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Archive for the ‘Men's Fashion’ Category

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Men without socks

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Outside Colorado and retirement communities, the grief guys get for wearing socks with sandals is universal. So I wondered whether people would have such clearly defined thoughts about the opposite: a man in a suit and loafers with no socks. I got to pondering the look last week during “Oprah” – for her “Radio City” show to celebrate the 10th anniversary of “O” magazine, resident designer Nate Berkus and the fashion editor of “O” magazine suited up and went sock-less. They pulled it off, with a just-back-from-St. Barts panache. This image is courtesy of The Sartorialist, who wrote, “A well-cut blue suit, crisp white shirt and some type of loafer (in brown) can create a look that is just dressy enough and just casual enough for almost any occasion.” Any occasion, maybe. But not any guy. I tried to imagine my husband in the same look, but I just don’t think it is possible for a guy to both wear a cell phone case on his belt and skip socks with a suit. I took a poll on Facebook and was surprised to find public opinion divided. Answers ranged from “Love it” (always with the caveat “on a well dressed man”) to “Yuck.” My friend Margot aligned herself squarely in the “Yuck” camp. But she deserves the final word on the matter with this observation: “I do like a man just in socks and no suit.”

Straub’s runway surprise

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Straubshow2
Straubshow1 More surprising than the foil as fabric, silver pants and layers of ruffles and feathers at Christopher Straub's premiere fashion show at the St. Paul Hotel Sunday was the menswear he sprinkled in. A slim leather jacket with stripes on the sleeve (shown on a female model as well), hooded sweatshirt, tailored pants and black high tops. In short, Straub's style. And it looked cool. Kudos to Straub for taking risks, hustling and making the most of the spotlight he is currently enjoying.

Welcome back, Hugo

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

You know you've been on the beat a while when covering a store opening for the second time at the same mall. Hugo Boss has announced plans to open at Mall of America in August. But those of us who've been shopping a while know it's not Hugo first trip to the MOA. Back in 2000, local retailer Cedric Kirchner (yes, he of the furs) opened two Hugo Boss franchises – Hugo for men and women and Boss with men's dress clothes – at MOA in one of the mall's early attempts to go after luxury shoppers. Both stores were short lived. But the mall's executive vice president Maureen Bausch said that had more to do with Kirchner being spread too thin at the time with four stores around town. "I do not think the reason they left was about performance," Bausch said. This time, it's the Hugo Boss company itself bringing Boss to MOA. The 3,000-square-foot store will carry several shades of the brand, including BOSS Black, BOSS Orange and BOSS Green menswear collections, which encompass everything from dress to golf apparel along with shoes and accessories. It fills a void left by Brooks Brothers. And of course, it is being hailed, along with the recent arrival of Bestey Johnson, as a swing towards luxury at MOA. But we know: it's more of a swing back.

Coming to 50th

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Continuing their bid for Total Domination of 50th & France, one of the partners behind Bluebird Boutique and Ladyslipper plans to open a store for men in half of the former Pull Out a Plum space at 4946 France Ave. S. in Edina. Sacha Martin tells me she and her boyfriend plan to open BLUEPEG in August.

Why did the chicken cross the shirt?

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

 Chickenshirt Chuckshirt

Can Minneapolis-based men's brand s.kulhman make chickens look cool? Give 'em props for attempting to modernize the dreaded novelty shirt. Their new collection also features a Chuck Taylor print and grasshoppers. More interesting than a Hawaiian floral, anyway – and more fitted. The shirts sell for $95. Check them out online, or at the s.kulhman store in the Warehouse District.

The high fashion Snuggie for men

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

IMG_0403And to think: there are those who see fit to mock the world of fashion. Tuesday's Voltage Spring 2010 Preview was supposed to be a showcase of retail-ready apparel. This…men's onesie seemed more ready for "Saturday Night Live." But then, knitwear designer Kevin Kramp's bio says he designs for a "globally nomadic tribe of gritty, physical and elegant men."  Sold? Well get this: Kamp was just hired as lead knitwear designer for venerable men's brand St. Croix Collections. He moves to Winona tomorrow. Can't wait to see the traditional St. Croix crowd in this!

Shopping with a CK model

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

Willdefielck Calvin Klein model Will Defiel has lived in Minnesota his entire life, but he had never shopped at the Galleria. A Galleria virgin! Until Saturday, when I deflowered him. The Edina shopping center was a bit ritzy for his H&M taste, but he seemed to take right to it as store owners tripped over themselves to give him stuff – discounts, good service, a free shirt and tie. Good to be a model. Read more about Will's escapades with Calvin Klein, and the Galleria in the St. Paul Pioneer Press - soon.Willdefiel

Hammer time at Galleria

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Just got word: local designer Jason Hammerberg will open a custom shirt shop for men at the Galleria in Edina called Hammer Made (I like it – has a stronger ring than the label he's been designing under, Humble Fashion). The store is scheduled to open the first week of December in the old InVision spot. Hammerberg, who got his start with Kuhlman, plans to concentrate on shirts and offer finishing touches like cufflinks and socks. More details to come – I get a sneak peek next week.

No more excuses, men

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Blackblue Men are having a moment. I'm in the midst of pulling men's accessories for a Spaces magazine article and the biggest challenge is choosing which men's stores and which amazing pieces to include. A year ago, I might have been hard pressed to come up with a handful of cool, local boutiques even catering to men. Suddenly, it's an explosion: Kuhlman is back in business, martinpatrick3 gets better each season, StyledLife finally has the space to expand on accessories and gifts for men, Heimie's Haberdashery is thriving in St. Paul and the latest, exciting addition: BlackBlue (pictured, and see more of the shop's enviable aesthetic here). Time to step it up a notch, men. There's no excuse not to.

Kuhlman makes a comeback

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Kuhlman Deja vu! It was just a few years ago that I met Scott and Susan Kuhlman at the off-the-beating-path Warehouse District office/retail space where the Kuhlman brand got its start – then exploded too quickly and crumbled. Most people would move on to another project. Not the Kuhlmans. Despite losing their shirts – literally – they firmly believe in the need for a straightforward, attainable American brand offering European, fashion-forward tailored clothing. I reported a couple of months ago that they quietly relaunched online. Now, they've quietly opened three stores in New York, Boston and as of this week, Minneapolis at 420 N. Fifth St. in the Ford Center. Same style, slightly higher prices, no grandiose plans of going public. And an added initial. This time, it's s. kuhlman. The store is still getting ramped up for business, but the Kuhlmans aren't the type to wait. Men's woven shirts are currently in stock and the first tailored men's collection is due to hit the racks by the end of October.

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