I didn’t discover Dennis Wilson’s solo album Pacific Ocean Blue until it was re-released in 2008. I was floored by its lush arrangements, by its bare bones lyrical narrative, and most of all by some serious introspection from the Beach Boy I’d come to know as the party boy, the one who actually surfed. Drummer Dennis had some soul.
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I often tell people that I grew up in a store. Truth is, my mom just really liked to shop. A lot. In addition to learning how to play the opening sax solo from Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page,” and how to throw the perfect spiral, and how to swim the butterfly effortlessly, thanks to my mom, putting in the hours when we were little, I really learned how to shop.
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Playing on the subtitle of one of Cameron Crowe’s better movies, To Know Joe Gannon is to Love Joe Gannon. The man is the rock star of Capital G Generosity, he’s a loving husband and father, and he exaggerates when he speaks of his shortcomings. On top of all this, from a small town in Delaware, he’s able to reflect more of the pure and genuine style I so admire than the majority of the Brooklynites, Los Angelenos, or Chicagoans I know. Joe and I met a little over a year ago, through mutual friends, and we’ve maintained contact, talking almost every day. In the last year, I’ve come to know him to be, as mentioned, extremely kind; he’s the most knowledgeable guy in the room on a myriad of subjects (Just drive around with him for a day, and watch as he pinpoints year, make, and model of every classic car he passes), and he’s really funny. He’s the Ari Fleischer of Twitter politics. All this is to say, he’s way ahead of the game. Comparing his Father’s Day post with this one for Mother’s Day, it’s clear he’s as much his mother’s son as he is his father’s. A more well-rounded man, I’ve yet to meet. Thank you, Joe, for your friendship.
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Pulling up in his boss’ off-white, beat-to-hell Range Rover (Seriously, the driver’s side front door opened with a coat hanger, and the car’s ignition is started by paper clip), I knew Ian Leach, buyer and shopkeep for Nashville’s Imogene + Willie, was good people. Having recently spent some time with him, I can tell you that he’s incredibly well-versed in the classics, and if his ornery, vintage American Optical prescription safety glasses are any indication, he has a deep appreciation for old, good things. Sounds like he learned from a master. Expect great things to come from this young man. In the meantime, check the I+W blog for Ian’s updates as to his whereabouts and current sartorial hang-ups.
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Daniel Cummings, men’s buyer for Standard Style in Kansas City, offered to write this after we had a conversation about our parents. Having only known Daniel a short time, I can already tell we’ll be friends for life. He’s an example of the kind of man I am working to become. He’s a humble, confident man. He’s a great husband to his wife, Hattie. Oh, and he’s three years younger than me.
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I can always tell when the younger half of the brain trust that is Billykirk, Kirk Bray, is coming my way. His long gait, his signature frames, and his smile, wide as Tennessee, bound towards me, always ready with a firm handshake and a story that will have me on the floor. Kirk is the type of guy who can’t help but endear himself to everyone he meets. With the lessons gleaned from his mother, he could open a charm school.
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I speak often of my heroes, and I count Mr. Coggins among them. He’s too humble to admit it, but the man is a great writer. And he has excellent taste. And in our various encounters, he’s exemplified decency, a lesson he learned from his mother, Wendy.
The Editor in Chief. The Big Kahuna. The Brain. Cory Ohlendorf is a leader. While other online-only men’s magazines exist, Valet is the best. Without question. I visit it on a regular basis (see: daily, sometimes hourly), and I wonder to myself, “How did he do this?” While the too-big-to-fail mainstream glossies are slowly embracing this thing called Web 2.0, Cory and company have been at it forever.
It’s one thing to create the first electronic men’s interest magazine; it’s another thing entirely to consistently provide tasteful, approachable, and yes, trendy reportage on all things happening in a man’s world. Cory’s multitude of interests and passions speaks to that. His is a testament to a Midwestern upbringing, growing up with parents who instilled in him the desire to seek the unique in the everyday, to seek out the quality in all life’s experiences. It’s with great pleasure I share his words here on all plaidout.
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His ten engines always revving, this fantastic Fox brings the heat like no one can. The only word to describe him is inimitable. I’ve said it before, but his is the most impressive display of personal style. He can’t help it. Always original. Always a wild animal. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. James Fox.
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Because of the overwhelming response to last June’s series Things My Father Taught Me, I thought it only right to devote this week to Mothers. I’ve invited some of my more stylish friends and my favorite writers to share a few words on how their moms have influenced their style.
Up first, Mr. Walker Lamond, author of the bestselling book Rules for My Unborn Son. Be certain to visit the blog that started it all.
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