hand painted pictures, these are going to be a STATEMENT. It's like Bob Ross rose from the grave and decided to use velvet blazers instead of canvas. Wearable art work. Like Marlon says

It gives guys a way to wear art, but it’s not avant garde. They’re not pushing the envelope. Guys wear Ed Hardy. They’re not afraid of rhinestones and color. We wanted to give them these great story moments on these clothes.

From the interview at Urbane Menswear, Marlon Gobel want guys to have more confidence in what they're wearing. In other words (aka my words) "Fuck what others think, you do you." Best words anyone can say.

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Tantum LA

The Americana look has been the "it" style/look for quite some time now. It's all about the oxford shirts, polos, and button ups. I think it's time for t-shirts make a comeback. And no I don't mean the plain Hanes white t-shirts. Something that offers a little more. Like POCKETS in various tribal and colorful patterns! That's where Tantum LA comes in. Offering contrast tees with the pockets made from Navajo, Mexican blanket, Tiger Camo, and other various designs. Also the pockets don't just come in the regular rectangular pockets, but an OCTO-pocket with a zip. Just like the Triple Five Soul hoodies and clothing of the past, STASH pocket.

OCTO-pocket

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UNIONMADE 2011 Spring/Summer lookbook

(Above the person I feel like I would most relate with)

So it seems like everyone is jumping onto the "unconventional lookbook" boat. First it was Freemans, now San Francisco based store UNIONMADE. In their Spring/Summer 2011 lookbook they feature 18 friends and "family" through illustration by Richard Haines. Each person has a mini Q&A about who they are, likes, and what they're wearing. A really interesting way to connect people with the brands they love. As I said before it's not only about the clothes themselves, but the people who wear them. Almost like a symbiotic relationship, one can't survive without the other.

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Freemans Sporting Club Spring/Summer 2011 lookbook

Fuck having models stand around in front of a white wall, looking so sad and serious. Aren't these clothes suppose to make you feel and look good? So why not have some fun with it.

And that's exactly what Freemans Sporting Club did. They were the first to jump in on the "unconventional lookbook" last year by featuring the clothes in a stereotypical manner, a play on all the characters that you run into in NYC, if you will. This year it's all about the animated gifs. From dude whose juggling to man getting hit in the face and another in the crotch with a ball, to dudes shaking their groove thang, it's makes the clothes have a little life to them. Almost a sneer to people who take fashion too seriously and to quote Mos Def, "it's not about expressing status or power. It's deeper then that." It's a lifestyle. The question is how do you want to live your life?

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The next bag to get courtesy of industrial designer John Cho Moore.

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Ale et Ange. I have a good feeling about them

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Herschel Supply Co. & North Face Purple line

Photo: JFP

Photo: Maia Stern

On The FADER. Instead of "OMG shoes, shoes, shoes." I guess I'm more like "OMG bags, bags, bags.

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C. Chauchat

Made here in, NYC, C.Chauchat are designers Beverly Liang and Curie Choi that hand-make the ties, combining traditional and non-traditional fabrics such as silk chiffon and tulle layering  different printed cotton fabrics. What they're doing with ties is essentially my wardrobe aesthetic. To quote Adrian Brinkley over at Hypebeast, "The pair approach their men’s accessories collection a female point of view with a definite appreciation for masculine aesthetics." Exactly. So go out and get a few. Let these guys co-mingle with your normal boring striped and solids ties.

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Athletics Far East chino

As Spring approaches, we ditch our raw black/dark denims for something lighter. Something that can let our legs breath and wearing jeans that feel like we've just stepped out of a water park ride.

Leave it up to Nike to create a chino that's not only breathable and stylish, but has hidden stash pockets. I don't know about you, but I love as many pockets I can get without looking like cargo pants. The more stuff I can put in my pockets, the option of not carrying a bag becomes more like a realization. Another great thing is that the seams remind me of selvage denim. But these are reflective. I guess it's Nike's approach to merging "Everyday clothes" with "sportswear." Whatever they're trying to do, it's working.

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finally the North Face Purple Line backpack

So after months and months of waiting, I have in my possession the exclusive backpack. A great feature that's not really mentioned is that it can be zipped to two parts - one larger compartment on top, then a smaller one on the bottom. You have it in two ways - a) the normal everyday backpack everything in one large compartment or b) separate things in two categories: necessary and things to be hidden. 

As you can see there's an optional flap that you zip to separate top from bottom.

He's saying "hey. what up?"

He has a mind and humor of his own.

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inspirational words

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.

A great gift from my expat-living-in-Korea friend Jasen. Asians have the best stationary 

[urbanemenswear]

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you so clever

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From the people who always gives you the best quality clothes, here's the way you should be ironing your shirts.

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Nike x Liberty of London

UK based department store, Liberty of London is launching another collaboration with Nike in 3 days. Known for their beautiful patterns and prints, Liberty is debuting 12 different styles and prints, with an additional mysterious style making its premiere in April. Seems like you either have to be in the UK to grab these or go through some firey hoops and circles to get these to get them before May 1st. After maybe less obstacles, but just as hard. Possibly. My personal favs, the high tops. More pictures after the jump.