James Andrew at home - photo Gabriel Everett

Legendary designers like Albert Hadley, David Hicks, Billy Baldwin and fashion/lifestyle icons like the Duke of Windsor, Gianni Agnelli and Lapo Elkann, all continue to have a huge influence on my thinking. If one were compelled to draw a defining lesson from these ultimate taste makers, I think it would be “great style is always in fashion.” While it’s a slogan that’s been bandied about a bit on the inter-webs in one form or another, it’s an idea that I’ve been considering as I field questions regarding trends and fashion. Granted, we all have outside influences, and I’ve made no mystery about mine, but I do refuse to blindly follow trends in design or in dress, preferring to be more “stylish” than “in style.” While the distinction may seem a bit semantic, I hope our readers see there is indeed a difference. Much in our society has become disposable, I think that is a given, but one doesn’t necessarily need to march to the prevailing drum. I personally want to be able to enjoy a favorite jacket, a comfortable sofa (occasionally reupholstered of course) , or some other accessory, twenty years down the line!

Referencing a photo of Diane Vreeland perched on her sofa (one of my favorite fashion pundits), I’m sporting a Tom Ford rustic charcoal wool silk mouline priest hat tweed “country jacket” with leather buttons and brown suede patches, white cotton shirt with French cuffs, teal and black hounds tooth cashmere silk tie, teal corduroy pant, teal and navy silk pocket square, Tom Ford era Gucci brown suede loafers, aquamarine and diamond cuff links, Gucci python belt my fragrance is Creed Windsor.

From Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy

In addition to facials like the Opulent Rejuvenesence Facial at The Spa at Madarin Oriental, NY, I use the most marvelous line of products called Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy.

This luxurious line bears the name of one of the world’s most esteemed plastic surgeons, Dr Ivo Pitanguy, and was designed at the legendary Clinica Ivo Pitanguy in Rio—an international beauty landmark founded in 1963. The line encapsulates the accumulated knowledge of all the clinic’s specialists—from nutritionists and aestheticians to dermatologists and surgeons—and is enjoyed by some of the world’s most famous faces, including the ageless beauty Carmen Dell’ Orefice.

Now, I am not one who can bear endless applications of this and that—my regimen is actually quite simple. In the morning I use the “Lifting Serum” (see above) which revitalizes, tones, firms and rejuvenates the skin, targeting wrinkles, and I follow it up with the “Face Lifting Formula” (see below) which increases elasticity, firmness, tone and texture; then I apply the “Eye Contour Lifting Gel” which fights fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, bags and shadows.

In the evening I use the “Ultimate Repair Cream” and “Ultimate Eye Cream” that both work to restore a more youthful appearance. (see below)

As I have mentioned, these products have a wonderfully cumulative effect, and it probably goes without saying that I am rather thrilled with the results!

James Andrew at the Mandarine Oriental Spa - photo Gabrial Everett

I’ve been accused of having my own Dorian Gray portrait hidden away somewhere to absorb my many indulgences, but the truth is, I keep my years at bay with healthy foods, a youthful attitude, and, of course, a top notch skin-care regimen.

Which brings me to facials. When only the absolute best treatment will do, the Opulent Rejuvenesence facial given at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa wins hands down.

The Opulent Rejuvenesence facial is an intensive, two hour, anti-aging treatment that incorporates result-driven Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy products developed by Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, famed Brazilian cosmetic surgeon to celebrities, royalty, and socialites around the world, proven to boost collagen and give the skin a more youthful appearance.

James Andrew - under the able hands of the fantastic Fini at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa

These facials are administered with some seriously state of the art equipment (e.g., rotary brushes, an opal sonic infuser, and a high frequency current wand), and really have a long lasting and cumulative effect.

Of course, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak—during an after spa luncheon, my friends all insisted that I must have received Botox and Restylane injections (which I had not). Needless to say, I’ve sold them on the Opulent Rejuvenesence facial!

WIJW recommends The Vip Room at the Mandarin Oriental Spa

Feeling particularly radiant, I’m captured (top) on the 35th Floor spa at the Mandarin, sporting a Tom Ford suit jacket in a olive wool silk tweed over check and silk pocket square, Tom Ford era Gucci ivory cashmere turtleneck sweater and J Brand jeans, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual watch, tan leather tasseled loafers by Gucci and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

James Andrew at Stephen Score's Metro Show booth

During my time as a designer for Parish Hadley, the emphasis was on marrying pieces that shared a “sympathetic spirit,” rather than matching periods and styles. Needless to say, this approach allowed for some wonderfully playful and unexpected juxtapositions, and was very much at the heart of Parish Hadley’s most innovative and dynamic interiors.

Happily you’ll find a similar approach at the inaugural Metro Show where dealers and designers have brought together an exciting and eclectic mix of fine collectibles from a wide degree of time periods and styles, both new and old. In fact, it may surprise many to know that this is not a particularly new design trend! As Leigh Keno notes, “… the term ‘modern’ apparently originated in the late 16th century. Even in the early 17th century, a room filled with ‘modern’ furniture and accoutrements very often had ‘antiquities’ mixed in, whether collected or inherited.”

Wherever your specific interests may lie, I’m certain you’ll find some tantalizing object to admire at the marvelous NYC Metro Show. But hurry, it’s only open until Sunday January 22 (the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, NYC). I had the great pleasure of exploring the show’s special preview, and I was so thrilled with the selection that I’ll be returning this weekend with some of my clients in tow.

I’m pictured (top) at the booth of Boston dealer Stephen Score, sporting a Tom Ford “Buckingham” jacket in black and ink wool wide twill damier, pale blue mini herringbone cotton shirt with French cuffs and a black silk pocket square, Gucci black flannel pant, black and gray micro stripe tie and black leather tasseled loafers, black alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, pearl and pale blue sapphire cuff links, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual watch , amethyst sun glasses Tom Ford era Gucci, Hildestahl Medium III bag in purple leather and my fragrance is Lorenzo Villoresi’s Garofano.

James Andrew — photo by Gabriel Everett

The 1970′s, along with all of its glamor and decadence, are a huge wellspring of creative inspiration for me. In fact, I’ve spent most of my life developing an appreciation for slightly over-the-top living, and so it shouldn’t surprise you that I dashed right out to see the limited engagement of Whitney Smith’s “Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston.” The film is as much about the time as it is about the rather inscrutable Halston (a characteristic that so many iconic figures seem to share), and I’m quite certain that if you, like me, love a dose of disco-era fabulousness, elegance, and excess, then this flick is for you. Oh, and if perhaps you’d like to revisit our 2009 thoughts on Halston to get you in the mood, you can find them here!

Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston

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.

Jules Reid and James Andrew at the St. Regis Hotel

I was very pleased to attend a recent uber chic event held for my friend and designer Jules Reid at the St. Regis Hotel’s Petite Salon.

It was a classic old school breakfast affair with a preview of Reid’s 2012 Spring/Summer collection hosted by the legendary stylist Ann Caruso who is responsible for styling Reid’s latest look book. Needless to say, with such a marvelous collaboration, the event was something not to be missed.

Reid’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection is a super sophisticated take on resort wear chic, a kind of boho prep vibe that one could see working quite well in one of those beautiful Slim Aarons scenareos, i.e. “attractive people…doing attractive things in attractive places.”

From the Jules Reid 2012 Spring/Summer collection

For the occasion I sported a Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in lavender wool silk tricolor windowpane with leather buttons, gray check shirt with French cuffs, purple wool knit tie and purple plaid silk pocket square, Gucci grey flannel pants and suede “Belgian” style slippers, black alligator belt with sterling buckle, vintage Rolex watch, black pearl cuff links and my fragrance is Creed Windsor.

James Andrew - photo by Gabriel Everett

Let’s face it, most well intentioned New Year’s resolutions are forged and then forgotten. For whatever reason, they just don’t seem to stick.

At the risk of sounding a bit preachy, I want to quickly share my thoughts on the subject.

A big part of the problem seems to lie in our concept of time, and particularly with our expectations of the future. In fact, looking to fulfill dreams somewhere down the road often prevents us from finding them in the only moment we’ll ever have—and that, of course, is “the present.” The past is gone by definition, and the future is always beyond experience. Once we know that, then the real question becomes can we muster the courage and focus to bring our dreamiest of dreams into this very moment. Most of the time the little voices are saying no—doubt and/or fear prevail. Don’t get me wrong, caution can be a lifesaver, but if we can’t turn the negative self-speak off, then we’ve got a real problem. It colors our whole present.

In an effort to break this limiting internal dialogue, I’ve found the following two tiered approach to be particularly effective. While you may already be familiar with these ideas, it might be well worth reacquainting yourself with them. For fun, let’s just call these the WIJW Commandments:

1) Be aware of the story you’re telling yourself, and if it isn’t helping, then tell yourself a better story—this new story doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just the tiniest positive shift in the tragic narrative you may be imagining. You can build a better and more beautiful story as things progress. Focus on POSSIBILITY instead of impossibility, and why things CAN happen, instead of why they can’t.

2) Practice gratitude. Find that spot that feels good, even if it’s only the tip of your toe, acknowledge and feel its goodness. We need to make space for good things to happen right here and now, and unproductive feelings of want and lack only perpetuate themselves. Like attracts like.

Give these a try if you care to, and be sure to let us know your thoughts along the way! Whatever your situation may be, WIJW wishes you good luck on your own amazing adventure.

Here’s to a remarkable New Year, filled with awareness, light, and blessings!

Cheers,

JA

Taking some time to reflect and contemplate, I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in a dark brown wide wool check, brown silk pocket square, brown wool knit tie and “Cyrille” sunglasses, Turnbull and Asser red and white striped cotton shirt with contrast white collar and French cuffs, vintage agate cuff links, Gucci brown tweed motor cycle pant, python belt and brown leather Chelsea boots, red leather gloves by Sermoneta, Etro silk paisley scarf and my fragrance is Creed Vintage Taborome.

It shouldn’t surprise you to hear that I often look to Cecil Beaton’s wide body of work as well as the life of the man himself for inspiration. While Beaton is primarily known as a photographer, his influences were felt (and continue to be felt) in almost every creative medium he worked in, including set design, film, painting, and writing. He documented and conversely set trends internationally through major publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, producing nearly fifty years of iconic photographs.

Needless to say New York was a fertile artistic and social stomping ground for Beaton, and that brings us happily to this gorgeous new book by Donald Albrecht, Cecil Beaton: The New York Years, which encompasses a prolific body of work and chronicles the refined vision that Beaton brought to bare on fashion, the fashionable, and indeed on entire eras.

Compulsory material for any aspiring bon vivant and/or creative, this is a certified WIJW must-have for your library. Do secure a copy.

James Andrew at the Frick Portico Gallery - photo Gabriel Everett

As if the Frick wasn’t already utterly sublime, my most favorite museum has now just opened a spectacular new gallery space! Created by enclosing a covered garden portico on the 5th Avenue side of the mansion, this is the first major addition to the museum in nearly 35 years.

And of course, its debut exhibition is gorgeous.

Of particular note is the French Enlightenment sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon’s masterpiece, the life-sized terracotta Diana the Huntress, which has returned for viewing after a painstaking two-year cleaning and restoration. This iconic Frick work now finds a glorious new home in the Portico Gallery and is visible for the first time not just to the Frick’s visitors, but to those outside the museum on Fifth Avenue as well. (Houdon happens to be one of my favorite sculptors. In fact I own two handsome plaster casts of Houdon’s Antoine Pierre Barnave which I’ve positioned quite prominently in my flat). Also on display are a superb collection of early Meissen porcelain from the Arnhold Collection. To wet your appetite before coming, take a virtual tour here.

La Grive Morte, marble relief, signed and dated 1782, on loan from The Horvitz Collection, Boston.

Why not combine a visit to the new gallery at the Frick with a stop by the their super chic gift shop for a bit of last minute holiday shopping!

For my tour of the new gallery, I’m sporting a Tom Ford rustic charcoal wool silk mouline priest hat tweed “country jacket” with leather buttons and suede elbow patches, blue end on end cotton shirt with French cuffs and contrast white collar, teal corduroy pant, teal and navy silk pocket square and saddle leather loafers, aquamarine and diamond cuff links, vintage python belt with silver double horse head buckle by Gucci. My fragrance is Creed Himalaya.