PROJECT Presents: In your Neighborhood as told by Patricia Ann Parenti

By Patricia Ann Parenti

This was a tradeshow for the upscale menswear industry that took place on January 24, 25, 26, 2024 at 45 Downing Street in the heart of Greenwich Village in NYC. The event was held in a historic building that was built in 1899 and as you can see by my photos still looks original with all the beautiful wood cabinets. The concept of the show this season was about a few brands that were featured in an intimate, warm and cozy atmosphere that was more like a showroom and not commercial like a convention center. The show featured highly curated brands that were foreign in origin but showed fashions that could be worn any place in the world. In my photo above are four people that attended the show and are showing us the latest looks in men’s fashions that have apreppy edge but with updated and classic silhouettes. www.projectfashionevents.com

BLUNT UMBRULLES

Since I live in NYC where you are always walking someplace in the rain and of course on a high wind day, all of which makes you looking to buy the perfect umbrella that can withstand the weather without breaking quickly. When I saw the collection of Blunt Umbrellas at the show, I knew I found the perfect umbrella to carry in NYC. The difference between a Blunt Umbrella and ordinary umbrellas are the enclosed tips (see the pink style in the photo above) so you don’t have to worry about poking someone’s eye out as you walk down the street with the tips of your umbrella. Even on a windy day this umbrella can flip upside down and flip back without breaking or damage.

The company is based in New Zeeland and all the umbrellas are designed there also. Some other features are a UPF rating of 50 so you can avoid sun damage to your skin even in the rain. All styles come with a carrying case also. Some of the different styles are: travel that features an auto-open button that pops up the canopy but is small enough to fit in your tote bag; $89.00; the full-size stick style has a steel frame and has a strap for hanging on your shoulder while not in use, $109.00; and the executive style is a stick style that can accommodate two people under the umbrella and has a poly-carbon metal frame along with over the shoulder/hands free carrying case, $129.00. Colors are in bright hues, classic black/grey/navy, pastels or fun leopard prints as being shown by me the blogger. All styles are Gender Neutral. www.bluntumbrellas.com or www.paragonsports.com

BROTHERWOLF

A collection that is designed in Australia with high quality fabrics. Heritage inspired from the way men use to dress on college campus before the 1970s. When you wear Brotherwolf’s letter sweater and varsity jackets you will feel transported back in time on a college or high school campus. Think of the words Ivy League, preppy, varsity, classic, and you will understand what this collection is all about. It’s all about bridging the styles of yesterday with the new idea of preppy nowadays. I loved the colors of forest green and cream in this brand because it gives it a 1950s feeling of when this look was major. Retro styles are: Fishermans Sweaters in cream wool , herringbone jackets and denim that are inspired by the original ones of the past from Ireland. This is the perfect collection for the countryside, city or suburbs because you can layer vests, sweaters and jackets all together and wear with a pair of dark denim jeans that have a classic fit with rolled up cuffs. Sizes are Small – Extra Large, Prices $80.00 $500.00 www.brotherwolf.com.au to shop on.

AHLEM

A collection of optical sunglasses made in France that are inspired by the German/Austrian Bauhaus Movement. These are the highest quality sunglasses I’ve ever seen because of all the details that make them special. The metal frames are hammered by hand to give them a more polished finish. The metal accents at the temples are 18K gold and the metal frames are dipped in 18K gold. Look at the photo and you notice that the temple dip is an open space which I have never seen on glasses before. Some styles in the metal frame: Champaine colored metal in the round shape with green lens and a grey gold frame with brown lenses. The other style that looks like plastic but is in a much better fabric is in 8mm thick acetate. The raw finish gets polished and becomes matte in appearance. Some color choices in acetate are black acetate frames with dark gray lens and tortoise acetate with green lenes. All the lenses graduate from dark to light to accommodate the strength of the sun.

Prices $530.00 – $590.00 All the styles are Gender Neutral. The brand has stores where you can be fitted for the best shape for your face in Los Angeles, NYC, San Francisco and Paris. Otherwise, shop www.ahlemeyewear.com

Patricia Ann Parenti