DIRTY RICHMOND

Last week’s open model call for this year’s annual VCU Fashion Department show attracted many runway hopefuls. The aspiring models checked in and then went through various stations of the call facilitated by students of the fashion department such as taking measurements, head shots, and then finally walking in front a panel of judges including scouts from Richmond’s own Modelogic Wilhelmina modeling agency.

Returning to the basics of fashion, this year’s show titled “RAW,” will be held May 6th at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Five questions for…

Andrew Todd
Men’s Fashion Writer/Blogger

In my short time in Toronto, I was greeted with the sincerest hospitality from Andrew and his wife Joanna. On my last night in Toronto, I meet up with the couple one final time at iconic venue and restaurant, Sneaky Dee’s, to find out more about the city they have called home for over a decade and the creator behind properclobber.tumblr.com.

How long have you been living in Toronto?

I came here for school in 1995 majoring in radio and television arts. I originally wanted to be a traveling news correspondent but now I work as a men’s fashion and lifestyle writer for everyguyed.com.

I’ve noticed people seem to be really nice here.

Finding the balance of life is in our nature. The average Canadian will wait to cross the street and be obedient to rules for their neighbors’ sake, but also a person willing to take liberties on their own every now and then.

How does Toronto compare to other Canadian cities?

Joanna and I often remind ourselves that Toronto is a great city and not to take it for granted. We can still live here and have all the things other cities have to offer with so many cool little places here and there. Areas that were not hip ten or 15 years ago are turning into hot spots within the city and becoming desirable places to live or at least travel to on the weekends.

I’ve seen many stylish people since I’ve been here; you seem to be one of them…

Toronto is more fashionable compared to other Canadian cities, particularly in menswear. I try to wear brands relating to culture. Brands that have a story behind them like Fred Perry…my personal favorite, Filson, or Lacoste, rather than high-end luxury brands that lack cultural history behind them.

What is the meaning behind the namesake of your blog, Proper Clobber?

The name is a reference for my love of men’s English heritage clothing. Clobber is an old British term meaning clothing that dates before World War II and over time developed into a word synonymous for “stepping out” clothes.

Andrew has a sharp eye and world-class taste that is reflected in his blog, properclobber.tumblr.com, a tumblr dedicated to Toronto street style and the latest trends particularly in men’s fashion. If you visit or happen to live in Toronto, make sure to stop by Cherry Cola’s where my good friend moonlights as DJ Stroke every weekend!

This picture was taken in December of 2009 and of my first and only encounter with cadets from Benedictine until last week. I stopped them on their way to One Eyed Jacques, that store in Carytown that sells Dungeons and Dragons type role playing games and wolf t-shirts. Last Friday some Benedictine students reported that they have since been banned from One Eyed Jacques. They looked like a lively bunch but also a corps of students that were up to no good.

I’ve always been intrigued of the rigidness, discipline and pride that is associated with wearing uniforms. This is a romanticized idea but keeping ones shoes shined, neatly ironing a shirt before wearing, and properly displaying appendages create a certain level of care for clothes and personal appearance that has somewhat disappeared from men’s dressing by what has been started by “casual Fridays”.

The more I think about it, I believe uniforms serve as a foundation for menswear. I see uniforms as less of “an attempt to make people conform to a code” but more so as a way to induct new members into a greater legacy and heritage beyond themselves. Influenced by the institutional sense of military dress but also of a person being conscious to their own personal style and sticking to it. This happens more in menswear because we are limited to fewer options (pants, shirt, overcoat) but invites the wearer to create their own “uniform” and how they are perceived by the outside world. The picture above was taken while I was in Bangkok, Thailand sometime in late January 2009.

Monday nights at 821 Cafe.

Rachel and Chris are quite a busy couple. Rachel is popularly known in Richmond as the model for Need Supply Co., but when she is not in front of the lens, she serves as the boutiques’ blogger, website writer, and assistant stylist. Apart from that, Rachel has her own jewelry line, Academy Jewelry. A line that she officially started in the fall of 2010 but previously dabbled in jewelry design for years prior. Chris has an equally sized plate as a menswear buyer for Need Supply Co., soccer coach, occasional cook at The Roosevelt, and undoubtedly the best dressed middle and high school teacher in Richmond’s West End. On a rare not so hectic weekend for the couple, I had the pleasure to spend a Sunday afternoon with the pair in the home they share on the outskirts of the city.

Chris was at the hull of an exclusive collaboration between The Alden Shoe Company and Need Supply. Chris’ meticulously designed Seven Hills Indy Bootfeatures a rugged waxed calf tan dakota upper, white vibran out-sole, and Alden’s tradition of superior quality craftsmanship.

VISIT DIRTY RICHMOND TOMORROW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO ENTER TO WIN A NECKLACE FROM ACADEMY JEWELRY!

Academy Jewelry: Etsy, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter.

See Bree Davis’ video from the shoot here.

Linda Heasley, CEO of The Limited.

I recently photographed my menswear top picks for the season at many of my favorite local stores for RVAnews. [Click here] for the complete Richmond guide to men’s fall fashion.

For the ladies, check out Larissa’s article [here].