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Todd Snyder

June 7, 2013

Thom Browne: CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year

Congratulations to Thom Browne for taking home top honors in the Menswear category at Monday night’s CFDA Awards.

If you’re curious what that means, the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) puts on what basically translates to the Oscars of the fashion world each year. As for the winner (seen above in a fittingly subversive twist on black tie): After famously reviving the menswear industry’s interest in slim tailoring a few years back, Thom Browne has persistently pushed the boundaries of what constitutes a ‘fashion show’ to the limits of absurdity (note his Punks vs. Jocks and Preps from Space -themed shows as examples) while somehow maintaining a somber atmosphere that implies what’s on view is nothing short of art.

A snapshot of Browne’s Fall ’13 Amish cloaks, pixelated for the business park, popped up in the CFDA’s #cfdaawards Instagram feed—as did hundreds of shots of dapperly dressed designers and drop-dead-gorgeous actresses and models. Here are the highlights:


L: Prepping the red carpet.
R: Michael Bastian, 2011 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, with Todd Snyder,
nominated for this year’s Swarovski Award for Menswear.


Legendary supermodel Linda Evangelista with future hall-of-famer Karolina Kurkova.


L: Billy Reid, last year’s CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year.
R: The crowded venue at NYC’s Lincoln Center.


House of Harlow 1960 designer Nicole Richie and Australian model Jessica Hart.


L: The good stuff. | R: Model Frida Gustavsson and BLK DNM designer Johan Lindeberg.


Actress Sofia Vergara. (The new Peg Bundy?)


L: Public School designers Maxwell Osborne and Dao-yi Chow, winners of this year’s
Swarovski Award for rising stars in Menswear.
R: Alexander Wang and friends on the steps outside.


Michael Kors with a model on each arm. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.


L: Mood lighting at the after-party.
R: Womenswear winners Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler…
who appear to have a firm grasp on menswear, too.


Actress, award presenter, and Bridesmaid Rose Byrne—getting photo-bombed.


L: CFDA International Award winner Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy with actress Jessica Chastain.
(How hardcore was she in Zero Dark Thirty?)
R: One of our favorites (and definitely the funniest) from the female blogosphere,
Man Repeller Leandra Medine is a certified CFDA superstar.


End on a High Note: In the clip above, an army of male models awkwardly a capellas Daft Punk x Pharrell disco jam ‘Get Lucky,’ all while wearing the Fall ’13 collections by all three CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year nominees—and somehow keeping a straight face.

 

Crashing a black-tie bash of your own sometime soon?
SHOP: TUXEDOS & FORMALWEAR

 
 

[Instagram photos via CFDA.com; click here for individual credits and tons more photos. Video via KCD. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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February 8, 2013

Tough-Guy Tailoring: Todd Snyder Fall 2013


Having paid his dues at menswear juggernauts around the industry (Ralph Lauren, among others), Iowa-born designer Todd Snyder was able to launch his eponymous brand, a mere two years ago, already at the top of his game. While past collections have added expanded on Snyder’s roots in traditional haberdashery and hands-on sewing with references ranging from military to classic Hollywood, the lineup for next Fall germinated from a 1950s vintage leather jacket the designer unearthed at a thrift store in Leeds, England. The result, in Snyder’s own words, is a “badass” take on gentlemanly dressing.

[Above, left: Any time Bruce Pask is backstage, you know it's going to be good.]


Precision Instruments. While the cornerstone of Snyder’s new collection—the moto-inspired leather jackets—show a devil-may-care patina, their fit is immaculate down to the millimeter. (Click images to enlarge.)


Hardcore Haberdashery. Snyder got his start at an old-school Iowa tailor’s shop. His formative years shine through in streamlined suits and outerwear with plenty of attitude.


Serious Sweaters. From a windowpane-plaid cardigan (matched with leather pants, of course) to a shawl-collar in marled mustard, to shoulder-broadening stripes paired with sweats and boots–Snyder’s sweaters had just as much snarl as his biker jackets.

 

SHOP THE CURRENT COLLECTION: TODD SNYDER
…And view the full Fall ’13 slideshow at Style.com.

 
 

[Instagram images, clockwise from top, from users DetailsMag, Unstill_Life, and ToddSnyderNY. Individual looks by Fillipo Fior, via of Style.com.]

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December 25, 2012

Our Favorite Designers’ Favorite Gifts

In the spirit of the holidays, we asked some of our favorite brands and designers a simple question with a rarely simple answer: What’s you favorite gift? Answers ranged from prized possessions they’ve received, to a signature item to give, to less-tangible ‘gifts’ that can’t be bought. Though they vary wildly, the answers below all have one thing in common: They give an unmistakable look into each brand’s ethos. Scroll down to get inside the minds of America’s best designers (and click the links to start deciding how to spend that Nordstrom Gift Card that Grandma gave you).


Heavy Medals from Legendary Friends. “My favorite gifts are from my friends Jimmy Page and Alice Cooper, who gave me their gold and platinum record awards, respectively. These are framed in my office and commemorate 500,000 and 1 million copies of albums sold—a phenomenal achievement that I get to hang on my wall and see every day.”  —John Varvatos
 


Bulls Tickets, 1989. “The best gift I ever received came from my sister: my niece Isabella. The second-best I got from my parents in 1989 for Christmas: Two tickets to see Michael Jordan play at Chicago Stadium with my dad. I was 10. Jordan scored 42 points against the Golden State Warriors; I’ll never forget how loud it was when they announced his entrance.”  —Andy Dunn of Bonobos
 


A Bronzed Artifact. “This is a gift I received from Michael Stipe after we collaborated on an art project of his. He took a Diana/Lomo camera (similar quality to lighting filters used on Instagram) and cast it in bronze. I love the idea of low/high art and technology. A low-tech, cheap plastic camera, immortalized in bronze. This gift I will have and appreciate forever.”  —Rogan Gregory of Rogan
 


A Family Tree. “My favorite thing about the holidays is the huge tree we do every year. My wife is a Christmas ornament freak, so we load it down with white lights and tons of ornaments. My favorites are the homemade ones the children make. We decorate with all-natural clippings of pine, cedar, boxwood, holly and magnolia—using fresh keeps things simple. Most important is to relax and enjoy the family and special time of year.” —Billy Reid
 


Iowa’s Best-Kept Secret. “All of my friends and family get a bottle of Templeton Rye, a small-batch rye whiskey based on a Prohibition-era recipe that was made in Templeton, Iowa. Since I’m from Iowa, the connection is obvious—and there’s no better way to warm up a cold, holiday night than with a nice glass of Templeton.” —Todd Snyder
 


The Original Hand-Held Device. “Does this really need any explanation as to why it’s my favorite? I was 10. It’s a Game Boy. Nuff said.” —Sam Shipley of Shipley & Halmos
 


Christmas in Jamaica. “Last week, my wife treated me to a one-week getaway in Jamaica as my early Xmas gift. We stayed at a gorgeous private villa (Round Hill) overlooking the sea and Montego Bay. The gift included tennis lessons—definitely the best gift ever. The only downside is that now I have to treat her to something even more special!” —Dexter Peart of WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie
 


Late-’80s Pentax 67 Medium Format with Super Takumar 75mm 1:4.5 Lens. “Growing up, the Pentax 6×7 or 67 was one of the cameras I always lusted after but was never able to afford. With the advent of digital, these cameras are now extremely good value as vintage, in comparison to their original prices. I had been watching this camera on eBay as a ‘buy now’ option for a while, but not biting the bullet on it, and obviously boring my wife to death about it—so much so, that without my knowledge, she bout it for me. So I ended up getting one of my favorite presents and fulfilling a childhood dream at the same time.” —Cuan Hanly of Jack Spade
 


One-of-a-Kind Artwork. [It's a tie. Left]: “White tiger…on a purple crystal…in fog…in space…on a collector’s plate…framed. The best part is the warning on the back that it ‘may poison food.’ I got it from a member of our creative team a few years ago—probably in an attempt to actually poison me.” [Right]: “The photo of a naked girl sitting in the woods with a unicorn is also in the running. Have you ever had a photo shoot with a unicorn? Those things never sit still. And they demand giant dressing rooms, and green M&Ms, and are total divas. They really just aren’t worth dealing with.” —Todd Masters of Toddland
 
 
 

[All photos shot by the designers/brands themselves, except Michael Jordan © Walter Iooss, Jr.]

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October 18, 2012

GQ Selects: November Look #2

Here’s an downtown-outdoorsman take on the layering technique that GQ advocates in this month’s issue. With fall layers that fit this well, you can pile them on and stay warm without your winter coat for a few more weeks.

 

Todd Snyder Herringbone Sportcoat. “A wool herringbone sportcoat is a tried-and-true fall staple, but what separates Snyder’s from the others is that the designer removed the lining, eliminating extraneous bulk for a clean fit. What remains is a smart option for these crisp autumn days, and a handsome sportcoat once the temperature really dips.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)

 

Todd Snyder Sweater Vest. “The sweater vest is something guys usually think of as nerdy, but several designers are reinventing this geek-style icon into a cool layering piece for fall. One of our favorites comes from Todd Snyder, who crafted his with a two-tone Fair Isle pattern in a trim fit that’s a home run under any tweed suit or jacket.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)
 

Victorinox Swiss Army® ‘Original’ Chronograph Watch. “We’re really loving the pilot-style watches that are updates to classic chronographs. Victorinox, a company that knows a thing or two about handsome military-inspired timepieces, has created one that retains the trappings of the original, like a stainless-steel case and nylon strap, but renders it in of-the-moment shades of grey. It manages to be both elegant and tough, which means it will work as well with a classic wool suit as it would a hoodie.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)
 

Nordstrom’s picks to complete the look:
Gant by Michael Bastian Down Vest | Obey Trucker Hat | A.P.C. ‘New Standard’ Selvedge Jeans
 
 

Each month, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio and the Men’s Shop, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

For the latest edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 15 favorites from the November issue—from immaculate outerwear to unexpected accessories. Check back each month for more.

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September 20, 2012

GQ Selects: October Look #2

The true beauty of a plaid shirt: It looks as good on the weekend as it does with a tie Monday morning. Here are some insights from Jim Moore at GQ on one of our favorite American designer’s impeccable shirt—plus our own suggestions to dress it up for the office:

 


Todd Snyder Plaid Sport Shirt. “Plaid shirts have been everywhere for the past few years, but there is a new batch out there amping up traditional patterns in a fresh way. Todd Snyder’s classic button-down offers a basic plaid, but renders it in an eye-catching white and navy with sky-blue and red accents. It’s a seven-day-a-week shirt that would pop under a charcoal gray suit, or with a pair of cords and a cardigan to watch the big game.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)

 


Nordstrom’s picks to complete the look:
Allen Edmonds Wingtip (one of last month’s GQ Selects)
Dockers Chinos | Jack Spade Bag

 
 

Each month, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio and the Men’s Shop, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

For the fourth edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 12 fall essentials from the October issue. Check back each month for more.

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August 14, 2012

GQ Selects: Todd Snyder’s Snorkel Coat

“This is Todd Snyder’s take on an outerwear style invented in the 1950s called a snorkel coat. It was invented as an expedition coat for military treks in freezing climates. This one has the details of the original with a few exceptions.

“The wool body brings it up to heavier-weight fall fabric standards and the removable orange liner pops when it’s unbuttoned. A genuine fox-fur collar adds a luxe touch to a versatile piece that can even be worn over a suit to the office in winter weather.“

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

 

Each month, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio and the Men’s Shop, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

For the third edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 20 favorites from the September issue—ranging from a Canali suit to Clarks desert boots. Check back every month for more.

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June 21, 2012

GQ Selects: Todd Snyder’s Elevated Henley

“To most designers a henley is a henley, but not to Todd Snyder. He’s found ways to do these really masculine pieces but make them his own and make them original.

“The placket and collar are trimmed with chambray fabric, which creates some visual interest at the front, and turns the piece into something that looks as good under a jacket as it does by itself. Snyder’s touches take something born in underwear culture and turn it into a fashion staple.”

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

Each month for the next six months, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

For our inaugural edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 12 killer items from the July issue. Check back every month for more.

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