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Tu Ly

Tu Ly

Creative Marketing Director, Ports 1961. Toronto

We’re pretty sure the portrait says it all: Canadian-bred Tu Ly is one dapper dude with an inimitable sense of style. As the creative marketing director for the luxury brand Ports 1961, Ly travels the globe serving as the art director for all advertising campaigns—he’s worked with everyone from Schiffer to Moss—and the stylist/producer for the New York Fashion Week presentations. Those Ryerson grads, eh? (We all know Erdem is a fellow Rye High success story.)
We caught up with the jet-setter just after he touched down on Canadian soil from New Mexico. We headed over to Ly’s pad—fun fact: he lives around the block from TC headquarters—and were greeted by him in this matching floral get-up; we kid you not. We weren’t surprised: Ly is known for his avant-garde style that puts the boys on the runway to shame. His collection of quirky Prada printed shirts, sweaters and coats were instant conversation pieces. But the real topic of conversation was the giant secret safe hidden inside Ly’s loft. Once a full-functioning furrier, the vault door was set to be trashed during the reconstruction of the building. And just wait ‘til you see his suitcase selection. Like Ly says, “Just call me ‘The Bag Man.’”

We salvaged the safe door during the construction of our loft. The contractors were ready to trash it! Can you imagine? A coat of metallic Ralph Lauren paint and voilà, as good as new! It’s definitely the centerpiece of the studio. I bought the twelve-buckle pole-climber boots on Queen Street for a costume party but cherished them regardless. The coat was picked up in Milan during the 2006 Winter Olympics. Hedi Slimane really defined a vocabulary for slim tailoring.

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Coat, Dior Homme; Bag and Shoes, Prada

Just call me the “Bag Man.” All are special and picked up from different travel destinations. The luggage trolley is from Venice. The soft Doctor’s bag was only made for runway but my personal shopper in Florence ordered it for me. Lastly, the brown bag is from Moscow at mega department store TSUM. I had to buy something from there!

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This coat is completely couture. The fabric is a technology wonder with worsted wool grafted into tweed. The egg-shaped cut reminds me of a couture Schiaparelli gown. The first time I wore it was at Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania while shooting the Ports 1961 S/S '08 Campaign.

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Coat, Prada

This cross necklace was a limited design and a gift. It's my bling!

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Necklace, Baccarat

Once in a blue moon I wear brown and these are my favorite non-black footwear. The Western boots have an invisible heel—they are so avant-garde. The slip-ons were practically ruined when I was caught in a sudden rainstorm in New York. Luckily, the leather was restored and saved for eternity. I’ll wear these when I’m seventy-five and living in Boca Raton. Hand tooled leather dossier is by a Navajo artist in New Mexico. It took him one month to finish with crow motifs and my name written in Western script.

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While in Kyoto shooting a Ports Campaign, my friend Tia and I bought the same coat. It has to be the coolest garment I own; so ingenious of Rei Kawakubo to combine a street-cred army surplus-style jacket with a plaid blanket poncho! My prized possession are these hand-made shoes; they're over ten years old but I am still in love with them today.

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I fell in love with the insect green color on these high-tops. How crazy is the combinations of patent and suede? This lergy style vest and shirt has button closures on the back so I usually need my valet (Marc!) to help me get dressed. The suede High Plains Drifter hat is from Santa Fe.

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Vest, Prada; Shoes, Lanvin; Hat, Unknown Designer

Shirts, Prada

Flying home from the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, I bought the white Boeing carryall from Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong. I had it monogrammed in Paris in the flagship on rue Saint Honoré. The clerk was amused that my first name had only two letters—much better than typical initials.

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Sweater and Shoes, Prada; Bag, Goyard; Sunglasses, Dior Homme

Glasses, CHANEL

This drawstring pouch makes it fun to count change, especially the heavy Euros. My iPad case is so classic and chic—I would travel with the entire luggage set if I had a private jet. Commercial airline, however, not such a great idea. The Navajo silver and leather cuff is from Albuquerque.

Read More

iPad Case, Louis Vuitton; Pouch, Goyard; Cuff, Unknown Designer

J’adore Hermès! I’ve been searching for a white Collier de Chien because I wear the black color 365 days a year.

Read More

We shot a Ports 1961 campaign in New Mexico. I was so taken by the Land of Enchantment—the most incredible landscape and light. Silver Navajo concho belt and Gambler hat are from Santa Fe. I must have worn the belt for three months straight after the trip; I just did not want to take it off. The illustration is of the costume design for figure skater Patrick Chan; he won 2011 World Championship and broke three World Records. It was awesome to witness it in person in Moscow!

Read More

Shoes, Prada; Belt, Unknown Designer; Hat, Unknown Designer

This watch was a birthday gift. I love the chunky square design. It complements my Hermès Collier de Chien bracelet; my wrists are rarely naked with neither. Every year or so they issue new designs for the Espionne rings and I’m obsessed with them. The Onyx ring is from Albuquerque and the silver Lapis ring is from Santorini.

Read More

This patent leather ombré computer bag was completely sold out everywhere and I could not believe I found it in Rome on Via Condotti. It's a perfect fit for my 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Read More

Bag, Prada

This silver bomber is from Rodeo Drive. So Hollywood—I know—but so rad. Messenger bag is from Paris and reminds me of a Shar Pei dog. I designed Team Canada Olympic uniforms for three consecutives games for The Hudson's Bay Company, so I was honoured and proud to run the Olympic Torch Relay during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games. Best experience bar none!

Read More

Jacket, Dior Homme; Bag, Prada

We salvaged the safe door during the construction of our loft. The contractors were ready to trash it! Can you imagine? A coat of metallic Ralph Lauren paint and voilà, as good as new! It’s definitely the centerpiece of the studio. I bought the twelve-buckle pole-climber boots on Queen Street for a costume party but cherished them regardless. The coat was picked up in Milan during the 2006 Winter Olympics. Hedi Slimane really defined a vocabulary for slim tailoring. Coat, Dior Homme; Bag and Shoes, Prada

Just call me the “Bag Man.” All are special and picked up from different travel destinations. The luggage trolley is from Venice. The soft Doctor’s bag was only made for runway but my personal shopper in Florence ordered it for me. Lastly, the brown bag is from Moscow at mega department store TSUM. I had to buy something from there!

This coat is completely couture. The fabric is a technology wonder with worsted wool grafted into tweed. The egg-shaped cut reminds me of a couture Schiaparelli gown. The first time I wore it was at Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania while shooting the Ports 1961 S/S '08 Campaign. Coat, Prada

This cross necklace was a limited design and a gift. It's my bling! Necklace, Baccarat

Once in a blue moon I wear brown and these are my favorite non-black footwear. The Western boots have an invisible heel—they are so avant-garde. The slip-ons were practically ruined when I was caught in a sudden rainstorm in New York. Luckily, the leather was restored and saved for eternity. I’ll wear these when I’m seventy-five and living in Boca Raton. Hand tooled leather dossier is by a Navajo artist in New Mexico. It took him one month to finish with crow motifs and my name written in Western script.

While in Kyoto shooting a Ports Campaign, my friend Tia and I bought the same coat. It has to be the coolest garment I own; so ingenious of Rei Kawakubo to combine a street-cred army surplus-style jacket with a plaid blanket poncho! My prized possession are these hand-made shoes; they're over ten years old but I am still in love with them today.

I fell in love with the insect green color on these high-tops. How crazy is the combinations of patent and suede? This lergy style vest and shirt has button closures on the back so I usually need my valet (Marc!) to help me get dressed. The suede High Plains Drifter hat is from Santa Fe. Vest, Prada; Shoes, Lanvin; Hat, Unknown Designer

Shirts, Prada

Flying home from the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, I bought the white Boeing carryall from Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong. I had it monogrammed in Paris in the flagship on rue Saint Honoré. The clerk was amused that my first name had only two letters—much better than typical initials. Sweater and Shoes, Prada; Bag, Goyard; Sunglasses, Dior Homme

Glasses, CHANEL

This drawstring pouch makes it fun to count change, especially the heavy Euros. My iPad case is so classic and chic—I would travel with the entire luggage set if I had a private jet. Commercial airline, however, not such a great idea. The Navajo silver and leather cuff is from Albuquerque. iPad Case, Louis Vuitton; Pouch, Goyard; Cuff, Unknown Designer

J’adore Hermès! I’ve been searching for a white Collier de Chien because I wear the black color 365 days a year.

We shot a Ports 1961 campaign in New Mexico. I was so taken by the Land of Enchantment—the most incredible landscape and light. Silver Navajo concho belt and Gambler hat are from Santa Fe. I must have worn the belt for three months straight after the trip; I just did not want to take it off. The illustration is of the costume design for figure skater Patrick Chan; he won 2011 World Championship and broke three World Records. It was awesome to witness it in person in Moscow! Shoes, Prada; Belt, Unknown Designer; Hat, Unknown Designer

This watch was a birthday gift. I love the chunky square design. It complements my Hermès Collier de Chien bracelet; my wrists are rarely naked with neither. Every year or so they issue new designs for the Espionne rings and I’m obsessed with them. The Onyx ring is from Albuquerque and the silver Lapis ring is from Santorini.

This patent leather ombré computer bag was completely sold out everywhere and I could not believe I found it in Rome on Via Condotti. It's a perfect fit for my 17-inch MacBook Pro. Bag, Prada

This silver bomber is from Rodeo Drive. So Hollywood—I know—but so rad. Messenger bag is from Paris and reminds me of a Shar Pei dog. I designed Team Canada Olympic uniforms for three consecutives games for The Hudson's Bay Company, so I was honoured and proud to run the Olympic Torch Relay during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games. Best experience bar none! Jacket, Dior Homme; Bag, Prada