The Dapper Stroke

The Strokes band member Albert Hammond Jr. has been known to sport a trademark three-piece suit and is generally noted as one of the most sartorially inclined of the bunch.  Back in 2008 while on hiatus from the group and pursuing his solo career, he collaborated with the LA stylist Ilaria Urbinati to make a line of vintage inspired luxury suiting.  In an interview with gq.com he described the looks as “a good mix of old man, hunter, and seventies rock ‘n’ roll.”  I like these...

Above images by Eric Ray Davidson via GQ

Gant Revamped

Image via Gant

If you haven't checked out the new Gant website, you should definitely head over and poke around.  The new interactive format is easy to navigate and the full screen pictures look great.  I especially like the archive photos through the decades under the Heritage section and Gant's years at Yale in New Haven.  There is also a cool video that captures the spirit of New England featured in the lifestyle section as well as many other interesting stories and articles to peruse.  Lifestyle branding is all about telling a story, and Gant's new website provides more than a just a place to shop, but a whole experience including film, music, and style to complement the brand.  This is really sweet.

I particularly liked this video called "Gangs of New Haven" from the Rugger Spring / Summer Collection featuring the musical talents of U.S. Royalty.  It really captures summer in New England.

Boy & Bear

Ah summer at last! Time to sit back , relax, and listen to some good music.  I am getting really good vibes from this Sydney based band called Boy & Bear.  Like most other music I find, I stumbled across this video for "Rabbit Song" and can't stop listening to these guys.  This music video is so creative and the costumes are awesome - especially the tie tunic and headdress.  Kind of a cross between fellow Aussies, Mumford & Sons (who they toured with last year) and Fleet Foxes, these guys have the perfect amount of folk and attitude.  Listen and repeat.

Check out they're other tunes "Mexican Mavis" and "Blood to Gold" - they both have great videos as well.

Ralph Lauren's Double RL Ranch

Image via VanityFair.com

Today in one of her last interviews of her show, Oprah visited Ralph Lauren at his spectacular Double RL ranch outside of Telluride, Colorado for an exclusive tour and chat with the Lauren family.  Watching these clips of Ralph and his family make me love him and his clothing even more.  He's a class act.

And these are some of my favorite shots of his home to whet your appetite...

Above images via Oprah.com

Also, check out this article from Architectural Digest for more pictures of the ranch!

An Afternoon with Dylan & Baez

As I was finishing the last paper of my undergraduate career on observational cinema, I came across this clip of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.  There was something I loved about this fly-on-the-wall glimpse into the lives of two musical icons, as we can see uninterrupted genius at work. The clicks of the typewriter paired with Baez's soulful serenades are just brilliant.  The unidentified man in glasses and the woman lounging in the corner with an empty wine glass add to the mystery and allure of this wonderful artistic moment of history.

Dutch's Wit

Kiel James Patrick: Croffix Sailing Belt

As the days get warmer and the promise of summer quickly approaches, I usually browse around for my yearly braided rope sailor's bracelet - a summer tradition I've kept for years.  However, it has always bothered me how quickly they begin to deteriorate, not to mention how they tend to acquire a certain funk from never fully drying after a day on the water.  Thanks to Kiel James Patrick, you can have the best of both worlds with his removable woven sailors' bracelets hand woven in Rhode Island.  They are seriously awesome and come in a variety of styles. 


This past holiday season I got my hands on a KJP Croffix Sailing belt, which is a take of the classic braided rope bracelet in belt form.  It is one of their newer products and has quickly become a favorite of mine.

The craftsmanship is really superb, hand-crafted in Rhode Island of vegetable tanned leather and hand knotted nautical cord.  The reverse is reinforced with a preppy tartan fabric and has the option of a solid brass D-ring buckle as well.  It comes in a variety of cool colors, but I really like the versatility of the weathered blue.  I wear it almost everyday and its perfect for that year round punch of nautical style.

May Playlist: Driftwood

Hand picked just for you.  Get it while it's hot!

L'Art de L'Automobile

Last week the Louvre in Paris unveiled to the public a collection that previously only a select few had ever seen.  Ralph Lauren himself is showcasing his exquisite private collection of classic cars at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from April 28th to August 28th.  This exhibition proves that cars are truly an artform, reflecting the human relationship with form and design.  Each one of these automobiles exudes classic style and their sophisticated elegance serves as an inspiration to find beauty in our surroundings.

Images via Polo.com

Listen to Ralph talk about his collection and be sure to visit the Polo website to read more about the cars in the collection and even hear their engines!  


Also, here is an article featured in the Wall Street Journal about the exhibit.

Touch Wood

This Japanese commercial has to be one of the most elaborate and innovative I have seen in a while.


The phone is a collaboration between Sharp, Olympus, and "more trees", a reforestation organization, and made from surplus wood from forest-thinning operations.  The prototype is called TOUCH WOOD and each one is specially compressed to resist water, insects, and mildew.  It features a distinctive cypress grain pattern and is ergonomically designed to fit in your hand.  This reminded me of my post on Vers ipod cases a while back, mixing technology and renewable resources - cool!

Jack Peñate

Image via Clashmusic

I've been hooked on Jack Peñate's music for a quite a while now.   This Brit really knows how to jam.  The signet ring wearing 26 year old from the UK has smashing style and a sound to match.  Known to sport quilted jackets, tweed blazers, and oxfords, he doesn't fit the traditional mold of British Indie Rock acts.  His music is an innovative mix of rock and soul with enough hooks to keep it danceable.  An attendee of St. Olave's Prep and the Alleyn's School in London, and grandson of the British writer and poet Mervyn Peake, he's a true prep at heart.

image via Chinashop

Here is a great video showcasing Mr. Peñate's musical talents as well as his signature style.  It comes from his Everything is New album, which is definitely worth a listen.  One of his friends and former bandmates, Felix White, is the current guitarist in another great band called the Maccabees. Enjoy!