Nautica presented its Spring 2012 line on the rooftop of the Empire Hotel and given the madness that was happening right across the street (Lincoln Center), it was a nice break from it all. The collection had a distinct nautical vibe: classic anoraks and madras button-downs paired with boat shoes and canvas bags. Keeping it current were some neon trench coats and color-blocked polos. Americana is still going strong for menswear and given the amount of support from lifestyle/male bloggers, this timeless look will be around for a long time. Not that I’m complaining (!) Oh, and did I mention the shirtless male models? Hey, now. The babe factor was pretty high.
– Jeanie Kwak
photos: Stevyn Llewellyn
It’s no big secret that I’m a fan of the designer duo Nicholas K (just read my twitter feed!) and I was looking forward to seeing the new Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The show opened with a kind of meditation on white– lots of floaty, sheer layers and contrasting textures that looked luminous or matte. Models had silk scarves tied around their heads and this motif repeated itself throughout the show, lending a gypsy or urban-nomad feel. The looks were romantic, but carefully reined in with tough elements, whether topped with an unconventional trench coat or accessorized with dark aviators and rawhide bracelets embedded with agate. Colors were soft, yet earthy and inspired by oceanic themes: surf, barnacle, sponge, shark and streaming kelp. I was thrilled to see bands of natural tie die which kept with the movement of the loose and relaxed style they are so good at doing. It’s a kind of west coast ease mixed in with east coast industrial edginess that I so admire. And I would wear every single piece of their line. Every. Single. Piece.
– Jeanie Kwak
photos: Stevyn Llewellyn
Last night, I descended into the depths of the Ace Hotel to attend the launch of Alan Cumming’s new perfume, 2nd (Alan) Cumming. It was held at the Liberty Hall which is a dark, sexy little bar in the bowels of the Ace. I got a drink, sat in one of the soft leather couches and took in the scene: men in kilts stood by tables which showcased the perfume, sprayed provocatively on male underwear. Since I was there to experience the scent, I decided, after some consideration, to pick up the item and put my nose to it. For the few seconds I held it to my face, I smelled a kind of clean, smoky earthiness, not unlike a scent that you would equate to equestrian sweat. If you’re at all familiar with CB I Hate Perfume, you will know the creative ways in which this company approaches scent-making. With fragrance concepts like, “Black March, Wild Hunt, Burning Leaves, Cradle of Light, In The Library” you can imagine that their approach is one of high reaching abstraction. Christopher Brosius is the creative mind behind this perfume house and his unique, whimsical, far-reaching products are one of great delight, not unlike Alice sniffing her elixir before drinking it. The two men are personal friends and Alan approached the company to create his own line. The result was 2nd (Alan) Cumming which is all about “Sex, Scotch, Cigars and Scotland”. The perfume itself has notes of Bergamot, Black Pepper, Scotch Pine, Malt Whiskey, Cigar, Heather, Douglas Fir, Rubber, Worn Leather, Highland Mud, Burnt Rubber, Peat Fire and White Truffle. Perfect for the moors or the everyday, inspired, Scottish urbanite.
– Jeanie Kwak
All proceeds from the sale of this product will be donated to charity.
You can purchase the perfume on the CB website: cbihateperfume.com
Header Photo: Charlie Gigante
All other images courtesy of Omen PR
