The Steven Alan Event at The Tannery

Here's to a fabulous fashion event in Boston!   This was not your typical after hours shopping event.  This was a "Let’s celebrate great fashion and be fabulous doing it!" event.  I must say, Brittney and the Tannery did everything right and showed us all just how chic Boston can be.

On May 5, the Boylston Street Tannery celebrated Cinco de Mayo the fashion way, by inviting a great designer to meet and greet the fashion divas of Boston and providing hot music and tasty cocktails for the masses.  Designer Steven Alan welcomed all who were there to share their praises of his designs or just talk fashion.  Meanwhile, the party rocked on around those in attendance and fabulousness ensued.

I’d invited my friend James, fashion merchandiser extraordinaire, to the event so that he could see how another Boston retailer turns it out.  Neither of us had ever really been inside this location and this event was the perfect reason to christen the experience. The musician side of this Chic Chanteur was definitely satisfied as we walked up the stairs to DJ 7L from The BladeRunners doing his thing at the DJ stand.  Nothing can kill a party like bad music, and that was definitely not the case at the Steven Alan event.  DJ 7L had the right records spinning and kept the flow of the party fresh and fun to match the vibe of its guests. 

On display was a variety of Steven Alan’s spring line available for purchase in both the men’s and women’s sections. The collection’s overlaying theme was relaxed and neutral.  It’s a wardrobe that’s perfect for a weekend on the Cape or Martha’s Vineyard or a fun and comfortable everyday look for spring.  For men, there were plenty of short shorts (my favs), button downs, and sweaters.  Women’s carried a selection of dresses, skirts, and special pieces like the orange Renada Blazer worn by the Tannery’s own, Brittney.

Absolute Wild Tea and 1800 Tequila provided cocktails for the event.  Guests sipped on their choice of poison while they perused the collection and mingled with their fellow Bostonians.  Nothing celebrates Cinco de Mayo like a delicious margarita.  Couple delicious cocktails with fashion at its best and you’ll have a successful event any day of the week.

So thank you to all of those involved with bringing the Steven Alan event together.  It was a huge success in my eyes and just what the Boston fashion scene needs to encourage great clothing and style.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

New kid on the block- Levi's "Made Here"

When it comes to our clothing, nothing is more American than jeans. And when it comes to jeans, Levi Strauss is the grandfather.  It's probably been since elementary or middle school that I've worn a pair of Levi’s 501's, and let me tell you, I was not rockin’ out those bad boys.  Luckily, my naive days of wearing ill-fitting, sad looking denim are over and since then I have been educated in the ways of designer denim.  Much like the rest of the world, I am on a constant search for the perfect pair of jeans.  In college I was introduced to the hottest designs by my fabulous brother, Andrew.  My staples have become 7 for all mankind, Rock and Republic, Paper Denim, and True Religion to name a few.  I hadn’t really considered trying Levi's jeans again, since they carried with them an old and dated memory for me.  Recently, however, I have heard from a lot of friends and fellow denim lovers that Levi's are THE jeans to be wearing.  Not to mention I've been seeing quite a few red tags on the backsides of all kinds of Bostonians.  I guess it was meant to be then that I would stumble upon their newest boutique style store at 131 Newbury Street and get re-educated in the ways of American denim done well and "Made Here".

I had just begun one of my ritual strolls down Newbury Street when I happened upon a storefront I’d never noticed before.  There was no sign with a store name or logo that I recognized, what actually caught my eye were two huge words in the window, "Made Here".  At first I thought, "Is this Madewell?", but there was nothing with their name on it.  I figured it must be a local designer's store. Being a huge fan of local businesses, I decided to walk on in and see for myself what was hiding in this nook of a store.

As I walked in the front door, I was greeted by the distinct scent of freshly cut wood.  Gorgeous wooden floors, shelves, and fixtures decorated the space completely.  I still had no idea what store I was in, but I quite admired the décor.  It was like walking into a cabin or a craftsman’s shop.  I began scouring the store, looking at the many interesting and distinct items in front of me and trying to find any label that would tell me where I was.  I hadn’t gotten very far in my scavenger hunt when I was greeted by Jake (who I later found out is their vintage denim specialist) and he offered to show me through the store.

My education began with the concept behind this store's creation. This two month old location is one of only three in the world and is designed to sell products that include vintage replicas, one of kind pieces, and American made products created by third party designers.  "Made Here" is the concept that drives this these boutique style stores. The original is in NYC's Meatpacking district and the other is in Malibu.  The idea is to create a store with a neighborhood feel and provide some of the hottest and most unique pieces that Levi’s is doing now.  Levi's! It was a Levi's store that I had found.  I was immediately in wonder and awe of this place and ready to find out more.

To give this Boston gem its own individuality, architects turned this former art gallery into a partial ship. The front end and window have been made into the hull and long wooden "deck" floors run throughout the galley-shaped body of the store. To complement the American made feel, designers have also incorporated a Native American motif throughout the space.  Pendleton blankets are stacked on the shelves and handmade moccasins are merchandised everywhere you look.  The moccasins aren’t just decorations; they are part of the third party collection sold in these Levi's boutiques.

The first of these products that Jake showed me were one of a kind jean jackets made by Boise based company, Junkyard Jeans.  The company is famous for their use of the, period correct, classic chain stitching style to produce their vintage denim products.  Using Levi's type three denim and their own hand sewn patch designs, they have created a line of jackets that are fun and unique to each store.  Take a look at their website to see their “Levi's 50 state project” and you’ll see some of these clever jackets. Though I'm not sure I'd be the one to wear one, they are definitely fabulous and quite the statement piece.

Next Jake showed me products, specifically made for the Boston boutique, by the Levi’s tailor in NYC.  At the time of my visit, they had three denim laptop cases with beautiful leather button closures (a product I am dying to own).  They also carry a variety of bags made from raw denim and dyed in various colors and come in tote size, messenger, and hobo chic.  You'll find other gorgeous and unique products here when you make your own visit. The tailor is always working on original designs, so you're guaranteed to find something new and different each time you shop here.

The moccasins I mentioned earlier are made by Oregon designer Carol Lindhorse.  The store offers these shoes in an expansive variety of colors, designs, and looks.  If you have a penchant for Native or Western wear, any pair of these would be a chic addition to your wardrobe.  Make sure to also check out their jewelry case in the back that contains bracelets, necklaces, and leather goods designed by artists from throughout the country.  They are wonderfully handcrafted pieces and quite affordable as well.

Some absolute favorites of mine are a group of vintage Navy deck and field jackets from WWII and the Korean War.  They are in impeccable condition and while their structure alone is a sight to behold, it's awe inspiring to see a piece of history right in front of you.  Jake also introduced me to the LVC line, exclusive to these boutiques.  These jeans are exact replicas of pivotal designs for the Levi’s 501's from the 1920's through the 1950's.  Everything from the denim they use to the rivets on each pair is an exact replica of those decades' designs. 

Offered at this store as well, are two very unique products.  First, Levi’s has created Curve ID, a measurement system that will help women find their perfectly fitting pair of jeans. By taking three different proportion measurements of your body, a denim specialist can point you directly to the pair of jeans that will fit you scrumptiously.  WaterLess is a  jean line that Levi's created in order to do their part, and help us do ours, in reducing water consumption.  The process used for these jeans reduces water consumption from 28% to an astounding 96%.  You absolutely must go and try one or both of these fantastic products at the Newbury Street boutique.

In an effort to bring visibility to the store, the staff has started "52 events in 52 weeks" which will be held, in most cases, on Thursday evenings.  This will be a great way for current and new customers to see and learn about all the new products that Levi's is offering, as well as get an education in denim.  So be on the lookout for these events either on the Levi's Newbury facebook page or by stopping into their store.  Every one of their staff is extremely kind and knowledgeable and always willing to help in any way that they can.  I plan on frequenting this place as often as possible for shopping and education and I hope you get to do the same.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

A smorgasbord of scents

I love a signature fragrance! Wearing the perfect scent that describes your personality or lifts you to another level just by wearing it is one of the best parts of putting together one's style.  Finding that perfect scent isn't always the easiest task and going from counter to counter to procure it can be daunting to say the least.  Luckily for me, I've been blessed (or cursed) with quite a keen sense of smell, and I have put that gift to the test when it comes to picking out the right fragrance.  My nose is always tickled by the array of new fragrances cascading from between the pages of magazines or from getting a whiff of a new cologne or perfume that a friend is trying for the first time.  Being exposed to new fragrances is an enjoyable past time of mine and these are just some of the ways I've discovered a variety of the best fragrances out there. 

When it comes to fragrances, some of us already know the distinctive characteristics we like in our perfumes.  We look for those fragrant notes that pique our interest and excite our nose: sweet, musky, woody, citrus, floral. These are just a few of the qualities that become favorites of ours and lead us to our ideal fragrance of choice.  That said, sometimes what we really think we want turns out to be awful and what we think we'd never try in a million years might just become our signature scent.  Kind of like men. So I strongly urge you take the time to actually try new fragrances on your skin and live with them for a bit before you decide to make a commitment.

In developing a new blog post, I stumbled upon Bond No. 9 when my coworker Hugh asked me to join him in trying their different fragrances at Saks Fifth Ave.  I'd never heard of this brand of parfum, and as I am always looking for a great new scent, I eagerly got on board for the fragrance taste testing adventure.

When it came to purchasing his next fragrance, Hugh already knew that Bond No. 9 was an option for him and he had recently visited their counter in Saks Fifth Avenue.  Being that there are probably over thirty options to choose from though, he asked for my help in deciding which one would be the best for him.  Thus began our tour of fragrances offered by this delicious and innovative brand.

Bond No. 9 offers a myriad of fragrances from which to choose.  Herein lies the heavy, yet extremely fun, task of deciding on the right fragrance for you.  We traveled to our friendly neighborhood Saks where we were joyously greeted by the Bond No. 9 representative there, Tracy.  Tracy was eager to let us try as many of the Bond No. 9 scents as we liked. One after the other, she sprayed  the cardboard cards with a new fragrance and the tornado of scents began to swirl in our noses. We both found a love for Little Italy,and that was probably going to be the one that Hugh would purchase, but we couldn't let the others go unsmelled for fear we might miss another great option.

Part of the charm of this fragrance line is its branding.  First, the packaging is fun and sexy; most of the bottles are in the shape of a half star.  The design of the bottle may also be  influenced by its inspiring name. So you might come across one that is clear glass or find a Warhol inspired look.  You might just be tempted to buy a certain fragrance based solely on the bottle's design. Another favorite of mine about this line of fragrances is that they all carry the name of a region in the Uptown, Downtown and Midtown areas of New York City as well as New York Beaches.  It's like taking a fragrance excursion of New York. We traveled everywhere from New Harlem, West Side, High Line, to The Hamptons as we sprayed each new bottle.

At first, because of trying fragrance after fragrance, along with just being in the heavily saturated fragrance department itself, the scents began to smell quite similar to each other and seemed to lack any real variety.  After a while, I really didn't feel a connection to this brand of perfumes and I had basically ruled them out for me.  But once Hugh made his purchase and we were lovingly sent home with a few of their samples, that's when I was really able to begin to take in the individuality of each fragrance.  Having my own time with each fragrance lead me to discover the great characteristics that live within each bottle of the Bond No. 9 fragrances.

If you go to http://www.bondno9.com/shop/eau-de-parfum you'll see the many flavors offered by the company.  Additionally, if you head to your local Saks Fifth Avenue, where Bond No. 9 is sold exclusively, you too can try out these different scents for yourself.  Unfortunately I don't have the time or ability to tell you about every single one, so I'll just share with you what I have personally been able to enjoy thus far. 

The Hamptons.  I've never been there but all the stunning pictures in magazines as well as reality shows like Real Housewives of New York, have shown me that it looks to be a beautiful and relaxing summer destination.  Well that's exactly what you get when you open this bottle.  Taking a whiff of this scent is like smelling the sand on the beach on a beautiful summer day.  That's the charm of the fragrances of Bond No. 9; each scent works to take you to the place or describe the location after which the fragrance is named.

Try High Line and you get to enjoy a clean, fresh scent with a touch of New York City attitude.  It's great for everyday use and in my opinion, could be worn by a man or woman.  It's sweet, but not too sweet.  With notes of  Purple Love Grass, Indian Rhubarb, and Bur Oak, this scent is distinctive and a joy to wear.  Check out http://www.bondno9.com/shop/eau-de-parfum/downtown/view/bond-no-9-high-line to see the description of this fragrance which includes the ingredients and notes that you'll smell.  So far, I definitely plan to keep this one in my arsenal.

We've now come to my current personal favorite, Washington Square.  Seeing as how my favorite quality of a scent is sweet, this eau de parfum is a winner for me.  Its notes of Honey, Vintage Amber, and Leather Accord, to name a few, keep this scent sweet yet masculine.  Here again I would recommend this fragrance for a man or a woman.  Everyone's different and we all have our own preferences for what works for us and with our own body chemistry, and that's what's nice of about these fragrances.  You can try as many as you want and probably find a few that not only smell great, but also work well with you.

Some of us may be lucky enough to have a library of colognes, perfumes, and eau de toilettes to choose from each day, (with names like Chanel No. 5, Pi, or Axe staring you in the face) but you can create your own library from the many options in the Bond No. 9 line.  Pick one depending on your mood or where your headed for the day or just because it is now your signature fragrance.  I've found myself doing that already with the few samples I'm using now and it really makes the day that much better.  So enjoy your fragrance taste test of Bond No. 9 and discover what makes this brand so unique.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

*One of Boston's finest*

This well put together gentleman is my friend, Winston.  Since I first met Winston, I have greatly admired his great sense of style and the personality that backs it up. A fellow retail and fashion guru, Winston is currently with Burberry on Newbury St.  If you can't tell in these pictures, this guy is thin, thin, thin (Ah to be so lucky!).  Winston is very attune to his own physique and how best to dress it. He isn't afraid to shop around for the right fit, which is how I met him, and he's also willing to invest in the ever so needed tailoring.  When you put all of those ingredients together, the finished product is absolutely on point. 

In this outfit we see shoes: Zara, jeans: Nudie, cardigan: American Apparel, shirt: Burberry London, trench coat: Burberry London, neck scarf: vintage and hair: amazing dreads!

This is a perfect example of how to mix high and low end and make it all look polished and comfortable.  Winston picked each of these items for their function and their style.  The shoes, he had been looking for after seeing a young woman wearing a pair of distressed boots around the city and he decided he wanted to rock that look too. He happened to stumble upon these kicks at Zara.  The look was right and he thought they could stand to be treated a little roughly and still keep the style.  The jeans by Nudie were also a great purchase, being a high quality product that will last a long time.  They are made of Japanese denim that is very durable and comfortable, and the slim leg fit works extremely well for Winston's physique.

And I love a cardigan over a great button down.  This Burberry button down shirt has a beautifully strong and distinct collar.  Something that is usually a difference in a higher quality shirt.  Here he has the top button unbuttoned, which gives a casual and fresh look.  Couple that with a good looking cardigan and you have a sharp look.  And we should all be so lucky to own a beautiful Burberry trench.  Spring is the perfect time to be looking for and wearing a trench.  Burberry is known for their trench and you can see here why that is.  This London style trench is the perfect length for Winston, hitting him just above the knee.  Wearing it open here, he has the belt tied nicely in the back of the coat instead of just having the belt hanging on the sides .  By adding the neck scarf, Winston gives his look a piece of his own chic personality.  Try doing the same with a scarf, pocket square or great individual accessory.

Take a note from Winston here when doing all black. The (mostly) all black look works here because it's not just one shade of solid black.  The jeans are a dark grey and have a look to them that doubles a nice pant not just a dark pair of jeans.  The deeper dark black cardigan separates his torso from lower body and the sharp white shirt is an excellent accent to the dark shades he is wearing and frames the money maker, his face.  The trench is just excellent through and through. It too is a strong black color and the fabric is of a high quality that raises the look to another level. 

 So take this well groomed Bostonian as an example of dressing well, looking good and doing it with style and personality. And maybe I'll meet you on the streets of Boston!

Cheers,

The Chic Chanteur

High end, but at what real cost?

On Monday, April 11 I ventured into Riccardi Boston on Newbury St. to fulfill a request from a reader and colleague of mine.  Now I had heard of this internationally known boutique, but I'd never been inside to visit or shop.  Since this was the case, I went to their website http://www.riccardiboston.com/ to see what kinds of things that they would be offering.  After perusing the online store, I was extremely excited and eager to get this project going.  Riccardi carries designers such as Balmain, Rodarte, D-Squared, Junya Watanabe, Dior Homme, Sacai and so much more.  Their denim collection too is something to be marveled.  So needless to say, after seeing all this I could hardly wait to see what was in store for my visit.

As I believe most American shoppers feel, I am always interested in how the sales associates will impart that particular store's customer service.  At J. Crew you get smiles from a sales associateas they warmly greet you at the front whilst folding something lovely, at The Gap you have a smiling, fast paced salesperson on  headset welcoming you and at both the previous stores I've reviewed for this blog, RUGBY and Jack Spade respectively, I was greeted and asked if there was anything that I could be helped with during my shopping experience.  Well I don't know if it was the way I was dressed or the fact that when I walked in I was immediately walking around admiring the collection and analyzing the garments,but I was never even acknowledged.

I believe the owner, Riccardo Dallai, was talking to a friend as I entered.  There were four other employees who did not feel the need to do anything.  In fact, as I was walking through the first floor I came across one sales woman who was busy on her phone and as I passed by, didn't even have the decency to get off it as I passed by her.  But none the less, that did not deter me from looking at the magnificent men's collection.  I was particularly enamoured with the Junya Watanabe.  He is a designer that I have been admiring since I first saw his runway looks on GQ's website a few years back.  They were absolutely gorgeous and chic.  If I had the ability, I would own everything in that store that was made by him.  And if I could, this is the outfit I'd buy from Riccardi.

Junya Watanabe: Red Check Shirt

Junya Watanabe: Cotton Shorts

 I also got the opportunity to see this fabulous garment in person:



Dior Homme- Twisted Top w/ Lapel

I love Dior Homme.  And by the grace of God, I actually own a piece from a previous collection and it is a knock out and always commented on by others.  Dior Homme is so different and out there.  Under former director Hedi Slimane, the line introduced a slim silhouette which today, new director Kris Van Assche, has continued.  Dior Homme also plays with androgyny and feminism, as seen here with the shape of this tunic style top.  In person, the lapel gives it a very structured and masculine feel, while the twisted shape in the body and fabric choice keep the feminine and airy feel.  I would love to work this garment on the streets of Boston headed to a fabulous night of cocktails.

For a less formal look, try some of their fun t-shirts by Comme des Garcons.  They have an especially unique line of Beatles inspired items for all you music/Beatles fans.

Comme des Garcons Beatles: Comme Beatles Polka Dot/Apple Tee

And if you want to see some of the precious gems of couture in Boston, head upstairs to their women's department.  And even though Joseph,  a Riccardi buyer, salesperson and merchandiser, didn't want to have to go upstairs just for this Chic Chanteur to browse the collection, I made him do it anyway, so you do it too.  And thank God I did.  The collection, most of which I had seen online, is exquisite!!!  What can I say that can give you the clearest idea of how beautiful it is up there besides, go and see it yourself?  But I will give you a little information on a few pieces and designers that perhaps you haven't seen or heard of yet.

Rodarte: Embossed and Tooled Leather Jacket
http://www.riccardiboston.com/womens/rodarte/972

This Rodarte leather jacket is sickeningly gorgeous.  It's structure and elegant brown swirl patterned leather are a sight to behold.  Plus this is such a unique shape, cropped high above the waist, it would be a chic addition to the wardrobe of one of you divas ready to stand out among the crowd.

And if, in your opinion, this is a tame look, check out the collection of Balmain that Riccardi carries.



Balmain: Blazer with Chains



Balmain: Sequin Moto Jacket


I love this military inspired line for the Spring season .  These and other garments of theirs are great stand out pieces.  These are great for the diva who's ready to show the world who she is and what she stands for!

I'm very excited that I found a new designer that I am absolutely taken with, Sacai.  When I saw the pieces online, I thought, "interesting".  But when I saw them in person at Riccardi, I thought, "... gorgeous!". This all goes to show that with such high quality workmanship, you have to see it in person to see how the fabric and details really look and how they move.  This season for Sacai, the pieces are very whimsical and soft, and also carry, for me, a hint of Alice in Wonderland.

Sacai: Pleated Shear Skirt w/ Slip

Sacai: Cable Knit Dress w/Trench Belt and Hem

And there is so much more to see online and in person, so please do take a look.  If I could, I would have one of the Sacai pieces in my collection ASAP.

And let me please show you ladies one last of my favorites.  He is a god in men's fashion and when I saw his women's work, I was breathless and aghast.  Junya Watanabe is fierce through and through. I find his collection, both women's and men's, to be chic and so fresh and current.  So I'd like to share with you two looks that I think are incredible.




Junya Watanabe: Striped Knit Dress


Now I know what some of you may be thinking, "Who shot the Zebra?".  And that wasn't exactly what I though when I first saw it online, but somewhere along those lines.  However, when I saw this beautiful sleek garment in person, I was shocked by its beauty.  This piece is casual, yet elegant.  Factors I can see are strongholds in Watanabes's collections.



Junya Watanabe: Draped Linen Dress

Here is another shocker.  It's a bit difficult to see how this dress could be flattering on anyone, but yet again, in person I was floored by it's beauty and sophistication.  What a gorgeous piece this would be to wear to a fabulous cocktail party.  Please, please, please either search online at http://www.riccardiboston.com/

or head over to the store on Newbury St. to see more of this outstanding designer.

When I was able to actually have a descent conversation with Joseph, I learned a lot about the company.  For starters, Bostonians are not their prime customer, nor do they feel concerned at the fact that that is the case.  Riccardi's customers are highly global, which comes from international tourists in Boston, international students and orders that come into the store from around the world.  That said, they will shortly begin increasing their shopping online.  Sadly, it seems we lowly and non high balling Bostonians aren't necessarily the prime targets for Riccardi.  When I asked "why then have a store in Boston versus New York", Joseph said it's a nice chance to share new designers to the city of Boston while also being able to pick pieces to be a part of the collection that are stand outs and something you wouldn't come across at other department store retailers.  So it is true that we have a special haven for high end retail in Riccardi, but don't expect to be treated like a valued customer.  Strange, when so many of Boston fashion curious people would welcome and enjoy an education in designer clothing.  So enter at your own risk, but if you do take that risk, you are in store for a world full of exciting and aesthetically pleasing clothing.

Cheers,

The Chic Chanteur





Hear ye, hear ye!! JACK SPADE on Newbury St.

What a lucky day it was yesterday,when I decided to take a refreshing breath from another store review assignment and check out one of my very favorite stores in existence, JACK SPADE.  It's been at least a season if not two, I must regretfully say, since I've been into the fabulous boutique style Newbury St. location, and it was an absolutely amazing experience.

Normally I am by no means surprised by the fabulousness of the Jack Spade bag and accessories collection, but since I've had a hiatus from the store, things have blown up!  I have always felt so welcomed and comfortable in their street level location.  It's like a cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Today I saw so much color and variety and wait for it...CLOTHES!!! I was so excited to see that the store had a stock of the new line of men's clothing.  I had been aware of the launch but had not seen it yet.  But I digress.If you aren't yet familiar with the Jack Spade brand, feel free to check out their website at http://www.jackspade.com/, here you'll find their history, shopping and get a feel for the character of Jack Spade. 

And for an even better time, just walk into the store here in Boston.  There were so many absolutely fabulous new bags.  So many different materials used, colors, styles and shapes.  I can guarantee there is something in there for anyone, man or woman.   Now lucky for me, I had the distinct pleasure of working directly with the ever so chic Assistant Manager, Shawna.



Top: Martin& Osa, Jeans: Diane von Furstenberg, Bracelet: Kate Spade Bangle, Watch: Micahel Kors, Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, Hair: Killer!

Now this girl is fierce as hell and Boston is lucky to have her style and fashion sense in our community.  Not to mention, she was so nice and helpful. Part of my excitement in coming into the store was that it seemed like there was so much more available.  Shawna explained that Jack Spade is bulking up the Newbury St. store inventory as well as growing the plethora of products that they offer in general.   We walked through the store and I was introduced to a lot of the new pieces as well as what's in store for the future of Jack Spade. 

Something that's very cool and funky are the new icon printed leather pieces.  There are wallets, document holders, card holders and more.

This is just one of the eclectic and fun prints used in the leather work and definitely something that should be featured in your arsenal of accessories.

Since it's founding, Jack Spade has been known for its premium work in bags.  Probably most known and well recognized for their canvas totes, messengers and other great all around bags, the collection includes so much more variety today.  Here are some of my favorites from my store exploration:




Mill Leather Davis Brief

 

Waxwear Soft Duffle



Luggage Nylon Laptop Briefcase


Along with their classic canvas, Jack also has bags made from waxwear, nylon, twill, linen and others.  Shawna introduced me to the new Mill Leather bags which are a beautifully soft leather that is very elegant looking and will age very well.  I am also enjoying all of the new shapes that Jack is doing.  It's nice to have a variety when it comes to messengers, duffles and totes.  The bags I'm showing above can also be found in other colors as well, so definitely keep that in mind if you like the bag but would be interested in having it in a different color.

The store also carries great and fun small goods which includes: wallets, pocket squares, money clips bow ties, travel kits, iPhone covers and lots more.  And to see more of the unique and clever items available, head on into the store.  Especially because you're gonna want to try on the new clothing line.  Shawna explained that the fall and current spring line are the fit that Jack was really looking for.  The shirts are a slim, fitted cut and their jeans are a clean raw or selvage denim.  I tried on one of the button downs in a medium first and found it just a bit spacious and long.  I went down to the small and it was an exquisitely perfect fit without losing length in the sleeve or space in the neck.  So I highly recommend going in and not being afraid to try on different sizes until you find the perfect one.  They also have their raw denim jeans available as well as t-shirts and outerwear, so you can go wild with those too.

As for where this Jack Spade store is heading, Shawna keyed me in on some great new happenings.  The new owners of the company are beginning to reintegrate the fun and quirky side of Jack Spade that Andy Spade brought to it in its founding.  You'll begin to see this with the reintroduction of their orange and red colored canvases, icon prints and fun bags like the Pet Rock Coal Bag (it's in the window of the storefront picture).  We'll also be seeing new products like sunglasses and swimsuits. Jack will also be looking to continue providing client events such as friends and family, perhaps a block party and more.  It's definitely an exciting time for our Newbury St. Jack Spade store, so head over and get in on the action.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur





RUGBY Ralph Lauren on Newbury St.

So I was requested to check out and review the RUGBY store on Newbury St. by a reader, Vince.  Luckily, today was a beautiful, sunny day in Boston, which is the perfect forecast for strolling Newbury St.  I have to be honest, I have never entered the RUGBY store before today.  I always thought it was too preppy for me and that if I walked in I'd only be met by stuck up sales people who fit the RUGBY mold and have no inclination to actually shop the store.  Boy do I need to eat some humble pie.  All of my assumptions were wrong...

At first arrival at the front of the store, I immediately loved their window display.  Two men and two women mannequins wore excellent outfits, all of which I would wear if I were you. 

The building's facade has a very old school British air about it.  It was actually a refreshing break from the rest of the street's in your face storefronts.  As you enter the front door, you find yourself in a small entryway that is closed off from the actual retail part of the store by a heavy green fabric curtain.  A green, I might mention, is reminiscent of the classic Polo cologne bottle.In any event, I took this alone time to admire the photography and style that RUGBY is implementing in their store aesthetic.

As you can see, there is a heavy influence of vintage turn of the 20th century photographs, mostly of rugby players and games, but also including pictures of the era itself. The second surprise was that as I walked into the retail space I was immediately greeted by the dashingly daring Evan Michael, a local designer and former co-worker of mine.  Not to mention, the exact opposite of a stuck up salesperson.  As always, Evan was looking fly as hell and also rocking the RUGBY look.  I LOVE his Marc Jacobs lensless glasses.  Only someone this damn chic and sure of himself could pull it off.  He was also dressed in great pastels which I loved, and which were bookended from head to toe by a gorgeous white bow tie and excellent white loafers.  And, as anyone who has it together as much as Evan does, he was wearing the elegant and sweet Pi by Givenchy. Yummy!

Back to RUGBY.  I absolutely love the store.  Even though it is not huge inside and the warm tones and dark hardwood floors only accentuate this, the store does have physical depth to it and the furnishings only make you feel more at home.  Great big leather couches and chairs are spread throughout the space.  And you'll also see an ore or two.  RUGBY on Newbury has done a great job utilizing their space as well.  Unlike the new J. Crew Men's Shop in the Copley Mall, RUGBY has mad their space not feel cramped and claustrophobic.  There's a great walking path straight through the store that leads you take the proper detours to explore the great collection.  Clothing is hung and folded in every nook and cranny.  And though I grazed my head on a cute top every now and then, I couldn't stop loving the fact that I was surrounded by clothes. 

Of course you have your typical polo shirts, rugby shirts and shorts in greens and reds, but what I admired most was the fact that there was a quality among the clothes and variety that held up to the Ralph Lauren name.  A gorgeous Italian linen blazer was featured on a body form in the front of the store.

By no means am I a photographer, so if you can't see the gorgeous detail on this blazer, check it out here:
http://www.rugby.com/shop/item.aspx?productId=11161364&categoryId=3138719&cp=3138868

This is the Newbury Herringbone Jacket, shown here in tan, but also available in a black herringbone.  The tan version also has a matching vest.  The Newbury Jacket is also available in a Linen Plaid and Glen Plaid as well, all of which can be purchased at the store on Newbury St. or online. What I loved about this piece is that it is made of such a fine quality while looking and being extremely wearable.  It's tailored fit is also something new the company played with this season in their Italian suiting line.  This is a definite must have if you're looking to sophisticate your spring/summer look this season.

Continuing through the store, I ventured into the women's section, which was fierce! Specifically this top, http://www.rugby.com/shop/item.aspx?productId=11198351&categoryId=3372856&cp=3138869.  This is one of the tops featured in the window display.  In person and on the body, it looks amazing.  You could also couple it with a great cardigan or smart blazer.  The women's collection is great for very structured basics as well as unique signature pieces.  Anything in the store would be a chic addition to your wardrobe.

Something I wasn't such a big fan of which popped up in the women's collection, was combining their motorcycle inspired pieces with the softer RUGBY line.  Separate, they are great pieces.  But showing them together didn't really work for me.  However as I talked with salesperson, Brooke, we both admired this Sanne Leather Jacket: http://www.rugby.com/shop/item.aspx?productId=11005186&categoryId=3138774&cp=3138869 . 

The leather on this jacket is exquisite and the color is supreme.  As with all of the textiles used in the RUGBY line, this piece is is such a high quality item. 

I was lucky enough to meet the General Manager, Kerry, and we had a great discussion about the brand and its visibility in Boston.  Seeing as how I've lived in Boston since 2006 and never even stepped into the store and was so pleasantly surprised today, I'd love to hear more about the RUGBY store and the great clothing that they supply.  Apparently they do a great sponsorship event with a non profit, NEST.  Please check this amazing organization out at: http://www.buildanest.com/.  I hope to see more events like this or even just some fabulous soiree.

Here was the last big surprise. RUGBY is also running "The hunt for the next great poet" contest.  You submit your poem online, and the winner receives a $1,000 RUGBY wardrobe.  So if you're a budding poet, go for it!  This was a great surprise, to see a clothing store run such a great contest.











If you'd like to learn more about the Newbury St. store or the RUGBY Ralph Lauren brand in general, check them out at http://www.rugby.com/. Or just stop by our Boston store at 342 Newbury St. and you will get excellent customer service and outfit suggestions.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

Trendy, chic and affordable

And this is how it's done, from head to toe!  Fresh off an inspiring trip to Rome, Italy, this "Dapper Dan", Chris, was working this look today when he came into the store looking for a Spring scarf he'd seen in a Rome Benetton.  The thing that I admired the most, and something I look for in my clothing choices, is that though it is a very put together outfit, Chris made it look effortless and easy.  This works, in large part, because he is also well groomed. A sharp haircut and freshly shaven face can make an impeccable difference in one's overall appearance.  Bravo Chris for making it work!

So the theme for today (and my life in general) seems to be that I admire the shoes first.  And even if I don't, I definitely go quickly to that part.  Chris was wearing what looked like Sperry's, but when I asked if they were, he excitedly replied that they were from H&M.  A great buy at $29 and a deal he read about in one of my favorite magazines, GQ.  And speaking of great deals, his gorgeous trench is a great find from Armani Exchange, on sale for $89.  WOW!!! This boy knows how to shop.  We didn't get into where the rest of the outfit was from, but suffice it to say, I'm sure he did his shopping around and made out like a bandit.  The rest of the outfit was rounded out by a nice pair of khakis and beautiful grey v-neck sweater with a patterned button down.

Oh wait! Of course I asked if I could take his photo the minute he popped out those fabulous Ray Ban sunglasses.  I loved how dark black they were and I also loved the shape, a very good compliment to his own face shape.  And as Chris was leaving, I got a peek at his wrist.  And there was a BEA-UTIFUL black banded watch.  When I get a chance, I'll have top ask where it's from.  Or perhaps he'll share it here for you all.

So to all you readers, this is how you pull it together.  Many thanks to Chris for spending some extra time chatting with me about the purchases and the travels.  We should all be so lucky to travel the world while looking and feeling great.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

Now this is what I'm talkin' 'bout

I've said it once and I'll say it again, I love someone who isn't afraid to make a bold statement and be an individual.  And though he probably didn't walk out of his front door today saying "I'm gonna make a statement today!", I certainly appreciated his style and individuality.

Now this is what really got my attention.  These beautifully distressed tan boots by Red Wing Shoes got an extra pop of brilliance because my new friend Greg decided to replace the laces provided with his own new red laces (a purchase only two days old : )).  The shoes were definitely the piece de resistance but that isn't to say the rest of the outfit didn't work.  I also admired his black (I think Gstar) jacket and the slim jeans fit well and were the perfect blue with these boots, as you can admire in the picture above. Now since he was technically shopping around the store, I didn't want to get into too much of a conversation of why he wore the red laces.  But perhaps I'll find out sometime soon.  I did get to know that this stylista is a great new cook at Boston's Via Matta.  Located at 79 Park Plz, Greg says it's a great, quaint place to have drinks with your friends at their bar or enjoy a delicious meal.  Located in Boston's Back Bay near the Park Plaza, I definitely foresee a visit there soon with all my best girlfriends.

Back to the shoes! Greg purchased these bad boys at The Tannery on Boylston St.  Red Wing is known for its attention to detail and high quality craftsmanship.  The color we see here is called Hawthorne and they are gorgeous!  The leather work is so refined and strong, you can , as Red Wing says, "use them for a long days work or kicking around." This style of boot is extremely hot right now and many different designers have their own take on the look.  These were a perfect purchase, if I do say so myself.

Thanks Greg for showing us how to make a great everyday piece extraordinary.  And if you want to know more about any of the things mentioned here, check out:
http://www.thetannery.com/
http://www.redwingshoes.com/
http://www.viamattarestaurant.com/

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

New Arrival!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well maybe not sooo new.  On April 1 Hugo Boss in the Copley Place Mall made it's official re-opening of it's new space from it's former residence at the East entrance on the main floor of the mall to it's bigger and even more up to date location near the center atrium of the first floor.  This space was formerly occupied by Ralph Lauren and had a set up that included wall to wall hard wood floors with warm greens and tans on the walls, giving it that stalwart Americana kind of feel.  Cut to today and the new Hugo Boss location has completely turned that space around. 

The flow of the floor space is much smoother and clearer now, giving it a depth that encourages the shopper to explore and spend time admiring. The new space carries a very fresh, clean and bright aesthetic.  This begins with the fragrance that they have permeated throughout the store, Hugo Black.There's a great use of bright lighting which translates nicely against the chic whites, greys and creams that they chose for the walls and floors.  There are also nice splashes of black that add an elegance and classy style for which Hugo Boss has been known.  There are also a few vintage crafts like suit forms, fans and shoe horns.  It's a nice juxtaposition with the overlaying presence of sleek lines and elegance.

The store contains many of the Hugo Boss brands including but not limited to: Boss Green, Boss Orange, HUGO, Boss Black, Boss Black Sport and more.  It's such a pleasure to have such a variety of the Hugo Boss line in one great location.  This makes it very convenient to find something you're looking for that perhaps you just saw in the latest issue of  GQ, Esquire or Details ; ) At first glance, the store holds a beautiful selection of men's suiting which stands out among the best in today's men's fashion. Different shades of blues, black and tan are only some of the varieties available  And there is a wonderful detail of purple lining in one particular pair of men's trousers.  With the Green and Orange labels also represented, this location has a nice offering of men's sportswear and casuals. 

I talked briefly with the store manager about the new space and expanded collection, and he and the rest of the team are very excited about all of it.  It seems this is something they have been waiting for for a few years now.  I for one am extremely excited that it's happened and am so grateful for the beautiful re-addition to our Copley Place Mall.

Follow me for news on how this store continues to do and what new things are happening at Hugo Boss in Boston.  You can also check out  http://www.hugoboss.com/.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur

THIS is what's up!

Welcome to The Chic Chanteur. 

I am looking forward to sharing with all those who read and view this blog what is currently happening in the fashion and classical music worlds in this great city Boston. There a lot of fresh and new ideas always popping up in this city, and I intend to explore them and put it out there as best I can. I'll also update the blog with posts from anywhere else I am lucky enough to travel to and explore.  Fashion and music are amazing creative outlets for many of us in this world and I will be using this blog to share my thoughts on what are the latest happenings these days.

Since moving to Boston for graduate school in music, I have been privy to a new East coast sense of style as well as a plethora of amazingly talented musicians, designers, fashionistas and general lovers of the music and fashion businesses.  This blog is here to not only share my opinion on what's hot, new and inspiring within these fields, but also as a place to promote you the artist or diva extrordinaire's talents and ideas.

On this blog, you'll find posts about what's new in Boston on the classical music front as well as it's edgy fashion life.  There will be photos of those chic Bostonians who dare to show their true colors on a day to day basis as well as information on upcoming concerts and brave new artists making their own paths.  I also intend to share how and where to find great deals on tickets to concerts, chic sales (times are tough) and maybe a little friendly advice on my take on putting it all together.

Basically we're gonna celebrate fabulousness and you better work!  Because this Chic Chanteur will be on the lookout for those out there giving it their all and making a statement with no apologies for it.  I wish you all well in your endeavors and encourage you to share your thoughts with me as I make this step into artistic exploration.

Cheers,
The Chic Chanteur