Elle Magazine Kazakhstan
Photography by : Djimi Williams
Stylist : Mickey Boom
Asst Stylist: Keiana Armani
Models : Alyda Grace & Annabelle Lyttle
Make up by: Valeria Kole
Floral Capes : Cultured Couture by Erik Honesty
Ken McFarlane, Erik & Erik II, Philadelphia, PA, from the series From the Root to the Fruit, 2016
Courtesy the artist
Courtesy the artist
1st Place: Ken McFarlane
“Despite the ongoing narrative that black men are absent from the home, I have intimate knowledge of a different narrative. My grandfather was in the home with my father. My father was in the home with me, and I am in the home with my son. I’ve known Erik, an entrepreneur and business owner in Philadelphia, for a number of years. When I met his son, Erik II, the reflection of father in son was so bright that I knew I had to add their reflections to my project From the Root to the Fruit. My mission was not to reimagine the black male, but to reclaim the image of the black male. We have the power to shape our own collective image in our own authentic reality. We can amplify our voices using images of strength, dignity, pride, and success to drown out the cacophony of negative imagery surrounding the black body.” —Ken McFarlane (@365ken)
Courtesy of Aperture.org
Courtesy of Aperture.org
- Photography by Ken Mcfarlane
2016 BEST MEN'S VINTAGE
Cultured Couture
It’s unexpected (weathered Louis Vuitton luggage, vintage Hermés ties — on Girard?),
unassuming (owner Erik Honesty knows everything about the history of menswear, but he’s never snobby or pushy),
and, when it comes to selection and style, unparalleled.
703 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Phillymag.com
Cultured Couture
It’s unexpected (weathered Louis Vuitton luggage, vintage Hermés ties — on Girard?),
unassuming (owner Erik Honesty knows everything about the history of menswear, but he’s never snobby or pushy),
and, when it comes to selection and style, unparalleled.
703 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Phillymag.com
THE NEW BLOOD: Erik Honesty
Owner, Cultured Couture Vintage, North Philly
In business for: Five years.
On fostering local talent: “We need to tap into the young designers and give them places to outlet their designs in the retail scene. There’s tons of talent in Philadelphia, but it can be difficult in terms of opportunities here. We need to plant more seeds from the ground up.”
On North Philly shopping: “The retail climate is really dynamic. You get all walks of life that come through, especially on Girard Avenue—people passing through or who have lived there for years.”
What Philly’s retail scene needs: “More entrepreneurs, small businesses and boutiques, to help retail flourish. We need more energy and some more edgy styles. Bring some things here that you can only get in Philly, not us getting the watered-down version of a bigger brand.”
Words of wisdom: “It gets to a point where you get past the excitement of having a business. Every day you have to reinvent yourself in some small way to keep it thriving.”
Owner, Cultured Couture Vintage, North Philly
In business for: Five years.
On fostering local talent: “We need to tap into the young designers and give them places to outlet their designs in the retail scene. There’s tons of talent in Philadelphia, but it can be difficult in terms of opportunities here. We need to plant more seeds from the ground up.”
On North Philly shopping: “The retail climate is really dynamic. You get all walks of life that come through, especially on Girard Avenue—people passing through or who have lived there for years.”
What Philly’s retail scene needs: “More entrepreneurs, small businesses and boutiques, to help retail flourish. We need more energy and some more edgy styles. Bring some things here that you can only get in Philly, not us getting the watered-down version of a bigger brand.”
Words of wisdom: “It gets to a point where you get past the excitement of having a business. Every day you have to reinvent yourself in some small way to keep it thriving.”
Cultured Couture Vintage
703 West Girard Avenue, North Philly
Erik Honesty’s boutique is the retail equivalent of a speakeasy: a dull oatmeal exterior on a seemingly boutique-barren stretch of Girard that — surprise! — conceals a natty gentlemen’s shop, lined with an impressive array of vintage Louis Vuitton trunks and luggage.
The vibe: The living room of your very dapper uncle — vintage Chesterfield sofa, chess table, fox-fur blanket, framed Hermès scarves, art books and jazz music included.
Go here for: Vintage menswear and accessories, with a heavy focus on Ralph Lauren equestrianism and Louis Vuitton opulence.
Standouts: A bevy of Easter-egg-hued blazers, including a cream Givenchy and a butter-yellow linen Valentino.
Hidden treasures: Ask to see Honesty’s trunk of vintage Hermès ties; most are $125, and all are in great condition.
703 West Girard Avenue, North Philly
Erik Honesty’s boutique is the retail equivalent of a speakeasy: a dull oatmeal exterior on a seemingly boutique-barren stretch of Girard that — surprise! — conceals a natty gentlemen’s shop, lined with an impressive array of vintage Louis Vuitton trunks and luggage.
The vibe: The living room of your very dapper uncle — vintage Chesterfield sofa, chess table, fox-fur blanket, framed Hermès scarves, art books and jazz music included.
Go here for: Vintage menswear and accessories, with a heavy focus on Ralph Lauren equestrianism and Louis Vuitton opulence.
Standouts: A bevy of Easter-egg-hued blazers, including a cream Givenchy and a butter-yellow linen Valentino.
Hidden treasures: Ask to see Honesty’s trunk of vintage Hermès ties; most are $125, and all are in great condition.
As I was doing research for our new collection I stumbled upon some interesting discoveries. While researching Paris and the artist community during the belle époque era I saw a picture of a African- American gentleman of that time wearing what seemed to be riding apparel. I enlarged the photo and was intrigued not only because of the equestrian reference but also because he was a African -American jockey . As I began to read and view photographs my research headed in a different direction. I started to find images of black jockeys during the 1800’s in elegant satin uniforms, white trousers and leather riding boots, and their stories were just as interesting. The Kentucky derby started in 1875, 13 out of the 15 riders were African american and blacks won the first 15 derby’s during this time. However, through segregation and the introduction of Jim crow law African -Americans were banned from the sport and almost written out of history. Many black riders accumulated great wealth from winning races, some jockeys even went as far as Europe to race.
to be continued…
to be continued…
"THE THOROUGHBRED” fig 1
BY RAOUL DUFY
CIRCA:1940
BY RAOUL DUFY
CIRCA:1940
"THE THOROUGHBRED” fig 1
BY RAOUL DUFY
CIRCA:1940
HERMES fig 2
POLO DE BAGATELLE
BY JEAN LOUIS CLERC
CIRCA: 1955
During the 1950s an artist by the name of Jean Louis Clerc was commissioned to do work for Hermes. Clerc produced many scarfs for the Hermes company. In 1955 he created a scarf entitled grand Prix polo de bagatelle. We acquired one of the scarfs and began to research the artist. It is always interesting how things are interconnected. About two years ago I received a book by the french artist Raoul Dufy whom was a part of the fauvism movement during the turn of the 20th century.I was intrigued by his work and instantly thought it reminded me of an Hermes scarf. Dufy painted numerous equestrian water color and oil pieces. My assumption was not far fetched because as I researched more about Jean Louis Clerc I discovered that he was inspired by the works of Raoul Dufy. Art, craftsmanship, and imagination are all elements that exist on an infinite plane of creation and recreation, (thus) promising everything that has been created no matter how innovative it may seem, has been done before. We as artists must allow ourselves to follow the inspiration that connects directly with our spirit and interpret the world through our eyes and experiences.
BY RAOUL DUFY
CIRCA:1940
HERMES fig 2
POLO DE BAGATELLE
BY JEAN LOUIS CLERC
CIRCA: 1955
During the 1950s an artist by the name of Jean Louis Clerc was commissioned to do work for Hermes. Clerc produced many scarfs for the Hermes company. In 1955 he created a scarf entitled grand Prix polo de bagatelle. We acquired one of the scarfs and began to research the artist. It is always interesting how things are interconnected. About two years ago I received a book by the french artist Raoul Dufy whom was a part of the fauvism movement during the turn of the 20th century.I was intrigued by his work and instantly thought it reminded me of an Hermes scarf. Dufy painted numerous equestrian water color and oil pieces. My assumption was not far fetched because as I researched more about Jean Louis Clerc I discovered that he was inspired by the works of Raoul Dufy. Art, craftsmanship, and imagination are all elements that exist on an infinite plane of creation and recreation, (thus) promising everything that has been created no matter how innovative it may seem, has been done before. We as artists must allow ourselves to follow the inspiration that connects directly with our spirit and interpret the world through our eyes and experiences.
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