Nathaniel "Natty" Adams with the albino peacocks at Against Nature, NYC, Aug 2012
Portraits de Dandys
Dandy Magazine, a French publication, recently did an article on me, and when I received the copy I was blown away at how beautiful it was printed. Gorgeous. Also, my name is on the cover (!) - yep, lower right. Of course I immediately put the text thru google translate, which was hilarious. Must learn French. {UPDATE: see Nathan's translation below!}
Soooo, they asked me to send over a few more portraits for the next issue also! Look out for upcoming issues, which also include articles by my friend Hugo Jacomet of Parisian Gentleman.
Fast Eddie Hayes
Ed Hayes at home in Manhattan, March 2012
How do I describe Ed Hayes? Legendary New York lawyer? Really, he is just legendary. Tom Wolfe dedicated Bonfire of the Vanities to him:
"Doffing his hat, the author dedicates this book to counselor Eddie Hayes, who walked among the flames, pointing at the lurid lights"
I was having drinks with a few menswear enthusiasts the other night - a couple of them legends themselves - and someone mentioned "Fast Eddie". I asked who is this, how do I not know them?! Well, it was Ed Hayes they were talking about (only good stuff, Ed). He knows just about everyone, and has seen just about everything. Lucky for us he wrote a memoir a few years ago so we can get the whole story: Mouthpiece: A Life in -- and Sometimes Just Outside -- the Law
I was introduced to Ed thru Sven Raphael Schneider of the Gentlemen's Gazette, who featured him recently, along with a selection of my photos. It gives a lot more background and context than I will here at The Dandy Portraits, so do check it out. Here, I want to show you the clothes, the colors, the ostentatious details, the overflowing closet, the character, and the charm of Ed Hayes.
It's what's on the inside that matters. Purple satin.
Heading up to his closet to change, Ed walks passed a painting by his friend the late Richard Merkin, and vintage black and white crime scene photos.
No space is wasted in Mr. Hayes closet.
Vibrant colors, braces, and the dimple in his tie - always the dimple.
The tips of these bespoke shoes are monogrammed with the initials of his children
Just a cast iron dragon at his front door. Better make an appointment.
He has his tailors build the collar so it does that thing he likes - kinda curve a bit.
He asked me if I wanted to see the first shoes he ever had custom made. Sure do. With years of care they still wear well. Ed started spending his money on clothes as soon as he had any.
Finishing touches..the pocket square and a few hard looks in the mirror.
A photo hangs in his bedroom of the late Richard Merkin, Hayes, and Tom Wolfe. Below is a framed letter from Tom Wolfe signed "Your herald, Tom"
Back to the business...dueling smart phones, calming the rich and powerful and in trouble.
Thanks Ed!
Classic Summer
Michael R Davis, aka "The Kid", plays trumpet in Dandy Wellington's band
A dapper party-goer, Michael R. Davis, and Dandy Wellington at the Seersucker Social
We made our way down to Washington DC once again for the Seersucker Social put on by a purely social endeavor: Dandies and Quaintrelles. I don't think we have anything like this in NYC, do we? It's not a club, not a business, but a social group that puts on events to get people to, well, socialize.
There have been a lot of summer activities and I've been getting out more than usual (yay!), so "Classic Summer" seems to be the theme here on The Dandy Portraits. A bit of vintage, bit of dandy, bit of Americana - whatever you want to call it, the men I'm meeting strive to dress well no matter what the god awful heat. By the way, why is a boater a summer hat? They are so hot to wear!
This man with the great stripes came up to say hello to Wellington, and it turns out he is a fan of The Dandy Portraits! Now if I could just remember his name.... Help me out if you know him please.
At The Jazz Age Lawn Party
Michael Arenella after his show, Governor's Island, June 2012
On Saturday we headed out to the Jazz Age Lawn Party for the first time since it began in 2007 (!). It happens now twice every summer, and the crowds are growing. Here is just a few snaps of the gentlemen I found...
Matthew Karl Gale
Matt Fox of FineAndDandyShop.com looking adorable
A dapper Italian fellow with an unusually colored straw hat
Working Class Dandy from Philly, David P. Lochner
Seersucker Summer with Dr. Churchwell
Dr. Andre Churchwell, NYC, May 2012
Phone rings
Me: Hello...
Voice: Hi Rose, it's Andre Churchwell....(insert niceties)...I'm coming to Manhattan for the weekend with the family, and it would be great to see you again! I'll be wearing a really marvelous pink seersucker DB with a straw boater to the symphony on Saturday....
Me: When and where? I'm there!
This is the life of an exquisite gentleman...causing a stir in with the rarely-done-because-thoroughly-impractical double breasted seersucker. Almost as impractical as the three piece seersucker worn by Natty Adams.
Outside the Plaza Hotel...quite the classic Hollywood look.
Striking color combination on this Mogador tie Churchwell helped design with Anthony T. Kirby
Then we snuck some photos inside near the gorgeous Palm Court...
First Look:
Hat: Brooks Brothers Italian straw boater
Suit: bespoke pink/white seersucker double breasted suit
Shirt: Steve Kempson NYC
Tie: Bruer
Shoes: Peal white leather wingtips
Socks: Paul Stuart
Second Look:
Hat: Worth and Worth porkpie coconut hat with the wide linen band - "Frank Sinatra’s – Cavanaugh Hat model of the 1950’s"
Jacket: Len Logsdail houndstooth jacket with leather covered buttons attached by a shank - "coat done in 1930’s sport coat model"
Shirt: David Mercer and Sons
Tie: Anthony T. Kirby
Trousers: bespoke full cut cream garbardine trousers
Shoes: Polo/Ralph Lauren two-tone spectators, white buck with brown leather cap toes
Bag: Bergdorf Goodman :)
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