February 10, 2012 world of men's style / fashion / grooming RSS
“Andre Benjamin”
03/20/09
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Staple Remover

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Much as we love the risk-takers, most designers are judged by how they do with the staples. And our Mr. Benjamin is finally showing his hand…

This blue flax shirt from Benjamin Bixby is a pretty good start. It’s flat enough that it won’t stand out at most offices, but the fabric is stiffer than the usual oxford cloth, and the overdyed hue makes it stand out from the crowd just enough to matter.

Andre’s stated influence is Colonial India—which makes sense given the wash of the fabric—but to our eyes it looks more western than eastern. Are tortoise-shell buttons bigger in Bangalore than we thought?

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03/17/09
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Stam, Stan, and Andre

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Lost in Translation: Ms. Jessica Stam travels to Tokyo. [FashionIndie]

The Man, the Myth: Hypebeast lands an interview with Stan Smith, and traces his shoe’s evolution from one-off endorsement to style icon. Our jealousy is palpable. [Hypebeast]

Check It: Behold, the plaids of spring. [Shoptometrist]

Mr. Bixby: Andre Benjamin unveils a few more wearable items from the Benjamin Bixby line. Sadly, no balloon this time around. [The Steel Closet]

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02/12/09
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Scene

The Big Dance

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GQ held their CFDA party last night, and there was no shortage of famous faces. This snap caught GQ’s Jim Nelson, Thom Browne and Andre Benjamin in the same frame, and it offers a glimpse of things to come. Nelson’s getup shouldn’t surprise anyone with a subscription—at this point, the slim suit-and-tie are nothing short of a dress code—but Mr. Benjamin’s Bogart-level beltline is one of the few moves that genuinely surprised us. He pulls it off perfectly…but we doubt anyone watching had the courage to try it out themselves.

See more of the scene»

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01/15/09
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The Biz

And the Nominees Are…

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It’s awards season again, and the menswear group is getting ready for its turn.

We’re talking about the GQ/CFDA awards, an annual August bash that names the menswear designer of the year. The list of nominees just landed in our inbox and, while it’s a little short on Toms, we’re excited to see all the names in one place.

Hear about this year’s nominees»

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10/02/08
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Object

Zebras

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When people think of sports-inspired clothing, they’re usually talking about the players, not the refs.

This cardigan is one of the less obviously retro points in golden boy Andre Benjamin’s Benjamin Bixby line. The NFL-style “B” on the back makes the reference even clearer. It’s not an easy look to pull off, by any means—we might even recommend layering it under a jacket to cover up the back—but the thick vertical stripes are a lot bolder than most of what we find in Barneys, and its more eye-catching by half.

If there are any aspiring dandies out there looking for a challenge, consider yourself called out.

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09/26/08
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Labeled

All About the Benjamins

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We finally got down to Barneys to take a peek at the Benjamin Bixby line from Andre 3000 (née Benjamin), and it’s quite a display. The line doesn’t stray too far from the Lauren party line, but the moves it does make—like the Lindbergh-esque bomber jacket and scarf—suggest a few places Bixby could go once it gets its sea legs. It’s broader and a lot more earnest than the typical preppy fare…which we should have expected, given Benjamin’s wide-eyed enthusiasm.

More importantly, the folks on the floor informed us they’re already restocking. Apparently we aren’t the only ones who are impressed.

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09/23/08
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Better Be a Household Name

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Not everyone gets to be a two-time MOTH, but with his Benjamin Bixby line finally hitting stores, we think Andre Benjamin (or 3000, if you prefer) may be on the verge of becoming a full-fledged style icon.

Part of his charm is the sheer oddball unlikeliness of his style. Who would think that the next big defender of preppy-dom would come from the world of hip-hop? Who would think that the space-invader hallucinations of the *Stankonia* years would morph into depression-era traditionalism? Celebrity clothing lines are usually inoffensive at best, but Benjamin is dodging those clichés the same way he dodged the clichés of late 90’s rap: with actual ideas.

More on Mr. Benjamin’s rise»

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09/10/08
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Mods, Art Thieves and Going Solo

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Mods vs. Rockers Has John Varvatos’s strong “pro-rocker” stance invited a mod backlash? We’d buy it. If so, you’ll need these pictures to paste onto your GX scooter…[We Are the Market]

Movin’ Up in the World like Elevators: Our favorite rapper/actor/MOTH talks about his clothing line. We expect it to be better than his movies, but slightly worse than his music. [Esquire]

Crime Pays: A European government is offering up cash and amnesty for anyone who can put their hands on a few famous, stolen paintings. Like we’ve always said, it’s a good time to be an art thief. [Luxist]

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go: Sam Shipley (of Shipley & Halmos) releases a solo album. Does this mean Halmos is Garfunkel? [Men.Style]

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08/05/08
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Pole Dancing, Andre 3000 and Rampant Emasculation

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Chinese Fire Drill: Pole dancing comes to China, in an act of western imperialism we can all get behind. [IHT]

Girly Men: British men are sad, emasculated. Film at 11. [The Guardian]

Get a Cardboard Box…: A chef on the Today Show gives a lesson in how to end a television career. [Today’s Big Thing]

Movin’ Up in the World Like Elevators: Multi-MOTH Andre Benjamin offers up his favorite things on the heels of the launch of his fashion line, Benjamin Bixby. [Men.Style]

Puffed: For the first time in decades, someone actually misses Diddy. [The Cut]

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05/07/08
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Scene

Kempt Man of the Hour: André Benjamin

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*Photographed by our fearless lensman, Patrick McMullan.*

Here making his second MOTH appearance, the multi-talented André Benjamin (aka André 3000) stole the show at the Met Costume Institute’s gala Monday night.

What won us over was his beautifully-cut cream shawl-collared dinner jacket with a subtle tone-on-tone glen plaid pattern, which could be from his Benjamin Bixby line, though it looks a little on the formal side—perhaps Ralph Lauren or Brioni is a better call—worn with Hollywood-waisted dress trousers, velvet evening slippers and a perfectly-proportioned pointed-end black velvet bowtie. His signature flourishes were apparent in the straw fedora, pearl shirt studs and a somewhat faded-looking but nonetheless brassy boutonniere»

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02/14/08
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Scene

Blue Note

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When we last checked in with Blue Iris, the tint had just been named Pantone’s Color of the Year. Capturing 2007’s peaceful, contemplative side, Blue Iris was going places, we just had no idea how many places.

Seen here modeling Thom Browne’s latest collection, Blue Iris has kept busy during his tenure as Color of the Year. Here’s a few of the places we’ve spotted the season’s hippest hue:

Where we’ve seen Blue Iris around town»

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02/04/08
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Scene

Kempt Man of the Hour: Andre 3000

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*Photographed by our fearless lensman, Patrick McMullan.*

We have always regarded idiosyncratic impresario Andre 3000 (née Andre Benjamin) as one of the most stylish men in modern music. A fitting heir to Jimi Hendrix in many ways, it’s felicitous that Benjamin (who has several acting credits to his name) has long had a Hendrix biopic in the works. Now he’s branching out into fashion with his own line called Benjamin Bixby, inspired by 1930s football players.

More on today’s MOTH »

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