1,500 DAYS OF BOW TIES. 2 GENTLEMAN TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE.

Meet Jeffrey Armando Vasquez, a math teacher in Bushwick, Brooklyn who is celebrating his 1,000th consecutive day of teaching this month.  As if that weren't a triumph in its own, Jeffrey has set a new challenge for himself - and plans on teaching for another 1,000 days (with no vacation or sick days) to raise money for the Achievement First schools.  To spice it up, he will be wearing a different bow tie, every day, for those 1,000 days.  Yup, that's 2 years and 269 days (leap year accounted for) of bow ties.  Good luck, Jeffrey!

Visit 1000DaysofBowTies.com

And 3,000 miles away in Califormia, Aaron Cocjin has been on a quest to find happiness after a difficult break-up.  He found comfort in the one thing that always brought a smile to his face since elementary school - wearing a bow tie.  This March, Aaron will complete his adventure of having worn a bow tie every day, for the past 500 days.  So the big questions is, did it work?  

Visit 500DaysofBowTies.com

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

2012. THE YEAR OF THE BOW TIE.

2011 was a thrilling year for me.  Thank you all for your unconditional love, support, and inspiration. 

A lot has happened in the past 365 days.  Made In Forest Hills was born.  I completed The Bow Tie Collection, one handmade bow tie for the 11 events and exhibitions at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).  And I did my first press interview with the Forest Hills blog, Edge of the City.

I have big plans, hopes, goals, and dreams for 2012. 

1.) Reveal the official clasping system and logo for my bow ties.  You will love.  Promise!
2.) Launch new bow tie Collections from fun and found materials, including a Forest Hills limited edition series. 
3.) Throw a gallery showcase, premiering the original Bow Tie Collection (hope y'all will come - details in the coming months)!

If you have any questions, ideas, thoughts, or just want to tell me a joke - email me.  Don't be shy.  I won't bite. 

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

THE BOW TIE COLLECTION: FEBRUARY 8, 2011 - DECEMBER 13, 2011

My first Bow Tie Collection is complete!

It's only fitting to recap my year of bow ties while on my commute to MoMA this morning.  Forest Hills is a mixed bag of cultures with rich history and forgotten treasures.  The Beatles have played here.  The US Open was originally hosted here.  Tudor architecture and manicured lawns create an oasis of extravagance in a suburban setting just minutes from Manhattan.  I love #FoHi.

The marvelous curatorial departments at The Museum of Modern Art made the creative process somewhat easy.  Their immaculate attention to detail and non-biased ability to display the art allowed me to construct 11 individual pieces that reflect my personality and their hard work.  The bow ties inspired by MoMA benefits, which my department tirelessly plans and executes, gave me creative license to explore and design while being constantly inspired by the Museum around me.

Yes, there are many incredible perks working in an institution filled with billions of dollars of superb design and fascinating art.  I only hope that one day, through trial and error, extreme thought, reflection, and determination, I too can produce something the world would want to see.

Thank you for your unwavering support and criticism.  Onward and upward in 2012!

Please take my poll below and tell me which bow tie from my first Bow Tie Collection you like best.

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

A BLACK TIE BOW TIE

'Tis the season for black tie events, which in most cases means suiting up like a penguin and looking about as fashion forward as a butler.  Don't fret!  Adding a bow tie to your black tie attire is the perfect way to add a bit of pop and pizzazz.  Whether it's a wedding, work holiday party, charity benefit, or New Years Eve - below is a selection of dapper bow ties sure to fit any special occasion.  Which one will you be sporting at your next black tie soiree? 

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

 

1. OoOTie

2. Brooks Brothers

3. Drakes

4. Gucci

5. Whiterails Jewelry

6. Thomas Pink

7. Timo Weiland

8. Shrine

9. Le Noeud Papillon

10. J. Lindeberg

11. Duchamp

12. J. CREW

13. Tom Ford

14. Laurent Desgrange

15. Alexander McQueen

16. Monsieur Jean Yves

BROADWAY BOW TIES: WEARING LORCA'S BOWTIE AT THE DUKE THEATER + LAST CHANCE TO SEE DANIEL RADCLIFFE IN HOW TO SUCCEED

WEARING LORCA'S BOWTIE: 15 artists will take The Duke stage on 42nd Street Off-Broadway to play Spanish poet/playwright, Federico García Lorca in Wearing Lorca's Bowtie.  Co-directed by Josh Hecht (Drama Desk Award winner for Christine Jorgensen Reveals) and Ignacio García-Bustelo, the show will run December 8-17.  Buy tickets here.

ABOUT: A group of artists living in New York look at the city through the eyes of Federico García Lorca, Spain’s most celebrated poet.  Like Lorca in 1929, they too struggle with small bedrooms, social pressures and a devastating economic crisis, attempting to escape solitude through art.  Inspired by Lorca's "Poet in New York", AENY's inaugural production brings together Spanish and American artists to create a unique collage of poetry, personal stories, music and dance.  A tender exploration of the particular brand of loneliness that New York can evoke, and a dazzling celebration of art and community.

Wearing Lorca’s Bowtie unites some of Spain’s most celebrated award-winning writers, actors, musicians, dancers and directors with a Tony, OBIE and Drama Desk Award-winning team of American designers to create a unique theatrical experience.  The cast includes Benita Benéitez, Adela Bolet, Freia Canals, María Cuartero, Beatriz de la Cruz, Sebastián Gálvez, Juan Carlos López, Puela Lunaris, Javier Moreno, Pep Munoz, Soraya Padrao, Amara C. Pérez, Nuria Rabanillo, Rodrigo Recabarren, Carlos Renedo, David Riley and Yago Vázquez. [via: New42]

DON'T MISS: You have one month left to see Daniel Radcliffe in his A+ performance as J. Pierrepont Finch in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at the Al Hirschfeld Theater.  The 2011 Tony Award winning musical (John Larroquette for Best Featured Actor in a Musical), delivers 2 hours and 45 minutes of nonstop belly-laughing and toe-tapping. GLEE swooner Darren Criss takes over the role for a 3-week run starting January 3, and is sure to bring out flocks of @gleeks.  Buy tickets here.

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

THE ARCHIVES: GIFTS FOR YOUR MENFOLK

I know you're all frantically Cyber Monday-ing right now, but take a breather to enjoy the ad below for Marian Martin's Pattern Book from the Spartanberg Herald-Journal newspaper dated December 4, 1940.  Only a quarter for the entire book?!  Those were the days...

It's always heart-warming to reminisce on #bowtielove from the past, and Marian Martin's (pictured) choice vocabulary for "these gay accessories for men and boys" is exceptional!  With the holidays upon us, this lovely lady deserves the honor of today's #BowTieMonday post. 

Top 5 Marian Martin-isms

5. busy indoor days

4. menfolk

3. frocks for day

2. quick-as-a-flash

1. evening merrymaking

Thanks for reading - Happy #BowTieMonday!

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

THE 2011 HOLIDAY BOW TIE GIFT GUIDE

It is the week of stuffing our bellies, joyous family-fueding, and 'camping out' lines on Black Friday.  Save yourself the headaches, and buy the gift we all know keeps on giving.  A #bowtie!  To make it as easy as pumpkin pie, I present in no particular order - 12 holiday bow tie gift ideas.

Wishing everyone a Happy Turkey Day!  Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

THE 2011 HOLIDAY BOW TIE GIFT GUIDE

1. BOW TIE BOY DOLL BY HANDMADE ROMANCE

2. JOSHUA LEWIS CO. KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE BOW TIES

 3. BERGDORF GOODMAN'S EXCLUSIVE BLACK CHALKBOARD PENGUIN

4. THE BOW TIE CLUB

5. BROOKS BROTHERS BOW TIES BY SOCIAL PRIMER

6. LAURENT DESGRANGE CERAMIC BOW TIE

7. DOGGIE CLOTHESLINE BOW TIES

 8. VALENTINO VINTAGE NIGHT PEARL AND CRYSTAL DIAMOND BOW TIE NECKLACE     8.5 MARC JACOBS BOW BAG CLUTCH

 9. YELLOW BUG BOUTIQUE BOW TIE PILLOW

 10. URBAN OUTFITTERS BOW TIE FLASK

11. BOW TIE CELL PHONE CASES

 

12. COPPERGIFTS.COM BOW TIE COOKIE CUTTER

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE BRINGS 'SEXY BACK' IN A BOW TIE AT THE MARINE CORPS BALL

Hope everyone had a spectacular 11.11.11! 

On Saturday, Justin Timberlake made one marine's dream come true by being her date to the annual Basic School Instructor Battalion 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball (whoa! a mouthful) in Richmond, Virginia.

Corporal Kelsey De Santis, a 23 year-old champion mixed martial artist and 'singer/actress,' extended the invite via YouTube back in July.  Timberlake accepted a few days later at the press conference for his film, "Friends With Benefits." 

JT sported a black tux, blue bow tie, and some facial hair to the event.  "It turned out to be one of the most moving evenings I've ever had," he wrote on his website.

SPECIAL SURPRISE: Bow Ties #9 + #10 are unveiled this week!

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy

READY. SET. BOW TIE!

Hiyo!  This week’s #BowTieMonday gets hot n’ sweaty as we run along with the NYC Marathoners for not one, but two bow tie appearances!  Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and Mary Donaldson tied the knot while gasping for air during the 26.2 mile run - making all the [ex] Bravo NYC Housewives jealous that their own gasps for attention over the weekend went unnoticed.  Both Raymond and his minister sported bow ties during the marathon and it made me think, “What if bow ties became the next athletic must have?”  Don’t hold your breath marketing mavericks!  My campaigns below:

     

& of course, the Newlywed's:

Much love to New York Magagazine for the video.

#bowtielove,
@BowTieBoy