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Erika Martin is a living testament to the old adage about opening the door when opportunity knocks. Born in New Jersey and raised in Connecticut, Martin spent her childhood and teenage years in the shadow of New York City, determined to take her bite out of the Big Apple.  But the co-host of Dress my Nest, the highly popular home makeover show on the Style Network, didn't plan on making her mark in fashion.

"I started off in music, in a band," recalls Martin. "That was my first love. Pretty soon we realized we needed a stylist and a designer, which we absolutely couldn't afford.  So out of pure necessity, I became the band's stylist."

Not content with simply shopping for the band's gear, she enrolled at the acclaimed Fashion Institute of Technology in New York to learn the fundamentals of style.  "I didn't know how to sew, so I took classes at F.I.T. and studied design and C.A.D. really networked with a lot of different people."  But the connections revealed a lot of doors, she says, "So I was able to take care of the band, while at the same time take advantage of this great opportunity to start getting really experienced in that field."

To pay the bills Martin took her love of fashion and her newly acquired skills from F.I.T. and began to style celebrities around New York like Fat Joe, Michelle Rodriguez and Giovanni Ribisi. Then another opportunity knocked that propelled her career in front of the camera.  LatinNation tapped her to host its weekly nationally syndicated show, and she served as a fashion and style correspondent for media outlets around New York.

Now living in Los Angeles, this energetic Latina with the crossover talent has made a home on the Style Network, E! Channel's sister station.  We caught up with her over brunch on Hollywood Blvd. to get some free fashion advice for guys looking to spice up their style.

Rego: What's the number one fashion no-no for guys?
Erika Martin: Mandals. Leather sandals for men, [who] wear [them] with suits or jeans, [is] such a no-no; very, very, very few men can pull those off.  And most guys won't take the time to get a pedicure when they obviously, desperately need one.  Or worse... they wear socks with them.  Not working.  Mandals need to just go away.

Rego: What night time outfit should every guy have in his closet?
EM: It depends on where you're going. If you're heading out to a Hollywood-type club or lounge, then I would say a nice pair of relaxed jeans and a real nice woven shirt. Stitches and G-Star jeans are hot, and Coast, Trevada, brands like that have nice shirts.  If you're going real casual, I would go with a pair of hot Nike Dunks. Paul Rodriguez has a Nike shoe that's really hot right now. Or you can wear a nice pair of Clarks or a nicer casual shoe. I think will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas wears Clarks a lot.

Rego: What are three pairs of shoes every guy should own?
EM: Let's go with style.  You pick the colors. First, guys should have a nice pair of wing tips.  Second, a nice, and I mean nice, pair of sneakers.  And for the third pair, make that your fun pair. Make it a quirky sneaker that matches whatever you're wearing. The best store right now to get your kicks at is Fred Segal. Great shoes.

Photo courtesy of Avid Exposure