Author Archives: Andrew Villagomez
Outfit: Shark Week Ready
The shark’s the hottest animal right now! Discovery Channel’s annual, week-long obsession of the sea creature started on Sunday, and Sharknado‘s becoming a cult classic; with plans for a second film due in 2014 that will be based in New York.
When I came across TOMs’ Shark Week shoes, I fell in love with them and put together a look based around the ‘it‘ animal’s new footwear. With the shoes having a strong pattern already, even if you go with the Biminis, I wanted to keep the look simple, but still sharp.
Shot by the Intrepid, I styled Eric here with John Varvatos’ silk-blend Hampton polo in dry fig and a pair of dark wash, skinny jeans from Express. Accessories include are VonZipper’s new Commonwealth sunglasses in torte, a brown cuff watch from GUESS, and the tech-friendly Herschel Supply Heritage backpack—all of which matched the navy canvas and brown suede stringing the eyelets perfectly.
Share:
My City: Hell’s Kitchen Musts From Nightlife Personality, Justin Luke
If you’re a New York City gay in his 20s-30s, you either know of or have met nightlife promoter Justin Luke at one of his weekly parties across Manhattan. And if you are a traveler to the city, odds are you’ve been to at least one of them in your last visit during a night out.
Just getting his start four and half years ago at the soon-to-be closed Splash, Justin is the co-director and head promoter of longtime NYC gay nightlife promotion company, BoiParty. Justin is also a published author, a fellow blogger, and has a knack for social media; creating a private VIP Facebook group of over 7,700 international gay men in their 20s, Gorgeous Gay and Twenty-Something (GG20).
Kicking off this new series, Justin gives us his favorites and musts for the ever growing gay hub of Hell’s Kitchen; where he resides and the hottest parties take place.
Share:
Outfit: The Business Casual Summer Traveler
Business travel is on the rise again and New York remains the top U.S. destination, so no better location for a business casual look that’s perfect for in the office or on the go—whether it be plane or commuting down the High Line.
If you’re traveling this summer for work, and your hosting office calls for a casual look, have some fun and ditch the khakis or the wingtips and cap-toes. A colorful boat shoe or moc can really put that extra pep in your step, while keeping it prep, and that is what this look was based around.
Business On Top, Party On The Bottom
Share:
Shop: H&M Online Now Open
It’s finally here ladies and, ladies (kidding). Women, men and children all over the states can now finally order H&M from the comfort of their homes; which is wonderful if you only ever get to shop at one when you travel. The obvious best part of all of this is that, if you already know your sizes and favorite styles from H&M, you now don’t have to wait in long cashier lines. At least that’s true for when in New York, London, Paris….Stamford, CT. Yeah I guess every city has this issue, at least when I show up (#noshade).
At midnight tonight (EST), H&M announced via Twitter that their online store front was open for business:
Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) began selling cheap-chic clothes online in Sweden about the same time Google Inc. started crunching its first search results says Bloomberg. 15 years later, H&M’s American fans finally get to catch up and experience the brand in a whole new way. *Crossing fingers for big online end-of-summer sale soon*
Follow Andrew Villagomez on Twitter and Instagram: @AndyVeeNYC
Share:
Shop: 10 Printed Swim Trunks & Briefs To Get Now
Treat yourself to some new swimwear for those upcoming lazy, hazy, crazy final weeks of summer!
Make a splash with beautiful and playful printed swim trunks and briefs from the local designer brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Parke & Ronen, Charlie By Matthew Zink, and Mr. Turk, to international swimmers from Venory Sydney, Dsquared2, Vilebrequin and Dan Ward.
Share:
Outfit: Simple Stripes
My minimalistic style really takes over in the summer, more than usual, and especially when I know I’ll be hopping around the city (to keep cool I suppose). I took a break towards the end of my day here in Washington Square Park with my friend Hayden (who I earlier styled and photographed for an upcoming post).
I try to brighten up these simple looks by adding splashed of color. Here I used a navy and beige color scheme with Gap shorts and a pair of TOMS, and then I added an H&M stripped tee that included coral.
Since this still wasn’t colorful enough for me, I topped off the look with a pair a kelly green, crystal framed wayfarers from American Eagle. Eventually a Coach leather bracelet in cobalt blue was add that came from a preview event earlier that afternoon, and at the end of this post is a closer look of it.
Share:
TOMS Sophisticated Brogue Line Grows Its Mens Collection
TOMS Shoes has been upping the ante of its men’s footwear collection lately. This past May we saw their first men’s only shoe, the Paseo, a personal summer favorite of mine that has gone on to include several new colors and patterns.
Now the shoe company known for its charitable foundation is expanding into a timeless and sophisticated shoe design with the new Brogue. Taking the classic wingtip details its name implies, TOMS uses signature materials such of canvas, burlap and aviator twill to provide different options to the design—which includes a more dense rubber outsole for traction and breathable suede insoles.
The camo patterned pair comes in canvas, the West Coast influence stands out with the beige burlap option, and the aviator twill shoes are available in chocolate, ash and a beautiful burgundy (above). Each Brogue is available online for $98 each.
Follow Andrew Villagomez on Twitter and Instagram: @AndyVeeNYC
Share:
Gaymer X: World’s First LGBT Gaming Convention
Following the recent San Diego Comic Con, gay geeks will be heading to San Francisco from August 3-4 for Gaymer X, the first gaming and tech convention specifically designed with us in mind.
Previously known as Gaymercon, the weekend gathering will take place in San Francisco’s Japantown district at Hotel Kabuki and Hotel Tomo. Japantown was selected as the location because, “the atmosphere was so much more welcoming and festive than other places in the city,” says Gaymer X’s event page. “We want a place where people can have a really fun experience and where people can be comfortable expressing themselves.”
Share:
Your Next Chic Bluetooth Speakers, Beacon’s The Blazar
Portable speakers for your next desk or adventure just got a whole lot more attractive with Beacon Audio‘s upcoming speaker, The Blazar.
With a chic, cube shape design, The Blazar connects to your smartphone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth to fill your office or hotel room with sensational, 360-degree sound for up to 12 hours. If you are having a party or just want more sound, you can pair with another Blazar for a dual-stereo system.The soft, top controls and built-in mic are also other nice upgrades from last year’s hit, The Phoenix.
Along with the color options of silver aluminum and deep graphite (above), Beacon also paired with Lzzy Hale from Halestorm, Aaron Bruno of Awolnation, and Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees to each give The Blazar even more personality with individual color schemes:
When can you buy one? Beacon just launched a Kickstarter for the product where you can pre-order a speaker for an early estimated delivery of September/October. These little guys are on fire, with already almost half of the goal met. Go and claim yours now!
Follow Andrew Villagomez on Twitter and Instagram: @AndyVeeNYC
Share:
New York’s Splash Bar Closing, Relive Iconic Pop Performances
Photo via Splash Facebook/Richard Burrowes
After over 20 years of putting on countless parties for New York’s gays and his visitors, the Chelsea nightlife icon Splash will be closing it’s doors on August 10th. Owner Brian Landache posted on the club’s Facebook page saying it’s the “end of an era, boys!” and the following note making it official:
Mega parties, go-go dancers in showers, and unfortgetale DJs and artists, Splash was legendary and a favorite for many New Yorkers and visitors. In my case, it was my first New York gay nightlife venture (and NYC club for that matter). For others it was much more personal.
Vee Travels 
