Lismore Hosiery...Lower East Side, New York

This store is still open..occasionally.

Brunello Cucinelli Resort 2005/6 Preview

I stopped by the Cucinelli showroom the other day for a Resort '05/06 preview. I am a really big fan of Cucinelli's brand of casual elegence and this Resort collection just gives me more of the same. Cucinelli is focusing on the "little twists", I loved the linen sportcoat with all the great quality details and the completely quirky suede elbow patches. Another standout was the "soft" dress shirts with the "only I know" contrast binding at the neck.

The Orchestra Leader...West Village, New York

Michael is the leader of the Blue Orchid Dance Orchestra. I hardly ever stop someone on the street and ask to take their photo but how could I pass this up!

Maybe I Have Been Watching Too Much Law & Order And CSI

I was reading in WWD today that Prada has separated Jil and Helmut's financial results from the rest of the Prada group. The statement states that Prada is isolating "nonstrategic brands (Jil Sander and Helmut Lang) from the core group with a view to their subsequent disposal."
Wouldn't a Conspiracy Theorist postulate that Prada bought Jil and Helmut (at the time Prada's main competitors) just to run them into the ground? Think about it, with Tom Ford gone from Gucci and Prada now predicting $1.83 billion in sales by 2010, didn't Bertelli come out the big winner? Can't you imagine a "Ripped from the Headlines" L&O with Glen Close as a Fatal Attractionish Jil Sander going murderess on a Dennis Hopper's Patrizio Bertelli.

Chess King....Greenwich Village, New York

The Village Chess Shop is one of those only in New York places. Opened in 1972, its history is written on the faces of its long-time members and on the yellowing newspaper articles that decorate its walls. The Village Chess Shop is one of those places that is a world unto itself. When a regular enters, they are greeted like Norm at Cheers. Pick-up games are played day and night (until midnight!), every day of the week. I mean really, where but New York would you to able to support an all-night chess den, let alone two. The Chess Forum opened six years ago across the street and runs a similar schedule, if only slightly less steeped in history.

The Coolest Cat in Williamsburg

Savile Row Tailor Thomas Mahon in New York

Thomas Mahon ,Savile Row Tailor and author of the blog English Cut, was in New York recently taking orders from his growing American clientele. The Sartorialist asked Thomas a few questions before the beer started flowing.

How is your American customer different from your English or French customer?
The Americans appreciate that I travel to see them. Because London and Paris are closer, there it's taken more for granted. My traveling is especially appreciated on the US West Coast.

Has your blog had an effect on your business? if so more in the UK or the US?
The blog has helped my business considerably, especially in America. Where it has proved particuarly helpful is bringing new people into the Savile Row experience, which has always been a problem for us tailors..
How has the aura of "Savile Row" shaped the expectations of your
American customers. Do they insist on a very traditional "English Cut".
Very much so. My customers are particualarly looking for something to differentiate themselves from the far more common Italian style, which I'm happy to do for them.

What would you like to see more American men wearing?
More bespoke, from anyone- Italian, English, Hong Kong, it doesn't matter.

What is the most satisfying element of your work?
A delighted customer, and maybe a shared drink afterwards.

Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp which would you most like to dress?
I have no preference. However, if I could choose an actor, it would have to be Daniel Craig, the new James Bond. He's got a bit of an edge to him.

On The Street.... Midtown, Manhattan

You Heard It Here First...Bocce Ball!!

I don't know what surprised me more, seeing someone under 70 palying bocce ball or seeing someone chic playing bocce ball.

Style Profile...Jay Kos

The Sartorialist asks Jay Kos ten questions about his personal style.

Favorite store?
G.Lorenzi Milan

Worst fashion mistake?
Trying to hard

Guilty pleasure?
Cigars and Dark Chocolate

Describe personal style?
Personal style has very little to do with what one wears. Personal style can not be learned or taught, you either have it or you don't.

Personal Style quirk?
Leaving my cuff buttons unbuttoned on my dress shirts

Most overrated item in menswear?
The color Black

Most stylish city?
Milan

Never caught wearing?
Shorts unless doing a sport

When I was high school I wore?
Cowboy boots

Cologne, skincare?
Guerlain Vetiver