SAM SAFFMAN (file under "male models i have known", petite crushes, good guys, and "casting tapes that mysteriously end up on the interwebs through no fault of my own".)

i've worked with many models,
and some just rise to the top.

stop it, you pigs.  i mean they're pretty talented and they are pros,
AND they manage to be pretty nice normal guys.

i worked with sam for about three years at old navy,
and watched his career expand over time.





this was the first casting tape i ever saw him on,
and it kind of hits you right away what you have to do
if you want to be a succesful model,
but also a good all around guy:

1) learn how to bashfully tug on ear.
2) develop irresistable accent.  (practice by growing up in leeds)
3) occasionally display incomprehensible tattoo under arm
4) be genetically blessed.
5) get guys to gush like twelve year old girls on their blogs about you.

there.  that shouldn't be so hard for you guys to accomplish.


i'd start practicing.

now.

A.P.B. (bring me the head of rick owens)

ok, if anyone sees this man,
please bring him directly to me.

do not stop go, do not collect anything he has lying around his showroom,
do not spend inordinate amounts of time chatting with the exquisite white-faced boy child he has manning the floor of his tribeca flagship, do not attempt to charm something fur-related from the charming woman in his place on the palais royale.

simply gather as much merchandise (medium) as you can get your hands on,

example A:

example B:

example C:

then,
grab him by his big muscley arm,
pull him out of that damn fog he's so fascinated with,
and drag him to my place.

and try to get here by six,
i'm having coctails on the roof and i really hate to start parties without all the guests there.

it's rude.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH : khakis

i've always said that certain retail chains could turn their whole damn chains around
if they'd step away from all denim all the time
and try and re-imagine a category.

take khakis.

they're just as, if not more so, functional as denim.
they are a touch more versatile in the dressing up category.
and done right, they actually make you look unique in this denim mad world.

but they have to be rethought a bit.

first, the fit.
don't we all want a waist?  i think waists are great.  i think all the crunches and laps in the pool are done for a reason.  and even if we're just sitting at starbucks on santa monica watching the waists go by, we WANT them.   so how about cutting a khaki that emphasizes that, huh?  so hard?  really?

and perhaps we can leave the pleats behind.  as in "the trash".

i think now is probably the time to add a little volume to the leg.  much more modern.  nothing viktor and rolf-ish (for those of you that missed the reference, e-on over to style.com and look it up.  you people really need to read the syllabus before you come to class.)  but a little breathing room so you can sit down. 

and perhaps a slightly fuller lower leg.  i'm not asking for hammer pants, just something more like this.

add a bronze button, a pair of trainers, and a tee, and suddenly, you're neither the chelsea clone, nor the dockers boy.

how refreshing.

alright, i'm done with you.  go away.

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES - investment dressing

this is in reply to a question richard posted on my other blog

about how many lanvin trainers i own.

i find that an intensely personal question,
so instead of answering in a direct and honest fashion, i'm going to point out to you all that when you find something of quality that makes you feel special, something that works more than one way for you, something that gives you that little thrill inside, you should buy multiples to cover your bases.

this holds true for every category in fashion, from american apparel deep v necks to good denim, to brazilian pool boys. 

i, personally, continually strive to reach the nirvana of the perfect closet,
well stocked with casual basics (by rick owens),
everyday wear (by martin margiela and raf simons)
and that "item" piece that pulls the twain together (most often, lanvin.  surprise.)

so, in closing,
i would say it's rude to ask "how many"
and more polite to ask
"how do you like the latest pair?  isn't navy wonderful?"

sorry, dropped off there for a bit. but i'm a guy.

i get to do that.

it's like how when we first met, and you gave me your number, and i didn't call for three weeks,
then i was drunk one saturday,
and i called at three in the morning and asked if i could come over.


so i'm just calling back to say thanks.

i had a great time.

you're swell.