James Andrew - hot weather attire.

Labor Day weekend is upon us and although the last day of summer is not officially here until the 21st it may feel like the end of the Summer season already – and this can create some confusion when it comes to choosing what to wear.

My feeling on this matter is that one’s attire should be based on weather not a date on the calender – thus if it is ninety degrees, whatever day of the year, you might find me sporting some shorts and, say, some ivory shoes – In fact I wear white and other summer fashions as long as the weather still feels like summer. Perhaps in October, just after Indian summer, I’ll start to make a transition to Fall fashion – then perhaps I’ll begin to retire the linen and obvious summer things and start to wear light weight wools with a shift toward a more autumnal palette.

Fall and Winter will be here soon enough – and yes it has been (and continues to be) an extremely HOT summer, but let’s enjoy it a little while longer and not be so concerned with outdated conventions that simply make no sense!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday weekend!

I’m sporting a silk paisley shirt by Gucci, (if I’m not wearing a jacket this is the kind of shirt I like to wear i.e. one with interesting details, fabric, patterns etc) shorts by Our Legacy 1980-81 in hemp, cotton, and silk, python belt with silver buckle by Gucci and Ivory suede loafers by Tom Ford and my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime.

James Andrew and work by Lars Stephan

Our Lars Stephan is off adventuring in search of fresh environs to inspire him to create exciting new works. Sadly we will be without him for many months. Paying tribute to his work and sharing one of the last (at least for a while) photos he took of me (see above), I’m posing at a recent show he had here at the Envoy Gallery in New York City. I’m visualizing his provocative images working quite well in one of my fine interiors. For more examples of Stephan’s work, please have a look at his website – you might find just the thing to make an empty wall sparkle.

Lars Stephan artwork.

Celebrating Stephan and our friendship, I’m sporting a white linen jacket by Gucci, pocket square in white linen with pale blue embroidered borders from Baumons, Burkman Bros hooded super light chambray shirt, white cotton slim shorts are Mario Matteo at Behaviour NYC, Gucci silver chain link belt and white leather bag, Tom Ford pale beige suede loafers. My fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime.

Ngo Okafor and James Andrew - photo by Matthew Dean

Some of you may know the story of how WIJW came to be – the cat calls I’d receive at the gym for my usual (slightly over the top?) outfits – I’d come in with my citron yellow jeans or a dusty rose suede safari jacket and there’d always be a “Hey Jimmy – whatcha got on today?” Of course I’d be tickled by the response I was getting, but I didn’t really see the opportunity I had until I started fitness training with the amazing Ngo Okafor. It was in fact Okafor who, with huge foresight, suggested I make a blog based on my fashion sense. It did take some friendly insistence from him over the next month or so, but I eventually called on Alex Scott to help create what we now know as What is James Wearing?! Tonight’s post is a tribute to Okafor’s persistence and the push he gave me to get this all to happen!

He is a two-time heavyweight champion winning back-to-back Golden Gloves (and yes we saw him knock a fellow out at The Garden not long ago).

As a model, Okafor has worked with major superstars like Gisele, and Mary J. Blige, and he’s currently featured in a huge Under Armour campaign. Okafor has acted in several TV shows as well, including Six Degrees, The Rebound with Catherine Zeta-Jones, and he has just finished work on an upcoming feature film, “Jeremy Fink and the meaning of life.” Okafor is currently at work on a feature-length documentary, which chronicles his journey from Nigeria to the top of the boxing world. “I really want the film to inspire people to dream big and work hard,” says Okafor. “That’s always been my mantra and so far so good.”

Be looking for his 2011 calendar which will be out soon, with proceeds going to raise funds for up-and-coming boxing stars in Nigeria.

So to my dear friend Ngo – thank you for pushing me to become a better version of myself and for being so completely inspirational to us all – may your star continue to rise!

I’m photographed in the ring sporting a Gucci cotton, wool and silk white and black window pane plaid jacket, silk black and white hounds tooth pant, black patent belt with silver leather trim and grommets and black and white silk bow tie, Turnbull and Asser shirt in red and white cotton stripes with contrast white collar and french cuffs and grey and black silk polka dot pocket square, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, Tom Ford black and saddle leather loafer, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Aventus.

James at Riverside Park

I often find myself in a real quandary over which parties, galas, openings, etc., to go to – and while, as you know, I do like a good party, sometimes hitting all of them can seem like a second job!

In fact, contrary to what you may have concluded from reading WIJW, it’s often the simplest of things that bring me the most pleasure and peace – say for instance a Saturday stroll through a gorgeous park. In fact, when I’m in the city, I consider my park time integral to my well being. Whether I’m already in a good mood, or I’m looking for a psychophysical bump, the quiet, natural, beauty of one of our parks can go a long way toward turning a less than stellar mood into one of appreciation and love.

I’m pictured here at Riverside Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side enjoying a leisurely stroll in a casual ensemble – Navy cotton pique jacket by Gucci, navy and white silk micro dot pocket square by Battistoni, navy cotton t-shirt by Alternative, white jeans by Diesel, chartreuse python belt with silver double horse head buckle by Gucci, Tom Ford woven olive suede espadrilles, sunglasses by Lanvin white leather bag by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.

James Andrew and Bolex - photo by Matthew Dean.

I approach the interiors that I create for clients, the stories we share on WIJW, and the life I live each day as if I were making a film. I do love creating that total picture. In fact my well respected psychic in London is giving me an emphatic two thumbs up for a foray into filmmaking in the literal sense.

Did any of you recently see the story on the life of the iconic filmmaker Robert Evans? It really has my mind turning. Despite a rather conspicuous lack of experience in the business, he risked everything to ascend to the head of production at Paramount. Eventually under his leadership, Paramount turned out some of the most important and successful films of the 1960′s and 70′s!

As you may have gathered by now, I’m not one to settle for small fantasies – and I’ve been sifting through several different ideas for a film. Without giving too much away, one in particular has been on the table (with some interest) – it’s a cautionary tale about modern day social climbing – sound intriguing?

For our post today, I worked with the brilliant young photographer Matthew Dean. Initially Dean worked as a model for such legendary greats as Bruce Weber – he eventually found a more fulfilling roll behind the camera, assisting Weber along with a few other major photographers while traveling the world and honing his own skills as photographer.

Dean sites his influence in the work of Avedon, Penn, and Newton to name a few, and he works now to capture the individuality of his subjects, rather than simply imposing a singular overbearing stylistic vision on his photographs.

We look forward to sharing many more collaborations with the very talented Matthew Dean!

I’m pictured here fleshing out my film making fantasy with a beautiful vintage Bolex, and my look is inspired by the super chic Robert Evans- Gucci white cotton safari jacket, cotton sateen flared leg pants, python belt with silver buckle and brown suede loafers trimmed in pink suede, Tom Ford Ebony Pink cotton bandanna print shirt and sunglasses, my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime.

James Andrew with a Hildestahl bag. Photo by Lars Stephan.

Beyond the obvious functionality of a good bag, it’s an accessory that can really pop up a look – in fact, I really don’t think an outfit is complete without one!

I recently had the pleasure of connecting with the super chic Jens Hildestahl to speak a bit with him about the inception of his line. Briefly put, his bags were born from the general lack, he tells us, of acceptable aesthetic and functional qualities available in men’s bags – and so he decided to create his own line! And thus the Hildestahl brand was born.

Hildestahl’s mission has been to create the ultimate bag for the cosmopolitan man. His designs draw inspiration from 60′s and 70′s fashions and the lux boheme aesthetic that was quite popular amongst young aristocratic types of that time. Fittingly crafted by the finest artisan workrooms in Italy, the result is an exceptionally well made bag with unusual details rarely seen in men’s bags. And did we mention these bags are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the out? – a perfect metaphor for a perfect brand.

Of course these are rather unique – furthermore women seem to covet them as much as men – so do secure one straightaway.

I’m pictured with the “Valfrid” tote which received non-stop compliments as I dashed about town.

I’m wearing a silk and cotton jacket in a white and black window pane plaid from Gucci, Richard James shirt in black and white cotton stripes and contrast white collar, shell and multi-colored coral beads cufflinks by Seaman Schepps, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram, sunglasses by Lanvin, and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

Not seen – purple skinny jeans by Diesel, Gucci black patent leather belt with silver trim and grommets, and black and saddle leather loafers by Tom Ford.

James Andrew at The Frick. photo: Christine Butler.

As one might imagine, The Frick Collection Garden Party was a smashing success with 100′s gathered to celebrate and support this most glamorous of institutions. This was a truly one of a kind event, but not to fret if you missed this glorious gala. There is still plenty of time to celebrate! They continue to feature a special cabinet exhibition, “From Mansion to Museum” which includes many fine large scale architectural elevations as well as photographs documenting the mansion and surrounding grounds as they underwent their 1930′s transformation from stately private home to what we now know as The Frick. The show highlights the sensitivity with which the first Board of Trustees as well as the architect John Russell Pope (1873-1937) approached Thomas Hastings’ (1860-1929) original designs. The alterations, while significantly enlarging the space to accommodate a public institution, still manage to create the intimate and personal qualities of a private home.

We have decided to preserve the Frick home as an example of a dwelling place of a man of means at the beginning of the twentieth century. In time you will see the house itself will become of incalculable historic value. We will keep the atmosphere. It isn’t a vast museum. It is a home containing magnificent French, Dutch and Spanish paintings, Italian bronzes and Chinese porcelains.

—Director Frederick Mortimer Clapp,
The New York Herald Tribune, December 3, 1933.

I’m photographed here on the steps of the front garden sporting a modernish take on a Gatsby style Gucci silk, linen and wool beige jacket with peaked lapels, Tom Ford, brown end on end cotton shirt with french cuffs and contrasting white collar, silk plaid tie,palest pink silk pant, ivory suede loafers and brown glenn plaid silk pocket square, Gucci python belt with silver buckle, Seaman Schepps cuff links are shell with multi colored coral beeds, glasses are Lanvin 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.