Fashion

Suggested listening - “My Love” by Justin Timberlake

“This is going to ruin the tour”

Chicago, Il. 2013

Justin Timberlake is sitting in front of me. We're in one of the coach’s rooms inside of Soldier Field in Chicago - the room has been converted into a “green room" complete with leather arm chairs, refrigerators and decorative plants. It's the middle of the summer, and Chicago summers, while not as intense as their winters, are still brutal.

Justin and Jay-Z have teamed up and embarked on a country wide tour in support of both of their recently released albums. Staff from The Recording Academy and select members of their college outreach program of which I am a part of, are listening to Justin talk about his pre-show rituals, touring, acting, and current goings on in his life.

Five minutes into the very rhythmic series of question, answer, awkward silence, question, answer etc. Justin says, with a sly smile and the charm that has sustained his career: "Don't be afraid to ask me some totally crazy, off the wall questions guys!" Laughter ensues. I, however, take this as my cue.

For someone of his stature Justin is wearing a somewhat raggedy looking t-shirt. Darkish blue, a small felt red heart enclosed in a much larger white heart that looks like it was hastily stapled onto the shirt itself. Mentally I'm thinking, "Hm, I wonder if a fan made that for him?" However, due to a combination of nerves, caffeine, and the summer sun, what came out of my mouth was far different than what I was thinking. "What's up with your shirt?" I blurted out.

The charm and charisma that has sustained this man's career since youth, immediately drained from his face, replaced with what I can only describe as a "double stink eye." Some college kid questioning his style? Does this pleb realize who he's talking to? Clearly annoyed he responds "It's a ‘Comme des Garçon’, dude."

The change of tone in his voice stuck out in the room like a tuba player in a sweatshop. Awkward laughter ensues followed by the return of the rhythmic beat of question, answer, awkward silence, from the room. Classic Max Kane moment.

I looked it up later. It was a 400 dollar shirt.

Fuck.