Fashion is their passion — and these gents prove that personality is the secret to all that panache.
CEO, FRANKLIN’S GOURMET POPCORN; CO-FOUNDER, BLACK SWAN INITIATIVE
PHOTO BY TIM KING
John Varvatos signature fragrance, johnvarvatos.com PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 41 mm pink gold watch, audemarspiguet.com PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Cazal Eyewear 674 sunglasses, cazal-eyewear.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Tal Moore’s penchant for entrepreneurship began at just 12 years old when he began selling gumballs at school. At 19, he founded gumballs.com, his first company. Since then, he’s launched myriad online brands—from wicker.com to chocolate.com—and is currently focused on his role as the CEO of Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn, a tasty brand that sells popcorn machines to theaters and at-home popcorn-making kits to the masses. (He also just sold his home security company, Guardline Security—can you tell he’s busy?) But when he’s not flexing his business acumen, he’s giving back. As the co-founder of San Diego’s Black Swan Initiative, the go-getter crafts unique experiences to raise funds for local causes. Most recently, he threw a Great Gatsby-themed soiree at his home in La Jolla, which garnered more than $100,000 for Corazon de Vida and its mission to provide support for orphaned and abandoned children in Baja, Mexico. Here, Moore shares the goods that keep him looking dapper on the go. blackswaninitiative.net
THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME MOST HAPPY ARE... my morning coffee, books, business, my dog, my friends and family, fancy hotels, a fitted suit and salsa—both the dance and the sauce.
THE BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED WAS... that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
MY FAVORITE PLA CE TO SHOP FOR CLOTHE S IN SAN DIEGO IS... Westfield UTC.
MY IDEA OF HAPPINESS IS... a tall scotch, a delicious meal and a good woman to love.
MY ULTIMATE FASHION SPLURGE IS... a custom-ordered Porsche Cabriolet in Chalk with a soft Bordeaux top, Bordeaux leather interior and Chalk contrast stitching. I believe that your car is an extension of your personality and style.
MY FAVORITE MEN’S DESIGNERS ARE... John Varvatos, Th eory, Vince, Anthony Th omas Melillo, Bonobos and Vuori.
A MAN IS NEVER FULL Y DRESSED WITHOUT... a good pair of shoes. Far too many men pay little attention to their footwear, which is a huge mistake. Wearing flip-flops anywhere other than the pool or beach is not OK. I’m talking to you, men of San Diego.
MY FAVORITE WATCH IS... an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in pink gold. It’s a timeless design with a lot of versatility and can be worn with a tuxedo or a pair of jeans. The pink gold is a bit more sophisticated and understated than traditional yellow gold, which I like.
MY FAVORITE SCENT IS... classic John Varvatos cologne. It’s subtle, elegant and effortlessly embodies masculinity.
MY STYLE PHILOSOPHY IS... to look fitted, sharp and effortlessly cool. Nothing you wear should look overly considered or try too hard.
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