Arthur Kulkov 

Arthur Kulkov (born August 20, 1986) is a Russian male model born in Siberia. His work has been prominently featured in publications such as American GQand Details (magazine) . He has been featured on covers for both publications, a rarity in the male model industry. He is recognized for being one of the few successful Russian models working internationally and for nabbing at least one fashion campaign every season he's been an active model.

Early life

He immigrated from Russia arriving in New York. He attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing. He got scouted by someone in the industry while playing soccer, his favorite pastime during his college years. After several times saying he wasn't interested to the scout, he eventually went along to meet some people and started his modelling career.

Career

While most models struggle getting exposure in print work at the begging of their careers, Kulkov struck big success working for brands such as Barneys New York, Original Penguin, Sisley and Russell & Bromley during the Fall 2008 season, his first ever and he has not even made his runway debut.

He has been prominently featured in international editions of GQ including American, French and Italian and Details (magazine) since the beginning of his career due to his chameleon-like habilities, walk, professionalism and adapting to whatever the client or designer wants. These habilities have been praised by editors and stylists all over the industry.

In 2011, he set himself as a top model by becoming the face of Dolce & Gabbana for several seasons in a row, starting with the Fall 2010 campaign.

He became a permanent fixture for Tommy Hilfiger since 2011 being prominent featured in advertisements for "The Hilfigers" lifestyle campaign.

He participated in the 'Rock the Sidewalk' event in Mexico City organized by Express[disambiguation needed] to promote the brand. Only three international male models where chosen to be spokesperson and walk the runway at the historic Zócalo in downtown Mexico City.

He has drawn himself into acting having appeared in the 2012 short film The Main Event in America directed by AW McKnight where he plays Phonix Mostlyn, a lightweight boxer who struggles choosing between his dream of being a champion fighter or his love for a man. The film showed during the Honolulu Film Festival where he got positive reviews. This is his first feature film.

Achievements

In 2009, a year after he started modelling, CRUSHfanzine (a magazine) dedicated its first issue to him with essays written by influential people in the industry and featured a journal with words and pictures by him. The magazine sold out it's run.

In 2010, he was awarded the cover of GQ's special issue called Style Manual. Being the only model to land such cover.

Later, in 2011, he landed the March cover of Details (magazine) along fellow model friends Sean O'Pry and Noah Mills. A rarity in the male model industry.

In 2012, he appeared on the cover of Chaos magazine where he was interviewed about his life, his career, what he thinks about the modelling industry and was is coming next for him. The very first dedicated issue to a model.

During the spring 2013 season, he acquired a fragrance deal from Tommy Hilfiger called 'Freedom by Tommy Hilfiger' which print and TV spot campaign show him along Victoria's Secret angel Lily Aldridge and he also landed the Banana Republic's Love campaign.

Reception

He is signed with Re:Quest Model Management in New York, Bananas Models in Paris and Why Not Model Management in Milan.

He is currently ranked #8 in The Money Guys List, which annually ranks the models who make more money inside the fashion industry.

He's also being featured in street style websites like Backyard Bill and The Sartorialist and magazines like GQ, which published an article about him, andT Magazine for his eye-catching personal style.

New Spring Fashion

There’s a new way to dress this Spring. You’re probably used to keeping your “work” clothes quite separate from your “weekend” stuff; jackets and ties are for the 9-5, while t-shirts, jumpers and trainers signify easy, casual downtime attire. But fashion has, quite rightly, got a bit bored of these rigid parameters. It suddenly seems wrong that a textured, slim fitting jumper can't work just as well for a client meeting as for a visit to the pub. In fact, the point is that quite often the most ideal scenarios lead so seamlessly into one another that your look has got to be multitasking, i.e. if that meeting goes really well, it would ideally end up in the pub. See?
This philosophy has given the menswear catwalks a refreshing new vibe of late, with iconic wardrobe perennials styled together in new ways; casual tees layered underneath tailored suits or smart shirts worn with laid back Bermuda shorts. H&M have embraced this new fashion approach with their Spring collection which comprises style essentials that work for any situation. Andreas Löwenstam, H&M’s Head Menswear Designer, describes the collection as being “all about pieces that work for the way men live their lives today.” He goes on, “I love that there’s such a blurred line in menswear right now between tailoring and sports”.
So, how to make this work for you without looking like your top half is off to give an important presentation and your bottom half is ready for gym session? It’s all about subtle details and searching out pieces which seamlessly blend the smart and the sporty.

H&M’s navy mac is an excellent starting point; its knee-length cut makes it intrinsically pulled together but the look is still relaxed. Make it modern but professional with refined navy or grey trousers and a crisp white shirt (£19.99).

Alternatively, be a little more experimental and wear the mac as a foil for one of this season’s must-have painterly floral shirts, like H&M’s black and pale yellow version (£29.99), which is an easy way into the trend seen on the catwalks of Givenchy, Dries van Noten and more.
The classic smart short is having a serious fashion moment this spring, so much so that you should think of them as your new chinos. H&M’s Conscious range includes a brilliantly timeless pair which will multitask between barbecues and big occasions.Invest in the linen mix blazer (£49.99) - a staple piece which you’ll keep forever- as an impeccably smart accompaniment.  For an extra fashion touch, wear with the monochrome marbled effect knit. Black with navy is a winning combination.If you’re still not entirely sure about the new smart meets sporty way of dressing then the ultimate one stop shop item is H&M’s suede slip-on skate shoe (£34.99) - a style which has fast become a wardrobe essential. With their bright white sole, cool but pared back design and elegant finish, they’re the perfect way to transform any outfit whether it’s a suit or t-shirt and shorts into the epitome of modern mixed-up styling.

Men’s Fashion Basics – Part 95 – The Polo Shirt

IMAGE: MASSIMO DUTTI APRIL 2013

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Introduction

The UK has been having a bit of shocker weather-wise recently. In London, we’ve been experiencing the humidity that we’d expect from a month like June – sweaty tubes, an awkward night’s sleep and difficult work commutes – but none of the sunshine that would make it all worthwhile.

What’s more, as the temperature begins to rise, men have fewer and fewer options to turn to when it comes to keeping their competitive edge in the style arena. Inevitably, most will end up making the polo shirt their go-to choice when it comes to beating the heat.

However, with the polo shirt comes two problems: firstly, with little understanding of how a polo shirt can work in a wardrobe, the majority of men end up wearing the wrong polo shirt for the occasion, be it fit or design. Secondly, with so many brands making what is essentially exactly the same item with a different logo, it can sometimes seem a little too obvious of a choice if you want to remain individual.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a few simple steps you can incorporate a polo shirt into nearly every aspect of your look and soon find yourself wondering why you never considered it seriously before.

The Polo Shirt

The Fit

Before we delve into how to wear a polo, you need to nail the fit: the sleeves should hit around mid-bicep and the shirt should end halfway down the trouser fly (this avoids showing stomach when reaching for things and allows it to be tucked in, if necessary).

Also, pay close attention to how the neck opening sits on your body. It’s important to make sure that when it’s unbuttoned it does open properly, as it aids in framing your face. Some polos will still stay tightly closed when unbuttoned.

Key Styles

Next, make sure you’ve got the basics down. By which I mean pick up a couple of polos with the right fit in solid white, grey, navy and black. Try to keep them as simple in design as possible as they will become your go-to for events such as casual nights out, lazy Sunday afternoons and anything involving shorts. These pieces will most likely end up being the workhorses of your summer wardrobe.

After that, it’s time to get adventurous. This is where the polo shirt can really begin to come into its own, especially due to the variety that can be found once you start looking. Whether it’s a v-neck with a shirt collar, jersey material or ribbed cuffs, there is enough choice out there to enable you to start adding subtle twists to your looks. My personal favourites are polos that come with a mid to deep placket and a button-down collar – allow me to tell you why:

One of my favourite looks during the summer involves pairing a polo shirt with other smarter items – be it seasonal trousers, a waistcoat or a full on suit. And thanks to the dressy elements of the aforementioned polo, I can do just that.

It helps to combine them with a relatively unstructured, casual piece of tailoring too, so the two pieces can meet halfway. I’ve recently been pairing my beige cotton/linen suit with a dark grey or navy polo for casual meetings or an afternoon in a beer garden. Even if you don’t feel like wearing the full suit, I’d recommend trying a polo with casual suit trousers as they strike right down the middle of smart-casual.

• TOPMAN PETER WERTH DOGTOOTH POLO SHIRT
• BUTTON-DOWN COLLAR POLO SHIRT
• TED BAKER ROKPOLO – WOVEN CHECK COLLAR POLO
• ASOS POLO IN PIQUE JERSEY WITH BUTTON DOWN COLLAR
• TED BAKER POLO SHIRT
• ASOS POLO IN PIQUE WITH BUTTON DOWN COLLAR
• RIVER ISLAND WHITE TWILL SHOULDER PATCH POLO
• RIVER ISLAND NAVY JACQUARD COLLAR POLO SHIRT
• RIVER ISLAND BLUE SPACE DYE CONTRAST COLLAR POLO SHIRT

If you have a solid coloured polo shirt, why not try matching it with trousers made from cotton, linen or tropical wool in a navy pencil stripe or grey Prince of Wales check? Throw on some boat shoes and straw Panama hat and you’re onto a stone cold winner.

I also find that patterned or printed polo shirts are helped if they are slightly smarter in design – the formal edge helps anchor the pattern, regardless of how bold it is. Keep your eye out for striped, floral or gingham versions this year. Just remember to keep the rest of your look simple and let the polo shirt do all the talking.

Lookbook Inspiration

Men’s Polo Shirts

• MARC BY MARC JACOBS COTTON-PIQUÉ POLO SHIRT
• HE BY MANGO COTTON POLO SHIRT
• ALLSAINTS SANDRINGHAM POLO
• ALLSAINTS SAINTS POLO
• BURTON LIGHT GREY KNITTED POLO SHIRT
• TOPMAN CREAM TWISTED CABLE KNIT POLO SHIRT
• NEW LOOK BLUE POLKA DOT POLO SHIRT
• TOPMAN TRIANGLE PATTERN POLO SHIRT
• REISS MONTGOMERY SHORT SLEEVE CHECK POLO BLUE
• UNIQLO MEN DRY PIQUE PRINTED SHORT SLEEVE POLO SHIRT M
• J.CREW HARBOR STRIPED COTTON-JERSEY POLO SHIRT
• POLO RALPH LAUREN POLO SHIRT IN HAWAIIAN PRINT
• UNIQLO MEN DRY SHIRT COLLAR SHORT SLEEVE POLO SHIRT A
• REISS WESTIN PIQUE POLO SHIRT WITH LOGO MINT
• ALLSAINTS BRAMFORD POLO

Final Word

Finally, a word on logos. I’ve got nothing against them when they are small and tasteful – preferably placed where the left breast pocket should be and about a fifth of the size. Any polo with a logo that is visible from more than a few feet away, has more than one or has a huge number on the back of it is just a big fat ‘no’ from me.

But then again, that’s just my opinion, so what do you think? Do you like polo shirts plastered in logos? Do you prefer a different version to the deep placket button-down? Are you usually found in a polo during the summer or do you opt for something different?

Let me know in the comments section…

Men's SS14 Fashion Trend: Colour Segmentation

IMAGE: CRUCIANI SS14

Introduction

We Brits are a funny bunch. First signs of sunshine and we're outside, lighting the barbeques and reaching for our high summer wardrobes – and rightfully so!

After slogging our way through a long winter layered up in thick knits and outerwear, we've more than earned the right to don brighter colours and lighter garments. Which is why we're excited to try out one of the trends we spotted at London Collections: Men SS14 – colour segmentation.

From block-colour separates to pieces with multi-coloured sections and details, segmented colour is a great way to inject some freshness and excitement into your look this season.

So whether you want to make a statement or are looking for a more refined approach to the trend, we've got it covered…

On The Runway

Colour segmentation could be seen everywhere at London Collections, where models acted as canvases for bold and eye-popping art. This vibrant display of block-hues and segmented pieces was enough to make any man with enough confidence want to give it a go.

E. Tautz mixed bright shades with darker colours to create a real impact, although it was the red and green segmented coloured tee constructed from hi-shine fabric that really stole the show. We loved how it was paired with a traditional hat – the perfect mix of contemporary and classic:

COURTESY OF FASHION156.COM

As usual, Christopher Shannon took a more daring approach with toxic fluorescent hues making up outfits of a single colour.

Although we're not ready to advocate wearing these pieces on the high street just yet, it definitely made for an interesting visual showcase:

Elsewhere, Agi & Sam layered tonal hues together for a far more wearable approach to the trend.

We particularly loved the segmented coat in a grey/orange mix. However, it might have been better suited for everyday use if the colours were reversed and the sleeves were slightly more fitted:

Get The Look

It's important to remember that the high fashion runways are designed to be dramatic and offer the most extreme version of any trend. By the time similar pieces reach the high street they have often been diluted and are far more wearable.

With this in mind, here's how we recommend creating your own take for SS14…

1. Bright & Bold

There's no getting around it. If you want to attempt this look, you need to have confidence. In comparison to the way the opposite sex looks at clothing, we guys seem to have some sort of macho opinion of the way we can wear colour, if we choose to wear it at all.

We're often far more inclined to fill our wardrobes with greys and monochrome hues than citrus orange or seafoam green – the blue spectrum and richer shades of brown/burgundy being the exceptions.

We need to start by scrapping this outdated intimidation of bright colours and welcome them into our personal style. A guy can look just as masculine in fluro yellow or pastel purple, it's all about the way he wears it. After all, once you've mastered segmented colour, everything else is child's play.

Below you will find some examples of bold colour-blocking and segmentation to get you inspired. Keep in mind your colour wheel , stick to two (three max) solid pieces that complement or coordinate with each other and then experiment :

2. Layering & Anchoring

If you don't fancy going all out by pairing fluro hues together with hi-shine fabrics, try anchoring bold block-coloured garments with darker shades and more textured materials, which have a mattifying effect.

By keeping the rest of your outfit classic and restrained, it allows the statement piece to take centre stage yet simultaneously reduces its overall impact slightly.

Alternatively, if you're still building up confidence, you could use a vivid colour for your base piece and then layer more muted tops, knits or tailoring over the top.

For example, a tangerine orange shirt is undeniably eye-catching when used as a standalone top layer, but throw a navy or grey blazer on and its effect is subdued by being restricted to your centre section:

3. Rich/Muted Colour-Blocking

Another pared-back approach that is similar to the layering and anchoring technique above, colour-blocking is just as effective when you utilise darker hues.

Whether you pair a deep navy jacket with burnt orange chinos or a dark shade of crimson with rich brown, combining colours doesn't always need to be a neon affair:

4. All In The Details

For those still not convinced by the colour segmentation trend, there are many other simple yet stylish ways you can inject some flair into your look this season.

Colour tipping or flecking will brighten up an otherwise refined ensemble, while coloured details/accessories will give your outfit some extra personality. Think collars/cuffs, belts, ties, socks or footwear:

5. Try With Tailoring

There's no reason why you can't apply this trend to your formal wardrobe. We've seen block-colours and bright hues become more prominent within tailoring in recent years, and the sunnier months offer the perfect time to brighten up your collection.

As we reported in last year's article on statement suiting , bright tailoring is not for the faint-hearted, particularly when it comes in a single bold hue. However, it definitely stops you from blending into the background and will instantly separate your look from the crowd. Just make sure you bear in mind the occasion and dress code.

For a less shocking approach, we'd suggest teaming different coloured pieces together. Block-coloured separates are ideal for creative workplaces such as media agencies or design studios, and summer pastels/whites can often be as striking as a neon hue in this type of environment.

Tonal pieces also work extremely well and can be combined with minimal fuss or thought. For example, a sky blue blazer looks superb when teamed with classic navy suit trousers:

Key Pieces

• ASOS LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT WITH CREW NECK
• JOHN SMEDLEY SENATE CASHMERE AND SILK-BLEND CARDIGAN
• TOPMAN COBALT FLANNEL SKINNY BLAZER
• REISS 1971 WIGMORE CREW NECK JUMPER ABSINTH/CITRUS
• ACNE STUDIOS STEN LIGHTWEIGHT RAINCOAT
• HE BY MANGO SLIM-FIT GARMENT-DYED CHINOS
• REISS NASSAU B TWO BUTTON TEXTURED BLAZER
• RIVER ISLAND LIGHT PURPLE POLO SHIRT
• GANT RUGGER WASHED COTTON-JERSEY SWEATSHIRT
• RIVER ISLAND LIGHT GREEN RAGLAN SLEEVE JUMPER
• HE BY MANGO SLIM-FIT GARMENT-DYED CHINOS
• RICHARD JAMES SLIM-FIT LINEN SHIRT
• REISS CUTLER KNITTED SILK TIE
• HE BY MANGO BRAIDED COTTON BELT
• LONDON COLLECTIONS.MEN SIBLING X GRENSON NUBUCK PENNY LOAFERS

Final Word

With the first real signs of the warmer months under way, there's no better time to start planning your spring/summer wardrobe. And, if you're up to the challenge, why not give colour segmentation a shot? What have you got to lose?

Just remember, context is everything. We don't want any complaints from the manager of your law firm when you turn up to work in a half lime green/half toxic tangerine two-piece suit.