Focusing on simple and timeless design, Michael Saiger, founder of contemporary jewelry line Miansai, knows how to navigate the niche industry. We talk to the man behind the brand about the company’s 10-year anniversary and the new Nostalgia collection its released to celebrate.
“I started making bracelets in my college dorm,” Saiger tells me over the phone, on launching Miansai due to a lack of jewelry options. “Either stuff was too dainty or too masculine — there was nothing in between for men to just wear on the regular.” He started with bracelets, then expanded into other pieces and eventually a women’s line as the demand quickly grew. Ten years later, the Miami-based label operates two stores (in New York and Los Angeles) and remains at the forefront of the men’s jewelry space. While the industry moves at a slower pace than traditional fashion, Saiger attributes the brand’s commitment to “timeless over trendy” for their growing success.
“I built the company based on nostalgia,” he says, explaining the latest initiative. The collection works with a custom machine so customers can roll NY-inspired designs (including a taxi, pizza, and Notorious B.I.G. options) onto pennies before attaching them to a sterling silver chain, transforming the coin into a priceless piece of custom jewelry. “We have a build-you-own station in our store for customization, but this brings it to a whole other level,” he shares. A throwback-inspired customization campaign seems a timely way to reflect a decade of growth.
What are key things to remember before experimenting with jewelry? Saiger bases his choices on three important factors. “Will you wear it everyday? Can you wear it at work and casually? Keep it understated rather than flashy, and make sure it reflects your own personal style,” he tells me, which seems like pretty practical advice.
And what not to do? “Avoid layering, chunky jewelry, and anything too trend-driven. And, most importantly, avoid knockoffs. They won’t last.”
Shop the Nostalgia collection at 33 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013.
Ahead of Memorial Day, we select some key items to help you enjoy the long weekend and warmer weather in style. Take a look at some highlights below.
1. Normal Objects
A visor is a bolder way to provide adequate sun protection without having to deal with hat hair. Normal Objects is a new minimal luxe label that puts an emphasis on minimal functional design using premium materials. The assorted caps of neutral leather and satin visors and caps adds sophistication to the notorious accessory — this Black Satin Visor ($80) is a great place to start. Shop the latest collection now.
2. Onia
New York-based swimwear brand Onia has released a summery capsule collection perfect for a barbecue in the backyard or partying on a yacht — whatever you’re into. With tropical and nautical influences subtly incorporated into shirts, shorts, bags, and footwear, this line is a timeless assortment of pieces that will keep you looking for sharp this Memorial Day, and next years’ too. Shop the collection online now.
3. Sunglasses
Whether you’re into tiny frames, branded look, or a vintage shape, a pair of sunglasses should be versatile enough to adapt to the rest of your wardrobe while still making a statement. Korean eyewear designer Gentle Monster launched a sleek set of thin metallic frames, while Louis Vuitton opted for a branded statement making pair of blocked frames — think Drive meets logomania. Moscot offers a classic vintage-inspired frame while Italian cult label L.G.R’s Agadir model features a stunning blue lens.
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4. Stutterheim
Unpredictable weather has become the new normal, especially when during long weekends when it will inconvenience you the most. So brace yourself for that powerful 15-minute summer storm with a bold rain jacket from Stutterheim — the bold Vibskov Colorblock 2 ($375)reflect the Swedish label’s utilitarian design approach, while the Clinic White’s ($395) monochromatic splatter evokes a Patrick Bateman attack.
5. Swims
Since guys should never wear flip flops outside of a sauna, these tennis shoes from Swims will suffice. This Breeze Tennis Knit sneaker ($150) is perforated with tiny holes that allow optimum breathability and comfort. A bright orange stripe detail on the sole of the white sneaker adds some oomph to the clean and classic summer footwear.
6. Bags
A tote bag is perfect for a chill day at the beach, while a backpack is better suited for those with a more active agenda. Dunhill recently released its Radial Tote ($895), which is inspired by vintage automobiles and made from seatbelt-like material and a sturdy leather handle. Hunter, known for its rain boots which can be seen at any music festival happening at any given moment, offers a Nylon Backpack ($95) that’s completely water resistant. Both bags are virtually indestructible, so you’ll be able to enjoy them long after the summer.
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7. Miansai
If you’ve been curious about dipping into the world of men’s jewelry, summer is an ideal place to start since the style rules are leaner. And while not everyone can pull off a pearl necklace, Miansai offers a selection of pieces that can subtly add dimension to your wardrobe. The Fusion Pendant Necklace ($425) is a polished neckpiece that can easily enhance an outfit without being too distracting.
8. Moisturize
By now you should be wearing some type of sunscreen every day. Even in the winter. The sun is so powerful that any prolonged exposure against your skin can have you looking 50 when you’re 30 — plan ahead. In terms of skincare, if there is one thing you should do daily, it’s moisturize. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SPF 15 ($42) that has a soft matte finish that isn’t too thick, while LAB Series BB Tinted Moisturizer ($44) evens out skin tone — in case your nose is looking a little red — while protecting you from harmful UV rays with SPF 35.
Miami-based Miansai has just launched a line of men’s bags; a completely new category for the brand mostly known for handmade men’s jewelry and leather goods. “It’s a natural next step for the brand,” says founder Michael Saiger. “We’ve had leather goods for the past few seasons and these are just the extension of that.” The collection includes four different styles in various color ways, perfect for your summer travels: a tote, weekender, backpack, and dopp kit, all available in a combination of technical fabrics and vintage leathers in black, navy, or green. Each piece is unique but also complementary, using an underlying common aesthetic that make the bags look harmonious as a set.
Image: Miansai.
“I did a lot of research about shape, materials, quality, all of the same things that I consider when designing jewelry,” says Saiger. However, the young entrepreneur had to factor in many more components: “The spatial design changes a lot when you are thinking of something that has a front, back, has pockets, straps – there are a lot more details that you need to think about dimensionally that aren’t a factor in jewelry design. It was a good challenge.” Crafted in Turkey, Miansai’s new line embodies the sense of craftsmanship, integrity, and originality that is signature to the brand.
In the Washroom is a series of short interviews with interesting men in the fashion industry about everything appearance-wise except clothes. From overall grooming advice to wish list products, we sat down with Jonathan Evans of East Dane, Sam Ben-Avraham of Atrium, and Tom Kalenderian of Barneys New York to get a little insight into what goes into each man’s grooming routine.
Image: Jonathan Evans.
For the past year, Jonathan Evans has been outfitting men of the world online with the brother website to Amazon’s ShopBop, East Dane. As fashion director, the Gilt and Park & Bond alum oversees a stable of brands that range from Public School to Marc by Marc Jacobs and 3.1 Phillip Lim—in fact, to celebrate its anniversary, the e-tailer dropped an exclusive capsule collection featuring designs from everyone from Patrick Ervell to Miansai and Mackintosh.
Essential Homme: What would you say is one piece of grooming advice that has always stuck with you? Jonathan Evans: My barber once told me that trimming my beard should be like trimming a topiary: just get in there with clippers and cut away what you don’t need until you have the right shape.
EH: Do you work-out? What is one of your favorite ways to exercise in the dead of winter? JE: Nowhere near as often as I should, though I used to be pretty good about getting to the gym regularly—need to start that again—in the meantime, does picking up a glass of whiskey count as some sort of lift?
Image: D.S. & Durga.
EH: Is there a product that you use personally that you’d be interested in seeing on the site? JE: D.S. & Durga cologne is a personal favorite, and I certainly wouldn’t object to having some of their scents on EastDane at some point in the future.
ESSENTIAL PRODUCT: If you could have gotten any grooming/fitness related product you wanted for the holidays, but could only have one, what would it have been? JE: Considering all those whiskey-lifts I’ve been doing, let’s stick to grooming. Baxter of California makes some really great hair products, and even though it’s tough to choose between them all, I think I could get by quite happily with their clay pomade and not a whole lot else. Luckily, we’re already selling that on East Dane, so I have a supply at the ready.
Image: Sam Ben-Avraham.
Sam Ben-Avraham has been an arbiter of men’s style for years. He’s founded two trade shows, invested in of-the-moment brands like KITH, and runs a growing men’s retail business that you may have heard of: Atrium. With so much success to his name, it’s pretty clear that Ben-Avraham has his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the market.
Essential Homme: What would you say is one piece of grooming advice that has always stuck with you? Sam Ben-Avraham: The best grooming advice I’ve ever received was from my barber. He told me about Andis‘ beard trimmer and I’ve used it ever since.
EH: Do you work-out? What is one of your favorite ways to exercise in the dead of winter? SBA: Yes, absolutely. I enjoy yoga and I box with Eldan Ker at Work Train Fight.
Image: Malin + Goetz.
EH: Is there a product that you use personally that you’d be interested in seeing at your store? SBA: I’m a fan of Malin + Goetz products, the sage styling cream in particular.
EH: ESSENTIAL PRODUCT: If you could have gotten any grooming/fitness related product you wanted for the holidays, but could only have one, what would it have been? SBA: If I can only have one grooming/fitness item… I would want to move into the Great Jones Spa for a week! Hah, is that possible?
Image: Tom Kalenderian.
Barneys is undoubtedly synonymous with a certain type of downtown New York style. With a history that stretches back nearly a century, the multi-location department store stocks the likes of Balenciaga, Rick Owens, and Saint Laurent Paris. As a Executive Vice President and General Merchandise Manager, Tom Kalenderian has a pretty innate knowledge of style.
Essential Homme: What would you say is one piece of grooming advice that has always stuck with you? Tom Kalenderian: Never use a bar of soap on your face; find a facial cleanser that does not dry out your skin. I favor Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash. People tell me I look refreshed and maybe that’s why?
EH: Do you work-out? What is one of your favorite ways to exercise in the dead of winter? TK: I prefer to get up at 5am and get an early start for the gym—with a brisk walk before a workout, especially in the winter. I find that the cooler weather is a good wake up call and helps to get my engine running.
Image: Penhaligon.
EH: Is there a product that you use personally that you’d be interested in seeing at your store? TK: When I travel I try to pick up Penhaligon’s Bayolea Hair Pomade whenever I see it. I am excited that Barneys will now be stocking it!
EH: ESSENTIAL PRODUCT: If you could have gotten any grooming/fitness related product you wanted for the holidays, but could only have one, what would it have been? TK: I’d want the Molton Brown 4-In-1 Sportwash; it takes care of four birds with one stone. It works for your face, hair, body, and even shaving. It’s the perfect grab-and-go grooming product to always keep tucked in your gym bag.
It’s summer, which means now that we’re all wearing less clothes, accessories matter even more. One such accessory—often overlooked despite retaining access to all of our financial holdings—is the wallet. You know, that debris-filled brown ball taking up space in the back pocket of your jeans for the past ten years. Even though you may think you can’t part with that fading, hand-me-down excucse of a billfold, the truth is you’re more than overdue for an upgrade. So check out our list below, and the next time you’re out on a date (or just at the bar with your buddies), you will know that even if they don’t notice your wallet, at least it impresses you.
1. SAINT LAURENT – East/West Wallet
Image: Saint Laurent.
This single-fold offering from Saint Laurent features textured black leather and interior slots for all your credit cards and IDs. Sleek and understated, this wallet complements both formal and casual ensembles.
East/West Wallet in Black, $385, Saint Laurent. Available for purchase online at YSL.com.
2. OPENING CEREMONY – Glitter Bi-Fold Wallet
Image: Opening Ceremony.
Seeking some subtle flair? Opening Ceremony’s “glitter” wallet features sparkle without being garish. Might as well show some personality while keeping your essentials safe.
Glitter Bi-Fold Wallet, $26, OPENING CEREMONY. Available for purchase online at OpeningCeremony.com.
3. BALENCIAGA – Square Coin Wallet
Image: Balenciaga.
Always wondering where to put your change? Especially those pesky pennies? Balenciaga offers an answer in this sophisticated yet functional piece. Featuring a coin pocket as well as card compartments, this beautiful lambskin wallet can hold all your essentials.
Square Coin Wallet in Black, $265, BALENCIAGA. Available for purchase online at Balenciaga.com.
4. MIANSAI – Gray/Blue Bill Fold
Image: Miansai.
Made in the USA from full grain Italian leather, this wallet adds just the right amount of color without being distracting. The gray exterior has a greenish hint to it and the blue interior provides a subtle pop. Sure to brighten your day, even when if you’re the one paying the bill.
Gray/Blue Bill Fold, $155, MIANSAI. Available for purchase online at Miansai.com.
Having created one of the most iconic bracelets of the 2011-2012 men’s bracelet boom—the iconic fishing hook and rope band—Miansai by Micahael Saiger is still doing a good job at convincing us to keep our manly wrists clasped through 2013. Meaning, the designer’s keeping the momentum going with a few more guy friendly permutations of the famed charm-y wrist band, this time using a black enamel hook. They’re all dark and, er, charming, but with all the camel we’ve seen coming down the runway for Fall 2013, the natural leather versions will be the one to reel in the compliments with through the rest of the year. $68 right this way.
Sandy’s kinda got us consumed (literally, by water in Manhattan) but we had this post all ready to go before the Atlantic Ocean decided to shack up in our town. So, not to diminish all of the crazy stuff that’s going on around here but…well, shit’s also about to get kinda worse. As in, on November 4th at 2am, we loose an hour and it starts to get dark at like 4 in the afternoon. Fun and wet and cold and no power. But, this is Essential Homme. We’re of course thinking the fashion angle. So…how to deal with so much night time (and for us northeasterners, no sun and hurricane damage)? We say pick things up with a little sheen. When the world gives you hurricanes and day light savings time, give it some shine. Think: Black patent sleeve bomber jacket. Think: Mirrored sneakers. Think: Intricate details of piping, banding, and paneling. Come the dark cold months, reflect on the outside with some of the best in designer fashion, and while you’re at it, maybe try some reflecting of the inward kind? See what we mean after the jump. (Also, happy Halloween!)
This thick Italian leather is a luxe cover-up for the waist, powerfully accented with a solid brass buckle.
2) Adidas Originals by O.C.
Black Reflective Anorak Hoodie; $265 at ssense.com
A hoodie shouldn’t stop with reflective silver banding throughout.No, it should include orange, yellow, olive, and blue at the chest and back. We say, "Yes, please."
3) Alberto Moretti Arfango
Color Washed Tie Driver; $475 (Preorder) at barneys.com
Because daylight savings time happens warm places too.
Sure, these modern and affordable classics'll reflect light, but since your purchase also goes to helping those in need, your heart'll also shine though.
That men’s bracelets have experienced a renaissance this year is an undeniable fact. Even New York Magazine knows that. There’s a lot to pick and choose from so we’ve helped narrow down the field with our top ten pics for the season.
M.Cohen
Layer Wax Wrap
The anchor is sterling silver and each bracelet is hand made to order. Your wrist deserves this.
