Meet the Experts

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I'm not a menswear expert, but I keep a close eye on fashion trends, so I know when news percolates in any sector of the business. And I've heard the recent rumblings about new talent in the American menswear market. As our cover model, Tom Ford, points out, there hasn't been a designer or a company that addresses the whole lifestyle of American men since Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren (unless, of course, you count the recent developments of the renowned Zegna family). Well, now there's not only Ford but also a raft of new American menswear designers breaking through—from Thom Browne in New York City to Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders in Los Angeles. Even Portland, Maine, has its own indigenous menswear look, thanks to Alex Carleton and his brand, Rogues Gallery. What's exciting about these guys is their approach to business. Unlike their iconic predecessors, they take inspiration from their own sartorial needs rather than some idealized fantasy of what they should be wearing. Who better to document this new talent than one of fashion's brightest stars, Karl Lagerfeld? He may spend most of his time sketching women's wear, but when it comes to his own wardrobe, Lagerfeld is a great champion of menswear talent. For our first menswear issue, Lagerfeld turned his lens on Ford. And, as an added bonus, he gave us some expert advice on the subject at hand.