Reconstruction of an Icon.

            Burberry

 

The Burberry line was established in 1856 by 21 year old Thomas Burberry. Since that time, Burberry has gone through many changes. The infamous Burberry check design was not actually created until 1924. The check design became a registered trademark of Burberry in 1967, and Burberry in the 1970s was associated with various gangs in Great Britain. Since that time, Burberry has, in my opinion, been an "Old Lady" fashion brand.

 

So you might be asking at this point, why am I giving you a history lesson on Burberry? Well, today Burberry has redefined itself as one of the top fashion name brands in the United States, and around the world. The concept of an "old lady" brand has completely disappeared. Today's Burberry has undergone a face lift and now boasts a more youthful and trendy line. It has established itself as a cultural and fashion icon for people of all ages. When you walk down the street and see a Burberry scarf, you automatically show admiration. The quality and design of Burberry truly puts this brand at the top of the fashion food chain. The Burberry signature "check" design is a veritable classic print. For the price of Burberry, it is somewhat of an investment; an investment that is well worth it. Many of the designs are geared towards a younger crowd; however, the complete line is wearable by any age. I must give Burberry props on their children's line. The kid's line carries clothing that is so classy and sophisticated for any young child.

 

My recommendation to you is the classic Burberry Polo. This polo truly sets itself apart from the competition in two ways. First, the check print, located near the buttons, give it a twist not found in other polos. Second, the fabric and comfort of a Burberry polo makes it a must-have for a guy who wears polo's on a regular basis.

 

Burberry also offers great fragrances, watches, sunglasses, and underwear. Check it out for yourself www.Burberry.com,
www.saks.com, www.neimanmarcus.com    

 

-Joey DePierro, Special Features Editor

joey@themensfashionblog.com

Before The Music Ends. 06.11.09

I've missed a few days, but no worries... I'm back! Starting your own business is hard work, but hey, it's gotta be done! I usually look forward to summer because its the season of music. Well, okay, every season is the season of music, but summer tends to be when more artists and bands tour, come together for festivals, and all around,the industry wakes up. I live for these festivals because it's always a great deal to pay a set price for a few days of nonstop music, and usually that includes plenty of the bands you've been wanting to see play together in the same festival. Some of them are pricey, but there are other ones that can be pretty fairly priced, and even sometimes free! So, if you've been thinking of attending a festival, here's your quick guide to the best music festivals around:

Technically still Spring, Coachella tends to be what kicks off my summer. Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival is a three day indie music festival that generally has acts from the rock, hip hop and electronic. One of the key things of this festival is that they like to bring bands to reunite here. Previous years have seen a Jane's Addiction, Rage Against The Machine, Souxie and the Banshees reunions, as well as Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney this year. Tickets for the three day festival run $269, or $99/day. It does get pretty pricey when you consider where you'll stay (I camped for $50 all three days!), food and water, which in the 110 degree whether is absolutely necessary and can run at about $8 a bottle! As pricey as it is, it is definitely worth it. Where else can you catch over 150 bands play throughout the day, catch some great art sculptures and interact with 160,000 people? It's definitely something NOT to be missed. www.coachella.com

The Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival is one that I haven't yet attended but am DYING to go (and no, not only because my love Bruce Springsteen is headlining) and was called by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2008 as the "best over the top summer festival". This festival ranges from 4 to 5 days, and the genre of the acts is broader with acts in indie rock, rock, hip hop, bluegrass, american and many more styles. This festival takes place on a 500 + acre farm in Tennessee and includes a crafts fair, as well as free activities for the attendees to do like silent karaoke, comedy clubs, and independent film screenings. This year, the festival is four days and tickets are reasonably priced at $275.00 with campsites and RV parking sites available. This one for the price is sure the be the big bang for your buck, and if any of you can make it out tomorrow, I guarantee you'll have a great time! www.bonnaroo.com

Another of my favorites is the Mile High Music Festival is located outside of Denver, Colorado. Its a two days festival that is priced at $162 for 2 day passes, or $90 per day, or even the great Carpool deal which at $650 includes 4 2-day passes and special carpool parking, which saves you A LOT on parking alone! This year's headliners are Widespread Panic, The Fray, and Tool with other artists include 3OH!3, Matt Nathanson, India.Arie, The Black Keys, Thievery Corporation and many more. This show takes place on July 17 and 18, and I think its one thats definitely worth checking out. www.milehighmusicfestival.com

Since I cannot unfortunately take up the entire page to tell you wonderful readers about all the festivals, I'm going to leave you with the websites of others that I strongly suggest you look at, at the bottom of the page... you will most likely catch me at some of these! For now, the current music obsession HAS to be Placebo's "For What It's Worth" off their new album Battle of the Sun on Vagrant Records. Just like only Placebo can do, the song has the goth-glam-rock with lyrics that steer away from the rainbows and flowers, "For What It's Worth, I Nearly Died. I Have a Slow Disease That Sucked Me Dry". Check out the video to the song... and love it! Placebo- "For What It's Worth"

Dalit's crazy playlist: today it's very jumbled up, but i can tell you that its exactly what played in that order on my ride to the gas station!

1. California Uber Allies- Dead Kennedys

2. Wishing Well- The Airborne Toxic Event

3. Knocked Up- Kings of Leon

4. In Love With Myself- David Guetta

5. It's Alright- 311

Other Festivals:

www.lollapalooza.com www.allpointswest.com www.austincitylimits.com www.bumbershoot.com www.bamboozle.com www.stagecoach.com www.outsidelands.com www. pitchforkmusicfestival.com www.street-scene.com www.summerfest.com www.burningman.com www.warpedtour.com

Stay Rockin'!

-Dalit

dalit@themensfashionblog.com

Tech of the Week

iPhone 3G S....Worth it?

In my humble opinion, no. What is the new iPhone 3G S, if not a sliiightly souped version of its predecessor? In a world where image is [almost] everything, why spend $399.99 on something that looks like whats already in your pocket?

As a dedicated Mac user, I've been jonesing for an iPhone since I first heard of its creation. Currently, I'm using a Blackberry Curve 8320....and I love it! It does [almost] everything the iPhone does minus the fancy packaging. I've used an iPhone in the past and truthfully, I loved it. If I could have kept it, I absolutely would have. I just couldnt stand the fact that there was no physical keyboard. I'm a guy and guys have big fingers, it is nearly impossible to type fast on this thing. If I were a slow-typer, I'd be fine with it. But I'm not, so I went back to my Blackberry.

The new iPhone has almost identical housing to the previous iPhone 3G. The changes are found on the inside. A faster processor and a more powerful camera, for the most part. The true goods come with the new operating system; OS 3.0.

The new operating system ushers in a new era of iPhone functionality. The most eagerly awaited feature being MMS messaging [and copy/paste functionality and video rec. capability!]. These will be the main updates to the new OS but the current apps will also be receiving minor modifications, most of which will probably have to do with adjustments to processor speed.

While it would be nice to have a new iPhone, T-Mobile currently has my life under contract. Not that I'd ever give up my Blackberry, mind you, just that it may make web-browsing significantly easier. Thats one of the great things about the iPhone; ease of use. Of all the phones I've ever used [and trust me, that's A LOT of phones], the iPhone boasts the easiest user interface. There's nothing easier than simply touching the icon and getting what you want.

Let me just say this, if an iPhone 3G S just haaaappened to find its way into my pocket, I wouldn't be disappointed. But if you've already got the 2nd gen iPhone 3G, stick with it. The new OS will likely give you most of the goodies from the "new" iPhone 3G S without the hefty price tag.

-Farzad

farzad@themensfashionblog.com

Word on the Street: Sale of the Day

Versace Collection Slim Fit Crewneck Sweater
www.Nordstrom.com

Was: $325.00
Now: $159.90
50% OFF

Are You Gilty?

Trying to find low prices for designer threads? Recently, I’ve been searching for just the right place to find new clothes on the cheap. With the whole “Economic Crisis” going on, whether you feel it or not, it is wiser to spend lighter. I freshly discovered a website dedicated to sample sales and discounted luxury goods.

Gilt.com has daily sales offering drastically-reduced prices in limited quantities; so basically, the sale is on ‘til the river runs dry. I recommended it to my cousin and was told that an invitation was required to join, so if you’d like to get in on the action, shoot me an email at admin@themensfashionblog.com for an invite. Believe it or not, as I live and type, I just received an email from Gilt.com notifying me that my purchase has shipped. I must have been in a shoppers daze because I totally forgot that I ordered them [John Varvatos boots, if you must know…]. You also receive $25 towards your first purchase and when you recommend people and they list you as their reference, you receive $25 when they make their first purchase.

If you’re more interested in a website that offers more readily-available goods, check out BlueFly.com. As a matter of fact, the Tom Ford sunglasses pictured in the first blog are from BlueFly.com. They offer a huge selection of apparel, accessories and shoes from designers like: Acne Jeans, Armani, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Dolce&Gabbana, DSquared, Diesel, Fendi [somebody needs to stop me], Earnest Sewn, Gucci, Hermes, Hickey, James Perse, [seriously, move my hands away from the keyboard!!], John Varvatos, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs, Nudie Jeans, Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, Prada, Tom Ford, YSL, etc. Wow. I am SO excited to browse every nook ‘n’ cranny of that site!!

Click HERE to be directed straight to the Men’s section of Bluefly.com

OR

Click HERE to email me for an invite to Gilt.com.

-Farzad

farzad@themensfashionblog.com

Spotlight Series. 06.09.09

This week’s spotlight focuses on a Boutique that makes other stores look like second hand charity stores. The Republic of Couture, currently located in 6 states, is a boutique that is a great place to find something miles away from the ordinary. ROC offers men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. They also offer clothing that is original and stylish. Even though this boutique is only available in six states (New York, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, and Virginia), their online store is truly worth something to check out. Currently they have a promotion for 20% off and free ground shipping. A unique and stylish find at the Denver location at Cherry Creek Mall is the V Angel tee by Artine with pink print for $52. This shirt is not only comfortable and unique; it boots very cool art work that will surely make you stand out in a crowd. The attention to detail on this shirt is worth checking out. If you are looking for some well known brands, ROC carries Hugo Boss, True Religion, Ed Hardy, and English Laundry. Now, if your looking for a gift, say for a nephew or niece, the kids section is completely awesome. The kids store offers brands such as Diesel kids and True Religion, and will surely get high praise. So for a unique shopping experience, head out to a ROC location or visit www.rocintheweb.com.

 To save 20% on any order at The Republic of Couture online store enter promo code:"JUN2009SALE”

-Joey DePierro, Special Features Editor

joey@themensfashionblog.com

Hello, My Name Is.

When I started this blog [last week], I thought I wanted to remain anonymous. As it so happens, that was a stupid idea. The more I tell people "Check out my blog!" and they see the first post [at the bottom of the page], the more stupid the idea seemed. Why did I want to hide behind my computer?! This is something that I and my fantastic friends and co-writers should be very proud of. I decided to come out of hiding [after only a week! silly, I know!] because I wanted to share with you all the reason for creating this blog...which just so happens to involve my name.

The Persian name "Farzad' means splendid birth. I used to hate my name because of its meaning. I mean, who wants to be thought of in the same category as childbirth?? Yeah, its a wondrous thing but it's also gross! However, I've come to realize that my name describes me perfectly. I like to look at every day as a new birth. A splendid one. I've recently realized that we tend to take the small things in life for granted. Actually, we seem to take A LOT of things in life for granted. There are kids in the our own cities who will never know the joys of climbing a tree, kicking a ball, or even walking a dog. We have so much to be thankful for everyday and just knowing the meaning of my name has made me aware of that. This is how we need to approach everything in life...including ourselves.

The reason I started this blog is because I have always had a strong interest in fashion and journalism (as you can read on my personal blog HERE). They aren't things I talk about frequently because I never thought I could really do it. Starting this blog, and having my some of my best and closest friends work on it too, has, so far, been so exhilarating. I can't think of something in the past few years that has given me so much to look forward to like this has.

People have come to me for fashion advice for years and years. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes, I may be a little off with my own style, but I like to think of my flubs as trademarks. Everyone is entitled to their own style. If I can help people find their style, I'd feel like my work was just getting started.

We want this blog to be about more than just fashion. Although the name, TheMensFashionBlog.com, sounds like it would limit us to fashion alone, it can actually open the doors for so much more. Food, Life, Health, Grooming, Music, Movies, Books, etc.

To help explain my point, I found this definition of "Fashion" as a noun from Dictionary.com:

fash⋅ion

  [fash-uhn] Show IPA

–noun

1.	a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.: the latest fashion in dresses.

2.	conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., esp. of polite society, or conformity to it: the dictates of fashion; to be out of fashion.

Look at #1 "Style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.". This is the reason for the blog. Not to tell people what to wear; but to help people find their own "Fashion" for all aspects of life.

I honestly hope that this blog becomes more than just a blog. With help of great writers, great readers and constant attention, I believe it can be.

This blog is for YOU. We want to answer your questions about anything you have to ask. We want our readers to be as much a part of this blog as we are. Please email any of our writers, or myself, and we will answer you in the best way we can.

Thanks for reading,

Farzad Farrokhnia

Editor-in-Chief/Creator of TheMensFashionBlog.com

Farzad@TheMensFashionBlog.com

Dalit@TheMensFashionBlog.com

Joey@TheMensFashionBlog.com

Foot for Thought.

I originally meant for this to be posted later in the week, but seeing as how our Special Features Contributor created a post about flip-flops, I knew this had to come sooner. Yes, it’s summertime. Yes, it’s time for flip-flops. NO, you cannot go out with raunchy feet.

Whether you’d like to admit it or not, people are conscious of how others dress and look. The harsh reality is that they DO judge based on people’s appearance. If you are rockin’ some really cool flip-flops, they won’t be the first thing that girl 4 tables down will look at. She won’t be able to see past the dry, flaky and unappealing things stuck in the flip-flops. YOU MUST CARE FOR YOUR FEET!! [I hope I didn’t yell….] Hydrate! Clean! Trim! Exfoliate! Moisturize!!!! [I can’t stress the last one enough]

I’ve prepared somewhat of a “tutorial” to help you out with basic foot-care:

1] The very first thing you need to do is CLEAN your feet. The easiest way I’ve found is to just get in the shower, and scrub ‘em down! You can just use bar soap and a foot brush or a foot scrub (which would incorporate Step 3: exfoliation). This is important as a first step because in order for you to know what needs to be fixed, you must be able to see the problem clearly.

2] Next, after you dry off, of course, TRIM your toenails. Remember to go straight across!! If you cut your toenails on a curve, you could end up with painful, very unattractive ingrown toenails. Once you’ve trimmed the nails [straight across!!!], use a nail file to smooth them out. This is the time to round them out…but don’t get crazy with it! Move the file from side to side across the tip of the nail. Make sure not to go in an up/down motion because you’ll end up with chipped toenails. When you’re done, be sure that you have no jagged edges sticking out that may scratch up your girlfriend’s legs. Consider this, self-maintenance is not so much a service to yourself, but a courtesy to others.

3] This is the part where we make your feet as soft as a baby’s bottom through the art of EXFOLIATION. Yes, your feet will be that soft. Now, it’s up to you on the method here but I’m going to list a few options depending on the roughness of your feet.

- Light - got a face scrub? Use a little on slightly rough feet…saves you a trip to the drugstore! Whatever scrub you’ve got, it’ll be a nice pick-me-up for slightly tired feet.

- Medium - For feet that are a bit flaky, try Kiehl’s Ultra Moisturizing Buffing Cream. It has exfoliating particles to gently get rid of rough spots.

- Crazy Rough - For feet that are a bit too caveman, you might have to reach for the Ped-Egg. It’s kind of like a cheese grater, but for your feet. This is sure to get rid of any flakiness on your feet.

- Oh Dear God!! - If you’re feet are just SO funky that none of the above has worked for you, go to a professional. Just suck it up and go to a spa! It’s definitely worth it because it feels good!!!

4] Now that you’ve got your feet flip-flop ready, don’t forget to moisturize! This is probably the most critical step. Try this little experiment: only moisturize one foot, and then, look at the difference between the two. Does one look like it was lopped off of a corpse? Yeah, I thought so. Now do you see what I mean about proper moisturizing? It can make a WORLD of difference. The cream that does exactly what its name says is the Miracle Foot Repair Cream. It covers everything regarding your feet. Stink? Check. Dryness? Check. Cracks and itchiness? Check and check! And it makes your feet feel damn nice, too!

So there you have it, the [almost] foolproof guide to summer feet. It really only takes about 20 minutes to get your feet in flip-flop shape. And if you don’t have 20 minutes [liar!], just make sure your toenails are trimmed and your feet are moisturized. Trust me, it does make a difference.

Drink of the Week

Summer Night

3/4 oz light rum 3/4 oz Cointreau

3/4 California brandy 1/2 oz lemon juice

Shake well with ice. Strain into pre-chilled cocktail glass. 

Before the Music Ends. 06.08.09

Dalit @ N.A.R.M.

Yesterday marked the kickoff the annual National Association of Recording Merchandisers, and I just had to be there. Let me just clear this up that it was not just a convention to bring together all members of the industry, but rather it was a convention featuring labels, artists, distributors and retailers to discuss music content delivery. What this means is with the industry changing dramatically now, music distribution has also changed, and as we turn into a more digital society, the industry is working hard to see just how we can monetize off it. This convention runs through Wednesday June 10, but seeing as how I am not an established industry professional (yet), I was unable to attend to rest of the convention, but was able to go to the Crash Course yesterday.

If there is anybody out there that is interested in getting into this business, this was the place to be, but if you couldn’t make it, I am more than happy to share what I learned. Rick Bengloff of A2IM and Ted Cohen of TAG did an amazing job of moderating the panelists consisting of major distributors, label execs, retailers, etc. and the attendees were engaged and interactive. I am the kind of person who researches EVERYTHING to make sure I know what is going on, and I walked in thinking that I knew enough of the basics of the industry and that this would only serve as a refresher and a way to network and promote myself and my company. I was wrong!!! There is so much to this industry that one crash course could never be enough to even begin to describe what’s going on.

Here’s my crash course as to what I learned yesterday:

1. Every artist, label, or company no matter what size needs to register with SoundExchange because they make sure that the artists and labels get the money from the royalties that would normally just be lost.

2. 98% of what record labels release fail

3. In order to effectively promote your music, embracing ALL channels of promotion is key to success… Using old school methods like direct mail handouts is actually more effective than email because a physical mail requires you to look at it before throwing it away; email can easily be discarded or gets lost in Spam Folders

5. Face to face contact is important between an artist and customers to sell music because it has a 16 second window of opportunity for impression. Those 16 seconds with one person has the ability to travel to 100 people around them.

6. Social Networking Sites are complimentary to artists’ presence. They should not be the sole or the most important aspect of artist communication.

The WEA/Rhino hosted Welcome Reception was excellent. On the terrace of the San Diego Marriot overlooking the harbor and Coronado Island, it was the perfect place to enjoy cocktails (on the house!) and amazing food, while networking and meeting new people. The theme was the 40^th anniversary of Woodstock, “Love The One You’re With”, and I took an amazing photo with a new friend in 60s outfits… unfortunately that picture will have to wait until I pick it up from where I left it yesterday. The industry showcase featured performances from Sugar Ray (you’re allowed to chuckle…), Filter (awesome show), The Pink Spiders, State of Man, and a few other people I totally missed. All in all, for a newbie in the business this was a CRITICAL thing to attend, and if there is anybody out there looking for where to start, get online and find these panels and conventions and get out there and make yourself known. I promise you one thing, if you don’t go out and look for it, no one will come looking for you.

The Current Obession of the Week is a local band called The Getdown, my first band as an independent manager! They are awesome and fun and can totally rock the house! No link this week as we are BRAND NEW and getting ready to take over the world! As we prepare to promote and record new stuff, we’ll be posting videos online. For now check out www.myspace.com/thegetdown.

Stay Rockin’!

-Dalit Troyce, Music Editor

dalit@themensfashionblog.com

Summer of Flip Flops

Flip-flops are something that should be part of every guys wardrobe. The right flip-flop can be worn to a variety casual occasions. First, a few ground rules before we get started on my recommendations for summer. Do not wear socks with sandals, and make sure your feet look some what in good condition. [SCROLL UP for a how-to guide to get your feet into flip-flop shape.] Sometimes, you just need to be comfortable with who you are and man up to get a pedicure. I've found a few flip-flops for every price range.

With an MSRP of $128.00, the most expensive flip flop that I tested out was the Coach Murph Flip-Flop. This flip-flop is perfect to be worn to special casual events like a roof top BBQ or a casual dinner outside. The colors available are green, blue, and red, so make sure it matches your attire. With the steep price of $128.00, it is an investment, and in my opinion worth it. The flip flop is comfortable and would look great with a pair of khaki or plaid shorts.

Next up is a great flip-flop from Diesel. This flip-flop is not only fashionable, but will go with almost anything you have. The Seaside Denim Flip-Flop (MSRP $60), is the choice for guys who wear jeans in summertime. The cotton denim actually makes the flip-flop breathable for your feet and easy to care for. Toss them in the wash with your jeans!

Next on my list is a pair of Lacoste Tirage Flip-Flops (MSRP $ 58.95). This flip-flop is perfect for an outdoor BBQ, going to a local fair, or going to a downtown pub. Again, the price is steep for a flip flop, but I promise not to steer you wrong direction. The quality of stitching and fabric on Lacoste products is well worth the money. This sandal might not be appropriate for pool/beach side parties. Again, this flip flop can be worn with Plaid or Khaki shorts, and even a pair of jeans.

Lastly, if you’re saying to yourself, I’m still not going to spend $54 on a pair of F*ing flip flops, go to Old Navy and buy a pair of classic flip flops. Price ranges from $3.50-$15. These flip-flop are actually pretty durable, and if you lose them? Who cares, with the prices at $3.50, you might as well stock up!

There you go guys, the top 4 flip-flopping picks for summer. Enjoy!

-Joey DePierro, Special Features Editor

joey@themensfashionblog.com