INSPIRED BY KNOWLEDGE: MEET CHRIS NICHOLAS

SEP 3, 2015 by ALDO TEAM

The best-dressed man in Newfoundland on colour theory and Fancy Fridays.

When your dad’s an engineer working in oil, you may end up moving around a bit, from say, New Jersey to Newfoundland and then on to Texas. That was exactly the case with Chris Nicholas, who moved back to Newfoundland as a teenager and is currently settled happily in St. Johns where he only has one year left of his five-year residency before he can be considered a bona fide radiologist. But as if becoming a doctor weren’t impressive enough he’s also a photographer, a DIY home renovator, a blogger, and an extremely dapper dresser.  The dude’s a modern day Renaissance man.

So how do your career goals factor in to the way you dress?

When I got into medical school my style was atrocious. I was really into hip-hop and wearing baggy all-over print hoodies. It was bad. Then at the end of medical school when I was applying for residencies I didn’t have a suit that fit me. I started researching a little bit. Maybe it’s my personality – I get pretty obsessive over things – and I did a ton of research on how a suit should fit. I think that’s when it kinda started. I realized, wow, all of my clothes don’t fit me properly.

What does a “classic” look mean to you?

I think it really comes down to fit. It’s funny because I sort of just wear whatever I want to wear, and on one side people at work will sometimes say, “Why are you so dressed up?” to which I respond “Why are you so dressed down?” And then they say “It’s casual Friday” and then I say “No, it’s fancy Friday.”

We hear you’re big into DIY home renos?

Yeah, that was sort of by accident. My girlfriend and I bought our first home, a typical eighties house with emerald green carpet. She was like “We’re gonna renovate this” and I was just like “Whatever you say!” But when she showed me her mood boards I got really excited and I started to realize I really like modern interior design.

Is your taste in interior design similar to your taste in fashion?

No! Our house is getting more and more monochromatic and I’m just seeing how many more color combinations I can put together.

What inspires you to experiment with color?

When I was trying to learn how to dress, the thing that always came up was: how do you know what colors to put together? Until you develop that sense you can really only follow guidelines and rules in men’s magazines. I dressed basically like a menswear magazine for a while. And then I realized you can wear whatever you want. As long as it looks good to you.

Any tips you can share?

So I actually will admit that more often than not I will just pull up the color wheel on my phone and try to see how things mesh together and then I’ll base my outfits on that. Some of my friends actually make fun of me for it to no end.

Well, we thinks it’s genius. Thanks Chris. 

FINAL TOUCH: ’70S REMIX

Crocodile tears? Never again.

What is it about the seventies that we find so appealing? In our minds it’s an ultra glamorous time when the free love of the sixties was still on everyone’s lips, but the world was getting a little savvier. We imagine that sit-ins made way for discoes, folk made room for electric guitars, and everyone high-fived each other in their one-piece jumpsuits. The most stylish women of the decade – like Jackie O., Jane Birkin, and Jaqueline Bisset – were fierce, friendly, and feminine all at once, and doing something sartorially brand new. Is it any wonder that designers like Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent keeps mining the era?

Paying homage to the decade yourself is as easy as pulling on a shift dress in suede or microfiber. For fall, try one in an earth tone like brown, mustard, or Bordeaux. Not only will those colors look appropriate in autumn but their warm, rich hues are so easy to pair. For chilly days try another classic of the era and the ideal layering piece: the turtleneck. The final touch is where you’ll make all the impact – a leather knee-high boot with a printthat’s equal parts playful and sexy, ferocious and strong. We hope you’ve got your high-five steez down pat, because with boots like these, you’re going to be getting a lot of them.

FINAL TOUCH: ACE LACE UPS

Here’s a key look for the season.

A little effort. A little initiative. Gentlemen, that’s all it takes. Let’s pull it back a bit and clarify. Fashion-wise, what’s your desired end result? What, in other words, do you want to get out of your clothes? Comfort? Of course. But beyond that, you probably want to make a solid impression at work, draw some looks, and, maybe, some compliments.

It’s simple cause and effect. Spend some time on your wardrobe and it will pay back dividends, no question. Think you don’t have fashion sense? Wrong. It’s all there – you just need to take charge.

With fall on the way it’s time to think earth tones. Shades of green, brown, dark blue, with some neutral tones thrown in for good measure. Start with your foundation black lace ups that will set you straight for autumn. Trim brown slacks with cuffs won’t look out of place here. Get your sock game in order with a blue grey number for contrast, and, above the waist, think layers. Don’t be shy to go with patterns when it comes to dress shirts now – it’s time for that. Mix and match with light sweaters, jackets, and blazers when the weather calls for it. Have fun; fall’s all about options.

DETAILS DETAILS: STYLE AND STRUCTURE

Friends, let’s be real with each other: when a new season approaches (particularly fall) what is on our collective minds? Shopping. How we love when our wardrobes demand we swap out our shorts and skirts for scarves and sweaters! It’s that perfect time of year for a fresh start and a new closet, but being real also means being practical. We can’t possibly overall our entire chest of drawers, so we have to cherry-pick what are our must-haves and want-not’s. It’s a tricky task, but if the international fall 2015 runways are any indication, the trend lies in what our hands are holding: the handbag. And not just any handbag – this season is all about structure. From buckets at Carven to belt bags at Elizabeth and James, the new purse is chock full of personality. Ss commuters we rejoice over the oversized tote that carries all of our essentials yet still remaining high on style when presented in deeply seasonal colours like burgundy, caramel and jet-black. From day (think: simple tee and skinny jeans) to night (leather mini and crop sweater), these satchels are sure to become our – and your – new staples. Dare we say we’ll take all three? Jk, shop bags here.

   

INSIDE SCOOP: MISHA NONOO X ALDO RISE SS16

There’s no denying it—social media has changed the way we follow fashion trends forever, something designer Misha Nonoo understands very well. With a smartphone and an Instagram account, it’s easy to follow along with all the front row insanity from the comfort of your own home. But why should we settle for a series of the same blurry, out-of-focus shots? Ever the trailblazer (there’s a reason why we keep partnering with her for ALDO RISE), Misha took the runway right out of the equation for her Spring/Summer 2016 presentation and took her designs straight to Instagram, presenting her entire collection on the account @mishanonoo_show. As a true believer in empowerment and inclusivity, Misha said she was inspired by Instagram’s global reach as well as its ability to spawn creativity.

The world’s first “insta-show” consisted of a horizontal composite of shots of models in the latest wares by Misha Nonoo (you’ll want to grab your phone and check that out right now—it’s incredibly cool). Misha evokes the flow of a real-life runway as users swipe left through gorgeous images of her collection. It’s part fashion show, part lookbook and all amazingly fresh, especially the clothes. Ah yes, the clothes. This season, the Bahrain-born, London-raised designer was inspired by the word “movement” in all its meanings, from physical to feminist. The 33 looks of the collection were at once delicate and strong, featuring bold colours and prints. Using crisp white shirting as a starting point (mastering the basics is the hallmark of a true genius), Misha mixed cream and black stripes with Bauhaus-inspired prints and jacquards. For a true feast for the eyes, she explored colour by weaving poppy red and clementine accents throughout the collection. Her denim jumpsuits and miniskirts are sure to be street-style favourites come spring, BTW.

For this, her third partnership with ALDO RISE, Misha has all of the It shoes of the season. Canvas flatforms in navy, chalk and poppy go toe-to-toe with slip-on mules in indigo denim and chalk. Then there’s the leather, platform sandals shown in black, poppy and chalk and black, the perfect complement to Misha Nonoo’s exquisitely on-trend culottes. Not to be outdone, the bags are the perfect companion to bring from day-to-play with cross-body practicality, featuring a geometric, colour-blocked print and envelope flap.

But what’s a social media fashion show without a ton of influencers logging on to the party? Misha called upon some of her most heavy-hitting, style-savvy friends to take part in the event, with each posting an image of them wearing a piece from her Spring/Summer 2016 collection to their own Instagram accounts (in exchange, Nonoo made a donation to Women for Women, a non-profit that supports women in war-torn countries). With pals likeOlivia Palermo, Lena Dunham, Megan Markle, contributing fashion editor at W Magazine and senior fashion editor at Vogue Japan Giovanna Battaglia , Harper’s Bazaareditor Laura Brown, Instagram’s head of fashion partnerships Eva Chen and beauty savant/former model Linda Rodin spreading the love, Misha Nonoo is in very good company.

MEET THE CAST: STAZ LINDES – IRL

Even though we are legit millennials & our notion of the ‘70s is straight outta Almost Famous, our love of fringe, suede and all things camel is still very real. That being said, we still can’t think of a better of-the-moment girl than artist slash model, Staz Lindes, to represent our ‘70s Remix collection other. Not only does she embody the true essence of bohemian flare through her eclectic style, but she also listens to music from Led Zepellin & George Harrison – duh. Let her snaps give you a glimpse inside her want-to-have lifestyle with boho accessories to accompany her everywhere. Learn more about the collection and our campaign model, here.

INSPIRED BY BALANCE: MEET JOSHUA THEW

OCT 1, 2015 by ALDO TEAM

The New York City Ballet dancer on balancing life, art, and style.

Balance. It’s at the core of ballet. But so is strength, and determination, and dedication: all things we see in spades in this British dancer with the shaggy blond hair. Joshua Thew, originally from Hartfordshire, outside of London, joined the New York City Ballet in 2008. He has been a member of the corps de ballet ever since, so it came as somewhat of a surprise when we discovered that he’s also a classically trained singer. An extra helping of talent plus many years of hard work and dedication? That’s what you’ll find in Joshua Thew; plus his soulful, expressive performances of blues and pop favorites will leave you breathless.

How old were you when you started dancing and what made you want to be a dancer?

I was 10. I went to an art school to sing, and they had a really strong dance program, and I sort of fell into it. It just happened organically. It wasn’t ever like I knew I wanted to be a dancer.

Do you dance primarily ballet now?

Oh, yeah! When I was just becoming professional I still did other styles, but since I’ve been at the company I’m too exhausted to do anything else. When I’m not at work I want to get as far away from exercising as possible. I do not want to go to the gym, I just want to watch TV!

Ballet has such a rich history. What’s your relationship to that?

I’m very inspired to work where I work. We’re preserving something that was made a long time ago, and there’s something really special about that; especially in this day and age where fame and entertainment has changed so much. It feels special and important to be part of something that’s bigger than myself.

How are your musical career and dance career connected?

They’re totally different. I think singing is personally the thing that I’m most naturally gifted at, but it’s always been something I’ve put on the back burner. It’s only recently that I’ve started taking it seriously. I feel like it’s scarier for me to sing in front of people, but I actually feel a lot freer and a lot more like myself than when I do ballet. I’m not one of the assertive, confident dancers, whereas with singing I’m more myself.

How do you think these passions effect your personal style?

We have a huge range of costumes and designers who collaborate with the company, and I think that has influenced me. I like a lot of Japanese designers, especially for men. I think it looks great when someone looks really comfortable, it can be very sexy.

Are there any people in your life that influence the way you dress?

I have some friends who are really stylish and they definitely influence the way I dress. Ex-boyfriends have honestly influenced the way I dress. People that I’ve had close relationships with influence me more than what I see in a magazine or a fashion show.

Is there anything from popular culture that influences your style?

Movies inspire how I dress. It sounds weird: it’s not necessarily costumes, but the overall color palette of a movie: it just really influences me.

FINAL TOUCH: HELLO MOTTO

So what is the it that the “It Girl” has? It’s hard to put your finger on exactly, isn’t it? It’s not necessarily her looks: she comes in all different shapes and sizes. And it’s not necessarily her style: they don’t all look like Emanuelle Alt, but they always have that ineffable “it” quality. After much consideration, we think it might just come down to this: they know themselves inside out – they’ve found their signature style, and they continually refine it. It’s their calling card.

Another thing they often do so very well is play with the feminine and the masculine, mixing and matching to create the perfect balance. And while the It Girl quality is indeed beyond description, we can’t think of one worth her salt who couldn’t rock a moto jacket and boot combo like a boss. It’s a duo that’s always had a cool, rock ‘n roll swagger to it but can be sweetened up or toughened up depending how you wear it. Pair a moto boot and jacket with a pair of double-dyed black jeans or leather legging for downtown appeal, or try it with a plaid miniskirt for a youthful and wholesome uptown look. Whatever way you choose, know this: you’ve got it, too.

FINAL TOUCH: A RUGGED REP

Boots. Has another style of footwear undergone a bigger metamorphosis in recent memory? Think about it. Boots used to be relegated to the task-oriented apparel bin. They had specific functions and were expected to stick to them, without fanfare, like the good, pragmatic workhorses that they were. Keep feet warm and dry; slog through inhospitable terrain; protect toes from construction site debris; help cowboys ride horses––you know, boots.

It seems somewhere along the way, however, boots decided to break free from their utilitarian roles and live it up a little. “We can be fashionable too!,” boots declared. Well, spoiler alert: boots have been doing pretty well ever since. Oh sure, they’re still there for us when we have rugged tasks in mind. (Icy sidewalks? Who are you going to call: loafers? Nope.)

But boots, ICYMI, now throw down with the best of them in the style department. Dig around a bit––there are models of brogue boots, chelsea boots, chukka boots, combat boots, desert boots, and lace-up boots that you can pull off at the office, and on the town, with jeans, and with casual suits (true story). Bottom line: boots can––nay, should––be an integral part of your wardrobe. Call it the new urban reality.

FINAL TOUCH: UPPER ECHELON

Take your style above and beyond with over-the-knee boots

Kim Kardashian recently made the case for over-the-knee boots on her new lifestyle blog and girlfriend is absolutely right. This fall, there’s nothing chicer (or sexier—Kim would know) than flashing an unexpected sliver of leg between your boots and a miniskirt. Offering endless style and warmth, something every northern girl can appreciate, over-the-knee boots give any outfit an instant jolt of sophistication. With a loose fitting, chunky knit turtleneck sweater and a thigh-grazing skirt, they project a Kardashian level of confidence.
If you’re worried about looking like a pre-makeover Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, don’t. This season’s styles are nothing like the vinyl boots of yesteryear. Soft fabrics, a chic pointy toe and a comfortable, body-con fit make these iterations as classy as they come. The key to nailing this look for 2015 is all in the styling. At fashion week, designers sent models down the runway in thigh-high boots paired with loose knit dresses and menswear-inspired coats—all in neutral tones—at Balenciaga, Donna Karan and Marc Jacobs. Pull this high-end trend right through to winter by swapping your skirt for a pair of leather leggings. Beyond the untouchable style factor, you’ll have a double layer of warmth, and what’s not to love about that?

FINAL TOUCH: PRETTY IN PATENT

Inject your fall wardrobe with a dose of throwback ‘60s mod style.

The season of outdoor music festivals may have come to its annual abrupt end as incoming colder temperatures and busy work schedules take over the reins of fall, but retro ’60s style hasn’t exactly left the scene just because summer has. It’s just changed its tune. Forget Woodstock-worthy peasant tops and bell-bottoms fit for a flower girl. Fall 2015′s homage to the ’60s is a nod to all things mod–not to mention the fashionable decade’s fascination with all things outer space.
To get the look, invest in a pair of black patent ankle booties with a modish block heel–the perfect throwback ‘60s accessory to pair with a retro metallic mini dress for extra space odyssey style points. For added edge, balance the patent finish of the booties by topping off the ensemble with an over-sized earth-toned jacket, a vintage-inspired black fedora, and optional sheer nylons to take on chilly fall weather in full fashion. It’s the perfect 2015 update to the rock n’ roll chic aesthetic of skinny jeans and indie band tees.

FINAL TOUCH: SNEAKY STYLE

Add some flair to your most casual footwear.

High-tops have come back with a vengeance. And no wonder. It was a crime that these classic kicks ever fell off the radar. After all, as any good 1980s fashion phenom could have told you, high-tops were dope. Fresh. The complete opposite of wack. Fun to style, fun to wear, fun to look at, in other words.

Now, all of a sudden, we’re in the midst of a high-top renaissance. The best part about the new high-top bumper crop is that they’re being made over in cool, bold ways, without sacrificing what made them so rad to begin with. High-tops have finally graduated from the court to assume their rightful place among the pantheon of classic footwear. And you know what that means: baggy basketball shorts out, wardrobe versatility in.

Fashion lines have been blurred, is the overarching theme here. There’s much less of a difference, now more than ever, between dress shoes and sneakers. Walls are crumbling, and supposed sartorial rules are breaking down. It’s chaos, beautiful chaos, and the best time to be a high-top shoe. This season, we’re matching our high-tops with slightly rolled, relaxed-fitting pants, and a long trench-style dress coat. We suggest you do the same. Totally.