The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » menswear

Weathered Belts, Broken Records & South Korea’s Dog Days

joshuakatcher — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:53:25 +0000

• If you like the look of an old, weathered and beat-up leather belt, you've probably been disappointed with the vegan selections thus far. In comes CLIFF belts to the rescue, made from cork. The cork is lightweight, strong, and the belts are reversable. So put a cork in it and go buy one. Eventually, you can even build your own. According to the CLIFF website:

Cork is environmentally preferable to leather as it comes from a lower carbon impact source (tree bark) and does not use animal products in its manufacture (a vegan product). The environmental concerns associated with leather include the energy and carbon intensity of generating animal products and the chemicals used in the leather tanning process that can be damaging to human health and the environment. Cork is a naturally beautiful and greener alternative to leather.

• I feel like a broken record. A new environmental study urges people to eat far less meat and cheese. This one is interesting, though. Unexpectedly, the biggest offender when it comes to GHG emissions is lamb! Lamb is a whopping 50% worse than beef. Damn! What sicko eats a defenseless, cuddly baby, anyway? Macho men, that's who - guys who are tough enough to stand up to a dangerous creature like a lamb! Take that you puffy, fluffy, gentle threat to my manhood.

The deadly creature in question

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released the Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change and Health, a comprehensive study warning Americans that the extreme amounts of meat and cheese we eat take a huge toll on the environment, animal welfare and human health. Meat and dairy products require more energy and resources to produce, and generate more toxic waste and pollution than equivalent amounts of potatoes, rice, beans and other plant-based foods. According to the EWG, if everyone in the U.S. chose vegetarian foods over meat or cheese for just one day a week, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be the equivalent of taking 7.6 million cars off the road per year.

• Every year, two million homeless or captured South Korean dogs are butchered and eaten. They are often electrocuted, strangled, or bludgeoned to death and are then skinned, chopped up, and boiled. The cruelty and suffering endured by these dogs is unimaginable. Even though the country's Animal Protection Law, which was passed in 1991, considers dogs to be "domestic pets, officials often turn a blind eye and allow this to continue . Click here to find out more and help.

A dog rescued in 2010 from South Korea's meat trade - In Defense of Animals

Kyotofu is Sweet, John Bartlett’s Jackets, Move & Speed Demons

joshuakatcher — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:37:28 +0000

• Kyotofu is a small Japanese restaurant tucked away in Hell's Kitchen. Their house-made tofu puts all other tofu's to shame; it is creamy, luscious, and delectable on its own - which is saying a lot for someone (me) who doesn't love tofu. The chefs transform the tofu into vanilla-chocolate swirl soft-serve (topped with green-tea mochi, brownie, caramel and fruit) that is to die for. The restaurant is not vegan, but there are several incredible vegan options. The sorbet dessert was delicious, and the the dessert that gets the cake is - the vegan chocolate cake. It is dense and slightly crisp on the outside; moist and rich on the inside, and the cocoa they use is so smooth. I will definitely be heading back for more, I'm addicted! • Prior to the dessert binge - Leanne of Vaute Couture and I went to see vegan choreographer James Koroni of enforcedarch.com perform in a benefit show for Autism. I snapped some pictures of his piece "Arrest Yourself" which was dark, edgy and really fun. • The following evening I attended the launch of John Bartlett's collection for Bon Ton, which included some really handsome, vegan faux-leather jackets. Look out for these next fall. • Lastly, I walked into the Tesla store to see for myself what all the excitement is surrounding this super-charged, electric sports-car. I have to say, even though I am more into the classic car aesthetic, I was in awe of how cool this car is, and I was even invited back for a test drive. I hope to report to you on that - and maybe shoot a video of it like my speed-queen pal Annabella at Ethical Bella. In addition being the baddest electric car on the road, Tesla offers microfiber interiors for vegetarians.

This is Format

joshuakatcher — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:49:19 +0000

• The German label, Format, by Mareike Ulman utilizes organic cotton, local and fair-labor conditions, and avoids mass production in the pursuit of sustainability and individual style. The solid and modern shapes matched with the unsaturated shades of black and white make a statement about casual strength.

Spring Motorcycle Jacket & Gitman Goes Organic

joshuakatcher — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:29:34 +0000

Schott NYC is certainly not known for cruelty-free fabrics, but this is their exception - a waxed cotton motorcycle jacket in khaki for spring. I certainly hope they'll make more vegan options. $500 at Barney's Also now at Barney's is a series of Gitman organic cotton ties and shirts.

30% off at Thieves

joshuakatcher — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:00:00 +0000

These organic cotton pants and organic cotton shirt from Thieves are 30% off for their holiday sale. Thieves focuses on organic and fair-labor garments with a modern and edgy aesthetic. My favorite mens items on sale from Thieves, however, are these awesome linen pants and black organic trench!

Turk + Taylor, SS11

joshuakatcher — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:03:26 +0000

What do you get when you combine a recycled hot air balloon, vintage linen, organic cotton, recycled poly, dead-stock fabric, hemp, and aesthetic genius? You get Turk + Taylor's Spring/Summer 2011 collection! I love how the cold hasn't even hit us yet and we're already talking about next spring! It's like the winter won't even happen. I chatted with Turk + Taylor at a trade show this week and got to see this collection up close and personal. The details are meticulous, the materials are sustainable, and the colors are bold and bright. The Bohol Jacket (made from the defunct 1980s hot air balloon) was my favorite, made from blue, orange and yellow silky-soft ripstop. Enjoy these gorgeous photos from their SS11 look-book:

NOVACAS Fall 2010

joshuakatcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:31:15 +0000

You have been patiently waiting for NOVACAS' Fall 2010 lineup, and here it is, 100% vegan, and sustainably leather-free . NOVACAS emerged from the phrase "No Vacas" meaning, "No Cows" in Portuguese, where the shoes are constructed under fair conditions, and consist of 100% PVC-free, high quality faux-leathers (What wrong with leather?). Featuring last season's smash-hit the Leo, now in black, as well as my new personal favorite, a fold-down, refined work-boot, the Milo, in both black and gray. What I love about a refined work boot is it's versatility - great with some jeans for a autumn hike, and equally appropriate with some slacks, a blazer and tie. The shoes will be available starting Sept 15th online and in-store at MooShoes (to pre-order, email MooShoes). Click here for a list of additional stockists. Their shiny new website was designed by DB contributor Troy Farmer of Raven + Crow.

Anntian from Berlin

joshuakatcher — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:30:10 +0000

Anntian, a fresh, young label out of Berlin, Germany, utilizes regional manufacturing, ecological fabrics like organic cotton, and is continually seeking out sustainable methods and materials. These shirts are all 100% organic cotton and available at these shops , with several in the United States. The company does use some wool and silk in other garments, but they do not use fur or leather at all.