New Blog!

Howdy! I haven't been posting much here, I've pretty much moved all operations to my new blog, Standard x Pacific, available at http://blog.xavila.com. Feel free to visit, and thanks!

Inside Chloe Sevigny's Closet

Opening Ceremony got to step inside Chloe Sevigny's East Village closet. Surprisingly low-key pieces like old film props are stashed next to sketches of custom dresses by Alber Elbaz. It's been 15 years since she was the face of Miu Miu (look that ad campaign up ASAP), and she has a surprise memento she shares at the end of this video to prove it.

The Best Seattle Men's Stores - Part One

I posted about my favorite menswear stores in Seattle nearly four years ago, but considering how much the retail landscape has changed since then, I thought it'd be worth an update.

+ Nordstrom Downtown - A newly expanded men's designer selection now includes six new brands this season, including Shipley & Halmos and Opening Ceremony. Also on offer are new American favorites like Spurr and Rag & Bone, as well more established European brands like Burberry Prorsum and Gucci. Loden Dager, A.P.C., Hentsch Men, Maison Martin Margiela, John Varvatos, dsquared2, and the incredibly rare Marni round out the bunch. A little something for everybody, but all incredibly solid wardrobe additions.

+ Blackbird - Ballard's world-renowned men's shop is still as reliable as ever. An early proponent for the American heritage revival, there are well-curated and exclusive items from brands like Alden, Pendleton and Woolrich (both Woolen Mills and John Rich & Bros.), all with a Northwest slant (as opposed to Opening Ceremony's progressive bent). Beyond that, the list of brands keeps going, with cult Japanese labels like Coming Soon to slick, smart American designers like Simon Miller and Tim Hamilton. You really have to check it out to understand why magazines like Monocle keep raving about it. Also check out The Field House, their more outdoorsy, woodsman-friendly sister store.

+ Jack Straw - An extremely edited selection of labels for men includes Adam Kimmel, Dries Van Noten, and Engineered Garments. The client is mature, sophisticated, and well-educated, with a strong appreciation for refined detailing and unexpected fabrications. For the creative Seattle man who doesn't want to wear another damn Brioni suit. For the women in their lives, check out the selection of Yoshi Kondo sweaters.

+ Crossroads Trading Co. - The Capitol Hill outpost recently doubled in size, and for the extremely patient and diligent, you can find some unbelievable deals. My recent finds include A.P.C. coats, a Band of Outsiders vest, Marc by Marc Jacobs shirts, and Surface to Air shoes, and virtually everything in the store is under $60. Just beware, the best stuff requires coming in often and being ready to dig.

Coming soon: an update including Barneys, Veridis, Kuhlman, and more.

Prada Spring/Summer 2011 Full Fashion Show

Stripes and monkeys are going to be EVERYWHERE next year. Get psyched.

Martha Streck Looks Good

Made in Brazil: The Horse Whisperer

How the hell is model Martha Streck so gorgeous?

CORGI!

Oh, come on, how could anybody not want a corgi after this? Via Corgi

VINCE Opening at Bellevue Square

Vince, maker of the softest tees you could ever imagine (I'm wearing one right now!), is coming to Bellevue Square this November. With a slew of stores already on the East Coast and in California (plus one in Texas), the brand is really revving up their own retail network. Already available at Nordstrom, Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Mario's, Mercer, and a few other places around Seattle, the line is clearly a hit with the upscale, super-casual vibe of the area. Their sweaters are pretty exceptional, and their button-downs are about as easy to wear as any I've bought so far. I have to say, it's tough for me to choose a favorite between James Perse and Vince, so I'm gonna leave it as a tie for now. But come November 5, we'll see if the new store persuades me in one direction. Check more out here.

Shooz

Reasons I think I might like Crossroads:

1) Dries Van Noten sneakers for $34!

2) Dior Homme sneakers for $34!

Fuck yeah.

Broken Bells - "The High Road"

Hey! It's the dude from The Shins with the guy from Gnarls Barkley! Together! And, shit, it just sounds good. Lame video though.

YACHT - "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"

I know it's bordering on hipster scum and all that, but it's undeniably catchy =\

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "40 Day Dream"

Two months later, I finally figured out who the hell sang this song!

Walter Meego - "Girls"

Where have I been? Slow to catch on, that's for sure.

Cold War Kids - "Audience"

This is one of the best songs I've heard this year. Yea, this year kind of sucked, but even in a good year, this song would hold its own.

Albert Hammond Jr. vs Julian Casablancas

Does anybody miss The Strokes yet? Yeah, whatever. In any case, whose solo project sings to your heart?

Albert Hammond, Jr.'s (that's a punctuation nightmare) "GfC" is from 2008, but the whole CD is really slick and worth a listen:




Julian Casablancas' sounds more Strokes-like, for better or for worse. Just listen:

The Big Pink - Dominos

Not new, but noteworthy

The Temper Trap - "Sweet Disposition"

Catchy!

Beyonce - Sweet Dreams

FANTASTIC. That's the only way to describe Beyonce's new video for "Sweet Dreams". I absolutely hated "Halo," but with this, all is forgiven.

What I Wore 1

American Apparel tri-blend cardigan, Gant plaid button-up, Rag & Bone jeans, Cole Haan cap-toe oxfords

Shakira is Fantastic

Shakira - New Music - More Music Videos

Shakira's new song "She Wolf" is fantastic. The video is also fantastic. Her ass is fantastic. The lyrics make no sense, but she makes them fantastic. Shakira is fantastic.

Jean Carlos = Impossibly Hot, Part 2

If I could spend a lazy summer day with Jean Carlos like this, I'd probably end up padlocking the door and swallowing the key. Just sayin'.

Made in Brazil: Lazy Days Of Summer