NYFWM ‘18 with Joseph Abboud

Twice a year an event occurs that brings together the greatest minds and visionaries in Men’s Fashion - Fashion Week.  Around the globe, we celebrate new collections and inspirational perspectives on what will be the new style to dictate that year.  There are avant garde suits and wild pops of color in certain collections, and then there are those that simply execute and embody the elements of timelessness. Joseph Abboud is one of those men.
For decades, designer Joseph Abboud has forged the path in creating stunning suits that any guy could look at and admire, whilst embracing and embodying the integrity of something as simple as a suit. This recent Men’s New York Fashion Week, I was invited to once again be a part of Joseph’s vision, his palate, and had the chance to work with his team to create my very own custom-made suit, along with my friends.  And this is an experience that I’d be fortunate to experience once, let alone several times, over the past couple years.
It’s almost difficult to put into words how enjoyable it was to arrive at the Flagship store in Manhattan and look at a table covered in pattern swatches, imported from Italy.  It’s almost nerve-racking.  But the team that worked with me to design the suit was amazing!  They never forget to understand that something they’ve spent their life learning and loving can be daunting for somebody like me, and guided me through every step, even offering their own opinions to paint a picture of what would not only look better, but would be better for my body type.  Single-breasted or Double-breasted?  Which lining color or fabric would I want?  Stitching and cuffing options that I take for granted in every article of clothing was suddenly explained to me and made my experience more immersive than consumerist.  They took me for a ride, abstractly ticking off notes for the tailors to have, which, in their head, illustrated the whole, rather than a few strikes of the pen on paper. When my suit arrived, it fit like a dream.  We made final adjustments to the shape and minor tweaks to ensure it fit perfectly and suddenly it all came together.  My grey, pinstriped three-piece suit; double breasted with the monogrammed initials “TF” on my jacket lining.  A suit custom made by Joseph Abboud for This Fellow. The entire fitting, design and modeling of these suits was a way for us to promote the show, which was live-streamed for all to see on Instagram and Facebook and it was amazing.  
Joseph’s new collection was darker and moodier than the previous, really focusing on blacks, greys and moodier patterns, accentuated with pops of color, here and there.  And, in the truly classic style of Joseph Abboud, it was held in a perfect venue for the collection.  A dark, moody midtown hotel banquet hall, converted into a ovular runway for the models to walk around.  It didn’t matter where you were sitting (or standing), you had prime perspective on the collection.
The guys and I had front row seats with a perfect view of every look, which, honestly, made me feel pretty awesome.  It’s not every day that something like this happens for me. I am definitely one to know the difficulties of finding nicer clothing that fits my body type.  I have thick thighs, a big back, broad shoulders and a big neck, and it makes it really hard to find anything that works for me.  I couldn’t recommend this more to someone, to experience the service they provide and to go through the paces of designing designing and owning a custom suit, because that is something that will never go out of style.
My favorite thing about this process is it makes me think about my dad.  He passed away years ago, and when he did, I came into all of his possessions that I hadn’t ever noticed before.  Of all the things that meant the most to me, his custom suits, monogrammed and well-hung, were my favorites.  It excites me to think that one day, somebody I love may eventually inherit something that special of mine.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and for following along the journey. If you ever have any questions, let me know!

Best,

Bobby

*this post is sponsored by Joseph Abboud*