FLY FRIENDS

So for the next few post I will featuring a few close friends of mine who are unquestionably Fresh, Fly & Flashy. These men range in size, age and ethnicity.

Yet they all fall under the same umbrella. Some are sneaker fanatics; some obsessed with denim and others are just driven by being exclusive. Nonetheless, they are all fly in every aspect of the word. With that said I would like to introduce you to the first two so you can see just what I mean. (Stay tuned for more!)

1. Firstly, what does fashion mean to you?

Fashion to me has more to do with state of mind, as opposed to meaning, but if I would define fashion it would be: a broadened perspective on personal attire, and how one applies that perspective to everyday life!

2. How has your fashion sense changed from your adolescence to know? And when did you feel that change beginning to take place?

From childhood to now, my fashion sense has not changed much. This is because I have always been fashion conscious! Even from ages as early as 6, 7, 8 etc.(My preteen years) I feel like I am now a more disciplined adult, as I will not incorporate certain styles of fashion and merge them with another. Air Jordan's with Slacks are not a good look! But for a child, coming up in the 80's and 90's, that was acceptable. LOL when I began paying for my own clothes I realized that there was a science to fashion that I missed in my adolescent years!

3. When did you start collecting sneakers? And what you think sparked your interest in collecting?

I began my sneaker craze (lol) when I got my first pair of Nike Air Pegasus. 1988-89. My flame of interest was definitely fanned by the watchful eyes that never seemed to leave my feet as I walked through the halls of Junior high!

4. How much are you willing to pay for a limited edition or an exclusive pair of sneakers?

There is almost no figure to big to pay for a Limited or Exclusive pair of sneakers! One of the things my parents said to me as a child was, "when you become an adult, you can spend all the money you want, that YOU make on sneakers!" God bless them both they were right! My Prada sneakers are excess of 300, I currently own 3 pair of Air force ones that cost as much as my Prada sneakers, and I would have had a $1200 pair of Air Force One Lux editions, but I put the money toward a Convertible Mustang instead! Hey I'm crazy not stupid! LOL

5. As a larger man do you find it harder to get exclusive pieces?

It's not hard at all to get something exclusive being the size I am now that is! The gym does wonders, lemme tell you! LOL My shoe size is 11 1/2 so I'm good there, my waist is now a 38 so I just hit the mark for Euro clothes. I can't really do anything about my height, (sad face) but I have a wide frame and sometimes that's not a good look! When your shoulder points are longer than some peoples arms that can be a problem! Working out doesn't really make that any better! LOL

6. How would you define your style and why?

I would define my style as just that...MY STYLE! Although I buy what everyone else buys, I don't wear the clothes the same way. Like I said before, fashion is a state of mind. I now truly hate the word Swagg, but for lack of a better word that is what a person must have when they purchase outfit, get outfit home, remove outfit from bag, try outfit on, take outfit off, and set outfit up for future event! So in essence, my style is defined by my character as well as personality when I am wearing what I am wearing! The person looking doesn't see a hot mess with expensive clothes on, they see a Man that has taste and is confident in his appearance. A man who is neat in appearance, easy on the eyes, and on top of his game! I don't ask that a person pay a fee when they enter my world, only that you enjoy yourself!

7. Would you say your current fashion sense comes naturally or do you try and keep up with the latest trends?

Everything I do from a fashion perspective is natural. Today I may buy enough outfits to last me a few months, or I may not have bought anything for a few months! Either or, my fashion sense remains the same. Keep it clean, fresh, and neat! Nothing is ever truly new! For instance, Polo! Heavy in the late 80's to Mid 90's, and heavy in my closet! Now I refuse to go hard like some of the youth do for polo these days! Especially now that everyone wearing Polo has on the same if not, then close to the same piece on! SMH

8. What do you anticipate your fashion sense to be like when you get older?

I believe really nice suits will be in my future! Anything tailored by Ralph Lauren, Georgio Armani, etc. Its such a different look! Otherwise, on off days, go comfortable when its warm with sweats exclusive or white on white Air Force Ones, and a white tee! Some people look like they try so hard just to go to the Mall or Grocery store! SMDH

9. What really inspires you to even dress the way you do?

I really inspire me to dress the way I do! I look to next year and say to myself..."What will I be wearing then, and why? What colors will I be wearing, and how different can I be from everyone else without looking strange?"

10. What’s happening right now in Men’s urban fashion that intrigues you?

Unfortunately at the moment, there isn't anything in fashion that intrigues me because everything in fashion is so repetitive. If I had to choose, am going heavy with Nautica. Its a much more clean, original look! Nautica is not as flamboyant as Polo, thus you don't look like the "Hood" when you wear it!

11. What are you top three brands? And why?

My top 3 brands would have to be, Nautica of course, True Religion, and believe it or not...Sean John! Diddy surprised me this year! LOL

12. What are you top three kicks of all time?

My top 3 kicks would be Nike Air Force ones tier 2, tier 1 tier 0, or quick strikes! YEP...for all of you that don't know about that, google it! Prada sneakers because you can get away with them in most clubs. LOL....and lastly but certainly not least, Louis Vuitton's sneakers! Because you won't see just anyone wearing them, and if they are, then they didn't pay $700+ for them!

13. What was the first thing you remember buying that made you feel like you were gonna kill it when you wore it?

The first outfit I bought that I knew I would crush, I brought when I worked on Lexington ave. In the city in 97'! I bought a black and white DKNY sweater, some black Guess jeans and the Air Jordan XII in black and white! (Not the retros)

14. Was there anyone who had any influence on your sense of style when you were growing up?

No one in particular influenced my style, but I do take just a little bit from a few different people! My older Brother, The Original Lo-Life Crew / Lo-Profile but that's all! (Would get into the Lo-Life thing but that's another topic!) LOL

15. Lastly, how would you encourage someone that is young and trying to hone their style?

For those coming up, trying to hone their own style, first of BE ORIGINAL! If everyone is wearing Polo, wear Nautica! If everyone has Prada on there feet, wear Gucci! Learn to evolve your wardrobe! Keep it clean, and neat! Women don't like no dude with his clothes thrown on, or hugging his body! Skinny jeans are for chicks!! Personality is everything! Your outfit can be crazy but you personality will enhance that!(Otherwise know as Swagg. Uuhgg!) LOL And finally, the only thing some one other than yourself should know about how you will look when you get to the club, is that when you do get to the club, you WILL look better than them!

1. Firstly, what does fashion mean to you?

I live and work in a world where the competitive edge is so very real; a world where what i have to offer to the cause can be matched by a few different prospects at any time. Aside from the given, fashion is an important part of my skill set. I consider fashion to be a huge component to my character build up.

2. How has your fashion sense changed from your adolescence to now? And when did you feel that change beginning to take place?

Wow, from then to now? Coming up with a heavy urban influence in Brooklyn, baggy jeans and sneakers was pretty much how we defined fashion. How well your fitted cap and shirt matched the wild colors of your sneakers, was the name of the game!

When I was introduced to the corporate world after high school, my appearance needed to change to follow suit with my career path. I had a very hectic schedule, I had to be to school for 8:00 classes in the morning, then straight to work, then back to school for 5:45. There was very little time for me to even think about changing my clothes during the day, so I would be in a collared shirt and tie. When the weekends rolled around, I was too exhausted to ever go anywhere: so I’d never even get a chance to wear my colorful outfits with kicks to match. Because of this, when I actually did dress up I started to feel out of place. Going from corporate attire to athletic wear just didn’t cut it anymore.

So I reversed my approach. I started switching out the vibrant colors in my wall robe with more neutral colors. Instead of heading out to buy those newly released Air Max’s, I’d find myself down in SoHo looking for a nice pair of casual shoes. I traded up Footlocker for Aldo, $350 pair of rare MJ’s got tossed to the side for the new America Cup Prada sneakers. And my jeans? Well, there we no longer 2 sizes bigger than they needed to be, now my jeans were fitted and exact to my shape.

3. As a larger man do you find it harder to get exclusive pieces?

Indeed this has always been a problem. Especially after I switch my style to a more metro-sexual look. Simple stores like Express, banana republic or even H&M would be a horror show for me. I would walk into any of these stores and immediately feel at home. I’d see a million different outfit combination's that I could put together in minutes, but when I started to ask for sizes it would always fall apart. I learned Macy's was my best friend really quick. I could always find a decent brand with decent quality and a great fit in Macy's. But as of now, I still walk past the popular trendy stores with a green envy look on my face.

Finding dress pants and sometimes even suits to fit the way I prefer is often a problem I run into. I enjoy the look of a European cut, but obviously that doesn’t work out so well for me. The next best thing would be a straight leg cut. But generally speaking, the bigger the pants, the wider the pants legs coming down from the knees towards the foot. This annoyed me for a long time; I couldn’t stand the wide bottom look. It always looked tacky to me, especially because of the style of shoes I wore. Somewhere along the line, I was able to get around this issue by finding a great tailor who understood exactly what I was looking for!

4. How would you define your style and why?

This is a tough question. Over the years I have borrowed so much from each trend and class of style it's hard to put a name on it. But I’d go with “casual with a hint of class.” Because I am very much still a young man, so of course I enjoy denim. There can be no better way to accentuate my youth than the pair of jeans. Some nice denim, a quality v-neck, a really nice pair of shoes on the feet and a time piece to make sure the classy is present. That’s what I call Casual with a hint of class!

5. Do you feel like being from the Caribbean island of Barbados has any effect on your fashion sense?

It’s funny you ask, I’ve been fighting this realization for a long time! I remember my mother trying to send me to high school with a pair of Clark's. I should probably make it clear that she won the battle, and I had to wear those shoes for a whole semester. But that was the worst thing possible back then. Now, the same style of shoe would be something I’d wear out to the club.

Just the other day, I caught myself buttoning up a lining Shirt with the two pockets on the chest. In my younger years, a shirt like that would have been for an old Bajan man. I don’t exactly know how or when that notion faded, but I do know when I got where I was going, I received a few great compliments on the shirt.

I suppose my Bajan heritage plays a part on my fashion sense. But one thing is for sure, you still couldn’t pay me to wear a pair of those travel fox shoes!

6. Would you say your current fashion sense comes naturally or do you try and keep up with the latest trends?

Yes, it’s defiantly on cruise control. Unless there is an event that will have photographers around and require me to be up and out in the light, I rarely spend time getting an outfit together. When I am picking out my wears for the next day, it all just falls together. As far as keeping up with the latest fashion, I tend to pay attention to what designers change in their collections at the store; as opposed to actually reading about it in magazines or blogs.

7. What do you anticipate your fashion sense to be like when you get older?

That is a tough to call. I find as I get older I become a little more conservative as I go. While I’ll keep an eye on what’s going on in fashion, I notice I am more inclined to let most of the new happenings pass me by. So I can’t see my style changing in a drastic way anytime soon.

But I know for sure, my “old man” phase is coming. Meaning, some Prada flip flops for the sand and a pair of two-tone Ralph Lauren penny loafers for the walk back to hotel. I am kind of anxious for that type of comfortably in my life!

8. What’s happening right now in Men’s urban fashion that intrigues you?

I love the fitted jeans trend going around right now. Minus the overly tight and the ridiculous sag, I am glad to see young men looking neat. The look goes well with anything from a t-shit to a sweater and they youngsters are doing it up nicely!

9. What are you top three brands? And why?

Number one on my list will always be Prada. Even though my build will never merit me the honors of owning one of those highly sought after suits, their shoe collection will forever have my heart. There is a indescribable classy yet modern look to their shoe collection that keeps me coming back every time. Be it the ever popular sneakers or the grown man style Oxfords, all their shoes just demand the attention when you walk in the room!

Next on my list is none other than Ralph Lauren. Not much needs to be said here, who doesn’t love RL? Relaxing in the house, hanging with friends, night out with the girlfriend, formal dinner date, RL has ever single one of those events covered. And I never have a problem finding my fit. You just can’t go wrong with RL!

Last but certainly not least is Tudor. I find not a lot of folks out there know about Tudor. The easiest way to describe the brand is to simply say it’s a young man’s Rolex. It’s actually a subdivision of Rolex for the younger crowd, and dare I say…not so rich! But make no mistake; these timepieces are still crafted with every bit of craftsmanship and elegance as their more esteemed big brothers. One look at the latest Tudor collection and you’ll notice the stunningly youthful and aggressive craftsmanship they offer. Beautiful pieces, I feel like every 20 – 30 something should drop a pretty penny to own one.

10. What was the first thing you remember buying that made you feel like you were gonna kill it when you wore it?

This one is easy! When I purchased my Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece. I feel in love with that thing from the first time I saw it. The first night I got it home, I could not stop looking at it. I would just sit and watch the movements in awe! It took me almost a year before I even wore the piece. I had to first find the right suit, then tie and finally some shoes to complement its beauty. Man, was it ever worth it! The first time I wore it was to a wedding. I’ll never forget people’s reaction when they say it on my wrist. The piece commanded the vibe as if it was its own event! Some people kept their composure and never even asked what it was even though they couldn’t stop staring, others just came out and asked “wow, what is that?!” Even up to this day, I’ve only worn it twice, but man what a piece of craftsmanship!

11. Was there anyone who had any influence on your sense of style when you were growing up?

I started my career at Citigroup right out of high school, and it was indeed a humbling experience. But I always learned to pay attention to the people around me in the work place. Everything from their mannerisms, the way they presented themselves and of course how they dressed. At a young age I made the decision to follow the ways of corporate America, which included the attire.

Before then, I would definitely say my mother. She was one fly lady. From Fendi to Gucci, she had it all. Every now and then I’d see some pictures of myself as a child, and she always kept me on the dapper tip. She was and still is one fly lady, I am sure I get a lot of my fashion sense from her.

12. Lastly, how would encourage someone that is young and trying to hone their style?

Your style is nothing more than a reflection of who, what and where you are. To define your style you must first understand what it is you want to be, who you want to be and where you want to be. It’s so easy to fall into the fashion pit you see around you, so very easy to pull of someone else's swag you saw on the train; But it’s so much more rewarding when you’re the one people look at and say “wow, that’s how it’s done!” Define yourself, and your garments will follow suit!