C/D: Volume 18
🚀🦚🌪️🍒🌊🎾🪄💎🔮
Do you rememba? The entire month of Septembaaa. Hardly anymore I know…
With last month coming late we’re now hitting a more mid-month cadence but rest assured, C/D isn’t going anywhere. I mean, this is #18, after all, cmann! We are basically a national treasure at this point. I guess it’s time to steal the Declaration of Independence.
There’s a lot going on in my world and THE world and the beat goes on. A couple of trips to NYC, getting back on my film game, and a mafia prom. Have you seen The Hunting Wives!? While it starts to get chilly everywhere else, rest assured, it is 80 degrees in Los Angeles.
A very special painting finally arrived (will write about in a future dispatch) and today was my Mom’s birthday…happy birthday Mom!!
With love,
L11
Main Event 🎡
Togetherness
September is objectively the best month to be in New York. The city is pulsing as summer comes to a slow end and the weather becomes that perfect blend of warm with just a touch of humidity. It is also in a twisted form of irony the month 9/11 falls in.
Despite that tragic day occurring well before my time in the city, during my 8 years in NYC, it was not lost on me how impactful that day was in shaping what came next.
The heartbreak was sprinkled with heroic stories I’ve watched countless times like the man with the red bandana and new ones I discovered writing this.
About six months ago I came across the image below of the Brooks Brothers located in the World Trade Center plaza. It struck me because I had never seen it but also because of the eery stacks of shirts, fully in tact despite the destruction beyond.
Through the worst of tragedy, the day also represents unity. It brought New Yorkers and our country together in a way that begs being reminded of today. We could all use a bit more togetherness these days.
It is with that mindset, that I attended a hospitality event called The Welcome Conference during my September New York trip. Founded by Will Guidara author of one of my favorite books, Unreasonable Hospitality, the conference was a reminder of the power of coming together and the beauty of letting go.
As the entire crowd above jumped and sang to the direction of Savanah Banana’s founder, Jesse Cole, it was clear how connected the room was. Committed to the bit, committed to each other.
And whether that’s to remember the emotion of 9/11 and how it brought us closer as humans or a conference on hospitality being a literal manifestation of the idea—togetherness is what life is all about.
“If you’re here it means that you believe, as we do, that how we serve is as valuable as what we serve — and that you’ve made the choice to be unreasonable, not just in pursuit of product, but also in pursuit of people.”
I will always come back to New York in September, thinking about the past and looking ahead to the future.
An Invitation 💌
L11 Morning Club
The monthly breakfast/networking series I host at Soho House Holloway continues! Join me this coming Wednesday from 9am - 10:30am for complimentary coffee, tea, fruit and pastries. Come when you like and stay as long as you like. Just let me know if you’re coming.
A Restaurant to Consider 🍜
La Sorted’s - LA
As part of the recent S.Pellegrino x TILIT collaboration, I was introduced to the awesome team at La Sorted’s. The pizza scene in LA doesn’t get the same attention that NY does but there are some absolute bangers emerging from the depths.
One of those is undoubtedly La Sorted’s, home to a variety of slice options and a slew of other morsels like the insane looking Buffalo Chicken Lemon Pepper Fries (lol) below.
Visit one of their two locations (Silverlake and Chinatown) where the staff is awesome and the food is delicious. Shoutout great pizza and great people. And yes I still enjoy the food despite every damn thing in there being Dodgers colors.
A Store to Check Out 🛍️
Coach House - NY
Coach!? C’mon! We come to C/D for niche underground reccos, not mainstream 5th Ave brands! Fair—but the Coach House really took me by surprise. Sure it helps that the WNBA campaign I worked on was playing all over the store, but it was a few key elements that stuck with me from the visit.
First, the bag dino. This is just objectively rad. They were just like, “we should flawlessly execute a T-Rex made entirely out of Coach bags.” 10/10, no notes. This dino tickles my brain. I like it.
Next and more to the point, they did a stellar job of having brand elements that made it worth while to actually visit the store. Too often brands sell nothing special in their stores, it’s the same stuff you can buy online—so why would I go in to shop?
Not at the Coach House! This location houses their (Re)Loved and Upcrafted pieces—think one-of-a-kind returned or damaged items that have been given new life.
I left impressed and if you like the brand and are looking for something a bit more special, this is the place 4 you.
A Brand to Know 📡
Haven
Ok now back to our regularly scheduled niche gems. Haven (the store) is one of Canada’s top menswear retailers and has been around for almost 20 years with outposts in Toronto and Vancouver. I have literally been shopping online from them since I was in high school and went to their old location during a college trip to Vancouver.
Over the years they have slowly and methodically made the shift into their own line, fusing years of brand expertise with a distinct point of view on what makes clothes special.
Think Japanese fabrics, premium constructions and details that consider an active lifestyle. It’s been a real pleasure getting to know owners Daniel and Arthur over the years and recently helping them out with their pop up in LA. Keep your eyes on Haven.
Something to Buy 💸
A $5k Sailing Lantern
Balmuda is a company that makes toaster ovens and coffee makers. Not cheap stuff but not exorbitantly expensive stuff either. That can be a problem sometimes if you have a minimum price threshold (MPT.) You know, folks who only want something if it costs more money than it should. These are the ones that buy Chrome Hearts because after all someone has got to. Maybe that’s you? Live your life!
And in the event that you do have some hoorah dough, may I present to you the dopest lantern of all time. This is it folks. I wrote about LoveFrom in a previous dispatch, the mysterious design company founded by Sir Jony Ive best known for the yet to be released device they are building with OpenAi.
I just love the product photography and descriptions: “The soft, structurally robust lanyard is made from textured polyester that repels salt, sun and oil, and is fixed in place with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel button.” Yeah sure, whatever!
Limited to 1000 pieces, the time is now to acquire this thing. At $4,800 perhaps it’s really a steal.
An Account Worth Following 📲
Jasaya Neale
Jasaya or “Tree” as he goes by, has become a good friend since we met him on set at a brand shoot a few years back. Beyond being a dapper fella, Tree is a fantastic painter with a sharp eye for texture, color and depth.
His new solo show (with works pictured below) opens this Thursday at Martha’s Gallery in Austin. From what I’ve seen, he’s only getting better.
Last year he asked if I was interested in a small commission. Of course I answered! After weeks of contemplation, one day I had the idea to paint the only fast food meal I would eat with my Dad: Four tacos and a small oreo cookie shake from Jack in the Box. Kinda gross and kinda perfect. Thank you Tree. Thank you Jack. Thank you Dad.
Something to Watch 📺
Ring True To You
Most ads these days are trash, ai or ar ai trash! This new piece from Oura is none of the above. Honestly makes me want to get one. Love the song too.
until next time ✌️
Linkies: 1 (tiny wasteland) 2 (ultimate trophy) 3 (pocketbook hudson) 4 (deflated) 5 (fun chair)
share with someone you think might enjoy ❤️
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