The Trove: Lloyd Boston September 9, 2010

LB, unbuttoned elegance.  Become a fan on Facebook.  Photo: Robert Tardio

Sure he’s poised, handsomely photogenic and genially telegenic, delivering doses of friendly, practical style advice to the masses, but it’s not just fashion knowledge Lloyd Boston is dropping, it’s the well-timed bons mots that get me every time (and I’ve worked with him on various projects for years.) Irreverence sans commonplace industry snark; his witticisms never jab at the individual, but rather make a clever pop culture reference.  While taping an episode of NY Emmy-nominated, Closet Cases (on which I was wardrobe supervisor) featuring a woman planning a B’nai Mitzvah for her twins, there were for technical reasons, several takes on one scene. When Lloyd (after a few takes of getting it right) pronounced the word B’nai, with the long i sound rather than the long a, the woman corrected him.  Without skipping a beat he quipped, “b’neigh, b’nigh, cut me some slack, I’m not Sammy.”  Irreverent, yes, but not mean.  It provided much-needed levity toward the end of a long shooting day and no offense was taken.

I was often amazed by his uncanny ability to remain as fresh, energetic and characteristically quick-witted at 1 am as he had been at 6 am call. Though he has plenty to share with his well-written, accessible style guides, he comes alive on-screen.  The camera loves him and so do those who work with him.  He is courteous to all and quick to shine light on the efforts of his crew — he gives credit wherever credit is due.  He embodies Gemini’s duality: professional and driven, yet knows how to relax; confident yet surprisingly shy.  He is an impeccable gentleman, his mama raised him right.

That unpretentiously gorgeous mother, Lynell raised her only child in New Brunswick, New Jersey and sent him to Catholic Schools. Perhaps the wearing of uniforms for most of his early life indoctrinated him in the classic silhouettes that he still favors, while the introduction to men’s fashion magazines in the eighties taught him to tweak them with style.

He was a Fine Arts student at the historically Black Morehouse College when he crossed paths with Tommy Hilfiger at a mall appearance. Dressed for the occasion, he waited patiently amid the 200 or so young people waiting for an autographed duffel bag and then proceeded to proffer his advice on strengthening the collection to the celebrated designer. “Shocked by my moxie,” but impressed with his vision, Hilfiger “offered me an internship on the spot.”  The Morehouse Man returned to his home state, transferring to Rutgers University at the end of the semester to get that internship.  Hilfiger so believed in him that he paid for his last year of college and for the next ten years Lloyd grew with and helped guide the look of the brand. When he left, with Tommy’s blessings and goodwill, to transition into his current career, he was Vice President of Art Direction for the Hilfiger company.

In the years since, his trajectory has been stellar: authoring four style books, one with his illustrations; covering NY Fashion Week and all the major red carpet events: Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes as a fashion correspondent and hosting television programs as a fashion/lifestyle authority.  Since 2007, he has been the exclusive “style guy” for mega-brand Jones New York–their first male spokesperson–representing the company’s many brands and sharing his “less is modern” style philosophy at appearances across the country.

On an episode of Closet Cases, Lloyd and closet designing marvel, Carey Evans show his mom Lynell her new closet makeover.

Working as Style Editor last summer on Lloyd’s fourth book was an absolutely delightful experience.  No melodrama, just experienced people doing what they do in a relaxed yet efficient manner.  Fantastic photographer Robert Tardio’s equanimity and genuine good nature paralleled Lloyd’s. The fruit of that labor, The Style Checklist: The Ultimate Wardrobe Essentials for You, launched this week. Look for personal nods from each of us: a hoodie from Lloyd’s alma mater; Robert’s favorite Montblanc pen and my Grandma’s ornate sterling lipstick holder. The book presents a list of Lloyd’s suggested classics for the well-dressed woman’s closet.  With 100 entries, there truly is something for every woman.  Knowledgeable about fashion history, Lloyd shares the genesis of each item and its ultimate ascent into the pantheon of wardrobe essentials– the why and how it works.  A mix of garments and accessories from affordable to luxury brands (with, I am proud to say, several African-American designers represented) in Robert’s lush, artful still-lifes, The Style Checklist looks like a coffee table book, but its diminutive size allows for portability–even more so on Amazon Kindle. The book is a go-to, carry-along guide that should stand the test of time.

The latest from Lloyd:  The Style Checklist.

Check his appropriately well-designed website LloydBoston.com, to learn more about his illustrious career and view his on-air clips.

Exclusive to LloydBoston.com, The LB Signature Tote.

Now that he’s bi-coastal, pursuing television hosting opportunities in Los Angeles and admittedly enjoying So Cal weather, I have yet another well-appointed LB home to visit–the Brooklyn duplex, the suburban Jersey idyll and now the Hollywood loft. I managed to catch up with my intensely scheduled friend recently and I’m glad to present his top ten:

1. The Color Orange. “Whenever I look at a true, juicy shade of orange—I just smile inside (sometimes outside too).  I love a pop of it on an outfit, a shot of it on my dinner plate, a cool painting, a hip home accessory, you name it.  I think everyone has a color that does this for them.  Harnessing it brings a little joy to your life for cheap.”

Color bible to the design industry, Pantone has provided color standards for over 45 years.

2. A Good Crab Cake. “My mom’s are clearly the best! (get her recipe at JNY.com) If out and about, I run to Houston’s, Legal Sea Foods or Oceanaire for the best chain restaurant versions. The trick at any restaurant is in asking if there is any bread in the crab cake.  The moment they say no, I am all in!”

Crab cake perfection at The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Dallas.  Photo: Steven Doyle.

3. Stubbs and Wooton slippers. “My velvet versions with the sitting Buddha have gotten me countless, literally countless, compliments.  I can wear them with anything from chinos and a white button down shirt, to a tux.  They travel light, and keep me feeling chic on days when it’s hard to pull it all together.”

From the Stubbs & Wootton bespoke collection.

4. New Year’s in Brazil. “I visited Rio for New Year’s Eve once, and went back four more years in a row.  Sexy, spiritual, and so much fun!  I love the people, the food, the architecture, and especially the easy lifestyle.  This is one little jewel that American culture hasn’t totally invaded.  And that is refreshing when you really want to get totally away.”

The white-robed throngs on Copacabana Beach.

5. Laura Mercier Lip Silk.  “Yes, it runs you $20, but it lasts you forever.  Once you leave those $3 drugstore brands for this, you will never go back.  It is marketed for women—but is perfect for guys who don’t want shiny lips.  It holds nearly all day too.  I literally have one in every bag.”

This lip treatment from Laura Mercier Skin Care, exfoliates, hydrates and softens.

6. J.Crew. “I could spend hours in J.Crew.  It is like they are designing just for me.  I am preppy at my core, but love an ethnic or bohemian twist on top of all of my stiffness.  They strike the perfect balance these days.  I can sometimes fit a few of the women’s XL t-shirts too.  They are much softer than the mens’.  Don’t sleep, guys.”

From JCrew.com, a look for fall.

7. The Vitamix Pro Blender.  “I love juicing, but hate the clean up.  I invested in the Vitamix and it changed me.  I try to start the day with an organic green drink a few days a week, and this allows you to get the juice and the pulpy fiber.  The clean up is so easy too—that I have no excuse to not be healthy (at least for the first meal.)”

Lloyd marvels over the efficient power of the Vitamix: “You can literally liquefy a shoe on these blades!”

8. Michael Kors Menswear.  “He could dress me every day all day.  The lifestyle he translates through his collections is what I dream of living one day.  From après ski to cocktails on a terrace in Capri—I dream big when I see his vision for men. We are friendly, and I love him as a person (and personality) too.”

From the Michael Kors Fall 2010 ad campaign.

9.  Spa as Sport. “I am a total spa junkie.  I love spending time in L.A. for this addiction, as there are reputable massage spots on every corner.  From a quick chair massage at Whole Foods, to a power 90 minute Deep Tissue almost anywhere—I am in heaven.  I travel about 20-30 cities a year on average, so these bones need reviving more and more lately.”

“I could literally get rubbed down daily.”

10. Biographies of Any Kind.  “Books, TV shows, documentaries, you name it.  I love stories about successful people, tragic folk, decade long romances, the works. The entrepreneurial ones really hit home.  I love when someone you admire shares all the victories and pitfalls—and you actually can count the similarities in yourself.  Those moments make me feel connected to a tribe of winners.  And all my dreams seem less crazy.”

The biography of Barack Obama shown at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The Trove: Anitra Michelle February 18, 2010

At a wine tasting last year, I had the serendipitous fortune of meeting Anitra Michelle.  Writer Julia Chance, the convivial host, said “you two should know each other, meet Anitra, she’s a fashion designer.”  With a smile as big and bright as the gleaming Fulani earrings she rocked, Anitra greeted me warmly, Libra charm on display.   At the time, I was in the process of securing garments from African-American designers for use in a photo shoot with the magnificent dancers of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  We chatted about my needs for the shoot: fluidity of movement, color palette and so on.  Following up the next day, she emailed photos of pieces in her collection that might be appropriate.  Not only did she send an image of a skirt in the perfect shade of purple, but offered to also create something for us with the full knowledge that submission was no guarantee of use.  Ultimately, the ever astounding Linda Celeste Sims loved and wore the purple skirt.

AAADT’s Linda Celeste Sims in PLUTOCRACY.  Photo by Andrew Eccles.

Born in Detroit and raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Anitra Michelle Haithcock was influenced early on by the stylishness of her parents and older sister.

I think looking at the beauty of my mother and knowing how cool my father was really pushed me to carry the legacy forward.  My sister was always fashionable, had her clothes made and really just exuded style as a teenager.  I really looked up to her style-wise.

With the launch of MTV and its marriage of music and fashion, Anitra immersed herself:

I also watched lots of videos as a child.  My parents would go to bed and I would stay up all night watching MTV.  It’s funny, but the rebellious nature of the 80′s and hairbands also contributed to my view of style versus fashion.

New York City soon beckoned, she began her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology and subsequently did showroom internships for Karl Lagerfeld and Lanvin during their US launch.  She apprenticed in Vera Wang’s pattern department, an invaluable experience and worked as an assistant stylist before launching her own line, PLUTOCRACY in November 2008.  The inspiration behind the name?

I really thought about how wealth really inspires people and influences people.  That’s wealth of any kind, e.g. Wealth of Knowledge (Physicians); Wealth of Style (Designers/Stylists); Wealth of Health (Athletes) and the list goes on. PLUTOCRACY means ruled by the wealthy.  This really struck a cord with me and we wanted to ensure that we’re always putting out best foot forward.  Naming the brand PLUTOCRACY forces you to really keep it high on Fashion’s totem pole.  We really want to put out the most expressive and individual ideas to inspire women.

When asked about her process she explains that she tries to remain receptive to the myriad influences which ultimately inform her work. She usually begins with an idea of fabric and palette then does extensive research.  “Usually, a bottle of red wine and some broken beat really inspire my creativity.  Music is necessary.”

Anitra Michelle and the first garment she created as a student at F.I.T.

PLUTOCRACY Fall/Winter 2010 Collection, “Rising Revolt”

As the New York fashion industry winds down the collections for Fall 2010, celebrating its last tented hurrah in Bryant Park,  PLUTOCRACY gives us the fashion film, “Rising Revolt,” a glimpse of Fall in a well, rather democratic way, online and accessible for all, “not just the ones sitting front row at Fashion Week,” says Anitra.

Inspired by the woman’s empowerment movement during the 1940′s when war forced housewives to hang up their aprons and enter the male-dominated workforce, Rising Revolt represents the modern Corporate Rebel. The woman who knows she can look sexy and professional at the same time. The woman who refuses to blend in with the suits she is surrounded by. The woman who won’t take no for an answer and wears the clothes that show she means it. The Corporate Rebel uses her sense of style to show her state of mind and is stirring up the masses in a Rising Revolt.

PLUTOCRACY 2010, all rights reserved.

What makes the must-have list of this girl-on-the-go?

1. iPhone. “It’s the best phone ever…”

2. Magazines. “I love Vogue Paris and Trace for inspiration.”

3. Notebooks. “I carry one everywhere I go for random ideas and I usually just pick them up from Barnes and Noble without much thought.”

Five-by-seven inch recycled monogram journals by Pistachio for Indigo at BN.com.

4. My brown fedora. “I love it. It’s a way to be incognito…with style.”

With its classic shape and stingy brim, this Borsalino is similar to Anitra’s fave chapeau.

5. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint. The venerable West Village apothecary produces a a glossy balm with a hint of color and cooling peppermint. “It’s nice and thick…so great at keeping your lips moisturized.”

6. My Michael Kors boots. With a 3 1/2 inch stacked heel and slouchy red suede, this 80′s vibe boot from MK’s Michael line can be worn tall or scrunched. “They are stylish yet comfortable.  And the red exudes SEXY!”

7. A huge work bag. Though she is not wed to a particular “It” bag, she is seldom without a large, functional workhorse to keep her things close at hand. “My security blanket,” she says. “I love that I can throw my life in it.”



The leather-trimmed, rubberized canvas Montauk tote from J.Crew offers a durable, water-resistant, city-friendly update to the classic canvas variety.