Drake's 2019 Spring Summer Lookbook

Recently Drake's won Permanent Style's award for best lookbook. Simon, from Permanent Style, interviewed Drake's Creative Director Michael Hill, where he shared the creative and practical factors (such as logistics and budgets) that go into their lookbooks (read the interview here).

In my humble opinion, Drake's has completed their growth spurt from manufacturer and wholesaler to direct to consumer brand. And I love it. They have a relaxed and fun style, and have carved out their own place in the tailoring world. They pull off an effortless but still put together look that resonates with me. As someone who lives in Austin, a nutritiously casual city, the vibe is relaxed, and the dress code follows. So Drake's lookbook is a well of inspiration for me.

Their spring/summer collection is strong. But the olive seersucker suit really grabs my attention. See more from their SS19 collection at Drakes.com , and on Instagram @drakesdiary.

Be a Renaissance Man

Generated and tinkered by the greeks, the term polymath emerged. It is used today to define "a person of wide-ranging knowledge and learning." But polymath sounds more geometry term than anything else. You may be familiar with a synonym, renaissance man. Think Benjamin Franklin, or Indiana Jones.

The renaissance man is a master of many trades and skills, and he pursues knowledge for the sake of knowledge.

I think it's a lofty goal to fall into the grave with as many skills and experiences under your belt as possible. But let's not measure ourselves to founders of democracy and fictional ancient artifact finding Nazi fighters.

Start small. Brush the dust off your golf clubs, take a cooking class, download a language app. Read a book. Start a blog...

Wine to Try: Orlegi de Luberri Cosecha 2016

Hailing from Spain, one of a handful of countries with a reputation of producing quality wines at bargain prices, (a topic worthy of at least a handful of future posts) this pure Tempranillo from the Rioja region proves to be no different. Carrying a light body, the wine is balanced by mellow tannins. Refreshing, a bottle is easy to finish with a companion, but be sure to enjoy the flavors while you can, as the aftertaste is short.

Produced by Luberri Cellars in Elciego, a tiny village that sits north of Madrid, and south of the Bay of Biscay, it is led by the passionate Mr. Florentino Martínez Monje. When asked in an interview, "What is the best way to drink them?" referring to his wine, his answer: "–Always." Serves as a refreshing reminder, that as easy as it is to fall into the vines of wine(or be a snob), it's important to keep everything in context. Wine is meant to add a little bit of pleasure to our everyday lives, not engulf it.

Priced at under $15.00.

100% Tempranillo grape.

From the maker:

Luberri is the cellar’s youngest wine, made by the traditional method in Rioja Alavesa, the carbonic maceration system, which enhances remarkably fresh red fruit aromas and tones of violet flowers and licorice. It is agile and fresh in mouth, with a final vegetal taste of unripe almonds that leaves a persistent memory. It is the purest expression of that bright youth that is renovated year after year by nature and knowledge.

See the tasting notes provided by the maker for more information.