The Trendspotters

“There aren’t enough unique menswear stores in downtown Manhatttan. THECAST’s new store at 119 Ludlow Street opened its doors on December 1. Guys now have somewhere to see our full menswear collection and accessories as well as a choice selection of shoes, books and collectibles.” — Chuck

“Sahra Motalebi is a great NYC-based songstress and an awesome performer. Outrageous. Tough. Sexy. I caught her on her way to the opera and took this photo sometime after dark.” — Chuck

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“This is the Other Music section within the Opening Ceremony store in LA. Other Music is known as the most comprehensive and well-stocked independent record store in New York City. I was excited to see that they had teamed up with OC to bring a selection of musicians widely known in these parts out to LA.” — Chuck

“This ain’t your standard rental tux accessory. When the invite reads ‘Black Tie’ it’s time to figure out ways to keep the costume in step with who you are and how you want to be seen. As proof, I’d say the Timo Weiland (pictured), who designed this soft gold satin tie, figured it out just fine.” — Ryan

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“Many will say: your wardrobe should be equal parts new and old. These lace up boots were made by man and perfected by time—choice for crisp fall weekend strolls through the city. They are the harmonious marriage of decadence and decay. There’s a pair for you, for sale, on some dusty blanket in a flea market somewhere, waiting.” — Ryan

“I’ve always been a fan of Obedient Sons: smart, crafty and incredibly well made. So when I spotted this woman wearing Daughters I was reminded of the cold hard fact that most of the creative types I find myself looking up to these days are always one step ahead of the curve. The work: finely tailored. The silhouette: slim and slender. The end result: something you better be seen in soon.” — Ryan

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“Although this twist has been practiced since the 40s, it’s only been recently that New York kids have started ordering beer with sauce on the side. The original involves Worcestershire sauce and lime. The domestic variation involves cheap beer, Tobasco, lots of lime and salt. Directions: spice it up to your heart’s content, juice half a lime, top off with a healthy pinch of salt and shout at the Devil. Perfect for hot summer scorching afternoons and blizzard white outs alike.” — Ryan

“Daniel is the lead singer of Preacher and the Knife. He’s a well-dressed soft-spoken man off stage. Don’t let this fool you. The energy he possesses will make your eyes and ears bleed (in an ‘oh so good’ type of way) when he’s on stage. Tom Waits meets an out-of-control Ian Curtis.” — Chuck

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“Everyone from your average downtown penniless pauper to your average mogul rap superstar is leaning towards the ever so sleek suit. Why? Because suits are sharp ace. Now that enough designers have nailed the tapered fit, we all have something to work with. Individuality has always been the name of the game and this is the award winning way to set yourself apart from the crowd.” — Ryan

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“Secret Service: Appointment only-only menswear store in downtown Los Angeles. This is private shopping with nobody to bother you while you enjoy your previously selected tunes, cocktails and cuisine. I’d say these guys know how to treat their customer like they’re nothing short of royalty. Pretty sweet gig.” — Chuck

“This is the owner/designer behind womenswear label LORICK. Her collection has a very classic look. It reminds me of the clothes worn by some of the beautiful women photographed by Richard Avedon back in the 50s. Abigail is also the ‘designer behind the designer’ of Gossip Girl’s Eleanor Waldorf.” — Chuck

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“This is the Parlor Mob. Rock ’n roll like we’ve forgotten it to be. No gimmicks, no silly costumes, no bells and whistles – real deal rock ’n roll and that’s that. They are down-to-earth Jersey boys and they’ve made a mark downtown in a short period of time. They have an album slated to drop this spring. Next big thing in music – they’ll be everywhere. And you can quote me on that.” — Ryan

“Ryder’s a dude to keep an eye on. This was taken at his gallery show on a raining Thursday night in November – the place was jam-packed with downtown’s slim and slender. There is something very pure about a return to the less celebrated folk elements of American culture and he’s got that nailed down. The dude is on the move. Stand by for details.” — Ryan

“Chickie Pigs’ just opened up on the Lower East Side this fall. The owner’s a loon about making everything by hand and searching the world for the finest ingredients. Simply put, this is the best pie ever made.” — Ryan

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“Hoods are inescapable. They are showing up everywhere from blinding full-face zips to motorcycle jackets to pea coats, as shown here. Hoods are sharp, sleek and cozy – the trend is well in motion.” — Ryan

“I anonymously know this artist. He (or it could be ‘she’ – that’s what anonymous means here, mind you) appropriates old rock n’ roll covers replacing faces with skulls. He does single-edition, limited run prints and they are sick. Witty ideas like this are destined to be the toast of the down…town.” — Ryan

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“I believe this is a French Bulldog – quite the cool breed these days. Do you think he likes to be picked up? Judging from his little bulldog face I’d say no. As for his father, he doesn’t seem to care – he’s old, he’s smug, and he’s content. He yells at kids, he acts ridiculous, he lives by his rules. And the message is: “May you learn from your elders, children.” — Ryan

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“I saw this dude on the Lower East Side at around 11:30am on a Tuesday. Some kind of free wandering (free loading?) easy beat. I thought to myself, “how’d you get so cool, cowboy?” Response: There was none, too cool for school-wouldn’t even speak to me. I dig the ex-patriot, South American cow punch look in the heart of the concrete jungle, far from home.” — Ryan