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I love stories. I love telling stories – and I love hearing stories. And even though this is already my thirteenth column (yes, dear readers, Style Guyde is over a year old now!), I still have many more stories to tell.
I was originally going to start this month’s column with a story about my recent trip to the Kelly Clarkson concert at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut – which happened shortly after running around the city for nine days of fashion shows, events and parties during New York Fashion Week. That was nine days spent sitting in the front row alongside some of the best-dressed people in America (if not the world – I mean, Carine Roitfeld of French Vogue was there!), so you can imagine how shocking it was to see the way the boys were dressed on a big Friday night out - in a town just a little over two hours from a major metropolitan city. Instead, I decided I should be nice and spare you the gory details about the be-dazzled boot-cut jeans, over-gelled hair and eyebrows thinner than Marlene Dietrich’s. (Oops! I guess I didn’t spare you after all!)
Vincent Flumiani, the Los Angeles-based designer behind Caulfield Prepatory, also likes to tell stories. And he’s a really good storyteller. Inspired by J.D. Salinger’s iconic book, The Catcher in the Rye (and specifically its protagonist, Holden Caulfield), Vincent is basing each of his seasonal collections on a different chapter – chapters that Vincent himself is “writing” about a fictional character he created named Finnegan Nash Sinclair.
Launching with the current Fall 2009 season, Caulfield Prepartory’s first chapter is all about Finnegan’s road trip from Los Angeles to New York after the death of his grandfather – and, of course, the clothes that he wears along the way. Clothes like perfectly-wrinkled shirts, skinny 3-piece suits and nylon plaid windbreakers. Clothes that I wouldn’t mind seeing on the boys from the greater-Uncasville area wearing on my next trip up there for dinner (at Michael Jordan’s Steak House), a concert, and maybe a couple tries at the slots.
Vincent was kind enough to take the time to answer a few of my questions:
What is your favorite piece from Caulfield Prepartory’s Fall/Winter 2009 collection?
My favorite piece is the 3/4 sleeve woven shirt. When I work, my full body is engaged and involved in the process whatever it may be. I built a stand up desk and rarely if ever will you find me sitting… all this said it's a very functional piece while still maintaining style.
What do you love most about designing men's wear?
Giving them eyes to see themselves and their style in new dimensions and perspectives. Moving them to color outside the lines and take calculated risks. Giving them a confidence and authority that they haven't tapped into.
Describe "the Caulfield Preparatory man"
The Caulfield Preparatory man is all things to all people… he is an explorer and creator… he imagines and inspires… he is controversial and revolutionary… audacious and notorious… he is contagious. The Caulfield Preparatory man pushes the human race forward… he is an agent of change… he refuses to be labeled or boxed in and cannot be ignored. He is well read and traveled and inspires men to think… He is a hero. He is a legend. He is a pioneer.
What are the 5 items every man should own?
The five items every man should own are:
1.) Find the perfect jeans for you and buy them regardless of the cost (don't even look), they will take you far and the combinations are endless.
2.) The white woven, seriously, I know it sounds simple but it is often forgotten. White is brilliant and lights up the face, it’s fresh and clean and pure.
3.) A soft, washed and worn plain-front khaki trouser. It's classic and sophisticated… dress it up, dress it down… all day and all night.
4.) The turtleneck… I know it’s risky but trust me. The turtle neck is the most flattering thing a man can wear.
5.) I will sum up the last one by saying, accessories. You cannot have enough… hats, scarves, ties, belts, socks, bags. Men, remember the details.
What is the biggest mistake men making when getting dressed?
Every morning needs to be a new blank canvas for a man. You don’t have to be who you were yesterday… who and what do you want to be today? What do you want to reveal about yourself and what do you want to hide and, more specifically, how do you feel? When a man gets dressed in the morning he needs to listen to himself, who he is and who he wants to be and then, without apology, dress that man. Article continues below... 
Who are your style icons?
My grandfather, Carlo Maria Flumiani. He was strong and certain in his style. His style made sense and signified. He took bold risks and did so with confidence. He was very detailed from head to toe and spared no expense.
Kris Van Assche: His clarity, use of color and simplicity.
Takahiro Miyashita: His style is effortless and straightforward.
Who or what has been your biggest influence?
The human race. Everyday I am influenced by something from the streets, subways, meetings, billboards, music, television, etc.
If you weren't a Fashion Designer, what would you be?
A performer. I have this dream of being in front of sold out stadiums and performing. I’ll rarely tell anyone this but it’s true… moving people by my voice or body to the point of a standing ovation would be a phenomenal experience.
Let’s talk favorites:
Movie? All things Wes Anderson. He is brilliant.
Book? I am obsessed with reading and a lover of words. Right now I am reading The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.
Vacation spot? Cuixmala… just go, you won’t regret it.
What's the one extravagance you can't live without?
Water, seriously, in the form of a shower, drinking, swimming, etc…
What's on your current Playlist?
Owl City
Ratatat
Thievery Corporation
Brazilian Girls
We the Kings
The Bravery
Say Anything
Angels and Airwaves
What astrological sign are you?
Cancer
What's next for you and Caulfield Preparatory?
A love story with a ballet dancer in the Swiss Alps.
Caulfield Preparatory is currently available at www.revolveclothing.com and at select Bloomingdale’s stores throughout the United States.
PRIZE PATROL!
I hate shaving. Even though I only do it three times a week (with an electric razor), I still hate it. I’m not exactly sure why – it’s just one of those things that I don’t like doing – I wish I could automatically retain the perfect amount of scruff from day to day (I think the scruff actually gives my face more definition than when I’m clean-shaven).
All that being said, I was extremely happy to hear that the shaving authorities from Anthony Logistics For Men launched a line called Shaveworks featuring a really cool product they christened The Cool Fix.
The Cool Fix is a gel lotion that fights ingrown hairs, razor burn irritation, redness and everyday common hair removal dramas. It features a clinical level of a potent moisturizer (Mediacalm Complex) that instantly soothes the skin and reduces redness on contact – plus it’s so gentle that it can be applied immediately after hair removal without the effect of burning or stinging!
Want to make your shaving routine a little less annoying like I did? E-mail us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with “Shaveworks” in the subject line and tell us in 100 words or less how many times a week you shave and whether or not you enjoy it. The first 10 entries (with a valid e-mail, home address and telephone number) will win a 5.3oz. bottle of The Cool Fix from Shaveworks - which retails for $25. Only one entry/winner per household please.
Can’t wait to find out if you’re a winner? Need your fix of The Cool Fix right now? Go to www.anthony.com and buy some today!
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