What to get my favorite guy in the world for his 91st birthday? After much deliberation, I found it at MAGIC: an Ed Hardy (by MMG) Swarovsky crystal-studded tie with a sexy pin-up girl motif. (It’s also available in a “kick-ass dragon” design.) Now those of you who know my classy, always-tastefully-attired dad Mac Alberg [...]

I’ve visited numerous factories over the years but few have touched me like Torino Leather. These amazing workers, a diverse group of talented artisans representing a microcosm of America itself, have survived Katrina and are re-building their lives. In the process, they’re making some of the most beautiful belts (leathers and exotics) in the world. [...]

I was so touched by a New York Cares breakfast presentation yesterday morning that I am now planning to personally volunteer my time. (Hopefully, I will stick to this resolution better than I do most others…) New York Cares is a wonderful organization established 21 years ago by Noah Gotbaum and a few friends (Ken [...]

Several things have made me really happy lately (so happy that I’m almost ignoring the fact that I left my briefcase with my train pass, appointment book and numerous essential notebooks in a cab last Tuesday and still haven’t gotten it back…): 1) Stopping by Saks Fifth Avenue to visit Mimmo Spano in the custom [...]

My friend Jim Mayer from Mayer Clothiers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana recently shared with me a letter that Tommy Bahama sent to its accounts. I liked it so much that I’m sharing it with you. It’s dated April 1st and it starts off with a quote: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; [...]

… to show their appreciation in style!! So at yesterday’s very elegant Italy-America Chamber of Commerce luncheon at The Rainbow Room in Manhattan, the honoree and recipient of the Business and Culture Award was none other than our industry’s own Jim Gold, President and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman. Gold was a charming and gracious honoree. [...]

As a member of the UJA Federation menswear division committee for many years, I try to occasionally visit some of the agencies that receive UJA funding. Last month, Stu and I and 2008 honoree Morris Goldfarb from G-III took a trip with UJA’s Marcy Fink and Lenore Bronstein to the Educational Alliance on the Lower [...]

Could it really be two years since she left us? Clara Hancox, DNR columnist and much loved menswear journalist, was a fixture in our industry for so many years; how many of us read her columns religiously, gaining much inspiration from her provocative insights, optimism and challenges. Toasting Clara: Philip Miller, Cecile Platovsky and Dan [...]

If you want some terrific baked goods for the holidays, please go to Zaro’s in Grand Central Station. I was there Friday evening to buy a few canolis, gave the cashier a fifty dollar bill and shoved the change in my pocket without counting it. When I went to my next stop to purchase flowers, [...]

I’m back from five fabulous days in St. Maarten: perfect sunny weather (in the mid-80s), pale blue skies, magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches with sparkling turquoise waters, endless tropical drinks, upbeat calypso bands and truly nice people who smile and laugh at the slightest provocation (so that you never feel like you’re getting ripped off, even [...]