Wow. Just wow. I have always extolled the exquisite craftsmanship that goes into each William Henry Studio knife, but having just watched this video of Belgian engraver, Gert Mathys, engraving a design for one of their pocket knives, my appreciation for their work has just been taken to a new level.

The video is almost 8 minutes long, and as intrigued as I was, I'll admit to skipping ahead throughout the video. However, what you see in 8 minutes makes it quickly clear how many hours were actually spent on just the engraving for this knife. The result is not a knife, but a piece of art.

If you want to see more of his engraving, he has uploaded a handful of videos to his YouTube channel.

Many of you have enjoyed the videos we've started to post on a range of products. For those that want to take their interest in our company to a new level, do we have a video for you? This video will either cement our place in your heart as the passionate upstarts trying to make a go of it doing something we love...or introduce the notion that we're doing everything we do, literally, "on the fly."

The backstory: several years ago, a production company approached us about filming the opening of our warehouse facility which we intended to also make available to the public. It was in the "industrial" part of town, which gave it its own charms.We hoped to open in time for a Superbowl party so much of the activity took place during our busiest time of the year: December. Havoc ensues. The show was called Ultimate Retail, hence the title of the post.

The video is just under 20 minutes long, so make sure you've got the time, a comfortable seat, and preferably, a fifth of whiskey. Enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.

A year and a half ago, I met Edward Armah at one of the Market week shows in New York. He had two innovative concepts: reversible bow ties and "pocket circles." I referred to his pocket circles as "the biggest innovation in pocket squares since the invention of the pocket square."

Within a year of launching his company, he's getting press in the industry rags, a presence in the Vanguard section of the biggest show last week in New York, and photos of well-dressed Italians wearing his circles at Pitti Uomo (the big menswear show in Florence that precedes New York).

But what is a pocket circle? How does it work? We've used the illustration above for the past year, but we finally felt his unique & innovative product deserved a video. So at long last, the pocket circle in a minute (the actual instructions are less than 30 seconds): 

And you can shop his Pocket Circles here...

As you may have noticed, we are slowly starting to introduce more video to our website. We are probably 3 years late to this, but better late than never.

If you go to our page describing Peter Millar's Microfiber Jacket today, all you'll read is: 

"Peter Millar's Microfiber Blouson Jacket features button cuffs, a partial elastic waist, front slant pockets, and contrast collar underside. Lined."

In the store, however, if a customer is considering the jacket, we will always grab a glass of water and pour it on the jacket. The water beads right off, and the customer often takes it then and there. Theoretically, it works with wine or coffee as well although we have yet to try. 

Now, with the addition of video to the site, we'll be able to better demonstrate some of the features and functions that make the products we sell exceptional. Watch the video and you'll understand why we love this jacket (and why my eyes are 3/4 closed in the preview frame). 

Peter Millar Microfiber Gregory Blouson Jacket  $125

 

I have no idea how to chop wood. I don't know how to check the oil on newfangled cars. But every time I saber a bottle of champagne, the crowd goes wild. "It must take incredible skill and practice to execute that", they must think. In reality, it's very easy.

In 90 seconds --assuming you own a Champagne Saber-- you, too, can impress your friends & family with this sophisticated party trick. 

I'm in New York for the week for Market, with appointments with all of our major vendors. We added Dunhill accessories late last year, and will be adding much, much more this year. It's things like this that get me really excited about expanding their storied brand.