WHAT IS JAMES WEARING?

Watercolor of Coral Beach Club by Helen Bertles

We chose to spend our last day in Bermuda at the uber chic Coral Beach Club. Magical turquoise sea views, pink powdery sands, lush tropical gardens, charming Bermudian architecture, and spectacular food and service all make the Coral Beach one of those impossible to forget experiences. Here we enjoyed a heavenly afternoon on the beach and then, later, we strolled along the many seaside garden paths before a scrumptious dinner. All of this has left me with intense feelings of joy, gratitude, and a renewed sense of optimism - a little piece of Coral Beach to take back to NYC with me!

James Andrew at the Coral Beach Club

I’m wearing a beige wool/silk/cotton peaked lapel jacket by Gucci, Charvet Paris minty aqua silk pocket square, a purple cotton shirt with contrast white collar and french cuffs by Turnbull & Asser, Seaman Schepps cufflinks are silver pearls with pale blue sapphires, minty aqua cotton pant by Gucci, Ralph Lauren purple alligator belt with sterling buckle and white leather Gucci loafers.

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The former United States Embassy is a magical property neighboring “Bellevue Beach House.” Its fantastic moon gate provides a dramatic passage between estate and sea. Made from “Bermuda” stone - a limestone that grays when exposed to the elements - this select material is used in all of the finest Bermudian gardens. Moon gates were first introduced to Bermuda in the mid 19th century by a sea captain who had seen them on his travels to the orient. I love the idea behind them - the complete circle symbolizes unity, peace, and happiness. I’m not sure if this moon gate has some mystical power or perhaps it is simply a reminder of the power within - either way it has me completely fired up thinking of all the possibilities that life has to offer!

James Andrew and Bermuda moongate

Blissing out barefoot, I’m sporting a Gucci white cotton voile safari shirt, H & M purple cotton poplin shorts, silver chain link belt and aqua mint cotton jacket - both by Gucci, (I will often travel with a suit, it provides 3 looks -as a complete suit, as a jacket and one can wear just the pants) lavender cotton Glenn plaid pocket square by Tom Ford.

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The beauty of “Bellevue Beach House” continues…. Pristine white stucco walls and ceilings provide the perfect backdrop for my dear friend Lindsay’s collection of outrageous antiques and handsome family portraits. Fine English antiques placed among down filled sofas and chairs covered in a variety of semi-tropical chintz, rare Bermuda cypress furniture, exotic indigenous flower arrangements throughout - everything has been meticulously selected and positioned to create an effect that is elegant, inviting and comfortable - simply sublime!

At “Bellevue Beach House” most meals (and cocktails) are served alfresco on the terrace, and an extensive collection of beautiful chinaware ensures one will never be served a scrumptious Lindsay masterpiece on the same pattern twice!

What a gift to be able to enjoy the company of a dear friend in such a fabulous Bermuda retreat! Bellevue truly defines elevated living.

Studying the details of Lindsay’s brilliant drawing room, I’m wearing a crisp white linen jacket by Gucci, Etro silk pocket square, Turnbull and Asser purple and white cotton gingham shirt, cerulean blue cotton shorts by Club Monaco, a purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren and Gucci python loafers.

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While in Bermuda, Scott McBee and I were the guests of the very stylish Lindsay Anderson - a designer, artist, bon vivant, world traveler, and hostess extraordinaire. Lindsay’s family owns a beautiful house called “Bellevue Beach House” which was originally part of her family’s Bellevue estate. Over the years the beach house has been added to and enlarged to become the grand property it is today. The house is a fantastic blending of typical Bermudian architecture - white stepped roof and chimneys, pale pink coral facade (this is the real Bermuda pink color), Dutch colonial style pediment profile etc.. A glorious terrace and swimming pool runs the entire length of the house - and all of course overlooks the magnificent turquoise sea! Heaven!

Here I’m striking a dramatic pose while taking in the breathtaking ocean views - definitely feeling a lot of gratitude. Dressed for cocktail hour, I’m wearing a Gucci beige wool, silk, and cotton peaked lapel jacket, Tom Ford purple and brown silk polka dot pocket square, Turnbull and Asser white and turquoise striped cotton shirt with contrast white collar and french cuffs, Seaman Schepps turquoise and white gold cufflinks, Diesel purple skinny jeans, silver chain link belt, and white leather loafers both by Gucci. Now should I have a “Bull Shot” or a “Dark and Stormy?”

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Taking a pre-dinner stroll to find inspiration in the fabulous Bermudian architecture, I found myself on the grounds of the “Tankfield” estate. A wonderfully elegant home, it was considered the most fabulous house in Bermuda when it was built in the early 1700’s. Its stair case embraces visitors as they ascend to the grand entrance, (in fact this sort of staircase is known as a “welcoming arms.” The beautifully balanced facade is inspired by classical Georgian architecture. The shutters and doors are painted a green black - quite reminiscent of Farrow and Balls‘ “Studio Green” and is a typical color used in Bermuda.

Traditional roofs are rather sophisticated - a stepped design collects and funnels rain water to holding tanks, and the roofs are lime-washed to purify the water and then painted white to reflect the scorching sun.

I always feel so enriched by my global adventures and house tours, and take a away a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to put to good use in future projects.

Dressed in typical Bermudian gentleman’s dinner attire, I’m doing a shorts and jacket look- (minus the black knee socks!). Jacket is Gucci white linen, purple shorts are H & M, Gucci white turquoise and purple plaid linen shirt, turquoise silk pocket square by Charvet Paris, silver chain link belt and white leather loafers also by Gucci.

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A trip to Bermuda is not complete without a gorgeous lunch at the creme de la creme of beach clubs, the Coral Beach Club.

Having changed very little since its 1948 incarnation, the Coral Beach is a wonderfully well preserved piece of a bygone era - a membership, let alone an invite, is indeed a major achievement!

Dining on the terrace of the Coral Beach club offers breathtaking views of the pinkish coral sand and turquoise sea - the perfect setting to enjoy the delectable menu of local Bermuda specialties like fish soup with rum and cherry pepper vinegar or a “dark and stormy,” (a mischievous concoction of Barritts ginger beer and Gosling’s black rum with a generous wedge of lime!).

I’m pictured here at the terrace of Coral Beach, with an excellent example of an archetypal Bermuda roof and chimney, and of course the ever-present and always hypnotic sea beyond. The wall color reminds me of Farrow and Ball’s “smoked trout” and is indicative of the blend of island and colonial sensibility that typifies the unique Bermuda style.

Admiring the beauty of this magnificent place I’m wearing a Gucci white cotton voile safari shirt, Club Monaco purple and white cotton seersucker shorts, Ralph Lauren purple alligator belt with sterling buckle, ivory leather Gucci loafers and sunglasses by Gucci.

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My recent trip to Bermuda centered upon a recent museum placement of Scott McBee’s large painted work “Queen of Bermuda.” The Gala opening of “We are Sailing” held by the Masterworks Foundation Museum commenced a stunning exhibition showing Bermuda’s relationship to the sea, and provides the perfect opportunity for the museum to prominently display their recent Mcbee acquisition. An entire section of the show is dedicated to the great liner, “Queen of Bermuda,” and includes photos, furniture, china, silver, and a remarkable video montage collected from various sources showing life on board the “Queen.” McBee’s series of ocean liner paintings stir up nostalgia for a lost era when the journey was the best part of getting to one’s destination - a good thought to apply to life in general!

There is an old school more formal vibe in Bermuda, a jacket is almost mandatory for dinner or any smart party. I chose a palette of purple, lavender, turquoise and minty aqua mixed with white and beige. Dressed to celebrate McBee’s success, I’m wearing a Gucci minty -aqua cotton suit, with a Tom Ford french cuff shirt in lavender end on end cotton with contrast white collar and a lavender cotton Glenn plaid cotton pocket square, Seaman Schepps cufflinks in silver pearls with pale blue sapphire, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren and python loafers by Gucci.

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It may be hard to believe but it’s already time to begin to think about Fall fashion! I’m starting to build my upcoming wardrobe around an English country vibe - taking some inspiration from the Duke of Windsor, but with a Gucci twist - lots of tweed, plaids, and tartan, all in a rich dark green, smoky pale blue, and purple palette.

To compliment the look I’ll be sporting for Fall I’ve found the perfect cufflinks from Seaman Schepps. The oval citrine and aquamarine cufflinks set in white gold will compliment my browns and smoky pale blues, and I’ll have these lapis and jade bars set in white gold to compliment the greens and blues I’ll be featuring.

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Here at WIJW we love our four footed friends! We also like a good cause. It’s the perfect time to pay tribute since we are well into the American Humane Association’s Adopt-a-Cat month. As you may know, I share a special bond with my lovely animal companions, Rupert and Nigel - they always put a smile on my face when skies are less than blue. The health benefits of having pets are quite well documented - some studies have even shown that a pet can add as much as ten years to a pet owner’s life! - What else out there can make this sort of claim? There are so many good reasons to own a pet, and so many little friends looking for a home. If you have given some thought to it, and can make the commitment, why not go and adopt a cat this weekend at your local shelter!

Celebrating Adopt-a-Cat month, I’m wearing my fabulous “Chairman Meow” red and black t-shirt from Viva Chairman Meow with a black linen denim jacket by Gucci, Tom Ford black and white silk pocket square, Club Monaco black and white cotton gingham seersucker shorts, red alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, black, white and silver leather loafers (not shown) by Gucci and Dior sunglasses - tote is by Gucci.

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I’m a bit of an Anglophile and adore so many things that are made in England. One of my favorite places to go for classic English style upholstered pieces is George Smith. Their furniture is hand made with that oh-so-rare old world craftsmanship, and their designs are so ultra classic that they refuse to be dated - hugely versatile, they can be made to look quite modern with a plain or contemporary fabric, or one could give them an English country house look with a more traditional fabric.

I also love the large selection of furniture they seem to always have on hand- important for clients who require immediate gratification. A few years ago I was commissioned to decorate an entire townhouse within a week! - I ran to George Smith and with their fabulous selection I was able to pull together all the upholstered pieces I needed to complete the job on schedule. George Smith also offers endless possibilities for custom sizes and details to create the perfect pieces that will complement and enhance any fine interior. Also of note are the uber chic hand painted wallpapers by Fromental that George Smith carries.

Here I am visualizing myself using this outrageous 27 foot length Alexandra sofa in a custom covered berry mohair. This would be the perfect piece for a restaurant or lounge - it looks great against this fabulous back drop of embroidered birds - It’s one of the Fromental hand painted Chinoiserie silk wallpaper called “Nonsuch” with embroidered birds.

I’m wearing my 80’s glam turquoise, purple and black sprayed wash leather jacket by Gucci gucci.com , a Turnbull and Asser purple and white cotton gingham shirt, (love the 3 button cuff detail), black skinny jeans by Diesel, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, Dior silver leather sneakers and Dior sunglasses.

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