James Andrew - photo by Gabriel Everett
Although, as many of you know, I hold a huge fascination for the worlds of certain bygone eras, I do consider myself quite forward thinking as well—far from being mutually exclusive, in fact I find these two outlooks to be quite perfectly complimentary.
Of course, I do realize life today presents some obstacles to living with style, but we don’t need to necessarily replicate the past to honor it. It does require a bit of extra effort and fortitude, for example, to travel in style these days (given what we are subjected to at airports!). However, looking good, especially in slightly more taxing situations, can help one to feel better, (and subsequently perhaps set things up to actually be better).
Many of my design and fashion favorites drew inspiration from the past without becoming overly sentimental. In the fashion world, Halston, for instance, fused a decidedly modernist sensibility with the free-flowing opulence of the ’30s to create a distinctly new aesthetic. In the decorating world, my own Albert Hadley was hugely conversant in the history of design and drew quite freely from the past to create interiors that still spoke in a very fresh and livable way to the present.
I am happy to see a wonderful shift taking place, especially with my younger friends who are celebrating tradition in a big way. Perhaps some of my contemporaries too, will bring the elegance and glamor back into life!
The very talented Gabriel Everett hearkens back to another, perhaps more glamorous time, in this black and white photo. I’m wearing a Tom Ford brown plaid suit in linen, silk and cashmere, with a brown end on end cotton shirt with French cuffs and a contrast white collar and orange and white retro print silk pocket square, cuff links in shell with coral beads, Gucci python belt with silver double horse head buckle and sunglasses, Etro orange suede tasseled loafers, vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch and my fragrance is Creed Original Cologne.
