Can elevated track pants and hoodies perform in C-suites, too? Quibi’s Jim Toth and director Reginald Hudlin say yes: It’s “the culmination of a century of change toward comfort.”
While athleisure pieces comprise the wardrobe foundation of many Americans — pants and leggings alone drove a $1 billion business in 2018 — the concept of workout-wear-meets-business-casual has not penetrated Hollywood as an acceptable executive staple. Until now. Unsurprisingly, it’s the men who are bringing the laid-back look into C-suites, forgoing tailored suits and button-downs for sleek track pants and fitted hoodies to take them from power lunches to sporting events.
The brand that swayed Jim Toth, head of content and talent acquisitions at Quibi; Michael Rotenberg, founder of 3 Arts; Richard Weitz, WME partner and co-head of scripted TV; producer and director Reginald Hudlin; and Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi to cross over to the (much more) casual side is Willy California. The recently launched line of men’s athleisure clothing was created by L.A. co-founder of cupcake chain Sprinkles and beloved Pizzana eateries Charles Nelson. Think pants cut like jeans but made from a nylon and bamboo stretch fabric, a quarter zip pullover that reads much nicer than a sweatshirt and workout shorts that the brand describes on its website as having a “socially acceptable inseam.”
Nelson says the aim is to deliver a professional guy’s uniform, giving him options to wear all day long, from work to play. “For the past 100 years, men have been sloughing off formal wardrobe elements — things that need to be ironed or dry-cleaned, things that restrain their bodies or require a belt,” says fashion academic and historian Deirdre Clemente at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. “Athleisure for men is the obvious culmination of a century of change [toward] embracing comfort and practicality.”
Photo by Toyia Brown
Reginald Hudlin on the set of SAFETY with Luke Tennie, Chris Setticase. Isaac and Elijah Bell;
For Toth, athleisure makes sense on frenetic days. “Managing multiple businesses, constant travel, three kids and a serious golf habit, I have to keep it simple, comfortable and classic,” he says. Adds Weitz, “Not only do I love the brand for myself, but I am a big fan of it for my clients.” Hudlin says he wears it on set, in the editing room, on cross-country flights, at his children’s after-school events and during workouts. It’s yet to be seen if sweat-wicking T-shirts will replace a shirt and tie in high-powered meetings, but one thing is clear: Hollywood men’s infatuation with athleisure has begun. Says Rotenberg: “Willy clothes are always so comfortable with their great fabrics and fit. I love that the colors and branding are low-key and are made right here in California.”
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Courtesy of Marvel Studios
The 23rd edition of the event will be held Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Beverly Hilton.
The team behind Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film of all time, and Pharrell Williams, the award-winning musical artist and producer, will be feted at the 23rd Hollywood Film Awards on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Beverly Hilton, the Dick Clark Productions-produced awards show announced Thursday.
Marvel president Kevin Feige and executive vp production Victoria Alonso will collect the Hollywood Blockbuster Award on behalf of Endgame, and Williams will be honored with the Hollywood Song Award for “Letter to My Godfather,” his tribute to Clarence Avant that is featured in Reginald Hudlin’s Netflix doc about the music industry fixer, The Black Godfather.
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MeShell Ndegocello
Chaka Khan
I don’t know where to start in congratulating my man @reggiehudlin for commandeering one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen at the Hollywood Bowl last night. Black Movie Soundtrack volume 3 was in the house with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Soundtrack Savages house band led by musical director and co-producer @realmarcusmiller and hosted by Craig Robertson.
Snoop Dogg
Do I start with the beautiful film montage of over 80 years of memorable scenes from black cinema, ranging from Lena Horne to Richard Roundtree to Spike Lee, projected on several screens throughout the Bowl? How about the pristine quality of the film clips, making classic performances by the Nicholas Brothers look more timeless than ever? Maybe the orchestra jamming to Willie Hutch’s ‘Theme from The Mack’ at the show opening? The poignant tribute to John Singleton through Raphael Saadiq’s tender version of ‘Ooh Child’? The first time ever live performance of Me’Shell ndegeocello’s Come Over’ from the ‘Love Jones’ soundtrack? To that point, Dionne Ferris’ rendition of ‘Hopeless’ from the same album? What about Dionne’s light bright cape? Clearly the winning outfit of the night. As emcee for the evening, Robertson did a great job of keeping the show moving, offering good natured asides that were never blue, never rude, always funny.
Dionne Farris
Raphael Saadiq
There were just too many moments to capture: Bebe Winans saluting his sister, Whitney Houston, with a stirring version of ‘The Greatest Love of All’, El DeBarge ably handling ‘Trouble Man’, Prince’s ‘Baby I’m a Star’ and his own ‘Rhythm of the Night’ (from The Last Dragon Soundtrack). Chaka Khan put her own spin on Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Let’s Do It Again’, Uncle Charlie Wilson came out and raised the roof even higher as he propped off Prince with ‘Baby I’m a Star’, complete with dance moves, Prince screams and a little bit of his own ‘Outstanding’. Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance to perform ‘187’ from the film ‘Deep Cover’. Bebe Winans closed the show with Bill Withers’ ‘Lean On Me’, from Reggie’s own documentary on Clarence Avant (who signed Withers to his first record deal), the immediately classic, ‘The Black Godfather’.
Bebe Winans
I’ve known Reggie Hudlin for a long time. He’s a passionate, highly intelligent but funky dude who has always been about the uplift of black folks without excluding others. He’s a hard worker who always spins a lot of plates at once. His spirit of inclusion, joy and respect for both the art and his audience was on full display onstage and in the audience at a show that will be hard to top. Congrats, Soul Brother, to paraphrase Curtis, ‘you did it again’.
Charlie Wilson
