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Delays Don’t Mean Denials

James Andrew

James Andrew

My devastation upon not winning Saturday’s Power Ball lottery was of theatrical proportions—well, not really. Actually, Scott McBee and I had a grand time discussing our rather elaborate plans for the 600 million dollars we’d be winning.

Just to get us feeling comfortable with all that cash, we’d start off with a two week Mediteranean cruise on Paul Getty’s yacht, Talitha G, revisiting all of our favorite ports of call along the way and perhaps a few new ones. And real estate! My first priority would be to procure a country house in Rhinebeck NY, a Manhattan townhouse, and perhaps that tropical villa in Lyford Cay I’ve been dreaming about.

As you know, I adore coming up with some rather outrageous fantasies. I like to keep a playfulness when doing so, which keeps things light and fun. Of course, one can become a bit discouraged sometimes. It seems especially so for many of us who work in the creative field— essentially freelancers with big hopes, and even bigger imaginations! And certainly one can become impatient when things don’t unfold on one’s preferred schedule, but when things aren’t just snapping into place, I like to remind myself that delays don’t mean denials.

When one is able to let go of worry and anxiety, and simply feel as good “as if” one already had, say, $600 million dollars, one is much more likely to find a more positive shift. With this sort of mindset, for instance, I often find new or old client coming to me, seemingly out of the blue. Opportunities present themselves and once again I’m on the road to abundance, and manifesting some of those aforementioned dreams. The point is, we really do have to “joy our way to success.” This understandably can be a bit challenging if one is down to the last buck, but in those times, it’s always good to remember that we do indeed create our own reality. With our thoughts feeling and actions in line, we really do have the power to change our lives. Reality, in fact, can change in an instant!

Feeling like a 600 Million dollar power-ball winner, I’m paying tribute to the style of Tommy Nutter who reinvented the Savile Look for the 1960′s and 70′s. I’m sporting a Tom Ford lilac rose silk wool linen melange twill Snowdon suit, floral shirt in lavenders and purple, white silk tie, purple and brown polka dot silk pocket square, brown leather tasseled loafers and a brown leather belt with rose gold buckle, with “Cyrille” sunglasses, vintage Rolex and my fragrance is Creed Original Cologne.

Angelo Donghia

James Andrew at the Donghia New York showroom

James Andrew at the Donghia New York showroom

Angelo Donghia was the Halston of the interior design world—a super-star designer with equally spectacular clients.

‘Trained at Parsons, steeped in classicism, and highly disciplined, Donghia stressed simplicity of line, purity of materials, and boldness of form, in rooms that appeared at first glance modern, but were actually based on the eighteenth-century belief in sensible proportions and careful symmetry,’ in the words of Stanley Barrows, Donghia’s teacher at Parsons….These ‘sensible proportions’ translated into comfort, something Donghia also insisted upon. ‘I design for people’ he maintained. ‘Rooms are backrounds for people : that’s why they’re called living rooms.’ (From the book, Manhattan Style, Esten).

Certainly these are all principles that inform my own approach to interior design!

As many of you may know, Donghia actually decorated Ralph and Ricky Lauren’s homes and worked on many of the early Polo Ralph Lauren stores.

Angelo Donghia and Ralph Lauren

Angelo Donghia and Ralph Lauren

While I was working at Parish-Hadley Associates, my mentor Albert Hadley told me that Ralph Lauren had called him to take a look at his 5th Avenue apartment—this was shortly after the Rhinelander Mansion became the Ralph Lauren flagship store and Lauren wanted a bit more of the same old-world feeling in his own home.

As it goes, Hadley told Lauren that Donghia’s scheme and architecture was so beyond perfect that he (Hadley) didn’t want to disturb what had been done. Instead, Hadley advised Lauren to simply mix in some fine antiques and paintings. And so, per Hadley’s suggestion, the Lauren’s employed their own design team to do just this. Recently, however, the Lauren’s have very nearly returned their home to Donghia’s original design. It goes without saying, that this speaks volumes for the longevity of Donghia’s designs.

Since Donghia’s passing, his company has been through many incarnations, but I’m thrilled to see there’s been a strong return to Donghia’s roots. Many original Donghia pieces have been brought back to life—and are as fresh and perfect for today as they were back then. There are many new and original designs to choose from too—all imbued with the founder’s spirit.

There is a whole generation coming up today that are now buying their first homes and apartments, and many of them are curious about the decadent glamour of the 70′s and the opulence of the 80′s. If you’re one of them, do look at Donghia’s latest pieces, as they recall the fabulousness of those decades. Visit the recently re-decorated Donghia showroom here in New York City, there are so many fabulous pieces that I’m feeling rather inspired to incorporate many in my own design work. Keep a lookout for the room with corner banquettes—so very chic! I’m wildly crazy about them.

I’m photographed in a stunning living room at the Donghia New York showroom which showcases several of their latest additions like the “Kent” sofa and draped “slipper chair” -—perfection!

Kent Sofa at Donghia

Kent Sofa at Donghia

Slipper Chair at Donghia

Slipper Chair at Donghia

I’m sporting a Tom Ford indigo and ivory glen check silk jacket, pale blue cotton shirt with contrast white collar and cobalt and pale blue polka dot silk tie, Charvet vintage print silk pocket square, Paul Smith pale grey wool pants, Ralph Lauren navy leather D ring belt, Gucci navy leather slip on shoes, vintage Rolex, pearl cuff links with pale blue sapphires and my fragrance is Royal-Oud by Creed.

Fire Island Opera Festival

James Andrew at the celebration for the inaugural season of the Fire Island Opera Festival

James Andrew at the celebration for the inaugural season of the Fire Island Opera Festival – Sky Club Lounge at The Sheffield

One might think that the words “opera” and “Fire Island” would have never appeared in the same sentence together…fortunately for us, my multi-talented friend and visionary Edwin Cahill doesn’t see things this way. In fact, he’s forged from this unlikely pairing one of the most anticipated events of the summer, namely the Fire Island Opera Festival scheduled for the the weekend of August 24th 2013.

With a mix of one-act American operas and revivals of forgotten works from the 17th and 18th centuries, the FIOF will unite top artists from opera, theatre, classical music, fashion, and the visual arts. The place: a Pines mansion and its grounds, transformed into a beach opera house by Marfa-based installation artist, Charles Mary Kubricht. The result: an intimate exchange between art and nature, and a singular theatrical and musical experience!

The 2013 Season will feature two fabulous Operas:

Bon Appétit is a comic, culinary, extravaganza by Lee Hoiby that taps the wit and antics of Julia Child, one of America’s best-loved television personalities. In this episode, live from the Fire Island Beach Opera House kitchen, Julia Child will sing us through the recipe for her famous chocolate cake with a hilarious flour flying and frantic egg beating demonstration. You will then taste the glorious results of her famous recipe at intermission.”

L’Arbre Enchanté (The Magic Tree) is a sexy, comic opera by Gluck last performed in a 1775 for Marie-Antoinette at Versailles. In what will mark its ‘New World’ Premiere, the original melodies and French lyrics will come alive within a contemporary script adaptation in English which tells the story of two men fighting for the love of a beautiful young man. Will the dashing, rich business man with a beach mansion win or will it be the hot, penniless, pool boy? Only under the spell of a magic tree does the story reach its exciting climax!”

I just can’t wait to enjoy a louche weekend on Fire Island, and an enchanted evening of opera!

Now, what will I wear?

From the Sky Club Lounge at The Sheffield

From the Sky Club Lounge at The Sheffield

I had the great pleasure to attend a spectacular soirée celebrating the inaugural season of the Fire Island Opera Festival just now. We raised glasses of rosé champagne and were treated to several sensational performances, as well as the unveiling of the tent-sculpture designs by Kubricht, and the delights continued with the most delectable handmade truffles from the Coda Chocolate Company. Coda Chocolate is inspired by the musical term signifying the end of a musical composition—the culmination of everything that has come before it while remaining truly distinct in composition. Coda Chocolate even created a special chocolate to celebrate the Fire Island Opera Festival: a cayenne pepper truffle!

Pictured above, I’m captured high above New York City, and dressed to celebrate the Fire Island Opera Festival in a Tom Ford tangerine silk herringbone suit, white cotton shirt with French cuffs and saddle leather loafers, black pearl cuff links and a grey, orange, and hot pink “Madison Square” pocket square by Pochette Square, vintage Rolex, Gucci sunglasses and my fragrance is Creed Millesime Imperial.