Preview: Menswear Designers do Duffels for CFDA x Details

Last Fall the CFDA and Details magazine partnered to have men's designers create an exclusive pocket square. One was framed and signed and auctioned off... 100 more of each design were available through Bonobos. Not only did I bid (and lose) on a number of them, I ended up buying the Billy Reid design for a friend.

Well the collaboration has returned and this time the accessory of choice is a duffel bag. An Army standard issue duffel bag. Twenty designers participated, making the duffel their own, including Marc Jacobs, Ovadia & Sons, Michael Bastian, UNIS, Gilded Age, and many more. 

Details gave me an advance peek at the bags and here are my favs (and the ones I'll most likely be bidding on!)...

Public School -- before I even knew who designed this bag it stood out to me. Turning the whole bag + hardware black, I loved the quilted leather side pocket. Oh and these guys just want the CFDA Swarovski Menswear Award.

Tommy Hilfiger -- I saw the photos of this bag and loved the bright red leather handles, and the black leather end caps. Then I looked closely at the blue patch on the side and saw that signature "TH". Classic, subtle, sophisticated.

Simon Spurr -- while his own line shuttered (fingers crossed for a re-launch), Spurr has continued to consult Hilfiger's men's collection and I've long been a fan of his work. He took the duffel and added some lux touches -- a white leather handle and leather croc-print side pocket. The studs on the Army issued strap (see below) add a touch of punk.

Todd Snyder -- saving this one for last because I thought Snyder had the most innovation in his design. Literally turned it on its head... the bag now goes vertical and the top and bottom are trimmed with leather. A leather shoulder strap and rope closures give this a vintage military feel, and the TS brand stencil rounds it out.

The bags will be available for auction via eBay and go up on Monday, June 10. So just a few more days + you can start your bidding!

2013 CFDA Swarovski Menswear Nominees: Just One Look

Last night the CFDA announced their nominees for the 2013 CFDA Awards... and while on the women's side there were no real surprises, I was excited to see some of my favorite names in men's. Michael Bastian, Thom Browne, and Duckie Brown were all nominated for Menswear Designer of the Year. I've been longtime fans of all three, and I was interested to see Duckie make the jump to nominee this year, as they just started a much talked about collaboration with Perry Ellis.

For the Swarovski Award for Menswear, the nominees were Todd Snyder, Tim Coppens, and Public School. All so different in their aesthetic, and all three I have been talking about incessantly as of late... so am really excited to see each of their names!

Thought I'd share a favorite look of the Swarovski nominees' Fall 2013 collections, as we wait for the June award ceremony to see who takes the prize.

Tim Coppens showed quilted shorts for Spring and I loved it even more as pants for Fall:

This shearling-collared belted jacket blew me away at Todd Snyder's Fall presentation:

The layering and street-influenced look at Public School always impresses:

Images: Fucking Young, Selectism

The Tents at Project: My Favorite Brands to Watch

Wishing I was in Vegas this week for the Project trade show, and specifically to check out The Tents. Billed as a new show that offers a highly curated selection of brands, The Tents also happen to include some of my favorite men's brands... so I thought I'd share a few that I wish I was there to see!

Michael Bastian: his ability to weave together a story in one collection is inspiring, moving from beautiful suiting (below) to leather pants and fur lined coats.

Billy Reid: continues to bring the Southern gentleman to points North and West, and does so with increasing success. A favorite look from his recent show, I loved the color and texture of these pants for Fall.

Ian Velardi: Bringing together luxury + comfort with his smoking jackets, sweatpants, and tailored pieces. 

Todd Snyder: I left his presentation totally blown away -- he definitely took the collection to a darker place, but it remained refined and beautifully executed. This coat with shearling collar was by far my favorite piece from Fall. 

Public School: I've been a fan of these guys since they launched, and the accolades keep coming. There is always a dark palette and a street wear eye that they stay true and consistent to. 

Grayers: A recent discovery, I'm so intrigued by another Southern based brand, Grayers. Bringing a casual look with a great attention to detail, at an accessible price these guys have gone after an interesting part of the men's market. Cannot wait to see what they deliver for Fall '13!

Stay tuned for how my favorite brands fare this week in Vegas, and check out the Project site for more information on the show. 

Just One Look: Public School Spring 2013

Okay, well actually two looks... I am definitely coveting the jacket with leather sleeves, below. But the dinner jacket with shawl collar also caught my eye.

Public School was high on my list to see for Spring '13, as I'd really enjoyed the vibe they showed during their re-launch last season.

So about this dinner jacket... the favorite piece currently in my closet is a Patrik Ervell navy tuxedo, and the jacket has a black satin shawl collar. So how could I not obsess on this version from Public School.

And given that Noah Mills closed the Michael Bastian show in his own version of a light colored dinner jacket with black shawl collar, this is looking like a trend for Spring.

But for me the real winner in the collection, and a piece that seemed to connect to the brand's ethos, is this cotton jacket with leather sleeves. It's not your regular dark denim jacket: the washed fabric gives it a well-worn look. And the color of the leather sleeves is light enough to keep the contrast from being too harsh. 

This is definitely a jacket perfect for Spring, and one that can be worn any number of ways.

GQ has all of the looks from Public School and stay tuned for more info via the brand's website.

Public School Fall 2012: NYFW Review

They're back! Public School, participants in the CFDA Incubator program unveiled their revamped line at Milk Studios last weekend... a tight 26 piece collection that was mentored by none other than Nick Wooster.

Shown in a darkened space that really helped to evoke the mood of the Fall palette, there were some really great jackets -- overcoats, leather, varsity. Paired with easy wovens and cool marled knits, the styling by Eugene Tong really pulled the whole collection together.

Drawing on my current double-breasted obsession, this blazer was my favorite piece in the collection.

With the designers' own experience, plus the CFDA and Wooster in their corner, this is a line that is sure to get some attention... keep an eye on Public School!