Clout & About » Men

Horiyoshi III – Now You Can Wear Your Tattoo Without Freaking Out Your Mom

Lulu del Rosario — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:08:39 +0000

Japanese Tattoo Artist, Yoshihito Nakano (Horiyoshi III) must be a busy man these days. The tattoo artist’s designs now comprise many of the hot fashionable and luxury clothing and accessories currently being marketed by Horiyoshi Worldwide under the brand name Horiyoshi the Third.

First of all, you’ve got to check out the website as it’s like an art gallery in there! I spent a good ten minutes just clicking on the images and admiring the artwork.

Their website is an art gallery

If you’re in North America, you can check out where some of these might be available. I’ve personally never seen this brand yet but I’m pretty sure they’ll be a fun and hot commodity during the coming spring and summer months. I’ve not been paid to write this post. I just found them while I was looking for cool things to share with you!

And this kind of tattoo wearables – if my kids wore ‘em, I’d probably give ‘em a high five! Mom approves! Scratch that.

Mom wants one!

Teva Launches ‘Pair for a Foot’ on World Water Day, March 22

Cloutwomen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:34:49 +0000

Editor’s Note: I certainly can vouch for the Teva brand and so can my husband. As soon as the sun decides it has taken over winter’s cold blast and Mother Nature’s rain; our Tevas come out of hiding. I am so pleased that they are launching this effort today for a wonderful cause.

Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation) is extending its commitment to clean water through a new initiative called “Pair for a Foot.” The program helps protect one linear foot of global waterways for every pair of Teva shoes and sandals sold in 2011 through donations to clean water non-profits including the Ocean Conservancy and long-time partner Waterkeeper Alliance. Teva estimates “Pair for a Foot” will help preserve 4.3 million feet of waterways.

A highlight of Teva's Spring 2011 line is the Gnarkosi, a wakeskate-inspired water shoe with distinctive street styling

Teva's Pair for a Foot logo.

“The Teva brand was born on the water and we feel a strong obligation to help protect our most precious natural resource,” says Joel Heath, Teva Global Marketing Director. “We’re proud to support organizations that do vital work to protect the environment.”

Last year, Teva donated $100,000 to the Waterkeeper Alliance’s “Save Our Gulf” initiative, a fundraising and awareness campaign fighting to protect the Gulf Coast’s communities and environment from the long-term devastating impacts of the BP oil disaster. The emergency donation from Teva assisted in the effort to save marine life, wildlife, beaches and waterways that are relied upon for both fishing and recreation.

“Teva has been a terrific corporate partner for Waterkeeper Alliance and we’re thrilled about the Pair for a Foot campaign, both from a fundraising and an awareness standpoint,” states Kristine Stratton, executive director for Waterkeeper Alliance.

The “Pair for a Foot” program (www.teva.com/cleanwater) extends Teva’s commitment to clean water and its partnership with Waterkeeper through 2011 and beyond. “Over the years, we have participated in numerous community river clean-ups with local Waterkeeper chapters. We are excited to be making a deeper, long-term commitment to water with this initiative,” says Heath.

About Teva

Teva is a global adventure brand dedicated to helping people Live Better Stories. The concept of “adventure” is different depending on whom you talk to, but everyone understands an adrenaline rush, a dopamine high and a staggering sense of wonderment. Teva helps provide such moments. Since its birth on the Colorado River in 1984, Teva has a deeply ingrained connection to water, which is manifested in their products and clean water advocacy. In 2011 and beyond, Teva is launching “A Pair for a Foot,” and, with nonprofits Waterkeeper Alliance and the Ocean Conservancy, will clean a linear foot of global waterways for every pair of shoes sold. It’s a tall order, but Teva is taking it on so that everyone may Live Better Stories. Find us at www.teva.com and www.Facebook.com/Teva.

About Deckers

Deckers Outdoor Corporation strives to be a premier lifestyle marketer that builds niche brands into global market leaders by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear developed for both high performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. Teva®, Simple® Shoes, UGG® Australia, Tsubo®, and Deckers® Flip Flops are registered trademarks of Deckers Outdoor Corporation.

Virtual Window Shopping Along Avenue Montaigne, Paris: Christian Dior Spring-Summer 2011 Collection

Cloutwomen — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:19:05 +0000

Our Paris-based contributor, Yolanda Dominguez is doing such a fabulous job providing us with a virtual trip along Avenue Montaigne in Paris. I am loving her meticulous and detailed description of each and every photo she shares with us. Today, she is beaming us up to visit the Christian Dior boutique and a glimpse into their Spring-Summer 2011 Collection. Here is Yolanda’s report.

In the midst of fashion week, while the fall-winter 2011 collections are being presented, the fashion window displays have been changing, to show off the summer collection by March 1st. Such was the case at Christian Dior.

With their boutique store situated in the heart of the fashion strip, on 32 Avenue Montaigne, corner François 1er, all in a day’s work the display windows changed from spring to summer. As of early yesterday, these were the styles on parade.

The spring color scheme is nautical: navy blue and white. As the weather warms up, hemlines rise above the knees. The pants are pleated at the waist, tapered at the bottom, and folded up or cropped.

Fabrics are lighter weight and crisper, lightly textured or plain, woven or jersey-type knits. Solid-colored and striped fabrics dominated this collection.

A must for a spring wardrobe is a spring coat for those chilly days ahead.

Among the dresses featured is one with a bustier bodice, with a tulip skirt. Back in style is the double-breasted coat dress.

And there will always be that practical little black dress to dress up or dress down for any occasion. In this one, the bodice has tightly-sewn vertical pleats all around, from the neckline to the hipline, with a bias-piping finishing around the sabrina neckline and the armhole. The skirt has a soft, flowing, pleated look as a result of the tight pleating from the top.

The summer collection comes out amidst the buzz that Christian Dior’s lead designer, John Galliano, has been suspended. The display windows are now set with driftwoods and an azure-blue background, just like the sea. It’s a fun, playful, whimsical, and artsy collection for the leisurely lifestyle.

Here is my favorite. A close-up look at this dress shows how the intricate pattern of the V-necked, long-torso bodice has been detailed with mother-of-pearl round buttons and fringes, and coral-colored beads, all sewn in straight or scalloped patterns with the mother-of-pearl fringes tracing the V-neckline and the hipline, where the multi-layer ruffled skirt is attached. It’s a neutral earth tone – a light-mocha-colored crepe-chiffon fabric.

This natural leather, platform shoes are a perfect match for the dress and the contrasting red handbag.

A printed chiffon, spaghetti-strapped flowing gown with see-through, bias cut dolman sleeves. It is accessorized with a shocking pink/bright orange bag and a lighter shade of fuchsia platform-shoes. The pink center of the orchid flower prints was the color idea that initiated the use of pink accessories for this gown.

Intricately intertwined colored cords and glossy plastic rings with plastic hangings in pastel monochromatic shades of green, make up this attractive accessory, picking up the green leaf colors of the printed fabric.

Note the many fashion details in this display. The mannequin on the left is sporting an off-white colored blouse made of cotton twill and is paired with a tan colored pair of pants. To the right, the linen blouse is matched with a printed skirt, deep purple with citrus green leaf designs,

The blouses, both from woven fabrics, show a look reminiscent of the safari style in the early 70s, with 2 sets of front pockets and belted. The neckline is an open V with extended short sleeves. The linen shirt on the right has fringe finishings around the neckline, pockets, and the bottom edge of the shirt. These earth tones are neutral colors for summer and can easily be matched with a variety of colors.

Other accessory options

This artsy, sculptural neck piece (just like the one above) accents this neutral-toned ensemble, bursting in bright colors to liven up the over-all look.

A close up of the fashion accessories for this window display…all in coordinated, matching colors. For the footwear, it’s between the leather sandals – detailed with feathers and straw fringes, with the same big stones as in the cuff bracelet below, or the sandal platforms in shiny black patent or natural leather color. Of course, you can’t go wrong with that now classic looking Dior bag, which comes with an added strap to make it into a shoulder bag. The quilted leather bags, with the woven pattern, are a staple in the CD bag line.

I still have my CD -logo, fabric bags from more than 30 years ago, which by the way, my young daughter delightfully uses to make her own fashion statement. This style was back about six years ago.

The clutch bags are a color match to some of the colors in the neck piece. Choose anyone of these to go with either of these outfits and it will work.

This bracelet makes a bold statement, especially when worn with the leather sandals detailed with he same stones.

A tropical look in this outfit – a tailored, printed blouse with a navy blue background brings out the off-white prints. The puffed sleeves is a surprise touch for this tailored blouse. The brown skirt looks like a hand-crocheted/macrame creation. The braided belt, the creamy shade clutch bag and a pair of platform sandals complete this outfit.

It’s a flower motif in this printed-chiffon, in yellow on orange, for this long summer dress

with three-dimensional flowers made of the same fabric, on this halter top, low-square neckline. A metallic bag is paired off with it, suggesting a more-than-casual affair is to be attended.

Did you notice how all the mannequins are wearing dark-brown and black wigs? Brunettes are in!

Here are more Dior fashion accessories for this season:

Red clutch bag – in the quilted pattern with a smocked effect. The patent beige bag is adorned with a series of pavé-finished colored stones on a gold-toned, bejeweled clasp. There is a suggestion to wear the aviator-goggle style ladies’ sunglasses on bright sunny days.

A medium sized bag with a handle strap

Other bag styles

If you have an idea of what you want, do go in and check them out and see what else they have.

There will be other styles to see and to compare, to help you make your choice. For the men, there is a boutique right next to the women’s.

The men have their double-breasted blazers back this season. The men’s boutique is complete with every piece of clothing or accessory for a chic male wardrobe.

The display window has a screen below that continuously projects “The Time I had Sometime Alone,” a Film by Willy Vanderperre.

A bag accessory for men

Men’s aviator-style sunglasses

A snake-skin wallet

Not to be forgotten is the fashion line for the children, Baby Dior, located on 28 Avenue Montaigne.

This is about dressing kids up like kids, in CD designs, no less.

It’s March and it’s time to get ready for spring and summer, or at least think about and look forward to the warmer seasons. But, I understand that you may still be in winter-wardrobe mode, just like I am.

Fashion Tips for Men

Cloutwomen — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:55:01 +0000

Okay, all you boys out there. Especially you there in Silicon Valley. (“Boys” includes you, if you’re somewhere between the ages of puberty and age-defying.) There’s no reason to look like Ed Grimly, or Inspector Gadget. No reason to smell like you’ve been locked up in a closet with old gym clothes either. So, as a favor to us women, take heed to these fashion and man-scaping tips.

Men's Fashion: IN

PANTS:
In: Flat front pants.
Out: Pleated pants.
(Do you really think pleats make you look thin? No. They make you look fat everywhere.)

In: Pants long enough to touch the very top of your heel.
Out: I can see your socks when you’re standing still.

SOCKS:
In: Mid-calf. Matches your pants or shoes.

Out: I can see your pasty, white, hairy legs when you cross your legs. Eeww!!!

Men's Fashion: OUT (and more out!)

SHIRTS:
In: Nicely pressed (by the cleaners) shirts, or no-iron, all cotton tailored or close-fitted shirts. (Check out Nordstrom or Brooks Brothers).
Out: Loose, billowy shirts with the straight out of bed-I don’t have a wife-I do my own laundry look.
Very Out: Shirts with a company logo. Any shirt with any logo. Out.

(Tip: If you must slip a pen into your shirt pocket, please make sure it’s a nice pen, and not one with some company’s logo, or worse, a Bic Pen.)

JACKETS:
In: Whether it’s a suit jacket or sports jacket, shoulders should fit perfectly and jacket should be fitted.
Out: Oversized shoulders and wide armholes. You’re not planning to wear football shoulder pads in there, are you?

SHOES:
In: Prada-like slip on loafers, or shoes with a strap and a side buckle.
Out: Tassles- so 80’s. Sneakers- gross. Crocs- unless you’re gardening.

Now for some man-scaping tips. (Man-scaping: taken from the word “landscaping”, it is the art of grooming men’s hair and other body parts.)

In: Unscented deodorant (Clinique makes the best).
Out: Deodorant that matches your cologne. I don’t care how much you sweat, you shouldn’t pile stink on stink. I’ll run the other way.
Way, Way Out: No deodorant at all.

In: Cologne that I can’t smell. Or no cologne at all.
Out: The kind I can smell all the way down the hall and know you’re somewhere in the vicinity. And by the way, I don’t want to smell like you after a meeting in a hermetically sealed conference room.

(Tip: If you insist on wearing cologne, ask a fashion-forward female friend to help you choose one, and teach you how much to wear. Make sure she’s the type to tell you the truth. To play safe, stay away from it all together. There’s nothing sexier than smelling like soap and water.)

In: A close shave. Or a 3-5 day old growth, nicely trimmed.
Out: Shaving everywhere but leaving that furry growth under your chin. What is that!!

In: Clean, hair-free ears.
Out: Hairy, fuzzy ears. Not only do I want to have to look at your ears closely, but I certainly don’t want to see little bits of hair sticking out here, there and everywhere. Take 5 more minutes, turn your head a little more and shave those puppies.

In: Neatly trimmed finger nails.
Out: Long nails; or long on one hand or short on another; or a long pinky or thumb nail. If you plan to use these as a screwdriver, here’s $2 bucks. Buy a real one. It looks AWFUL.
Oh – and dirty nails. There is NO excuse for dirty nails. I’d hate to find out what else is dirty.

In: Nicely groomed feet.
Out: Long nails, dead nails, calluses. I don’t even want to think about it.

In: A nice haircut. Or if you’re losing it, a buzz cut. The long hair isn’t fooling anyone.
Out: Slicked back hair or a comb over. (Tip:Your hair should compel women (or men, whichever way you swing) to run their fingers through it)

Extra tips:
In: A nice, well toned body.
Out: A beer gut.

In: A good gay friend to help you get a good girl friend.
Out: A good guy friend to keep you from getting the good girl friend.

Article written by Anna del Rosario, The Royal Scoop