Holiday Traditions

The Christmas season never fails to get me excited. The opportunity to decorate an interior, even temporarily, is always a chance to create in a new way, to update a tradition. And that can be a fun adventure for the individual who likes to keep it fresh and exciting from year to year. But that isn't me. The look I crave starts at the front door with a gorgeous wreath. Next, I love a fresh cut tree loaded with ornaments and garlands. The colors are traditional and the look is old-fashioned. I must have tartan, the...

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The Allure of Enduring Influences

When Ralph Lauren started designing womenswear back in the early 70's, I was a fledgling assistant buyer at Joseph Magnin in San Francisco. Cyril Magnin, Joseph Magnin's son, supported Ralph's business from day one and introduced his collection in a special shop at the flagship location in Union Square.  He knew he had a winner and was determined to let the world know. While I. Magnin had the local lock on established designers and purveyors, like Hermes and Louis Vuitton, Blass, Norell, et al, JM was the...

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The Evolution of International Style

If you are walking around any major city on planet earth today, you are probably aware of the apparent homogenization of style in clothing. For women, wherever you turn, it's leggings, giant scarves, sunglasses, boots or flats, a fabulous statement bag and killer bracelets and/or watch. It's the easy uniform today.  Or so it seems. And for men, jeans with rolled cuffs, a navy or black blazer, a custom loafer or brogue and a great shirt. Sunglasses, watch - good to go - anywhere! Where does that leave...

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The Grand Tourist

Travelling for edification and pleasure, as a rite of passage for the British sons of the landed gentry, reached it's zenith in the 18th and 19th centuries.  While certainly an enjoyable year or two out of a young man's life, this trip was intended to bring about awareness of how life was lived in other lands and meant to broaden one's outlook thereby. Acquisition of mementos of these travels would be expected as evidence of the worldliness and sophistication of the traveler. Upon his return, the...

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