Rebecca Minkoff Gets Manly: Ben Minkoff

  

As a huge fan of men's bags, I'm constantly reading, searching for new lines of accessories. Every now and then, someone hits all the right chords and instantly shows they will soon be a powerful force in the men's accessories business. It is safe to say that Rebecca Minkoff has successfully launched herself into a man's world.

Ben Minkoff, the name of her grandfather who fought in WWII (hence the military-inspired silhouettes), has all the right moves. From the preppy tartan waxwear tote, to a canvas "gym bag" (although I, myself, think that I may use this as an everyday bag), the debut line comes out strong. The collection is competitively priced, with small leather goods starting under $100 and leather bags ranging up to $495 (there's even an iPad case!). The details and craftsmanship that can be seen in each piece also set them aside from many of the other collections out there now. The extra strap details on most of the bags give them more of an interesting appearance, but keeps them simple and classic at the same time. The logo, two arrows pointing in opposite directions, is subtle yet masculine. Overall, the debut collection is a win.

I'm looking forward to seeing these bags up close (and getting my hands on one hopefully!) and seeing where this brand goes.. It is always nice being one of the first to own a bag from a new label and then eventually have that label catch on and be a well-known name in the industry of menswear.

The Gregger Tote (top row) is definitely my favorite! Can't wait to see what comes next from Ben Minkoff.

See the Ben Minkoff website for more.


PS: sorry for the long break from posts! Hey, it is the holidays!

And The Winner is... Mr. Billy Reid

Billy Reid
photo courtesy of esquire.com

The 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner was, a surpise to some, Mr. Billy Reid. The designer from smalltown Alabama was awarded not only the prize money, but the title which further validates any designer's talent and skill. It seems a sign of the times, perhaps, that Mr. Reid took the win home. The much hyped Prabal Gurung was runner up with his famous runway runway designs and the dresses that he places on the red carpet (Leighton Meester wore one of his designs to the event last night). However, it was the classic styles of Billy Reid, who has most recently teamed up with Levi's to create vintage-inspired pieces, that took home the prize. Billy Reid clothing is along the same lines as that of Gant Rugger, John Varvatos, and Ralph Lauren's RRL, all brands producing the rugged American preppy look that has caught on the past few seasons. This is a great accomplishment for Billy Reid, both the brand and the person, and it is great that the CFDA and Vogue can see the details and creative eye that goes into designs such as Reid's.



photos courtesy of billyreid.com



Monogram Your RK

Following the event the Reed Krakoff Madison Ave. boutique had on Fashion's Night Out, Saks Fifth Avenue and Reed Krakoff Madison Ave. boutique will host The Monogram Event. Kiersten Essenpreis of YouFail will be hand painting Reed Krakoff bags which is a really great way to make a bag your own. I think this is a really great way to have customers engage more with the brand and, well, I also absolutely love the Boxer bags. Personalizing your luxury luggage or handbag has a long history in the industry so it's appropriate that RK is doing this and by having a well known local artist doing the painting puts a new spin on things.

Reed Krakoff's Boxer II
courtesy of reedkrakoff.com

'Meggings', Anyone?

Traditionally, long underwear (or "long johns" - named after the boxer John Sullivan who wore them during matches) act as a base layer to keep one warm during the cold winter months. Sold by many of retailers from Hanes to Under Armor, they are rarely a piece of your wardrobe you'd consider matching with a button down, work boots, and a down vest. That is, until several brands decided that girls aren't allowed to have all the fun when it comes to leggings. Admit it, men, you have had a moment where you looked at a girl wearing an oversized top, leggings, and boots and thought "that looks comfy" while you were trying to sit down in your skinny jeans.

Alternatively, the man legging ('megging') or long underwear are sold by many of today's most popular brands. At first the look may appear to be a bit odd, but matched with a pair of sneakers and a sweatshirt or workboots and a flannel, it can be pulled together quite nicely. Rugby, Gant, Topman and American Apparel all feature long underwear styled as pants (with the exception of A.A.). Personally, I would wear the Rugby look without question.

I don't think you're going to see many guys walking the streets in their long johns on their way to work, but I had to make note of this trend as I find it one of the few interesting ideas that several brands have jumped on this season.

And you have to admit - the idea of 'meggings' is a lot easier to swallow than man-skirts (sorry, Marc Jacobs).

Rugby

Topman



Gant by Michael Bastian



American Apparel

Fashionably Late

For some time now, I have been reading a number of fashion and styling blogs religiously. I find them creative, innovative, and they have become a driving force in the fashion industry. For instance, at this very moment Coach is hosting an exclusive event to celebrate a Holiday Blogger campaign, a prime example of the impact on the industry from individual voices.

The title of this first entry, "Fashionably Late", seemed appropriate as I feel starting a blog now may be a bit late in the game. But after all, it's so passé to be one of the first to arrive. (don't be tardy....)

It is important to develop a balance between praticality and luxury - a game of which I am very good at. How to balance dressing like you're walking a Michael Bastian runway show with a j.crew budget. How to sport a Coach tote from last season. How to match a Louis Vuitton tie with your Club Monaco suit. Isn't that what fashion is about?

You may be thinking, "no, actually that's precisely not what fashion is supposed to be." Which begs for the separation of fashion and luxury - not to be confused with the (equally?) as important separation of church and state debate. I am currently reading Dana Thomas' Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster which exhausts the idea of luxury as exclusivity and how its availability and consumption by the masses has taken away from the true meaning of "luxury".

Well that's cool. I get it, and I'm sure you do too. But fashion is luxury as well as practicality. A Slice of Tie is going to be about some of the most amazing luxury brands, products, and clothing in the world..mixed in with the "affordable luxury" pieces. Because isn't that the same way 5th Avenue is anyway?


Thanks for reading my intro (I hope I haven't bored you yet). I promise to keep my future posts shorter! I'd also like you to consider some of the blogs that have inspired me to create this one. Thank you to each of its writers for taking their time to be creative and always interesting:

http://www.cupcakesandcashmere.com/
http://www.anaffordablewardrobe.blogspot.com/
http://www.katelovesme.net/
http://www.mymanybags.blogspot.com/
http://www.unabashedlyprep.com/
http://www.effortlessgent.com/
http://www.thefashionisto.com/


(photo courtesy of www.swipelife.com)