Jeans are an essential part of every gentlemen’s wardrobe, we know that. But how many of us understand the value of high quality denim or the anatomy of a great pair of jeans? Throughout college, I can recall numerous trips to various department stores hoping to find a new pair of jeans that didn’t look out of place on my lanky frame. Surprise: no such luck. Either the detailing did not match my personal style or, more frequently, the inseam barely made it to my ankles.

Lucky for me, I recently had the opportunity to add a pair of Rafael Soto luxury denim jeans to my wardrobe. Mr. Soto is a Seattle-based fashion designer who consulted with some of the most notable names in menswear for many years including J. Hilburn, Barney’s New York and Amazon Fashion, just to name a few. Needless to say he has a well trained eye for the male silhouette as well as a unique understanding of textiles and patterning that allow him to create incredible menswear staples.

You can shop Rafael Soto’s jeans on his website and start at $248 per pair. While this might be a touch more than your typical denim I believe that the thoughtfulness and quality behind the design makes them a worthwhile investment.

Cater to You. Rafael Soto’s jeans have been specifically designed to evolve with your lifestyle. White oak cone denim is carefully indigo dyed, without any extra design details added. Depending on how you wear your jeans natural imperfections such as whiskers, stains and rips will begin to appear and add personality to your wardrobe.

All the Shade. The foundation to a powerful wardrobe resides in owning a pair of rinsed, white and black jeans. As they are worn, the rinsed denim will evolve into the most beautiful shade of blue while the black jeans will fade to a moody grey. These can be worn with a fitted dinner jacket or even a button up shirt for a more casual look.

Perfect Pattern. The hem on Rafael Soto jeans will shrink about one inch when washed and each pair is patterned with a 34” inseam. This design philosophy along with only three fit options (skinny, slim and straight) offers a sense of security and confidence every time you wear them.

Many wishes for a fantastic remainder of your summer! I’d love to hear your denim styling tips or thoughts about this post in the comments below.

Summer is a coveted time for residents of the Pacific Northwest. Having been raised in central Washington, I’m used to four distinct weather seasons; from subzero winters to scorching summers. I have called Seattle home for nearly ten years now and while I have a fondness for overcast skies (that photo lighting though!), it is hard to think about leaving town on a perfect summer day.

I recently partnered with Skin Spirit to host a reception style event aimed at teaching gentlemen in their 20s and 30s about preventive skincare. This truly was perfect timing because those who know me understand how obsessive I am about my skincare routine. Truth be told, I have struggled with the appearance of my skin, specifically acne, since I was twelve years old. I don’t think a day went by throughout high school and college without a distracting abrasion on my face. Luckily, I learned about the importance of high quality (not necessarily expensive) products and the value of consistency in order to maintain a healthy complexion.

I believe that skincare should be approached through a preventative lens and that our skin has different needs at different points in our lives or times of the year. With many sunny days ahead of me, I was grateful to get a refresher from the talented team at Skin Spirit in University Village.

With that, I am delighted to offer you the inside scoop and share some of the most popular options to maintaining youthful skin while hitting the breaks on the aging process.

• Beneath the Surface / I was surprised to learn that bone density and muscle structure can affect the appearance of our skin. Since our facial muscles are subcutaneous (just below the skin) they can have a significant impact on the elasticity and youthfulness as we age. The trained medical experts at Skin Spirit use BOTOX as a preventative technique to slow down the appearance of wrinkles such as crow’s feet and frown lines.
• Skin Deep / Because Skin Spirit approaches their services from a medical perspective their facials are unlike anything I’ve heard of. From extractions, to chemical peels and medical-grade masks, their facials sound like a little slice of heaven all in a luxurious spa setting.
• Sun of a Gun / One of my favorite activities is learning about new skincare products and (of course) trying them out. At this event, I was introduced to SkinMedica which designs products using years of scientific research with a long-term care philosophy. My new favorite is the Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 34 (pictured below) that not only protects from infrared rays but also has amazing restorative properties. One unexpected fact that I learned is that we should use sunscreen every single day; whether the sun is out or not. Seattle’s overcast skies retain infrared rays and you can even be expose to them from lighting in your office! Needless to say I got the hint and have since tweaked my skincare routine. This particular formula is super lite and non greasy.

I hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer. Feel free to comment below with questions or your own skincare secrets – I’m always looking for suggestions! 🙂

– Andrew

Many equate Seattle with constant rainfall. Granted we recently broke a record for the most consecutive overcast days (141 to be exact) but a true Seattleite knows that a Northwest spring and summer is worth the rain and wind we endure throughout the rest of the year. And with more sunny days ahead of me than behind, we can finally trade in rain boots for Ray Bans and enjoy all that The Emerald City has to offer.

I recently partnered with Perry Ellis, whose team challenged me to explore alternatives to happy hour that are just as fun. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity because not only was it an excuse to visit my favorite Seattle haunts, I also had the pleasure of incorporating designs from Perry Ellis’ Spring 2017 collection in my day of exploration.

Founded in 1967, Perry Ellis combines its legacy as classic American sportswear brand with a modern, playful twist. If you are a fan of pattern and texture then their new spring line is perfect for you. I love this navy and white jacquard patterned jacket + pant set because it offers a traditional slim silhouette and youthful pattern. My new obsession turned out to be the sapphire blazer jacket, which had a touch of stretchiness that made it comfortable as well. What I learned is that the looks I selected have a great transitional quality to them that is perfect for my lifestyle since my weekends typically consist of a variety of activities from running errands to creative meeting and dinner with good friends.

• Seattle Center is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Not only is it home to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, but you can explore some of Seattle’s artistic centers include Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pacific Science Center. In addition, the Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP (pictured), formally known as the Experience Music Project, offers unexpected exhibits on topics related to music and pop culture.
• It’s rare to meet a Seattle who can’t name their favorite coffee shop. It’s in our blood and the city is full of beautifully designed coffee houses perfect for a creative meeting or reading a good book. Amandine Bakeshop, a micro-bakery on Capital Hill, serves seriously delicious macaroons and features Dorothea Coffee in a modern space.
• While it’s sometimes hard for me to find time to enjoy Seattle’s outdoor activities, a visit to Volunteer Park is a perfect alternative. The space is a mecca in summer for outdoor volleyball and festivals. When you do feel like stepping indoors the Asian Art Museum and Greenhouse Conservatory are a short walk away.

GET YOUR WARDROBE READY FOR SPRING!

I hope that you are inspired to explore your city or revisit the places that are special to you. You are welcome to enter Perry Ellis’ “Get Happy” Giveaway for a chance to win a $1,000.00 gift certificate to update your Spring wardrobe! All you have to do is follow them on Instagram (@PerryEllis) and register at this link.

Happy Exploring!

xo – Andrew

Toward the end of my conversation with New York-based shoe designer Noah Waxman, I asked him which design from his new collection was his favorite. He pointed to the pair of gray calf suede mid-top sneakers he was wearing named “Hamilton.” The design was inspired by the hit Broadway musical and is defined by a two-tone kiltie above the shoelaces, reminiscent of the frill necklines of 17^th century men’s shirting.

This is a familiar technique for the designer who combines over ten years of shoemaking skill with a strong background in art and design.

Mr. Waxman spent many years in Holland learning the traditional methods of designing and manufacturing shoes. “I always had a fascination for shoes, but it was those years of learning about engineering, pattern making and carving that really gave me the respect for the craft,” he said. Waxman’s time in Holland was also marked by the contrast between historic architecture and a modern way of living, another perspective that inspires his designs.

“I sometimes joke that my shoes have a quality of old and new,” Waxman continued. “I want you to pick them up and have them be fresh and modern but I also want you to feel like you could have picked it up from your great-grandfather’s closet…a sense of old worldliness, you know?”

After returning to New York, the designer launched his eponymous label in 2013. The men’s collection is a curated assortment of boots, sneakers and dress shoes that are characterized by rich materials, clean lines and well-measured proportions. The designer also incorporates an element of “fun” that is brought to life by the versatile nature of his designs, ensuring they transition from day to evening with ease. Initially, all of Waxman’s creations were handmade in the U.S., but the brand has since expanded its production to include artisans in Italy and Portugal. A pair of shoes retails from $295.00 to $995.00.

I learned all of this during Waxman’s recent trip to Seattle for a trunk show at Butch Blum, the legendary downtown retailer and exclusive seller of the Noah Waxman brand in the Northwest. There the designer was on-hand to answer questions from customers. One well-dressed gentleman who stopped in on his way to a flight remarked, “I learned about this place because of your shoes!” He probably walked away with a shoebox – or two.

I was curious to know what was next for Waxman. He recently opened a storefront in Greenwich Village and introduced four menswear-inspired designs for women. (Those also literally walked out during the trunk show). For now, he is mainly interested in growing his brand while maintaining the artisan quality for which it is known. When asked if he has a style icon, the answer was “No.” But someone he admires? Serena Williams.

“I’m a really big tennis fanatic…her beauty and dominance comes out in the court but also in her look and everything she does. I’d like to bring in the sense of really believing in it to what I’m doing.”

Personally, I think Mr. Waxman’s white Gotham sneakers would be perfect for the court. Your serve, Ms. Williams.

Throughout my teens and early twenties I was, what you might refer to as, a creative hermit. I remember having ideas about almost everything but lacked awareness or a platform to properly express myself without sounding like a total egomaniac. I could not say, “that color doesn’t look right” without the knowledge to justify the statement. Luckily, I had some help along the way. My confidence was refined by amazing mentors, and I learned about the creative process through my experiences at Oscar de la Renta and Luly Yang Couture. While I continue to explore my creativity every day, I have learned that the creative process is unique to everyone but, for the audience, the most important part of creativity is the element of surprise.

In my role as Director of Celebrations at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, I have had the opportunity to hone my own imagination and create experiences that guests will remember forever. With my passion for customer service, style and the arts, I recently designed a dining experience that blended fine dining, high style and a touch of theater.

The tablescape started with rose quartz velvet table linens and textured linen napkins from BBJ Linen and gold accented glassware and silverware from Pedersen’s Rentals. The deco-inspired silver chameleon chairs from CORT (a personal favorite of mine) complemented the hotel’s ceiling high Palladian windows and 1920s vibe. Finally, Rented Elegance & Design designed stunning floral centerpieces complete with multi-colored orchids and soft mauve roses.

To add an element of surprise, I asked the Robinson Paperie to lend her stunning calligraphy to plexiglass pieces for an unconventional dinner menu. Each guest also received a gift with a personalized note explaining why the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is grateful for their partnership.

I wanted my guests to experience food in a way they never had before. I decided to showcase The Olympic’s culinary mastery through storytelling, so I asked members of the events team to narrate each course. This year’s concept was “With Gratitude,” and each course served as a progressive step in the process of expressing thankfulness – a virtue that, in my opinion, is sometimes overlooked in today’s fast-paced world. You can explore each course and narration by scrolling through the photos below. I hope you enjoy, and always know that I am grateful for your readership and support!

Photos by @206shooter

Damian Quilted Field Jacket – Charcoal by Sharply

Gavin Cashmere V-Neck Sweater – Black by Sharply

Slim Straight Jeans by Abercrombie & Fitch | Grey T-Shirt by Zara | Leather Boots by Timberland

Photos by Joshua Taylor (@truthgun)

Power Oxford in White by Buki | Jacket by Zara | Black Jeans by Topman

Maverick Crew by Buki | Grey coat by Zara | Slim Straight Jeans by Abercrombie & Fitch