"Enough About Me"

I have a number of interviews I'll be posting in the next few weeks and most of them went like this.

Lunch With Michael Bastian

Lunch & Elmo, 210 11th Avenue

New Digs

Michael

Eugenia

Antonio

Michael & Antonio

Eugenia & Michael

Antonio & Michael work on 2012

Stoneware

University Stripe

Trad Date Time Group 0802 - 2011 1355 Local

1x Large Pepperoni Pizza
2x Diet Cokes
1x Tea
1x Coke
1x Salad
1x Soup

Bastian's new digs are bathed in bright light that's MIA in midtown. Traditional and simple although I wouldn't want to dust. But, like a hard to wear hat for most of us, Bastian's 11th Avenue digs suit him down to the ground. It's spare without a lot of crap...which is a lot like Bastian.

Off The Reservation With Brohammas

Brohammas

Should'a brought a tape recorder

The affected car wreck

Which looks better out of focus

Last week I met Brohammas for breakfast in Philadelphia. Nice guy. Never had a drop of alcohol. Good thing we met for breakfast. Anyway, he asked if he could interview me and after two cups of coffee I was off like a rocket. You can read the interview and see his art here.

I thought a picture might help with the story (told here) of the ascot and blazer patch. I've tried to recreate what I wore that night here. I want to be very clear about the rule I broke that night. Whenever you wear an ascot it's best to tone everything else down. A lot.

That night I did just the opposite with a double breasted blazer and blazer patch. A pair of velvet slippers would have pushed this affectation way off the reservation. I told my young interviewer, "If you can't forget you're wearing it - you probably shouldn't."

The Trad Interviews Graham Marsh & JP Gaul

The Trad interview is a test on Trad sensibilities and preferences. It's supposed to be fun. I mention this for those of you in the Jerry Springer seats. (click on images to enlarge)

I asked Graham Marsh and JP Gaul if they wouldn't mind taking the Trad Quiz. I've used this test a couple times while tailoring it to the individual subject. Mr. Gaul took the test over the phone and did not cheat. Mr. Marsh replied to the questions from an email. I don't know if he cheated or not but he did cop out a couple times by picking both answers.

Surcingle or Strap: GM-Surcingle / JPG-Strap
Answer: Strap. Understated and elegant with Tiffany buckle options.

Giuffre or Mulligan: GM- Both / JPG- Mulligan

Answer: Giuffre. In the movie, Jazz on a Summer's Day, Jimmy Giuffre and his band wear Trad tan suits. Gerry Mulligan wears a red blazer that wouldn't look out of place behind a hotel front desk. "Ding, ding...Front!"

Old England or Hackett: GM- Old England / JPG- Old England

Answer: Old England. 99.9% of the Yanks reading this don't know what Old England is much less where.

Vespa or Lambretta: GM- Vespa / JPG- Vespa

Answer: Lambretta. Both scooters are unreliable but look cool. Like most Italians. But Vespa is everywhere in the states so the nod goes to the rarely seen Lambretta.

Jamal or Davis: GM- Miles Davis / JPG- Miles Davis

Answer: Ahmad Jamal. Miles Davis was greatly influenced by Ahmad Jamal. Once you've listened to Poinciana you'll understand why.

Pea or Duffle: GM- Pea / JPG- Duffle

Answer- Duffle. The Pea does not cover your ass nor is it warm. And if you've ever been to Norfolk, VA you know the other reasons.

Press or Brooks- GM- Brooks / JPG- Press

Answer: Neither. Trick question. The answer is the Andover Shop.

Tassel or Weejun: GM- Weejun / JPG- Weejun

Answer: Weejun. Because I am one.

Bean or Orvis: GM- Bean / JPG- Orvis

Answer: Orvis. Bean is pursuing the skinny hipster. Orvis continues to keep the fat, middle aged man in mind. Where's Bean gonna be when hipsters move onto Nik Nik?

Esquire or GQ: GM- Both / JPG- Esquire

Answer: Esquire. I didn't see anything from GQ in this book but there's a lot from Esquire. Again, Mr. Marsh picks both but this time he gets a pass. He has a book to sell.

Auto or Stick: GM- Stick / JPG- Stick

Answer: Stick. I shouldn't have to tell you why.