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C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon by Susanna Salk

May 8th, 2013
by WIJW.
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My friend, Susanna Salk’s sumptuous new Rizzoli book, C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon, is a beautiful and enlightening glimpse into Guest and her world, paying homage to her enduring style and multi-faceted life. Salk reveals Guest for the true maverick she was — trend-setter, horsewoman, fashion designer, businesswoman, actress, author, and columnist (her gardening column for the New York Post helped to promote a whole gardening-as-lifestyle industry!). And let’s not forget Guest as the renowned socialite—but not the vapid sort that one thinks of when one hears the word. No, she was very much more interested in character than social climbing. Guest tells us, “My ambition was to be a successful enough actress to get myself thrown out of the Social Register: I had no talent at all but I enjoyed every minute of my experience.” It’s exactly this rare combination of brazen irreverence, candor, and jois de vivre that makes Guest so fascinating. And it is, after all, Salk to be thanked for so adeptly and lovingly weaving words like these into a truly comprehensive treatment of her subject.

from C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon

from C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon

I’ve had the great fortune to have lunched with C.Z. Guest at Templeton on quite a few occasions—lunch was always an uncomplicated affair, perhaps a cheese souffle and salad on Dodie Thayer plates. Of course there was always a great deal of wine, and Guest, true to expectations, would captivate us with her tales of superstars, royalty, and mobsters alike—and it seemed like there was not as wide a divide between these various social strata as one might imagine! My time at Templeton remains among my most cherished memories, and I’m happy to say Salk’s book captures Guest and her surrounds perfectly.

from C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon

from C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon

For those of you looking to know more about Guest, Salk’s book has many never before published photos of C. Z. Guest, as well as musings by a great host of style icons and tastemakers. It’s an intimate look into Guest’s remarkable life, and a must-have for your library. We’re sure it will provide inspiration for you in any of your grand endeavors! Pick up a copy here: C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon

Posted in: Rizzoli.

Four Freedoms Park

May 6th, 2013
by WIJW.
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James Andrew - Four Freedoms Park - photo Scott McBee

James Andrew – Four Freedoms Park – photo Scott MvBee


Less than five minutes from the island of Manhattan lies the East River’s Roosevelt Island. Once known as Blackwell’s Island (and host to grim 19th c. asylums, and prisons) and later Welfare Island, the late sixties and accompanying ideas of urban renewal saw a massive plan (spearheaded by Philip Johnson and John Burgee) to reinvent the island that we now refer to as Roosevelt Island. Indeed the island continues to blossom, and is known worldwide for its many important architectural masterpieces, not to mention its vibrant residential community.

The original renewal plan included constructing a memorial to President Roosevelt to be named Four Freedoms Park; an homage to Roosevelt’s legacy, and in particular, a celebration of his ’41 speech highlighting four guiding principles of freedom—namely: freedom of speech; freedom of worship; freedom from want; and freedom from fear.

Architect Louis Kahn - F.D.R.Four Freedoms Park

Architect Louis Kahn – F.D.R.Four Freedoms Park

The iconic architect, Louis Kahn, was chosen for the task, and he drew up a brilliant plan in 1973, but died unexpectedly soon thereafter. With the city in a finacial slump, the construction plans faltered, not to be fully realized until some 38 years later, (confirming one of our favorite adages, “delays are not necessarily denials!”). I was absolutely thrilled to have finally seen it with our very own Scott McBee recently while out on a little city adventure. This is one of those WIJW must see NYC gems.

To celebrate Roosevelt and Kahn, I dressed up Gatsby-style in a white and grey striped cotton suit by Gucci, Tom Ford purple and white gingham shirt, paisley bow tie, purple glen plaid cotton pocket square and white suede cap toe lace up shoes, vintage straw hat, purple alligator belt with silver buckle by Ralph Lauren, Rolex watch and my fragrance is Creed Orange Spice.

Posted in: Creed, Ralph Lauren, Random, Rolex, Tom Ford.

Rolex: Functional Poetry

May 1st, 2013
by WIJW.
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James Andrew and Rolex - photoZenith Richards

James Andrew and Rolex – photo Zenith Richards

In a world where cell phones have become the de facto time-telling device, some of you might be thinking it is a bit old-fashioned to be wearing a wrist watch? Sure, your cell is giving you atomic-precise satellite time—but the fact is, telling time precisely doesn’t really amaze anymore—any old drug-store watch can do that.

My point is, owning a fine wrist watch isn’t just about telling time anymore. It’s a much more poetic thing than that. It’s about celebrating the passage of time, and ennobling your place in it. A fine wrist watch is requisite gear for your fight against a chaotic world—a companion for, and witness to, all the years of your hard-working waking life…and when you’re done, it’s an object to pass on to some lucky fellow, who’ll wonder about you, who’ll rub his thumb over its time-worn surface and take comfort in its persistence. Meanwhile, the fifteen cell-phones you’ll have owned, will have been long forgotten—relegated to some laughable technological obsolescence.

So, you say you want in? Among the actually obtainable wrist-watches that are capable of capturing this sort of poetry, Rolex stands alone.

Rolex is certainly one of the no-compromise brands we go on about—and aside from the Cartier I sometimes wear, it’s the only watch I truly love. It’s a nearly indestructible piece of precision hardware, and its ageless style will garner you a lifetime of admiration. It’s one of those rare investments that you’ll simply never tire of, and like a fine oriental rug, it’ll be sure to keep or increase in actual value as it ages.

I am particularly fond of the stainless steel Rolex Daytona as well as the yellow gold Daytona—the sportiness of the model offsets a dressed up scenario with a nice touch of casual elegance.

James Andrew and Rolex Daytona - photo Zenith Richards

James Andrew and Rolex – photo Zenith Richards

There are many styles to choose from. Why not start making memories with a Rolex today!?

♕ ♕ ♕

Posted in: Random, Rolex.