Ah, Robert August!
Sooooo, I just got my first pair of Robert August boots and I’m absolutely loving them! The brand first reached out to me at the end of 2021 introducing me to their exquisite line of footwear. My shoe of choice was a pair of Jodhpur Boots in a hand-painted Patina green finish. Anyone who knows Dress Like A Gent, knows I’m a lover of sneakers and dress shoes alike. Robert August absolutely fits the bill! The boots are made in Spain, but named after streets in Chicago as the shoes are named after avenues in the city. Hence, being called “The Chicago Collection” (its headquarter location).
The turn around was about 4-6 weeks for made to order, but totally worth the wait. I especially like how classy and timeless these boots are! They are the perfect add on to either a casual look or a more dressed up/ formal one. You’ll definitely be seeing me rock em on the regular.
To order these particular shoes, please click here.
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Norm Lewis on His Role as “Duke” in Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune
Recently, I got a chance to chop it up with the talented Broadway star, actor, singer Norm Lewis on his role as “Duke” in Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune. The story follows “Georgia” (Reba McEntire) and “Joe Winter” (John Schneider), who are brought back together by their daughter Belle (played by Candice King), to perform together again for a Christmas charity concert. It’s been over a decade since the couple separated and Duke along with Belle, find themselves in the middle of an awkward situation as the two work through their past differences. Georgia and Joe have history working with Duke as their musical director and pull him in again to help revive the duo’s musical fire!
Norm shares that although he’s done Christmas music and annual Christmas shows, this is actually his first Christmas film! He says that everyone was in a great Christmas mood which made things flow together really nicely and the film was a fun set to shoot. Christmas being one of his favorite times of the year, he says being cast for this role just felt right. I asked him if there were any particulars in the film that resonated with him personally. Norm mentioned how despite everyone’s differences and backgrounds, respect and working together collectively is a powerful force that makes things happen much like what viewers will take away from this film. We also got a chance to discuss the role of TV and film and how it has played a significant part in helping the world heal and move forward.
He says that TV, film and art reflects life and has a way of getting people’s attention in a way that often no other means can. Sidentote: For those of you who may have never heard Norm sing, LISTENNNN… The dude has a very strong and yet angelic voice! I told Norm that I was anticipating a scene where he would be singing. He told me that there were talks about it at one point, but really just no room to incorporate it in the existing script. Needless to say, Lewis is doing his annual Christmas show 54 Below in New York, December 16 - 24th. He also mentioned that he’ll be doing Carnegie Hall in March of next year along with other productions in the near future.
For more on Norm Lewis, visit www.normlewis.com. And for more on the It’s A Wonderful Lifetime lineup, please visit www.mylifetime.com/movies.
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Interview with Thomas Cadrot on His Role in NBC’s New, DEBRIS
Just 3 days until the Pilot Premiere of NBC’s Debris! This captivating series is sort of a sci-fi drama/ thriller by Joel Howard “J.H.” Wyman who also is producer of the 2008 Fox sci-fi hit series, Fringe. I recently got the opportunity to speak to Actor Thomas Cadrot about his role in Debris and the overall nature of this show! Thomas shares that the storyline is about alien debris that comes in contact with the earth’s atmosphere and causes a phenomenon around the places its found. Actors Riann Steele who plays “Finola Jones” (MI6) and Jonathan Tucker who plays “Bryan Beneventi” (CIA) team up together to track these phenomenon and unveil its purpose.
So I asked Thomas if he’s a sci-fi guy and he admits that he is. He says that even if he wasn’t a part of this film, he would still be a total fan. He goes on to say, that being in the series is a dream come true especially that it’s one involving the creative mastery of Joel Wyman! Thomas plays “Agent Tom Gordon” who works for an umbrella company called Orbital. Orbital oversees MI6 + The CIA, while Tom Gordon is useful in providing necessary intel to both throughout their research and connecting the dots. When asked about memorable moments in filming, he shares that the memorable moments are pretty much ongoing. Shooting the show out in Vancouver, BC (although harshly cold at times), Thomas articulates how beautifully things turned out setting the proper tone for the show.
As for challenges, he says the real challenge was Covid. In the middle of finalizing the pilot when Covid hit, they had to shut down the filming so that the LA crew could fly back home before the airports shut down. It was not until late November when they were able to finish the pilot. Otherwise, Thomas says that they are still shooting the tail end of the season and thing are going pretty smoothly. He has also managed to really bond with both Riann and Jonathan pretty organically. He commends them for being such great leads, but more importantly, great people to work alongside.
I asked Thomas if he is usually typecast since it seems that he has played various kinds of roles throughout his career. He told me that in the beginning, he definitely was! He would usually land roles as a cop or doctor, etc. because of his height, skin and body frame. Ultimately, his goal is “to tell stories through acting that are worth being told and to display the different dimensions of human interaction”. Thomas hopes that fans will stay engaged throughout the series because the show is very fresh, un-repetitive and nail-biting! He says that they are proud of it and believe that the public will be intrigued from start to finish.
NBC’s Debris airs Monday, March 1 at 10/9C. For more, please visit, https://www.nbc.com/debris.
Graphic Asset: iRONix Design Suite
Photos of Thomas: Emily Ellen
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The Salt-N-Pepa Biopic | Lifetime
Lifetime’s highly anticipated Salt N Pepa biopic airs this Saturday, January 23rd at 8/7 CT, just two days away! This miniseries tells the story of the first legendary all-female rap group and their impact on hip hop culture with popular trailblazing jams such as Let’s Talk About Sex, What a Man, Shoop and Push It, among many other famed hits. Starring Laila Odom as "Pepa" and GG Townsend as “Salt”, this miniseries takes an in-depth look into the spicy duo’s humble beginnings and their turbulent rise to fame. What I most appreciate about this film is how honestly it walks us through personal challenges, but capitalizes on their unwavering determination pave the way for other women to follow. The film peers into the heart of hip hop culture and remarkably highlights other legendary musical geniuses that we’ve come to love like Run-D.M.C., Heavy D, Queen Latifah and more. Salt N Pepa is written by Abdul Williams and executive produced by Sandra Denton, Jesse Collins, Cheryl James, Queen Latifiah and Shakim Compere along with other notable co-executive producers. This is undoubtedly one you don’t wanna miss! For more, please visit https://www.mylifetime.com/.
Images Courtesy of Lifetime TV
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#SundayStyleSense presents Za'Myr Peoples
Dress Like A Gent ™ is proud to introduce it's debut #SundayStyleSense feature! Our premiere gentleman this month is a very pleasant, well-mannered and style-consicious young man by the name of Za'Myr Peoples. Za'Myr is 10 years old and originally from Temple, Texas. He and his mom (Shay Peoples) relocated from Texas to Atlanta about a year ago following the death of her mother. Shay discloses how her mom helped out a lot picking Za'Myr up from after school programs and watching him on the weekends while she was at work. After her mother's passing, Shay realized that time for change was NOW and that it was simply God's timing for her and Za'Myr both to make this move to Atlanta by faith! Since their move, the both have connected with the Rock Church of Atlanta (where her twin sister Shawn Bing is member along with her husband and 3 girls) and is already seeing great doors of opportunity open up for both she and her son!
The inspiration behind launching #StyleSenseSunday (#SSS) started while I was out shopping one day and ran across this dapper boy's blazer at K & G. Immediately, when I saw the personality of the blazer, I said to myself, "This blazer would look nice on Za'Myr!" Soon afterwards, I found myself putting together a whole look for Za'Myr and sensed that God wanted to birth something unique in the realm of styling and mentorship for boys and men. I felt the need to provide an outlet whereby I could style the candidate, give them a collaborative photo shoot and do an exclusive blog feature on who they are. As I begin to develop the idea and pray about it more extensively, I decided that I would make this a whole experience including an information session and style coaching opportunity.
Biblically speaking, I've always been really inspired by the life of David reading about his humble transition into kingship. Prime example, when David first was called in by the Prophet Samuel to enter into his father's house from tending the sheep, Samuel says to David's father Jesse, "Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives" (1 Samuel 16:11). I can imagine that David did not initially come in dressed the part. He probably looked like the "least qualified" to take up such an honorable position. Later in the life of King David, we see that he is robed in the finest of garments and serving God as a priest and king over an entire nation. Yet, God says about David, "man looks at the outer appearance, but God looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). The point is, although David did not come in dressed the part, he eventually began to change the way he clothed himself to mimic the course his purpose would lead him into!
As with so many, we sometimes need but an opportunity to see ourselves in a different light; changing the way we perceive ourselves. Studies show that when a person dresses better, they also have a tendancy to do better. I feel that even with young Za'Myr and the great potential he carries, that positioning him in a place of luxury, even for one day, could also help to boost his confidence and his sense of self-worth! With all that in mind, I decided that while the Atlanta Fair was still in town, to make it our primary scene for his photoshoot. I thought the fair would be an ideal way of displaying the blessing of youthfulness, along with the balance of responsibility and maturity which Za'Myr already possesses. Basically, my intention was for my lil' brother in Christ to have fun and to look good while he did!
Za'Myr, I felt, was the ideal prospect to help me kickstart this #SSS initiative as the introductory face of this vision God placed in my heart. When asking Za'Myr what types of things inspire him, I was taken aback by his response, "Elder Hampton" (me). He goes on to say that he had an idea about wearing something based on things he has seen me in. Stunned and humbled, I thought to myself, "I really wasn't expecting that answer from him!
Here are some more things we discussed during our very casual interview:
Me: What does Za'Myr like to do for fun?
Za'Myr: I like Art, getting my exercise... I like to play basketball and track. I really like to paint.
Me: Why do you like fashion? What does fashion mean to you?
Za'Myr: When you wear your stuff fashionably, people think differently about you. People see you differently.
Me: Do you consider yourself a leader?
Za'Myr: Yes! Because when you are a leader, people who follow you will also believe that they can be a leader.
Me: What do you think are leader qualities that you have? What would you say makes you a leader?
Za'Myr: I always try to do my best. I want to help people get to know God.
Me: What areas do you feel you need to work on as far as leadership?
Za'Myr: My Math (lol). I want to feel better about speaking in front of people.
Za'Myr is but one of a series of young gentleman that you can expect to read about on the blog. Our goal, to feature select men both young and old every month providing an intimate, yet significant outlet for their person and purpose to be put on display. Please stay tuned for more stand-out #StyleSenseSunday candidates and feel free to tell us about any individual who you would like to see featured in the future.
Your feedback is welcomed.
*Photos Courtesy of TKO Photographic
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