*
Heavy Tweed Jacket has one of the most amazing archives of vintage Ivy menswear publications, catalogs, etc. anywhere. Hands down. It’s a daily read for inspiration, education & nostalgia. Last week HTJ ran an amazing vintage spread on Ivy Today – 1975 via “Men’s Club” magazine. The pics are truly priceless– including a great ad for the then relatively young brand, Polo Ralph Lauren (est. 1967).
*
Vintage 1975 Polo Ralph Lauren ad
*
A young Ralph Lauren, via Men's Club 1975
*
*
I have to be honest, I’m always more than a little dubious when someone coming from a Fashion Director or Merchandise Manager-type post throws his hat into the design ring. As a Fashion Director at somewhere special like Bergdorf Goodman, you have access to the best menswear labels and goods that the world has to offer, and your playground is one of the tastiest retail environments going. It’s hard not to look good with those kind of resources at your fingertips. The question is– can you truly create your own vision?
*
Above– For Fall 2006, Marc Jacobs utilized Sprouse’s 1987 graffiti leopard images for handbags, shoes, and scarves for Louis Vuitton, which sold-out instantly.
The continuing celebration of Stephen Sprouse’s incredible art and fashion legacy hosted by Louis Vuitton, and launch of the new The Stephen Sprouse Book by Rizzoli, has everyone a-glow.
Sprouse’s career started in he late ’70s, when after working for Halston, he moved to a warehouse on the Bowery, and started making outfits for his neighbor, Debbie Harry to wear onstage. The fashion world quickly embraced his innovative, culturally relevant sensibility and downtown edge. But Sprouse’s inability to compromise his artistic vision for the rigid fashion business compromised his commercial success, and his career was ultimately cut short by his tragic death in 2004, at the age of 50.
-From the synopsis of The Stephen Sprouse Book published by Rizzoli.
*
Jeffrey Banks, great American fashion designer.
*
Jeffrey is one of those guys that seems to have been born with impeccable style. As a high-schooler working at the legendary shop Britches, he was tapped by Ralph to come work for him. Ralph became very fond of Jeffrey– he even lent him his own personal tuxedo and pumps for his Senior Prom. Polo was a small company back then, so he worked directly with Ralph as his design assistant, and they are still close today. Jeffrey, passionate about design, made the decision to leave Polo and finish his studies at Pratt Institute and Parsons. Jeffrey later designed for Calvin, and Merona Sportswear, among others. He launched his own menswear collection in 1977 to much acclaim, and is among the “who’s who” of fashion and a longtime member of the CFDA.
*
Jeffrey Banks incredible shearling coat.
*
One of my many obsessions in life is Shearling coats. So when Jeffrey showed me this clipping of a shearling trench he did years ago- well frankly, I lost it. Thanks Jeffrey. Yes, thanks for creating a huge, gaping hole in me that can now only be filled with a shearling trench coat. This is one of the most chic and sexy pieces I have ever laid eyes on. It’s no surprise though, coming from Jeffrey- one of the most dapper guys going, and a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Critics award. Continue reading
The Selvedge Yard 