Zegna Campaign - HOT

"Great Minds Think Alike"

It could very well be The Essentialist's tagline.

Very nice campaign by a trully sartorial brand. With a good budget too, as the ads are literally everywhere.

Zegna Campaign - HOT

Cielo Club in NY - HOT

New York, the city that never sleeps, is a party desert.

I am talking about the good quality party, not getting drunk in Pink Elephant with some Hamptons schmucks.

It is quite sad that most of party-heads moving to NYC from abroad arrive with their hopes high and after a few weeks or months find themselves very frustrated.

They discover that to enjoy a real deal clubbing they have to fly back for the weekend to London or Berlin, which doesn't make much sense alltogether.

Club scene in NYC is lame, let's admit it.

Which is one more reason why everyone should keep Cielo on top of their weekly activities' list.

Cielo is hot, Cielo is dancy, Cielo is friendly, Cielo has one of the best sound systems in the city. Cielo has a weekly Wednesday residency by Little Louie Vega. Not bad, ha?

Check them out and you won't regret it. Weekdays are the best.

Cielo Club, NYC – HOT in New York - HOT

Manolo Fashion Blog - HOT

The Essentialist loves Manolo.

What Manolo does (gosh I love this name) - he takes all that everyday fashion-news pigsty mess lying all over the place, folds it into a neat pocket square and gives it to you on a small silver tray.

If The Sartorialist is Arsène Lupin of fashion blogging, Manolo is James Bond.

Manolo Fashion Blog – HOT

Crocs - NOT HOT

God bless the winter!

It's not here yet, but I have already been watching gradual decrease of individuals wearing these hideous, despicable things. Hallelujah.

All summer I was exposed to a very particular sensation, which being initially a sympathy toward hospital patients taking walks around the city turned rapidly into sincere repugnance at the fact that they are no hospital patients, but people who willingly bought these things.

How could human race have gone THAT wrong?

Considering these things shoes is a huge insult towards any shoe in the world. Owners of these things, please, do everyone a favour and limit yourself to showing them off to your backyard squirrels.

And if you regain your sanity one day, here are some ideas that make much more sense for these things then wearing them on your feet:

- doggy bag (only for medium and big size poop)
- flower sprinkler
- door holder
- scarecrow

Crocs - not only are you NOT HOT, but you just SUCK.

Havaianas Flip Flops - HOT

3 great things about these flip flops:

- they are Rolls Royce among flip flops
- they are cheaper than two drinks at Pacha New York
- you probably own one pair already, even if you don't know about it

Plus, they have THE BEST WEBSITE. On a rainy day just load it and let that beachy caribbean tune play for 8 hours. Are you missing the flower shirt already?



Havaianas Flip Flops - HOT

Marc Jacobs for Wrangler - NOT HOT

No, The Essentialist is not one year behind.

But we accidentally came across a fall 2007 (yes, '07) magazine which reminded us about that strange hybrid - Marc "Wrangler" Jacobs.

Someone said that MJ is Philip Starck of the fashion world in terms of number of collaboration projects. Be that way, we don't care, but have you ever seen Buick by Philip Starck? We haven't.

Eh, Marc Jacobs always gets away with everything, the kind of guy that is 2 hours late for his date and still everyone loves him....

But just for the record - Marc Jacobs for Wrangler - NOT HOT

Productdose.com - HOT

We love Productdose.com. The idea of "read and buy" won our hearts.

But be careful! Productdose.com can do to you what drugs did to Lindsay Lohan - it can get you seriously addicted. To shopping.

Visit www.productdose.com- they're HOT.

DVS Slauson Luxe Footwear - HOT

Skateboard roots meet urban style diggers. You can't have a bad day when wearing these.

DVS Slauson Luxe Footwear - HOT

Images found at http://size-online.co.uk

The Sartorialist Blog - THE HOTTEST

Let's make this as clear as possible - The Sartorialist is the ultimate and infinite hero for The Essentialist.

You cannot even dream of being The Essentialist, if you are not The Sartorialist. He is the zen of good taste, the om sound of fashion.

If you don't have The Sartorialist blog bookmarked and if you don't check it everyday, than babe, you're wasting your life.

Scott Schuman is the man behind this project which has grown BIG (the project, not mr. Schuman) and he is far from being a lucky-winner-of-a-popular-blog-contest. He's been in fashion industry for many years and knows much more than how to wear a pocket square.

Dear Sartorialist, the founding father of The Essentialist blog is humbly bowing with respect and happily going back to a beautiful Sunday afternoon of May of 2006, when I had a pleasure to be photographed and shared a brief conversation ;)

The Sartorialist Blog - You're THE HOTTEST!!!

DJ King Britt - HOT

King Britt is this sort of artist that The Essentialist admires the most: versatile, intelligent, and precise.

His musical adventure goes back to late 80s/early 90s and there is not enough room on this blog to list all of the projects that King Britt has accomplished until today.

He spinned for the legendary Digable Planets, he produced remixes for Tori Amos, Jazzanova and Gilles Peterson, he formed "Sylk-130", and he underscored several scenes in the "Miami Vice" remake. This is about 0.05 % of King Britt's extensive bio.

What matters the most, however, is how much of his musical knowledge King Britt is willing to share with his listeners when playing a set. It is like taking a music class with a really nice teacher.

If King is playing within 100 miles range of where you live, don't think twice, and you will understand what "Last Night The DJ Saved My Life" really means.

DJ King Britt - you're HOT!

P.S.1 Warm Up Parties in New York - HOT!

It's been over 2 weeks since the last Warm Up party of this summer but we can still feel the wind of fun and beats that we experienced every Saturday at MoMA P.S.1 Gallery in Queens.

It's quite difficult to believe that some people still don't have P.S.1 fixed for their summer Saturdays schedule. It is perhaps the best dancing party that this city hosts. Great crowd, live bands, sand and hammocks, hot dogs and burgers, great crowd, great crowd - it's all there.



"It's like Ibiza" - I heard from some Italian kid during this summer. Well, not quite - it's better, because it is in New York! And after 9 PM you migrate to Water Taxi Beach after party where you will find... great crowd, sand, hot dogs, good beats. Sounds familiar?

Next time when you're visiting NYC in summer, make this a mandatory stop and you won't be disappointed - it's New York at its best.



P.S.1 Warm Up Parties in New York - you're HOT and thank you for that! The Essentialist salutes you!

Vieux Farka Touré Remixed: UFO's Over Bamako - HOT

In the beginning, there was Ali Farka Touré. One of Africa's most internationally renowned musicians, two-time Grammy Award winner, whose tradition Martin Scorsese characterized as constituting "the DNA of the blues". Ali passed away in 2006...

And then there was Vieux Farka Touré, Ali's son. His 2006 debut amazed the critics and was one of the top 2006 world music selling records. Vieux Farka Touré turned out to be a talented guitarist, songwriter, musician and percussionist. As consciously noted by his production company, his debut represents "a historic passing of the torch from father to son".

Finally, there was an album: "Vieux Farka Touré Remixed: UFO's Over Bamako". It is a gem that every lover of dance and electronic music whose horizons reach beyond David Guetta-likes should own. The producer behind this wonderful piece is Derek Beres and DJs that contributed their skills to turn acoustic into electronic include Yossi Fine, Chris Annibell, Karsh Kale, Cheb I Sabbah, Nickodemus, Eccodek and more.

Vieux Farka Touré Remixed: UFO's Over Bamako is the best example that music knows no borders.

Today we are all Malians.

Vieux Farka Touré Remixed: UFO's Over Bamako - HOT

www.coolhunting.com - HOT

Cool Hunting is cool.

They hunt for everything cool that appears on the horizon, from Switzerland to Easter Islands.

From design to art, from books to websites, your thirsty-for-cool soul will get everything it needs. Check back with them often, as there is plenty to hunt for around the globe and Cool Hunting guys seem to cover it all.

Good for them. I mean for us.

Cool Hunting - you're HOT!

Rock & Republic Jeans - HOT

They have been on a roll for some considerable time now.

Whether it was Victoria Beckham or the Rock & Roll thing, I don't know, but I know that it's just as easy to spot them on Madison Avenue as difficult it would be to see Paris Hilton in a public library.

Hmm, that didn't sound smooth.

But the jeans are smooth and it is genuine fun to wear them. The fit is awesome. Get a pair before everyone else has them.

Rock & Republic Jeans - HOT

The Essentialist Blog Christmas 2007 Gift Choice

True Religion Jeans - NOT HOT

Sorry to say - but it seems that a few denim brands are gradually taking place of what only one year ago used to be THE THING in the world of jeans.

It looks that True Religion is not THE THING anymore. Confirmed with numbers from major retailers.

True Religion - as much as we all love the little buddha, you need to refresh yourself, or you'll be gone sooner than you think.

True Religion Jeans - NOT HOT

No Mas X Puma First Round - HOT

You know what these are?

Sneakers that came out in the quantity of only 48 pairs worldwide.

How do you get your hands (or rather feet) on them? You kill, you steal, you pray. These are the easy ways.

No Mas X Puma First Round - HOT

Lonely Planet - HOT

They are not only guidebooks - Lonely Planet can become a lifestyle, a terrific lifestyle.

If you'ver never done it - get a LP guidebook, buy a plane ticket, but don't book any hotels, and land in Goa, Bangkok or Kathmandu, facing adventure of you life.

Therefore I travel.

Lonely Planet - HOT

Backpacking - HOT

Even if you like the fancy and enjoy the comfy, at least once in your life you should take a backpacking trip.

Backpacking is a term used to denote a form of low-cost independent international travel, differentiating it from other forms of tourism notably by the following typical attributes:

- minimal budget use
- longer duration traveling
- use of public transport
- multiple destinations/countries.

The origin of the name comes from the backpacks that budget travelers generally carry in the interests of mobility and flexibility.

So much from Wikipedia.

And as far as The Essentialist is concerned - do it just so that you can tell your grand children how you climbed Angkor Wat or trekked in Himalayan Mountains. Or for even better reason - to forget about all that Essentialist nonsense...

Backpacking - HOT

iPod Touch - NOT HOT

Even if it barked and brought you a newspaper every morning, there is one major issue to it.

It has (FOR NOW) 16 GB at most.

That is great, but only for someone whose musical knowledge and appetite are limited to... maximum 16 GB.

And at the same time they are releasing this new 160 GB "old school" iPod monster (which is fabulous).

Mr Jobs, who are you trying to fool? Freshmen girls that wear pink socks and want to share their girls gone wild spring break photos + a few high rolling top 10 bestselling albums, cause not much more will they be able to fit into the new fancy touch thing?

16 Gigs for $400 vs 160 Gigs for $350? That's not Essentialist, that's stupid.

iPod Touch - NOT HOT

iPhone - HOT

Whatever you think about the whole hoopla about it, and regardless of whether it's $599 or $399 - it's hot. Just because.

Even if you'll have to throw it in a drawer next year, it's highly recommended to show it off right now.

iPhone - HOT

New Mac OS 10.5 - HOT

Among those who use Macs (5% woldwide) probably at least 75% are aware of new OS which is coming out very very soon.

The Essentialist has seen&worked with it live and yes - it's hot. It has bunch of new features, which go much deeper than just a fancy dock. On top of those there's one general reflection that IT guys are passing along - everything is working FASTER.

So - get yourself ready for the new Leopard!

New Mac OS 10.5 - HOT

White Under T-shirts - NOT HOT

Lame. Get a life, show'em that chest. Middle Ages are gone.

NOT HOT.

London 2012 Olympic Logo - NOT HOT

Everything has been said already, but let's recap:

- it cost $800,000
- it took a year to develop
- it resembles a "monkey on the toilet", some say
- animated footage of the logo was removed from the Olympics website, amid claims that it could trigger epileptic seizures (!)
- it looks like it had an epileptic seizure itself, The Essentialist says

Basically, London Olympics logo is like London weather - it sucks all year round.

London 2012 Olympic Logo - NOT HOT

David Barton Gym NYC - HOT

- Look Better Naked -

They were designed by Bonetti/Kozerski.
They have Bumble and Bumble in their bathrooms.
They have great ligting.
They have a yoga studio, russian bath and steam rooms.
They have locations in NYC, Miami & Chicago.
They have cool advertising and an awesome "look better naked" tag.

They have clientele that is just a little bit too pretentious. But Bumble and Bumble makes up for it.

Look Better Naked. The Essentialist Gym.

David Barton Gym NYC - HOT

Jaquet Droz - STUNNIGLY HOT

Hot is not enough. Stunning. Even you can't afford it.

Jaquet Droz - STUNNIGLY HOT

PS This blue would go perfect with the blue Moncler jacket from two posts below....

J.Lindeberg - HOT

The Swedish have Saab, Ikea and many more. And they also have J.Lindeberg.

If you still haven't purchased your first JL piece, you should. But only if you're tall and skinny, cause otherwise it probably won't fit.

But if you DO happen to be tall and skinny, then your gloomy days are over.

J.Lindeberg - HOT

Moncler Autumn/Winter 2007 - HOT!

If you still can't find a reason to look forward to the cold, disgusting and quickly-approaching winter, the above should be enough.

Gosh I can't wait for the winter.

Moncler Autumn/Winter 2007 - HOT!

G-Star Raw by Marc Newson - HOT

The new Fall 2007 arrivals at G-Star Raw stores are... maybe not NOT HOT, but they are lacking something, this special something.

You wander around, you really want to spend your money, but finally you're leaving empty handed.

And then on your way out you bump into Marc Newson rack. And the sun is shining again on your credit card. Marc Newson saves the day for G-Star Raw.

G-Star Raw by Marc Newson - HOT

New Cavalli Campaign - HOT

It almost makes you believe he's really sad.

What a great marriage of fashion, popculture and advertising. If you're the Essentialist, you have to love it.

New Cavalli Campaign - HOT

Valextra - HOT

Mmmmm.......

Mmmmm.......

Minimalism and sophistication at its best, plus their zippers use the same technology as NASA spacesuits. The leather feels so good when you touch it, your girlfriend/boyfriend will be jealous.

Valextra - HOT

PS have a Burton check-in and a Valextra carry-on. Show them you know what's up - the real Essentialist!

The Essentialist Blog Christmas 2007 Gift Choice

Burton Luggage - HOT

Read carefully - another Essentialist's secret is about to be revealed.

Burton luggage - there is NO OTHER alternative when it comes to purchasing your travel gear.

If only people who don't recognize Burton brand new what great luggage they produce - reliable, sturdy and absolutely cool looking - Samsonite would be out of work.

There has not been one time when person at the check in didn't mention how they like the Burton pieces. Each piece is an eye-catcher and it shines on a luggage belt. If you want people to turn their heads at the airport - Burton is your choice.

Burton Luggage - HOT

The Essentialist Blog Christmas 2007 Gift Choice

New Louis Vuitton Campaign - HOT!

Louis Vuitton marketing folks know how to pull it off.

What do you do to make the most recognizable, copied and worn out pattern in the world look fresh and natural again?

You create a new campaign starring Mikhail Gorbachev, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and Catherine Deneuve. And you hire Annie Leibovitz to shoot them.

Just look at Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf above - how perfect and natural is this image? It looks as if it was just taken out from their family album. Advertising photography at its best!

New Louis Vuitton Campaign - HOT!

PS Speaking of which - yesterday the whole tennis world, and certainly the whole New York was talking about Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland who beat Angelina Jolie of tennis - Maria Sharapova - in the US Open.

Radwanska had promised her younger sister a LV bag if she was to win, and after the match they both promptly went to LV on 5th Ave.

Do you see her in the next LV insertion next to a cute little bag - "I just had to do it"? I do.

Biotherm Homme Power Bronze Line - HOT

So, you won't have to sneak into the bathroom anymore and steal your girlfriend's tinted moisturizer while she's putting on her shoes.

Now Biotherm Homme has a new line that will allow you to look legally bronze (not legally blonde).

Supposedly it's aimed at "college students, young professionals and gay community". Whatever. What matters is that it works.

Biotherm Homme Power Bronze Series - HOT

The Essentialist Blog Christmas 2007 Gift Choice