Having a custom Mod suit made for a wedding

I didn't have a tailored Mod suit made for any wedding. It was actually for MY wedding. And why have only one suit made when you can have two made at the same time, right? I figured that I could have one for the ceremony and another one for the reception. It's not written anywhere in any secret Mod handbook that you need two outfits for your wedding but it was recently added as rule #216 of the Parka Avenue code.

So off I went with a bunch of mates of mine and my future father-in-law to meet with M. Sethinamvong from Prince Henry Tailors to have our measurements taken. To get an idea of what Prince Henry Tailors are all about, you might want to check this earlier post on Having a bespoke Mod suit made.

My mate Jonathan having his first bespoke suit made

My friend Eric and fellow blogger from The Vermodernist followed suit

Every time I have one made, I try to improve on my previous design just like the original Mods from the 60s would often do. I was ready to go the extra mile and have some unique features and details added. First, I had to decide on the color. I thought that a more conservative light grey would be appropriate for the ceremony and a funkier color palette would be acceptable for the evening festivities. I had my eye on a really bold and wild blue color until I saw my future mother-in-law's reaction when I showed her. Her face said it all. It's when she politely said: "You know Patrick, it's your choice" that I reconsidered. So I went with a slightly less audacious burgundy color. It wasn't as adventurous but it would still make a statement.

Crucial decisions to make

Most of my suit jackets are of the 4-button kind because you simply don't see them as often. For this occasion, I took the more traditional route with a 3-button jacket. I had the buttons covered for that extra Mod touch.

Most off-the-peg jackets these days usually don't have working cuffs. I thought it was one detail I wasn't going to let slip by.

The back of the jacket's collar was inspired but some of DNA Groove's stunning dress shirts. The downward point was also added to match the shirts I had made specifically to go with these jackets. A detail that his certainly not commonly seen but I'm sure a true Mod fashion aficionado would appreciate.

Another elaborate feature that might be out of the ordinary is the tapered "step" pant leg with decorative button. The 60s Mod would sometimes add these types of details simply to have something different and innovative. In this case, I simply think that it's a wonderful way to accentuate the boots or the shoes without the trousers being too short.

All the traditional features associated with the Mod suit were part of the overall look: narrow lapels, short jacket, slanted ticket pocket with flap, etc. To complete the look, I had a matching narrow silk tie and pocket square made at the same time. A new pair of Loake Chelsea boots was also in order. With an elegant watch, nice pair a vintage cufflinks and tie clip, the picture was complete.

To give you an idea of the intricate details that went into the suit, have a look at this video that was inspired by a Ross Jardine short film I saw on Youtube called Maximum Mod. My accomplice Veronique and I shot this on your basic digital camera, all in 2 days. I did the editing on my Mac in a couple of hours, a few days before the wedding. Let’s face it, it’s not professional by any stretch of the imagination but considering I had never edited a film before and wasn’t even familiar with the software, I’m very content with the outcome.

The film was shown right before my big entrance at the ceremony. The premise is simple. My dog Jedi comes up to me and warns me “Lassie style” that I’m going to be late for the wedding. And in true Mod fashion, I get ready while listening to the sweet sounds of Booker T and the MG’s Green Onions. Then it’s off to the ceremony by foot with Edwin Starr’s 25 Miles to Go as the soundtrack.

It was also meant as an ode to our fair city, Montreal. You’ll get a quick glimpse at some of downtown's most iconic spots like Chinatown, Palais des Congrès, City Hall, Old Montreal, Habitat ’67, the Atwater Market and the Lachine Canal. The final destination being, of course, La Vieille Brasserie, where the guests were awaiting my arrival...

Curious about the bride's dress? Coming up real soon...

Milestones @ the Mod Club

On the 15th of February, I'll be 40. I started to think about where I would want to celebrate the fact that I would be changing decades. I didn't hesitate too long. It had to be at my second home, the Mod Club.

 

Mod Club veteran Lee Modern graciously accepted to co-host the event so we can make it a night to remember. A few milestones will be underlined. First, we will raise our glass to the fact that I survived the last 40 years. Two, Parka Avenue will celebrate its 1-year anniversary and finally, we'll toast the 4th year of Montreal's only Mod temple, the Mod Club. Lee Modern and myself will be hitting the decks, spinning your favorite sixties grooves, best soulful tracks and a few British Beat classics. 

Since the last  time I dropped the needle at the club, I have discovered a few floor fillers that I'm eager to share. For instance, take this unexpected cover of the garage classic Wild Thing made popular by The Troggs and remade, with a good infusion of sweet soul,  by one of my favorite sixties acts The Capitols. 

 

                                           

Few know that The Troggs version, released in 1966, is in itself a cover of a Chip Taylor song originally recorded by Jordan Christopher & The Wild Ones, released 6 months earlier. This is one of the rare instances were I think a cover version easily outshines the original, although the harmonica is quite a nice touch. Apparently The Wild Ones record is very rare. Have a listen at the original 1965 version.

In between sets, you will find me doing the Boogaloo on the dance floor or being teased by a few friends about what an old geaser I am. Some of the regular readers of this blog obviously live too far to travel to Montreal to party the night away but you are all still invited.

For those of you who will be there in spirit only, I have something for you. I'll be burning 5 compilation CDs of some the best tracks that will be played that night. All you need to do is send me a quick email at parkaavenue@hotmail.com before Febuary 19th and I'll pick five winners out of my pork pie hat and I'll send you a CD. No skill testing questions for this one!

If you ever decide that you want to join us, then put on your dancing shoes and your sharpest threads and let's make this night a... Milestone!

A Mod Club Debut

It’s been a long time since I have manned the turntables. The last time I was a DJ was a few years ago when I was asked to play some pure eighties sounds at my girlfriend's 20 year high school reunion. Most of the tunes came out of my laptop or from CDs. And the last time I dropped a needle on a record was back in my college and university days. In 1993, my friend Gonzo and I had a local radio show on CISM called MicroFun. I was the silly sidekick coming up with pranks and absurd editorials.

Gonzo and I circa 1993

So when Lee Modern, resident DJ at the Mod Club Montreal asked me if I could share the bill with him, I was a bit rusty, to say the least. But I think that my enthusiasm, motivation and sheer excitement made up for my lack of DJ prowess. This was not an opportunity I was going to miss.

He offered me the first spot from 10:30 to 12. It was the perfect time slot for me. Less people, less pressure and I got to play more of the obscure and less commercial stuff. Plus, you don’t get drunken college kids asking for Lady Gaga. All you Soul DJs out there know exactly what I mean.

I spent the week ruffling through my old LPs, cleaning my 45s and searching my CD collection for the perfect mix. They can critique my DJ skills but they can’t fault me for not being prepared! I made sure to send out invitations to all of my friends and even set up a contest on my Parka Avenue Facebook page to find an official DJ name. The winner would get a Parka Avenue Compilation offering a sample of the best tunes played that night. I almost went with my own idea of DJ Psycho Pat but ended up choosing Parka Patrick (Congrats Shareen!).

My set consisted of a little Mod, a little bit of classic soul, a tad of surf, a touch of ska, a few tracks of garage and a whole lot of heart and energy. Aside from the occasional snafu, things went pretty smoothly. Lee was very supportive and offered a few pointers along the way. I appreciate the fact that he put his faith in me.

Around midnight, Lee was ready to take over and relieve me of my duties when he asked me if I could come later in the evening for another short set. The third DJ that was scheduled to spin that night was unable to make it. I accepted without hesitation. There was only one small problem. I wasn't prepared and the dance floor was rapidly filling up.

So when my turn came, I did what any good DJ should do. I observed the crowd, felt the mood, got into the groove and improvised. The set ended up being twice as good as the first. Final result: a crowded dance floor, smiling faces, energetic dancers and a party atmosphere.

Here's a little taste of what was played:

-    Agent Double-O-Soul – Edwin Starr
-    Sock It to ‘Em J.B. – Rex Garvin
-    Soul Finger – Bar-Kays
-    The Fortune Teller – Benny Spellman
-    Hold On I’m Comin’ – Sam & Dave
-    Give Me One More Chance – Wilmer and The Dukes
-    Heat Wave – Martha and The Vandellas
-    Walk – Don’t Run – The Ventures
-    Surfin’ Bird – The Trashmen
-    Young Jacques – Jacques Cousteau
-    Zoot Suit – The High Numbers
-    What’cha Gonna Do About It – The Small Faces
-    I Can’t Explain – Oscar & the Majestics
-    The Last of The Secret Agents – Nancy Sinatra
-    7 Heures du Matin – Jaqueline Taieb
-    Sha La La – Manfred Mann
-    I’m Into Something Good – Herman’s Hermits
-    I Can’t Control Myself – The Teenbeats
-    Time for Action – Secret Affair 

Sometimes, when you put yourself on the line and try something new and different, you open yourself to criticism. (Like with this blog for instance) Some don't like your choice of music, the way you mix or the fact that you sometimes play CDs instead of exclusively spinning first edition 45s. The list can be long. It’s all part of being a Mod.

The thing is, I would rather be a man of action then to be on the sidelines complaining. And in the end, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The next day, I received an email from Lee saying: “Once again, great job last night!  The staff went out of their way to mention how much everyone enjoyed the music!” How could I ask for more?

So see you next Saturday at the Mod Club. My friend and scooter club mate Eric Boulanger is the guest DJ. Trust me, he’s good.

Do I have a Mod pad?

A couple of days ago, a doctor came over to my place to interview me. Yes, a doctor.  No, aside from the occasional delusions, a shrink did not have to make a house call. Zeynep has a PHD in sociology and an MBA in Marketing. She came to interview me for a study she is conducting on interior design and home decor. Apparently she was interested in what I had to say about it. Over the 3 hours of babbling I did, I often referred to my place as a typical Mod pad. So now it's your turn to judge, do I have a Mod pad?

Ever since I moved in my first apartment in 1995, I’ve been looking to achieve the ultimate Mod home. When I moved out of my college dorm, only one type of place would do: a loft. I stayed in three apartments before buying my own place, all of them lofts. There’s something about a raw open space that’s really attractive to me. In my opinion, it’s the perfect stage to create a Mod haven. The high ceilings, the brick walls, the industrial details, it all oozes Mod appeal. The type of place James Bond, Austin Powers or Peter Sellers in The Party would feel right at home.

Of course, you can’t expect a lad in his early twenties to move in a 2000 square feet downtown loft right away. You start small. My first place was more around 500 square feet. My only criteria was that it had to be a loft, have a brick wall and be around 450$ a month. When you’re young and naïve, your optimism doesn’t stop you from looking. I was lucky enough to find exactly what I was looking for. It was a tiny loft on Chateaubriand, a few feet away from the Beaubien Subway Station.

My second loft was on Ste-Catherine Street in the Hochelaga Maisonneuve neighborhood. If you ever visited the beautiful city of Montreal, chances are you've set foot on Ste-Catherine Street. I moved out of my first loft because I thought I could find something bigger and cheaper. And I did! I was paying 400$ a month and all the utilities were included! At that price, I stayed put for eight years. My next abode was about three feet away, in the loft next door. I even shared the same address. It was a bit larger at around 700 square feet.

The lofts were on the ground floor of a 100-year-old three-story building. The ground level used to be a shop of some type. My favorite feature was the storefront window. On the inside, it looked like a small stage.

After four years in that place, I was ready to take a plunge into ownership. My current place is a little over 1000 square feet. It's a loft in a century old cookie factory in the same neighborhood.

Now, to achieve the right Mod atmosphere, it takes time. We’re talking years here. You can’t just walk in your local Ikea, drop a stash of cash and boom! a shagadelic pad. You have to be patient, resourceful and be passionate about it. You also need a very understanding, open-minded girlfriend. Thank god for Nikki. She will let me flex my interior design muscles and pretty much gives me carte blanche. When she moved in the loft a year ago, she basically brought her clothes and a few mementos. Talk about the perfect girlfriend for me!

This is an example of what I mean about being resourceful. In my last apartment, I was looking to make a nice little TV stand to display one of my space age televisions. Since I didn't have extra money to spend and the thought of buying one at Wal-Mart made me nauseous, I opted for my own design. I started collecting speakers from flea markets and stores like the Salvation Army. I usually didn't pay more than 10$ a pair. I then assembled them like a jigsaw puzzle to make it a unique piece. I think it's safe to say that you couldn't find one in large chain store. Of course, with time, my taste has refined and my wallet grew. But I still look at this photo with fond memories.

I always had a thing for anything retro. I owe it all that to my grandfather. I remember, when I was yay high, going to country auctions with him and being fascinated by the fast talking guy up front. My grandfather, of all things, collected antique cars. Among them he had a 1951 Mercury and a 1929 Ford Model A. So it’s no surprise that today I own three vintage scooters and a ’73 Super Beetle.

Here's a picture of my grandfather's '51 Mercury, taken in 1977 in front of his house in the country.

I’ve been scouring flea markets, antique shops, and garage sales for years now. Internet, especially eBay, has also been good to me. The result is a loft full of goodies from the fifties to the seventies. This forum will also be about my latest finds and crazy decoration ideas. My home is ever changing and I'm always on the lookout for the next cool, mod, hip thing. So stay tuned.

A dream of mine has always been to be featured in an interior design magazine. And as luck would have it, a writer approached me from one of the best interior design sites on the web. They asked me to be featured on Apartment Therapy. Being a big fan, I did not hesitate one second.

Click on the link below and tell me, do I have a Mod pad?

Patrick's World of Wonder on Apartment Therapy