I love this collection of fashion photography because although there are no words or verbal cues to convey what exactly is supposed to be understood and felt through looking through its pages, Walker’s artistic mastery ensures that onlookers can effortlessly see the story behind it all. It’s really wonderful when a creator can convey universal messages in this way, and his work here definitely speaks to the value of subtle expertise.

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There’s a dreaminess to every shot in��Story Teller, and from the UFOs to the unicorns that find themselves situated in the midst of otherwise normal—if not strikingly beautiful—environments, there’s no shortage of things to be intrigued by. Walker’s use of both models and designers in these scenes brings the notion of the maker and the muse under the same roof in a way that reinforces how interdependent the two really are, and I appreciate that he did this because I think it’s something important to remember.��A consummate example of a work that is paradoxically able to make a grounded impression as it lifts away from reality,��Story Teller��is a stunningly beautiful escape that reminds us not to take life too seriously.��

This article was originally posted in February��2016 and was updated in August��2017.��

It’s true that Japan is known for their denim, but in a sea of competitors Chimala knocks them all out of the water. Their designs are a little bit androgynous, a little bit vintage, and a lot special. Every pair of jeans is indigo-dyed and individually handcrafted from start to finish, and even the fabric itself is woven by in-house artisans (on pre-war looms, no less)! You can instantly tell how well it’s made, and there’s no showmanship needed to substantiate it, either.��

I first learned about Chimala a few years ago through Bird. Now that the company has been around for a little while, they’re pretty iconic at this point and almost a classic in my eyes. It’s always cool when you think, “Oh, they don’t make them like that anymore,” and then you find someone who actually still does! From the fabric to the design process, I find it all very elemental and thoughtfully done.

I've never met him (and I probably never will), but David Sedaris has become something of a close friend of mine. That's the only way I can think to describe someone who, for the past twenty years or so, has shared so many of his deep thoughts, observations, and neuroses with me.

The writer, known for collections such as��Me Talk Pretty One Day��and��Holidays On Ice, is one of those writers who effortlessly reveals the inanities and hypocrisies that inevitably come with being human.

Sedaris has recently published his meticulously kept diaries, which have served as a constant source of inspiration for many of his stories. Each entry serves a little peek into his life, starting from his early twenties and into his late forties.��

It is remarkable to not only see his transformation from an aimless, misunderstood youth into a successful author known the world over but to also understand that the very words he's been logging at the end of each day have allowed him to create the type of life he so desired.��

Funny, sad, poignant, wistful,��Theft By Finding��is Sedaris's magnum opus a lifetime in the making and a book that's been a constant summer companion. ��

New England only has three salt caves, and one of those three is just one state over from the �IJ���̳ studio.����opened their Westport, Massachusetts cave last May after sourcing six tons of salt from Pakistani mines along the Himalayan mountain range. The entire space—ceilings, walls, and floors—is covered in the crystals. Glowing salt lamps, zero-gravity chairs, and mildly cool air (don’t worry, there’s blankets) round it out for a totally entrancing experience that’s as immersive as it is restorative.��

When I first heard about Himalayan salt therapy, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. But I’ve been going to Four Elements for years, so when I heard they’d opened their own cave I was also a little intrigued. Months later, I finally got around to trying it out—better late than never! Inside, phones aren’t allowed, talking is limited to whispers and meditation is encouraged; basically, the 45 minutes I spent in the salt cave were some of the quietest and most reflective waking moments of my life. Being surrounded by wall-to-wall millennial pink didn’t hurt either. And, upon exiting into the spa, the sore throat I’d had for two days? Gone.��

As for the designs themselves, Allied Maker turns to time-honored silhouettes for inspiration. Rather than reinventing the wheel—or, should we say, the lamp—they turn the classic into the contemporary, keeping all the original utility and bringing everything up to speed with new shapes and styles.��

As evidenced by all the solid-brass hardware we use on our bags, I’m partial to high-quality materials, so I couldn’t not order their light. I’ve met Ryden and Lanette before, and I always appreciate supporting other businesses with the same ethos as us. High-caliber small batches, minimalist design sensibility, and made-in-house designs are as important to Allied Maker as they are to �IJ���̳, and I’m looking forward to having one of their pieces hanging in my home for decades.

R Form’s new earrings consist of a silver perch inside which a minuscule vase rests, waiting to be filled with water and whatever little blooms happen to be in season at the time: alyssum, forget-me-nots, or maybe miniature roses. Their shape is even specifically engineered to not spill more than a tiny drop of water when inverted, so there’s no excuse to not wear them anywhere and everywhere.��

I love all things floral and whimsical, so it’s no wonder that these immediately caught my eye when they popped up on R Form’s website. The design of the Tear Drop is so creative and well thought-out— I’ve never seen anything like them before. To me, that speaks to the effort and creative skill this company puts into every piece they make, and I’m looking forward to seeing what other creations they come up with next.

Across the three Venice, Silver Lake, and Melrose locations, Moon Juice offers everything from raw, cold-pressed juices to chai lattes besprinkled with one of six Moon Dusts. What exactly is Moon Dust? Similar in appearance to a protein powder, it’s an organic mineral-and-plant powder that’s meant to be blended into smoothies or teas for detoxifying and stress-relieving effects.��Local enthusiasts swear by it, and on my last visit to California I finally got to have the full experience for myself.��

can only be described as beautiful, pure, minimalistic, and technically and painstakingly precise.��So whether your preferred artist is Gershwin or Berlin, Ella or Louis, Neil Young or Jack White, there is something to be said for a quality that can only be experienced with a player like Ovation.��Its thoughtful design approach reminds me, somehow, of a classic Volvo.��

There is a raw beauty present when timeless vocals and instrumentation are accented by a needle’s quiet crackle. The uncorrected nature of this sound, much like a hide of our natural, vegetable tanned leather, is somehow superior and more perfect in its original form than anything that might be digitally corrected or remastered.��

Last but not least, Ovation ensures that music played on this turntable is only ever to be consumed as the artist intended with the succession of each and every song considered— the real genius of it all.�� So, here’s to preserving a quality that never goes out of style.

Over the past few years, Perse has become one of my favorite designers and my go-to for casual, sophisticated, and simple comfort. Every time I slip on one his t-shirts, made from soft cotton-jersey, I immediately feel less stressed. It's no coincidence, then, that I tend to reserve my James Perse wearing for weekends and vacations. ��

I'll be wearing this particular t-shirt, , on rotation all summer. It's a not-too-dark, not-too-light blue and feels like a cloud.��

In keeping with said tradition, every piece is made over in Japan by conscientious potters who have proved their ability to maintain the exact same lines and well-defined shapes from piece to piece. Hasami’s line is characterized by a sense of clean yet unique uniformity, and the work of these artisans certainly proves that to be true.��

What I love most about the collection is the super minimal aesthetic and the muted earth tones of the glazes. You can have a group of all matching or all mixed glazes, and no matter what, they’ll look great together. And, because they’re so pragmatic and designed as a modular system so they can stack and nest perfectly with each other, there’s no reason not to have the whole set anyway.��

Of course, it follows that the drinks are equally as impressive as the environment in which they’re served. Le Perchoir’s bartenders are well-versed in their field of expertise, whipping up anything from a Negroni to a Blood and Sand with the utmost care and precision. Owner Adrien Boissaye has opened three more locations since the first’s 2013 inception, one of which can be found on top of the Gare de l’Est. Go straight from the train to the roof, where it’s a patio bar by day and discotheque by night. How genius is that?�� ��

Every time I go to Paris I’m always looking out for those hidden spots frequented less by tourists than by locals, and the original Le Perchoir is my favorite new find. It strikes just the right balance between laid-back and lively, with a disco-heavy playlist and more than enough throw pillows to go around. Seated at a communal table atop the City of Lights, with a cocktail and a baked camembert at hand- in my opinion, that’s about as wonderful as it gets (and wonderful it is).��

So inspired was he by this revolutionary ultramarine that Yves Klein continued to use it almost exclusively in his work, from full monochrome illustrations to performance art in which prints were made using nude models as both canvas and creator. Presently, Edouard Adam still sells it under the name VLB25 Klein Blue, allowing artists of today to take their own inspiration from his collection. And, good news for those on the other side of the Atlantic: of Oakland has just brought a supply of Klein Blue stateside, making it even easier to start making something beautiful.��

International Klein Blue is particularly close to me and �IJ���̳ as a whole. I’ve always personally found it to be captivating, and so it eventually came to serve as the inspiration for our own electric blue leather, a standout member of our color collection. Because we have quite a few painters and creatives among us in the studio it feels felicitous to be working with this shade, and I’m glad we’re able to maintain this tie to the art world in such a direct way.

Nobody has a grip on me quite like Aretha. With a voice so boundlessly deep and pure, she always succeeds at grabbing my ears, mind, and heart��and leaving me in total awe of her continual power.��

In a 1958 essay on fellow powerhouse��Mahalia Jackson, Ralph Ellison captured the��truly meritocratic power of both women: "There are certain women singers who possess, beyond all the boundaries of our admiration for their art, an uncanny power to evoke our love. Indeed, we feel that if the idea of aristocracy is more than mere class conceit, then these surely are our natural queens."��

My��Queen of Soul just celebrated her 75th year on her musical throne, and I'm feeling like it's time for some commemoration.��

is a maker of limited-edition high-quality prints from the worlds of art & culture. There are a few beauties in their Aretha Franklin collection, but one really, for lack of a better phrase, sings to me. It's a of Aretha in the recording studio on New Year's Eve in 1969.

At the piano with her eyes closed and mouth open, it's a visual representation of a gift that has given me, and millions of others, countless hours of joy and happiness and has left a lasting mark on the American experience.��

the Aretha Franklin collection at Sonic Editions.��

Operating out of a bright design studio that’s further illuminated by high ceilings, photos, and potted foliage, the artisans of Elizabeth Suzann create these beautiful items using one of eight scrupulously chosen fabrics that range from cotton to linen and alpaca. Every piece they’re used to construct is intentionally crafted to epitomize timelessness, as Pape is justly of the mind that a good��wardrobe is one which never needs replacing and will remain relevant no matter the season or year. There’s an intuitive elegance in all her designs- in an industry where authenticity can sometimes be hard to find, hers is welcome and valuable.

I just ordered the Clyde Work Pant and accompanying Georgia Tee from Elizabeth Suzann, and the great story behind this brand makes me that much more excited for them to be completed. What Elizabeth Suzann is doing for clothes in Nashville mirrors what we do for bags in Providence, with a strong��American-made narrative and artisan-made product. I love how interesting simple essentials like these can prove themselves to be, and the work this company is doing only serves to reinforce the idea that basic is often better.

A smart device, Tivo Bolt does what Tivo has always done incredibly well—it adapts to you. It learns your likes, dislikes, and suggests new shows that you might have never considered if not for the suggestion. I also love that because it is streaming-based, it universally syncs to any apps you routinely use for content: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Go and MLB.TV. For example, I’ve been able to quickly and easily jump from an HBO documentary on Warren Buffet to 30 Rock, which I rediscovered,��to The Philadelphia Story. The only thing that rivals Tivo’s algorithm is its utility. Its skip button allows you to remove all commercials seamlessly, and when you can’t use skip, its smart forwarding feature ensures you hit play at exactly the right second. �� ��

For these reasons and more — not the least of which was its ability to reintroduce me to M.A.S.H.,��West Wing and The Carol Burnett Show — I would recommend the Tivo Bolt to everyone who streams content. The quality of the hardware, its ease of use, and the research its developers put into its functionality were all incredibly appealing to me. Additionally, I love their mission to change the way the world watches TV- because none of us really need to find more content, we simply need better content that is guaranteed to entertain us for a while.

Of all the watches in this collection, the Rolex Daytona is the one I like most. This company has such a great, varied history, and because the Daytona model varies slightly in construction over time, it’s easy to date and interesting to observe the changes that it’s undergone. Popularized by Paul Newman, the Daytona passed its 50th anniversary in 2012, making its design slightly newer than the Rolex GMT Master II. The Master II style launched in 1954 and is a bit more classic in terms of appearance, although no less sleek. The cyclops and lug holes on this particular one indicate that it’s on the older side, although it hasn’t gone “tropical” yet. A few more days out in the sun, and its face might just develop that coveted brown, leather-like patina.��

Similar to the Master II is the 1994 IWC Aquatimer 3719, an automatic style made of titanium and offering a clear, modernized dive timer. It’s clear that this is a sturdy, well-made watch, but it should be noted that a watch doesn’t have to be obvious to be extraordinary. Take the two A. Lange Sohne Sax-O-Mats, for instance; these German watches are extremely subtle and craftsmanship-focused, but the proof is in the details. The exposed back shows off their gorgeous inner mechanisms- but this isn’t visible unless the watch isn’t being worn. The calendar date is large and blissfully easy to read- but this doesn’t register until squinting at the tiny numbers on the face of another.��

Of course, simplicity has its place, too. The Omega Seamaster has been around since the late 1940s, and I find this 1952 edition to be a really appealing design for its worn-in look and unusual date window at the 6:00 hand. The Seth Thomas and Bulova Accutron are likewise deceptively unique, with the former being quite rare — the company is mainly known for its grandfather clocks —and the latter offering an innovative Swiss tuning fork.��

Lastly, there’s the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT, a watch in a league all its own. With a day-night indicator, GMT display, and more, the sheer number of complications alone make it stand out- not to mention the fact that it’s a dual-faced model, allowing for two different time zones to be captured in one watch.

Any discrepancies aside, what these watches all share is that they’ve built a good reputation for themselves and have proved they can stand the test of time. Regardless of whether they’re Swiss or German, classic or modern, they’ll keep running through the years and from wrist to wrist.��

In the 1960s, Perriand began to collaborate with Les Arcs in Savoie, France to conceptualize their their new modernist ski resort. Part of this collaboration included designing the resort’s furnishings, and of these, the Les Arcs chair is probably the most well-known. Made of leather and metal, it has a comfortably clean shape and a feel that’s industrial yet warm.

I love that these chairs have a story behind them, and as a longtime admirer of Charlotte Perriand’s work, they appeal to me even more thanks to their curved shape so characteristic of her most renowned designs. It’s never easy to find leather furniture that’s fully vegetable-tanned and doesn’t use any fillers or other materials, but the Les Arcs check all the boxes. From their utilitarian good quality to their pure construction and developed patina, these rare chairs are just like a �IJ���̳ bag: they’ll only get better with time.

I recently visited ����𳦳���’s Flatiron location and was seriously impressed by both the space and the offerings. Seeing some of the products being made upstairs before heading downstairs and actually trying them is an unusually full-circle experience that sets them apart from the rest- and besides that, who doesn’t love an amazing cheese plate? ����𳦳���’s has some great ones, but their balsamic mushroom fennel mac and cheese and chickpea-cucumber octopus are equally strong menu contenders. In summary: there’s no way to leave here disappointed (or without taking home some of their Flagship cheese, just because).��

Photos via Marissa Nguyen and Serious Eats

Sometimes working with trained creatives on small-scale projects and at others orchestrating weaving workshops for adults looking to learn a trade, The Weaving Mill seems to be a place that’s never the same from one day to the next. By opening the space to a wide variety of people, the founders — Emily Winter and Matti Sloman — are able to both learn from peers and give back to the public, an unusual and special way of practicing their art.��

Out of all their recent projects, I especially like the Churro Churro blankets. Only 22 have been made, and because the yarn is American-made from Navajo-raised sheep, they’re bound to be especially high-quality (and warm). Simple, sturdy, and handcrafted, it’s a product that will undoubtedly last for a long while, and knowing that it comes from such an interesting design studio is just one more positive to add into the mix.��

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Much like �IJ���̳, Chloe does all the work in her own studio, and so I love being able to support the enterprise of one of our own who��shares��a commitment to exquisite quality and the handmade in America's Creative Capital, Providence RI. The R Form earrings I own — a made-to-order set called Juliet’s Orb, which can be reserved — are a testament to the aforementioned unique quality of this collection: every single time I’ve worn these, most recently at Providence’s own Trinity Repertory theatre, strangers have approached to ask where they’re from. I love silver and effortlessly soft, curved silhouettes, and these mother-of-pearl earrings exactly embody these characteristics. They’re a stunning example of the work that R Form Studio does, which is to make the smallest, most pure and simple pieces seem ethereal for their shape and rare artistry.

Heath originated in 1948 Sausalito, the brainchild of a husband-and-wife duo who respectively found their niches in business and pottery. Years after pioneering several design techniques from what was originally nothing more than a hobby, Edith Heath stepped down from the company and her husband Brian followed. Now, it's��owned by another couple — Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey — who have expanded the business while keeping it true to its roots; the original Sausalito factory is dedicated to dinnerware and décor, while San Francisco houses Heath's��tile workshop.

This is a company��with a culture that's built on every day (literally and figuratively) by its artists, and that's why I love Heath: their mission is similar to ours. I have some of their dishes, and the fact that each��piece is ever-so-slightly different is a testament to the handmade quality of their work. My next venture?��Adding some Heath tiling to my kitchen.��

Inside, The Eddy’s modestly luxurious décor — think mid-century modern meets Brooklyn loft — creates the perfect setting in which to pore over their seasonal menu of artisan cocktails. Returning staples like the Sazerac lie amongst changing offerings such as the current mezcal-based Flamenco and the Thai One On, with house-made fennel bitters rounding out Thai basil, apple, and gin.��

Every time I’ve stopped by this bar, I’ve been nothing if not highly impressed by the experience. For the ambience alone, it’s one of my favorite spots in the city to meet up with a few friends: the mood is upbeat but not frenzied, the music is spot-on, and it’s never too loud to have a conversation. Add in one or two of those incredibly good drinks, and everything is perfect.��

It doesn’t even seem logical to call a concrete bench or table “beautiful” or “inviting”, but these designers are challenging that notion with the care and creativity they put into their work. Some of the elements they use retain their natural coloring in the finished product and some have added pigment, but either way, Amoia and Mastrangelo succeed at making exceptional pieces that feel at once rough-hewn yet delicately molded.��

Of all their furniture, my favorite design is the drum stool. I like the chaotic and random beauty of the raw materials mixing together in a strict, man-made form. It becomes about the interaction of the material, texture and color by using a very simple shape, and between the embellishments made of BB pellets, silica, or sand, it’d be impossible to say that AMMA is anything but daring and original.

Kusmi’s original owner, Pavel Kousmichoff, was a young teenager when he happened to find work as a delivery boy for a tea merchant. He quickly became interested himself in the craft and business of blending, and the same merchant eventually gave Kousmichoff a tea room of his own after playing witness to his growing talent and dedication. With that, Kusmi Tea was born. Fast forward to the present, and the company is now run by a pair of French brothers who took ownership after none of Kousmichoff’s descendants were left to see to its continued success.��

I think it’s commendable that these brothers have used their own skills to revive a respected and long-running business — all the while keeping it true to its roots�� — but what’s just as wonderful is the tea itself. From the bergamot, orange, and mandarin-based Troika blend to the detoxing maté and tangy, deep��pink AquaRosa, everything Kusmi offers is artistically and gorgeously made. That doesn’t stop at the packaging, either; their tea bags are muslin and stitched rather than stapled, while their tins are colorful and classy. Bottom line: Kusmi makes the best tea I’ve ever had, and I’m going to be drinking it long after the seasonal chill has passed.

So I found myself in the midst of that perfect storm when I first saw the Baby Alpaca Coat by London-based Harris Wharf.

With an unlined construction, the coat has a perfect drape to it—casual yet elegant. The baby alpaca material is soft and warm. Both the construction and material give it the look and feel of a luxurious housecoat that can be worn in the world without seeming out of place. In other words, it’s my idea of the perfect garment.

The owner, Jennifer Luxmoore, opened Sin in 2007 and, along with her team of artisans, has been making some of the most gorgeous cakes imaginable since. From delicately sculpted flowers to Rice Krispie “apples” to a pile of books, a pot of lobsters, or an almost-full-scale R2D2, their designs range from the charmingly whimsical to the breathtakingly elegant.��

What I find so special about Sin is that their cakes are always surprising. It’s all in the crazy-impressive details. They’ve won numerous accolades for the amazing things they make, and rightly so; I’d wager they’re one of the best artisan companies out there right now. Sin’s cakes taste even better than they look, which is really saying something. They’re truly pieces of art.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer myself, and after speaking with her, I was left so impressed by the capabilities of her operation and her vision for her business. She started this bakery at a time when it was trendy to do just that: Cupcake Wars was at the height of its popularity, and everyone wanted to get in on the action (everyone but me- I can’t bake to save my life). Ten years later, most of those short-lived businesses are gone, but��Sin still endures because — ironically so, given its name — it is just so authentically good.��

So today, we're voting in a way that reflects the values of our company and which, in turn, are things��we personally believe in: exceptional vision, quality work, and dyed-in-the-wool��resilience. Together, our votes really do count- get out there and make it happen.��

We think our friends at put it best: if we all do our part, It's in the Bag.��

The menu at Commis changes each day and is never fully the same twice- with more than ten courses on any given one, that’s no easy feat. Many dishes, like a foie gras tart or fermented carrots and prawns, come garnished with tiny wildflowers that thematically synchronize with the larger vases on each table and understated yet welcoming atmosphere of the place as a whole. Owner and head chef James Sybahout, an Oakland native himself, sees Commis as a second home into which he welcomes the public- so it’s no wonder he’d give it such a special feel.��

I’ve visited Commis before, and it really is incredible. Every dish is impeccably presented and paired with an amazing wine, and when I was there, the sommelier came out to present each of those wines and inform us why he had chosen them to go with each respective dish. You don’t ever see the menu until dinner has been completed, an interesting choice that I didn’t expect but definitely liked. Between the minimalist ambience and the amazing food — even the bread was probably the best I’ve ever had — Commis is a place I’ll definitely be��returning to again.

Photos��© Commis��