326. 2009: The Modernist Year In Review....

2009 was certainly a year not to be forgotten. Finally getting this blog up and running, taking part in my first Fashion week, losing my best sidekick (and the original Mod Revival HQ), my macbook, and seeing many of my beloved music idols live, among other major events that took place in the last 10 months.

2010 like any year for me is one where I'll continue to grow emotionally and mentally, continue to polish my ever growing personal style and always helping someone find their own.

These are my choices for the best images and people of the year in chronological order. Picking favourites I found to be more than a daunting task so instead I've placed the decision in your hands.

Thank you to any and everyone who took part in making this blog a success thus far. The commenters, the subjects, my "36 followers" anyone who viewed it and supported it from 127 countries (and counting), I promise you 2010 will be even better. This is only the beginning.


Post #69: Parisienne New Yorker


#80: California Dreaming (on Bleecker Street)


#85: 2009 'Mad Men'


#112: The Volt


114. Physical Graffiti


132. School Of Hard Knocks


#208: Euro Nerd Chic


#251: Rachel Zoe during Fashion Week


#251 Part II


#292: Wang'd


#311: The Perfect Couple


#314: Tattoo You

325. Bang!...(Mott St., NYC)

324. Voluminous Furs....(Lafayette St., NYC)

323. Cigarettes + Cocktails...Oh And Wingtips.....(Chelsea, NYC)

322. (Studs), Leather & Lace.....

This theme came together organically but these three materials will be featured prominently in the coming week or two (or maybe three?).

321. Being For The Benefit Of The Brooklyn Circus....(Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NYC)

The second half of our journey last weekend took us to a place, a few short minutes off of the Manhattan bridge to a boutique known as the Brooklyn Circus. This fabulous space, does a great job of giving a nod to the rich history of Black heroes in years past and still keeping an eye focused on their bright future. The selection as you browse through the shop does more than great job of reflecting the direction that they want to take men's fashion through the next decade.

The founder, Quincy "Ouigi" Theodore led a small discussion amongst those of us who stuck around from the activities earlier that day about, above all else at this time, personal style. "The Bearded Man" (is what he's commonly referred to by the sharply dressed staff. At first glance, you'll see why) to sum up all in one word is visible. There's no way you will miss him walking down your street, not for his size and stature but more because of the way he carries himself and I read his look that evening as detailed, but done effortlessly. He then began to explain the initiative of The Brooklyn Circus and most importantly, the fate of men's style as a whole.

I personally take pride not only in my own personal appearance everyday but also in the appearance of my fellow man and after that personal talk, you couldn't help but to feel that sense of pride kick in because we're in the beginning stages of a Harlem Renaissance like revival, one in which I'm more than excited to be apart of.















For a sneak peek of the video, it's all as easy a click of a button.....

GENESIS OF STYLE: MIKE from TONE on Vimeo.

320. The Big Day Out ("Meet Street Etiquette")

Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs, friends of Street Etiquette fame conceived this project of introducing themselves to the world....along with a few of their friends. I had the pleasure of taking part in this event and after being rescheduled a couple of times over the course of 4 months, things finally came to fruition this past saturday. All of these gents, coming from every corner of New York City (including the bloke of the previous post, who recently moved to New York from San Francisco).

It was more than great meeting my contemporaries, other guys who shared the same passion in making a style statement and those who directly and indirectly influence my personal style. The night cap took us to the Brooklyn Circus, a boutique that I can only describe right now as having one of the if not the most style forward staff I've ever come across...but more on that in the next post.

If you didn't get to see what I wore that day, have a looksie.



The Street Etiquette boys sizing each other up.









Operation: Desert Boot Storm.

319. Old School/New School Rules....

The premise of this post is that no matter the age, a little colour (a subtle yet statement making accessory) and some print mixing will always put you ahead of the rest.

318. Happy Birthday!!

December 13th:

Sometimes clumsy (on his self titled show, at least), funny man Dick Van Dyke turned 84.


Academy award winner/ crooner Jamie Foxx turned 42.


Pop music starlet (and new personal fav of mine) and recent 6 time Grammy award nominee Taylor Swift turned 20.


December 12th:

Unofficial leader of The Rat Pack and the best thing that ever happened to the state of New Jersey, Frank "Frankie Baby" Sinatra was born on this day in 1915.

December 11th:

The Brooklyn born rapper/actor/full time hipster Mos Def turned 36.


December 10th:

Drummer and one half of the White Stripes Meg White turned 35.


December 9th:

All time great comedian (remember "Ya big dummy"?) Redd Foxx was born on this day in 1922.

December 8th:

One quarter Rat Pack member, all around entertainer and sartorial legend Sammy Davis Jr was born on this day in 1925.



Former lead singer to The Doors, part of the famed "27 Club", Jim Morrison was born on this day in 1943.


Guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman turned 62.


Yeah Yeah Yeah guitarist and avid photographer Nick Zinner turned 35.


December 7th:

The growl voiced and opinionated Tom Waits turned 60 years old.


The Hall of Famer and "baddest white man to hit the basketball court, Celtic legend Larry Bird turned 53.


Pop singer Sara Bareilles turned 30.


Honorable Mentions:
Flip Wilson: 12.8.1933
Raven Symone: 12.10.1985
Bob Barker: 12.12.1924
Ed Koch: 12.12.1940
Dionne Warwick: 12.12.1940
Regina Hall: 12.12.1970
Mayim Bialik: 12.12.1975