Interview: Park & Bond's Tyler Thoreson

OUT: What's the story behind Park & Bond?

Tyler Thoreson: We looked around and realized that men's retail is too often an afterthought--a single tab on a department store's website, or hidden away within a department store so that you had to navigate through a bunch of overly agreesive fragrance-spritzers to get to. So we created an online shop, built from the ground up, to support the way real men shop. We start with a highly curated merchandise mix and give guys the inspiration and intel they need to look their best.

Who is the Park & Bond man?

It's more a spectrum than a single customer, but the one thing they all have in common--whether he's into Rick Owens or Gant Rugger--is that he's likely the best-dressed guy in his group of friends. That said, his wardrobe is still a work in progress. He dresses better than he did three years ago, and in three years he's going to dress better than he does now.

What are some essentials to have in your closet?

This season, a solid, brightly-colored pair of jeans or chinos, and at least one eye-catching print (though I might think twice about wearing them together). Also: a few tailored pieces in lightweight fabircs with as little structure in the shoulder as possible, and a classic pair of suede loafers. This isn't technically an item for your closet, but nothing classes up a casual summer look like a vintage Rolex.

What is your favorite part about The Intersection?

Our on-location features. We combine print-worthy levels of photography and styling with full shopability. It's a huge point of differentiation for us, and guys are really responding. I also love tackling the amazingly thoughtful style questions we receive from customers on a daily basis.

Who are some of your favorite designers? Why?

Michael Bastian, Billy Reid, Scott Sternberg, Christopher Baily, Mark McNairy, Dries Van Noten, Ian Velardi, Ariel and Shimon Ovadia, Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos, Christopher Bastin, Simon Spurr, Rick Owens, and Tomas Maier. Why? Because each of them has a cohesive, authentic aesthetic.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Working with our brilliant team, and the constant opportunity to innovate. We are at the forefront of a movement, and that's an incredibly exciting place to be.

Where does the name Park & Bond come from?
It's a reference to two of New York's most stylish streets: Park Avenue and Bond Street. They don't actually intersect, but thematically they capture our aesthetic, which his a mix of uptown and downtown, classic and contemporary. Plus it gave us an opportunity to design a very cool ampersand.
What are some of your favorite trends this season?

Color. How could you say anything else and how could you be against it? I love how guys who just two or three years ago were rocking boot-cut jeans and square-toe shoes are now strutting around Manhattan in red chinos and navy bucks. I also love the technical, outdoorsy thing that's going on right now, and you're going to see even more of it for fall. I also love the new tailored casual--you can go and see our recent feature The Unstructured Life for reference).

What is your personal style and what do you think it says about you?

If I hear the phrase "classics with a twist" one more time I'm going to quit this business and become an accountant. And yet...it's a pretty accurate way to describe my wardrobe.