Showing posts with label Marc Antoine Barrois. bespoke fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marc Antoine Barrois. bespoke fashion. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Why Don't You? 2015 style



This series is dedicated to Diana Vreeland and how she came to the world’s attention followed by eternal admiration.  While the suggestions might not be as outrageous or imaginative, these articles will have one unified theme and that is the gift giving season of 2015.


Today it is about those silent signals that one emits when they assemble themselves for “public consumption” so to speak. Today is about transmitting something, an indication of who you are and what your standards may be when it comes to fashion and style when you are in view of others. These signals are not always flashy or highly noticeable or even recognizable but what they do is scream chic and tasteful to those savvy enough to spot them .Colleagues and resources from around the world have sent me their ideas of what would make a great gift for a friend, a dear one or even yourself. The selections cover everything from commissioned artwork to handbags to collectibles to fine jewelry to scent and even personal styling sessions for men and women.  All of them are accessible online, at brick and mortar establishments or by phone so shop on!


With the Festival of Lights (Chanukah) already under way and Christmas just around the corner, let the games begin and my question to you is “Why don’t you?”

·          
h   Why don’t you surround a loved one’s wrist with precious stones executed upon the exotic stingray leather cuff from Shiroiy Darius Cama or maybe drape the neck of your significant other with a statement making bib suitable for a Maharani or a Marquessa? Make her the center of attention and hopefully she will tell anyone who will listen that you bestowed such beauty on her. Find him and his creations on Facebook or inquire at gmsandjewls@aol.com







·       Why don’t you link up with a significant other?  The possibilities for satisfying the sartorial needs of a Fran Leibowitz or even a David Beckham might be sourced through Pedro Boregaard. You may grow oaks from acorns and politely tell someone to screw themselves, in sterling silver of course but the kid in you is always ready for an Easter egg hunt and what  a prize you would find when one of these is waiting for your discovery.  And, let’s not forget the plethora of choices when it comes to stacking rings right up to the first knuckle!  Find Pedro at 101 Main Street in Narrowsburg, NY or www.boregaard.com






·       Why don’t you do something politically correct as well as chic as hell? You might want to purchase a Scotstyle braided elephant hair bracelet (remember Hunting World) with choices of either sterling or rose, white and yellow gold closures and for those who rank very high on your list, there is platinum as well. Now, the PC part is that a substantial portion of your purchase goes to combat poaching (www.tusk.org) and that’s Prince Willie’s fave these days, so in essence your purchase will be a charitable contribution and now isn’t that just too divine for words at this time of year. For further information contact Scott at SRnelson61@msn.com





·       Why don’t you offer your lover a chance to own a piece of haute couture? Well for men that is, but Marc -Antoine Barrios might be convinced to whip something up for your lady friend as well if asked nicely and BTW, he does sublime white shirts as well. Not only does he do la nouvelle couture but he also offers a range of items that are for all of your friends and lovers. For instance who wouldn’t want his version of the MAB ID bracelet rendered in gold or sterling with 21st century understated chic. Well, kids it surely will be clear who has chic and who doesn’t, after all diamonds aren’t always befitting the wearer. Find him and his collections at 6 Rue de Budapest in Paris 75009 or www.marcantoinebarrois.com





·       Why don’t you purchase an amazing piece of either fine jewelry or fashion jewelry from that up and coming designer Rodrigo Otazu. Yes dear ones, he is all over the world these days but calls his home New York City. The rose gold pieces are particularly au courant as well as rings, bracelets and necklaces of every conceivable configuration. If you are able to reach him directly you might want to ask about his latest venture which is haute couture but don’t tell anyone I told you that. Contact him at Rodrigo@rodrigonewyork.com for further details.






·       Why don’t you bestow some uber luxury on yourself or your honey? And by uber luxe we speak of mink and Russian sable. Well of course you know that sable is to fur what a tiara is to jewelry. It just doesn’t get any better especially when they are given the 21st century star treatment by none other than the uber fab Norman Ambrose, he of the super exquisite couture like apparel. If that’s not enough then you add in the fact that these and others are reavailable at the showroom of legendary Alixandre furs and well, by god it’s a love match if there ever was one. So if you are on the hunt for that extra extravagantly and guaranteed to be well received gift, then you need to contact Alixandre Furs at 150 west 30th Street in NYC or call 212-736-5550 to set up your appointment. By the way, this is a silent signal that does nothing short of screech. Tu comprends mes amours?


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Marc-Antoine Barrois.... The Men's Couturier



For the sartorially inclined there are two terms that are the “high-water mark” in the world of made to measure fashion. They are haute couture, if one is of the female persuasion, and bespoke, if one wears a suit as their uniform of choice. The fact is simply that it is just a matter of semantics and habit that each euphemism is applied in these particular ways. The meanings are very much the same as they both “say” custom made and both speak to the aspects of being made by hand and customized to a specific client.

Today is about a young gentleman who uses the terminology in a most 21st century manner as he has labeled his body of work/collection and profession as Couturier for Men.  The clothes are of the most modern yet fabled designs and utilize all the textbook methods of the art but Marc-Antoine Barrois has massaged them in the most contemporary of ways that befit the most discerning of clientele.


It only makes sense that this treasure can be found in the home of Haute Couture.  Have a look at what an “haute couturier” has to say about fashion and life!

1-What is the most treasured possession in your wardrobe?

Some of my first collections …  vintage garments despite I am not wearing it anymore.

2-What is your most sterling trait and what trait do you treasure most in your friendships?

I am enthusiastic and curious

3-What is your bliss?

I love so much when a client is happy to wear his own suit for the first time and so sad when he doesn’t show happiness… I hope the day one is disappointed he would tell me!

4-What is your guilty secret?

Cheese ;-)

5-Where is your ideal home?

I love Paris and could live there forever as long as I keep traveling a lot. It is the perfect center of my world!

6-If you could not be a designer, what would you be

I admire talents I don’t have: I would have dreamt of being a ballet dancer or a pianist!

7-What is on your bedside table right now?

Antoine de Saint Exupery’s book “The Little Prince”. It’s always been with me, it’s my favorite book!


8-What do you wear to bed?

Kelly Calèche of Hermès

9-What if any, book are you reading now or last read?

I am between two at the moment. First is Honoré de Balzac’s “traité of Elegance” that a Canadian friend offered to me. It is really interesting. Second is my friend’s Jacqueline Pitchal roman “Mister Maybe” about improbable jet-set love story between Paris and Palm Beach…

10-What’s your advice to the “newcomer?”

Dream it, believe in it and work hard to make it happen!

11-Who or what is your inspiration/style icon?

Cary Grant in “Catch a Thief” – James Bond in most circumstances – Robert Redford as Gatsby ;-) Thought at first I have always been impressed by my grandfather’s style, really elegant, looking alike Hubert de Givenchy.

12-What is the best advice you ever received?

In my life I am acting like a sponge, taking all advices and each one is important, from my 73 years old tailor who gives me tips or Hermès’ executive officer who tells me what I should take care for the coherence of my projects to my family or friends’ advices. 

13-In 3 words or less, describe the current state of fashion.

In process

14-If you were a retailer; would you wear your own designs or shop in your own store? or where would you shop?

I love dark blue shirts& T-shirts so wherever I see one I like I buy it…

15-If you won a $200,000,000 power ball (lottery), what is the first thing you would buy or do?

I would invest $200,000,000 in my house of fashion!

16-If you could invite up to 4 people for dinner, who would they be…dead or alive?

Part of me would love a family dinner with ones I loved who are not in our world anymore but I am mostly looking towards life and would consider a dinner with Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, Steve Sadove (Saks dept. stores’ CEO) and Larry Gagosian (Contemporary art dealer & gallery owner) to explain them my history /DNA and ask them for their advices and help.

17-What is your favorite movie /or movie star?

Mary Poppins… I’ve always loved the idea to jump in a drawing and to experience any imaginary world.

18-What is the one thing you would change about yourself?

I encourage everyone to accept themselves as they are so I would change nothing… Thought with a magic wand I would make time goes by slower.

19-Whose opinion do you value most?

My opinion, my instinct or my emotions

20-What store or which designer do you most like to shop in or wear?

As I don’t have one favorite brand, I prefer concept stores with a multi brands selection like Colette.

21-What’s your take on magazines, books versus the internet?

I love paper magazines and often reproach internet for not producing their own editorials.  In my mind, the best would be a website publishing exclusive editorials and interviews/portraits every days or week and asking its readers to vote for their favorite ones that would be printed once a year in a special luxury paper issue.

22-Do you have a dream collaborator?

Personne!

23-If you could choose anyone as a client who would that be and why?

When I started doing couture for men I thought about Elton John because I would not have to channel my creativity. Today I would dream of making Cannes and Oscar’s ceremonies tuxedos for any actor or actress who would consider my work of unique pieces made to measure specially for them.

24-What’s your music library like?

Mostly classical music. I love Chopin and my favorite tubes are Brahms’ “Hungarian dances”.

25-What and where is your favorite meal?

At home when I host a dinner with friends… I love to make people I like meet each other despite their differences. I truly love crepes but my friends are getting bored of it… so I cook sauce dishes from the north of France where I am from. 
www.marcantoinebarrois.com