2013 has been a big year for Rome Fortune. Coming out the Atlanta scene he’s built up significant buzz with his ‘Beautiful Pimp’ mixtape. Frequent collaborators C4 and Childish Major have been lacing him with experimental instrumentals that compliment his effortless laid-back delivery. He was a feature on the recent Gucci Mane joint ‘Stripes’ [...]]]>

2013 has been a big year for Rome Fortune. Coming out the Atlanta scene he’s built up significant buzz with his ‘Beautiful Pimp’ mixtape. Frequent collaborators C4 and Childish Major have been lacing him with experimental instrumentals that compliment his effortless laid-back delivery. He was a feature on the recent Gucci Mane joint ‘Stripes’ and just ripped a set alongside PTP family Gila Monster at 285 Kent in Brooklyn.

Outside of his music prowess, Rome is someone you’ll always see expressing his personal style through his clothing choices. When we first met, he told me that he had been a fan of Third Looks for some time, so it’s nice to bring things full circle with this feature. Rome and I had a conversation that touches on hip-hop style, girls and world rap domination.

Be sure to check the brand video for his single ‘Get the Guap” HERE and click through to read the interview.

What is the style like in Atlanta in terms of fashion but also hip-hop style in Atlanta?

I mean Atlanta isn’t too far behind, but it’s still a little behind in terms as far as style choices. Alot of the rappers are trying to turn to high fashion with Balmain and shit like that, but that’s just not my thing.

How did you dress in the past?

Years ago, it was BAPE, Ice Cream/BBC everything. I just started fucking with Adidas and alot of simple shit. I dont gotta be seen all the way down the street with everyone thinking ‘He’s a super fresh dude’. I just do simple shit, kinda how I am as a person.

What kinda stuff are you transitioning into now?

Shit I always liked Visvim and White Mountaineering and Yohji. I wanna do that since my budget is gonna grow.

You like buying stuff from designer brands but also streetwear?

I like being comfortable. That’s the best about having a personal style is being comfortable. It’s in sportswear and shit, it’s just the most comfortable stuff to wear. It’s durable too, I don’t like shit that falls apart.

I’ve seen you wearing alot of Adidas.

There’s something about those three stripes that I always liked. It’s just something aeshetically that I just like and it’s always been like that.

What about shoe wise, sneaker wise? Did you go through a collecting period?

I went through that whole period. I sold all of my shoes in 2011 and started from scratch. Now it’s more like if it’s a Jordan or something like that, I like the IVs and IIIs. Always my white shelltoes. I got a couple pair of Cole Hann desert boots. Just keep it simple.

Any rappers you think are really killing it right now style wise?

It seems like everybody these days is a clone of something. All these dudes have stylists and stuff so it’s not really their style. So .. not really.

Would you like to be more involved in fashion? 

Y-3 or Adidas would be the most ideal for me. I’m more interested in style and how person is connected with their style more-so than fashion.

Do you care how girls dress?

Yeah , hell yeah. A girls gotta look nice. She just has to be comfortable, and the confidence. If it’s a cool style and it works on her and she’s confident enough, I fuck with her.

Anywhere you want to travel and or anything in particular you wanna see?

I wanna see what these hipster girls in Williamsburg are like (laughs). That’s what I’ve been hearing about and thats what I wanna see. We don’t get the authentic ones back in Atlanta. We get the tumblr copy and paste girls.

How important is how you dress to an artist and how you’re portrayed?

It should be one of your instant thoughts. The generation today is just so visual. If you don’t look cool, they’re probably not gonna listen to it.

You can’t really hide anymore. People used to buy records and not even know what the artist looked like..

Exactly.

What’s next? What would you like to see happen career-wise? 

I just want to be the biggest fuckin rapper ever.

You wanna be doing stadium shows?

Stadium shows for sure. I know it’s gonna take awhile to get to that level.

You just wanna pimp on another level?

Pimp for tickets and merch (laughs).

Photos by Rocky Li

Photographers: Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer
Fashion Editor: Nicola Knel

Vogue Germany enlists veteran model Yasmin Le Bon for this androgynous summer editorial for their June issue. The 48 year old Le Bon looks stunning in statement pieces such as the iconic Givenchy AW 2013 jacket above. The styling reminds me of the Johnny Depp [...]]]>

Photographers: Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer
Fashion Editor: Nicola Knel

Vogue Germany enlists veteran model Yasmin Le Bon for this androgynous summer editorial for their June issue. The 48 year old Le Bon looks stunning in statement pieces such as the iconic Givenchy AW 2013 jacket above. The styling reminds me of the Johnny Depp film ‘Cry Baby’.

More images after the jump

Images via White Lies Mag

So I imagine alot of you guys may have questions you need answered. Things like ‘Should I blow my rent money on this jacket I really want?’ and ‘Do I need to break up with my girlfriend because all she wears is Tory Burch?’.

On the real though, Third Looks ‘It Girl’

On the real though, Third Looks ‘It Girl’ Rachel will be around to answer all your inquiries. They can be about style, life, problems, girls, or anything else that comes to mind. The best responses will be posted on here in a regular feature called ‘Second Opinion.’ Don’t be shy and submit your questions via E-mail or ask directly by mentioning us on twitter.

I’ve loved the design of this parka since it was sent down Paris runways. It’s appeared in the past in different fabrics, but this ultra lightweight sheer version will keep you stunting all spring/summer long. With a zip closure, oversized hood and tons of pockets for you to store passports and sandwiches in, this [...]]]>

I’ve loved the design of this parka since it was sent down Paris runways. It’s appeared in the past in different fabrics, but this ultra lightweight sheer version will keep you stunting all spring/summer long. With a zip closure, oversized hood and tons of pockets for you to store passports and sandwiches in, this jacket goes perfect with Rick drop-crotch shorts, his poplin sweatpants and a pair of white sneakers.

The only setback might be the price.

Available for $2440 at SSENSE.

No F****** Around In Room 427 from Danny Sangra on Vimeo.

We’ve all been in situations on the road where hotel’s and travel accomodations didn’t really meet expectations. This short film “No F****** Around In Room 427″ riffs off that exact concept. This short film is by London based photographer and [...]]]>

No F****** Around In Room 427 from Danny Sangra on Vimeo.

We’ve all been in situations on the road where hotel’s and travel accomodations didn’t really meet expectations. This short film “No F****** Around In Room 427″ riffs off that exact concept. This short film is by London based photographer and filmmaker Danny Sangra. He’s worked on the likes of Miu Miu, Prada, Marc Jacobs in the past and this time around he worked with online shop The Great Divide who provided the wardrobe for the video .

Honeyee released images of the Spring/Summer 2013 Visvim collection in a feature entitled ‘Colors in Summer.’ Once again Hiroki Nakamura’s iterative approach to design is visible through the product assortment.  Familar items such as the SOCIAL SCULPTURE DENIM JACKET, TROPICAL COMBAT SHIRT  and LAMINA backpack are re-interpreted through [...]]]>

Honeyee released images of the Spring/Summer 2013 Visvim collection in a feature entitled ‘Colors in Summer.’ Once again Hiroki Nakamura’s iterative approach to design is visible through the product assortment.  Familar items such as the SOCIAL SCULPTURE DENIM JACKET, TROPICAL COMBAT SHIRT  and LAMINA backpack are re-interpreted through a lighter pastel-based palette. New footwear appears too in the form of SKAGWAYS, HOCKEYS and VIRGILS.

More products after the jump

Photos by Naoki Ishizaka

C.E has released a lookbook featuring their spring/summer collection. As in the prior videos, the pieces are modeled by Zomby. If you’re looking for an elevated take on streetwear that is still fairly priced, C.E delivers just that. The brand has not really made it’s way to North American shores [...]]]>

C.E has released a lookbook featuring their spring/summer collection. As in the prior videos, the pieces are modeled by Zomby. If you’re looking for an elevated take on streetwear that is still fairly priced, C.E delivers just that. The brand has not really made it’s way to North American shores just yet but you can now find a sampling of the line over at the Hypebeast store.

More looks after the jump including the white coaches jacket which is the highlight for me.

Nomad Spring/Summer 2013 | Test the Waters from nomadtoronto on Vimeo.

Director: Paolo Azarraga & Liam MacRae
Director of Photography: Liam MacRae
Creative Direction: Jesar Gabino
Editing: Liam MacRae
Styling: Bobby Bowen
Model: Damien Kim

Toronto boutique Nomad draws from it’s spring/summer stock for [...]]]>

Nomad Spring/Summer 2013 | Test the Waters from nomadtoronto on Vimeo.

Director: Paolo Azarraga & Liam MacRae
Director of Photography: Liam MacRae
Creative Direction: Jesar Gabino
Editing: Liam MacRae
Styling: Bobby Bowen
Model: Damien Kim

Toronto boutique Nomad draws from it’s spring/summer stock for this editorial video shot in the Canadian outdoors entitled ‘Test the Waters’. The short visual features items by Silent by Damir Doma, Mr. Start, Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, Robert Geller, and Barena Venezia. Be sure to take a look at our shop profile on Nomad HERE if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet.

The homie Harry submitted these Raf Simons boots from Autumn/Winter 2006 for a coveted feature. He’s owned them so long and beat them up quite well and he didn’t have alot to say about them. He summarized his feelings on these in the following passage.

6 Canadian winters. 4 soles sewn [...]]]>

The homie Harry submitted these Raf Simons boots from Autumn/Winter 2006 for a coveted feature. He’s owned them so long and beat them up quite well and he didn’t have alot to say about them. He summarized his feelings on these in the following passage.

6 Canadian winters. 4 soles sewn on. 2 heels replaced. 1 major re-attachment surgery. Countless polishes and salt treatments. Still alive and kicking.

I’ve regretted selling some of my early Raf pieces in the past so it always makes me so happy to see my friends who kept their Raf stuff and worn it to hell. What I love about these boots are the buckle detailing at the ankle. Buckle straps are usually hit or miss on men’s boots but this is a really great iteration of that concept. The sleek shape , beautiful leather make these absolutely worth hunting down. I suppose I’ll leave it at this, if you’re looking for a perfect black boot, don’t compromise and rush getting something that you don’t love. It’s better to wait for the pair that feels exactly right.

Photos by Harry Zhou

Highland FW13 Lookbook

After discovering Highland online last year, I have been tracking the development of the New York based men’s label. I always give alot of credence to any brand who takes risks with their fashion week shows and the one Highland put on last [...]]]>

Highland FW13 Lookbook

After discovering Highland online last year, I have been tracking the development of the New York based men’s label. I always give alot of credence to any brand who takes risks with their fashion week shows and the one Highland put on last NYFW was one of the most memorable I’ve ever attended.  The presentation was delivered in a room with sururban wallpaper backdrops on one side and on the other: anteractive stoner basement set (complete with Doritos, a N64, bongs and a PBR pyramid). 

I visited Cramer Tolboe (Co-founder of Highland) and Lizzie Owens (Head Designer and co-founder) in their Brooklyn studios to have a conversation on the origins of the brand, the trails and tribulations along the way and where Highland is going next. 

Read the full feature after the jump

 Lizzie Owens and Cramer Tolboe

How did Highland start, how did the two of you meet?

Cramer: We’re cousins, we grew up together. I took a job in LA after college on the sales side of the fashion business. Lizzie went to school for fashion design at RISD. We entered the workforce in fashion at about the same time, me in LA and Lizzie in NYC.

Lizzie: We grew up together and we were at the stage of our lives where we went off and started working. We both went into fashion. As kids that were never something we knew we were going to do but we both fell into it.

Cramer: Pretty soon after working for other people, we were both like this is whack. The pressure and being under someone else’s thing. I distinctly remember a conversation; let’s learn the business as much as we can under these big guys and eventually do our own thing.

We had talked about doing our own thing awhile back, four years passed and Lizzie came out to LA. We were sitting in my apartment and we said remember that thing we planned on doing? We were all in southern California and we decided to start a menswear brand. Mike (our other partner) and I had sales experience so we couldn’t really do a womenswear line. Lizzie was down because she was costume designing for bands like MGMT and familiar with styling boys.

Lizzie: I like the confinement of menswear, there’s only so many elements you can work with. Thanks to Mike and Cramer and our timing. We had been working for these big guys and had taken some time off , enough time that we knew we wanted to do something. We were all at the exact same point, at the exact same time and place.

That’s how you know you should though.

Cramer: I think the naivety certainly plays a role. You have no idea how much work it’s gonna be, how much pressure you’re gonna be under to make it go. You kind of need to be naive to be that.

Lizzie: If you build it they will come is kinda the idea I guess.

Highland FW13 Lookbook

Was Highland the original concept or you just knew you wanted to do a men’s line?

Cramer: We went to LA and went to some of the more progressive independent boutiques.  We found ourselves at Fred Segal No disrespect to what they were doing but then it was all sort of this one note tailored stuff. If we’re gonna do something it should resonate authentically.

We just found between sportswear and a love for gear –  stuff inspired by Patagonia and North Face. We found inspiration in our upbringing and how our parents lived, . All the stuff we grew up around, no one was taking this from a fashion perspective.

Were these the clothes you were wearing when you were younger?

Lizzie: There’s always an element of that yeah. It’s like I can’t even avoid designing from my past. The things that stick out to you and things you’re inspired by, always come from deep in your psyche. It feels really west coast to us but it has threads of NYC which you can’t avoid when you live here. I’ve lived here for almost nine years. It took us a minute to find a balance with the brand. I have a lot of fashion in me that’s in my background so it’s finding a balance between that and making wearable wearing recognizable stuff with a new edge. It’s always gonna feel very American and very nostalgic.

Highland SS13

How did you put all the branding and the name together.              

Cramer: I remember being pushed by Lizzie ‘we have to come up with a name.’

You had the concept first?

Lizzie: It all kind of happened at once.

Cramer: Our first season was Fall 2010, so we did all this conceptualization in Fall of 2009. It all came together over a two month period. Highland is loosely referencing this street called Highland drive. I had some romantic notion of her dad driving down it in the 50’s. High land is also a play on words. It represents a blanket state of mind.

The stoner element?

Lizzie: There’s that haha.

Cramer: It’s broad enough that it can represent a lot.

Lizzie: Right at the beginning we were looking at this Ralph Lauren book and it was all about lifestyle and branding.

Cramer: Our first season was a pretty full collection. It’s direction was very clear and  very outerwear based.

Are there clear roles you each play in the company?

Cramer: It’ s pretty clear now.

Lizzie, I agree, we do help each other a lot.

Cramer: As soon as you have more than one thing going at once, you just have to divide and conquer.  She’s in the mode of incubating the ideas for Spring/Summer 2014. She’s left alone to go as far as far and wide as she wants to go. I have to worry about producing Fall/Winter 2013, and we’re also running a business.Now that we’re year three, four into this, we can go into our directions because we know what we are doing.

I wasn’t sure where to place Highland when I first saw it, but I thought it was interesting how the brand was presented from the graphic design to the lookbook shot in places like a grocery store.

Highland SS13

Lizzie: There’s a bit of a lineage from Spring 2012 which was all about getting back to the suburbs and exploring that part that we were missing in New York and seeping out of every crevice. The suburbs, we need to be there. It was just about being bored in the surburbs and innocent fun. You don’t have everything at your fingertips and you just have to get creative. It might be as simple as some shopping carts and an empty parking lot. It’s just that moment of your youth.

The next collection after that was supposed to be the next summer and how the highland guy has a summer job now.  They don’t get to fuck around, they actually have to work these dismal made-up jobs.

Highland NYFW Presentation

How did the stoner collection presentation come together? I thought it was such a fun, creative show to go to.  Drinking a free beer and seeing a bunch of dudes hang out in a surburban basement set… that was entertaining.

Lizzie : It goes back to what we idealize. It was a time in my life that I glorify.

Cramer: It continued to hone this character. This ‘Highland’ guy, different phases and different things.

Lizzie:  This was just for us and our people to have a really great party and celebrate highland. The only real criticism was none of the important editors got to see it because there was such a riot there. There’s more pressure now for the shows to be a bit more traditional to cater to these editors but also be a great party for your friends. It’s the balance of getting the benefits of formal press.  

Cramer: Was it a specific moment?

Lizzie :It’s coming from a similar space.

Cramer.  Its this time when you are pretty free. An aspiration aspect of Highland is freedom. It’s not necessary luxury or anything.  It’s about being open and free. Those guys in a weed then, it’s a good state of mind. How would you not recall that fondly? I don’t think NYFW needs any more people taking it too seriously.

What do you want to achieve with Highland moving forward?

Lizzie: Not much more than what we got to now. Just getting better at things. I would like to have another show and have it be something that noone can step to. Something that the editors will be able to experience, I don’t care if they like it or not but they saw it.I just want to keep developing and supporting and being able to do what we want to do.

Cramer: I just want to keep developing. Keep being able to do exactly what we want to do. Just keep putting out stuff that’s hard to catergoize that comes from an honest place and people like. Even if we grow and change, we don’t want any restrictions put on us.

For more on Highland visit their official website.

Whether or not you’re familar with the DFA discography , this short documentary is a must watch that serves as a primer for those unfamiliar with the New York based record label’s legacy and an engaging inside retrospective for long-time fans. The doc is narrated by comedian/podcaster Marc Maron and features appearances by DFA artists The Rapture, [...]]]>

Whether or not you’re familar with the DFA discography , this short documentary is a must watch that serves as a primer for those unfamiliar with the New York based record label’s legacy and an engaging inside retrospective for long-time fans. The doc is narrated by comedian/podcaster Marc Maron and features appearances by DFA artists The Rapture, Juan Maclean, Holy Ghost!, LCD Soundsystem, The Crystal Ark, and more, along with DFA founders James Murphy, Tim Goldsworthy, and Jonathan Galkin. The film starts in 2001 with the label’s founding and quickly moves through the years of it’s “Too Old To Be New, Too New To Be Classic” existence.

Seditionaries was the name of an iconic clothing like between collaborators Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren.

 Its admirers and adherents were often moved to design punk garb of their own, and few were moved more than Jun Takahashi, who absorbed the lessons of the line and used them to create his own cult [...]]]>

Seditionaries was the name of an iconic clothing like between collaborators Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren.

 Its admirers and adherents were often moved to design punk garb of their own, and few were moved more than Jun Takahashi, who absorbed the lessons of the line and used them to create his own cult label, Undercover.

Takahashi and his friend and collaborator, Hiroshi Fujiwara, also scoured Tokyo for vintage Seditionaries pieces, eventually amassing a collection impressive enough that they published it as a limited-edition book

In an interview with Style.com’s Matthew Schneier, Jun touches on his punk roots and reflects on how the mentality of ‘punk’ has stayed with him throughout his career.  

What was your reaction to the Met’s announcement that Punk will be the theme of this year’s Costume Institute exhibition? Does punk belong in a museum? Or is such an exhibition a confirmation of what many old punks are fond of saying—that punk is dead?

I didn’t have a particular feeling about the announcement. I think the element of punk has a significant meaning for human beings as one of their means of expression, so I believe punk can proudly belong in a museum as a work of art. I think most people who say that punk is dead have moved into the next step while keeping a punk spirit at their base. The spirit will live on in me until I die.

 

Looks from Takahashi’ and Fujiwara’s Seditionaries book

In related news, the exhibition ‘From Punk to Chaos’ PUNK: Chaos to Couture is running  at the Museum of Metropolitian Art from and open to the public from May 9 – August 14. It explores the roots of the punk subculture through original punk garments from the mid-1970s and recent, directional fashion collections by some of the world’s most renowned designers.

Source: Style.com

In the latest STYLED feature on Oki-Ni PORT Magazine online editor David Hellqvist puts together looks that combine formal tailoring and technical sportswear. As men’s fashion continues to develop in new directions, men are moving past sartorial rules of the past [...]]]>

Model: Alamantus at Elite
Grooming: Joshua Gibson at Sassoon

In the latest STYLED feature on Oki-Ni PORT Magazine online editor David Hellqvist puts together looks that combine formal tailoring and technical sportswear. As men’s fashion continues to develop in new directions, men are moving past sartorial rules of the past and combining disparate styles to create their own signiture looks. I strongly identify with the idea of ‘techno tailoring’ which David explains below.

Techno Tailoring is all about fusing the best of both worlds. Look at your life; there’s an element of formal strictness, whether you like it or not. You might subscribe to a casual lifestyle but no doubt you’ll need to dress up from time to time. Instead of hiding the crisp formal shirts and well-tailored coats, move them to the front of your wardrobe. Wear them with technologic sportswear. But the key is finding the balance; no-one dresses in stiff, formal and starched collars seven days a week, just as full-on outfits of innovative high performance gear only makes sense on athletes. Neither of them work as one-way versions of your everyday wardrobe. Techno Tailoring is about mixing sporty details with smart looks, about accessorising clever streetwear with well-made and qualitative bits of Savile Row aesthetic.

More images after the jump, view the entire shoppable feature on Oki-Ni.

Market Market is a shopping festival where rare archival pieces from the past 7-8 will be available for purchase. I went to the first Market Market and spent way too much money , but the experience was incredible. Seeing rare pieces dating back several years from all the CdG sub-lines was a pleasure all on [...]]]>

Market Market is a shopping festival where rare archival pieces from the past 7-8 will be available for purchase. I went to the first Market Market and spent way too much money , but the experience was incredible. Seeing rare pieces dating back several years from all the CdG sub-lines was a pleasure all on it’s own. The fact that everything is 70% off or more is just icing on the cake. Do not miss this if you are in New York. The sale will be open to the public from May 10th to the 13th and will be located at 127 W 30th Street. This is guaranteed to be worthwhile pilgrimage for Comme devotees.

Let us know what you end up buying in the comments section.