Skagen, known for its enduring, simple Danish designs, hosted a preview of its Autumn 2013 collection at small Danish Restaurant nestled in TriBeCa, New York City. I was able to preview watches and jewelry that will be hitting stores in late summer/early fall and was also able to chat with the Skagen’s new creative director, Thomas Bennedsen. Mr. Bennedsen brings a lot to the brand with his extensive background in design work, and we got to chat about common passions, namely travel, cars, and watches. He shared insight into the interesting city of Skagen as well as Danish life. I definitely want to add Denmark to my travel list!

The Autumn 2013 collection is filled with great pieces that range from casual/sporty to dressy. Each watch is sleek, functional, and eye catching. These are great timepieces because they are so lightweight on the wrist, and the new collection featured many designs in titanium. The upcoming collection features new designs as well as new collaborations. I’d like to highlight some of the exciting pieces of the Autumn 2013 collection.

The IKON:

This timepiece is, perhaps, the most unique piece in the collection. It is a limited edition timepiece designed by renowned industrial designer, Hiromichi Konno. The design is unisex and mixes Danish design aesthetic with a devotion to art. It will be strictly limited to 1,000 units, with numbered case backs and the designer’s signature engraved on the back, adding even more to the collector appeal.

PERSPEKTIV:

This was my favorite piece in the new collection. The PERSPEKTIV pieces are a curated collection of men’s and women’s that really focus on the design quotient of the signature Danish aesthetic. These pieces are a great mix of minimalism and sophistication. This collection was inspired by the elements of nature, so new colors and materials have been used. For men, the PERSPEKTIV uses durable leather bands in earth-tones mixed with a matte black case and matching black dial. I loved the larger sized face, but it was coupled with the sleek design which makes it very wearable.

 The upcoming collection will be perfect for making new additions to your watch collection, or to make a first purchase with Skagen. The Danish design of these watches is perfect for today’s modern man or woman with pieces that transition seamlessly from the office to dinner. The collection will be available at Skagen.com, Skagen Denmark stores, and major retailers.

Photos: Courtney Forrest Communique PR, Wes Holland

Welcome our new writer Dana Bach Johnson.

Wonderlust: The Great Gatsby

We are so excited about the ”The Great Gatsby” movie! This new lavish version by Baz Luhrmann is set to make the Jazz Age sparkle and prove F. Scott Fitzgerald still shines bright. The beloved novel showcases glamorous lifestyles amongst turmoiled relationships. Leonardo DiCaprio is so dapper as Jay Gatsby and the beautiful Carey Mulligan twinkles as Daisy Buchanan. The story is so timeless and the movie promises to be full of great drama, stylish clothes, and amazing parties. Get inspired and go see “The Great Gatsby”! Here are some of my favorites inspired by The Great Gatsby movie, what I really recommend though – read the book as well!

The quote

The style

Are you loving this style as much as we are? Luckily there are now many Great Gatsby and 20s’ inspired collections available and out hot tips to check out now include: Warby Parker’s  1922 limited edition eyewear collection, Modcloth’s 1920s inspired accessories and clothing,  Out of Print’s Great Gatsby Collection and that fabulous mens Great Gatsby Collection by Brooks Brothers. Once you seen the movie and stocked up on your own fabulous 20s ensembles it’s time to throw your own The Great Gatsby garden party!

The movie

Enter the world of glitz and glamour, parties and beautiful houses of The Great Gatsby:

Wallis is a London based fashion company with multiple locations in London, and an online presence here in the United States. Wallis debuted its Autumn/Winter 2013 collection for a new, premier label “W”, alongside current offerings of the spring/summer collection. The new collection was showcased at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York.

I was able to preview the collection and speak personally with the head designer, Sital Mehta. The new, premier W line is, in my opinion, an outstanding value. The pieces incorporate details, yet are offered at a price point that is very accessible. The fall collection is filled with tailored blazers, outwear, dresses, and easy-to-wear knits.

I think Sital’s insights into the collection say the most. I asked him about his inspiration as well as the targeted consumer and details about pieces in the line. Sital gave me the following insight:

W is going to be a limited edition line. We noted a niche market among the 35-40 year old consumer who can invest more into her fashions. This is a consumer who is looking for trends but does not want to become a slave to fashion. The new collection allows women to get the look, but to do so with longevity. She can still wear these pieces 2 years from now.

Sital has a background in menswear, and he has really brought these expertise to this collection in the form of quality tailoring and details. He said his ultimate mission is to have a stand-alone store in New York. Wallis is really mixing affordability with fashion trends.

Photos: Big Pic PR

When I think of Jay Gatsby, I think of classic, impeccable, enduring style. This is exactly who Gatsby is as he embodies a throwback to the polished styles of the roaring twenties. Today’s modern man can recreate Gatsby’s style with classic pieces, attention to detail, and great tailoring.

One of my favorite iconic brands, Brooks Brothers, released a special collection in collaboration with The Great Gatsby, however, you can find pieces reminiscent of this style from other preppy clothiers. Mr. Gatsby is swanky, and all about the details. Whether its a large party, weekending on Long Island, or in the city, Gatsby is always put together. His look has evolved, somewhat, into what some may know as the Ivy League Style.

Below are some pieces that can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe so you, too, can start dressing Gatsby.

The Vest:
This style of vest and be worn over and oxford shirt either by itself, or layered with a sport coat. It becomes more casual when worn alone and perfect for a soiree, or more formal for a cocktail en plein air when worn with a blazer. J.Crew has an array of great vests- featured here is their Ludlow Vest. Create interest by pairing the darker brown with a lighter colored sport coat such as creme as Gatsby is seen wearing in the image above. Available: J.Crew $128

The Seersucker Blazer:
The Seersucker blazer is a classic piece that has been in style for decades and decades. It might seem bold to some at first, but when paired with the right oxford shirt and accessories, this blazer is classy and sophisticated. Here, the blazer is paired with a pastel oxford and is shown with a pocket square to add more interest. This look is very representative of Hamptons society. I can picture Gatsby wearing this with a glass of champagne in hand. Available: Ralph Lauren $1295

Accessories complete the Gatsby Look
Gatsby is all about the details. In my opinion, its the small details that really make an outfit great. Accessories are the best way to add great detail to any outfit. Here, I’ve picked out some staples for classic, sharp dressing. Gatsby likes to get formal, so a good set of cufflinks, a tie bar, and a tie and pocket square in traditional colors and patterns are necessary. Sunglasses really bring an outfit together, and this pair by GANT goes well with the preppy style Gatsby wears on his weekend trips on Long Island. The GANT sunglasses would be great paired with the seersucker blazer above.

The tie:
Tie GANT “Regimental Stripe Tie” Available at GANT.com $98

The pocket square:
Available at Brooks Brothers $40

The cufflinks:
Cufflinks: Ralph Lauren. Available at RalphLauren.com $395

The sunglasses:
Sunglasses GANT “Wellsy”  Available at GANT.com $195

The tie bar:
Tie Bar: Available at Brooks Brothers. $95

Wingtip Oxfords
Last but not least… Every man should have a pair of wingtip oxfords in their closet. This style is a go-to for polishing off any suit look. They are iconic and more interesting than a plain loafer or dress shoe. Here, the tone-on-tone coloring is very reminiscent of Gatsby and 1920′s society style. Available: Brooks Brothers $598

Photos: Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, GANT, J.Crew, Warner Bros Pictures.

BaselWorld, the biggest event in the world of watches, just concluded in Switzerland. This event features the most luxurious brands in the horology industry, and this year’s event was even kicked off by Felix Baumgartner. As a lover of timepieces and luxury goods myself, this event is very exciting as brands showcase new models and styles.

Aquadive, an iconic Swiss watch company, has been crafting professional dive watches since 1962. Aquadive released an updated version of one of the rarest dive watches in the world: the Aquadive Model 77.

This updated model is based on the 1977 Aquadive Maritime which was introduced in the early 70′s and was all swiss made. Very few of this model exist today, and it is thus highly coveted by dive watch collectors.

The NOS Model 77 case is all original and has a depth rating of up to 660 feet. The Swiss case, bezel, and case back are vintage genuine NOS originally manufactured in the mid 70′s. The crystal, gaskets, dial, hands, and ETA movements are all modern. Aquadive will be offering this timepiece in two movements: a vintage NOS Anton Schild movement (50 pieces) and an ETA 2836 Elabore movement (150 pieces).

To stay true to the vintage heritage of this watch, there will be no customization available. The case, dial, hands, and bezel are offered as shown in the configuration in the photo. The  ETA Elabore movement is priced at $1,290 while the Anton Schild movement is priced at $1,390.

Photo: Samantha Crafton PR

On May 4th at SIR Stage 37 in New York, celebrities, fashion elite, and media gathered to celebrate the future of fashion at Fashion Loves Animals hosted by and benefiting Farm Sanctuary. The event also honored VAUTE Couture President and Creative Director Leanne, Mai-ly Hilgart, who has been hailed “the rebel of Fashion Week” by CNN.

The evening started off with cocktails and vegan food created by Jay Asafa which was accompanied by music by DJ Princess Superstar. The main highlight, the runway show, featured some of the hottest labels in vegan fashion including Love is Mighty, Brave GentleMan, and Matt & Nat. Hilgart was actually the first to showcase an all-vegan label at New York Fashion Week with her Vaute Couture brand.

After the show, an action was held where guests were able to bid on prizes such as VAUTE Couture pieces, a gift basket by the Body Shop, and the opportunity to have Chef Jay Astafa visit your home to cook for you and friends. All the proceeds went to the Farm Sanctuary and their amazing efforts to rescue and protect animals.

It was a very inspiring evening to see guests come together for a common cause and to hear the motivating speech by Hilgart regarding the launch of her already successful VAUTE Couture line. The future of fashion is quite exciting.

Photos: Farm Sanctuary Media Relations via Max Gordon Photography

The best Mother’s Day gift I have received was from my stepdaughters. A couple of years ago, they surprised me with an afternoon tea at home sophisticated enough to rival that of Ritz Carlton in San Francisco.

Tori, my youngest stepchild, planned my Mother’s Day tea for two weeks. She carefully selected the menu, shopped for all the necessary items, then enlisted her older sister, Kayla, to help with the preparations. They set a beautiful table with our antique wedding china that was my great grandparent’s, adorned the table and the house with fresh flowers, and used cloth table linens.

We had two different French teas, champagne to accompany two types of homemade scones, an arugula salad, cucumber and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, and crostinis with goat cheese. While we enjoyed our meal, we listened to French songstress, Edith Piaf.

For dessert, we indulged in Tori’s homemade banana, Nutella, Grand Marnier crêpes and Kayla’s chocolate covered strawberries.

With the beautiful table setting, carefully prepared food, and the added element of surprise, it was a Mother’s Day I will always remember and treasure.

If you’re wondering how you can make your mother, grandmother, stepmother or wife feel special, appreciated and honored this Mother’s Day, serve her an Afternoon Tea she will never forget!

Are you ready for Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays, probably because I have a soft spot in my heart (er, stomach?) for fresh guacamole and salt-rimmed margaritas. However, it can be hard to dress for this holiday without ending up looking like the flag of Mexico.

For this outfit, I wanted the festive printed top to be the focal point, so I paired it with white jeans and neutral sandals. However, I love the accent details within the outfit, such as the rattan bag and the Aztec-inspired earrings. The only thing that could make this outfit even more fabulous is a margarita in hand!

Get the Look!

One: Electric Kiwi Tank by J.Crew

Two: Delilah Earrings by Kendra Scott

Three: Rattan Tote by Tory Burch

Four: White Cigarette Jeans by Adriano Goldschmied

Five: My favorite margarita!

Six: Lupe Demi Wedge Sandals by Rebecca Minkoff

Cheers to a wonderful Cinco de Mayo!

Gifts that give twice

Mother’s Day this year is on May 12th in many countries, including USA. This year I collected 7 gift caring ideas that give twice. Many of these products support a charity, are made from recycled materials or are made with all natural ingredients. Great gift ideas for granola and fashionista moms alike!

1. Jonathan Adler Retro Floral On The Go Coffee Mug ($14)
The Jonathan Adler porcelain coffee mug with a coordinating silicone sleeve and lid isn’t just any pretty new coffee to-go-mug when you purchase it from Gifts that Give. $2.80 of the price goes to any cause of your choice, easily with a click of a button. Perfect for the soccer mom-on-the-go!

2. Patent Foundation Double Wrap Logo Stud Bracelet by Tory Burch ($95)
Patent Foundation Double Wrap Logo Stud Bracelet by Tory Burch is gorgeous and perfect for the trendy fashionista mom. All profits from the purchase of this item benefit the Tory Burch Foundation, committed to providing economic opportunities to women and their families in the United States

3. Smart Traveler Makeup Bag Set by Cuyana ($85)
Smart Traveler Set by Cuyana comes with two makeup bags, perfectly sized for traveling. The large one for toiletries and the smaller one to fit inside a carry-on or a purse for daily essentials. This set comes in several colors but the trendy emerald green is my favorite. The bags are Handmade in Argentina and Cuyana donates a percentage of profits to charity:water.

4. TOM’S Shoes ($53.95)
The ‘Classic – Circle’ Slip-On by TOMS shoes comes in cute new prints. And like for years now… With every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need.

5. FEED India Bag in Flame Navy ($75)
This colorful block printed FEED India Bag is handmade by artisans working in India. Each FEED India Bag will provide 50 school meals for children in India, and in ADDITION 15.00 goes to any cause of your choice when you purchase it from Gifts that Give. The do-good bag also looks good and it’s perfect summer, for beach days or farmer’s market runs.

6. Mereset scarf from fashionABLE ($36)
The soft 100% cotton Mereset scarf from fashionABLE is handmade in Ethiopia and allows women in Ethiopia to have a way of living. This thin scarf is perfect even for summer.

7. Pure Natural Diva Botanicals Perfume ($100)
Pure Natural Diva Botanicals Perfumes are a perfect a gift for an eco savvy mom. Made with natural ingredients and scent from heaven. May we recommend? Try the Natural from the four different varieties. It is fresh and inviting, with notes including a hint of clary sage, exalting pink grapefruit, Moroccan rose, and soothing ylang ylang. Calming yet luxurious, just what mom wants. 1.69 oz bottle $100.

Building a wardrobe that transitions seamlessly from one season to the next will make your  pieces that much more versatile. Spring is a create time to infuse some fresh pieces into your wardrobe, and selecting pieces that transition from spring to summer will allow you to get that much more wear out of your investment. Spring and summer dressing is all about pastels, prints, and bright colors. Here are a few ways you can incorporate colors into your wardrobe that will transition well from spring to summer:

1. Oxfords in Pastel Colors: 

Oxfords are a staple that every man should have in his closet. They can be worn untucked and casual on the weekends, or they can be worn during the week for a business casual look. For spring, select tones that are light and pastel in nature. These colors will pair well with color chinos and white pants. As summer approaches, pair a pastel orange with white pants and sandals for the perfect preppy, coastal look. 

2. Colored Chinos:

Chinos are the perfect pant as the weather gets warmer because they now come in an array of bright colors and patterns. Pastel and light tones are perfect for spring and summer while extra bright oranges and reds should be reserved for summer time looks. Opt to get your chinos with an inseam that is an inch or two shorter than what you would normally wear in the fall and winter. This allows for perfect pairing with driving moccasins and loafers without soaks for a classic East Coast summer style. 

3. Classic Accessories:

If investing in classic apparel styles such as oxfords and chinos, I highly recommend investing in a classic accessory or shoe to match. A well-made penny loafer can be worn with a myriad of different outfits and will last forever. Here, a classic light brown penny loafer is the perfect compliment to a pastel oxford paired with white chinos. This would be great for a spring brunch outside, or an evening party in the Hamptons during the summer months. 

Whether you are in the need of new clothes or just looking to freshen up your wardrobe, pick colors and styles that will transition well from spring to summer, allowing you get the most out of your investment.

One of those brands that offer timeless style and many clothing pieces that transition from spring to summer is GANT, check their spring and summer line on their website.

Photos: GANT & Wes Holland