Whitney Eve Fashion Show

Happy to have been at the show (not so happy with the quality of my camera). One day we'll meet, Whitney Port!

Men's Huarache Sandals

Please note that my blog has moved. Check out the upgrade at: http://www.sachinbhola.com/blog - Sachin Bhola


Ethno American is a major theme in my wardrobe, so major that I will discuss it in an upcoming post. This one, however, puts the spotlight on a related shoe style that I’ve been fascinated by: huarache sandals.

The term “huarache” translates into “sandal” from the pre-Columbian language P’urhepecha, which is spoken in north-west Mexico. Thus, the term “men’s huarache sandals” is redundant (I’ve used it for SEO purposes, wink wink).

Huarache + Attitude = Huarachetude!

I first discovered these Mexican sandals while living in Los Angeles in 2006. Not surprisingly, they had become popular in North America in the 1950s and ‘60s via hippies, and, therefore, is a common find in today’s California flea markets.

Forget the hippies -- it was my hipster L.A. friends, Melanie and Kim (above), that popularized the style for me. (I really shouldn’t call them hipsters; hipsters hate it when you out them.)

Sachin Bhola’s pick :)

Where: eBay

Price: $6.55

I bought my first pair from the Rose Bowl Flea Market (Pasadena, California) for less than $10. And I recently bought a second pair of men’s huarache sandals off eBay for $6.55 (pictured here). Sweet deal.

Huarache sandals were originally consumed by peasants, which meant that they needed to be produced with inexpensive material. The use of rubber from recycled car tires for the soles became popular in the 1930s as this material was robust and inexpensive.

But buyer beware: As time went buy, this style inspired many variations of the original model. If you're looking for the real deal, here’s a checklist:

- Huaraches are traditionally made from hand-woven leather.

- Stitching and weaving is done by hand.

- The soles are made from old rubber tires.

- The hand-made quality, in theory, means that no two pairs are identical.

For Summer 2010, Asos.com has released various men's huarache sandals -- fashion versions, of course. 

Shown above:

Top Row: Woven Slip On ($47.35)

Bottom Row (left to right): Hirachi Sandal ($59.18); Step Down Basket Weave Sandals ($42.27)

Can't get enough huaraches? Check out this cool blog: HuaracheBlog.wordpress.com   

Men's Combat Boots Fall 2010

Please note that my blog has moved. Check out the upgrade at: http://www.sachinbhola.com/blog - Sachin Bhola

In my New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Men’s Trend Report, I talk about “carryover” trends. As the name suggests, these trends simply refer to those the industry has seen in a previous season – say, Fall 2009 – that has reappeared this season.

Without getting into why designers do this (no, it’s not because they hit a creative wall and fell back on last year’s sketches; something tells me sales, retail and forecasting has much to do with it), it’s important to point out the benefit to the consumer: saving your money.

Why spend money when you’ve already made the investment? And when it comes to men’s combat boots, we’re talking low-risk investment. The term “perennial” here doesn’t even do it justice. From the first boots worn by the foot soldiers of the Roman legions to modern-day subcultures, it’s safe to say this style is enduring. Now that’s some serious ROI.

With that in mind, here’s a roundup of men’s combat boots for Fall 2010 that you can buy now – and carryover for years to come.
xxxxxx

Sachin Bhola's Pick :)

Brand: Topman

Name: Black High Leg Boots
Price: $150

There's only one Topman store in North America (it's in Soho, New York). What's up with that? I bought these during Fashion Week. These are great if you have skinny legs because they don't leave any opening around the calf when laced up. 

Brand: Browning Arms Co.

Where: eBay

Condition: Vintage, 1960s

Price: $99

Fashion aside, men's combat boots were designed for soldiers during, well, combat. Because they're designed to withstand rugged environments, many "regular" guys make this their footwear of choice during the fall and winter because of the water-resistant, cold-weather-resistant properties.

And these guys don't turn to the Topmans of of the world; they often shop at army surplus stores or eBay. You can find vintage models that have stood the test of time, often for much, much cheaper prices.

During Montreal Fashion Week Fall 2010, I worked on the production of the Barila show. The stylist, Christina Louiso, borrowed men's combat boots from an army surplus store to create the looks. Though typically worn on men, this was an excellent choice for this women's collection. Well done, Christina!    

For the boot history nerds: Each soldier of the New Model Army was issued three pairs. The soldiers were required to rotate them after every march for even wear. We could learn from them.

Before lace-ups, combat boots were often designed with buckles. It's not my thing, but wearing a buckled version would make for an interesting twist on the models we see today.

Brand: H by Hudson
Name: Angus Brogue Boot
Price: $203

Speaking of a twist, who said men's combat boots for Fall 2010 had to be black? This color speaks for itself. The broguing also adds visual interest. Look at them: You can tell these are going to age nicely :)

Brand: Whyred

Name: Luc
Price: $270

I'm loving the canvas upper on these ones. Like everything in menswear, evolution comes through the details. Click on the brand link for more photos. This pair from Whyred is reminiscent of Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme. Nothing wrong with the withered-15-yeard-old-anticonformist-Euro look.
  

Here are some more men's combat boots for Fall 2010 that I like. Left to right: Common Projects, Expedition Boots ($558); Frye Boots, Rogan Tall Lace Up ($258); Aldo, Wile ($140).

rag & bone Fall 2010 Video

Here's my lame video coverage of rag & bone's Fall 2010 men's collection presented during New York Fashion Week. I know, I know -- I'll have a better camera next time.

rag & bone Interview

"We're both English," says rag & bone duo David Neville and Marcus Wainwright when asked what's the one thing they would like the public to know about them.

Seriously? In their defense, we'll chalk that initial response up to being pressed for time in light of New York Fashion Week, where the guys are presenting their Fall 2010 collection today.

"We take pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our garments," they continue, "so the production process is always under quite a bit of scrutiny."

Hold up. No celebrity name dropping? No mention of awards (which, we'll go ahead and point out: 2007 CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear)? Nope and nope.

But talk is cheap. Take a look at any given rag & bone product and let it do all the talking. In fact, it is this very humble and disciplined approach to design that has contributed to the success of the company. In a time when new designers are popping up on every hipster street corner and coming (and going) faster than reality TV stars, it's refreshing to learn that the duo has put in the time required to build their brand.

About rag & bone
Sachin Bhola: Can you give us some background on the rag & bone label?
We founded rag & bone in 2002 because we felt there was a gap in the market for well-made, functional garments -- the kind of clothing our friends could wear. But as we had no formal fashion training, we decided to learn from the garment manufacturers themselves, starting with the perfect pair of jeans. We traveled to Kentucky where, at the time, a lot of the American denim factories were based, and [we] met a lot of craftsmen and women who had spent their years cutting, stitching and making jeans. From there we developed our collections, launching menswear in February 2005 and our women’s collection the following season.

Kelly Kopen Model For H&M

Please note that my blog has moved. Check out the upgrade at: http://www.sachinbhola.com/blog - Sachin Bhola

Earlier this year I made reference to Kelly Kopen modeling for H&M. Well, here is H&M's Divided Spring 2010 campaign featuring Kelly Kopen, Cole Mohr and Re'l Dade.

Bespoken Fall 2010

America's Next Top Model

... Because when you fall down you get back up -- or fall back down again.

Speaking of America's Next Top Model, I was thrilled to bump into Miss Jay, runway coach extraordinaire, at the Oumlil Fall 2010 show (he told me that a new cycle was about to begin -- why didn't he tell me about this runway moment? And why does he look all Mr. Jay in this photo?). I was also seated behind him at the Michael Bastian show.

Billy Reid Fall 2010

Congratulations to Billy Reid who was awarded Best New Menswear Designer 2010 by GQ. That night he also presented his Fall 2010 collection at Milk Studios during New York Fashion. I caught up with him during the after-party at the Hotel Gansevoort to talk to him about… OK, so the truth is I asked him these questions a few days later – it was really all fun and play that night. He’s a great guy to talk and, well, between his talent and his character, it’s clear why he’s a winner.

Billy Reid Fall 2010
Sachin Bhola: What was the inspiration behind the Fall 2010 collection?
Billy Reid: Classic American clothing, turn of the century field- and work-wear meets East Village folk.

Sachin: What one must-have item will instantly update a man’s wardrobe for Fall 2010?
Billy: A hand-tailored navy blazer. Get one that is made for you, or fits perfectly, not the one you wore in college -- or your dad's. It goes with everything.

Sachin: On the other hand, which item does a man not need another of in his wardrobe?
Billy: Ill-fitting clothing

Billy Reid Interview

"Southern-bred luxury" isn't a term you'd expect to hear in menswear. If this were a physics class, we'd make a case for the South and luxury having diamagnetic properties in relation to fashion's magnetic field. Intense.

And it takes an intense designer to bounce back from September 11, 2001, when William "Billy" Reid was forced to leave New York and return to his native Florence, Alabama. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, as the designer reconnected with his homegrown aesthetic and salvaged his momentum.

We wanted to know more. So AskMen.com caught up with Billy Reid at New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010 to check out his presentation at Milk Studios (not exactly a hop, skip and jump from the Mississippi line) and found ourselves partying the night away at the Hotel Gansevoort with Billy, toasting to (what else?) southern-bred luxury.

About Billy Reid
Sachin Bhola: Can you give us some background on the Billy Reid label?
Billy Reid: The collection is all about American clothing. It blends deep Southern roots with a downtown vibe, and I love to build pieces tough enough, and versatile enough, for both those worlds. It started in 2004 when friends approached me with an idea to open retail shops for the collection. The idea was that we would build an environment based on the interior influences and touches of our home here in Florence, Alabama. We would personalize every part of the retail experience. For me, it is about the things I do in life, and the clothes that I want to wear to support it.

Sachin: What’s the one thing you would like the public to know about Billy Reid that they are unaware of?
Billy: I would want them to know how much work and care we put into the collection. The quality and integrity of the effort is something we work so hard to present.

Men's Fashion Today
Sachin: What is the most important garment in a man's wardrobe; the one big-ticket fashion item that is worth its price tag?
Billy: Handmade boots and a handmade jacket or men's suit. You will have them forever if they're made well.