The Custom Shirts Series, Part VII: Talking with Ascot Chang

April 25, 2012

One of my favorite shirtmakers is Ascot Chang, a family-run business with almost sixty years of history. Founded in Hong Kong by the eponymous owner and tailor, Mr. Ascot Chang, the company has grown from a small shirtmaking shop in Tsim Sha Tsui to a global custom tailoring business. Throughout that growth, they’ve always kept the same high standards. Each of my shirts from them fits in the exact same way - clean through the chest, torso, and arms, with no pulling or blousing anywhere. The fit is both flattering and functional. And although I’m only able to afford their lower end cotton fabrics, they’re always much better than almost anything I can find off the rack. 

I had a chance to speak with Tony and Justin Chang, the son and grandson of the founder, sometime last year (I’ve been sitting on this interview for a while). We talked about the history of their company, a bit about shirt construction, and some of the aspects of how a shirt should fit. It was a special opportunity for me, given how much I admire their work, so I thought I’d end our series on custom shirts with this interview. Click through the cut to read it. 

Read More

Posted in The Custom Shirts Series Ascot Chang Interviews Shirts
February 9, 2012
Jesse just got interviewed by Say. Big thanks to the folks over there for giving us some shine! Also, for those curious about Bobby from Boston, which Jesse mentions in the interview, check out this video on Bobby Garnett. 

Jesse just got interviewed by Say. Big thanks to the folks over there for giving us some shine!

Also, for those curious about Bobby from Boston, which Jesse mentions in the interview, check out this video on Bobby Garnett. 

Posted in Say Media Press Interviews Bobby From Boston
January 5, 2012
Part two of my interview with Michael Hill is now up at StyleForum. You can also find part one here. I had a great time chatting with Michael, and it was a particularly special opportunity for me since he designs most of my favorite ties. Here’s an excerpt from the second half of our conversation: “The only thing I always say is that of course there are rules, and it helps to know the rules in order to break them, however subtly one intends to do that. But I always stress that whilst we have all these rules, one should have a degree of spontaneity and intuition, and even individuality, about how we wear our clothes. So yes, most of us like to have a dimple in our ties, but that isn’t the only way, and there are certainly other far more important things in life. So long as someone has their own take on things and is enjoying it, I think that’s the most important thing. I think we can sometimes get a bit too huffed up about these things and I suppose in some ways, following the rules too closely can make things a bit boring.” - Michael Hill Go give it a read!

Part two of my interview with Michael Hill is now up at StyleForum. You can also find part one here. I had a great time chatting with Michael, and it was a particularly special opportunity for me since he designs most of my favorite ties. Here’s an excerpt from the second half of our conversation:

“The only thing I always say is that of course there are rules, and it helps to know the rules in order to break them, however subtly one intends to do that. But I always stress that whilst we have all these rules, one should have a degree of spontaneity and intuition, and even individuality, about how we wear our clothes. So yes, most of us like to have a dimple in our ties, but that isn’t the only way, and there are certainly other far more important things in life. So long as someone has their own take on things and is enjoying it, I think that’s the most important thing. I think we can sometimes get a bit too huffed up about these things and I suppose in some ways, following the rules too closely can make things a bit boring.” - Michael Hill

Go give it a read!

Posted in Drake's Interviews Michael Hill Ties StyleForum
December 21, 2011
Interview with Michael Hill of Drake’s I interviewed Michael Hill of Drake’s a few weeks ago for StyleForum. It was a very special opportunity for me since Michael designs most of my favorite ties. The interview is quite long, so I’ve split it into two parts. You can read the first part here.

Interview with Michael Hill of Drake’s

I interviewed Michael Hill of Drake’s a few weeks ago for StyleForum. It was a very special opportunity for me since Michael designs most of my favorite ties. The interview is quite long, so I’ve split it into two parts. You can read the first part here.

Posted in Drake's Michael Hill StyleForum Ties Interviews
November 15, 2011
Jesse has been in Ireland hosting Build 2011, and it looks like he also just got interviewed by Design Bureau. Give it a read!

Jesse has been in Ireland hosting Build 2011, and it looks like he also just got interviewed by Design Bureau. Give it a read!

Posted in Build Media Design Bureau Media Interviews
June 16, 2011

Glenn O’Brien on The Sound of Young America

Here’s a special treat for Put This On fans. I interviewed Glenn O’Brien, GQ’s Style Guy, about his new book “How To Be A Man,” for my public radio show The Sound of Young America. Since the interview is so PTO-appropriate, I thought I’d share it here first (and on the Put This On podcast feed in iTunes), before it airs on the radio.

Despite its title, the book isn’t another didactic how-to. It’s a collection of charming, funny essays about masculinity. It’s not a cliched masculinity, either. It’s a robust, full-spectrum masculinity that befits the author, who was a New Wave legend and a collaborator with Andy Warhol.

So: listen and enjoy! You’ll probably learn something. (By the way, if this happens to cut off, go ahead and grab the show in iTunes or by downloading directly from this link. Tumblr seems to have a bit of trouble with long audio.)

Posted in Glenn O'Brien Style Gods The Sound of Young America Interviews