Florida Agenda

By ERIC CHRISTIAN

As Fall and soon to be Winter collections hit the stores this season, designers are definitely having a lot of fun with menswear and accessories. This season’s trend seems to be all about leather. From leather jackets, to leather boots, and daring leather accessories, it’s all about that sumptuous fabric that has an edge.

Everyone using leather this season wants to make a statement, and so should you!

So take a look at our top picks and invest in some new leather. Remember the feel, the smell and the style. Leather is timeless, classic and goes with everything.
Everyone Loves a bad boy in leather!

Photo: Rich Rodriguez, Mister Ramrod 2011

Zak Enterline and Steve Whitney, proprietors of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest gay bar, Ramrod, are sending a contestant to the 2011 International Mister Leather (IML) competition, this year being held in America’s Second City, Chicago. Rich Rodriguez of Wilton Manors, who was crowned Mister Ramrod, is Chi-Town-bound this Memorial Day weekend.

Open for Business wishes him luck. Next up on Zak and Steve’s Bucket List: helping Your Kindly Scribe to find a pair of @#%-less chaps that accentuate his fundament during next month’s Pig Dance.

Stonewall Wilton Manors:  Still Flying the Flag

Readers may recall that last year’s Stonewall Street Festival ended with a whimper rather than a bang following its organizing committee’s admission that they were flat broke following June 2010’s event in Wilton Manors. Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale officers and board members reported a net loss of over $30,000 after the dust settled, with unpaid expenses for vendors, law enforcement and other creditors. This year, the standard for the seminal street festival has been picked up by Wedner and Friends Events, which is producing a more streamlined version for the 12th year of the summer Pride highlight.

The producers and city officials met this Tuesday at Wilton Manors’ Hagen Park in a preliminary Town Hall meeting to share their vision with residents and supporters for the 2011 production, being held Sunday, June 19. The producers say that the event has been re-envisioned for 2011, with a 4 – 9 p.m. festival component, a parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment beginning at 7:30pm, all centered on Wilton Drive. This year’s Grand Marshals will be MSNBC News Anchor Thomas Roberts and his partner

Patrick Abner. Roberts, an award-winning journalist, anchors MSNBC Live on weekdays at 11 a.m.

Another new addition to the 2011 event is the participation of Luminary Couples in the parade, long-term partners who “will be honored at this year’s gathering for their courage and dedication,” according to event producer Ellen Wedner. “The first 10 couples, together 20-plus years, who reach out to us will be known as the Founding Luminary Couples, and will be invited to ride in the parade. Any couple having a 10-plus year relationship is invited to apply to walk or ride in the Luminary section of the parade as well.” 20-plus years? Open for Business feels special if someone holds the door open on the way out of the restroom at Torpedo.

By the Numbers

$24 Billion: Amount spent annually worldwide on the purchase of soap

$106 Billion: Amount spent annually worldwide on the purchase of household cleaning products

76: Estimated Percentage of kitchen dish cloths infested with germs

1-in-3: Number of American men who don’t wash their hands after using the restroom

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

Uwe Schroeder, Designer and creator of WOLFCUFF

By ALEX VAUGHN

Please tell us about WOLFCUFF. How did you come up with the idea and the name?

WOLFCUFF was born out of pure chance I went to a local leather store and bought a few basic items to make my first cuff (we call her “mom”) when I wore it for the first time people started asking me where I got it and if I could make one for them as well. As for the name, I am passionate about dogs and wolves. I didn’t want to say wristband so, WOLFCUFF was born.

WOLFCUFF is a unique line of crafted leather wristbands. Each cuff is made out of two pieces of leather, uniquely interlocked together to form the cuff. I have four main lines; “Tradition” is the original, they are all solid leather.

“Custom Cuffs” include metal medallions, rhine-stones or ancient roman coins that I import from Europe. “Chameleon” is my convertible line of either chic watches or unique cuffs. You can remove the watch piece and replace it with the included leather band. My newest line is “WOLFCUFF-Anklets “

Where do you get your inspiration for your work?

It goes as far back as my childhood. As a boy I was fascinated by anything ancient. Also my grandfather was a traditional blade smith in Solingen (the city of blades) so as a child I experienced traditional crafting first hand. I also think the combination of European roots and exposure to so many different cultures here in Florida is constantly inspiring me to come up with new designs and ideas.

What has been the advantage of doing business within the gay community?

Mainly great support from the community namely ALIBI, Jackson, Marc and Vincent who, without hesitation believed in me and gave me a venue at the monthly Artwalk and for special events like the yearly Rodeo, which has undoubtedly helped build my business so rapidly. The gay community is also so open to the “new” especially in terms of fashion and jewellery.

Have you encountered any disadvantages of being in the gay community?

No, not many, I guess the main would be from a retail view point; it seems that a product like underwear is a big seller, yet due to the larger mark ups for the gay retail stores, catering mainly for tourists, mean they shy away from my upper priced exotic cuffs.

What is in the future for your business?

Since I didn’t plan any of this, every step of is a rewarding adventure for me. I have been negotiating with a potential business partner how to make WOLFCUFF accessible beyond Florida.

I am also looking at keeping creativity with my signature cuffs and developing a line of commercial products for mass distribution on shopping networks and national retailers.

What is the ethos of WOLFCUFF?

All accepting togetherness. The feeling of “us” that, for me, makes WOLFCUFF more than just a business, it’s my life, my friends and family woven into each cuff.

Which charities do you support and why?

I believe being a gay man one should be involved in a charity supporting those living with HIV and AIDS and one of my greatest passions is to rescue and save dogs so I volunteer for GRATEFUL PAWS a nonprofit, dog and cat rescue shelter.

What brought you to Florida?

I have family ties in America and in 2000 I had the opportunity to move to the US. I didn’t choose Florida for business reasons, but because it is a top Gay destination and I knew I could do well here.

Where do you see most opportunity for gay business owners in Florida?

Due to the huge population of gay men and women in Florida, there is support given to each other in business, making building a company in the community a pleasure. Florida is also a great place to reach a wider number of people without having to give up your identity, as homosexuality is accepted more in South Florida. And of course it is a huge gay tourist mecca.

Which famous person do you feel most encompasses your brand?

WOLFCUFF comes in so many styles and designs that I could not name a person representing all of them but I can name a person that every WOLFCUFF I make carries within: my mother. Without her unconditional love, her never ending support I would not be the person I am today. Each cuff I make carries a part of her legacy.

To suggest someone for the Style Profile. Contact editor@FloridaAgenda.com putting PROFILE in the title.