SELF MADE

When you start a blog and put yourself out there, you at first feel a sense of trepidation about how you might be perceived. But one of the first comments I received really put me at ease knowing that strangers would understand what I’m about:

“The commitment to the tattoos is obviously beyond the norm … but he doesn’t let them become his look.” - Paul

I’m always going to get comments and remarks about my tattoos. To be honest I don’t care if they’re positive or negative because in the end, they are personal and meaningful to me. I don’t need to show the world they are there, I already know.

One of my most meaningful tattoos I have is “SELF MADE” across my upper knuckles. Yes I know a lot of people have it and that’s fine but I hope they have it for similar reasons. We don’t get to choose where we are born or to whom but it’s our decision to learn, progress and move forward. I hope that if I have failed, I have learned from my mistakes. Self made is doing it the hard way and coming out on top and once your there you don’t stop but you keep going, even if you get knocked back down.

Tattoos come in different shapes, styles, forms and with different meanings and to be able to look at them as a reminder of victory is the greatest feeling of strength and drive to keep going.

Jared Acquaro is a menswear blogger at A Poor Man’s Millions based in Melbourne.

On fire.

Hint of floral.

Similar look: Selected Shirt With All Over Floral Print.

Florals in winter, Around Town in The Sun-Herald’s Sunday Life Magazine.

Decadence.

Charles Hinckfuss for P. Johnson Tailors.

An on going project I’m working on with Patrick Johnson. 

Duffle plaid.

Mitchell O. Smith in Woollahra

PROFILE

MITCHELL OAKLEY SMITH IN WOOLLAHRA

Mitchell is the founder and editor of Manuscript, one of the more innovative men’s fashion publications to hit the newsstands in the last few years. Mr. Smith was kind enough to invite me to his home in eastern suburbs of Sydney to document his impeccable style and talk about what keeps him suited up.

VIDEO INTERVIEW

Fashion credits: 1. MJ Bale suit, Three Over One shirt. 2. P. Johnson Tailors suit, Uniqlo shirt, Carmina shoes from MatchesFashion.com, Moscot glasses. 3. Vanishing Elephant shirt, Three Over one waistcoat and jacket, Uniqlo pants, Grenson shoes. Video. MJ Bale suit, Vanishing Elephant shirt, Prada pin. 

New profile coming up Monday…

Andrew Chen in Melbourne

PROFILE

ANDREW CHEN IN MELBOURNE

Andrew Chen, co-founder of New York-based 3sixteen, a contemporary menswear label with a focus on raw denim, was in Melbourne last week to launch his concept store in collaboration with MINI Paceman. I had a chance to sit with him over a round of scotch (or a least he did and I attempted) to talk about his own personal style, what makes the perfect jean and how to avoid crotch blowouts. Enjoy!

VIDEO INTERVIEW