The Apple Watch & Fashion Design

Apple Watch – Watch Edition

If you’re one of the lucky few to have snagged an Apple watch by now, congratulations! These ultra stylish pieces of technology are flying off the shelves faster than bottled water on a hot day in the city. Last week, the Apple store in the Selfridges department store in Oxford, England held a special viewing session where potential buyers could try on a variety of faceplate and band combinations. Band colors ranged from bright neon green and blue sportswear, to classic leather, and luxurious silver and gold. The faceplate itself comes in styles similar to the iphone and ipad with the higher end models adorning 18K yellow and rose gold details. Unfortunately, Apple reserved the watches for online retail only, requiring customers to place their orders through the online Apple Store.

While the astonishing expensive 18K Gold model has received a bit of criticism prior to the watch’s release, the additional price points may provide affordable options for those in the market. The sport model can be purchased for approximately $400, the basic model for about $600, and the luxury “edition” line reaching up to a surprising $17,000. While the average Joe more than likely won’t pick up a $17,000 Apple watch, you have to admit, they’re extremely sleek and look good on the arm.

With wearable technology becoming a trend, fashion designers will be sure to incorporate items like the Apple Watch into upcoming season shows. Now might be a perfect time to update that Swatch watch for something a bit more cutting edge. Definitely looking forward to how this will play out.

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Men’s Fashion: Spring 2015

Spring is officially here! Although, with New York City’s stubborn low temperatures, it’s a bit difficult to tell. Regardless of how it currently feels outside, one should always be prepared. Here are two of the most noticeable Men’s 2015 spring fashion trends:

Classic Denim

Gentlemen, the days of layered denim are among us! As we reliving a 90’s nightmare, or is this truly a glimpse into the future? For not we can only speculate; however, regardless of your initial gut reaction, denim is here to stay. With warmer temperatures, cool colored denim is making it’s way out of the shadows. Not only are we talking denim jeans, but the revival of the denim jacket. A number of high end designers such as Prada, Saint Laurent, and Andrea Pompilio presented denim jacket clad models sporting styles ranging from the typical classic fit to the oversized and trench cut.

Recommendation: take full creativity with layering.  Push your denim jacket under larger, heavier coats. Or place your jacket over sweaters, t-shirts, and other shades of denim shirt.

Denim shirts have made a great comeback as well. Designer Tom Ford even suggests that denim has the potential to be the “new” formal fabric. Layered with suede or wool, he seems to make a compelling argument.

Bold Stripes

This season’s fashion show also features bold, statement stripes. Even formal wear saw a stripe overhaul as Gucci, E. Tautz, and J.W. Anderson set the tone for stripe trousers, button ups, and overcoats. The classic nautical red, white, and blue color scheme remains a staple as the warmer months approach. While stripes may be difficult to every man to pull off, the recommendation below can set you on your way:

Recommendation: Pair bold stripes with a solid, complementary jacket or block color bottoms.

These are only two of a number of upcoming spring fashion trends. Rest assured that as the days get warmer, we’ll see plenty of boat shoes and just-above-the-knee shorts.

 

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Transit Worker Rescued Dog on Track and Returned to Family

A small dog’s story could have had a horrible ending, but a transit worker saved the day and it a happy one.

Last week, a NYC transit worker rescued a little dog from the tracks that run underneath the city.

At the exact same time, a family who was missing their pet posted fliers around the city seeking for Byby, a poodle mix.  Byby was last seen the night of Feb. 9.

Fortunately a transit worker noticed the dog was living in a Bronx subway tunnel. Charles Gaston scooped her up despite her clumped fur and dirty appearance.  Afterwards she took her to the vet and groomer, and eventually made an Instagram account for the pup he named Delta.

Delta, turned out to be Byby, and on Tuesday, the family was reunited with their missing pup.

 

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Top 3 Free Family Attractions in NYC

Sometimes, you know the best things in life are free.  Here are three places that don’t requires cash or credit to enjoy:

1.  The Sony Wonder Technology Lab

The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a four-story, technology and entertainment museum for kids of all ages. Located in mid-town Manhattan, SWTL helps inspire creativity in an engaging and family-friendly learning environment.

2. Prospect Park

Come enjoy the natural beauty of this work of art.  This park which was created over a 30 year period in the late 1800s, is picturesque.  It features a natural forest, wetlands, and ice rink.

3. NYPL – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

The Children’s center on 42nd street features a large selection of informational books targeted to children’s educational and curricular needs.  In addition, there is a large collections of picture book stories, easy storybook, and novels for readers up to age twelve.  the library features collections of CDs, books on CD, and DVDs geared for children.  Seven computers offer internet access, as well as, a flat screen TV for gaming.

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Top 10 Places to Bring Your Kids in NYC

Manhattan might be an adult’s paradise, however, there are plenty of places to bring the kiddo-s.  Here are just a few spots you can check out this weekend with the little ones in tow.

10. Children’s Museum of Manhattan

This one’s perfect for the little ones: Many of this museum’s exhibits are perfect  for children ages six and under, including a new Dora the Explorer play area. With five floors of exciting exhibits, there’s plenty of fun for older kids, too, including the interactive “EatSleepPlay” exhibit.  212 W 83rd St between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway (212-721-1223, cmom.org)

9. Central Park

Let’s be honest, every kid, city kids included love to play in parks, and what better park then the big one! Central Park has plenty of kid-friendly attractions,which include an ice-skating rink/amusement park, Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre,the Egyptian-themed playground, the carousel, and plenty of workshops. What the park’s zoo lacks in giraffes and zebras  it makes up with the colorful birds and frogs in the rain-forest exhibit, the endlessly fascinating penguins and a separate petting zoo (see Tisch Children’s Zoo).. Between Fifth Ave and Central Park West from 59th St to 110th St (212-310-6600,centralparknyc.org)

8. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park is very different from Central park. The Pier 6 Playground has wonderfully landscaped play spaces, which include the Water Lab, a stone-strewn area with water underfoot to splash in, and Sand Village, a humongous sandbox with a molecular-looking climbing structure flanked by two long metal slides.WIth clean bathrooms, spots for fishing  a food court,and the newly-opened mutli-purpose sports fields at Pier 5, this park is perfection. From Jay St and John St to Atlantic Ave and Furman St, Brooklyn (718-222-9939, brooklynbridgepark.org)

7. Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch

One of the most exciting children’s rooms in New York is at Central Library—the institution at Grand Army Plaza that was built to look like an open book. The kids’ area on the ground floor has weekday visits for local schools. It also has a very cozy & carpeted room for story times.  This place is high tech with a dedicated, kids-only loft with computers,  10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-230-2100,brooklynpubliclibrary.org).

6. Brooklyn Museum

The beaux-arts building adjacent to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has art that will engage New Yorkers of all ages. The past several seasons have seen such kid-friendly exhibitions as “Murakami,” “Keith Haring: 1978-1982,” “Jean-Michel Othoniel: My Way” and now “Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui” grace its walls. T200 Eastern Pkwy at Washington Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-638-5000, brooklynmuseum.org)

4. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Upon its founding in 1899, the BCM was the first museum specifically made for children. Today it’s one of the best, with a permanent collection that includes musical instruments, masks, dolls and fossils, and a green building design. Kids have fun learning  at interactive exhibits like “World Brooklyn,” 145 Brooklyn Ave at St. Marks Ave (718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org)

3. Brooklyn Bridge

No  bridges can compare with the  double arches of the Brooklyn Bridge. On a sunny day, the walkway is the perfect span for a stroll, roughly 1 mile of views of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline and Ellis Island. If you start on the Manhattan side, you wind up in Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Park; start in Brooklyn and you can finish the day exploring the goodies at J&R Junior.  Enter at Cadman Plaza East near Prospect St, Dumbo, Brooklyn or at Centre 
St just south of Chambers St in Manhattan (nyc.gov)

2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Wooded trails, rose gardens and a Japanese hill-and-pond garden are far more garden-worthy than any other to date. And if nature alone doesn’t do it. the BBG also puts on some of the most colorful (fests in the city, from the Sakura Matsuri celebration to fall’s Chile Pepper Fiesta and Ghouls & Gourds festival. P900 Washington Ave at Classon Ave (718-623-7200)

1. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)

The BAMfamily program launched earlier this year. Many of the programs will take place at BAM Fisher, the first new performance spot added to the campus since 1987. Multiple venues in Fort Greene, Brooklyn (718-636-4100, bam.org)

 

 

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Mark Cohen: Best Places to Eat in NYC

New York City, as everyone knows, is full of all kinds of possibilities. But if there’s one thing you can bet on, it’s that the big apple has some of the most phenomenal restaurants in the world. So, if you find yourself in NYC with an appetite for some fine dining, here’s a list of a few of the best restaurants that will be worth your time, money, and will sure to fill your tastebuds with only the utmost of flavors.

First on this list, which probably won’t come as a surprise to you, is Le Bernardin, located in midtown and famous for it’s exquisite French seafood. Le Bernardin has been ranked number one on a variety of food and service honors in New York, including achieving the highest score for all New York restaurants in the Zagat Survey. Run by owner Maguy Le Coze and chef Eric Ripert, the menu is nothing short of amazing and has an impeccable wine list, which has glasses to go with each and any dish you decide on. Most customers don’t look at Le Bernardin as a place to get a really nice meal, but rather a place that has perfected the art of dining itself.

The next fine dining establishment on this list of top New York City restaurants is Jean-Georges, a French restaurant located on the west 60s. Jean-Georges is everything it’s built up to be, a fancy dining experience with an ethereal New French menu that’s full of unforgettable flavors. The staff is friendly and intelligent when it comes to the menu and can pinpoint the exact wines that should be paired with your meal. With a menu full of caviar, lobster tartine, caramelized foie gras, and muscovy duck breast (just to name a few), you will leave this restaurant with a feeling that you’ll never eat better in your life.

The third restaurant on this list is Peter Luger Steakhouse, located in the trendy Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. Founded in 1887, Peter Luger’s has been the king of steaks for as long as New Yorkers can remember, and luckily it’s just over the bridge so the commute for Manhattaners isn’t too far. You will never taste a better steak than Peter Luger’s, as they melt in your mouth with a crisp outer crust, Peter has perfected porterhouse and traditional cuts alike. Not to mention the atmosphere of the steakhouse makes you feel like you’re in a vintage beer-hall quarter that only existed back in the day. And, make sure you bring cash, because cards aren’t accepted, but after a steak that good you won’t mind.

Whether you’re a New Yorker or just in the city for a visit, you won’t regret going to any of these wonderful restaurants, just make sure you make a reservation because these heavenly tastes are desired by many. For more information on where to dine in New York City, check out Zagat.com, and happy eating!

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Mark Cohen – How To Buy A Suit Part 2

Fitting the suit properly
When you go shopping for suits, you should expect that the salesperson will take all your measurements: shoulders, neck, chest, sleeves, waist, and inseam.

If there are parts of the suit that doesn’t fit right, it can be altered. In some stores, alterations are gratis, and in some they charge.

How the suit should look
Here are some hints on how a properly fitted suit will fit.

The jacket should lie very smoothly over the shoulders and across the back.  It should look proportional to the physique it is covering. The length of your jacket should cover your entire butt. The back should end where your butt meets your leg.

Jacket sleeves should stop where your hands and wrists meet and show 1/2 inch of cuff. Make sure that the suit gives you free movement of your arms.

The collar should be snug to the back of the neck without  pulling or buckling. 1 half inch of your shirt collar should show.

Lapels should be able to flat to your chest and should never bunch.

Vents are the flap of cloth at the back of the jacket that covers your butt.  If you have a large butt, two vents are preferred; if you have a very flat backside, you can opt for no vents.

The Pants

The waistline should feel comfortable; make sure that are able to stick two fingers in the waist while you are wearing them. Suit pants are worn a higher than jeans, which are worn on the hip. Usually the waist of suit pants falls at or just below the navel.

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Mark Cohen – How To Buy A Suit Part 1

Buying a suit is one of the hardest clothing purchases a man can make.  It is so easy to look bad in a suit, and it doesn’t cost any extra to find a suit that flatters your body.  Here are a few things to look for when purchasing a suit for either business or for social events.

Fabric

If you find a suit that is too inexpensive to believe, you can be certain it is not made with 100% wool.  Wool allows you to breath because it is a natural fiber. In addition, wool travels well and is durable.  You may notice less expensive suits are made of polyester or a polyester blend.  Polyester has a distinct shiny look and only gets shiner with age.  If you need to keep your costs down, a poly blend might work, but it’s certainly not a good long term investment.

Style

For one of your first suits, it is best to purchase a classic and versatile basic single-breasted style.  This means all the jacket buttons are in front in a single row in comparison to a double-breasted suit. Single-breasted suit jackets come in several of styles, which include a classic two-button and a modern three- and four-button styles.

Cut
The cut is in reference to how a suit sits on your body. Suits types can be distilled into three basic cuts:

1. The American cut, which was first introduced by Brooks Brothers in 1895, features a boxy silhouette, straight lines, natural shoulders, flap pockets, and a single center vent in the jacket. This cut is a classic cut that is an appropriate choice for a first suit.

2. The British cut, which is more shaped than an American suit, has slightly pinched waist, double vents, higher armholes, padded shoulders, and flap-pockets.

3. The European cut aka Italian, which has a Sleek modern silhouette, padded shoulders, no vents, flap-less pockets, and tapered waist on the jacket.

Color

For one of your first suits, it is a good idea to stick with dark solids in colors like black, charcoal gray, or navy blue. If you are buying additional suits subtle patterns such as herringbone or pinstripes may be considered.

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