It’s always a pleasure to see to a brands reach out and work with the RIGHT person or persons on a project. In an era where companies are grabbing the most popular people to collab with in hopes of a few more likes or followers, it’s great seeing collaborations that make sense, collabs that come across organic something that makes you say this feels right. When our friend and photographer Justin “Tucked Style” Bridges collaborated with bag and accessory boutique Roztayger for their recent lookbook and the words “Now this makes sense” come to mind.

  I was referred to Roztayger by a buddy at a brand called J. Panther. They were looking for someone who could understand the aspects of the photography and styling so I decided to investigate the opportunity a little further. The decision to accept the job was easy once I realized how nice the group of people was. As a photographer, I take jobs for all types of reason – portfolio, creative challenge, etc – and then there are times where it’s just fun to vibe with nice people and get out into the streets for some cool shots. Not to mention, I also think the assortment of men’s bags on Roytayger is dope, I would own quite a bit if I wasn’t paying my rent. – Justin Bridges

Three artists you should spend some time with:

Chvrches, MØ, MS MR.

Every year teams of car enthusiastic from all walks of life prepare for the ultimate cross country road trip, the Gumball 3000. The Gumball is a 3000 mile international road rally that takes place on public roads (which means many speeding tickets and sometimes arrest come with driving at high speeds), with a designated checkpoint each night usually in a major city or different country. Founded in 1999 by Maximillian Cooper, the rally has drawn a diverse set of drivers ranging from celebrities such as David Hasselhoff, Bam Margera, Bun B and Johnny Knoxville, some very wealthy business men from all over the world and also some members of the Royal family of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Gumball isn’t about who completes the 3000 mile journey the fastest, its more about having a good time while making it a trip you will remember forever.  The Spirit of Gumball is the coveted price for competing in the rally and is awarded to the team who had the most fun and creativity in their cars.

With the 15^th Anniversary of the Gumball being celebrated this year, the rally is sure to be one to remember. The starting grid for the Gumball 3000 this year is in Copenhagen and coming to an end at the Grand Prix in Monaco.  This year is going to be unlike any other for the fact of the super cars that will be driven in the rally. Every year you see cars such as the Bugatti Veyron, countless Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s, Mercedes SLR/SLS’s, and many other rare supercars but this year will be different. Team Galag who have become a staple in the Gumball rally with their insane collection of cars decided to go a different route this year and not just drive your average supercar instead they built two of their own to race. One of them being a replica of the Batman Tumbler and another Team Galag designed supercar that will be revealed at the starting grid in Copenhagen.

Another figure that has been prominent in the past Gumball’s is Jon Olsson, who is known for driving his signature PPI Audi R8 Razor GTR. Jon decided this year that he also wasn’t going the standard route with his choice of cars for this year’s special anniversary edition of Gumball. He will be driving in his one of a kind Ultima GTR Rebellion R2k which he helped design over the past couple years specifically for running in the Gumball. Jon also will be sporting a Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II Tech while competing in the rally, the car and the watches are a perfect complement for each both with a sleek, lightweight body built for an adventure. Both amazingly designed pieces are crafted to be light but also very durable and strong which is a key to success in the Gumball.  The Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II Tech is the perfect watch for an event such as Gumball because of its design origin. We had the opportunity to ask Morten Linde, one of the founders of Linde Werdelin, a few questions about the newest watch in the SpidoLite family and also what is yet to come for Linde Werdelin:

Kicking off on May 18^th be sure to keep updated with the crazy parties, celebrities, and amazing collection of cars that will be hitting the streets of Europe in the Gumball 3000. Hopefully we will see Jon holding up the Spirit of Gumball trophy at the finish line in Monaco wearing the new Linde Werdelin Spidolite II Tech on his wrist.

**UPDATE** As Gumball 3000 kicks off Linde Werdelin sent us over some shots as the festivities got started

English bespoke is state side. Distinguished, comfortable, and resilient with just the right amount of pop for the summer, Clay Tompkins’ royal blue Super 130 English gabardine trouser embodies the best in quality and design at a reasonable mark up. You truly get what you pay for. I took a tour of the manufacturing facility, met with the highly esteemed Julian Hertling of Hertling Trousers (who was equally impressed with Clay’s vision and design). I was truly privileged to shake the hands that are integral in fashioning the brand and I thought it no greater endorsement than the weaving of the signature Hertling Oxford pocketing and piping into the Tompkins’ product.

”Everybody makes trousers” Clay says, “but you have to compete somewhere along the line, make it more elegant, and that’s what I chose… bespoke feature(s) that you will never find on a retail product in the United States.” The open lapped side seam is a throwback to turn of the century craftsmanship and ensures durability while adding a measure of stature, giving the leg a full length look with a contrived military stripe. The embellishment on the loop tab pocket closure is subtle yet poignant. The adjustable waistband keeps them true to form. “When you get dressed, it should be simple. Everything should fit perfectly so that once you put it on, you never think about it again. And that’s the whole aesthetic.”

The trousers easily withstood the rigors of my commute: chasing down (and catching) a bus, tearing through flights of stairs, and just being steeped in the general hustle and bustle of New York City that comes with the recent inclement weather. Suffice to say, rushed never felt so cool.

When you begin a venture with your name attached, it is every bit a fashion statement as it is a declaration of character; the risks you take and the quality you provide. You pursue it with the same conviction you exhibit in your every day life. And that commands respect. Do yourself a favor and peruse the rest of the collection as well. Your style is a reflection of self value. It speaks to the very essence of you. “If I won’t wear it, I won’t sell it.” Simply iterated, consistently executed. Whatever you’re saying, you can be confident at life’s podium in a Clay Tompkins original.

Photos courtesy of Stephen Obisanya

The modern era etymology of the word ‘value’ makes for a depressing conclusion. In its contemporary day-to-day usage ‘value’ has become synonymous with ‘low-cost’; when one says, ‘that’s good value for money’, too often they mean it was cheap, period. And that is a shame.

Value should mean something very different. If we limit our attitude towards value to a simple cost analysis without the necessary benefit counterbalance – without consideration of quality – we deny ourselves the virtue of true value.

Fortunately, the modern man is showing signs of rediscovering a passion for excellence.

I’m going to deal something of a sartorialist’s low-blow here by evoking Cary Grant’s wisdom in favor of my own argument. That’s a little unfair when arguing the nuances of men’s style since, well, who’s going to argue with him? But he was invariably right; never more so than with the sage advice offered in this pull-out from the 1967/1968 winter edition of GQ:

  I’m reminded of a piece of advice my father gave me regarding shoes: it has stood me in good stead whenever my own finances were low. He said it’s better to buy one good pair of shoes than four cheap ones. One pair made of fine leather could outlast four inferior pairs, and, if well cared for, would continue to proclaim your good judgment and taste no matter how old they become.

Watertight – both the shoe and the argument. Yet, since those words were written, there’s been an explosive proliferation of fashion brands and manufacturers, the majority geared towards mass production and responding to short-lived trends. Sadly, one of the consequences of goods being made widely available is a reduction in quality; permanence is a rarer objective than it once was in menswear.

The good news is that the industry is going through something of a renaissance period with a new wave of manufacturers focusing on the details that matter. One such outfit, San Francisco-based tailor Beckett & Robb, is committed to what it calls the ‘four Cs’ in its quest for value: cloth, craftsmanship, customization, and consultation. “[You can] get a ‘bespoke’ suit made on a trip to Hong Kong, but it is made of garbage poly/wool with a fused chest in 24 hours and it’s really only worth $199”, say Becket & Robb’s founders Jason Yeats and Derek Bleazard. A temporary fix, but not value.

And here’s where a ‘fifth C’ comes in to the equation: cost. A bespoke suit from Savile Row worn with a pair of handmade John Lobb shoes and a Drake’s tie may be the easiest way of looking a million dollars – but is it any wonder when the price tags are in excess of $4,000, $1,000 and $150 respectively? 99 percent of us would be inclined to clarify the total sum of such an extravagant order before having the cashier ring it up – and as the old aphorism goes: that’s a sure sign that we probably can’t afford it.

Nevertheless, there is a fundamental, inescapable lesson that every modern man should learn, and that is that we mustn’t allow money to constrain us entirely. There is no contradiction here, even when it is considered that one’s obsession with value inevitably peaks when one’s finances are at their lowest: as we’ve seen, to succumb to the temptation of parsimony is to deny ourselves of value altogether.

In many ways this is easy advice: spend more and get more. Nothing to see there. But the trick is for the modern man to achieve a healthy balance by fine-tuning his sense for a good deal. The trick is for the modern man to fine-tune his sense for value.

Your quest for value need not necessarily lead to Knightsbridge or Manhattan.  It may lead to a reputable local tailor, on the recommendation of a trusted associate. If your shoe budget is less than $350, it may lead to an esteemed manufacturer like Grenson or Loake. Not many of us can afford to wear an Audemars Piguet on our wrists, so your search for a quality timepiece may end at the doorstep of a brand like Daniel Wellington, with its penchant for preppy elegance, or Claude Bernard, a brand bringing Swiss engineering to the masses.

These options are not cheap. The initial outlay may still stretch your finances. But cheap is not value; don’t confuse inexpensiveness with a good deal. Get into the habit of considering your wardrobe and vigorously planning for its longevity. And make sure that you treasure every item within it – for the quality of its raw materials, the elegance of its design and composition, and for the charm of the brand’s own historical narrative.

Invest in value, not in stop-gaps. If your cost-benefit analysis weighs in favor of the ‘economy’ option, you’ll only have yourself to blame the next time you grimace at the faux leather peeling away from your sole.

And don’t say Mr. Grant didn’t warn you.

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is very “New England”. But not the preppy New England. I grew up in Maine and Vermont, which is a bit more rugged. Form follows function for me. I dress for my lifestyle and for my day. I appreciate well made things, so you won’t find me following a dime a dozen trend. I am willing to spend more on quality products, and have less in my closet as a result. I’m the one wearing 7 variations of practically the same thing throughout the week. Lots of button front shirts, striped tops, denim, leather boots. And usually a scarf, I own a lot of scarves.

What is your most cherished item?

My most cherished item is a bracelet my older brother made me. He passed away unexpectedly when he was 19 and it was the last thing he gave me. The bracelet is a leather cuff and he stitched beading into it. Really beautiful.

Where is your favorite place to dine?

Our local spot is Area Four in Kendall Square, Cambridge. My good friends own it so eating brunch or dinner there always turns into a great time with friends. It doesn’t hurt that the menu is epically delicious and they serve the best Dark n’ Stormy I’ve ever had.

What is the best advice you’ve received from your parents?

Both my mum and dad have loads of amazing advice. I’m very lucky to have them as parents. They were always incredibly loving and supportive of us kids. I think the sum of their advice would be to love yourself, love your family and friends, and accept the love you deserve from others.

What are you extremely passionate about?

I’m very passionate about drawing. Art sort of runs in our family. I have always worked with charcoal, pen, or graphite – my sister is the painter, and a good one at that. I have to find the time to fit my art into my daily life or else I get cranky. I would love to illustrate a book. That’s my next goal.

What lady do you think embodies pure elegance and style?
I think my ultimate style icons that I believe embody elegance, style, and whimsy (I’m adding the last one because it’s more me!) are Lauren Hutton, Katharine Hepburn, and Catherine Deneuve. I could go on of course, but I’ll cap myself there

What do you consider a staple in a lady’s wardrobe?

I would have to say denim that you love the way you look in (and are comfortable), a crisp white button front shirt, fantastically made shoes, and a killer black dress. I know, typical. But there’s a reason – don’t fix what isn’t broke!

Fast-forward 5 years; there I was trying to not only find myself, but also trying to figure out what it meant to be just that very word: Gentleman.

My grapple with this may seem trivial to the abundance of world hunger and systemic teenage binge drinking in America, but seriously, it’s a serious internal conflict nonetheless. Perhaps it stemmed from my lack of interaction with gentile folk in the first place. I hung around ruffians, you know the kids who rang door bells and ran away…

I was in no way some self-professed savant or suave wannabe Cary Grant amongst social derelicts. I was simply always the odd one out the pack.

Speaking of Grant, this guy is like the archetype for this sort of stuff. I swear anyone over 50 will attest to his gentlemanly demeanor. His picture was probably in every dictionary next to the word MAN. Further, how does one even stay that dapper at all times? He literally imbues a relaxed x sprezz coolness as it were as natural as a spring of water. I digress, lest this turn into another “creatively written” manifesto…

I broke up the question into two parts:

First,  it’s 2013 and most guys aren’t really trying to get that touchdown on the first date. We pay for dinner, maybe even a few drinks afterwards, and a gentle kiss on her cheek when the night comes to a close (and not invite yourself upstairs to her loft apartment to use the bathroom) Chivalry wasn’t dead, so I guess that part was down pat.

Second, being a gentleman went beyond women. It was it holding back from giving the inbred grease monkey at the bar an ass kicking after shoving me because my double-breasted sportcoat rubbed up against his Manning jersey.Okay, maybe not…but I guess it started with the clothes, it always does. When your friends rag on you, brush it all off your shoulders, literally.

This was all well and good, but it still begged the bigger question of the word itself.

I realized I wasn’t a gentle person. I smoke, drink heavily and swear (a lot). So, what was this quest of mine if I couldn’t even meet the basic criteria for being gentle? Or was it just that: taking the word too literally. I am a man. With all of its shortcomings and, well, one long coming. Ha! It meant living up to a standard that I set for myself. It meant working and living in a realm far beyond Mad Men. Yeah, that’s it, understanding WHO I am, not WHAT I was suppose to be.

Not only working hard, but working smart. Not dwelling on my prior horrid relationships and thereafter treating women with a clinical lack of affection because of this. Lastly, dressing in a manner that perpetuated a learned sensibility rather than one from a monthly GQ catalogue. No tight pants for me sir.

Yeah, being myself. That’s the stuff. Being wholly okay with my transgressions and faulty decisions concerning more than my wardrobe. Oh yeah, and being ready to admit I listen to Coltrane even though it’s apparently cool to say that you don’t. Showing emotion doesn’t make a pansy, it makes clear the fact that I am human and not a cyborg from planet 757409.