Tweed, Toques, and Ties: A Roomful of Inspiration
January 25, 2010

I picked up my vibrating Blackberry last week to see that Ouigi, otherwise known as, "The Bearded Man" from the Brooklyn Circus, had sent me a short message asking whether I'd like to participate in a "round table discussion" at the BK Circus for the following week. Feeling myself slightly that Ouigi would even considered me for such a thing, my fingers flew across the phone's keys as I replied that I'd be there without a doubt. Today being the day after the Roundtable discussion, I can safely say that picking up my phone last week and heading into Brooklyn was probably the best decision I've made since my ceiling became a floral fantasy. Fast forward to last night. I hopped onto the steel chariot known as the 3 train from Penn Station, tripped, fell, and landed in an Alice in Wonderland-esq landscape of sartorial excellence run rampant with bow ties, saddle shoes, and top hats as far as the eye of a Digital SLR could see.

First of all let me start by saying that when Ouigi and the Brooklyn Circus extend an invitation, everyone answers. And I don't mean they simply show up. No, no, not at all. That would be far too easy. They answer the call as much with their clothing as they do with their presence.

Sitting around in my own somewhat absurd ensemble of clothing, I somehow managed to feel underdressed in a room full of men who probably paid more attention to their pocket squares and socks for the night than the average human being pays to their entire closet in a week. Make no mistake about it, assembled in the room were individuals who have elevated clothing from mere garments into vehicles of communication, careers, and stop you in your tracks what-is-this-guy-wearing compilations.

The beautiful thing about the Circus is not just the effortless style that is brought to the table. The style thing comes natural to these blokes like playing quarterback in the Manning family-no stress. What's incredible is the depth of conversation, intelligence, and personality all housed underneath one roof. Only across the room sat a creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren, celebrity stylists, renowned fashion bloggers, and owners of incredible retail shops. Let's also not forget the next generation of the movement in the form of more then a few of us under twenty-five kids all doing our own respective things in one way or another.

Not to mention that the entire shenanigans was being hosted by current editor of Global Grind, and one time editor of KING and Vibe, Datwon Thomas. Greatness in the room? Without a doubt.

More than just greatness abounded though. It's almost hard to describe. A physical movement was taking place last Saturday. The embodiment of something greater, something more tangible than just a discourse on the future of men's style. Within the floor to ceiling glass door, and surrounded by cotton blends of a most grand sort, was a meeting of minds more reminiscent of sixties counter-culture movements than anything else. And while it is obvious that I was born nowhere near close to even reference anything that happened in the sixites, throw these images under a few Photoshop layers and change them to black and white and I would be willing to bet that they are a well dressed version of similar images from deep in the archive of movements in their early stages. (Granted there are a few more haircuts in our pictures.)

Picture courtesy of The Brooklyn Circus.
Now I realize that for many of my readers, oxford shirts, skinny ties, and dress shoes for causal occasion may be something not at all appealing. We're the generation of Yeezy's, Jordan III's and the 5950 New Era fitted right? Am I asking you to throw all of that away and start aspiring to a style of dress akin to Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes? Not in the least. In fact, I can relate to some degree. I'm much more of a bad neon colored bathing suit and dirty Vans sort of person myself, but you have to be able to appreciate the growth and evolution in style that Brooklyn Circus represents.

The first movers, early adapters, and those who push the boundaries are always questioned. Remember that it is these people that make it possible for you to do what you now consider common place. The famous and heralded gather their inspiration from the people in the streets, and those sort of people were sitting across from me in a tightly packed corner space in Brooklyn only a few nights ago.

Though the direction and topics of discussion that took place that night will remain within the walls of the Brooklyn Circus, I can say without doubt that surrounding yourself with like minded ambitious individuals is of the utmost importance when trying to accomplish anything of worth. Always make sure you're sharing your dreams and visions with people who share the same aspirations as yourself. People who will push you to better yourself and your dreams in every possible way.

Kohji and the good brother Bev observe from the sidelines.

I'm continually amazed by how artfully the BKC is able to assemble amazing casts of characters at the drop of a rope braided-grey suede-feather adorned hat. (Sorry Bev, I had to.) Enormous props must go to Ouigi and Gabe of the Brooklyn Circus who organized the event, as well as Datwon Thomas for a great job in leading a discussion that easily could have gone on well into the wee hours of the morning without anyone noticing.

Make no mistake about it, the electricity of the promise of the future was jumping from body to body that night, and inspiration literally seemed to be seeping through every possible crack and perfectly placed book and belt in the store. The ideas and aspirations birthed from that night will come to fruition before your eyes sooner than later. Starting a decade off in this manner quite literally never looked better.

Read The Brooklyn Circus for continued coverage and more photographs. Big ups to Luke for the pictures taken here.

Stay Safe-Phil.