The Briefcase - A staple

Finding the right way to carry a laptop, headphones, charger, brief/portfolio or iPad, leaves the Modern Baron with an array of options from the straight laced to the casual. Items ranging from a hard hinged case, to ridged aluminum to waxed canvas satchels range greatly in both quality , application and price.

I have come to the conclusion that one must have 2 forms. The casual soft messenger and the more formal client case.

Here are some of the options I like.

The Saffiano case:

The Leather Messenger: Banana Republic

The Overcoat

As Winter approaches there is one must have.. a threquarter length over-coat

Banana Republic (where we have some connections) have an excellent one for just $300.

Hugh and Crye custom fit, delivered.

**With thanks to Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/edzitron/2011/09/27/hughcrye/**

Hugh & Crye was founded with the belief that the entire model of creating and sizing shirts is off, to the point that they don’t use conventional models to size at all. Where you may have had to measure your neck before, Hugh & Crye asks you to refer to your muscle mass and weight to get the right cut of cloth.

“I couldn’t find a shirt that fits” said founder Pranav Vora. “I could find casual shirts, say from H&M, that fit me much better through the body, but were hardly appropriate for work or after a few washes. Dress shirts came in two varieties – boring and expensive (think defense-contractor worthy blue-billowy shirts), or trendy and cheap (think floral cuffs and cheap construction). Both varieties had something in common – they fit terribly.”


The shirts themselves range from $85 to$105, which is a little more than some Brooks Brothers slim-fits, but with higher-quality fabrics and better service. Their goal is to break men out of a classic mold that’s one part laziness and the other part frustration. “Guys have been programmed to walk into a mall, find something that could maybe work, buy 5 of them, and then leave. Now [they] come to us because our shirts truly fit better than anything else they own.” I picked up the Gingham navy slim fit, and despite (the high quality problem of) my arms being a little thicker now than they should be; I am very impressed with the quality of the fabric and the workmanship overall.

The company is completely bootstrapped and currently entering into their first external round. Based out of Georgetown, Washington DC, they just opened their first studio – part stockroom, part showroom, part office, and to quote Vora “always a creative, chaotic mess.”

Mad Men echos: Goorin Brothers' Fedora

Since the 50's/60's swung back into town, I have been on the market for a quality, hand made Fedora hat. This hat was a staple in the wardrobes of everyone at this period from Sinatra to mob-Dons and later was reborn by Michael Jackson. That all aside.... the word fedora comes from the title of an 1882 play by Victorien Sardou, Fédora, written for Sarah Bernhardt.[2] The play was first performed in the United States in 1889. Bernhardt played Princess Fédora, the heroine of the play, and she wore a hat similar to what is now considered a fedora. The fedora became a female fashion which lasted into the early part of the 20th century. When the fedora became a male fashion item, it was popular in cities for its stylishness, ability to protect the wearer's head from the wind and weather, and the fact that it could be rolled up when not in use.

I found this one in Goorin Brothers in San Francsico and loved it. They will even steam it to customise firmness and shape as you so desire, without cost.

Top crust, Irish style

Here's What...

Heres How..

High class, born in the USA. The LongWinged Cordovan

Needless to say, a man does not and should not boast the same volume of footwear as his female counterpart. The mans shoe is not a 6 month (nor 6 hour) affair; and thus the appropriate research should be given to the shoe you are going to put on the street for the longer term. The complication of course, comes when you need a shoe that is versatile. Something that can go with chinos or jeans, or the right coloured suit.

The Longwinged Cordovan leather from Alden is that shoe.

http://www.aldenshoes.com/Store/DrawProducts.aspx?CategoryID=46&ParentID=94&PageID=&Action=

The Trunk Club

The basis of this idea is that you can join (for free) the Trunk Club, @ www.trunkclub.com and you fill in the necessary details of your style and measurements. You will receive a call (and facebook invite) from a style advisor who will quiz you on what you want to get from your experience.

The trunk club take your credit card details and mail you 10 items (based on conversations and preferences); and from these selections; you choose what you want to keep (and thus pay for).

I received Eton shirts and cashmere sweaters, and I am keeping a shirt and t-shirt totaling c. $200.

Looking forward to getting the next one!
See here for details
http://www.trunkclub.com/our-clothes/

O' Mast - High Quality from Naples

O'MAST from Kid Dandy on Vimeo.

5 Things Digital Marketers Learned From The London Riots

1) Influencers are a powerful means of spreading your idea. Couch rioters

2) Capitalise on emerging opportunities quickly

3) Choose the tools that your market is most familiar with

4) If you go Black hat, will be met with White hat competitors

5) The same strategy will work more than once it is patiently deployed

Santa Cruz, You're Not That Far

 

Surfing in California is akin to religion. So, being a new native of the 415; I decided to take a trip down the golden coast to absorb some of the vibe that had oozed through Beach Boy records- and try my hand at it. One of the NorCal mecca's (amongst many) is Santa Cruz- and so to the Santa Cruz Surf School I went. Just an hour and 20 minutes down the 880 > 17 the ocean views appear through the winding evergreens, and not long after that; you hit the Welcome sign.

There is something of a self-fulfilling-prophecy of the surf town. By its nature, it attracts bohemian types with an appreciation for a slower pace of life than most others. The architecture of the urban centre alone; speaks softly of the 60's; when 'east coast girls were hip'; and has not changed much I suspect in the past 30 years at least.

After learning the basics of paddling, arching and standing; we got to try our hand on the waves (the water was glassy.. there were no waves as such). Aided by Engau our Brazilian instructor. Having crashed out 3 times, I eventually caught a slow ride on the shore on my oversized foamtop- but I have been hooked!

I cannot wait to go back.

A simple lunch

I do not count myself among the most accomplished men in the kitchen; however I wanted to share a very simple recipe that I put together today for a lunch

• One Cut of sourdough bread
• 2 slices of prosciutto
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Lime fused olive oil
• Low fat Mozzarella cheese
• A fistful of mixed greens
• Half an avocado
• Rasberry Vinaigrette
• Triangle of speadable cheese
• Four crackers
• Thyme

Toast the bread, add 3 teaspoons of balsamic, a sprinkling of mozza; sprinkle thyme, then the prosciutto. Then avocado diced, raspberry,  mozza; and the rest is crackers and spreadable cheese. You will be surprised how these simple flavors mix. Give it a whirl.

What Dre and Conference Calls have in common...

I have a couple of things I am a really proud owner of. I will say at the outset that I am not impervious to the marketing trappings of pop culture, thus I made the long fought decision to purchase a $300 pair of noise cancelling headphones. I had done some research into the various sound titans in the market, and had been made acutely aware of the difference between business class and coach; as a younger man passing the executives decked out in Bose noise-cancelling QuietComfort3's. I spend much of my time in creative space, open plan offices; where there can be a good deal of ambient noise. Thus cancelling this distraction was high on my list of characteristics for choosing headphones.

So having taken a look into some of the vintage options; I decided to go pop with over ear Dre's Monster Beats at Best Buy. They are the hier to the throne of the range which include smaller a smaller Solo (on ear), and a range of Tour bud-versions that I have heard underwhelming reports of. There is another higher end pair, aimed at DJs and some limited editions. Owners can have their pairs customised by ColorWare for c. twice the cost of the headphones. I have to say I have not been disappointed. The call and sound quality of the Monsters is exceptional however not being able to hear yourself talk (due to noise cancellation) is a slight drawback of the in-call functionality. Mute/Answer/Hang-Up is all possible from the microphone smart-cable. Warning: you do look like a dj hipster with them draped around your neck in between calls.

Although I have not tried these; Klipsch has released a stylish new pair of noise-cancelling headphones for those who prefer a little more signal and a lot less noise.  The Klipsch Mode Noise Cancelling Headphones wrap a pair of leatherbound speakers in a smooth black-and-copper shell.  Each speaker includes a 40mm driver for deep bass and smooth mids, plus a 15mm tweeter for clear, crisp highs. The active noise cancelling system runs on a AA battery for up to 45 hours, then reverting to a standard set of stereo phones with classic Klipsch output.  They’ll soon be on the market for $349, a price well-suited to the frequent first class traveler. 

To Check or not to Check.

I have given considerable thought to both sides of this timeless debate - to check your luggage at the airport or to bring it as carry on.

Experts say that you can save as much as 35 minutes on each side of the journey. Whether or not this exact figure is accurate or not, my suspicion is that; indeed carry on is a substantial time saver. Thus, of late I have not checked a bag on journeys both from California to NY / Mid West or to Dublin. This however, leads to a greater difficulty: namely, what luggage to carry; and what that luggage allows one to pack.

22" is the maximum overhead allowance on most aircraft- if you are lucky enough to get some space to load a bag. The TUMI is a staple of business people around the world. Ranging anywhere from $600 to $1500 a piece, it is considered by some to be an upper echelon of luggage; without venturing into status calfskin sportsbags and the designer luggage offered by high street outlets [if  going this route check out the Prada luggage line, featured item being an old world steamer trunk].

To go one step further however, I was recently put on notice by a colleague of the German made Rimowa luggage brand. Dieter Morszeck, CEO of RIMOWA, is leading the company rich in tradition in its third generation. Like his grandfather who founded the company, he places great importance on perfect craftsmanship and precise production. Just like his father who introduced aluminum to the production, he is committed to new developments and continuously expanding the product range. 

The one pictured here is the 22" Topas in Titanium and is the best 2 wheeler the company make.

While one is confined to pack lighter with carryon, if you are travelling for up to a week; this is the way to go. One wont be packing 2 pairs of shoes (wear your leathers and pack your loafers), however there is ample compartment room to store all one will need.

It will be my next travel purchase. Watch this space.