Man of Style: Lionel Messi

For those who don’t know Lionel Messi is the world’s greatest soccer player and tonight he won his record-breaking fourth FIFA Ballon d’Or in Zurich. He alos looked amazing doing it in his black polka dot Dolce & Gabbana smoking jacket with matching bow tie. It all fits so well and he can pull the look off!

Man of Style: James Bond

Bond, James Bond. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, James Bond is back in his 23rd adventure, Skyfall.  Skyfall will also be featuring Tom Ford clothing for the second consecutive Bond flick.

Man of Style: David Beckham Bodywear for H&M

On February 2nd, H&M will debut David Beckham’s new underwear collection, titled Bodywear, worldwide. The collection which focuses on fit, comfort and style, is designed and modeled by the ever-stylish Beckham.

News: H&M and which designer are teaming up next…

So although the Iconic Verscace for H&M collection is only just being released now it’s never too soon to start thinking: What’s (or who’s) next? Well Business Week caught up with H&M’s creative adviser Margareta van den Bosch and asked her just that. So who’s name came up? Hint: This designer is a favourite of mine and this blogs.

Man of Style: Tom Ford Documentary

I have, on more than one occasion, professed my love for Tom Ford and all he does. So this upcoming documentary “Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind” with Tom Ford is something I am looking forward to. It is airing Sunday, October 23 at 8pm eastern on OWN. I know I’ll be watching it; and probably PVR’ing it for good measure. Be sure to check it out for a behind the scenes look at the genius Tom Ford.

Men of Style: Tom Ford Interview

Photo: Simon Perry

A while back I featured a Tom Ford Interview with AnOther  Magazine (here) and the now the fine folks over at the Bergdorf Goodman blog 5th/85th sat down to the reigning King of Fashion (here).

Tom touches on all sorts of subjects like how he was born a fifty-year-old man:

Man of Style: Kanye West

The Telegraph is reporting Kanye West has bought s studio and is in the process of designing a men’s and women’s line. Kanye, who has designed a line of sneakers for Louis Vuitton, certainly has been a fixture in the Front Row of fashion shows for years, so this foray into designing is not a big leap. That being said, would you wear Kanye’s designs?

Guide for Life: How to be a Man

GQ’s Style Master Glenn O’Brien has just released a book and it’s one every man should have; the aptly named “How To Be a Man“. Glenn O’Brien, for those who are unfamiliar, is a long time  writer and editor (and was a member of Warhol’s Factory) who is best known for being GQ’s The Style Guy; he answers readers sartorial conundrums with a tailored blend of wit and fashion guidance.

From suits & ties to dinners & women, this book truly covers all the essentials a Man of Style should know. How To Be a Man also features illustrations from famous fashion illustrator Jean-Philippe Delhomme. This is a must read and is perfect for those rainy spring days!

Words of Wisdom: Tom Ford’s Rules for Men

Image by Jeff Burton for AnOther Magazine

Tom Ford is one of my idols, I find him fascinating and a true man of style. He is successful at whatever he does (film, fashion, etc) and always looks fantastic. He is never one to shy away from telling the truth and that makes him even more interesting to me. Well AnOther Magazine sat down and talked with one of the planets most stylish men and Tom, as always, had something to say. Taken from the interview (which will appear in full in their Spring/Summer 2011 issues) here are 5 rules for Gentlemen as told by Tom Ford:

1. You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.
2. A gentleman today has to work. People who do not work are so boring and are usually bored. You have to be passionate, you have to be engaged and you have to be contributing to the world.
3. Manners are very important and actually knowing when things are appropriate. I always open doors for women, I carry their coat, I make sure that they’re walking on the inside of the street. Stand up when people arrive at and leave the dinner table.
4. Don’t be pretentious or racist or sexist or judge people by their background.
5. A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.

These are lessons (of versions thereof) that I was instilled with growing up as a kid and that every man should adhere to. Personally,  rules 1 & 4 are the ones I find most important and I think the other 3 rules would end up being followed as a result of  those 2. What do you think? Do Tom’s rules apply to everyone? Should men be following these rules?

P.S. I guess I should put my shorts away

First Post: Men of Style

Fashions fade, style is eternal
-Yves Saint Laurent

I figured this quote was the best way to start off this post (and this blog).  There are many men (and women) of style in our world today but it is a dwindling population. Buying a Dolce and Gabbana jackets makes you no more fashionable then buying a Walmart jacket; it is how you wear it, how you feel wearing it and the style in which you wear it.

This blog won’t be about  what I wear or what I see people wearing on the street, it won’t be about Haute Couture or Avant Garde fashion. This blog is about Style, Fashion & Shiny things; what I see, what I like, what attracts me and what exciting.

I think men should be more stylish; I long for the slim cut suits, skinny ties and hats of 60s fashion. I think the world needs more proper “gentlemen”.

To end my first post, I am going to leave you with some pictures of my style icons, my men of style.

Tom Ford

Karl Lagerfeld Photo: REX

James Bond

Kanye West

David Beckham