Person of Interest: Andre Balazs

 

It's been a while since Luxe coveted a human being, rather than a sweater, so who better to covet than Andre Balazs? As one of the chicest hoteliers in the country, the European gentlemen owns some of the swankest hotels and properties across the country, from the reinvented Standard Hotel in Manhattan to the (in)famous Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Plus the thing that tops off his credentials as a man of substance is his recently failed ended relationship with The Ballbuster, Chelsea Handler. Mr. Balazs was recently featured in a campaign for Louis Vuitton to document The Journey of Menswear shot by the creator of The Selby. The campaign was made to showcase a few tastemakers in their own environment, naturally filled with Vuitton goods. Judging from this pictorial, Mr. Balazs is a sucker for anything LV, which makes sense for the amount of traveling he must do. However, I cannot tell if he uses the trunks for clothes or books. I'm not disrespecting either way. By looks of this photo journal, I have to say that Andre Balazs is one classy gentlemen with style. From the books in his office, to the framed photography on the walls, I like what I see.

 

 Photos courtesy of The Selby for Louis Vuitton

Travel Plans?

Let's talk travel. This Fall season has been a little overwhelming, and I'm in need of a little vacation. I won't have the good fortune to head off to anywhere luxe, so I'll just take a look at Louis Vuitton's Pre-Fall ad campaign. The Vuitton girl(s) are obviously jetting off to somewhere remote, cold, and chic. The classic Vuitton bags and luggage complete any travel accommodations, making the owner feel great, and anyone around them a little envious. And I also appreciate the Sofia Coppola bags make a cameo in these ladies travel plan. Anyway, this ad campaign really speaks to me, being that the girls are heading off to a chilly destination, and everyone knows I love a cold place... it's a little refreshing to see a travelwear company advertise their products going to cooler climates and not the beach. I think a long weekend is in order. 

By Your Side

Shuffling to a meeting with only a few papers can sometimes be a really big task, if you have no where to put those papers. You don't want to carry a bag or a briefcase for a small number of papers, but you need to keep them safe from bending, so why not carry a legal sized portfolio case? They're generally sleek and inconspicuous but nice enough to bring to any business meeting. I know first hand about traveling with papers; while job hunting in the city and walking from one interview to the next with a few copies of my resume and references, I needed one of these leather portfolios badly. There big enough to keep the documents in, but not big enough for people to wonder what else you're lugging around when you don't actually have a job.  Secondly, carrying one of these will really make you look like you know what you're doing, it shows you can obviously understand your limitations and that you're practical. Also, the materials they're made out of will vary, but any of these are suitable for the boardroom or a meeting over coffee. 

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Ideal Travel Wear

Since I am now a pretty experienced traveler, I have an idea of what's ideal luggage situation I want for the next time I travel for an extended period of time. I have been in Europe for five weeks now, and I still have two more to go. I obviously packed quite a lot, and have acquired more stuff than I came with. I don't own a trunk now, but I most definitely suggest one for the traveling for long spurts of time. Also, a different variation for travel with for short trips in my big trip is a essential as well. I can't say I would do my bathroom essentials differently. Traveling can be stressful, so why stress over what you bring with?

After seeing Annabel Tollman endorse the Globe Trotter trunks (pictured above and below), I understand the utility behind them, as well as the chicness. A large trunk is perfect for long excursions, because you can fit a vast amount of personal belongings, and they are protected. I would most likely get two, one smaller than the other, so I have a little bit more space for new finds. 

Globe Trotter's quality trunks will last a life time,  because of their reinforced edges and hardshell perimeter. 

If you travel for a long period of time, you will most likely travel lightly in that period, but you don't necessarily want to bring a huge trunk along for the weekend getaway. I suggest a weekend bag, and I swoon over this Vuitton weekend bag. Louis Vuitton is known for their quality travel wear, and will last throughout time. 

Every man needs a dopp kit when he travels away from the comfort of his own bathroom. I prefer this Vuitton leather version, because leather is easily cleaned when something inevitably spills in flight. Thankfully men don't need a separate bag for their hygiene essentials, so a medium sized kit should be perfect for however long one travels.

If you're anything like me, you wear a watch everyday. It's the first thing I put on after a shower, and the last thing I take off at night. I prefer to travel with a small variety of watches, because it's nice to change it up a little bit at night. Another Vuitton option is the cylinder case for three watches. It's small enough to fit into that weekend bag, without a problem, but it holds enough to last for a couple of weeks. 

Luxury for your Gadgets

Heremes BlackBerry Cases

Back in the day, one could have a custom sleeping cot for traveling made by Louis Vuitton, and now Louis Vuitton, among others, are making leathergoods for your gadgets. It's quite interesting to see how some of the world's oldest and finest luxury goods companies are adapting to their customers' needs by designing extraordinarily luxe compartments for such gadgets nowadays. And if you don't like the pre-made items for your stuff, most companies are always willing to customize their items to fit your specific needs, including hot-stamping initials, painting designs, or completely redesigning the piece and remaking it for your needs. 

Symthson BlackBerry Case

Gucci BlackBerry Case

Louis Vuitton iPhone case

Gucci iPad sleeve

Smythson iPad Sleeve

Louis Vuitton iPad Sleeve

Kenton Sorenson iPad Pouch

Louis Vuitton Laptop Case