James Andrew at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion week has just ended here in New York City and we were thrilled to have been invited front row for the best of it!

WIJW was initially conceived of as a way to bring more attention to my work as an interior designer, and so it may seem a bit strange that my wardrobe is the constant that connects the wide ranging content we share each week. A quick explanation – I’ve always seen style as all inclusive – that is, whether I’m discussing clothing, interior design, food, travel, etc., it’s all coming out of a desire to share my personal vision for what we call total elevated living – sounds like something we should trademark, right? Many of my favorite designers, architects, and artists, in fact were quite proficient in several creative disciplines – it’s only natural that we here at WIJW are happiest when blurring the lines as well.

Interestingly in the process of shamelessly pursuing our own self-interest, WIJW has become a powerful promotional venue for others – our stories are propelling designers and dealers alike quite instantaneously to the very top of popular search engines, and subsequently to an enormous global stage. Needless to say we’re constantly receiving requests and offers now. However, you may rest assured we are committed to bringing our WIJW readership only the things that really turn us on!

Taking a moment in front of the tents at Bryant Park to feel gratitude for all the terrific things that are unfolding in my life I’m wearing a smoky pale blue suede biker jacket, shocking pink silk turtle neck sweater, brown tweed motorcycle pants, brown leather “Chelsea” boots and brown leather and suede satchel all by Gucci, an over sized silk paisley scarf by Etro becomes the inspiration for all the pieces I’ve assembled, red leather gloves by Sermoneta, glasses by Tom Ford and my fragrance is Royal Water by Creed.

James Andrew at the Lever House

Lever House, the modern architectural master piece of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s Gordon Bunshaft, was one of the first International style glass curtain wall skyscrapers to be built on Park Avenue.

In the late nineties a massive renovation restored the Lever’s spectacular structure to its original sexy splendor, and since then the ground floor and courtyard has been the setting for some quite stunning art installations. I’m particularly fascinated with the current display by London based artist Richard Woods entitled “Port Sunlight” – nine decorative patterns recalling the nineteenth century with William Morris designs and mock Tudor architecture rendered in wood block style prints on a grid of wood and aluminum tiles. These high Victorian designs contrast quite strongly with the Lever as one might imagine, creating a really exciting juxtaposition of styles, while maintaining a perfect balance of core formal elements as seen, for instance, in the grid motif that ties the building and the artwork together. I suppose I was drawn to this work as I often seek a similar visual resonance between new and old in my own design endeavors.

Feeling energized by this beautiful exhibition, I’m sporting a charcoal wool and cashmere mohair coat and a black cotton wide wale corduroy jacket both by Gucci, Turnbull and Asser mini tartan cotton shirt with contrast white collar and French cuffs, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links , forest green cashmere tie by Borrelli, Alexander McQueen tweed cargo style pants, red alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Laure, silver leather sneakers and glasses both by Dior, forest green leather gloves by Sermoneta and my fragrance is the super sophisticated Vintage Tabarome by Creed.

James Andrew - East 60th Street.

I love creating something that clients never dreamed possible (or possibly never knew they wanted)! – The challenge is to produce a cohesive statement that reflects the tastes of the the clients – creating an environment that not only soothes and comforts but elates and inspires the spirit.

An indispensable part of being a successful designer is having exceptional resources – one such resource lies at East 60th Street here in New York City – there you will find a brilliant collection of some of the finest antiques and decorations – some of my favorites like David Duncan, Ann Morris Antiques, John Salibello Antiques and many more – Most of these suppliers are only available to the trade – so hire a decorator and create something extraordinary together! Almost every spectacular project has been the result of creative collaboration! You can play Louis XIV and I’ll be your Louis Le Vau – and I know where we’ll find an André Le Nôtre to help us with the garden – lets make your Versailles visions a reality!

I’m here on East 60th Street shopping for several clients wearing a Ralph Lauren silver ski parka, teal cashmere turtleneck sweater by Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen herringbone wool tweed cargo style pant, Lanvin teal suede sneakers, Gucci black leather tote and glasses, Sermoneta purple leather gloves.

James Andrew in the West Village

While doing some research to help with fine tuning one of my client’s town house facades, I found my self in Manhattan’s historic “West Village” – a part of town overflowing with historically rich and diverse townhouses just waiting to inspire me. I count myself truly blessed to be able to make a rather nice living doing the kinds of things that I would enjoy doing even if I weren’t being paid to do so.

Life does pass us by so quickly and it seems that events often conspire to make us forget our hopes and dreams – and so, mindful of this, I take a few minutes each day to remember where my fulfillment lies and then set (or reset as the case may be) my course for that star!

As Mark Twain once said,

the secret of success is making your vocation your vacation!

Contentedly sauntering down the street and admiring some beautiful facades, I’m wearing a camel hair coat, shocking pink silk knit turtleneck, and gray flannel pants all by Gucci, Etro huge silk paisley scarf, aubergine suede boots by Yves Saint Laurent, black leather tote by Gucci, purple leather gloves by Sermoneta glasses are KVA for Oliver Peoples – my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

James Andrew

We at WIJW often speak about “elevated living,” and if you’ve read our thoughts on the subject then you will know that the sort of richness we are talking about is not just some sort of external makeover, but it is a richness that extend into all areas of our lives, inside and out.

To this end I think that one of the most powerful ways to affect change in our lives, is through the simple act of giving. It may seem counter intuitive in tough times to open one’s hearts and give, but this is a sure fire way to produce true and positive change in our own lives and the lives of others. In lending a hand to others we are also cultivate inner wealth – in effect one could call “giving” THE most essential part of one’s well-being stimulus plan!

And here is your chance – why not stop by the upcoming Malawi: Images of Progress? – a show and auction of Brian Marcus’ photographic work to support the Goods for Goods organization in their continued effort to improve the lives of children in Malawi – a portion of the funds will be going toward rebuilding one of the Goods for Goods program sites in Haiti.

The show and auction will be held at the Chelsea Art Museum – 556 West 22nd St. February 1st from 7:00-10:00PM. See Goods for Goods to obtain your ticket for entry. Hope to see you there!

photo by Brian Marcus

Many of Marcus’ captivating images show that despite the complex struggles the Malawi children face, there are moments of hope and possibility!

photo by Brian Marcus

I’m at the legendary Fred Marcus Studio previewing Brian Marcus’ photographs and I’m wearing a forest green paper thin leather bomber jacket, dove gray cashmere turtleneck sweater, and window pane plaid wool pants all by Gucci, pale blue peccary gloves by Sermoneta, Submariner watch by Rolex, my shoes (not seen) are navy blue suede Gucci loafers.

James Andrew at Creed - photo Lars Stephan.

To celebrate its 250th year, Creed opened its only boutique in the U.S. at 794 Madison @ 67th St in New York City. Creed, has served royal houses and discerning seekers of rarefied osmogues since 1760 – The privately held company has remained in the Creed family for generations with Créateur Pafumeur, Oliver Creed, now applying his family’s centuries of experience towards the craft.

Windsor by Creed.

As part of the celebration, Creed is offering to the public for the first time, Windsor, which was expressly created for King Edward VIII of England in 1936. A green citrus scent with a mix of British Gin, Jamaican lime, Scottish Highland Pine, “Duke of Windsor” roses, Bahamian orange, Canadian cedar and a touch of Australian Eucalyptus, Creed likens Windsor to a tour of the empire Edward once ruled, (and this is not simply a figurative tour since all of the ingredients were grown within the bounds of the British Empire). Only 320 bottles and 70 facons will be available in the United States and WIJW has one of them! I would strongly suggest that you place your order for this most elegant of olfactory offerings with all due haste!

Another favorite of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor was Citrus Bigarrade which means “bitter citrus” in French, and is redolent of the many exotic destinations the Duke and Duchess favored, – from the Bahamas, to Palm Beach, to Southern Spain. I’ll be sure to be wearing this to the upcoming Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique show – more on that in a later post though.

For the modern day House of Windsor, Master Perfumer Olivier Creed created Royal Water as a “tribute to the next generation of The House of Windsor, Britain’s young royals.” A suitably understated yet regal fragrance, Royal Water has got to be one of my all time favorites!

Creed, Madison Avenue.

Want to feel like a Windsor or perhaps just smell like one? Stop by Creed to satisfy your sniffer and take home a few of these fine bottled dreams for yourself.

I’m pictured at the uber luxurious Creed boutique on Madison Avenue stocking up on all my favorite fragrances, wearing my wedgewood blue cotton corduroy jacket and red feather weight micro ribbed cashmere turtleneck both by Gucci, vintage wool tartan Scottish scarf, herringbone wool tweed cargo style pants by Alexander McQueen, red leather gloves by Sermoneta, silver leather sneakers and glasses both by Dior.

Photo by Lars Stephan.

“To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat.”
- Beverley Nichols

James Andrew at Buck House.

Buck House is more than a boutique, it’s a salon in the classic sense – a place to exchange thoughts and work in a spirit of collaboration. The gallery is a wonderful venue for artist/designer Deborah Buck to host fabulous parties, while promoting the free flow of ideas through books, art, photography etc – and of course these events are always a good reason to crack open a few bottles of champagne!

Buck, author of the fabulous book “Tableau,” emphasizes the use of “…props to express a narrative -personal or other…,” pointing out that this mode of expression is “…one of the few ways we inject art and aesthetics into our daily lives.” We at WIJW could not agree more! Needless to say, her wonderful volume is a must have.

In addition to the gorgeous accessories, furniture, and object de art, you will find a stunning collection of antique and vintage jewelry like this super chic malachite ring.

Vintage malachite ring at Buck House

Buck and I both like to challenge the norm – taking risks is what its all about! Certainly this attitude has proven to be hugely successful for the both of us.

Perusing the very colorful Buck House, I’m wearing a wool tweed top coat, brown wool hand knit sweater, green cotton tartan shirt, brown tweed motorcycle pants, wool plaid scarf and brown leather “Chelsea” boots all by Gucci, green leather gloves are by Sermoneta.

James Andrew, Winter 2009

I trust you all had a few marvelous days filled with love, family, and friends! I had a splendid Xmas eve dinner with my dear friend Adrianne and my Scott McBee at the Park Avenue Winter restaurant. Then on to a simple Xmas day spent with McBee opening presents under a nicely decorated tree – a Rigaud Cypress candle burning, the smell of paper whites, and a celebratory bottle of Dom Perignon uncorked – Bliss! Gift boxes were wrapped in a red and white faux bois print and among the offerings therein were a few well selected items from some of my favorites – Tom Ford, Hermes, and Alexander McQueen. Among all of these lovely gifts, I was very happy to receive a divine set of antique ruby crystal water goblets, and I’ll be sure to work them into a future post.

Particularly thoughtful, and perhaps most appreciated, were two modest books given to Scott and me – “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz, Ph.D. – a wonderful lesson in not selling ourselves short, belief in our own potential to succeed, and removing the fear and negativity that can interfere with achieving of our dreams; and the other book we received was Norman Vincent Peale’s “You Can If You Think You Can” – a treatment on making the seemingly impossible possible. So some good reading and some fine thoughts to kick off the New Year!

As you might have gathered by now, I’m not one to settle for little fantasies, and I’m expecting miracles in 2010! What miracles will you be creating?

I’m wearing a forest green leather bomber jacket and dove gray cashmere turtleneck sweater both by Gucci, purple jeans by Diesel, black leather “Windsor” loafers by Yves Saint Laurent, black leather tote by Gucci, purple leather gloves by Sermoneta and glasses by Dior.

James Andrew Winter 2009 - photo Lars Stephan

The holiday season is about celebrating joy, love, and friendship – and here at WIJW we’re especially grateful for all of the kindness, support, and continued interest our dear readers have shown us over this past year! Of course this is a time to look ahead as well. – Rich with possibilities, fresh pastures abound at WIJW, and we look forward to continuing to bring you our very best throughout 2010 – to inspire, provoke, and elate, or at the very least, to give you a bit of a chuckle!

On my way to a holiday party with friends – I’m dressed for my snowy trek in a black cashmere coat, charcoal wool dinner jacket with black velvet trim and buttons, black wool tuxedo pants with black silk satin and gross grain banding all by Gucci, Tom Ford white cotton shirt with French cuffs, vintage moon stone cuff links, Charvet white silk pocket square, the wool tartan tie by Ralph Lauren pulls the whole look together with it’s olive, gray, red, white and black color story – I love the look of mixing in a bit of tartan with more formal attire (thinking Duke of Windsor) and I think this one compliments my favorite Le Chameau boots and red leather gloves by Sermonetta quite nicely.

Silver and gold antique flask and pocket full of short bread not shown – perfect for a quick bracer during another unreasonably cold NYC evening!

Hoping this finds you manifesting your very best dreams!
Love, light, and blessings,

∞ James

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James Andrew at the Paris

Last night I saw A Single Man – the much anticipated new film by style icon Tom Ford. Making a seemingly effortless transition from fashion to film, Ford has created a deeply moving and achingly beautiful adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s novel by the same title. A Single Man is brilliantly cast, with Oscar worthy performances by Colin Firth and Julianne Moore and there is a superbly haunting soundtrack (that I can’t stop listening to!) – I’m also pleased to say that one cannot help but leave the theater with a renewed sense of the importance of human connection – a good remedy for these fairly uncertain times. Do see it!

Celebrating the genius of the multi-talented Tom Ford at my favorite New York City theater – The Paris Theater, I’m wearing a camel hair coat, black wool flannel peaked lapel jacket and wool mini hounds tooth pants all by Gucci, Tom Ford black and white striped cotton shirt with French cuffs, and Tom Ford plaid cashmere silk tie, Seaman Schepps black pearl cufflinks, Turnbull and Asser gray and black silk polka dot pocket square, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, purple leather gloves by Sermoneta and black leather “Windsor” loafers by Yves Saint Laurent.