BRITTISH MAN AND THE EPITOME OF STYLE: my parents always told me....there is nothing new under the sun

it is amazing how in tune we are tish....i was on my way to discuss the same topic, influence.

but you did however touch on some things that i was not going to speak of. great job, thats why i let you run with me and my team.

as my cohort imparted to you all, we are all inspired by someone, something, or even some-time. for example, everything that you see females wearing at the mall (gack), on television, in movies, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.......(name that movie) was worn by my, by your, and by everyone else's mother!

also as tish so eloquently stated, stop trying to be "different," or "push the envelope." don't get me wrong, now. i am all for self-expression through one's clothing. let's face it...perception is reality! or better yet, it's LIFE! when you see that girl down the way, you are not attracted to her by her shining personality. it's her looks. not speaking in a shallow or lustful manner, just speaking in a realistic voice. think about it...

or better still, when you go to an interview of any sort, you dress up (to some extent i would hope) becaue if your potential employer forms a bad opinion of you before you open your mouth, then you can kiss that job goodbye. it's not always right, but that's how the world works (or the USA at least).

in keeping with the subject of interviews, tish brought up a good point. we ARE getting older, and it is time to enter the "real world" if you will. now i understand that you have a killer kicks kombination, great graphic g-shirts, and beastin bright bling, if you will, but its time to buzz the braids and join the team. time to start phasing more sophistaced items into the collection that is your style and become an adult (as horrible as it sounds, it's true).

i do grow a bit weary of the "vintage" or "retro" look, but one thing i will say is this. what happened to the days when people, young and old, got dressed up? the movies, the opera, CHURCH, dates, parties, picnics, cocktails, and everything else required your best. i have even thought about enforcing a dress-code at every event i am a part of. half-naked girls at prom, Coogi sweaters at formals, and i have even seen jeans at a wedding.

i look at old movies like "Casablanca," "It's a Wonderful Life," and "The Great Gatsby" (one of my favorites) and wonder where we are headed.

it seems as though this generation (not everyone though) does not care how to properly get "dressed for the occasion" (especially te men). i am almost disgusted by it (as you can see). no one started to try to look tailored or "suited and booted" [gack-gack] until jay-z and kanye did it. cam'ron wore pink and it suddenly became the new black...pitts. i was even told because i had a pink shirt that i was trying to be like him, even tought i wore it long before he "made" it popular. pink has always been a classic color choice for men when worn properly and tastefully.

while jay-z, kanye, and others have great style, i encourage you all to follow your own trends and set the standard among your peers. this goes without saying that a trip to the grocery store does not warrant a three-piece Purple Label suit, a new Prorsum trench, Ted Baker loafers, an McQ shopper, and an Hermes umberella. just be mindful a where you are going and who will be there. and maybe that is a future topic to discuss.....dressing for success....

on a lighter note, i am going to challenge all of you who have taken the time out of your busy schedule to read this here entry. i am going to post some of mny top fashion influences for all to see. some of you might not know who they are, and that's ok...you'll have that. but you will not be able to say that we never tried to educate you.

here goes nothing....

pharrell williams executes, in my eyes, one of the most perfect blends of gentelmen's attire and hip-hop couture. he knows when it is appropriate to up the anty and when its ok to let the guard down. one should have this type of mix and diversity in a wardrobe. you never know who is watching....

as tish said, IMPECCABLE style. not the best in other areas, but we are not talking about that here. in today's media, he is probably my favorite in terms of individuality in fashion. he's not afraid to do what he wants. much like mr. williams, he exueds the perfect diversification in wardrobe. modernism and nostalgia. beast.

these two men are two of the best designers this world has ever seen. all i can say is research who these two are. i am not going to tell you who they design for, but if and when you find the answer, you will be pleasantly surprised. investigate...delve...study...research... it's key.