The Happening: Terry Richardson to Tie The Knot

One of my favorite photographers, Terry Richardson, the man behind provocative pictures like this, this, and this, is getting married. For years, he's been taking snaps of beautiful women (usually loaded with sexual innuendo) and as luck would have it, he'll soon be spending the rest of his life with a stunner 20 years his junior named Jen Brill. How the man does it is the stuff of legend. Well, congrats, you lucky bastard! You're proof that some guys do have all the fun!

Can't wait for the honeymoon pictures, you two!

Photos courtesy of Trend Land

The Happening: Disasters at the Star Magic Ball

I've always been frustrated by the fact that local celebrities get all this money/free stuff and yet still fail to bring their style game to another level. It's one thing to look blah during the weekly ASAPs or the SOPs, but when you're going to a ball, you better make damn sure to look your finest.

Well, I guess most of the ABS-CBN male talents didn't get the memo. I mean, they tried to suit up at the annual Star Magic Ball, but all they did was bastardize the recommended approach to black tie events (Stick to the friggin' classics!). It wasn't the Preview Best Dressed Ball, that's for sure. What it was was an unfortunate mix of guys trying too hard, not trying at all, and some just thinking "what the hell, this might work."

It didn't though. And once again, I am left scratching my head quite vigorously, thinking why men try to complicate things too much when it comes to fashion. One more time to those who just don't want to listen, stick to the classics and looking good will be as easy as acting craptastically in a teleserye! Yes, it's that easy!

I'm all for innovation, but this, for suits? Come on!

Table for two, please. Oh, can I get some house water too?

A little overboard with the pattern there, Mr. Cuenca?

If he's here, then who's guarding the door?

Really, three lapels in one suit? Mr. Milby sure packed it in!

I had no idea Captain Jack Sparrow was a Kapamilya!

It wasn't all bad, though. I actually liked the outfits of John Lloyd Cruz (who just recovered from a style hiccup) and Piolo Pascual who both rocked bow ties (go figure). I have to say that I'm not a fan of Piolo's style, but on this night, he killed it. I gotta give credit where it is sure damn well due. Congrats, you handsome dog.

This was flawless. Kudos, Mr. Pascual!

The air socks were a fine touch. Welcome back, JLC!

Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN

The Rundown

• A Band Apart: Finally, somebody who shares my love for Band of Outsiders and their wonderful model selection process. {Offbeat Collective}
  

• Three's a Company: Trilogy and the 2 GreyOne Social outlets are having their final sale of the year starting tomorrow. Yes, a threesome I can take part in! {Beautiful Things}

• Going Down: Ant made a case for drop crotch pants for men. A convincing argument, but we're all waiting for the pictures, man! {Alphabetical}

• The Look or Less: Go-sees for the models who want to be in the Philippine Fashion Week SS 2010 shows are happening this Sunday. Uhm, is there a "normal guy look" category? {Runway 2 Reality}

• The Big 4-O: Gap celebrated its 40th by releasing their 1969 Premium Jeans. I guess what they say about life just beginning at 40 is true; the brand's never looked better. {Chuvaness}

The Item: Thom Browne x Samsonite Black Label Attache Briefcase

Today in ridiculously expensive stuff news, I give you Samsonite Black Label's newest collaborative effort with top-designer-of-the-moment Thom Browne. An attache briefcase with that same mix of the neutral tones and wacky details that has become Mr. Browne's signature, this is yet another reason to bring your work with you wherever you go. Or at least you can pretend to do so. Don't worry, you "hard worker", you; our little secret!

Serious on the outside, sweet stripes on the inside!

All topped off with the interesting stitching pattern next to Mr. Browne's name

Photos courtesy of Selectism

The Art: Kanye West's All Falls Down

This video may be ancient, but I'd like to share you all the very first song that made me notice a lil' rapper named Kanye West. Before the sneakers, before the front row fashion week seats, was "All Falls Down" - Yeezy's musings about materialism of others and blatantly, his own. His sick wordplay ("Couldn't afford a car, so she named her daughter Alexis (A Lexus)!") and this freshly creative video was what first drew me to Mr. West's work. And the rest, they say, is history.

The Item: The Pea Coat

With the so-called "ber" months kicking in, I can't help but think of fall and the many splendid outfits one could wear in countries that actually experience it. Above all, though, the one thing I always associate with the season is the pea coat, one of my favorite pieces but alas, none but a dream to wear in this goddamn tropical country of ours.

A perfectly tailored pea coat gives a unique blend of attitude and class

I mean, just look at it. You could be wearing nothing but a plain shirt under it and yet it immediately gives you that muted power statement we all so secretly desire. I was so crazy about 'em that I actually thought about buying a wool one before in the States. I could just visualize how good it would look on me, but then reality intervened. The fact is, I'd look cool for only about five minutes before them sweat glands do their thing here in Manila. Well, let's just say it ain't gonna be pretty!

Looking at that beautiful gray number makes me even sadder. Sheesh.

And so, just like the sweet Ferrari I saw parked in Serendra the other day, all I could do now is admire them pea coats from afar, wishing that one day, one day, I'd be able to wear 'em without even breaking a sweat. Heck, with all the crazy weather we're having, that day may come sooner than anybody expects!

Photos courtesy of The Sartorialist and Hypebeast