James Andrew and Hildestahl Medium III Bag - photo Gabriel Everett

When I saw the Hildestahl Medium III bag I, of course, simply had to have it. It’s the most perfectly useful and stylish every-day bag that one could ever want—and, AND, yes, in this fantastic shade of purple!

Now, you might think a man’s handbag in purple would be a bit over the top, but I can tell you, (and I know a bit about his sort of thing), purple is a hugely versatile color that works well with practically any combination. Gentlemen, do be bold! Wear the colors that you want, whatever they may be!

As far as securing YOUR purple Hildestahl, it is in quite a limited edition of 5, and now that I have one of them, well, you can do the math. So be quick about it.

I’m photographed here by the very talented photographer Gabriel Everett, sporting my marvelous Medium III Hildestahl bag in purple, dusty gray blue suede motorcycle jacket and grey cashmere turtleneck sweater both Tom Ford era Gucci, Etro wool challis scarf, Uniglo slim dark denim jeans, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual in stainless steel, Gucci black suede loafers (not shown), Dior sunglasses and my fragrance is Creed Himalaya.

Stills from the WIJW video short by Matthew Dean (watch below)

Tonight, a bit more from Matthew Dean, our multi-talented genius/photographer/videographer extraordinaire.

You may recall Dean’s WIJW video, The Champ is Here celebrating my friend Ngo Okafar who was hugely instrumental in motivating me to start WIJW. You’ll also recall, Dean has photographed me on several occasions, creating some gorgeous scenarios like James Andrew Film Maker. It is Dean’s plan to travel the world filming hotels and properties, but we think he’d find fantastic material wherever he was—case in point, tonight’s dramatically geometric setting right here in New York City!

Dean’s photographer’s eye, superb editing, and accompanying music have coalesced in this most perfect video snippet, and should give you a taste of where his talents lie were you wish to secure him for YOUR next project!

I’m wearing a bold mix of black and white checks and stripes to compliment this visually striking spot—Tom ford era Gucci black flannel jacket, mini hounds tooth wool pant and black and white striped shirt with French cuffs, black pearl cuff links, white and black silk scarf by Turnbull and Asser, Tom Ford black and white silk pocket square, Ralph Lauren purple alligator belt, Lanvin sneakers in green ans black, green leather gloves by Sermoneta, black leather tote by Gucci, sunglasses by Dior and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

James Andrew with a mural by Tristan Eaton - photo by Gabriel Everett

Time does not change us. It just unfolds us.
— Max Frisch

And we’ve been doing quite a lot of unfolding this past year—so much so in fact, that the advent of our triennial has caught us a bit by surprise!

It’s been truly an exceptional year, filled with media engagements, travel, meetings with new and old WIJW friends, fine dining, shopping, and bringing it all here online to share—and I must say, the sharing part continues to be hugely rewarding. Without an appreciative and engaged global audience, WIJW wouldn’t be much fun at all—so thank you, thank you, thank you, and stay dialed in for more WIJW in the coming twelve months! We’ll be doing our best to make it worth your while.

This next year of WIJW promises to be quite exciting with more than a few projects in the works!

• We’re sorting through our most interesting images for a glorious WIJW book with chapters like Sartorial Splendor, Stylish Travel, and
Lofty Dreams to name a few.

• I’ve been asked to design a line of shirts, cuff links, and belts.

• We’re planing on mixing in more online video content to keep things dynamic—moving tours of some of our favorite haunts are part of those plans.

• We’ll be bringing you more fabulous Jet-set fantasy destinations, including travel to London, Paris, Monaco, Newport, Lyford Cay, the Bahamas, and Rio de Janeiro.

• We’ve also been asked to contribute our thoughts to The Rake—one of our absolute favorite gentleman’s magazines. Do have a look.

So just a few projects highlighted here to give you an idea of what’s in store.

Thanks to all those who make WIJW happen!

We’ll leave you with this photograph by Gabriel Everett. My friend Keith Adams scouted the rather fabulous location—a mural by the brilliant Brooklyn based street artist, Tristan Eaton—definitely apocalyptic, but we love shaking up the status quo.

I’m sporting a Tom Ford era Gucci black linen jacket with suede elbow patches and black and white silk mini hounds tooth pant, black and white striped cotton shirt with contrast white collar by Richard James London, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, red alligator belt with silver buckle by Ralph Lauren, Dior sunglasses, Tom Ford black and white silk pocket square and black and saddle leather loafers, and my fragrance is Creed Imperial Mellisime.

James Andrew with Jaume Plensa work in Madison Square Park

One of my favorite little parks here in New York City is Madison Square Park. Besides providing visitors with the most lovely escape, this “museum without walls” is now recognized worldwide for its public art. Here, four times a year, you can see new work by a diverse group of artists—from the emerging to the internationally recognized.

The latest work, Echo, comes to us from the Barcelona based artist Jaume Plensa—it’s a monumental 44 foot tall bust of a young woman. There are some startling proportional tweaks as you may have noticed, that have one wondering if one’s eyes have gone suddenly and completely astigmatic (we’re thinking El Greco). I had to blink a few times to make sure I was seeing what I was seeing.

Surprise gives way to something completely different here in Plensa’s work. Ultimately the effect is one of spiritual introspection—pristine and still amidst the hustle of city life, the work creates a sympathetic state of mind—an echo?—that calls distracted onlookers to take pause, and as Pensa says, “…maybe they can listen a little bit to themselves.” We can confirm absolutely that the work delivers on its intent—it is a true, not-to-be-missed wonder!

For a bit of cosmopolitan bliss and perhaps some inner reflection, do make a visit to Madison Square Park.

On one of my many repeat visits to my favorite little park, I’m sporting a Gucci white, black and saddle leather jacket, python belt with silver double horse head buckle and saddle leather tasseled loafers, Tom Ford shirt in black and white cotton stripes and french cuffs, vintage moon stone cuff links, Dior shocking pink jean and sunglasses, “Valfrid” leather tote by Hildestahl and my fragrance is Eau d’Italie’s Paestum Rose.

James Andrew at Clic Gallery. photo Matt Dean.

Both fine art gallery and bookshop, Clic is the brilliant concept of founder Christiane Celle. Her mission was, as she put it, to simply “…create a welcoming space devoted to the art of photography;” Clic is now frequented by some of the most illustrious art directors, fashion and interior designers, stylists, and other creatives types in search of inspiration. Stocked with an exceptional selection of photographic and design books, including a number of rare titles, limited editions and signed copies, the Clic gallery is the penultimate place to indulge one’s deepest bibliophilic tendencies. Here too you’ll find a rotating exhibit of important photographs by legendary artists and a tastefully curated selection of emerging artists’ work as well. Obviously, as an interior designer, I’m always on the hunt for fine art—with its wide inventory, Clic makes it easy to fulfill any project requirements, no matter what the budget. If Clic is not yet on your resource list, then it should be. Happily for us there are also Clic galleries in the Hamptons and St Barths!

James Andrew at Clic Gallery. photo Matt Dean.

Be sure not to miss the upcoming Clic book signing by photographer Mark Seliger on Febuary 17th.

Courting the creative muse at Clic I am wearing a bottle green leather bomber jacket and wool check pants both by Gucci, “blue jean” blue leather belt is by Hermes, Tom Ford black and white stripe cotton shirt with french cuffs, Seaman Schepps pearl cuff links with pale blue sapphires, black and white silk polka dot scarf by Ralph Lauren, Pierre Hardy royal blue suede boots, sunglasses are Dior, and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

James Andrew at the H. M. Luther gallery - photo by Justin Williams.

My decorating style has been described as eclectic, and as you might know I have a penchant for mixing traditional and contemporary elements when creating that perfect touch of upscale elegance. Needless to say, I’m always thrilled to find a gallery that shares my aesthetic! One such gallery is the highly esteemed H.M. Luther. They always have an exhilarating mix of contemporary and antique objects, and with an eye for the unusual—they describe their taste as one that “favors the atypical and particular”— you can see why I might champion them. In operation since 1947, they’ve been bringing their clients a highly curated selection of furniture and exceptional objects of interest from the seventeenth through to the twentieth century.

Coffee table designed by Alexander Gerard.

On my last visit to H.M. Luther, I was quite taken by several pieces including a pair of William Haines Hostess chairs covered in ivory kidskin, a rare and possibly unique coffee table designed by Alexander Gerard, a superb set of 3 sapphire blue glass tear drop vases by Per Lutken, and a regal 19th century English painted cast iron sculpture of a talbot passant all of which I can’t wait to incorporate into my latest projects. Do make a point to visit H. M. Luther often, you’ll be sure to find objects to pique one’s imagination.

William Haines Hostess chairs covered in ivory kidskin.

I am wearing a charcoal tweed tyrolean suit and feather weight purple cashmere turtleneck sweater both by Gucci, wool and silk scarf by Etro, aubergine suede “Eton” boot by Yves Saint Laurent, pale blue peccary gloves by Sermoneta, bad cop sunglasses by Dior and my fragrance is Creed Aventus – portrait by Justin Williams

James Andrew - Anse du Gouverneur.

Another favorite beach to visit while in Saint-Barth is the secluded Gouverneur – smaller than Saline but just as spectacular.

From here one might head over to Anse des Flamands. On your way there I wholeheartedly suggest a stop at La Langouste for their lobster salad – wash that down with rosé – and the coup de grâce? – the pineapple carpaccio flambeed with old rum of course!

Anse du Gouverneur

Pausing (top) for a shot at the dreamy seagrape gates to Gouverneur, I’m wearing a Michael Bastian Cuban-style guayabera shirt in white linen, H & M purple poplin shorts and black rubber Birkenstock sandals, Dior sunglasses, (not shown, a black Amalfi bikini).

James Andrew poolside at Hotel Christopher, Saint-Barth

Saint Barth Emblem

In any case, just a quick glimpse today – We’ll be sharing more on Saint-Barth this week.

À bientôt!

St Barth is definitely one of the more sophisticated Caribbean islands, and accordingly I’ve gone for a casual chic vibe with an eye toward staying cool in these tropical climes. I’m pictured poolside at Hotel Christopher, wearing a Balenciaga black and white silk and cotton micro striped shirt with drawstring neck, Dior shocking pink jeans, Christian Louboutin black leather sandal/ espadrilles, Lanvin glasses, and my fragrance is Creed Zeste Mandarine Pamplemousse.

James Andrew, Montauk.

My surf-shack-chic Montauk project is progressing rather nicely – most of the important pieces of furniture have been delivered, wallpapering and painting is complete, and so it’s time to arrange our collection of art and mirrors to really make these walls speak. Its always an exciting moment during a project when a design starts to look like the homes I’ve envisioned.

When one wants to get that perfect arrangement it really pays to do things right the first time. To this end I always call my friends at ILevel – they specialize in art placement and installation – in fact they’ve elevated it to an art in itself, and they’re all artists themselves so one can really count on them to bring the sort of sensitivity required in what can potentially be a very delicate balancing act. I’m pictured here with a small indication of the fantastic things we were able to do with an unusual space and a varied assortment of work. I think our arrangement really captures the imagination and accentuates the wonderful height of the space.

I’ll be bringing you more on this project as we continue to progress! – getting lampshades etc….

I’m wearing a navy cotton jacket by Gucci, Michael Bastian red and white striped cotton seer sucker hoody, Diesel jeans and silver leather sneakers by Dior, my fragrance is Creed Zeste Mandarine Pamplemousse.

Scott McBee's large scale painting of the Conte di Savoia.

I’m pleased to celebrate the work of the brilliant nautical artist Scott McBee. Featured now at the ultra chic Chinese Porcelain Company on Park Avenue in NYC, McBee’s stunning large scale ocean liners transport one to a time when traveling in ultra style was just as important as arriving at one’s destination. It goes without saying that McBee’s work, which is also now on exhibit at the South Street Seaport Museum in lower Manhattan and can be seen as well in the permanent collection of The Master Works Foundation in Bermuda, has developed a substantial following, and of course many of his fine commissioned yacht portraits now reside in private family collections. I can’t think of a better gift than a McBee for the man (or woman) with a passion for fine yacht design!

Inspired by McBee’s painting ” Conte di Savoia,” I’m wearing a red Gucci leather biker jacket and custom made kelly green shirt with french cuffs, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, white skinny jeans by Diesel, black patent leather belt with silver leather trim and grommets, Dior silver leather sneakers and sunglasses , Cartier vintage “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram, my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.