James Andrew in an Aurelien Gallet interior. Photo by Lars Stephan

The announcement of the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House had us thoroughly excited, and so we quite promptly set off to the High Line Park area to have a personal look. Elle Decor’s select “Designers to Watch” here are paired with leading modern brands, and we’re happy to report that these young designers came up with some truly stunning interiors—quite forward looking, in fact, while maintaining an appreciative eye to the past. The contrasting aesthetic within is refreshing and, perhaps not surprisingly, well balanced—this is an Elle Decor production after all!

I’m pictured (top) in Aurelien Gallet’s super sexy and richly atmospheric interior.

In rather stark contrast, I’m also photographed in a wonderfully ethereal room by Marie Turner.

Detail from the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House.

Detail of a room by Sara Story whose travel to exotic lands inspires her work.

The EDMLCH is only open until June 5th, so do make a point to see it ASAP and be sure to work in a nice stroll along the new extension to the High Line Park!

Oh, and it should be noted that while you are enjoying your visit, your ticket sales go to benefit Housing Works whose dual mission is to end homelessness and AIDS – We here at WIJW have always found the combination of altruism and fine design totally irresistible!

I’m sporting a wild mix of patterns—Gucci white and black window pane plaid silk/cotton jacket, navy linen pin stripe pants, black patent belt and loafers in black, white, and silver leather, Tom Ford shirt in a midnight cotton dotted herringbone print, Yves Saint Laurent silk paisley and camouflage print pocket square, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime.

James Andrew at the Soirée au Louvre

Enjoying the evening, I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Spencer”sport jacket in rose silk linen basket weave, white cotton french cuff shirt, and grey and ivory silk tie, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, grey silk pocket square by Turnbull and Asser, pale grey light weight wool pants by Paul Smith, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram vintage Gucci python belt with silver double horse head buckle, saddle leather loafers by Tom Ford and my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime.

James Andrew at the Frederick P. Victoria & Sons Pop-Up Shop. Photo Gabriel Everett

Pop-Up shops are all the rage; there’s a certain excitement knowing that a shop will only be in existence for a very short time.

My friends at the super chic Frederick P. Victoria & Sons decided to work with this concept, creating quite a stir with the opening of a pop-up shop at the wonderful Silver Peacock boutique located at 1110 Park Avenue New here in New York City.

The Victorias have brought to their Silver Peakcock pop-up location several trucks loads of fine pieces—some that have not been seen for many years, along with many recent creations. Their carefully curated selection provides the perfect mix of must-have table-top and home accessories.

I’m sharing just a few of my favorites to lure you there. The FPV pop-up shop will only be in existence until the 15th of May—possibly a tiny bit longer—so do make a point to have a look; this is the first time since 2009 that there’s been a FPV shop in Manhattan!

Frederick P. Victoria & Sons Pop-Up Shop

Frederick P. Victoria & Sons Pop-Up Shop

Stackable armchairs (above) in an innovative design inspired by an early 20th century German design. These sculptural pieces are both functional and quite pleasing to the eye. The carved wall lights are models originally produced for Syrie Maugham in the late 40′s and are available in different sizes. The concentric circle baluster elements are vintage architectural pieces found by Tony Victoria. A similar baluster design can be found in the facade decoration of the roof of the Colony Club.

Frederick P. Victoria & Sons Pop-Up Shop

I’m featured (top) with a delightful Louis XV heart-shaped open arm chair, and behind me resting a top a large modernist four door cabinet—an eagle candelabra inspired by an eagle from the Versailles gardens. Frederick Victoria bought the form in plaster which was used as a model for everything from candelabras to console tables.

I’m sporting a red leather biker jacket, grey flannel pants and navy blue slip on shoes all Tom Ford era Gucci, Tom Ford navy end on end cotton french cuff shirt with contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps pearl and pale blue sapphire cuff links, navy leather belt with silver buckle Hermes , Etro silk paisley scarf, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram, my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWUb_Pwm4hw

WIJW is on German television!

Our lovely host, Niels Ruf, has been a major figure in German television for some time, having had his own late night show “Die Niels Ruf Show,” as well as having hosted German MTV -- With a propensity for cutting edge entertainment, it’s not surprising that he also happened to have created one of the first blogs in Germany! (see “99 days of 99″)

You’ll have noticed I’m not wearing my usual Dior frames since guest and host on the Looki-Looki TV show are both outfitted with video camera glasses! I’m sure you’ll agree this does produce some truly unusual and oft times quite funny first person views throughout the piece.

We’ll be sure to bring you more from Ruf -- until then, enjoy the show! Tschüs!

I’m sporting a royal blue cotton sateen jacket, a Pucci-esq print shirt, black patent belt with silver leather trim and grommets and black leather tote all by Gucci, silvery gray silk pocket square from Turnbull and Asser, Lanvin sand colored suede and gray patent leather sneakers, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

James Andrew at La Posta Vecchia.

Alas, we’ve reached the end of our Italian holiday, but I’m so glad to have been able to capture some of its essence and serve it here at WIJW – and we’d be pleased to think that it has provided you with a cooling dose of escapism during these occasionally oppressive summer days.

WIJW has opened so many doors for me. It’s been a constant catalyst to explore and actualize many of my dreams, and it is my hope that WIJW readers will find themselves inspired to create some rather fantastic realities for themselves as well. At the very least we do try to be informative and hopefully entertaining!

So here’s to the good life and the continued unfolding of more life affirming over-the-top fabulousness!

Celebrating our last evening in Italy, I’m pictured (top) on a pre-dinner stroll around the grounds of the magnificent La Posta Vecchia wearing a white cotton pique suit by Gucci, Tom Ford midnight cotton dotted herringbone print shirt, silver chain link belt and navy suede loafers both by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Zeste Madarine Pamplemousse.

La Posta Vecchia.

Not wanting to lose the composure we had gained during our blissful stay at Le Sirenuse, we opted to spend our last night closer to the Rome airport rather than leave Positano in a pre-dawn frenzy. I’d always been curious to explore the hotel La Posta Vecchia and it’s located on the Tyrrenean sea just thirty minutes from the airport, so it promised to be an ideal and relaxed way to return home.

La Posta Vecchia was built in 1640 by Prince Orsini above the ruins of two imperial Roman villas, and was used for centuries as a resting point for esteemed guests en route to Rome. Unfortunately by the year 1918 it had fallen into a state of disrepair. Thankfully in 1960 Jean Paul Getty acquired the property from Prince Odescalchi. Getty embarked on a massive renovation and restoration of this spectacular seaside palazzo, engaging the services of Frederico Zeri, the highly regarded curator of The Getty Museum to decorate it with the best 17th century furniture, paintings, and tapestries. While digging to build a pool, they unearthed the aforementioned Roman ruins and further construction had to be stopped. Getty, still wanting a pool, decided to install one indoors, and subsequently found the remains of an even more spectacular villa. – And so by happenstance, La Posta Vecchia had become a veritable private Pompei with priceless mosaics and ancient architectural details.

Happily the present owner acquired the property with much of the Getty contents still in place (although the phone booth Getty required his guests to use is no longer a feature), and I heartily enjoyed playing the modern day tycoon as we strolled the extensive gardens and supped on the seaside terrace at the restaurant Cesar. As an added and unexpected pleasure we had been upgraded to the very palatial “Castello” suite – a remarkable corner room with four windows facing the sea.

Getty once described this place as a “serene and heavenly home,” and I’m glad to say that a stay at La Posta Vecchia still offers these very same qualities.

I’m pictured (top) in our super chic Castello suite wearing the palest pink cotton safari shirt and python belt both by Gucci, shorts by Our Legacy 1980-81 in hemp, cotton, and silk, ivory suede loafers by Tom Ford, sunglasses by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and bringing a bit of Le Sirenuse along with me, my fragrance is Paestum Rose.

James Andrew at Le Sirenuse.

When I travel, I always search for accommodations that will capture the essence of a region. Having been to Le Sirenuse, I’ll now simply always equate the Amalfi coast with this most perfect of hotels. Le Sirenuse is in fact quite possibly the finest hotel that I’ve ever been to. And you needn’t only take my word for it – Le Sirenuse rates among Europe’s best hotels, and continues to draw in an ever impressive array of famous guests who most certainly share my opinion.

Le Sirenuse hotel.

Le Sirenuse was originally built in the 18th century for the Marchese Sersale as a family palazzo. Upon opening its doors to the public in 1951, it quickly became one of the most glamorous hotels on the Amalfi Coast. Everything here is highly considered – the antique furniture, fine cotton and linen fabrics, and the art – all chosen with a chic sensibility and awareness of place – a refined honesty and heightened attention to detail very much in keeping with the property’s aristocratic legacy.

The Sersale family crest.

Oh and when you go to Le Sirenuse, do venture to Carla Sersale’s super chic Emporio Le SIrenuse! Be sure to pick up several of the Sersale Eau d’Italie scents. Inpsired by the fragrant Mediterranean, the Paestum Rose became my scent of choice for the remainder of our holiday. One hint of it now plunges me into the most delicious of reveries.

Left to right. Antonio Sersale, James Andrew, and Carla Sersale.

When all is said, it really is the Sersales that create the magic in Le Sirenuse. McBee and I did have the privilege to dine at La Sponda with the exceptionally creative husband and wife team, and over a magnificent eight course meal we shared thoughts on many fronts – from ideas regarding opportunities in hotelier consulting (we’d certainly take the Sersale’s invaluable advice on this subject) to ventures in creative writing. Indeed, we hear there is a new Sersale blog in the works! We’ll of course be sure to keep you apprised.

We are gushing on a bit here, we know, and we make no excuses – you see, its just that we’re suffering from a sweet but terribly painful love hangover since our return to NYC – with the only possibility for relief being in a swift return to the heavenly realm of Le Sirenuse!

I’m pictured (top) at La Sponda sporting a royal blue cotton sateen jacket , medallion print cotton pant in blues and turquoise, brown leather sandals and a python belt all by Gucci, Turnbull and Asser turquoise and white herringbone cotton shirt with contrast white collar and french cuffs, Seaman ScheppsCharvet, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram.

James Andrew at Le Sirenuse.

Positano is considered by most to be the jewel in the crown of the Amalfi Coast – and there really is absolutely nothing to dispute here. Now, if one were to refine this thought – to find the most flawless gem in said proverbial crown – then one would have to point to the immaculate hotel Le Sirenuse.

1973 Riva Aquarama speedboat.

To be sure, it must have helped a bit to have had a long-distance introduction to its director Antonio Sersale via a mutual aquantance in NYC, but our experience at Le Sirenuse truly exemplified so much of what is good and right – Italian hospitalty brought to that truly rarefied level. Take for instance the invitation we received nearly immediately upon our arrival at Le Sirenuse for a spectacular Neptunian outing on the Sersale’s ravishing 1973 Riva Aquarama speedboat – It doesn’t take even the most cursory knowledge of yachting design to recognize that the Riva is something special – and as you might imagine, the nautical portraitist Scott McBee, who joined me on our Italian escapade, nearly fainted upon seeing this twin engine mahogany masterpiece.

Ocean's eye view.

So yes, we were experiencing the Amalfi coast in the most elevated possible way – and all facilitated by the most elegant sort of people. Our afternoon’s impromptu itinerary included a salt-water dip at the Sersale’s favorite swimming spot, (onboard champagne of course), and then on to an intimate cove for mozzarella baked on lime leaves, and a fresher than fresh offering of the most scrumptious seafood.

Le Sirenuse views.

Needless to say Le Sirenuse and the Sersales absolutely define the sort of elevated experience we at WIJW so often speak of – and if you’ll allow us, we do have so much more to say about the bliss inducing Le Serenuse in tomorrow’s WIJW post!

I’m photographed here (top) upon my arrival at Le Sireneuse seated at the pool-side terrace wearing a cool white cotton voile safari shirt by Gucci, Lindeberg “Cave Beach” shorts in royal blue, python belt with silver buckle, brown leather sandals and sunglasses all by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” watch from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.

James Andrew in the town of Amalfi.

A cute Amalfitano.

There are a few compulsory musts in the town of Amalfi. Certainly one should observe an evening passeggiata through the charming town center, and perhaps one should steal a moment’s respite on the steps of their grand Duomo di Saint Andrea in anticipation of the substantial meal you’ll be having. And oh yes, there are some exceptional restaurants here! Among the best, we can recommend La Caravella, – a well preserved fifty year old art gallery meets fine dining establishment where many among the Amalfi social elite mingle over an exquisite lemon soufflé. Or for something a bit more casual, one would certainly do well to go to Lido Azzuro – located in the harbor of Amalfi, one is sure to find an excellent menu of the very freshest seafood. Mention is also owed to Trattoria da Gemma – located in the center of town, it affords some unforgettable views of the Piazza Duomo. Be sure to save some room though as you’ll want to walk off your gustatory efforts with a cooling gelato and perhaps, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet an adorable Amalfitano Kitty!

I’m dressed for dinner wearing a Tom Ford “Spencer” sport jacket in rose silk linen basket weave, blue and white stiped linen pants by Gucci, white cotton shirt with French cuffs by Tom Ford, Seaman Schepps cuff links in silver pearl an pale blue sapphire, Charvet retro print silk pocket square in blues, python belt with sterling buckle by Gucci, Tom Ford ivory suede loafers, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Zeste Madarine Pamplemousse.

James Andrew at Il Sarceno Grand Hotel.

Having read of Lee Radziwill’s carefree days in the enchanting village of Conca, we definitely had to include it on our tour of the Amalfi coast. As a base of exploration we chose the quirky Il Sarceno Grand Hotel. Built on top of a Moorish structure dating back to the 1500′s, the hotel is filled with an eclectic assortment of Moorish and Italian antiques – very much out of the pages of The World of Interiors.

View from Il Sarceno Grand Hotel.

Certainly we didn’t lack for inspiration, but it didn’t hurt to have a splendid view from here of a seaside villa once belonging to Sophia Loren!

On a bit of a hike down the many steps to the private beach, accompanied by an intoxicated melange of lemon trees, verbena, jasmine, oleander and pine in the air, I’m sporting a Yves Saint Laurent white cotton voile kaftan style shirt with whit silk braid trim, Uniglo pale pink jeans, navy blue suede loafers and sunglasses both by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.