By Kevin Mahoney
My initial reaction when I was asked if I wanted to be “styled” by a duo of new Minneapolis men’s fashion consultants was, in a word, apprehensive. Sure I’ve taken advice on my clothes before, but really just from girlfriends or family and even then it was more for appeasement than anything else. The thought of being judged and tweaked by a pair of fashionistas sounded about as tempting as a week of cold showers.
Leah McMullen and Carrie Erickson of Blackjove. Photo by Paige DeWees, deweesphotography.com
But, after further consideration, I figured it might be like traveling on a plane, sure getting through security and flying through the air in a horizontal building may be uncomfortable and a bit scary but in the end its worth it when you step out onto a beach and 72-degree weather.
So I met with Carrie Erickson and Leah McMullen, also known as Blackjove, the style consultants. And as it turns out, the only part of my travel analogy that was true was the result.
The first “consultation” was just a casual chat over coffee about my lifestyle, workplace, and the clothes I wear or would like to wear. The stylists then roam the Twin Cities for clothes that both fit with your current look but also push you into trying more stylish alternatives.
For those who need more than just a couple outfits or tips, Blackjove also offers a full wardrobe edit. They’ll appraise your closet and tell you what needs to get tailored and what needs to get tossed. They even offer text support after their renovation, in case you want to send a pic of an outfit for some reassurance or correcting.
In the end, being styled was completely painless and surprisingly informative. Whether you see your fashion sense as runway ready or hopelessly out-of-touch, Blackjove will have something to teach you.
Check out how the ladies styled me (with the help of martinpatrick3) in the video below:
First Look: Jacket, Filson ($290); Tie, Pierrepont Hicks ($120); Shirt, Plectrum by Ben Sherman ($125); Vintage tie bar ($55); Jeans, rag and bone ($185); Shoes, Hudson ($225); Belt, Torin ($120).
Second Look: Shirt, Gitman Bros. ($180); Corduroy pants, Mr. and Mrs. Benson ($100); Sweater, Moods of Norway ($155); Shoes, Hudson, ($225); Tie, Altea ($100).
All from martinpatrick3, 212 3rd Ave. N., Ste. 106, Mpls., 612-746-5329, martinpatrick3.com
Check out blackjove.com for pricing on the duo’s styling packages.
