Isaia [S], HOKA, Heliot Emil, Rolex and Scotch & Soda

LUXURY
Isaia Spotlight [Sale]

Regarding luxury, there is no higher signifier of enduring taste than family ownership. And no, the Arnault family does not count because they are a private equity M&A factory. Isaia is a criminally slept-on luxury menswear brand out of Naples that delivers incredible products across categories. They have 149 items on sale right now, and let’s be real, the sale rack is the only one we can afford here — if that. Overcoats, vests, denim, jackets, and blazers that will become staples should you choose to engage. I appreciated this walking coat with the brand’s signature coral insignia (a lucky logo in Napoli) until it sold out…

WORKWEAR
HOKA’s New Take on Mountain Sandals

This slick off-roader for me is fusing the best parts of a Croc, a Teva, and a Lusso Cloud Scenario Slip-On. It costs more than all three of those, but what you get for that cost is better design, more advanced security of your foot, and an outsole that would fit in with a group of running shoes. I like the above colorway most at first glance, but the white and black are also pretty icy if you’re a Denver hiking influencer who has to color-match this with your Beta AR. This is a 1 for me.

STREETWEAR
Heliot Emil FW24

The Danish brand Heliot Emil returned to Paris for the second time and thrust a powerful off-cycle stab into the techy/luxury streetwear establishment. Their FW24 collection has much to be excited about, largely for those passionate about our blacks, grays, and whites. Monoblock footwear, technical fasteners, and premium fabric selections are a few immediately noticeable intricacies from viewing the runway photos. [Bonus: Bliss Foster has an hour-long interview with founder Julius Juul on Patreon.]

FORMAL WEAR
Rolex’s Deca-Billion Year

In a reminder of its category dominance, Swiss icon Rolex hit record sales of $11.5 billion in 2023, towering over rivals. The Crown grew market share by 30% on thriving demand for ever-popular models like the Daytona (pictured above). No other luxury player owns the top spot in a category like Rolex. With Cartier, Omega, and more joining the billion-dollar club, watches remain a steadfastly timeless formal accessory.

OFFICE WEAR
Switch Hitting Chino-Jogger

Depending on your workplace and the amount of license you take in pushing dress code boundaries, the bottom of your trousers don’t have to be limited to just straight or tapered. This chino jogger from Scotch & Soda fuses the jogger you’d wear on your WFH day with the chino you’d wear in the office. The girls may have capris, but thanks to S&S, we gentlemen now have a new crossover pant: choggers.

ONE LAST THING….
Splash of Cash, Splash of Paint

Mark Rothko is one of the abstract expressionist masters of the 20th century and the value of his work is reflected in skyrocketing prices. Ken Griffin bought No. 6 for a reported sum of over $100,000,000. I personally love Rothko, and the pieces made after he transitioned to broad color fields but before the color palate was all macabre blacks, grays, and purples were quite rare. Kenny got a good one… I hope he displays it in a public gallery at some point.