While it does seem like an odd coupling initially, the latest designer/store collaboration between the venerable Neiman Marcus and Target, along with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), is definitely a welcomed one. 

I'm not exactly sure when the phenomenon of doing these collaborations started, but with pairings such as Jimmy Choo, Versace and Marni slipping into bed with H&M, and Missoni cozying up to Target recently, if nothing else, I suppose it allows the 98% of the country to feel "sophisticatedly upscale" for a change, while most likely irritating the 2% to no end! Starting tomorrow, December 1st, twenty-four of some of the world's most famous and fashionable designers, from Rag & Bone, Marc Jacobs and Thom Browne to Tracy Reese, Diane von Furstenberg and Tory Burch, as well as Southern California's favorite daughters, Pasadena's Karen & Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, will have their limited-edition wares featured at both stores. And what an offering there will be: clothing, dinnerware, studded gloves, serving trays, plus plenty more. 

I really like the Altuzarra black, mahogany-framed tray with gold detail and the "fashion" cookie cutters by Band of Outsiders. I can't imagine you not being able to find something for someone on your Christmas list this holiday season. Happy shopping! 

TOP ROW: Alice + Olivia, Altuzarra, Band of Outsiders, Brian Atwood, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Eddie Borgo. MIDDLE ROW: Jason Wu, Judith Leiber, Lela Rose, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta, Phillip Cranji, Prabal Gurung, BOTTOM ROW: Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Robert Rodriguez, Rodarte, Skaist-Taylor, Thom Browne, Tory Burch and Tracy Reese.

Images and video via Target.com

A few months back, Donna Karan opened her west coast outpost of Urban Zen in West Hollywood. I finally made it there today and while they’ve yet to carry menswear (hopefully, by the end of April, I was told), it was still worth checking out. Rarely, have I entered a space that felt so welcoming; the cordial staff, the smells, and even entering through a kitchen (yes, a kitchen!) all came together to give this place a most warm feeling. It was very much like walking into someone’s home.

While it is still a store, albeit a very homey store - selling clothing, purses, leather goods and jewelry -  the store’s main mission is to bring attention to the Urban Zen Foundation, with 10% of retail sales going towards the foundation. Donna Karan has said that, “The Foundation’s goal is to create a community dedicated to change – to improving patient care through integrative medicine, to strengthening children’s social, emotional and physical resilience, and to celebrating and promoting the inherent value in all cultures.”

Although it’s a small contribution, I picked up one of the hand-carved hearts from the Million Hearts For Haiti Campaign with the proceeds to aid the Hand/Eye Fund’s Artisan Grant Program.

The New York Urban Zen location recently had a benefit night where many celebrities (Hugh Jackman, Anna Wintour, Charlize Theron, Ralph Lauren, Susan Sarandon, Tory Burch, among them) came out to paint/decorate hearts to be auctioned off; furthering the causes of Urban Zen.

All images by N.D. Harrington for The Sophisticated Gentleman

URBAN ZEN
9045 Nemo Street
West Hollywood, CA  
310-247-1255
Monday-Saturday: 11:00-6:00

It’s easy to be labeled a dilettante when you come from wealth. But when referring to David Lauren, 39, and Lauren Bush, 27, featured in the October issue of T&C, it’d be more accurate and far better to label these two, philanthropists. This newly married couple (this past Labor Day weekend in Telluride, CO) has, for a number of years, independently forged their way with socially conscious endeavors. David has gone from painting homeless shelters as a teenager to, in recent years, spearheading the Match Rugby Fund, a RL Foundation’s initiative, which works with organizations like Donors Choose and Teach for America to provide grants through the sale of its limited-edition products. His new bride Lauren, who helped to feed the homeless as a youth, has taken a somewhat sartorial approach to doing her part in the world with her now four year old company, The FEED Project; the sales of her ubiquitous burlap bags providing food for the world’s hungry. Congratulations to this sophisticated and civic-minded new power couple.

(All photographs by Mark Seliger)

I once had a friend who, upon her return from safari, said that she was  having trouble remembering numbers. Never having been on safari, who was I to argue this statement's truth? (Its plausibility, maybe) And since it was said without even the slightest hint of a smile, I took it to be true. Barring an ailment such as Alzheimers or amnesia, does one normally unlearn something as fundamental as math? Wouldn't it be similiar to riding a bicycle? Well, recently I was helping my little cousin with her times tables and, for the life of me, I could not remember the answer to 9x6. Seriously, no matter how hard I tried - NOTHING! And yet I've never had the luxury of traipsing across the Serengeti. (Though I was at the Los Angeles Zoo several months back.) Granted, English was always my strong suit in school, but I have definitely known my multiplication tables since third grade. Thankfully, I've recently come upon the simply amazing math-based tutorial website, Khan Academy,founded by Salman Khan in 2004, which has even been recognized (and apparently, used) by Mr. Bill Gates. Originally, the site was started to help his out-of-state cousins with their math studies; the site now has over 1,800 video tutorials and has reached tens of millions in just a few short years. Mr. Khan (the sole instructor) takes you from basic  Arithmetic through Linear Algebra, touching on Biology, Chemistry and Physics along the way. I was just thinking, in case times tables aren't my only issue, maybe I should look for my abacus, in the meantime.

Studies have shown that one of the best and most effective ways to stave off Alzheimer's is by routinely performing mental exercises like Brain Teasers and Crossword Puzzles. At Khan Academy, you'll get these fun exercises, as well as, the core mathematics that you came for. Check it out.

Sitting through the movie on last Saturday, I realized that, since it's been about four years since my last eye exam, I probably should make an appointment. Either the images on the movie screen were fuzzy or... I should probably, at least, wear my old glasses in the meantime. Come to think of it, I haven't even seen (no pun intended!) my old glasses lying around in ages. Or have I?

I came across a write-up in GQ a few months back for Warby Parker  (888-492-7292). Have you heard of them? This company will undoutedly revolutionize the way we buy prescription glasses in the future. It is being touted as the Netflix of eyewear. More importantly, because they sell directly to the consumer, bypassing high priced boutiques, they've set their eyewear at an unbelievable price of $95.00 - including prescription lenses, which are made of an anti-reflective polycarbonate material. Equally impressive, is that they will ship you up to 5 pairs of frames to try on before your actual purchase. 

Another reason that I'd like to purchase my next pair of glasses from this company is that, whenever possible, I prefer to support a company that is trying to make a difference in the world and Warby Parker, along with companies such as Restoring Vision, is doing just that. Like TOMS shoes, for each pair of glasses that you buy, they will donate a second pair to someone in need. Clearly, anyone should be able to see the benefit of buying your glasses from these guys.                       (Image via website)

(Larkin Oakwood Brown, here and above)

(Larkin Revolver Black)

(Digby)

(Thatcher)

(Thatcher, Polarized Sunglasses)