Swagger

[Suh-Wah-Ger]

-noun: How one presents him or herself to the world of ATL.  It shows in a persons style, from the way they walk & talk, to the way they dress.  To move with confidence, sophistication, and to exude a high level of coolness without even trying.  

-example: Are Bernard; Black Dominoes; Caleb Gauge; Dell Harris; Donald Hart; Kyle Proski Stewart; Irving Hillman; Mike Zarin; Rithy Hickman; Ryan Hall

We’ve searched High and Low, we’ve looked though LOTS and LOTS of facebook pages, we’ve harrased (yes HARRASSED) guys that we have seen around ATL that we feel embody a certain type of Swag that def needs to be showcased  …and we have finally tracked our TOP 10 guys down (In no particular order of course).  These 10 are all different, they have a variety of style that can’t be beat.  They cover different looks that include edgy, trendy, eclectic, vintage, urban, retro, unique, preppy, and have an overall sexy appeal.   The one thing that all these guys have in common is none of them overdo it or even attempt to try hard, that just naturally have that Swagger on A Hundred Thousand Trillion on deck.

Are Bernard

Are Bernard

Are’s style is very unique, from the hat to the plaid shirt in the pic.  He keeps it simple and clean, but from looking at him you can tell he has a very unique and creative flair about himself.  To me he is a mixture of Andre 3000 and Mos Def.  When it comes to defining his style he wears simple colors and mixes it up with oufits that go from baggy to fit.  Overall his style depends on how he is feeling.  The very interesting part that adds to his overall swag is that he doesn’t really shop in ATL.  He makes his own clothes, he creates designs and then goes to have them made.  His designs have to be no less than dope, especially since he has managed put artists Bow Wow and Anthony Hamilton onto them…..VERY GOOD LOOK.  Can’t wait to see more of his designs, and what else Are has in store for ATL.

Black Dominoes

Black Dominoes

From the moment we met Black Dominoes at a Bill Hallman fashion show, I could tell this guy had an EXTREME swagger about him, and had the fashion game on deck.  DJ Black Dominoes is a very chill and laid back guy, and it shows in his fashion….and as far as DJ’ing goes he is pure DOPEness (myspace.com/blackdominoes).  From his pic he is very reminiscent of a Young James Dean – A rebel without a Muthaf’n Cause.  The tie and jacket add a very clean vintage look, he’s got that 1950′s “Rat Pack” swag goin.  Black Dominoes wears items that are very clean and classic, but cut in a modern way.  He is influenced by A.P.C., Band of Outsiders, and Wood Wood.   He’s a fan of Esperanza because they are very minimal and clean in their designs….hopefully they will be printing a Black Dominoes line in the future as well —–> check them out at esperanza-atl.com.  You can catch him up’ing his swag at Thrift Stores around ATL to find a lot of cool pieces (check out Value Vilage on Moreland).

Caleb Gauge

Caleb Gauge

If you are a fan of the ATL nightlife then you have probably seen or know of Caleb Gauge.  Im not just talking about the typical “Soulja boy listening and Stankyleggin” nightlife that you can find in any of the shopping center clubs (ex- ESOS—uggghhh)….Im talking about the diverse and eclectic social side of ATL.  Caleb is the brainchild behind Sloppy Seconds, which your probably shakin (or in our case jenny boppin) your ass at every 2nd Sat of the month.  Caleb is one of the movers and shakers of ATL, and by looking at him you can tell that he is definitely an f’n Social and somebody to pay attention to.  Caleb is a graphic designer by craft, which explains his unique and clever style.  I mean, who can pull off a bow-tie and NOT look like Pee Wee Herman??? Clearly he CAN.  He describes his style as PSYCHOANDYISM…..what the FCUK is that you might ask???  It is part Psychedelic, part Gentleman, and of course part Gauge.  He’s always been a fan of individualizing his style, while watching the evolution of trends….just like music and design.  His ATL shops of choice are Wish and Bill Hallman, but he mostly shops when he travels.  Caleb is all about keepin it real when it comes to his swag, never faking it, and DEF never overdoing it…. he’s a risk taker, which is why his unique style screams PSYCHOANDYISM.

Dell Harris

Dell Harris

“Im in ATLANTA TRICCCKKKK“….if you haven’t heard this song where then where tha hell you been at????  Dell Harris a.k.a. 080, and member of the group Thunderkatz (myspace.com/thunderkatz) is one of the voices behind the new theme song of ATL.  His swag is as hot as his song.  His signature glasses and cream colored coat in the pic are just an example of why his swag is on a trillion.  Dell describes his style as clean, not too tight, and definitely not too big.  He tones it down by making it not too loud, which is a unique way to set his style apart from all the loudness of the many trends today.  His style is influenced by his magazine of choice- Details, Homeroom Clothing, Indie dance bands—–cause they are ALWAYS on some sharp shit, Guilt Group, and OF COURSE his wife Stephanie (awww).  You can find him shopping in ATL at Bill Hallman or anywhere thats hot online.  He sometimes wears Clothing Wear or American Apparel in Lil 5….but you will never catch him in Street Wear, he’s def OVER THAT——and so are we.

Donald Hart

Donald Hart

By looking at him you probably can’t tell that Donald Hart is a true country boy, I mean straight outta the backwoods of the country….Hinesville, GA to be exact.  When you look at him you might assume that he is from a fashion forward city like NYC,  you probably would never expect someone who dresses like they stepped right out of a GQ magazine to be from the middle of nowhere (no offense Hinesville!).  I would describe Donald’s style as a mixture of Prep and Suave.  Donald is very laid back, you can usually catch him in a white v-neck tee mixed with a cardigan, nice jeans, and some Chucks or Recs (cr8tiverecreation.com).  His mood influences his style, he could roll with being bummy and unshaven in some sweats in the morning, then get it right with some loafers and a cardigan at night.  The fact that he can switch it up gives him the swag appeal.  Donald appreciates anyone who is not afraid to be different, but hates when people who stand for nothing jump on the band wagon trend, destroying something that was so unique……posers (Agreed!).  You can usually find Donald shopping in the A at Saks Off 5th, Express Men, and Jos A Bank.

Irving Hillman

Irving Hillman

Irving Hillman’s swag screams NEE-TOH…and im not just talking about his website (nee-toh.blogspot.com —–> check that out!!!)   Irving has the ability to put together some tube socks, dickie shorts, a pair of vans, a $2.00 thrift store shirt, and a vintage fedora hat, and makes that all look GOOD.  Irving is a skateboarder, photographer, and up & coming director.  The extremely creative and artistic style of his work reflects in his personal style, and the best part is he’s not trying hard….this is just how he is 24/7.  Irving thinks its pretty cool that there is a growing trend of people being “different”.  He has MAD respect for those who step out of their comfort zone to make a statement, rather than trying to blend in with others in society and having to always say “Hey FCUKER Im different“.   Irving never worries about trying to impress which is why his swag is so unique, so he keeps his style cheap and comfortable.  He’s influenced by Skateboarding, whatever looks good at the thrift stores, and surpisingly Justin Bobby (I love me some Justin Bobby —-> watch the Hills).  You can catch him on his skateboard around the A shopping at Plato’s Closet, UrbanOutfitters, RAG-A-RAMA in Lil 5, and Nordstroms Rack. 

Kyle Proski Stewart

Kyle Proski Stewart

So when I mentioned harrassing guys at the top of the page, Kyle Proski Stewart is the main person I was talking about.  This guy is impossible to track down.  I can usually expect to run into him around ATL at the W, Halo, or Graveyard… so with the busy lifestyle he leads, I can’t blame him.  And in the A you can’t imagine steppin out without lookin right, believe me Kyle is never wrong when it comes to his personal style.  He ALWAYS keeps it clean, by mixing the top hat with a tee that has a statement, you can clearly tell that he has a smooth swag about himself.   You can spot him wearing bold colors at times, or throwing a vest over a tee….he comes so smooth with it!  And when he’s not partyin it up with his crew, you can catch him shopping at Wish….but this dude is so busy, so catch him if you can.

Mike Zarin

Mike Zarin

When I first met Mike Zarin I could tell this was a cool ass guy.  He even allowed me to get behind the turntables and act like I was DJ Rashida on his dj equipment…..and any white guy who can rock a Jimi Hendrix fro is cool in my book (its HUGE, way bigger than in the pic).  Mike’s style is very earthy and organic to me.  When he is turnin tables on the dj booth he comes with it rockin a button down and the huge fro.  When he’s not working, you can catch him in one of his trademark shirts with a lapel…he’s got that lapel swag.  His style is simple, if it looks good he’ll wear it…simple.  He’s VERY down to earth, and his lifestyle definitely reflects that with the many earth tone shades that he wears.  When he’s not personally getting clothes from fashion lines (damn, can I get the hookup, no really!) he’s shopping at H&M, Wish, Urban Outfitters, RAG-A-RAMA, and other various thrift stores.  Look at his myspace link (myspace.com/dazarin) to see where you can catch him spinnin on them 1′s & 2′s around ATLanta.

Rithy Hickman

Rithy Hickman

FRESH.i.AM???  No, more like —-> fresh.HE.is.  Rithy Hickman’s energy is as big as his hair, and it definitely shows through his unique style and swag.  As an artist Rithy has creative juices flowin through his veins and you can tell by one glance that he doesn’t even attempt to try to fit the status quo, he is breaking a mold and making a statement of his own. The interesting thing about Rithy’s pic is that he doesn’t overdo it at all, yet he still manages to catch your attention with 1 item…such as his red shoes.  Rithy’s style is selectively trendy yet mixed with his mood….very SPONTANEOUS!   Overall he really just puts anything that he has together, and he does it so well. What sets him apart and is intriguing about his style is that he is influenced by people, culture, and artists.  He merely reflects what he sees outward through his own interpretation….he later plans to evolve into his complete whole style.  And when he’s not busy being a Part Time Rockstar/Neon Philanthropoist on ATL‘s very own FRESHiAM.NET, you can catch him shoppin it up at Wish, Standard, and Barney’s CO-OP.

Ryan Hall

Ryan Hall

In my opinion Ryan Hall is a pretty quiet guy….EXTREMELY quiet.  From what I’ve noticed he’s always chill, stayin in the background doin his own thing, not intentionally trying to bring attention to himself.  But you can’t help but notice Ryan, he has a swag about himself that is Anti-Invisible.  Ryan is always dressed to the T, his overall swag and vibe is very chill and laid back….but what I always notice is that his shoe game is ALWAYS on point.  I’ve never seen Ryan step out with anything less than extraordinary on his feet.  Ryan’s personal style is simplistic and very original, his motto is that fashion is about wearing what you feel, and that you should never have to overdo it.  When it comes to throwing stuff together he fuses his preppy style with his love of tees, and the outcome is getting the best of both worlds ….. But don’t dare question or attempt to compete with his shoe game, cause sneakers always come first.  For his love of tees Ryan will sometimes hit up Urban Outfitters and American Apparel.  But you can usually spot Ryan at one of his  2 favorite stores in ATL, Standard and Wish – for both apparel and kicks.  And to keep that shoe swag at over 100, 1000, trillion Ryan also hits up Walters, and Ruin which is his favorite skateshop.    

“Muthafcuk the wagon…come join the band“-  urbanSocialite