André Benjamin—Style & Charisma

André Benjamin, aka André 3000 from the group Outkast, is a gentleman peacock that always looks stylish and masculine. Admittedly, most celebrities have stylists who help them with their image and fashion choices, but having a stylist doesn’t guarantee you will look good or give you a unique style. You must also have the charisma and attitude to pull it off. Mr. Benjamin has both—style and charisma. Whether he is going to a formal event or just casually hanging out, this peacock isn’t afraid to wear what he likes: colors, patterns, and hats! He knows what he likes and what suits his personality.

In addition to being a talented musician, André Benjamin is also an entrepreneur. Last year he launched his own menswear label, Benjamin Bixby. The line clearly reflects his love of clothing and men’s style. Mr. Peacock tips his hat to this fellow Gemini, Mr. André Benjamin, for his inspiring style and spirit.

Mr. Benjamin likes color and pattern—and isn’t afraid to mix it up!

Formal chic—with his signature straw hat and boutonnière, or casually dapper in jeans and layered pieces.

André Benjamin, like Mr. Peacock, has a soft spot for gingham.

He also appreciates a good tie.

André Benjamin makes Converse sneakers look casually chic and elegant.

Mr. Benjamin posing in pieces from the Fall/Winter 2008 Benjamin Bixby collection.

Some looks from the debut Benjamin Bixby collection, from last autumn.

André Benjamin (center), with some looks from the Spring/Summer 2009 Benjamin Bixby collection.

André Benjamin at the premier presentation of the Spring/Summer 2009 Benjamin Bixby collection.

More select looks from the Spring/Summer 2009 Benjamin Bixby collection.

A Benjamin Bixby belt, and a madras plaid bowtie.

A couple of cotton shirts from Benjamin Bixby—green and white stripe shirt, and a namesake t-shirt.


Above: André Benjamin's love of green, plaid and equestrian style is evident in this OutKast video of Hey Ya, flashback from 2003.

Whether it’s a belt, leather armband, or a hat—Mr. Benjamin repeatedly incorporates his favorite wardrobe items into his attire and wears them with ease. He's comfortable with his own style, and wears whatever he likes. Mr. Peacock thanks André Benjamin for being an inspiration to gentleman peacocks everywhere.

Looking Good & Dressing Right

When Mr. Peacock was in 7th grade he stumbled upon the book, Looking Good (1977), at the public library. It seemed very chic to me, and a little bit naughty too. The book was authored by Charles Hix, a columnist for Gentleman’s Quarterly (GQ), and was on the bestseller list for weeks. The book seemed very preppy to me, and even at 12 years old, I knew the book was heavy on the beefcake shots. And all of the photos were shot by Bruce Weber.

Above: "The American Style" from start to finish, in Dressing Right.

Several publications including the New York Times, and V Magazine, have lauded the influence of the Charles Hix’s books, specifically Looking Good and Dressing Right, on current menswear trends and styles. Looking Good focused on male grooming from head to toe—from hair care to genital odor. While the follow-up book, Dressing Right, focused on appearance, and was like a manual to help you finesse your style step-by-step. Right: Mr. Charles Hix photographed by Bruce Weber, circa 1977.

Dressing Right...I guess "analyzing yourself" could be the first step for many ventures in life.

Both books recommend fitness and exercise. Dressing Right has a spread with men wearing nylon shorts. Buy a pair of similar nylon shorts here.

Looking Good utilizes Bruce Weber’s keen ability to capture the essence of masculinity when photographing men.

Looking Good also sprinkles plenty of beefcake shots throughout the book. They almost look like “headshots” from model's portfolios.

Over thirty years later, hipsters have appropriated this sporty and preppy look shown in Looking Good: rolled up slim jeans, athletic tube socks, and some sort of deck shoes.

I’m not sure if hipsters will appropriate this look—an espadrille, with a stacked heel.

Mr. Peacock loves any type of stylized tuxedo shirt. Remember A Conference of Birds tuxedo inspired shirt? Click here.

Charles Hix recommends, “shifting and rearranging all of your clothing” and not to be afraid of mixing and layering everything you have in your wardrobe.

He also discusses how “individualistic, even idiosyncratic” scarves and neckwear can be worn. Mr. Peacock loves how the bow tie is casually tied and worn as a cravat (see the upper right shot).

I like the tie worn as a belt too (very Ralph Lauren too), which I wear sometimes myself—but with the tie ends tucked in a bit more than above. The look on the right is very modern too—a casually draped scarf and a boutonnière.

"Neutrals calm," is one of Mr. Peacock’s favorite photos in the book, Dressing Right.

After the success of Looking Good, Mr. Hix went on to author many more books: Male Model: The World behind the camera (1979), How To Dress Your Man (1981), and Man Alive: Dressing the Free Way (1984). A friend brought me the Charles Hix book, Working Out: The Total Shape-Up Guide for Men (1983), while I was recuperating in the hospital after a tonsillectomy in my late teens. At the time, the Workout Book seemed like a Playgirl magazine, and I was a little embarrassed having it displayed on my nightstand during my hospital stay.

One of Mr. Peacock’s favorite menswear designers, Michael Bastian, said in the New York Times, “I have all those Charles Hix books…something from them has made it into every single collection. It’s not just the clothes, it’s the vibe, which was kind of super masculine. It was one of the first times guys were culling elements from tailored clothing, sportswear and work wear and mixing them together. That’s something we just take for granted now.”

If you want to add some Charles Hix titles to your library, you can still find inexpensive copies here, and sometimes on eBay. A set of these nostalgic books would make a great gift for any gentleman peacock!

Edgar Allan Poe Commemorative Stamp

"Leave my loneliness unbroken!"
—The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe

Mr. Peacock loves the commemorative stamps honoring American poet and writer, Edgar Allan Poe. The stamp was issued in January, and designed by Carl T. Herrman, of Carlsbad, California. The image above doesn't show the true colors—the price is in blood red, with Mr. Poe's name in metallic gold.

You can order a special limited edition, 40 page softcover book of Edgar Allan Poe's classic poem, The Raven. This booklet (see above) comes with a block of four 42-cent Edgar Allan Poe stamps.

This booklet contains 6 beautiful illustrations (see above and below) by the illustrator, Emmanuel Polanco—his work is perfect to illustrate this narrative poem! Mr. Peacock likes the Edgar Allan Poe portrait, although I would have also loved to see a commemorative "The Raven" stamp too, using Mr. Polcanco's illustration (above) from the booklet.

You may remember Mr. Polcano's illustrated Tarot cards I shared with you in early in March. To order the limited edition commemorative "The Raven" book, click here. To order the Edgar Allan Poe stamps, click here. Thank you US Postal Service!

That 70's Clone...

The 70's Castro clone dressed and appeared like hyper-masculine working class men wearing flannel shirts, jeans, aviator glasses, leather jackets, boots, and of course a nice mustache. It became an archetypical look in the Castro neighborhood in the 1970’s, and has evolved and continues to be a theme in men’s fashion.

(click image above to enlarge)

Whatever your style is...classic, traditional, Ivy, mod, hipster, you name it—you can still incorporate elements of “the 70’s clone” into your wardrobe, without looking like a complete leather daddy. That is, unless you want to.

1) This leather biker cap could look dapper worn with a cable knit sweater or barn jacket. Order one here.

2) This pair of pillowcases, with the iconic 70's clone aviator sunglasses, could add a touch of whimsy to your bed linens. Order a pair here.

3) Leave it to Martin Margiela to create a handsome wristband, based on the humble nail. This simple and chic cuff would be suitable for any peacock that likes a bit of jewelry in their attire. Order one here.

4) The iconic red bandana, by Brooklyn based artist J. Morrison, gets a touch of wit and irony—with a silk screened crying man. Buy one here. (via Dirty Butt)

5) This polyamide jacket with zippers, styled after a motorcycle jacket, but a bit more refined than its leather inspiration. It would look equally sharp with khakis or your favorite jeans—while gallivanting around town on weekends. More information here.

6) Taschen’s recent tome, XXL, pays homage to the exaggerated masculinity of Touko Laaksonen’s (aka Tom of Finland) erotic male drawings. If you don’t already own this over sized volume, buy one here.

7) Each one of these tall zip back boots, by Guidi, have a slimmer silhouette than similar 70’s styles. Mr. Peacock likes the discreet zipper on the back of each boot (see photo above right)—it makes them super easy to slip into. You could tuck your skinny jeans inside these leather beauties, or wear your flannel trousers over the boot—for a sleek modern look. More information here.

8) This bondage belt has just enough details to make it look interesting, but not too severe. It can double as wrist cuffs, if you choose, but you’ll probably end up wearing it with your favorite jeans. More information here.

9) Mr. Peacock, looking very 70’s clone, at the Folsom Street Fair a few years ago. Photo by Emlyn Wynn.

Scavenger Hunt at the Dollar Store

Mr. Peacock and his sister, Samantha, always enjoy a scavenger hunt at the Dollar Store to find hidden treasures. The inventory changes frequently at these discount shops, so it can be hit or miss—but they usually have something fun and useful, although you won't find any heirlooms. Some areas in the United States have Dollar Tree stores, but in my neighborhood they're just called the "Dollar Store" and aren't affliated with any chain store or brand, but it's the same concept—every item in the store is sold for one dollar.

When Mr. Peacock spotted these blue & white rooster salad plates, he immediately thought of Sweet Paul’s clever Delft story in the February issue of Country Living magazine. These would make great cocktail plates at a large party, and if your guests get tipsy and accidentally break a plate or two, it doesn’t matter at this price. After the party, if you don’t want to keep your dollar plates you can donate them to your favorite charity shop—so someone else can find a bargain.

The Dollar Store in my neighborhood had a huge assortment of dollar knock-off Murano glass fruits and vegetables when I stopped by about a month ago. I liked the peppers the best. I think they would make fun table decorations.

Mr. Peacock ruins a pair of shoes every island vacation while traipsing through rough and muddy terrain—in search of the perfect secluded beach. These dollar slip on canvas shoes, sort of like Vans, would make great beach shoes—and I love the green tread!

This fun graphic print tote bag, in coated tyvek, it will come in handy at the farmer’s market this spring.

I’m enchanted with these Spanish playing cards. They don’t have the traditional suits of hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds like traditional cards—instead they have wands, swords, cups and coins—similar to Tarot cards. You take these dollar cards on your beach vacation too—for card games while you sunbathe.

The Dollar Store can be a fun resource, especially during our tight economic times. Eddie Ross recently had a lovely homage to Dorothy Draper with his posting, Style Without Money—and utilized Dollar Tree. And Jason, at Night is Half Gone, had a fun posting about repurposing your Dollar Tree finds. I think the key to successful shopping at the Dollar Store is to keep an open mind and use your imagination. I usually find interesting gift-wrapping and party decorations too.

Have you found any great finds at your local Dollar Store lately?

The Crumpled Beauty of Rupert Shrive

Above: Rupert Shrive's Wallpaper diptych (left), 2008 (acrylic, varnish and wallpaper on brown paper, 165 x 128 x 12 cm).

Creation, destruction, and rebirth are all addressed in the recent three-dimensional paintings of British born artist, Rupert Shrive. He manipulates and deconstructs his paintings into dramatic “sculptures” and installations, using paper, varnish, eggshells and even a nautilus shell. He refers to his unique technique as “Post Painting.”

Above: Rupert Shrive standing next to his "post painting"—Chinese girl PVC, 2008.

This dapper gentleman’s success didn’t happen overnight—he was expelled from school at 17; then enrolled in Norwich School of Art, in 1983; eventually graduating in 1987, from St. Martins School of Art in London.


Above: A video tour of Mr. Shrive's exhibit last year at Orel Art. Please note the interview is in Spanish, but it gives you a great perspective of the scale and power of his work.

Mr. Shrive’s successful solo exhibit last year, at the Orel Art Gallery, followed several other successful one-man shows in London, Madrid, Milan and Hong Kong.

Above: We have all the time in the world, 2008 (acrylic and varnish on brown paper, ostrich egg, 22 x 23 x 16 cm).

Above: Eclosion, 2008 (acrylic on brown paper, wall, dimensions variable).
Above: Yellow Geisha, 2008 (acrylic and varnish on brown paper, 185 x 112 x 15 cm).

Above: Mr. Shrive contributed a piece in the February issue of French Vogue—their tribute to the model du jour, Lara Stone.

Above: Self Portrait (diagonal), 2008 (acrylic and varnish on brown paper, 95 x 66 x 5 cm).

Rupert’s advice to young artists, as quoted from a 2007 interview in The Guardian, “Choose the path you want to pursue, believe in it, and then work as hard as you can. Young artists need as many obstacles as possible so that only the tough ones come through; they're usually the only ones worth looking at.”

See more of this gentleman's (Rupert standing next to artwork above) intriguing work here. Mr. Peacock hopes Rupert Shrive has a show in the United States soon—hopefully on the West Coast!