I scanned these pictures a few months ago while visiting my parents. My mom was bemused by my intrigue as I went through and carefully disassembled photo albums that hadn’t been disturbed for decades. My intention was to post a few of my favorite photos of my dad (I left out some sartorial gaffes in the ’70s) but when I started looking through them later on, it became clear to me that there was more to it than just sharing his style: these pictures remind me of many of his character traits I look up to. Although I’m sure he’s mellowed out quite a bit since his 20′s, he still is the reckless, confident man that won my mom over. He has small bouts of playfulness that peek out every now and again. He has good taste and strong opinions. And most importantly (not shown in pictures), he’s a man of faith and integrity who never hesitates to lead by example. In these past few years of adulthood I continue to realize how much I’ve been shaped by him, and am so thankful for his guidance and leadership. The more I find out about him, the prouder I am to call him my dad.

Happy Father’s Day.

With appearances on over 2,500 albums, Ron Carter is easily one of jazz music’s most-recorded upright bassists. I began to grow a deep appreciation for his trademark playing style from the work he did with Miles Davis’ second great quintet – the expression and tone he coaxes out of his upright is unmatched. Below is a track off a 1970′s Japan-exclusive recording of the Herbie Hancock Trio… he, Hancock and Tony Williams played a stripped down set that allowed each musician to shine.

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My love for jazz music is reverse-engineered. I grew up on hip hop and alternative rock, but didn’t begin to listen to jazz until my college years. It was only through curiosity of the samples that various producers used that I was able to begin discovering the music that inspired so much of the east coast golden-era hip hop sound.  A few years ago, I realized that I had heard Ron Carter’s playing in middle school before I even knew who he was. It was no secret that Ali Shaheed Muhammed and Q-Tip leaned heavily on jazz samples for the group’s beats, so it was entirely fitting that they invited Ron Carter to play the bassline on “Verses from the Abstract” from Tribe’s legendary album The Low End Theory. That’s where it all came full circle for me: I was a fan of jazz before I was a fan of jazz.

A number of storefront vacancies have been popping up in our neighborhood. NY Wax Boutique was the most recent establishment to shut down – it was located a few doors down from Self Edge NY. I had never seen a customer in there the six months that it was open, so it was no surprise to see the For Rent sign today in the window:

Empty storefronts have always intrigued me because they provide a little snapshot into someone’s former aspirations. I wish someone could have told Yvoni that opening a candle shop on Orchard Street wouldn’t be the soundest investment, but seeing the space emptied out and up for rent reminded me that this store represented someone’s hopes and dreams.

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him. Luke 8:16-18

I met with a fellow creative type yesterday who told me that he read interviews with our company on the internet and was encouraged by how we were unashamed to share our faith. The way we apply what we believe to what we do is of great importance to me, but sometimes it gets overlooked as I’m consumed by day-to-day tasks. Yesterday’s conversation reminded me that there’s more to what Johan and I do than just making clothes.

I’ve often wondered why the guy who owns the luggage store a few doors down from me comes to work all dressed up. Every day around noon, he walks down Orchard in a suit and newsboy cap with paper and briefcase in hand to open up shop. His wife, who runs the store with him, dresses simply and casually; it’s not really a job that requires your Sunday best.

This morning, as I was walking to the bank to deposit some cash into our bank account, I saw a man dressed in a suit standing outside a building silently passing out flyers. As I strolled by, I thought to myself that it looked a lot like the guy who owned the luggage store a few doors down. On the way back it was unmistakable – we locked glances for a second as I passed. I didn’t wave hello; perhaps I was worried that he’d be embarrassed that I noticed him there working his second job. I wondered to myself whether he had a son who’d end up spending that money on a new pair of Jordans.

It took a chance encounter during my walk through Chinatown to remind me of the immigrant struggle and how much I have to be thankful for. My parents have also made sacrifices to afford me the many opportunities that I have today, and it’s important for me to think back on them every time I feel like I’ve got it tough. Fact is, I’ve got it pretty good.

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