Sebastian Maria

Sebastian Maria is a music producer, composer, and visual artist for boys, a music project he’s been developing with Sergio Aragon since 2014. Together, they do composition, live performances, DJ sets, and sound design installations. To me, Sebastian represents the new wave of creatives: young people who have experienced different cultures, and have dipped their toes in many creative pools, and produce work that is pure, honest, and studied. I’ve always thought there was something intriguing about his style that made me want to be friends with him and go through his SoundCloud. Sebastian looks at visuals while working on music–from skateboarding to wildlife footage–recently it’s been Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac looping on mute. On the topic of inspiration, he says: “I like the development of a new idea stemming from the dialogue between 2 other unrelated ideas. I like mishearing and misunderstanding things. Appropriation turns me on. Oh, I recently moved to Chinatown, thats been influencing everything!” Sebastian feels most comfortable in what is familiar. “Clothes taken from close friends and ex-girlfriends tend to be my favorites,” he says, and tends to own very few articles of clothing because he starts to have little relationships with them and just wears them for days on end. For Sebastian, love is silence.

Sebastian Maria in a vintage top and pants, Reebok shoes

Allen Edmonds shoes

Topman shirt, vintage jeans

vintage jacket, shirt, and pants, Reebok shoes

vintage trousers and shoes

Standard shirt, vintage trousers

Sebastian’s most recent mix, for boys

Creative assistance by Michael Dodd

Valencia and Andalusia

I always enjoy visiting Spain, perhaps it’s the colonial connection to the Philippines, or the fabulously laid-back siesta culture.  How I wish I could’ve spent more time in Valencia, with its sleepy streets and the most perfect oranges ever.  There was a certain haze all over Andalusia—Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba; spending a few days in the three major cities of the region was like stepping into a sweaty Sunday afternoon novel where the sun glowed red, and everyone made passionate love, and nobody got anything done.  Also, I’m convinced that all Spanish food is laced with melatonin.

Grandma’s house in Valencia

tailor-made shirt, COS jeans, Vans

the cathedral in Seville

jamon Iberico

palace gardens in Cordoba

Seville Parasol

the Alhambra

tailor-made tunic, Ines de la Fressange x Uniqlo pants, Dries van Noten satin espadrilles

Granada

Switzerland

I must confess, I didn’t think much of Switzerland before I planned a trip there last month, mostly because I didn’t really know much about the country.  I thought it would be a sober, sensible start to an extended Europe trip, but one thing I’ve learned in my travels is that many times, it’s the places I’m not particularly looking forward to visiting that defy expectations.  My friends who live there often describe certain things as being “very Swiss”, which I’ve come to realize denotes something wholesome, benign, and aesthetically cute, in the style of that region.  Switzerland, in addition to being comfy, clean, and safe, is artistically inspiring, and is home to genuinely satisfied, happy, creative people.

Lucerne in the spring

Yohji Yamamoto jacket, Uniqlo turtleneck, COS jeans, rings by Lanero

hesitation

Zurich

Pascal in the kitchen

the best fish soup I’ve ever had

Tony Thornburg

dessert, Sprungli

the library at B2Boutique Hotel

morning walk

Üetliberg

Town and Country vibes on my favorite jeweler

Nautica Rainbreaker jacket, vintage top, COS jeans

currywurst

the ceiling at Volkshaus

closed bar

with Prada briefcase and Vans slip-ons

Dashiel Brahmann

Dashiel Brahmann is the first person I’ve profiled on this site twice.  If you take a peek at my last post of him, you’ll see the change his style has undergone; shooting him again was like profiling a new person.  I found a kindred spirit in Dash whose sense of style seems to be an ongoing conversation in his head–I change my style every so often, and from the dark, faintly glamdrogynous aesthetic we both used to be into, we now both seem to favor a look that is more honest, natural, and masculine.  He just started a clothing line called Looseleaf, a line completely composed of natural fibers, focusing on essential garments with a bit of a creative flair, casual pieces you can work or lounge in.  Dash grew up three blocks from the beach and has always been involved in surf culture, which apparently, is a lot about personal style. His favorite surfers—people like Craig Anderson—are known for their smooth, graceful style.  He says, “I want that to be the feeling that my clothes emote, effortlessness.”

Dashiel in a vintage Yohji Yamamoto Costume D’Homme coat, Looseleaf shirt and lazy pants in navy striped linen, Vans slip-ons

Dashiel Brahmann

Dashiel Brahmann at work in a Looseleaf windowpane shirt and matching pants

Troentorp Monet clogs

Looseleaf indigo shirt, Levi’s Red picker jeans

vintage linen blazer, vintage Flax by Jeanne Engelhart linen shirt, Looseleaf black washed linen trousers,
vintage Per Spook hat, Vans slip-ons

Dashiel Brahmann in a Looseleaf shirt, tank, and pants, all in washed linen, Vans slip-ons

Loose Leaf is available at Pilgrim Surf + Supply.

Los Angeles and Manila

On a whim, I booked a flight to Manila, and swung by LA for a few days.  The last time I visited was about four years ago, and I thought it was the vapid city they said it was: hard to get around, with mediocre food, poorly dressed people, and generally not much to do.  All of that has changed, and I’m working on finding ways to spend more time in the City of Angels.  I flew home to Manila filled with wonderful food, and inspiration I never expected to find in that city.  Here’s what I saw, ate, and did, in LA and Manila, on film and nothing more high-fi than an iPhone 6 camera.

palms on 35mm film

and on my phone

window shopping

One of the most inspiring buys for both menswear and womenswear at Mohawk General Store

LA dad weekend looks

spices in Silverlake

day 2: meal 1 of 5

I love sauce

Santa Monica

Muscle Beach

sisters

mall life

people study here

in Pilgrim and Loose Leaf

kiteboarding kites

Sandy Cohen

backs at 12/10

CJ in CJ

crazy little party girl

ant-infested JC, top by Filipino designer Rhett Eala

“This is the part where I break free” – Ariana Grande

Gregory Bourke

Gregory Bourke is the assistant to the Director at Marlborough Chelsea Gallery in New York, a former actor and dancer, and a creative who dabbles in film photography.  He grew up in a 100-year-old haunted Opera House in Georgia, and he counts Alex Da Corte, Haim, Larry Clark and Veladya Chapman as his biggest creative influences.  Greg’s history in the theatre and with dance seems to very much influence his artistry, and reinforces my recent resolution to take up new hobbies and active pursuits to nourish my creative soul.  In terms of style, what’s been inspiring me lately isn’t really fashion with a capital F, but rather the notion of wearing ordinary pieces in a subtly modern way to create a look that is as intriguing as it is approachable.  He says he has a specific weakness for a 1950′s rebellious high schooler in Idaho vibe, and he pulls it off pretty well.

Gregory Bourke in a Nike top, Levi’s jeans, and Converse shoes

small tattoo envy

vintage sweater, leather jacket, and leather pants, Adidas Stan Smith shoes

Obey cap, vintage cheerleader jacket, basketball jersey, and leather pants

Opening Ceremony rainbow ombre shirt, Hanes waffle top, vintage Levi’s

black briefs by 2(X)IST

vintage red motorcycle jacket, Gap t-shirt, Sandro jeans, Vans shoes

cut-off hems and Vans Sk8-Hi sneakers

vintage Adidas t-shirt and 2(X)IST control shorts

Splices

Spliced together a bunch of photographs of my travels to Singapore, Manila, New England, and my life here in New York City.  And fashion week, too.  They don’t all seem to make sense together, but I’d like to think everything falls into place, in the bigger picture.

The Breakers, Newport RI

feeling like a Kennedy, in Barbour and AG

babies

the baby

a wedding-themed birthday

Cornetticut

corn-fed

vigil

the last day of summer

mall wine

Sentosa

parades

charades

Singapore nightlife

the general idea

fancy Van$

boys

bottoms

Happy

20

15 – Taylor Swift

Tailory

I’m not going to stress about the importance of a good white shirt–the cornerstone of every great tailored outfit, or any fresh, handsome outfit for that matter.  What I will tell you, though, is that the ones they make at The Tailory New York are perfect.  The fabrics are of great quality, the fit is impeccable, the detailing is modern, and the ladies who run the shop are just lovely.  I like to keep a good tailor in every city I spend time in, and though I’ve always had one for expert alterations, I’m thrilled to have this place for my collaborative tailoring projects.

shirt by The Tailory, boxers by Donn Mason

a newfound love for short spread collars

Lanero ring, Skagen watch, and a name only few know

photographs by Michael Dodd

Uniform

I’ve taken to wearing a uniform this winter.  I admit I’m not the best at layering, but I’ve developed some sort of formula for when layers are necessary for survival.  I start with a band mandarin-collar shirt under a round-neck sweater, relaxed dark trousers, woolly socks, chunky black shoes, sunglasses and gloves.  I throw on my jacket of the week, or a heavyweight winter coat and scarf, as needed.  I find it best to keep everything covered, in loose, relaxed layers, to avoid looking like I’m being swallowed by winter gear.  And to save me from seasonal depression, I keep myself entertained with cheeky gloves, a collection of pins, among a few other cold-weather distractions.

Garrett Leight sunglasses, vintage Barbour Jacket, Reformation sweater, vintage American Eagle shirt, Bird leopard gloves, Yohji Yamamoto pants, Vans shoes

Garrett Leight sunglasses

tree-snuggling in McCarren Park

Vans shoes, United by Blue bison socks

a collection of vintage pins

New Look

Many of you who follow my style closely know that I do a complete wardrobe overhaul somewhere every four to six months.  I may hold on to key pieces a little while longer, but there’s always a conversation going on in my head about the image I want to portray at each specific point in my life, about gender, economics, my body image and my emotional state, and this always comes through in the way I dress.  I’ve been experimenting with a new look–a little more pared-down, a little more masculine–at 29, I feel less of a need to make a splash with fashion statements, and ultimately just wear what makes me feel good.  Current influences are: military classics, California, The New Order, and the pervasiveness of dadcore.  Happy New Year.

Yohji Yamamoto Pour Homme military coat, Hardy Amies blazer, Jungmaven henley, AG Jeans, Tim Hamilton x Guidi boots

Capital Eyewear x Allen Edmonds glasses, Black Sheep and Prodigal Sons whale pin

the return of the accent sock