Three Cheers for Today’s Stylish Man

Los Angeles is an interesting place to be a fashion/feature writer because you never know who or what will inspire you or where you'll be when it happens. That's why it pays to keep your eyes and ears open. During my ten plus years as a journalist, I've seen quite a few changes in the city that've altered the way I write about it. Now instead of merely reporting on local stores, events and exhibits I'm also constantly on the look out for people who represent L.A. to others who don't live here. If their sartorial style and philosophy represent the future for our fashion scene so much the better.

The day I met stylist/model Quentin Thrash at the Culver City Expo Line station I could tell by looking at his uber-sophisticated ensemble that he was just what I had in mind. Dressed in a black blazer, white button-down shirt, light blue bow tie, gold pants and black loafers, he exuded the cool elegance of a modern Hollywood leading man. I immediately told him I liked his look and struck up a conversation with him that continued until I got off at my stop. While we were on the train I asked him if I could take some pictures of him with my digital camera. He gave me his permission, and using the interior of the train as an urban backdrop, I captured the swagger that had first caught my eye.

After I finished taking photos we continued talking and exchanged cards and information. I found out that he was a model/stylist who'd worked with a number of celebrities. When I got home I looked up the website printed on his business card, www.norrisxthrash.com, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that he and his partner, Norris Ford, are considered "pioneers of style" and met here after moving from Charleston, South Carolina and Georgia to follow their dreams to become stylists. In October 2013 they were even chosen to be "Official Style Ambassadors for Men's Fashion Week Los Angeles," because of their excellent reputation for working with actor, Omari Hardwick for "Krave" magazine, singer Ne-Yo on his "Forever Now" music video and other celebrities.

I don't know if it's because of the popularity of PBS T.V. shows like "Downton Abbey," "Mr Selfridge" and "Sherlock" or books like "Fifty Shades of Grey" but well-dressed men are in vogue again. The other day, while doing research for this piece, I bought a copy of the October 2013 issue of a Japanese magazine called "Men's Club" and I was shocked by all of the clothing options men have now and how simple it is for them to put themselves together. The problem with that, however, is that it's also easy for them to do it all wrong without someone guiding them through our "do your own thing" times, if they have questions and concerns.

That's why professionals like Norris Ford and Quentin Thrash can be a god send for those who need to project a positive image with their clothes. Personally invested in the concept of "making a good impression with one's appearance" Ford's style, in particular, is a well honed talent that earned him the "best dressed award superlative by his Senior class at Thomasville High School" before catching the eye of the modeling world. Born in Georgia, like Thrash, it was this strong affinity for presentation and fashion coordination that brought them together and turned them into such a powerful duo.

Dynamic, confident and creative they definitely represent the best of the L.A. fashion scene and what we can look forward to in the future.