NYWC: Whiskey Wise

Whiskey Wise

Like taking candy from a baby, Prohibition in the US caused a popular tantrum that resulted in an era of decadence and disregard that still captures the public imagination. The New York Whiskey Club presents Cutty Sark “Prohibition Edition”.

The excise tax on alcohol was such a significant contributor to the US economy that it seemed the pietistic efforts of the teetotaling Anti-Saloon League would remain in vain. However, the introduction of a nationwide income tax dissolved this dependence and paved the way for over a decade of merriment and mayhem.

The National Prohibition Act, also known as the Volstead Act, was passed into law in 1920 outlawing the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. As actual consumption was never illegal, the subsequent untaxed and inflated alcohol prices motivated immense investment in the party scene, giving rise to an era of celebration that appears in hindsight as a decadent public bender.

Indulging their love booze with such unanimous disregard for the law, the people reinforced the inevitable failure of Prohibition. Reinstated with their right to intoxicate, Prohibition ended in 1933, remaining to this day the only Amendment to the United States Constitution to have ever been repealed.

Cutty Sark celebrates this public victory by honoring one of Prohibition’s most notorious smugglers, Captain William S. McCoy. Cutty Sark “Prohibition Edition” is a handcrafted, small batch Scotch blended from top quality grain and single malt whiskies. Matured in American oak casks and non‐chill filtered, this 100 proof whiskey gives a super smooth finish with lingering warmth and subtle hints of spice.

The next New York Whiskey Club event is to be held at the MAN show during Men's Market Week NYC from January 21-23, 2014, spotlighting this rare and refined Cutty Sark “Prohibition Edition” whiskey.

Product Fact:

When most Prohibition alcohols were diluted to maximize profit, Captain William S. McCoy earned his honorable reputation as a rumrunner through consistently selling his merchandise unadulterated. This gave popular contemporary reference to the historical idiom “The real McCoy”, signifying something as being the genuine article.

Whiskey Tip:

Given the limited availability of ice during Prohibition years, whiskey was often drunk neat (without ice). Neat whiskey is best appreciated from a tulip-shaped glass, allowing the spirit to be appropriately agitated and capturing the aromas for nosing.

Drop Prohibition knowledge instead of ice into your Cutty Sark “Prohibition Edition”:

The earliest records of prohibition of alcohol date back to the Xia Dynasty (ca. 2070 BC–ca. 1600 BC) in China.

To conserve grains for the war effort, the Wartime Prohibition Act was introduced as a precursor to the Volstead Act on June 30, 1919, with July 1, 1919, becoming known as the "Thirsty-First".

A “speakeasy” is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages, originating from the need to speak of them quietly, and to be quiet within should the police be alerted. Also known as a “blind pig” or “blind tiger”.

Although homebrewing wine and cider from fruits remained unaffected by Prohibition, beer was prohibited. Al Capone’s empire was built largely on the sale and distribution of beer, earning his organization up to $60 million per year (somewhere in the ballpark of $600 million today).

The phrase "The real McCoy" is a corruption of the Scots "The real MacKay", first recorded in 1856 as: "A drappie o' the real MacKay," (A drop of the real MacKay). This appeared in a poem Deil's Hallowe'en published in Glasgow and is widely accepted as the phrase's origin.

Empire & Branch: Foreign Fashion, Local Success

Empire & Branch Combine Authenticity & Vision with Industry Expertise & Knowledge in Aesthetics, Messaging & Trade

Advancing beyond standard distribution and licensing models with a view to revolutionize the international fashion businesscape, Empire & Branch is emerging as the industry go-to for foreign brands looking to scalably launch in the North American marketplace. A uniquely comprehensive merchandizing approach incorporates all branding and business services to execute a thorough and successful market presence – from branding, marketing, PR, wholesale, retail, and e-commerce, through to warehousing and logistics solutions.

With an intimate understanding of the global fashion business and the various North American markets, Empire and Branch offers brands the ideal incubator platform through which to strategically maintain and enhance brand integrity while entering one of the largest and most complex markets in the world. The formation of a unique partnership with each brand ensures that the full range of business goals are aligned to maximize both profitability and sustainability, underpinned by the significant minimizing of risk. The refined brand selection criteria of Empire & Branch further ensures enterprise success, requiring a cultivated blend of personality, commercial viability and cultural significance.

Launching with three iconic brands, Empire & Branch clearly offers an invaluable approach to foreign companies entering the North American markets. As the world’s most revered and influential brand in color, Pantone Colorwear apparel is being introduced for Spring/Summer 2014; targeted at the male that appreciates classic style and vibrant color, this collection epitomizes the new basic – minimal yet all about the details. Founded by “the godfather of men’s fashion”, the British men’s fashion house Hardy Amies offers traditional menswear styling with an authentic and refreshing modern insight. And presenting the epitome of smart Scandinavian style, Tiger of Sweden is minimalist fashion with proud attitude; a different clean cut in high quality.

Bringing together a combined 70 years of expertise from each corner of fashion and business, Empire & Branch is well positioned to execute creative & business development. As sales, merchandizing and marketing director, Chris Pappas has helped champion brands such as Hugo Boss, Donna Karan, Ben Sherman, Diesel, G-Star and PRPS. A high performing international sales and brand development executive, Deepak Gayadin’s implementation of key strategic sales initiatives and accelerated staff development programs in Europe and North America helped grow G-Star Raw from a local brand to one of the major players in the international arena. After serving as a marketing executive and the driving force behind Diesel worldwide, Maurizio Marchiori was appointed VP of Marketing for Diesel USA to fulfill an increasingly important role that developed the brand from a product-oriented company to a forward-thinking market-driven leader. As a finance and retail specialist in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, Sandro Risi has a long and proven history in creating new business, reviewing and implementing acquisitions in the retail and luxury sector.

As custodians of their foreign brands, Empire & Branch expand brand and business innovation beyond design experience through the social development of structure and ability. Through their unique approach that incorporates all aspects of successful market penetration, this brand-building collective becomes a one-stop shop for fashion brands entering North America. For more information visit www.empireandbranch.com, or contact: chris@empireandbranch.com.

MAN Show 2014 For Selected Menswear Brands

A Curated Community of Today’s Leading Menswear & Lifestyle Labels

As the preferred menswear trade event for the more discerning sector of the industry, MAN is entering it’s fifth season with events in the fashion capitals of Paris and New York City. Showcasing collections for Fall /Winter 2014, MAN Paris is taking place during the city’s fashion week from January 17-19, and MAN NYC during Men's Market Week from January 21-23, 2014.

Open exclusively to buyers, press and fashion industry professionals, the strong curatorial ethos of MAN continually ensures a tight selection of up-and-coming designers as well as established contemporary menswear brands. Continuing strong into 2014, MAN remains devoted to offering their brands a welcomed introduction to the right cultivated buyers, as well as key media outlets and retailers from large scale department stores to independent, off the beaten path boutiques. MAN is first and foremost a place to build business and make lasting industry connections.

The team behind MAN has a long and involved history in men’s fashion and creative design: Antoine Floch, formerly of Surface to Air and Rendez-Vous tradeshow, and the creative team forming The Imaginers Paris, Romain Bernardie-James and Olivier Migda. With a new approach to creating a truly valuable event for men’s fashion industry, the great and growing success of MAN has largely been due to their refined yet comprehensive brand selection process; from brand personality and communication, website and seasonal lookbooks, to their educated understanding of the various international markets, all brand assets are assessed.

“To the extent of ongoing world travel in search of inspiring young companies, we strive to bring together the best in menswear,” says Director of MAN, Antoine Floch. “What’s most important is that each has something unique to contribute to the men’s fashion community.”

Beginning with just 30 innovative brands for the debut event in January 2012 and growing to a curated selection of almost 60 brands for their most recent event, the MAN shows have become pivotal dates in the international menswear calendar. With an understanding that personal style extends into lifestyle, MAN encompasses more than just apparel to include a range of goods and services that embody the considered taste of the modern man. From grooming products and lifestyle boutiques to local restaurants and a media lounge hosted by New York Whiskey Club in conjunction with The Randolf Group, MAN creates the ideal platform for like-minded entities within the industry to come together and foster aligned and amiable business relationships.

From strength to strength, MAN has grown to launch WOMAN shows, creating the same inspiring community for the womanswear industry. For 2014, MAN will now expand the platform to include a Tokyo show to include the Asian market. For more information please visit www.man-shows.com. 

A British Tailoring Icon Arrives in the US

“In fashion today there are no old men; only the young and the dead” – Hardy Amies

 

Empire & Branch, New York’s preeminent brand collective masterfully unifying creativity and enterprise, is very proud to announce the long awaited state-side arrival of iconic British men’s fashion house Hardy Amies. Available for Spring 2014, North America is set for an introduction to traditional menswear styling with an authentic and refreshing modern insight.       

Sir Edwin Hardy Amies, the visionary godfather of men’s fashion, began to establish himself as such during the 1940’s through his innovative and insightful progression of traditional British menswear on Savile Row, London’s home of tailoring. Popularizing ready-to-wear for men, Amies bridged the defining divide between the established and common classes, and in so doing brought the styling of elevated men’s fashion to all. His most lasting contribution to the refined male aesthetic that remains as relevant today as it was revolutionary when published in 1964, is the bible of men’s style: ABC of Men’s Fashion.

Fifty years on Hardy Amies is finally arriving in the United States, bringing with it the epitome of menswear heritage. Far more a brand of style than fashion, the traditions of the Savile Row establishment are entirely respected while progressing refined menswear through a new means of embracing the enduring integrity of masculine British dress. Hardy Amies stands alone in its ability to style the modern man as a confident leader of men, incorporating the fundamental hallmarks of the classic, aligned with the intelligent touchstones of contemporary and progressive design. This modern man need not purchase his way to confident style, but rather apply astute and deliberate consideration to his wardrobe. Simplifying this process was and is the genius of Hardy Amies, while leaving a man’s wallet more than capable enough to proudly enjoy his wardrobe in both work and leisure.

While mastering the thoughtful design for the worldly application of menswear is a serious endeavor, most especially for the modern man, male dress itself must remain foremost about ease. “A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care and then forgotten all about them,” Amies famously informed. And it is with this philosophy that Hardy Amies continues as the leader in outfitting men of the world.

“Hardy Amies epitomizes “the new London cool”, and we are very proud to launch this most iconic Savile Row brand for Autumn/Winter 2014,” says Empire & Branch Principal, Deepak Gayadin. “As a full lifestyle concept, the Hardy Amies range includes both men’s sportswear and men’s suiting, complimented by an offering of leather bags and footwear.”

Empire & Branch will be implementing a multi-channel distribution approach, focusing on specialty and corporate stores, shop-in-shop for high-end department stores, and eCommerce. For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

BlingoArt: 4LPH4B3T Auction

Artists:

Ryan McGinley, Sean Vegezzi, Nate Lowman, Keegan McHargue, Tauba Aurbach, Shawn Maximo, Steve Powers, Alex Da Corte, Chad Wys, Peirre Debuscherre, Dustin Yellin, and more to be confirmed.

November 21 — Neuehouse NYC — In association with Maker Magazine

A portion of the proceeds of this auction will go to benefit Henry Street Settlement. HSS opens doors of opportunity to enrich lives and enhance human progress for LES residents and other New Yorkers through social services, arts, and health care programs. Founded in 1893 by social work and public health pioneer Lillian Wald and based on Manhattan's LES, HSS delivers a wide range of social services, arts and health care programs to more than 50,000 New Yorkers each year. Distinguished by

As an art initiative, BlingoArt identifies new digital territories where artists can gain exposure through mass media channels and emerging technologies. MAKER Magazine is full-sized, non glossy annual magazine that sheds light on the creative mind and spririt, articulating the seldom expolored, more personal projects and perspectives of contemporary artists. Artists work in collaboration with MAKER to interpret and shape each issue through their specific point of view.

From the modernist "maching for living" to the post-modernist "machine for creating", NeueHouse is a radically new kind of office: a series of spaces, experiences and amenities innovators.

Embracing the future with a new approach to contemporary art mediums and avenues of creative appreciation, BlingoArt is launching with a unique digital artwork auction that

In an unlikely unison, tech entrepreneur Henry Lihn formerly of SinglePlatform, and entrepreneurial artist Nico Dios, who executed one of the largest exits from Bitcoin, have come together to bring previously inaccessible artwork into the digital communications arena. As BlingoArt they are dedicated to advancing contemporary artists by publishing their work for integration and mass distribution through digital platforms.

This melding of worlds brings together value that allows the creation of unique and exciting products, such as their recently launched BlingoArt. Working with some of today’s leading artists – such as Shepard Fairy, Kenny Scharf, Todd James and Futura2000 – BlingoArt is building a catalog of artwork converted to multi-platform “webchat stickers”. Purchased in packs of no less than 20 through the application’s stickers store for $0.99, users can then use their stickers to chat through their chosen device.

The contemporary art industry is insular, perpetuated by self-imposed exclusivity and limite physical modes of expression. Technology, on the other hand, is limitless and will forever expand and evolve to include new members and new ideas. Together, BlingoArt and MAKER are working to bridge the gap between these two seemingly disparate spaces by auctioning artwork in digital formats in which it has never before been available.

For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

Worldly Handbag Design for the Women of the World

Laura Vela Launches Pre Spring Exclusively at WiNK in Time for the Holidays

Manhattan-based fashion accessories designer Laura Vela, specializing in luxury handbags for the stylishly confident woman, is debuting her latest collection at New York’s leading women’s fashion retailer WiNK. Exclusively released through WiNK stores, the Ramble On collection for Spring /Summer 2014 presents progressive handbag designs in premium leather with striking compliments of exotic python skin.

Crafted with only the highest quality leather sourced from Italy, Argentina and Spain, Laura Vela is redefining luxury through global influences to edgy, minimalist designs. For the SS14 Ramble On collection inspiration has been taken directly from Vela’s nomadic lifestyle throughout the world. Seeing clearly the direct correlation between travel and the personal development of character, emotions drawn from Parisian architecture to exotic landscapes of Buenos Aires bring a uniquely cosmopolitan aesthetic to the collection that compliment the considered and refined designs of Laura Vela handbags. To facilitate the connection to the source of inspiration, each item has been named accordingly: the Pari bag tells a story of Paris romance, Trope of summer evenings in Saint Tropez, while Mia communicates the distinctive feel of Miami sunsets.

“A woman’s handbag is the most personal part of her wardrobe. It should be a reflection of her, both inside and out,” informs Vela of her underlying philosophy. Through this her handbags compliment the free-spirited woman who exudes chic and effortless style; the true woman within all women.

The Laura Vela Ramble On collection for Spring /Summer ’14 exclusively at WiNK, New York City, and online at www.lauravela.com. 

Designer Handbags in Authentic Python

Handbag Designer Laura Vela Launches Capsule Collection With Exclusive Preview Trunk Show

Manhattan-based fashion accessories designer Laura Vela, specializing in luxury handbags for the stylishly confident woman, is debuting her latest collection at New York’s leading women’s fashion retailer WiNK. Designed for exclusive release through WiNK stores, the “Capsule Collection” for Spring /Summer 2014 presents progressive handbag designs in premium leather with striking compliments of exotic snake skin.

“A woman’s handbag is the most personal part of her wardrobe. It should be a reflection of her, both inside and out,” informs Vela of her design approach. Through this her handbags compliment the free-spirited woman who exudes chic and effortless style; the true woman within all women.

Crafted with only the highest quality leather sourced from Italy, Argentina and Spain, Laura Vela is redefining luxury through global influences to edgy, minimalist designs. This latest Capsule Collection incorporates uniquely versatile python skin to offer luxury handbags at a refreshingly accessible price - MRRP $250-$560.

WHO:         New York designer handbag brand Laura Vela.

WHAT:       Fall Trunk Show 

WHERE:      WiNK, 129 Prince St, SoHo, New York City

WHEN:        Tuesday, December 17, 2013

                   5pm-6pm    - Private Press Preview

                   6pm-9pm    - Cocktails & Trunk Show (open to public)

WHY:          To preview the SS14 Capsule Collection in authentic python, New York designer handbag brand Laura Vela is hosting a Trunk Show at the SoHo location of exclusive fashion retailer WiNK.

Laura Vela is available at select boutiques nationwide and online at www.lauravela.com. 

"I Am Thalente" Proves that the Human Spirit can Skateboard

From the Streets of South Africa to California and into the Heart of skateboarding.

I Am Thalente is a verité documentary about once homeless skateboarder Thalente Biyela’s journey from the streets of South Africa to Los Angeles, California and into the heart of skateboarding. With the support of skate companies LRG and Bombshell, and skateboarding legends Kenny Anderson, Guy Mariano, and Marc Johnson, the producers have turned to specialist film crowd funding platform Seed & Spark to finance the completion of the documentary film offering unprecedented incentives and access to some of skateboarding’s greatest.

Nineteen year old Thalente Biyela has been homeless since age nine... At age 10, he was given his first skateboard. Skateboarding gave him an escape from the harsh realities of street life, a way to express himself, and led him to a community of friends who would become his family. His effortless style at a public skatepark in Durban quickly attracted international attention, and last year Thalente was given the opportunity to travel to the states and skate with some of the industry’s most accomplished pros: A dream unimaginable for a homeless kid whose inevitable journey begins and ends on the streets.

Whilst this story hinges on Thalente’s love of skateboarding, it gives insight into the challenges that homeless youths face without family, literacy, role models, or hope. Skateboarding becomes a source of strength and competence for Thalente to rise out of circumstance and make a place for himself in the world. His journey offers a unique perspective on skateboarding, the power of uncompromised acceptance, community and individuality.

Says director Natalie Johns, “I Am Thalente is this young man’s resume, his character reference and his best chance to continue down the path of building a better life. More than this, it is a chance to experience and support one boy’s struggle for survival and unwavering dream to spread the love of skateboarding.”

Johns met Thalente through friends and family in her hometown of Durban and was instantly captivated by his incredibly story. She has documented his journey to the US, his warm acceptance into the skateboarding community in LA, and the guidance by pro skater Kenny Anderson. In the opening of I am Thalente’s Seed&Spark pitch video, Kenny Anderson is at a loss for words to describe Thalente’s affinity for skateboarding: “I don’t know, it’s just like that unexplainable type thing. When you see it, you know it.” Which is perhaps why Johns’ film will be so important to bring Thalente’s story to the screen: audiences will see what words cannot capture.