James Andrew
So often in life we are presented with problems – our initial reaction is to judge the situation as “bad.” We get caught up in the drama of it all and often end up in a downward spiral, adding fuel to that descent as we go. In the thick of it, it is rather challenging to take a moment to see that opportunities can come disguised as problems.
When I was in the employ of Ralph Lauren I was offered a situation working for both Ralph Lauren and Bloomingdales — the mission was to create more authentic Ralph Lauren Boutiques within the Bloomingdales stores. Well, it didn’t turn out well, and it was a torturous year for me. The position was soon eliminated and I was left without a job. The only position available was to work as a salesperson at the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Avenue. My ego was telling me that this was a real step down. To add to things, I had not done retail sales in years. Well, it turned out that the job was an absolute goldmine for interior design clients. New projects were constantly coming my way. One day I’d just totally burned out on the retail world, and I told myself that if I got one more client, I’d give notice. That very afternoon, I found a new client and thus began James Andrew Interior Design Inc., and a new chapter in my life.
Life is never perfect, there will always be issues. It really comes down to how we deal with them. The best advice I know is to focus on solutions and not “problems.” Take time to find the gift within — even if it is seems too difficult during the worst of things, trust that the opportunity will reveal itself soon enough!
James Andrew ensemble. detail
To get a much needed dose of the countryside while remaining in NYC, I headed to the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden. In 1826, the bustle of the city didn’t extend beyond 14th Street, and the Mount Vernon was considered a fashionable country resort! I am sporting a Gucci chartreuse suede safari jacket, Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply, chartreuse linen cardigan, Turnbull and Asser purple gingham cotton shirt, Polo Ralph Lauren khaki pants, Gucci python belt with silver double horse head buckle, Tom Ford pale olive woven suede espadrilles, vintage Rolex, Tom Ford Bronzing Gel for a bit of a sun kissed glow and my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.