Growing up, the ‘preppy’ look always inspired me. It was smart, timeless, and safe. I grew up in a Creole family on the south side of Chicago, so I’ve always known style. And never knowing if wearing a particular color would get me into something I have no part in, so I leaned into neutrals colors, sweaters, and boat shoes. –I figured it’s better being called “Mr. Rogers” than in the middle neighborhood politics. Ivy became my armor–it helped me navigate my surrounding and allowed me to find freedom in clothing. I wasn’t well-versed in terms of trends or even brand recognition–I just wanted to look and feel cool. 

Last night, AJOVAN reminded us what it’s like to believe in fairytales. In the Newly renovated Underground Cocktail Club, we were greeted with a soft interior color palette, plush seating, and the appropriate amount of dramatics. AJOVAN’s collection, LONGING, encapsulated us and helped us feel something meaningful.

Two years ago, Cale Darrell opened the [virtual] doors of his new concept, Good Form. Good Form was new two years ago, but Darrell has navigated the menswear space well before then. While scrolling through his Etsy shop or even his Instagram feed, there’s a keen sense of intentionality, care, and curation. The first thing I noticed about his work was a consistent visual aesthetic. His clean lines and minimalist approach to documenting the garments excited me — I wanted to purchase everything I saw.

On any given day, you’ll find me in my Lululemon shorts, sweatpants, white pocket tee, and Boston Soft Footbed clogs – Thank Allah for comfort.

Ethan M. Wong is a writer and photographer who happens to be a menswear obsessive. Dedicated to discussing contemporary and vintage clothing in an accessible way, he's known for his in-depth essays on specific garments, a candid approach to photography, and for co-hosting Style & Direction, a menswear podcast and stream without the stuffiness.

Loungewear, for much of its existence, has been inseparable from the beginnings and endings of the day. It’s what we put on after stripping off our day, bearing us in and out of sleep. But leisure is a strange, ever-shifting landscape, and it has led menswear to places that are sometimes strange and often beautiful.

A thrift shop is, in many ways, a maze to be passed through methodically, a puzzle requiring an hour, if not more, of your time. And from that puzzle-box comes the thrill of true discovery, an aesthetic enjoyment not beholden to seasonal release schedules or carefully-designed consumer algorithms.

the STOLEN GARMENT FW21 collection <Lost in Translation> was inspired by the designer’s trip to a used bookstore in Seoul with his friends. Browsing the dusty book section of the store, the designer was inspired by the tragic poignancy of each word that made up the titles of these books, most of which were published in 90s.

KoH T is a Japanese fashion brand with a creative team that embodies Japanese sensibilities. With an aim to create timeless wardrobe essentials, with an emphasis on the wearer’s personality, KoH T presents a collection that’s both progressive yet a revival of tradition. KoH T, helmed by Creative Director Taisuke Kohji and design partner Yumiko Ozawa, hopes to establish themselves as narrators of the story telling behind the careful construction of garments.

Through The Looking Glass, KA WA KEY FW21 collection observes the duality of the imagination and reality inspired by larger than life characters and their dual personalities. Characters like Willy Wonka, Moira Rose, Peter Pan, Mad Hatter just a few to mention.