LUNCH WITH THE DUCHESS AND LE ROI

Last week I met with Ms. Seyta Selter, proprietor of Portland-based Duchess Clothier. She was in town for her brother's wedding, and wanted to meet up and chat. I was only too happy to show her a couple of my favorite haunts, so we met at Obscura and made our way to a nearby Turkish restaurant for lunch. Seyta is a charming, intelligent woman, and delightful company. I was curious about her made-to-measure service, and the wide variety of vintage styles offered--Victorian to 70's glam. What I like most about her work is her playful spirit towards clothes--a willingness to be "incorrect" and take chances. Given that most haberdashers can become a bit obsessed with the oft-douché "classic style/leading man" model, such an irreverent approach is refreshing. In the course of the conversation, it came out that Mr. Crispin Glover himself is a Duchess client.

I had expressed an interest in ordering a blue velvet jacket before she flew out to New York, so we idly flipped through her swatches as we waited for our meal. We had a grand time brainstorming about combinations of lapels, pockets and linings, and then she did something utterly unexpected and overwhelming: She offered this custom jacket as a gift.

I was speechless, brimming with stammering, feeble, unconvincing objections--but quickly caved and thanked her profusely for such an incredibly generous offer. It's always a bit of a shock when people are so kind. I resolve to only write books that will entertain such sweet people, so as to keep them around me.

Thus having a certain amount of my heretofore spoken-for funds liberated, we naturally started designing a three-piece in a 120's slate/blue windowpane pattern with deep red lining. Who wouldn't?



Never had my measurements taken in an empty Turkish restaurant before. If you ever find yourselves in that situation, I would go with the moment. It's good fun.

We were soon joined by another partner in crime: the understated, affable Mr. Miles Rohan, founder and Grand Cord (?) of the Corduroy Appreciation Club. Mr. Rohan possesses a charming, scholarly air; a rumpled yet refined Whitmanesque quality that is enhanced by his choice in dimensional cloth. He too came bearing a gift--a lovely Cherokee red corduroy tie, which I plan to wear when I give my keynote address at this year's Corduroy Appreciation Club meeting held at the venerable Montauk Club on November 11th. You're all invited, of course. Wear at least two items of corduroy, please.

The three of us chatted as we made our way down to SoHo, briefly peeked in on my dear friends Betty and Mike at the ever-stylish Lord Willy's, and snooped about until we all had engagements pressing upon us from all sides. Fond farewells were made, and we all parted one friend richer.

Thank you Seyta and Miles for a lovely afternoon. See you on the 11th!

~W