A quick chat with film director/producer Mr. Marsielle about my personal definition of style.
Style…State of Mind
19 Thursday Jan 2012
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in19 Thursday Jan 2012
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in17 Tuesday Jan 2012
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During the high middle ages (11th -13th century) a Knight was looked upon as valiant man, a loyal man with strong …
07 Saturday Jan 2012
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History, Horses, Lifestyle, Luxury, Motorsport, Polo Sport, Porfirio Rubirosa, Racing, Speed, Style
Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that I can sit back and easily become engulfed in classic James Bond (preferably Sean Connery and Roger Moore)films all day long. “Dr. No”, “From Russia with Love”, “The Spy Who Loved Me”, “Octopussy”. Hands down 007 is my favorite fictional character with the ability to simultaneously fire his Walther PP handgun, order a vodka martini(shaken not stirred), win a hand at Baccarat, and turn his lady killer into his lover all while introducing himself as Bond, James Bond. The question is, was he fictional?
If you know the least bit about British government or watch just a tad bit of BBC news, you’ll know that Secret Intel Service MI6(who 007 worked for) really does exist as well as the Russian counter intelligence agency SMERSH who always saught to kill 007. Ian Flemming, creator of the spy character James Bond 007 based his great stories from these true to life organizations. What about James Bond himself? Well we can’t say for sure if Bond himself is real but can talk about a man by the name Rubirosa, Porfirio Rubirosa.
Rubirosa’s story, word for word will indeed remind you of James Bond. Many sources say that some of Flemming’s inspriations for the Bond character actually came from the life of Mr. Rubirosa who is dubbed the Last International Playboy (Jan 22, 1909-July 5, 1965).
Born in the Dominican Republic, son of a general, Rubirosa automatically had political ties which would shape his future and his legendary story. At the age of 6 his family moved to Paris, France due to his father Don Pedro taking a new role as Diplomat and Chief of the Dominican Embassy. Although returning to the Dominican Republic at the age 17 to study law, Europe would now be Rubirosa’s infinite pool of pleasure, a continent for a grown man’s playground. Deciding to change direction in life, he entered the military and found himself in the same social setting as President and strongman Rafael Leonidas Trujillo (AKA El Jefe) of Dominican Republic. Within 24hrs of meeting President Trujillo, Rubirosa became lieutenant of Presidential Guard. Some say this role also beared the title “Political Assasin“. Not long after, Trujillo also becomes Rubirosa’s 1st father in law. The charm begins.
Rubirosa’s marriage with his 1st wife Flor de Oro Trujillo and daughter of President Trujillo didn’t last but many more women came into his life, 4 more of whom he would wed and others who were, hmmm lets say, part of his assignment! Wealth, land, car collections, private planes, sartorial ammunition, horses and incredible adventures spawned from his relationships which included French actress Danielle Darriuex, American heiress Doris Duke and Zsa Zsa Gabor just to name a few. When in the states, Rubirosa could be found dining with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Marylin Monroe or sipping the finest wines on the Kennedy’s Yacht. His passion emerged for the sport of Polo which would fuel him to purchase a polo team “Cibao-La Pampa“. Owning numerous sports cars which he would then enter and participate in several pro races including the 24 Hour of Le Mans and Formula1. The man of ultimate pleasure and elegance was born. The charmer, lover, gentleman, alleged assassin, adventurer, the renaissance man.
Tragically, life ended for Porfirio Rubirosa, probably the way he would have wanted it to end, feeling free, the epicurean way. Music, dancing, women, champagne, food, and laughter, while celebrating his polo victory in 1965, winning the Coupe de France. Getting into his Ferrari 250 GT the morning after ending his festive occasion at the Paris nightclub “Jimmys”, Rubirosa found himself crashing into a tree and died immediately. 56 years of age. The Last Playboy…Never to be replicated. Was Porfirio Rubirosa the real James Bond? Fiction is never too far off from the truth.
Books on Porfirio Rubirosa– “The Last Playboy : the High Life of Porfirio Rubirosa” and “Chasing Rubi: The Truth about Porfirio Rubirosa the Last Playboy”.
14 Wednesday Dec 2011
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I was running around town this past week and had the chance to engage in wonderful conversations regarding style, both past, present and even the future. A question though, stood out to me much more than any other word that passed through my auditory canal. A young man stressed the need to start from scratch in regards to building the perfect wardrobe…he asked, how do I begin the transformation? 1 rule of thumb!! Don’t overthink. Think longevity and simplicity and build from there. More importantly never deviate from who you truly are as a person and what makes you feel comfortable. Remember the goal is form, function and quality…not necessarily quantity!
Funny enough, I came across an incredible piece (below) that Mr. Porter put together called “The Way I Dress”, highlighting David Macklovitch of music group Chromeo. Most interesting is hearing Mr. Macklovitch talk about his transition of styles from the Hip Hop Era, to what he embraces now…Form, Fit, Function.
By the way, no one said anything about changing those beats on your playlist…enjoy!
22 Tuesday Nov 2011
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One of the funniest things I’ve heard in a while from art, music and fashion writer Glenn O’ Brien: “If we were created in the image of God, would you want to put on a Steelers jersey?” Catch his interview below…
15 Tuesday Nov 2011
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inO’Mast, which means “master” in the Neapolitan tongue, is a documentary that highlights true craftmanship of old world tailors from Naples, Italy. I watch this trailer with continued anticipation of the full documentary. Passion, style, tradition. Isn’t that what life is about?
31 Wednesday Aug 2011
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A few weeks ago I found this documentary on Ozwald Boateng who I’ve been a fan of for several years titled “Why Style Matters”. After viewing I gained greater respect for not only the brand but for him as an individual. Unforced swagger, individuality, detail, colour, family man and even philanthropy are all variables that puts this designer on the list of Knights&Armours. Enjoy!!
Preview to Boateng’s new documentary “A Man’s Story”. Undeniably prolific in more ways than one.
29 Monday Aug 2011
Posted Origin of Style
inFunny, as long as I can remember people have always asked where in the world did I manage to find my sense of style and taste. Although I always responded with hesitation due to not knowing how to really answer, deep down inside I always knew where.
Subconsciously we all know where various forms of our personal styles come from. If you want proof just dig into that box of vintage photos that your family preserved for the future generation. True it may be that your preference on the type of break you like on your trousers may be different from Granddad, or your choice on collar spreads may be a bit more technical than the good ol’ days, or deciding to sport ties 9.5 cm in width vs a skinny tie 6 cm in width you’ll still find that the essence of classicism runs deep in your roots.
I pay homage to my lineage though coming from meager means, seemed to have kept true to form on the ideology of quality over quantity. What’s extremely interesting about my father’s side of the family, coming from a small island in the Caribbean we know as Jamaica, is that the grass-roots in modern society of their time sprouted while under British Rule…Need I continue this history lesson on style quality and class? My mother’s side of the family also comes from a country in the Caribbean we now know as the Dominican Republic. History lessons about the island of Hispaniola always stir controversy so I’m not going there, but we can all agree that for 3 centuries Spaniards heavily seeded its influences. Who can deny the Spanish of having such casual yet refined and functional elegance to their style?! In 1866 Matias Pujadas of Majorca Spain certainly set the foundation giving the world of quality with his start in hand-made shoes currently branded as Carmina!
So an ode to our history for they have buried treasures for us to find and preserve. Perhaps the finished or even unfinished blueprint to becoming a Knight in sartorial Armour. Dig and you shall find!!