Posts under ‘Burberry Prorsom’

The de Ravenels at Lyford

Jan 15th, 2014

James Andrew and the de Ravenels

E.P. Taylor, business tycoon and horse breeder, founded the Lyford Cay Club in the late 1950′s. The idea, was to offer a perfectly peaceful and private place of residence, on an idyllic and beautiful island ideally positioned halfway between the United States and the Caribbean. Taylor set out to attract the most interesting, successful, and sophisticated people that the world had to offer, and provide them with a stunning tropical backdrop to enjoy the good life.

In those early days, the Club attracted a remarkable set of accomplished individuals including the founder of CBS William Paley and his iconic wife Babe, Roy Larsen of Time Inc., the president of the Herald Tribune, Walter Thayer and his wife Jean, the land developer Sir Harold Christie and his wife lady Virginia, the CEO of Heinz Jack Heinz and his wife Drue, John Loeb of the banking family and his wife Peter, the shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, Lord Derby, etc, etc… The list goes on.

This wildly exclusive enclave was decorated in the early days by Lady Ann Orr-Lewis whose ultra chic sensibilities set a high standard for Lyford. Nowadays the club has turned to famous New York based decorator Tom Scheerer to maintain this very high standard, and he’s accompanied in this formidable task by a force of celebrated decorators and trend-setters like Amanda Lindroth and John Fondas who spare no efforts in fashioning house interiors to satisfy the desires of Lyford’s esteemed new members—many of them, the sons, daughters or grandchildren of the founding members.

Needless to say, it’s the residents at Lyford that make this Bahamian retreat so exceptional—my fabulous friends the de Ravenels, for instance, are a perfect example of the sort of effortless chic and elegance that so embody the spirit of the place. After many beautiful stays at Lyford, they fell in love with the people and the climate, and decided several years ago to make Lyford Cay their permanent residence. You’ll recall our WIJW piece on Jean-Charles de Ravenel’s exquisite artwork, and his hugely successful exhibition at the Chinese Porcelain Company. And the family talent continues in designer Jackie de Ravenel who epitomizes the sort of elegance and beauty that one has come to expect at Lyford. You’ll have seen the ravishing Rebecca de Ravenel’s interior design work featured in Vogue columnist Lauren Santa Domingo’s piece on vogue.com — here, Rebecca de Ravenel showcases her fantasy “Island Living” interior,” in which she’s brought the spirit of Lyford to her New York City apartment. In addition, she is founder of The Goombay Bazaar, a traveling pop-up shop that sells one-of-a-kind wares from all over the world. As a global nomad she brings back a truly diverse selection of special and exotic finds.

For more, keep your eyes peeled for the May issue of Departures—our friend Alex Hitz, in his column entitled “Places That Still Matter,” will be featuring the de Ravenels and their stunning Lyford home which was decorated by Jackie and Rebecca de Ravenel.

Taking a break between house tours, I’m pictured (above) luxuriating with the de Ravenels at their stunning seaside home—They, dressed in their perfect island attire, and I myself (way in the back there) am sporting Burberry Prorsum indigo cotton ikat pants, Tom Ford abstract floral print cotton shirt and eye glasses, Ralph Lauren cobalt suede espadrilles, Orlebar Brown rope belt, vintage Rolex, and my fragrance is Tom Ford Neroli Portofino.

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Palm Beach Boheme

Jun 19th, 2013

by WIJW.

5 comments

James Andrew, Palm Beach

from the Mediterranean and Moroccan inspired homes created by Mizner to the Lily Pulitzer frocked beauties strolling barefoot along Worth Avenue, Palm Beach has always had an element of the opulent boheme…. It is, after all, the tropics, and so why not infuse one’s home and wardrobe with a bit of bohemian exoticism! For the interiors I create for my clients, I always try to capture the essence of a place, and Palm Beach makes for the perfect combination of old world elegance and relaxed tropical beach resort – big, bold, and beautiful statements that compliment a number of different architectural styles are a key factor in creating a super chic Palm Beach style – think: rooms tented in batik fabrics, Moroccan furniture with mother of pearl inlay, and a ravishing riot of color.

Contrasting exotic and classical elements, I’m playing the part of the Palm Beach boheme. I’m wearing a crisp white linen jacket by Gucci and the quintessential navy suede Gucci loafers worn with a Rag and Bone, Indigo batik tunic and navy ikat pants by Burberry Prorsum, vintage Rolex, Royal blue silk polka dot pocket square by Tom Ford and my fragrance is Tom Ford Velvet Gardenia.

Orly Genger at Madison Square Park

Apr 29th, 2013

by WIJW.

2 comments

James Andrew – Orly Genger at Madison Square Park

I love the concept of an outdoor museum, especially during this time of year! I think a lot of people share the sentiment, making it no surprise that Madison Square Park has become a destination for art lovers from around the world. Only a stone’s throw from my flat in Murray Hill, for years, Madison Sq. Park was a daily destination for me and my whippets, Rupert and Nigel. A walk there afforded me the perfect opportunity to exercise my creatures while taking in some fresh air and art. Sadly my beloved Rupert and Nigel are no longer with us, but I still find myself strolling through the park almost daily. The most recent exhibition to open (officially on May 2nd) is New York based artist Orly Genger’s Red, Yellow and Blue (think Andy Goldsworthy on acid). Referencing Barnett Newman’s, Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue? series from the late 1960’s, Genger’s monumental commission features the artist’s characteristic painted and hand-knotted nautical rope, creating a work that will transform the park’s lush lawns into colorfully-lined chambers.

Orly Genger at Madison Square Park

My favorite landscape architect, Russell Page, often likened his gardens to a series of rooms—Gender’s creation take this to a whole new level, creating interactive environments that invite visitors to explore both exposed and hidden spaces, encouraging them to navigate and experience Madison Square Park anew.

Orly Genger at Madison Square Park

I’m offering just a bit of a glimpse here to tempt our readers to visit this joyous exhibition in person. Exploring the almost complete installation of Red, Yellow and Blue on a glorious Spring day I’m sporting a Tom Ford era chartreuse suede safari jacket, chartreuse python belt with silver double horse head buckle and white cotton voile safari shirt, indigo ikat pants by Burberry Prorsom, Tom Ford woven olive suede espadrilles, vintage Rolex watch, Gucci aviator sun glasses and my fragrance is Creed Bois De Cedrat.