Ivy Style at FIT

Richard Press at the Ivy Style exhibit opening at FIT, Sept 14, 2012

It was a fun night out at the opening of the Ivy Style exhibit at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  I got to see some friends and make new ones.  Bruce Boyer introduced me to the legendary Richard Press (Press as in J. Press) and I took him aside to make a few portraits.   How could I not?

G. Bruce Boyer and Richard Press collaborated on the Ivy Style exhibit, along with deputy director of the MFIT, the very talented and beautiful, but not pictured, Patricia Mears.  

Also at the opening was the photographer Bill Cunningham, who seemed like he was having a great time chatting with fashionable friends and not eating the hors d'oeuvres.  I was too nervous to introduce my self!  Kind of silly, I know.

I love this last shot of Richard Press.  Turns out he is an actor too!

A Dandy Talk - Save The Date, Oct 5, 2012

I can't tell you how delighted I was to be asked by David Zyla, Chair of the National Arts Club Fashion Committee, to speak about The Dandy Portraits and dandyism along with a few of my closest colleagues next month.

Please save the date of Friday, October 5, 2012.  The talk will be from 6-8pm and undoubtedly cocktails and hob-nobbing will ensue afterwards.

This is a super special event for me, in such a fantastic location...so I would love to see all of you!

Natty

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.

A Bit of London in New York

Ray Frensham visiting NYC, June 2012