This is my good friend, Naotomo Umewaka, who I first met him when I used to live in Japan.  This half Japanese, half Labanonese guy is a crazy dude with a big heart.  Tomo is a Temple University student trying to become a film director. 

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know I really dislike tighty whities.  However, I will let them pass this time because Tomo wore them with much swagger during his sky diving trip in Hawaii.

Below I have added some prep shots of him getting ready and then executing his dive. 

Also don’t worry, he’s 21.  Even though he looks like he is 14 when not sportin’ a beard.

I’m always being branded or questioned about my sexuality because of my attention to detail when it comes to my appearance, wardrobe, and exceedingly good manners…starting a men’s underwear company also raises a few eye brows of suspicion. 

I stumbled onto this Venn diagram a woman posted on her blog.  Then it made me think…I’m charming.  I’m attractive.  I’m intelligent.  Does that mean I’m…GAY?  Sorry, ladies, I’m playing for the other team now!  Mothers, lock your sons away Disco Valante is on the prowl. 

I know most, if not all, my readers are gay.  I think that is truly awesome that I have a gay male following!  And since living in Washington, DC and starting this underwear company the number of gays friends that I have has grown exponentially.   However, aren’t men individuals?  What does sexuality have to do with emotional or social traits?

Is this trio of traits really definitive of a gay man?  Do rainbow flags of suspicion go off if a man is a good looking gentleman?  I want to hear from all my guys out there who are “experienced” in this subject.

Isn’t this a slap in the face to the straight guy who is a sincere gentleman?

Fine tune your “Gaydar” and tell Disco Valante you think.

I think buying underwear can be a truly personal experience.  If I’m in an underwear buying mood, I like to take my sweet time.  I hate it when a salesperson is invading my space trying to tell me what underwear they think would look good on me.  It is really creepy to me. 

However, on the flip side, when someone close to me purchases underwear for me, I think it is rather HOT…provided it’s not flannel boxers or tighty whites. 

I know most of the Disco Valante blog entries are directly targeted to men however, there are a few ladies that read this blog. 

Ladies do you like to buy underwear for your man? Is there a sense of hot sexual anticipation of buying your boy toy a new pair of briefs? Or is it, if you don`t buy them, that lazy bastard would keep wearing the same ratty ones with holes?

Fellas, do you like it when your lady buys underwear for you? Is there something arousing about your lady thinking about your little soldier enough to make sure he is well clothed? Or is she trying to control every aspect of your life including what underwear you put on?

Disco Valante wants to know how you feel. 

Also, for my gay readers, do you like your partner buying you underwear?

As I sit here watching Project Runway, I’m starting my return to the blogging world.  First i would like to apologize for the lapse in time.  It has taken my cable/internet company almost three weeks to install their services.

The trip to Asia was fun yet very stressful.  Delays with manufacturing start dates and bad samples had me so worried and prevented me from truly relaxing.

I have begun manufacturing with a great company in China.  The two guys handling my account are really professional and awesome. 

Yesterday, I received the color card to ensure the correct fabric color of the underwear.  I also received the graphic design print samples.  There are some changes to be made but it feels really good to be progressing this far.  I think everyone will find the color combinations of underwear fabric, graphic print, and waistband really cool.

All this progress doesn’t happen without cold hard cash.  Disco Valante has footed the bill of the initial 30% down payment for manufacturing with the money from its investors.  I truly thank thoses who have given this company money.  Now I’m waiting to hear back from the bank, this week, about getting a line of credit to help with the purchase of larger quantities and working capital.

The model search is on…I’m looking high and low for that cute face with a hard body.  If you know anyone in the NY, NJ, Philly or DC area let me know.

And most importantly, Disco Valante will launch this December! 

Don’t forget to register your email at http://www.discovalante.com to get the latest updates on the launch and details about special promotions.

I will be back in full force during the middle of the week.  I’m so sorry for the delayed absence.

I hope you guys haven’t forgotten about me!

I constantly get emails of people wanting to see the fantasy of military guys going gay for each other.  In my endless effort to exploit my best friends for my professional and financial gain, here you go. Look how natural these two are sportin Speedos and applying sun tan lotion in the hot summer sun.

Calm down Disco Valante blog readers! Hazel Eyes and Straight-ish boy are strictly for the ladies…as far as I know. But you know what my gay friends say, “The only difference between a straight guy and a gay guy is a couple of beers.

These two complete my three-some “bro-mance”. I affectionately think of Steven and Erik as my brothers. They are possibly the two most free spirits I know. They have always been supportive of me and I love them for that.

To Steven: “Kings to me!” - inside joke

In this age of super clothing labels and elaborate fashion, some things remain classic.  The white T is classic.  A nicely fitted white T-shirt can be just as fashionable as any “designer” creation.  I was looking at the movie, SPEED, the other day and Keanu Reeves made a plain white T look very hip. 

Are you a fan of plain undershirt T`s?  Or, in your opinion, are they strictly for function?  Disco Valante wants to know.

Disco Valante Clothing is insistent on a man’s ability to believe in himself.  Robert Frost, wrote a killer poem, The Road Not Taken, about trusting one’s own intuition in the the face of uncertainty. My clothing label is my personal road not taken. Leaving a successful military career and dumping every dollar I have into my dream (and borrowing even more) is not an easy thing. Perhaps Robert’s words can help you too.

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Hello everyone!  Well, I`m in my favorite city, Tokyo.  I`m living in a capsule hotel in Shinjuku which is quite the experience.

Once again, I am apoligizing about not blogging very often.  Tomorrow, I will recieve the sample that should allow me to have the confidence in the manufacturer, pay the initial 30% production costs, and get this label off the ground.

This “business” vacation has been rather stressful.  My trip has been plagued with manufacturing setbacks and shady characters.  I will elaborate on both at a later time.

See ya soon

Well, I’ve been agonizing over the color swatches from the Pantone catalog.  Blue just isn’t blue…there are like twenty different blues.  Which one is too bright?  Which one is too light?  Which one is right?  You can really go crazy…trust me.

Because Disco Valante isn’t made for my satisfaction but the satisfaction of my future underwear loving customers, I pose these questions, “Do you like the typical ‘blah’ colors seen in many other underwear companies?  Or do you long for more vibrant tones in your underwear that capture imagination and a hidden coolness that only you and your f*ck buddy know about?”.

I guess I maybe tipping my hand a bit in how I want you to answer.

There was a technical glick that prohibited my flash placement page from operating.  It is now fixed.

Please click go to http://www.discovalante.com and register your email to get the latest news of the fall launch.

What’s up, guys?  This is Disco’s fourth trip to land of NSA sex, cheap living, and great culture.  :) 

I know I haven’t been posting as frequently but between working on the clothing label and traveling I haven’t made the time…I’m sorry:(  The actual work of cutting a deal with the manufacturer is coming along.

I’m now in Bangkok on my Asian vacation/working tour.  I’m in this super cool trendy internet cafe where you listen to a live DJ, can buy an Ipod and other electronics, get gourmet drinks and do work.  It’s called True located in Siam Paragon if anyone stops in Bangkok.

I’ve also met a model from a rival underwear company while working out at the gym.  I saw the guy and I felt I knew him but didn’t know where.  Then it hit me!  He is the model for brand “X”!  He is a really nice guy.  Since I travel by myself, it is nice to meet someone the same age and get this…he has started his own clothing line which I have seen on the internet.  It’s almost like we share the same ambitious mind. 

After I check all my emails, I have to choose my colors out on the Pantone color guide book.  I have learned so much visiting the manufacture.  I’ve been doing my prep work like a caveman.  My new Chinese friends at my manufacture have helped me present my designs more professionally for manufacturing. 

It was an experience going to this small Chinese city.  I stood out like a sore thumb, however, everyone was more than friendly and eager to be friends.

Gotta get back to work in prep for the October launch.

I must admit I wasn’t always a fan of this look.  I always see it in Ralph Lauren stores and I think it looks too fake and snobby.  However, I think it can be worn with classic coolness and style.  Take a look at this guy in the photo.  His look is very understated…simple T, khakis, dark blazer, and a pair of patent leather loafers.  However, he exudes a coolness that rarely seen in reality.

Disco Valante wants you to try to pull this look off and tell us how you fair on the streets.  I’m sure you’ll get complimented!

The last week or so has been a loads of administrative work and travel.  From Qatar to Kuwait to Washington, DC to California, I’ve been on the go!  Yesterday, I left on the physical journey to begin Disco Valante.  Just before midnight, I traveled 13 hours from LAX to Hong Kong.  I am now awaiting my connecting flight to go to China to meet the manufactureres of the this label.  In preparation for my trip, I’ve been reading books on Chinese etiquette and business culture for the past month.  I think I’m Chinese now…not really.  I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.

Shortly after the official business trip of Disco Valante,  I will proceed to get lost in a 3-5 week vacation around Asia.  I will visit friends and some of my favorite places.  This time I will be using hostels and crashing with sexy strangers.  No hotels and spas for me. :( 

Thanx for being patient with the absence of my blogging.  Wish me luck!

I’m back!!!  Disco Valante has been out of the US for almost a year and I’ve notice something quite different.  In the last four days I seen eight different guys where jockstraps as underwear. 

Disco Valante hasn’t been hanging out in gay bath houses.  I was at two different gyms.  The guys were putting on their jocks with their street clothes after their workout.

Have I, the knower of all that is cool, missed a shift in underwear appareal in my abscence?

Fellas let me know what’s up!