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Opulent Rejuvenesence Facial – The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, NY

Jan 27th, 2012
by WIJW.
1 comment
James Andrew at the Mandarine Oriental Spa - photo Gabrial Everett

James Andrew at the Mandarine Oriental Spa - photo Gabrial Everett

I’ve been accused of having my own Dorian Gray portrait hidden somewhere to absorb my many indulgences, but the truth is, I keep my years at bay with healthy foods, a youthful attitude, and, of course, a top notch skin-care regimen.

Which brings me to facials. When only the absolute best treatment will do, the Opulent Rejuvenesence facial given at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa wins hands down.

Developed by Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, famed Brazilian cosmetic surgeon to celebrities, royalty, and socialites around the world, the OP is an intensive, two-hour, anti-aging treatment that incorporates result-driven Beauty By Clinica products proven to boost collagen and give the skin a more youthful appearance.

James Andrew - under the able hands of the fantastic Fini at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa

James Andrew - under the able hands of the fantastic Fini at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa

These facials are administered with some seriously state of the art equipment (e.g., rotary brushes, an opal sonic infuser, and a high frequency current wand), and really have a long lasting and cumulative effect.

Of course the proof is in the pudding so to speak—and during an after spa luncheon, my friends all insisted that I must have received Botox and Restylane injections (which I had not). Needless to say, I’ve sold them on the Opulent Rejuvenesence facial!

The Vip Room at the Mandarine Oriental Spa

WIJW recommends The Vip Room at the Mandarine Oriental Spa

Feeling particularly radiant, I’m captured (top) on the 35th Floor spa at the Mandarine, sporting a Tom Ford suit jacket in a olive wool silk tweed over check and silk pocket square, Tom Ford era Gucci ivory cashmere turtleneck sweater and J Brand jeans, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual watch, tan leather tasseled loafers by Gucci and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

Posted in: Creed, Gucci, Random, Rolex.

The Camel Hair Jacket – A Wardrobe Essential

Jan 25th, 2012
by WIJW.
5 comments
James Andrew at Grand Central - photo Gabriel Everett

James Andrew at Grand Central - photo Gabriel Everett

A camel hair jacket is one of those must-have staples in a gentleman’s wardrobe. The marvelously neutral color and super luxurious fabric makes it hugely handy in both top coat and sport coat incarnations, and can complete any number of different looks. Whether you are going super casual, (pairing camel hair with jeans and a cream cashmere turtleneck for instance), or doing something dressier, (say with a fab shirt and tie), a camel hair jacket will ad a perfect touch of uber wasp chic and proven historical precedence to your well considered ensemble. From the board room to the playboy mansion and beyond, a good camel hair jacket will take you there!

I’m sporting a Tom Ford version of this iconic jacket, i.e., a tailored “Country Jacket” in camel silk cashmere twill with suede accents, cotton plaid shirt, silk knit tie, brown wide wale corduroy pants, saddle leather loafers, vintage moon stone cuff links, Rolex oyster perpetual and brown and camel silk pocket square, Gucci double horse head buckle python belt and my fragrance is Creed Himalaya.

Posted in: Gucci, Rolex, Tom Ford.

High and Low

Jan 23rd, 2012
by WIJW.
7 comments
James Andrew - photo Gabriel Everett

James Andrew - photo Gabriel Everett

When decorating a client’s home, I try to insist on the best possible quality materials and workmanship. However, even the wealthiest of my clients has a budget! With that in mind, I’ve found one can still achieve superior results with modest materials by applying a high level of craftsmanship and design. For example, I might seek out a simple cotton/linen and trim them in gross grain ribbon to produce some rather spectacular looking curtains. It’s a high/low approach. The same goes with my wardrobe. I have no problem mixing no-compromise brands like Tom Ford and Savile Row tailoring with basic items from Uniqlo like jeans and sweaters. Uniqlo, in fact, produces some quite well made/designed basics in fantastic colors. I often wear Uniqlo jeans and a cashmere sweater paired with a Tom Ford jacket and shoes for a super stylish yet casual high/low ensemble.

Enjoying a snowy afternoon shopping at Uniqlo and the Tom Ford boutique, I’m sporting a Gucci tweed top coat and brown wool hand knit sweater, Uniqlo jeans, Le Chameau wellies, Sermoneta dark green leather gloves. My fragrance is Creed Bois du Portugal.

Posted in: Creed, Gucci, Sermoneta, Tom Ford.

The NYC Metro Show

Jan 20th, 2012
by WIJW.
3 comments
James Andrew at Stephen Score's Metro Show booth

James Andrew at Stephen Score's Metro Show booth

During my time as a designer for Parish Hadley, the emphasis was on marrying pieces that shared a “sympathetic spirit,” rather than matching periods and styles. Needless to say, this approach allowed for some wonderfully playful and unexpected juxtapositions, and was very much at the heart of Parish Hadley’s most innovative and dynamic interiors.

Happily you’ll find a similar approach at the inaugural Metro Show where dealers and designers have brought together an exciting and eclectic mix of fine collectibles from a wide degree of time periods and styles, both new and old. In fact, it may surprise many to know that this is not a particularly new design trend! As Leigh Keno notes, “… the term ‘modern’ apparently originated in the late 16th century. Even in the early 17th century, a room filled with ‘modern’ furniture and accoutrements very often had ‘antiquities’ mixed in, whether collected or inherited.”

Wherever your specific interests may lie, I’m certain you’ll find some tantalizing object to admire at the marvelous NYC Metro Show. But hurry, it’s only open until Sunday January 22 (the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, NYC). I had the great pleasure of exploring the show’s special preview, and I was so thrilled with the selection that I’ll be returning this weekend with some of my clients in tow.

I’m pictured (top) at the booth of Boston dealer Stephen Score, sporting a Tom Ford “Buckingham” jacket in black and ink wool wide twill damier, pale blue mini herringbone cotton shirt with French cuffs and a black silk pocket square, Gucci black flannel pant, black and gray micro stripe tie and black leather tasseled loafers, black alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, pearl and pale blue sapphire cuff links, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual watch , amethyst sun glasses Tom Ford era Gucci, Hildestahl Medium III bag in purple leather and my fragrance is Lorenzo Villoresi’s Garofano.

Posted in: Albert Hadley, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Random, Rolex, Tom Ford.

Be a Bit Over the Top!

Jan 18th, 2012
by WIJW.
8 comments
James Andrew — photo by Gabriel Everett

James Andrew — photo by Gabriel Everett

The 1970′s, along with all of its glamor and decadence, are a huge wellspring of creative inspiration for me. In fact, I’ve spent most of my life developing an appreciation for slightly over-the-top living, and so it shouldn’t surprise you that I dashed right out to see the limited engagement of Whitney Smith’s “Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston.” The film is as much about the time as it is about the rather inscrutable Halston (a characteristic that so many iconic figures seem to share), and I’m quite certain that if you, like me, love a dose of disco-era fabulousness, elegance, and excess, then this flick is for you. Oh, and if perhaps you’d like to revisit our 2009 thoughts on Halston to get you in the mood, you can find them here!

Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston

Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston

I’m celebrating the spirit of Halston and the 1970s with a slightly over the top ensemble—a spectacular shearling coat, ivory corduroy pants, tan leather tasseled loafers, brown plaid wool cashmere scarf and peccary gloves all Tom Ford era Gucci, Tom Ford “Nicolo” sunglasses, amber cashgora sweater and brown and white hounds tooth shirt, vintage agate cuff links, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual watch and my fragrance is the very seductive Creed Himalaya.

Posted in: Creed, Gucci, Random, Rolex, Tom Ford.

Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design

Jan 16th, 2012
by WIJW.
12 comments
Rizzoli's book, Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design

Rizzoli's book, Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design

I’ve long admired the multifaceted genius of the English artist, Oliver Messel, whose many talents included stage and costume design, interior design as well as architecture.

Messel’s theatrical sets actually received standing ovations, making the great mass of ensuing commissions to decorate homes, hotels and shops seem like the most natural progression. (Incidentally, my own early career found me designing fanciful sets as well, but in my case, these were actualized within the walls of the Ralph Lauren showrooms, and the clients I met there also facilitated my transition into full fledged interior design).

Health issues drew Messel to the West Indies, and the island of Barbados, which quite by accident (not sure if that’s the right word) led him to his role as architect, building tropical retreats for his many affluent clients. Of particular note are the super chic Leamington Pavilion in Barbados which I’m planning to rent, as well as the fabulously fantastical Turkish style great house he designed for Lord Glenconner.

Leamington Pavilion

Messel's Leamington Pavilion

On the grounds of the Turkish style great house for Lord Glenconner

On the grounds of the Turkish style great house for Lord Glenconner

Whether I’m designing interiors here or in the tropics, I often look to Messel’s vision for inspiration, and so it probably goes without saying that Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design, is on the WIJW must-own list. It’s packed with glorious images of the complete range of his work, and we’re sure you too will find inspiration within its pages.

Posted in: Rizzoli.

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