Local focus: Albert Ming innovates the men's market

For a lot of guys, the truly innovative men's wear lines which incorporate a wide variety of women's wear elements be it man-skirts, (mirts?)  man-florals (morals?) or just the addition of beads and sequins on more classic t-shirt and button down shapes, feel a bit too fashiony for your average style civilian.  As much as we love seeing serious envelope pushing on the men's wear runways there is always the nagging feeling, that no guy, especially in laid-back California, will actually work those super-challenging pieces into his day to day wardrobe.

So where does that leave the market? Sadly, when shopping the racks at local boutiques it usually leaves the style-interested but not obsessed 'real guy' with standard tees, denim and one-or two more formal suits to choose from. Innovation becomes lost, and personal style obliterated. 

SW Photographer Simon tries out the Albert Ming blazer/image:C.Hope for Style WyldeThis sad state of men's wear was clearly an inspiration to Albert Shyy and Ming Chang, the Berkeley-educated design duo behind Albert Ming; a locally based brand set on changing men's wear from the inside out. 

Taking classic sportswear shapes built out of active-wear inspired textiles, Shyy and Chang have created an entire collection of hand-tailored pieces that are breathable, wrinkle-free, durable and water resistant. This totally new take on sportswear, which has been described as "Hugo Boss meets North Face,  means those classically more-formal elements, like  the blazer, are suddenly totally doable in the day to day for 'real guys' everywhere.

Curious to see how the fabrication of the Albert Ming blazer would work, we had our own resident 'real guy', SW photographer Simon try out the Albert Ming blazer on a recent afternoon out.

Here's what he thought of the piece:

"I'm not usually a suit guy, they always feel a bit 'old man' to me, and my work really requires something more moveable. Fighting for a spot on the riser at Fashion Week, doesn't usually allow for something like a blazer, but this one is cool. It feels really comfortable, not overly slim-cut where I can't move my arms, but still has shape. Also the water repellent factor is key. I feel like I could wear this all day, in and out of shows and it won't get thrashed. "

Albert Ming blazers, shirts, and suits are available in ready to wear or custom sizing. For more information, including how to schedule a fitting, visit the label's official web home. 

Comments

[Yen]

This is great, thank you for this feature! I hope you'll consider us when thinking of local menswear in the future!