Velvet Slippers
Velvet slippers were initially used to signify the change from outdoor life and indoor life, particularly in the Victorian era, as a way for working men to keep dirt from entering the home. But they are so much more than that. These classic shoes exude confidence and...
From Basic Function to Distinctive Elegance: The History of the Espadrille
The espadrille: a symbol of modern casual chic has a rich past. These flat shoes made with traditionally canvas tops and esparto rope bottoms originated in the French-Spanish region of the Pyrenees Mountains more than a millennium ago. The rope-constructed bottom goes...
The Birth of Cool: Defining Swagger
Privelege customers have swagger.
You know it when you see it.
It’s an attitude. It’s a style. It’s a feeling.
Walking down the street, a man with swagger has confidence that he can handle whatever the day is going to throw his way. He keeps his cool, assured in the deep-seated knowledge that he works from the inside out: all of his sureness comes from knowing who he is and what he wants. He is the one who influences others, not the other way around. It is never faked. This guy has it going on…
The Allure of Classic Style
The Allure of Classic Style There's just something about a man in a well-fitted suit who's well-groomed; this is true, at least, according to a blog from The GentleManual about what women find most appealing when it comes to a man's style. Apparently, if...
Perpetually Stylish: African American Men Who Choose Classic Style Over Trend
Classic style with clean lines and the perfect fit will always be hard to ignore. New York is well known as a fashion hub worldwide and for good reason. An unmistakable source of New York style will always be African American Men who choose classic fashion over...
The Cap-Toe Oxford
The Cap Toe Oxford is the shoe that means business. Cap Toe Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland where they were occasionally called Balmorals after the Queen’s castle in Scotland, Balmoral. The term Oxford was associated with the style of shoe because it...
Artist Spotlight :: Jacob Lawrence
Known for his portrayal of African-American life, Jacob Lawrence was not only a painter, storyteller and interpreter, he was also an educator. Lawrence referred to his style as "dynamic cubism," though by his own account the primary influence was not so much French...
The RL Car Collection
Like most, the owners of Privélege grew up wearing Polo Ralph Lauren. But it wasn't Lauren’s passion for style that they admired. It was his passion for automobiles that caught their attention. He has one of the world’s most impressive automobile collections, a...
Artist Spotlight :: Damien Hirst
British artist Damien Hirst has shocked and surprised the art world with his unusual works, including glass displays of dead animals and diamond skulls that have sold for over $100 million. In 2008, Hirst side-stepped his usual galleries to auction his work directly...
The Wayfarer
Wayfarer Sunglasses have been around since 1956 and were a revolutionary design opposed to the metal eyewear of the past. The original manufacture was Ray-Ban, but over the years other labels have created various versions. JFK was known only to wear the Wayfarer...
Sockless Style
With the warm climates approaching, the ultimate shoe for going sockless is the loafer. It's easy and can be dressed up or down. For those that feel the loafer is too causual, the thin-soled derby is a great alternative. And if neither of those floats your boat, opt...
The Deck Shoe
With temperatures rising and the Spring season right around the corner, it's time to switch the boots for something more seasonal. The deck shoe was created just for that, a boats deck and warmer climates. A siping pattern is cut into the soles to provide grip on wet...
A Splash of Color
In men's fashion the typcial color pallette consist of black, navy and beige. But men’s fashion colors should be explored and celebrated. So often men tend to stick with the basic color but sometimes a splash of color heightens the mood. Great style consists of four...
Artist Spotlight :: Jamea Richmond-Edwards
Born in Detroit, Jamea's multimedia paintings combine childhood memories and bold, ornate patterns to craft complex depictions of women. Her lionized figures are portrayed in regal poses, with eyes that possess alluring gazes and bodies adored with rich tapestries of...
The Wholecut Shoe
Shoes made from a single piece of flawless leather with no stitching are known as Wholecut shoes. The absence of decorative features and overall conservative look tend to make wholecuts appropriate for black tie occasions. Various types of shoes can be made wholecut,...