Already known for having a bevy of fragrances to chose from, our friends at Ralph Lauren have done it again with a new team of men’s colognes they call the Big Pony Fragrance Collection. Targeting 20-somethings, these four scents were created to represent what they consider to be key passions of the younger man -- sport, seduction, adventure, and style.
Each of the four flask-shaped fragrance bottles are a bold color, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, and inspired by the four different players that make up a Polo team. Available separately or as a box set, these new scents are guaranteed to be a locker room favorite. So… what’s your number?
The empire of American luxury and chicness that is Ralph Lauren has added a new address to its roster: 173 Boulevard Saint Germain. The recently opened Ralph Lauren store is the third for the company in Paris and is located on one of the most prestigious shopping streets in the world and in arguably the most romantic neighborhood in Paris. Mr. Lauren’s newest address is a historic mansion from the mid-1600s and houses for men: Purple Label, Black Label, Polo, and RRL (which has a delicious selection of vintage and fine jewelry), as well as a watch salon and women’s section.
“I wanted to create a unique environment that captures the glamour, culture, and the artistic spirit of the Paris that I have fallen in love with. Now, with this store opening, in the most romantic part of the city, I finally feel I have been able to tell my whole story in Paris,” said Ralph Lauren.
The story wouldn’t be complete, however, without mentioning Ralph’s -- the first Ralph Lauren restaurant in Europe (above). “I want it to be the best restaurant of its kind in Paris, offering great American food in the most beautiful and romantic setting. It will have gracious hospitality with a glamorous, yet informal sophistication,” Lauren said. The menu is authentically American yet the ambiance is incredibly international and Parisian. There is a careful mix of vintage and modern fabrics juxtaposed with weathered teak and wrought iron, equestrian heritage, and sophisticated rustic charm in the courtyard which is breathtaking (below).
Left to right: Dolce & Gabbana; Calvin Klein; Gianfranco Ferré
I'm admit, I'm one with larger pores than most people. Walking from destination to destination in jacket, shirt and tie alone will result in a deluge of sweat -- add pants to the humidity of mid-June and voila, half the work day wasted cooling myself and an impending dry cleaning bill at the end of the day. So what is it about shorts that screams unprofessional? It's hard to ignore the jaded Wall Street professionals chattering on their Blackberry shooting irate stares as they scurry off to their meetings wearing ghastly and baggy Dad dress pants. If it's the hair on my legs, shall I shave my head? With a tailored jacket, matching dress shorts, the appropriate oxford (or loafer) and of course a shirt and tie, sartorially how can anyone go wrong (although your boss might argue otherwise)? You have to wonder how many victims have succumbed to heat stroke wearing full suits in the summer.
The Golden Globes were last night. Here's what everyone wore. [The Cut]
Paris, get ready for Kanye. Not only will he unveil his LV
sneakers during Men's Fashion Week, but he's also set to host
a Wallpaper event at Boucheron on January 22nd. All of part of his
internship, we're sure. [WWD] Men's Vogue will now be barnacled with Vogue. The mag will return as a reverse-bound issue attached to the back of April's Vogue -- so one cover Vogue, the other Men's Vogue. [WWD]
The quintessential American event gets some help from the quintessential American designer. Ralph Lauren will be setting up a temporary boutique in the lobby of Washington D.C.'s Mandarin Oriental to help guests with last minute Inauguration wardrobe worries. There will even be a bow tie specialists on hand to help the gents with their neckware. [WWD] Gianfranco Ferre will debut menswear in Milan. At least someone isn't slinking back in this economy. [Fashionista]
Earlier in the week Popnography was obsessing about Daniel Craig's perfect package in his perfect khakis in the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. And while we can't say that his package, or those khakis, have been forgotten, we're moving on today in our break down of Bond's classic style to the most synonymous outfit in the 007 wardrobe, the tuxedo.
Tuxes today seem like a chore to have to wear, but boys should remember that there's hardly an outfit out there that, when done right, makes you look as good as a tuxedo does. That being the case, here's how to do it without looking like a cater waiter:
The easiest rule of thumb for the tux is to just go classic. A traditional tux may scream boring, but if it's perfectly tailored with the essentials -- notched, peaked lapel, bow tie, cumberbun if you wish -- it's going to look great. Just remember that at some point in the night that jacket is going to come off, so keep the shirt pristinely white and slim on that body you work so hard to maintain.
Most labels out there do their version of a tux, the most perfect of which come from the likes of Tom Ford and Dior. But, look to labels like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren for equally impressive tuxedos at a fraction of the cost. And speaking of price, just suck it up and buy one. What's the point of renting every time you need one when a good tux will last for years? Surprisingly, tuxedos are even versatile enough to wear with a cool tee and tennis shoes. So, again, lay down some cash and get your own.
As we noted yesterday, gays aren't always keep to stick to the classic, so if you're one of those divas who just has to steal the spotlight from the bride, here are some suggestions on how to update the tuxedo:
Instead of a notched lapel, try for a slicker, but appropriately slimmer, shawl collar. For your jacket (and jacket only) there's always the white dinner coat or a velvet smoking jacket, and, if you really want to stand out in good way, opt for a midnight blue tuxedo (for Inspiration, Gucci makes a beautiful version). Still dark, still classic, but with just a bit if snap. Band of Outsiders also makes a perfect hipster tux if you're one to go against the traditional grain. And, as we see time and time again on the Hollywood crowd, the long tie is now perfectly acceptable for a tux. Bond would never do it, but if you do, make sure the color and fabric of the tie match your lapel.
Now you know how to go both casual and chic like Bond. Next up we'll tell you how to elevate it all with the perfect 007 accessories.
To no one's surprise, Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani topped DNR's list of the most powerful men in men's fashion. We didn't make the list this year, but we're expecting to roll in at a solid #98 next year. [DNR]
Remember when Sacha Baron Cohen infiltrated the runways during the shows in Europe as Bruno? Well, here is how he did it. [The Cut] via [WWD]
Andre 3000 wants Prince Charles to wear his Benjamin Bixby line. Chuck has lost a bit of street cred, so what better way to get it back? [Post Chronicle] Rick Owen's denim and outerwear line, Drkshdw, is now available online. Owen's stuff is always well cut and a little edgy, plus, w lv lbls wth n vwls. Available at oaknyc.com. [Material Interest]
Published in this week's DNR is the "Gen Y Wish List," a nation wide survey of 100 men, age 18 to 24, that tallies the top 12 labels gen-y males are most likely to gladly pay full price for. Listed by the percentage of respondents who ranked each brand in their top five, these are the 12 labels that young men somewhat surprisingly aspire -- and will shell out top dollar -- to own:
1. Polo Ralph Lauren - 17%
2. Giorgio Armani - 17%
3. American Eagle - 17%
4. Nike - 16%
5. Gucci - 16%
6. Abercrombie & Fitch - 15%
7. Banana Republic - 12%
8. Puma - 11%
9. Hollister - 11%
10. Tommy Hilfiger - 10%
11. Calvin Klein/ck Calvin Klein - 10%
12. Adidas - 10%
Sort of reads like a checklist for the local mall, right? We'll dispense a bit of leniency given the age group polled -- some youngsters just need a little time before they reach fashion maturity -- but we also wonder what the list would look like if 100 gays were surveyed. We can think a couple from the list above that would be scratched off immediately, and we'd add a few obvious gay faves -- Diesel, D&G, H&M, American Apparel (for basics in all colors of the rainbow) -- but how about the rest of you 'mos out there? If you're going to plunk down the cash and pay full price, what are the top 12 labels you'd break the bank for? Let us know and we'll post the results along with our own, albeit not-so-scientific list for gen-gay.
Marc Jacobs' next holiday party theme will be "Rock and Roll Circus." That sounds so familiar for some reason...oh, right, because the Diesel party tomorrow night has the exact same theme. Though we're sure Jacobs has something extra special up his sleeve. [The Cut] Still humming a song you heard ushering a model down the runway during New York Fashion Week? Yeah, we are too. Thankfully Vanity Fair has made handy little list of runway tracks from 50 New York shows for us to glean. Now put on those oversize sunglasses, hit the street, and work it like you own it. [VF]
Now Smell this: Polo Ralph Lauren's 30th anniversary scent, Polo Modern Reserve, is "a scent designed to give an alternative to existing consumers while grooming their sons." Sounds perfect for gay dad's everywhere. [WWD]
Passing Judgment: Jeremy Piven at the Emmy Awards. Piven (pictured left) usually does a good job of channeling the sartorial whims of his Emmy-producing Entourage character, Ari Gold, but he was a little off at last night's award ceremony. While he took home the statue for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, that gargantuan tie swallowed everything in its path: the suit, the man and the statue. Any otherwise dapper outfit (love the pocket square) was simply overtaken by a tie that looks like a cow's tongue. We know you're short, Jeremy, but let's not overcompensate too much. And while I like the suit, I also would have preferred an of-the-moment peaked lapel for something a little more formal. Better luck next year!
Open For Business: The new Armani flagship in Milan. Ralph Lauren on L.A.'s Robertson Boulevard.
Our economy is tanking, so we all have to stretch our wardrobe as far as it will go. Our neighbors to the north feel our pain, and Vancouver's Wings + Horn offers stylish reversible tees, now available at Blackbird. [Material Interest] Black and white, the spectrum's simplest colors, are anything but when it comes to getting dressed. Digest these pointers so you don't end up looking like a mime. [Haute Concept]
Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, co-owners of the designer SoHo store, spoke with the New York Times about the 72-hour Olympic-themed fete. "From the very beginning, one of the things we've talked about was that we would love a store that was open at one or two in the morning," Leon said. "Sometimes you feel like going out, but you don't want a bar."
Late night attendees will be able to shop (Opening Ceremony is selling exclusive Nike items like $250 gold and silver versions of the Air Max 1), munch on free tacos and ice cream, participate in a 1 a.m. table tennis tournament on Sunday morning, and line up to commemorate the event with a tattoo by Brooklyn artist Scott Campbell who will be inking customers with Olympic designs beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
With Shopping, snacks, tattoos, (and the packs of cute hipsters that combination is sure to conjure) and Leon's promise to broadcast the Games at Opening Ceremony all weekend long (which are finally safe to watch again now that those ghastly Roots berets are out of the picture), we can think of no better way to spend the next 72 hours.
-- NOAH MICHELSON
Opening Ceremony is located at 35 Howard Street New York, New York 10013 Tel. (212) 219-2688
Gay men love fashion, and fashion loves gay men. Is it something in our jeans? Celebrating this long tradition, Truman Says exists to offer advice, tips, and the occasional catty observation on celebrity style coups and faux pas.
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