How He Wore It: Holiday Hov

Meet Larry. Or as I call him, Larry Hova.

I somehow talked him into shooting a spread on personal style with me, and in the mix slipped in the Woolen Holiday tie from the Co-Op.

I dig how he not only does pattern on pattern, but texture on texture.

And then even more texture with corduroy pants (!!!!)

How He Wore It: Gen of Bucketfeet

I met Gen at Daley Plaza this summer when we were both sweating out the hottest days of the summer outside in the name of indie label brands. It turns out, we had a lot to talk about.

Popping Up Shop: Heat Wave Edition

Last week, I had the great opportunity to take part in the Chicago Sidewalk Sale at the Daley Center in Chicago's loop. Developed by the Mayor's Fashion Council, hand selected designers that call Chicago home were invited for 2 days to pop up shop in the heart of the city to talk fashion, introduce our brands to new people, and endure the heat wave in a very unique way.

The Style Cooperative & ABC News

Today on ABC Chicago's midday broadcast, Kiran from the Mayor's Fashion Council here in the windiest of cities talked a little bit about the shops that will be popping up alongside me tomorrow and Wednesday in the middle of the city.

Check out the short clip to hear more about some great designers that call Chicago home. The Co-Op holds it down for menswear nicely!

How He Wore It: Kenji of the Passport Project

Meet Kenji: the mind behind Passport Project, a lifestyle not-for-profit that aims to build "'The Coalition”, a network of Millennial global travelers and citizens across various industries and “Passport Life Grants”, a fund that helps young non-passport owners in subsidizing passport application fees and facilitating travel abroad experiences." If you've ever seen #PassportLife on twitter, this is the guy behind it. With the help of a collection of pretty heavy hitting media and lifestyle types, there are big things on the horizon for the project.

Building a #WORKROOM

Recently, the internet was buzzing about a somewhat secret, but completely private event with some of Chicago's best-of in contemporary lifestyle. Hosted in our workroom alongside a special guest, we made the setting for a great time. 

This is the pre-(photo)story.

How He Wore It: Oceanside Alex

I have this theory that if you're born and bred in California, you never leave. And if you do, it's for college, then you just go back. Because it's California.

I just can't hate it.

Behind the Scenes: Revamped Chicago

 This past Friday, I had the great pleasure to take part in the sustainable fashion show on behalf of EarthShare. Working with a great team, things got a little crazy juggling looks and models.

Here's a tiny peek into some of the action.

Revamped: The Co-Op, EarthShare & friends

Hey Chicago, The Co-Op is back on the runway! 

Join me this Friday as I show some of the Co-Op's never before seen pieces on the EarthShare runway along with some of my favorite folks in sustainable style. 

Behind the Scenes: Modern Man

Last week, I had a great time taking part on behalf of The Co-Op for the Modern Man show presented by Rockit Ranch. It included some special guest models, and met some of my favorite bloggers, brands, and personalities back stage.

Modern Man Chicago

Join me as I share the first look of the Spring and Summer (not yet released online!) along with some of my favorite Chicago brands and boutiques. I hear there are some guest models you can look forward to as well.

I want to meet some of you great readers, so if you spot me at the event- please do say hello!

Show starts at 11pm. See you underground.

The Style Cooperative Featured on ImFlashy

See more at ImFlashy.com

94 Feet Awards @ 6 Points

I recently had the awesome opportunity to  support a friend of mine in his journey to build one of the top sports sites around by attending last weekend's 94 Feet Awards of Chicago.

Click through.

Isaia at Saks

Yesterday, I spent an evening learning about Isaia, now newly available at Saks' Men's Store in Chicago. I got the chance to talk to the buyers about the details that make it special, and hang around quite possibly the best dressed group of suited men I've witnessed in Chicago. No, really.

How He Wore It: Fred (dot)

Warby Parker in Chicago

 

This weekend, I had the great chance to hang out with some stylish folks while trying out some of the latest wares from one of my favorite brands: Warby Parker. They do amazing work, and I've been meaning to try out some of the wares, so taking time to meet with the team while previewing the newest styles available this spring was a great way to kick off a Saturday in the windiest of cities.


Some personal style notes and favorites: Beckett is my favorite shape.They also have a matte black finish in some of the styles that reminds me of a chalk board. It's much cooler than I'm making it sound- I promise.

More after the jump

Chicago's Got Talent: Take 2

Remember a couple of months back when I went on and on about how Chicago, and how I believe a creative talent explosion is on the horizon? Yep, still standing by that.

I had the chance to meet and talk dreams and the grind with Andrew Davis II not too long before the shoot of his very first music video. We vibed well, and I ended up working with him to style the principal characters of the shoot.

It was a 2 day production, there was a huge team, and yesterday he dropped the video for the public. The result: fantastic.

He's a refreshing feel-good artist that has received a lot of love for the video in some pretty awesome places like World Star Hip Hop, This is 50, and an interview feature over at I'm Flashy. Not too shabby. Keep this guy on your radar!

Chicago Come-Up

ImFlashy Presents: Artist Profiles - Andrew Davis II from ImFlashy.com on Vimeo.

I love Chicago (almost as much as I love Detroit). It's where The Style Cooperative has grown, is developed with local artisans, and is shaped by the creative folks that do what they do so well.

We have to hustle a little harder to get shine like people in New York or LA, or even more niche places like Portland. But the one cool thing about that is the like minded artists, thinkers, and makers of the city tend to find one another here... and we love to see one another succeed on a stage that is bigger than just our city.

I met Andrew Davis II a few months ago because of our mutual love for Adobo on everything, but this ultra talented MC let me into his world, and I've had such a good time working with him and watching his career blossom. Check out the video; it's super genuine (watch for my  unexpected shout out). He talks music, style, and growth.

Work, Play & Passion, just as much as Life, Style & Stuff. Forget the hokie pokie, this is what it's really all about.

How He Wore It: Brandon

Ties are long known for their buttoned up and prep-by-nature look about them.  Bow ties are starting to pop up in all sorts of places, and people are styling them in ways that carry the sort of charm that only a touch of personal style can lend.

Meet Brandon, maker of creative content and candles. He was the very first person to get his hands on the newly available Ikat on Red tie from The Style Cooperative, and here's how he wore it.