I stopped on over at Fresh Cafe the other day and decided to testdrive some great leather products supplied by the kind guys over at TheLeatherShop.com. I've been playing around with the bull wallet (pictured above) as well as some lightweight seamless cardholders and I only have positive things to say about each of them! The bull wallet feels absolutely durable, but also keeps function at a priority. The coin-case on the outside adds a new design element to a men's wallet and also is just a practical way to get out your change! I absolutely love the rivet card holder (below). It's deceptively simple in its seamless design and provides a beautiful way to bring out your business cards during a meeting. Or you could simply use it to carry cash or credit cards, whatever you choose! Both of the styles I've been using come in a multitude of colors to suit your own style, but the feeling I got after using the products from TheLeatherShop is that the quality is just top-notch. I'm an absolute fan.

For those unfamiliar with The Leather Shop, I got to do a quick Q&A with Ken (one of the great guys running the business) and here it is!

Geremy: TheLeatherShop seems to be deep rooted in design integrity and also the art of craftsmanship. I'm curious to learn more about the heritage  of the brand and how it began.

Ken: There’s a certain hereditary knowledge and appreciation of leather that can only be passed on by many generations of sweat and thick calluses. Our head designer Mark is the 5th generation of craftsman in his family to carry on this torch. In the autumn of 2008, on the rainy  streets of Seattle an idea was born- and soon thereafter a company. TheLeatherShop is the embodiment of many things. It is the merging of old world quality and modern innovation. Our approach is to design a product that is “timeless” and trendless, a product that can last generations, thus ignoring the caveats of fashion.

*Rest of the Q&A by clicking READ MORE*

As I just turned 23 last year I had in mind a couple of wardrobe essentials that I would need in order to get through the following year...one of those essentials being a tailored and high quality suit. I've always fantasized about wearing an immaculate suit that was equally statement making and still understated, though finding anything that fit me properly is always a challenge. Knowing AR Brand's aesthetic and general fit helped me in making the decision to buy one of their suits. The sizing runs from XS (roughly 34-36 chest and 27-29 Waist) to XL (roughly 46 chest and 38 waist) and is built for guys on the trimmer side. I picked up the XS, took my suit to the tailor, made sure every measurement was just for my proportions, and am now head-over-heels in love with it! I even took the suit for a "test-drive" to run some errands and already got compliments on it. With a suit made in Japan that has a luxe lining with a light wool/nylon mix, I'd say it's a good bet to invest in one of these guys!

Anyway, learn more about AR Brand's Serious Suit here...
CLICK HERE to see the current S/S '13 suit
CLICK HERE for AR BRAND's website

On Sunday, I got to style Andy South Resort Collection '13 with photography by Josh Dulatre. It features a variety of easy-everyday-wear pieces to more dressed up looks that you can transition from day-to-night. It was so great to play around with her collection and I'm excited for you to get a look into what'll be in stores very soon.  These are some of my favorite looks taken throughout the day; it's casual, dressy, effortless, and transeasonal. LOVE.

To shop these looks, you can contact or visit the following stores/events:

Make an appointment with Ari herself at andy@andysouth.com
Honolulu Night Market (12/15) + A Pinch of Salt (12/16)
Rebecca Beach at the Kahala Hotel + Resort

Shop the MENSWEAR Looks this FRIDAY at my Pop-Up Shop at Collins&8th with 10% off the entire store!

Hair and Makeup by Ryan Camacho at Ryan Jacobie Salon
Photos by Josh Dulatre

AR is Aloha Rag's in-house designed label that first debuted only in their flagship stores in HI and NY, but now is widely distributed in several countries. I actually utilized AR's F/W '12 collection throughout the Honolulu Night Market show! As a special Thanksgiving treat, I advise you to take a look into one of my favorite projects I've ever worked on and perhaps treat yourself to a piece or two from the current collection here:
AR Women's || AR Men's ||

Don't forget to see the rest of the editorial AFTER the jump!

Finally had a moment to visit the newly opened Balenciaga at Ala Moana Shopping Center. The store setup was minimal and modern; geometric cutouts in the walls to hold bags, simple racks with one of each RTW piece hanging, and captivating video monitors showcasing models in some of the available clothing/accessories. 

Of course I had to take the time to try on some clothes for a little self-indulgence + eyeing out things I may want to splurge on for my birthday. While I'd love to take home that almost $3000 leather and wool jacket above, I may have to choose something else. New bag? New shirt? New wallet? Only time will tell.

I had no idea that Rei Kawakubo of COMME DES GARÇONS released a bi-annual magazine from '89-'91'. I was still a baby then, but thanks to the iPad everyone can go on the label's journey through archived images taken documenting the lifestyle and brand that Kawakubo masterfully created. I downloaded the app a little over a week ago, but hadn't managed to interact with it (I say interact because it truly is an interactive process) till now. Stunning beautiful imagery that expand and compress into other images with dreamlike movement. You'll be elated, inspired, and slightly dazed.

To download the app CLICK HERE

Thank you Julia Chu at La Muse (in the heart of Chinatown) for this beautiful piece of jewelry. The studs are interchangeable and come in such nice shades of gold, silver, and black. This convertible piece starts at just $65 (prices may vary depending on how many studs you want) and is a steal since you can simply screw on a different stud to match your mood. I have a soft spot for the black stud, but today I mixed my metals with the silver ring paired to the gold stud.

I'm going to stop by La Muse again soon to take a deeper look into Julia Chu's in-house jewelry line as well as more of the other contemporary designer labels she carries. She's also been instagramming a bunch of great new ready-to-wear clothing and accessories coming soon next Spring! So excited!

To purchase this ring or to learn more about La Muse:
Address: 1156 Nuuanu Ave || Honolulu. HI. 96817
Ph: 808.536.0818