Phillip Sparks' Spring/Summer 2011

Mariya and I were invited to Phillip Sparks' headquarters in Toronto at the historical Burroughes building. We enjoyed the show very much and especially  the opportunity to photograph the stationary models ourselves.
The full collection can be viewed at the  Phillip Sparks' blog.
Highlights definitely included the leather shoes.

-The Scandal and Mariya

Know how to fold 'em

I enjoy reading the  GQ magazine (American edition). In fact, I don't think I've missed an issue for 7 years. I also generally like the fashion/lifestyle tips they give to men: e.g., don't spend more than 1 minute on styling your hair; always  tip the guy handing out towels in the john; never update your Facebook status, etc.

I do however take issue with the advice in the latest October 2010 edition of GQ (Ryan Reynolds on the cover) regarding pocket squares.

The magazine (p.88) explains that the folded square is "the classic, dashing go-to fold of Hollywooders-- and businessmen -- everywhere."

The article goes on to state "Warning! Men who wear a poofy silk pocket square probably also sleep on silk sheets. On a water bed." Ouch!

This annoyed me because I know this is part of a larger GQ jihad against the silk pocket square. I find this advice to be absurd. Go into any men's shop and 90% of the pocket squares will be silk. As with neckties, pocket squares made of other fabrics such as cotton, linen and wool definitely add a nice variation to man's wardrobe but, as with neckties, they are by no means the default.

I know GQ has been championing the Don Draper slim-suit look for the past few years, but that doesn't make it "classic". Sure the picture above shows Sinatra with the classic fold, but a simple Google image search will show that he did not always wear it that way. Same with other Hollywood royalty, past and present;

Bottom line: if you wear an unfolded silk pocket square, you can sleep tight--and not on silk sheets.

-The Scandal