Harrys of London: Contemporary British Footwear Brand Designed for Elegance and Engineered for Comfort
A Q&A with Stefano Porsia, Harrys of London's Head of Product, Buying and Merchandising.
An Ode to the iPod
Recently I was opening what I assumed was a box of Christmas decorations, but was really a memory box of sorts from my high school and university years. Here, a pendant from school; there, a ticket to an amusement park. I felt like an archeologist, digging up remnants of the Lost Civilization of the Aughts. And below the candy wrappers and movie ticket stubs laid the Rosetta Stone of this excavation: my iPod.
Shoe Contact Before Eye Contact
During the initial contact with a person, we probably all have our own personal checkpoints that we consciously or unconsciously run through. I read a quote: “I make shoe contact before eye contact” – and couldn’t help smiling, because this is exactly me; for me, it’s the shoes (and watch). I find the shoes being probably the most important piece in an outfit, but sadly I must admit, often also the piece that is the most neglected.
Living Standards
I seem to drink more and more Scotch and soda these days. Since young adulthood, there has been a part of me (for a long time considered wisdom) that reproaches the rest for wasting Scotch by diluting it with soda. Despite that voice, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to do so quite happily – my regular pour being one part Johnnie Walker Black Label, one part soda water, and then going the extra step towards the gallows of adding a large, cracked cube of ice as well.
The Greatest Jazz Album Ever Made
While I’m in no way an expert on jazz, I’ve been listening to the genre for over two decades, ever since my godfather gifted me “Kind of Blue”, Miles Davis’ infamous album, for my thirteenth birthday. And, 23 years later, that album still stands as my favorite jazz album ever made, one of the greatest in the world as a Google search quickly proves.
Know Where Your Roots Are and Be Proud of It
Meet Mr. Florian Thöni (@florianthoeni) from St. Moritz, Manager at Grand Hotel Suvretta House.
Kindness, Honesty and Good Manners
Meet Mr. Fernando Nafría Ascolizaga (@fernandonafria), a basque living in Barcelona. He's the co-founder of GALEA BESPOKE, a bespoke and RTW shoe brand.
Hygge
As I am writing this article, it is the day after the worst snowstorm that I can remember for the past 10 years. The kids’ school and kindergarten are closed, I am working from home and my wife has taken the day off because it is impossible for her to reach her workplace. Outside, the snow lies in high dunes, the driveway is no way near cleared and it is cold as hell.
It’s Almost the New Year. Are You Ready to Improve Yourself?
While I would like to think that I am not totally susceptible to the sway of the New Year, I know that this is false. For one, I recently re-upped my gym membership. For another, I have scheduled appointments with a dermatologist, dentist, and nutritionist for the upcoming weeks. No, this is not because I favor Quasimodo in looks, but rather so that I can start 2022 on good footing.
London at Christmas
During a heated conversation the past week, a question was posed about where the best place to spend Christmas was. New York, Vienna, Hawaii, were all put forward. These are fine answers, and have good merit, but for me, there’s no need to board a flight anywhere during the festive season when you are in London.