James Andrew at George Smith - photo by Gabriel Everett

While George Smith is perhaps best know for their gorgeous classic English-style upholstered pieces (see below), I’d like to point out that they are also my go-to destination for a wider array of home furnishings, and I use many of these lines when creating fine interiors for my clients. One of my favorites is Fromental which offers the most exquisite hand crafted wallpapers and fabrics based on classic British Style, but with a bit of contemporary London fashion twist.

Another great line is Best and Lloyd, a lighting company that has been in business since 1840, offering some rather glamorous fixtures in both modern and classic styles. I’m particularly fond of the “Oyster” chandelier photographed behind me (see above) and I’ve already placed one in a client’s super chic loft.

Smith also carries furniture lines by Posse Furniture, Julian Chichester, La Forge Francaise, as well as fabrics by Raoul Textiles to name just a few—all beautifully and seamlessly integrated into one sublime showroom.

Needless to say, having a resource with such great breadth in selection (and an incomparable team of sales associates to match) makes what I do a whole lot easier!

Butterfly Chair

Butterfly Chair

La Rizza Chair

Conversation Piece

Spending some time in the New York showroom with the super stylish Sharon Weimer, I’m sporting (top) a chartreuse green suede Tom Ford era Gucci safari jacket, green and blue fair isle cardigan by Michael Bastian, Tom Ford indigo and white plaid cotton shirt, J Brand “Kane” dark denim jean, chartreuse python belt with silver double horse head buckle and Tom Ford brown suede tasseled loafers. My fragrance is Creed Royal-Oud

Chatting with Dorothy Chitty.

I had the great pleasure of getting together with my dear friend, spiritual advisor, and acclaimed sensitive, Dorothy Chitty this past week. Having first been introduced to her several years ago, Chitty has been a constant source of comfort and guidance for me, always there to help me sift through and understand challenging times in my life, and put me in touch with my own power and greatness.

I was first introduce to her by a mutual friend in London—Chitty was coming to NYC for a visit and our friend thought that perhaps I could introduce her to my circle of friends here. I was understandably hesitant to refer her to anyone without having experienced a reading myself, and so a telephone reading was arranged.

I was blown away.

We had never met, and she previously had known absolutely nothing about me—and yet she knew everything.

She started off by telling me that I have the most beautiful green eyes, she then went on to tell me that some health issues I was having were caused by stress—I’d been ailing, but had been told recently by all the best doctors that there was nothing physically wrong with me. She then went on to tell me all about my childhood, how it has affected me as an adult and then prescribed my best approach to healing. One hour with her was equivalent to a year’s worth of psycho-therapy—It’s no wonder that she has a global client list of Royals, rock and rollers, film stars, and major business tycoons.

Dorothy will be available for readings here in New York City this week. I would highly suggest one. Ring her assistant Nicky at 9177710075 to sort out a time. Alternatively you can book an appointment over the phone any time and contact her via her website dorothychitty.com.

Pictured above, I’m chatting with Chitty before my reading. Many revelations ensued—It seems its time for a What Is James Wearing book, and more television appearances are in the cards—she said that all the cogs are in place now to propel the machinery of super success. I can’t wait to see it all unfold.

I’m sporting a chartreuse and blue fair isle cardigan by Michael Bastian, a teal silk Russian floral print shirt, window pane plaid wool pant and a chartreuse python belt with silver double horse head buckle all by Gucci, cobalt suede boots by Pierre Hardy and my fragrance is Creed Erolfa.

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, 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.

James Andrew and the beach at Savannah.

Savannah's dining room acts as a wonderful screened porch from which all rooms can be accessed.

James Andrew at 81 restauraunt

I’m always happy to celebrate a friends’ successes, and so I was thrilled to attend a recent book launch party for my friend and client Randi Hutter Epstein and her entertaining, witty, and thought provoking, Get Me Out – dealing with the curious and oft times unbelievable history of making babies! Dr. Epstien’s substantial 300 page work has also already garnered some very high praise from the Washington Post, and the Kirkus Review among many other critical reviews of note. So if you’ve been wanting to strike up a conversation with that crazy beautiful baby-mama who is always in the check out line, or you absolutely need some material to astound unsuspecting friends at the dinner table, you’ll have fun with this one!

Celebrating the launch of “Get Me Out” in front of a rather impressive wine selection at the fabtastic “81” restaurant. I’m wearing a Michael Bastian olive hand knit fair isle cardigan sweater, Turnbull and Asser forest green and white micro check shirt with contrast white collar and French cuffs, Seaman Schepps silver pearl and pale blue sapphire cuff links, navy silk tie by Charvet, grey flannel pant and chartreuse python belt with silver double horse head buckle, brown suede cap toe shoes and brown suede and leather satchel all by Gucci.

Kim Cattrall, James Andrew, and Joan Carl at D. Porthault

A D. Porthault champagne fête is one of those not to be missed events, and as one might imagine, having the super chic beauties, actress Kim Cattrall and Chairman Joan Carl on each arm was all one needed to take the chill out of a NYC Winter’s night!

D. Portholt Tigre

If you didn’t already know, Cattrall, who also happens to be good friends with the Carls, has championed D. Porthault on screen and off. After financier Bernard Carl and his wife Joan (also creative director of the brand) acquired D. Porthault in 2005, they sent their friend some swatch books. Cattrell tells us that she was wowed by the elegance, sophistication, and sexiness of the 1960′s Tigre pattern, and selected it to decorate her home a few years ago. Later, in an art-imitates-life-imitates-art moment, Cattrall turned to D. Porthault’s Tigre once again, but this time to create the perfect backdrop for her character, the tigress Samantha Jones, in the 2008 Sex and the City – the Movie. Happily for us we’ll be seeing more of these ultra luxe French textiles, thanks to Ms. Cattrall, in the next cinematic Sex in The City 2, to be released in Spring 2010!

It should be mentioned that Joan Carl became a Chevalier de la Legion d’ honneur last week, (one of the highest awards granted by the government of France), in recognition of Carl’s dedication to revitalizing the esteemed French textile house. Needless to say with timeless patterns like Tigre firmly embedded in our collective design consciousness, the nearly 90 year old D. Porthault is more than alive and continues to thrive in the 21st century!

I’m wearing a navy blue velvet jacket by Gucci, chartreuse silk pocket square by Turnbull and Asser, Tom Ford navy end on end cotton French cuff shirt with contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps silver pearl cuff links with pale blue sapphires, a Michael Bastian wool cardigan in olive, chartreuse, and blues; black watch tartan wool pants by Paul Smith, silver chain link belt and navy blue cap toe slip on shoes both by Gucci.

James Andrew - photographed by Justin Williams

WIJW had the great pleasure of spending some time with indie fashion photographer, Justin Williams on his recent visit to New York City.

We asked him a bit about his craft –
The “lens acts as a teleporter of emotions” he told us with his disarmingly soothing Southern drawl – I seek “to make that elusive connection between viewer and subject.”

We were thrilled that Williams had a moment to capture this shot of yours truly. Poetic and yet authentically immediate, I do believe he has made that “elusive connection” a photographic reality for us here at WIJW!

James Andrew - photographed by Justin Williams

When he’s not snapping fashion pics, our well rounded Southern gent is also quite altruistic, having donated his substantial talents in a documentary capacity to the Kenya Medical Outreach organization.

For this beautifully atmospheric image, I’m wearing a wool tweed check topcoat by Gucci, wool Fair Isle cardigan in olives and blues by Michael Bastian, Tom Ford brown end on end cotton shirt with french cuffs and contrast white collar, Vintage moonstone cufflinks, black watch tartan wool pants by Paul Smith, python belt with silver double horsehead buckle by Gucci, Sermoneta forest green leather gloves, “Cartography” necklace (more on these in an upcoming post) and not seen Gucci brown leather “Chelsea” boots.

The Duke of Windsor is one of my major style influences – he often defied established fashion precepts, audaciously mixing patterns and materials with a rebellious, yet highly calculated eye. He was the style maverick of his day, and remains the model for many of today’s top designers. That being said, many men continue to be intimidated by clothing, sticking to rather safe (read uninteresting) combinations and gender specific colors. I say take a few risks, try some outrageous combinations, be expressive! No need to look to others for approval. Clothing should be something to have fun with and really is one of our most visible forms of self expression! Celebrate your own unique style!

Here I’m taking a few moments to enjoy the fabulous new High Line Park and channeling the pattern on pattern innovations of my favorite style icon. I’m wearing a Michael Bastian red and white stripe cotton seersucker hooded pullover, Club Monaco purple and white gingham shorts, a vintage silk paisley scarf in pinky reds and purple, Gucci sunglasses, and white leather bag and loafers, and that lovely vintage Cartier tank watch from Raj Tolaram.

I’m photographed here enjoying the unimpeded views and soothing sounds of my friend’s ocean-side Cape Cod retreat. A change of environment like this can really help one to clear some of the internal chatter, allowing an opportunity to realign one’s thoughts, purpose, and direction. With a base of gratitude and appreciation for what is here now, I’m imagining some of the great myriad of beautiful possibilities ahead.

Contemplating the spectacular views, I’ve opted for a super casual vibe -
D Squared jeans with embroidery, Michael Bastian blue and white cotton check western shirt, a bit of spark added by a Gucci silver chain belt and Dior silver leather sneakers.