Tommy Lei, Menswear Blogger

On a recent trip to Los Angeles I headed over to Melrose to catch-up with Tommy Lei, one of the city's leading bloggers.

My Belonging showcases Tommy's style - a blend California ease meets East Coast cool. His choices are consistently thoughtful, with a slight androgynous edge. While shooting we chatted about living in Los Angeles, blogging, coffee shops and his fascination with very expensive shoes.

"My Belonging initially began as a diary for me to document and instill meaning into my material possessions. I am all about worthwhile material investments - the blog was a visual tribute of sorts to my addiction. Since then it’s morphed into so much more! I love experiencing and wearing brands - both established and emerging. The blog has also opened up so many doors in terms of brand collaborations and befriending likeminded individuals. 

I'm attracted to a mixture of high and low. It all comes down to the overall aesthetic and quality. In terms of high I love classic and rare pieces by Balenciaga, Givenchy, Comme des Garçons, Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim and Yohji Yamamoto. On the flip side Zara, ASOS, Topman and H&M are my go-to, especially for trendy designer replicas and exclusive collaborations. My Balenciaga cutout buckle boots are literally my favorite 'hooves'! I call them that because of the galloping sound they make [laughs]! Initially I had my doubts about the fit and comfort but I’ve been enamored by them for so long. During NYFW I caved after seeing them at a brunch with Simon Doonan and called Barney’s to see if they were still in stock. They were.

One of my favorite pastimes is to explore every nook and cranny of this beautiful, expansive city. I'm always hanging at coffee shops like Coffee Tomo, Balconi Coffee, Lamill, Demitasse and Intelligentsia. I also love getting meditative by going on hikes and absorbing the breathtaking views of Runyon Canyon, Will Rogers State Park and Solstice Canyon in Malibu. [Laughs] I definitely don't wear Balenciaga on my hikes." 

- Tommy Lei, wearing Acne, ASOS, Armani Exchange, Tom Ford, Zara, Ted Baker and Balenciaga, photographed by Alexander Atkins in Los Angeles.

Into the Grey

Sometimes I take a moment to think about the things I've really been wearing - just because (and usually on a Sunday).
So here I am, staring into my closet, having a think. Aside from the inevitable 'should I, shouldn't I's' and making sure all my hangers are facing the same direction (inwards - in case you're curious), I'm noticing an expanding collection of grey things. Was this intentional, and if so what happened to my bright(er) clothes? Even now as I write this I'm wearing my favorite (and only) zip-up hoodie - which is g-r-e-y (how's that for a subliminal message?). 

I suppose it's pretty normal really. I mean we are, if anything, creatures of habit. So why grey? What is the attraction? For starters it's sculptural and therefore inherently timeless. It's also the mother of 'greige' - a colour so perfect it has been mastered by Hermès and countless interior designers. So actually grey is where you want to be. It's a happy place, a soothing place. It's my place. 

- Alexander Atkins, photographed by Catia Macedo in Los Angeles, wearing Vince and Acne. This post is part of Mr Porter's Global Style Campaign. 

The Motley: Atlas Cologne

It's moments like this I wish they'd finally invent the smeller-net, because The Motley's Atlas cologne is just that good.
But alas, we're not quite there yet. Instead you'll just have to make-do with my (hopefully decent) description of the various aroma compounds and essential oils used in 'Formula 0142' - The Motley's very first foray into the world of fragrance. I'll be sure to elaborate, I promise. Consider this Smell-ology 101. I know, I'm excited too.

The Vibe:
Here's the deal (and by the way, this is always the deal): I'm not interested unless the packaging is worth mentioning. Well you guys, thank god - because this is the epitome of solid packaging. I'm digging the whole apothecary vibe that's happening. The label has a this-was-made-exclusively-for-me thing going on which, obviously, I like. What's more the bottle arrived in a fully customized tin case promising to ignite inner-notions of 'mystery', 'adventure' and 'nostalgia' - which are always good (oh, and major props on the cursive - that's a nice touch). 

The Smell:
Because the cologne is compounded and hand-poured in Los Angeles using a 10% concentration of fragrance-oil means a small splash is decisively potent. This is all incredibly fitting as Atlas the Titan held up the celestial sphere of planet Earth (translation: he was strong too, but you probably already knew that). The dominant notes including Algerian Atlas Cedar, American Oakmoss, Amber Musk and bergamot means the fragrance is intensely musky and masculine. The addition of Indian cardamom combined with an infusion of cloves not only adds spice, but also evokes the spirit of a world traveller. Smells good? I thought so.

The Destination:
Anywhere really. The perfectly compact bottle (1 fl. oz) means this puppy is perfect for planes, trains and anything else (yachts?). But if I had to pinpoint a location (go on, twist my arm) I'm definitely into being transported to any Balearic Island, wearing Atlas, and more than likely listening to this.

To discover more about The Motley's Atlas Cologne, and to purchase click here.
-Photos by Alexander Atkins