Jersey City, NJ – Sometimes in life, opportunities arise out of pure luck or fate (whichever you prefer to call it). Selling ascots is a strategic move but success in the ascot market, includes a little bit of luck. The same goes for landing an interview with the New York Times.

As stated in our last blog post, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Jersey City just occurred on June 3rd and it was there 10th annual one sponsored in the NJ/NYC area. For the 10th classic, they did their first ever live performance (Alicia Keys) and even had a host (Patrick Neil Harris forever in my book known as Doogie Houser M.D). The Polo players were out full force both in the field and in the crowd. The day couldn’t be beaten at 77 degrees without a cloud in the sky. After seeing pictures and videos of famous and well dressed surface all over blogs, I was dead set on purchasing tickets to the Rose Garden (the Classic’s version of V.I.P) to be right in the middle of the action with an ascot. As fate would have it, my favorite photographer (Ryan Merchant aka @Ry_Mcfly_ on all social media platforms) and I were unable to find an empty table and we walked right into Mr. John Ortved, contributing writer for the New York Times.

Although I had on basic derby wear (double breasted blazer, white chinos, white shirt) I leaned heavily on accessories such as our La Perla ascot, opting for socks with my loafers, wearing a fake sunflower and a couple of my favorite cigars in my blazer breast pocket instead of a pocket square. A combination of these things led to the beginning of a conversation with Mr. Ortved. Before long, he asked if I would be willing to do an interview with him for the New York Times and the rest is internet/newspaper history. Check out our interview with the New York Times here.

Before we go, I have to at least give you a small description of the La Perla Ascot. Our La Perla Signature Sterling Ascot was our first ever design. Previously, our La Perla’s were handmade on a made-to-order basis in “the sewing room” by my grandmother and I. Name after my grandmother, Pearl, ‘La Perla’ has come back in a big way in 2017. We promise it will breathe new life into your closet.

See you next time.

– J. Sterling