RVR's Blog

2012-11-01T09:09:00.001-04:00

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RVR's 2011 Emmys Top 10 Best/Worst Dressed Men

2011-09-24T14:33:00.018-04:00

Below are my picks for the top 10 best and worst dressed of the 2011 Emmy's. In general, this year's menswear was less inspiring than in the past. Some disappointing red carpet grooming and dress trends included: 3 to 4-day unshaven facial hair on most; ties with loose knots hanging below collar; unpressed slacks; disproportioned shirt collars, tie widths and lapels....and my favorite one - black tux, black shirt, black tie?

Top 10 Best Dressed:1)Jon Hamm 2)Rob Lowe 3)Jim Parsons 4)John Krasinski 5)Mario Lopez 6) Will Arnett 7) Charlie Sheen 8) David Boreanaz 9)Wilmer Valderrama 10) Rico Rodriguez.

Exquisite Double Breasted Tux
and Porportionately Wide Bow Tie

Classically Elegant

Clean! Great Bow Tie & Vest

Simply Perfect

Nice Touch with Pocket Square

Yes, boring can also be elegant!

Beautiful Tie

Good Lapel/bow tie porportions

Only guy who can pull off such a skinny tie/lapel combo

Rico, Excellent Dash of Blue!

Top Worst Dressed: 1)Ashton Kutcher 2)Joel McHale 3) Seal 4) Danny Arroyo 5) LL Cool J 6) Cory Monteith 7) Alan Cumming 8) Jesse Tyler 9) Adam Scott 10) George RR Martin

Ashton - 1970s terrorist going to a disco

Joel's audition for Barbershop Quartet

Seal we know you're cool stop trying so hard

Red Carpet, Not red Tie

Coming from a baby shower

Baby brother's tux and bow tie

REALLY??

Pitiful bow tie

Just rolled out of bed and pulled pants and bow tie out of the dryer

This either took a lot of work to put together or none at all

Basics to Ordering Wine in a Restaurant

2011-09-16T17:49:00.003-04:00

Don't Miss These Great Wine Ordering Tips!!

Written By Wine Expert Kurt Gunkel - Masciarelli Wines

It’s all about personal taste.

There are only two kinds of wine: wine you like and wine
you don’t. The enjoyment of wine, like food, is very personal
and subjective. Ask a dozen people what toppings they
like on their pizza and you are likely to get twelve different
answers.

Okay, you’re hosting a dinner at Chez Expensive and need
to select wine for the table. You have some experience with
wine, maybe not a lot, but you have a vague idea of what you
like. You open the lengthy wine list, scan the 400 or so wines
and don’t recognize any of them. How are you possibly going
to make a decision?

Well, you basically have three options:
[1] read the wine
list from right to left and choose by price (uh, not a good idea);
[2] ask your guests if anyone would like to select the wine
(unless there’s a wine geek at the table, it’ll be up to you); and
[3] by far the best option, engage your server/sommelier.

Any good restaurant with a comprehensive wine list will
have a sommelier or wine director on staff. They are the most
underutilized resource in many restaurants. These wine gurus
are not only well educated but are also passionate about wine.
They have put much effort into selecting wines for the list to
complement the chef ’s menu and have intimate knowledge
of each bottle. They are like little kids who can’t wait to show
off their new toys. They respond well to people who appreciate
their work and express genuine interest. Don’t be shy.
Ask them lots of questions. “Do you personally taste all the
wines on the list? Do you have any favorites? What do you
recommend?”

Every wine list will reveal something about the sommelier’s
personality. It might focus on small loire producers, or have a
great Riesling selection, or feature some interesting Oregon
Pinot Noirs. This is where his passion lies. Ask about these. If
you’re someone with limited wine exposure, you can learn a lot
from these guys.

When selecting the wine for dinner you need to provide
the sommelier with as much information as possible to come
away with a bottle (or bottles) you will enjoy at a price you feel
comfortable paying. What is everyone ordering? Will you be
having wine with the appetizer course as well as dinner? Do
you want red or white? How about starting off with champagne
or sparkling wine? Have you had a wine recently that
you really enjoyed? Maybe he can suggest something similar.
Discreetly let the sommelier know your price range. A good
trick is when engaging the sommelier, point to a wine on the
menu in your price range, or mention a wine that you like in
your price range. The sommelier will take your lead and make
a few recommendations. He should explain why he chose the
wine and why it meets your criteria. Then it’s up to you. Make
your selection and get ready for the wine presentation ritual.

To the uninitiated, this little ritual can seem pretentious,
but it really does serve a valuable purpose; you need to make
sure the wine is in good condition. To start, the sommelier
presents you with the unopened bottle. Check the label to
make sure it is the wine you ordered, paying close attention to
the vineyard, if specified, and the vintage. The vintage and
vineyard designation can affect the quality and price of the
wine so if either is wrong, ask for the correct bottle. If they
don’t have what you ordered, make sure you are happy with the
price and the new selection. If not, order a different wine.

The server will then open the bottle and place the cork on
the table. You can choose to ignore it. It really doesn’t tell you
much. The smell and taste of the wine tells you everything.

A small amount of wine is then poured into your glass.
You are looking for four things: color, clarity, smell, and taste.
Hold the glass up against a white background (tablecloth or
menu page). Is the color okay? If the wine is cloudy or there
are particles floating, the wine could have problems. If it is an
older vintage, it might be sediment and should be decanted
and reevaluated. If it is a young wine, there is something wrong
and it should be sent back and a different wine, not another
bottle, ordered.

If the color is okay and the wine is clear, it is time to start
swirling. Swirling the wine releases what is called the “bouquet.”
Hold the bottom of the stem at the base of the glass and
make small circles with the glass on the table. (Go easy, or you
may end up ruining your new RVR tie!) With the wine still
swirling, bring the glass to your face, stick your nose way in the
glass, and take a good whiff. It may seem a little weird at first,
but you’ll get used to it. What you are looking for are any off
odors. If you detect a musty, moldy, wet cardboard-like smell,
the wine is corked. This is the most common fault in a wine
and is caused by a bad cork contaminating the wine. This happens
in about one out of every thirty bottles. If you smell this,
send it back. Another bottle of the same wine should be fine.
If you smell any other off-putting aromas from the wine, have
the sommelier check it and give his opinion.

If the wine passes the smell test, it is probably okay. Taste
anyway for good measure. Remember, you are tasting the wine
to determine if it has any faults, not if you like it. The only
reason you should send back a bottle at this point is if the
sommelier misrepresented the qualities of the wine—for
example, the wine is full bodied and tannic and you had asked
for something lighter and fruitier.

A good restaurant should never give you a hard time sending a bottle back. Once you
have tasted the wine and determine it is not faulty, a simple
nod or “It’s fine” will let the server know to start pouring. The
server will then fill your guests’ glasses first and finish with
yours. This ritual should be performed with each bottle
ordered.

Having a discussion with the sommelier at your table is
fine for social gatherings but a business dinner may require a
different approach. If you are hosting clients or colleagues, you
are there to get something accomplished not learn about wine.
Selecting the wine should be unobtrusive. Ask the restaurant
to e-mail you their current wine list in advance. Then call the
wine director, explain what you are doing, and discuss the selections
over the phone. Consider this part of your meeting
preparation. If you don’t have to time to do it in advance, try
to get to the restaurant early and arrange it with the sommelier.

That way when your guests are seated, you order the wine and
get on with business.

There are some basic guidelines—not rules—you might
want to consider in the absence of knowledgeable waitstaff or
a sommelier. The better values are often found in the midprice
range of the wine list. The least expensive and the most
expensive wines commonly carry the highest markup. Regional
wines will usually go well with regional foods.

Wine should complement the food. Typically you will want to
match lighter foods with lighter wines and heavier foods with
heavier wines. You don’t want the wine to overpower the food
or the food to overpower the wine. You want the flavors of the
food and wine to play nicely together.

Apart from that, it’s all about your personal taste.

Wine is an adventure. Go forth, drink, and enjoy.

3 Rules for Wearing Pocket Squares

2011-09-12T22:55:00.004-04:00

Stick to these 3 Rules for Pocket Squares to set yourself apart at the office:

Coordinate - don't clash. Bring in colors that go together, but do not exactly match. Choose a pocket square that picks up colors of your shirt or tie. Add some flair by choosing a yellow paisley pocket square with a blue tie or go preppy with a pink tie and light green pocket square. Never exactly match the tie and pocket square designs.
Fold a silk pocket square with a full puff, slightly above the pocket line - showing no more than 1-1 1/2 inches out of pocket.
Fold a steam pressed linen pocket square with 4 peaks or a straight line fold - showing no more than 1/2 to 1 inch.

Check out some great pocket square styles at www.rvrneckwear.com

RVR's Top 5 Best Dressed Men!

2011-07-06T23:07:00.000-04:00

Bradley Cooper:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_L11fqVkS28Y/Soo_2DMIkFI/AAAAAAAAAMY/Ir8FP9tGskI/s400/bradley-cooper-shady.jpg

Although his character in the Hangover is disheveled and discombobulated throughout both films, Bradley is rarely caught looking anything short of impeccably dressed and well put-together. Each suit he wears is beautifully tailored, luxurious, and unique. Bradley's taste in suits and ties has only continued to impress millions as his fame spread around the world.

Jay-Z:
http://johnjohnsaidit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1299906016-30.jpg

This multi-platinum rapper's unique sense of style certainly has evolved and matured since the days of his "99 Problems." Jay-Z, one of the world's most famous and celebrated artists, made the list of RVR's list of best dressed men for wearing consistently elegant suits and gorgeous ties but always adding a twist to make each suit unmistakeably Jay-Z.

Justin Timberlake:
http://www.individualism.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/0624-justin-timberlake-magazine_li.jpg

No longer dressing like a turn-of-the-millenium boy band star, JT has risen to the top of Hollywood's best dressed men list since he swapped his neon track suits and oversized gold chains for well-tailored suits and fedoras. Although he typically sticks to skinny ties, Justin has begun to mature in terms of his fashion sense by dabbling in more conservative suits while maintaining a quirky, distinctive style.

Matt Lauer:
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww30/theurbangent/00016f.jpg

Matt Lauer is one of the very few men who can look so elegant and incredibly dapper at 7 am every weekday morning. Every morning, America wakes up to find Matt in yet another impeccable, perfectly tailored suit and understatedly elegant tie. His suits are consistently of the highest quality without ever being flashy, which helps to set him apart as one of RVR's picks for best dressed men.

Jimmy Fallon:
http://www.dosomething.org/files/jimmy.jpg

Although he may not be known for his sense of style, Jimmy is a surprisingly elegant dresser. He has undoubtedly come quite far from his days of wearing absurd and hysterical costumes on SNL and now wears beautifully made suits and ties every night on his own late-night show. Jimmy's fashion sense continues to evolve as he impresses his devoted fans each night with a suit even better made than the one he wore the night before.

Add Color and Personality to Your Summer Wardrobe with Pocket Squares!

2011-06-21T21:36:00.001-04:00

Pocket squares, the epitome of elegance, are often the unsung heroes of a great suit. All too often, men simply forget about pocket squares or shy away from them because they are daunted by the idea of matching and folding pocket squares. However, not only can pocket squares add an unexpected pop of color, but they can also pull a suit together like no other accessory can. When selecting pocket squares to enhance your summer suits, create an overall cohesive look by coordinating your tie and pocket square. If your tie is patterned, choose a pocket square that highlights one of the hues from the tie’s pattern; if your tie is solid, chose a pocket square of a similar shade that creates some contrast between the tie, shirt, and square. Although these general tips should serve as guidelines for more formal suits paired with elegant silk pocket squares like those found at http://rvrneckwear.com, the guidelines for pairing blazers and casual summer suits and pocket squares are much looser. One of this summer’s most fashionable yet wearable trends in menswear is the classic khaki summer suit with a bold splash of color from a pocket square. With khaki and other light, casual summer suits, feel free to be adventurous when choosing a pocket square; bright, unexpected hues tend to work well with these summer suits, and they are easy to pull off with the right pocket square.

SKILL #3 Play Poker

2011-01-23T23:11:00.002-05:00

Make sure you read this before Poker Night with the guys. Bill Burton, author of Get the Edge at Low Limit Texas Hold’em and contributor of 'Play Poker' in RVR's Men: 10 Essential Skills gives you a priceless 'how to'!

Skill 3
PLAY POKER
By Bill Burton
It’s all about never letting ’em see you sweat.

Playing poker with the guys is as old a pastime for men as,
well, just about anything. Remember the hilarious scenes
in Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple with Oscar, Felix, and the
boys. They would get together every week, usually in Oscar’s
apartment, as a way to socialize and let off steam. Oscar would
complain about his ex-wife, Felix would be dusting up the cigar
ashes, and the others would be throwing zingers and one-liners
throughout the night. Very little has changed today.

Before we get into how poker is played you need to learn
some of the terminology you will encounter.
In a casino or card room the three most popular games
are Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha Hi/lo (also
known as 8 or Better). None of these games are played with
wild cards. They all use a 52-card deck and the rankings are
standard. The best hand is made out of five cards, and the sixth
card is never used to break a tie. If there is a tie then the two
players with the same hand will split the pot.

Poker Terms
These are some of the terms you will encounter in the explanation
of how the games are played.

Ante:Money put in the pot by all players before the start of
a hand. This is common in Seven Card Stud.

Bet: A bet is made by the first person putting money into
the pot.

Blinds: A forced bet made before the start of a hand to get
some money into the pot. Blind bets are used in Texas
Hold ’em and Omaha.

Bluff: To make a bet or raise with the hope that the other
players will fold and you will win the pot by default.

Call:When you call you are putting money into the pot that
matches the bet that was made by a player before you.

Check: To put no money in the pot if there has not been a
bet made before your turn to act. You retain the right to
call a bet if one is made after you check.

Check Raise: To check and then raise the person who bets
after you.

Fold: To not call a bet or raise and give up your hand. You
are then out of the pot.
Raise: To increase the amount of the bet. Usually it will be
double the amount of the bet.

Slow Play: To play a strong hand weakly with the hope of
getting players to stay in the hand and not fold.

Card Room Etiquette
Playing casino poker is quite different from playing in an
online or home game. There are certain procedures and protocols
you will need to understand before you sit down to play.

• Don’t throw your chips into the pot. Place them in a stack
in front of your cards. This allows the dealer to make sure
the bet is correct and other players can see exactly how
much you are betting. The dealer will scoop the chips into
the main pot before dealing the next round.

• If you are going to raise, you should announce “raise” when
it is your turn. If you don’t announce a raise, you must put
the bet and the raise in at the same time. If you put in the
bet and then go back to your stack for the raise, you will
be called for a “string bet,” which is not allowed, and your
raise will not be honored.

• Make it a habit to look at your hole cards (your face down
cards) once and memorize them. This will allow you to
act smoothly and keep the game going. It will also prevent
you from giving away anything by looking at your cards.

• It is up to the players to protect their cards at all times.
Place your hands or a chip on top of your cards. If other
players’ cards mix with yours when they throw in their
cards your hand will be declared dead. Put a chip or some
other token on top of your hole cards.

• Don’t act out of turn. Doing so can give the other players
an unfair advantage. Make sure to wait until it is your turn
to act. Even if you plan to fold, you have to wait until it is
your turn.

• Don’t talk about the cards you threw away while a hand is
being played out by the other players. If you mentioned
that you threw away a card that an active player might need
on the draw, this would give them an unfair advantage.

• Never berate or try to educate another player at the table.
A bad beat in poker is when you have a good hand that is a
favorite to win beaten by a player who caught a miracle draw
with a hand that should not have been played to begin with.
If you suffer a bad beat just say “nice hand” and move on. If
you berate bad players you may drive them out of the game.
If you educate them they may play better next time.

• Don’t tell “Bad Beat” stories. Bad beats are like the
weather. Everyone talks about it but nobody can do anything
to change it. It is a really boring subject and so are
bad beats. Everyone has suffered bad beats and by constantly
talking about them you just make yourself look like
a loser.

How to Play Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game in the
world. There are several reasons for this.
Texas Hold’em is a fast-paced game. You will play a hand
in about two minutes. If you are out of one hand you won’t
have a long wait for the next one. This is good because as a winning
player you won’t be playing a lot of hands.

The basic concepts of Texas Hold’em are easy to learn and
understand. Each player is dealt two personal cards and then
five community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the
table. Since there are five community cards you do not have to
keep track of all the dead cards that were folded by your opponents
as you do in stud.

Because each player has only two personal cards, you can
also easily determine the best hand at any given time. This is
known as reading the board and is one of the most important
skills to learn in low limit Hold’em.
A full Texas Hold’em game usually consists of ten players.
This can mean some really big pots.

Limit versus No Limit
There are two popular variations of Texas Hold’em, and
the only difference is the betting structure. The two types are
No limit and limit Hold’em. No limit Texas Hold’em is the
game that is played in the tournaments that many people have
watched on television. In a No limit game a player can bet any
amount of chips on any hand. limit Hold’em has structured
betting rounds and players are limited to the amount of money
they can bet at any given time. Except for tournaments, limit
Hold’em is the format that is played in the majority of cash
games in poker rooms in the casinos and on the Internet.
Whether you aspire to be the next big tournament winner,
or merely take home some extra money playing in the cash
games, you will need to learn the basics of Texas Hold’em and
the best way to get started is playing in low limit games.

How to Play
There are four betting rounds in a Texas Hold’em game.
In a limit game, the first two rounds have a set amount that
can be bet and the last two rounds are double the amount of
the first two rounds. A popular starting low limit game in the
card room is a $2/4. This means that the amount you can bet
during the first two betting rounds is $2 and $4 for the last two
betting rounds. Other denomination games include $3/6,
$4/8, and $5/10. Because there is little overhead, an Internet
poker room can offer a limit game as low as five and ten cents.
To keep things simple, I will use a $2/4 game for the example.
This means that the minimum bet during the first two
betting rounds is $2. If you want to raise you must also raise in
increments of $2. The last two betting rounds have a minimum
bet of $4 and any raises are made in this increment as well.

The Blinds
To start a new hand, two “blind” bets are put up or
“posted.” The player immediately to the left of the dealer puts
up or posts the small blind, which is half the minimum bet or
$1. The player to the left of the small blind posts the big blind,
which is equal to the minimum bet of $2 for this game. The
rest of the players do not put up any money to start the hand.
The card room supplies the dealer, who does not play. There
is a dealer button that is moved clockwise around the table.
Because the deal rotates around the table, each player will
eventually act as the big blind, small blind, and dealer.

Pre-Flop
Each player is dealt two cards face down; the player on the
small blind receives the first card and the player with the dealer
button gets the last card. This is referred to as the “pre-flop.”
The first betting round begins with the player to the left
of the big blind either putting in $2 to call the big blind, raise
the pot by putting in $4, or simply folding his hand by throwing
in the cards and waiting for the next round. Unless you are
the big small or big blind it costs you nothing to look at your
first two cards.
The betting goes around the table in order until it reaches
the player who posted the small blind. The small blind can call
the bet if the pot was not raised by putting in $1, since a $1
blind was already posted. If the pot was raised, the small blind
would have to put in $1 and any money to cover the raise. The
last person to act is the big blind. If no one has raised the pot,
the big blind has the option to raise or just check. If the pot
was raised, the big blind would have to put the amount of
money for the raise or fold and forfeit the money that was
posted for the blind.

The Flop
After the first betting round is completed, three cards are
dealt and turned face up in the middle of the table. This is
known as “the flop.” These are community cards used by all the
players. Another betting round begins with the first active
player to the left of the dealer button. The minimum bet for
this round is again $2.

The Turn
When the betting round after the flop is completed, the
dealer turns a fourth card face up in the middle of the table.
This is referred to as “the turn.” The minimum bet after the
turn is $4 and begins again with the first active player to the
left of the dealer.

The River
Following the betting round for the turn, the dealer will
turn a fifth and final card face up. This is called “the river,” and
the final betting round begins with $4 as the minimum bet.

The Showdown
To determine the winner, players may use any combination
of their two hole cards and the five cards on the “board” (table)
to form the highest five-card hand. In some rare cases the best
hand will be the five cards on the board. Don’t count on that
happening too often. In that case the active players will split
the pot. A sixth card is never used to break a tie.

FIVE POKER LIFE LESSONS

Your decisions in life and in poker matter.
Quality decisions will yield quality results. Successful people
strive to make the best decisions every time. Although they
will not always win, they will usually prevail over those who
constantly make poor decisions.

Life is not fair; neither is poker.
Anyone who believes poker or life is fair is living in a fantasy
world. In poker there will always be someone who is dealt
better cards. In life there are those who were born into a world
of privilege with advantages and opportunities that others will
never have. Some of us will suffer health issues or other adversities.
That is simply a fact of life. learning to deal with the
cards life deals you is a true sign of character.

Poker is the great social equalizer.
You can find players from all walks of life sitting at the
same poker table. A CEO or doctor may be sitting next to a
mechanic or a salesman. A game of poker can bring together
different people and for the most part they get along. Poker
players are not distinguished by social class but rather by their
playing ability and common enjoyment of the game. A good
social mix can be a rewarding experience and should be carried
over into our daily lives.

Never expose your hand.
Poker is a game of incomplete information. Each time you
expose your hand or comment on the play of others, you give
away information that can help your opponents beat you in the
future. In life, the more you talk the more you give away about
yourself. Most of us know there are more times when we wish
we hadn’t told somebody something than times when we wish
we had revealed more. learn to keep your personal information
private.

Learn to cut your losses.
Sometimes it is better to cut your losses and move on. In
poker, once you have put money in the pot, it is no longer your
money. It belongs to the person who has the winning hand.
Too often players continue with a hand that they have little
chance of winning just because they have invested money in it.
In life we have all invested time and energy in personal relationships,
stock, and/or real estate deals that are not working
out. You must know when to cut your losses and move on. If
you chase your losses, you are throwing good money after bad.
As kenny Rogers sang, “You have to know when to hold ’em
and know when to fold ’em.”

Great Poker Movies
The Cincinnati Kid. (1965) Director: Norman Jewison.
Cast: Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson,
Ann-Margret

The Sting. (1973) Director: George Roy Hill.
Cast: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw,
Charles Durning

Rounders. (1998) Director: John Dahl.
Cast: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Turturro,
Famke Janssen, and Gretchen Mol; with John Malkovich
and Martin landau

Allan Flusser's 'BeSpeak: A Revolutionary App That Will Virtually Dress You For Any Event!

2010-12-12T22:54:00.002-05:00

Allan Flusser, the father of menswear and style, has developed a new revolutionary 'app' that will help you choose the perfect outfit or ensemble for the perfect event based on your individual physical attributes. Check out www.bespeak.com. You can enter your personal characteristics (body type, color hair, color eyes) and the app suggests the perfect suit, shirt, tie combo - all from your iphone!

About BeSpeak®

Learning how to dress well is much easier than you probably understand. The real challenge lies in being able to acquire the right information personalized for you and you alone.
And that’s exactly what the BeSpeak® app does.

Why, after men have spent more money on clothes than in any period in history, are there fewer well-dressed men than at any time before?

If dressing well were simply a matter of donning the latest designer duds or owning an expensive wardrobe, there should be an abundance of well-heeled swells cavorting about.

Learning how to dress well is much easier than you probably understand. The real challenge lies in being able to acquire the right information personalized for you and you alone. And that’s exactly what the BeSpeak® App does – it helps you create a personal profile based on your unique physical characteristics from which it then mentors you in the ideal selection and coordination of your clothes.

Dressing well rests on two pillars – proportion and color. Unlike fashion which is obliged to change each season, the body’s proportions – your face’s shape, your neck’s height, or your shoulder’s width – remain fairly constant over time.

As for color, one of the most important functions of clothes is to lead the viewer’s eye towards your face, your most visible and expressive body part. The colors you surround your face with should work to enliven and illuminate it, rather than dampen or distract from it.

With the caliber of sales help in decline and most of what passes for style expertise little more than opinion, you need a new kind of fashion dialogue where your benchmark physical traits direct the conversation.

Teaming up with BeSpeak® personalized styling technology allows you to access on-the-spot feedback for prospective new purchases or alternative outfit co-ordinations.

BeSpeak® also takes the guess work out of gift buying by matching prospective gifts to the intended recipient’s profile.

BeSpeak® does not seek to mechanize your dressing habits but to inform them. The boundaries established by the BeSpeak® expert system in those colors, patterns, and shapes that uniquely coordinate with each person’s profile frame, and thus elevate, the user’s expression of taste. BeSpeak®’s initial focus is formal business dress, i.e. suit, tie and dress shirt, as well as business casual i.e., sport jacket, shirt, and trouser.

The BeSpeak® App evaluates garments individually and within an outfit by grading each selection from one to ten, where ten is the best. An explanation accompanies each award thus serving as a competitive roadmap for improvement.

Wishing you a very BeSpeak® “You Look Mahvelous” pilgrimage.

Mr. Flusser attracted national attention for designing Michael Douglas’ wardrobe in the movie “Wall Street,” as well as acclaim for his work on the films “Barbarians at the Gate” and “Scent of a Woman” with Al Pacino.

Alan is the president of A.Flusser Designs founded in 1979. He received the Coty Award for Top Menswear Designer in 1985 and the Cutty Sark Award in 1987 for his first two books’ “unique contribution to the literature of menswear.”

The author of four books, his “Dressing The Man: Mastering The Art of Permanent Fashion,” published by Harper Collins in 2002, is considered the definitive work on the subject of men’s style. Just released is an updated edition of his 1996 classic “Style and the Man.”

In 1988, Alan was placed on the International Best-Dressed List as a permanent member.

TIE A BOW TIE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2010-11-28T20:42:00.003-05:00

It's that time again - Black Tie Season. Here's all you need to know to tying a bow tie ahead of your next formal event

BOW TIES
Bow ties are usually limited to weddings and other formal
events, which is why most of us struggle with them. We don’t
get to practice. Yes, even I, a tie guy, struggle with tying a perfect
bow tie.

Step 1. Set one end of tie about 1½ inches below the other
end.

Step 2. Cross the longer end over the shorter end and
through the loop between your shirt and bow tie.

Step 3. Form the front loop of the bow by doubling up the
shorter hanging end and place across the collar points.

Step 4.Hold the front between your index finger and thumb.
Drop the long end down over the front.

Step 5. Pass the hanging part up behind the front loop.

Step 6. Push the resulting loop through the knot behind the
front loop.

Step 7. Gently pull the bow at both folded ends to tighten
the knot.

You are now ready to "Tie One On!"

Happy Holidays from RVR

Men Skill #10 - Keep The Girl!

2010-11-20T20:14:00.002-05:00

Excerpt from Men: 10 Essential Skills by RVR

Now that you 'got the girl', make sure you hold on to her. Follow some RVR tips below:

KEEP THE GIRL
• Be an occasional devil’s advocate. She will get bored
quickly if you are always agreeable. Share your point of
view and present your rationale. She will respect you and
enjoy the challenge.

• Surprise her with small gestures of kindness. For example,
send a book from one of her favorite authors with a handwritten
note from you in the inside cover. Surprise her
with a ride home from work one day. Try to think of one
thoughtful gesture each week.

• Respect. Never disregard her feelings or desires. Make her
feel like she is your focal point.

• Make a huge deal about her birthday and Valentine’s Day.
You do not have to spend a lot of money. It is more about
taking the time to plan and making her feel special. You
are lucky that you have her in your life, so show her your
appreciation.

• Buy her jewelry. No, you did not misread this. You think
that is a shallow idea? Trust me: All women like jewelry.
Don’t let the personal aspect of jewelry turn you off from
buying it. The key is to figure out what she likes, what she
has, and what she wants. let me repeat this, because men
tend to get this wrong: figure out what she likes. Buying
jewelry is personal, which is why you should take the time
to know what she likes. A good trick is to take a mental
note of the jewelry she wears. Does she prefer gold or silver?
Does she like pearls or does she like handcrafted, ethnic
jewelry? For her next gift, buy her a piece that
compliments what she already has, i.e., if she loves to wear
a pearl necklace then buy her a pearl bracelet. Women love
to show off their new jewelry, not because they are materialistic
but because they want to show their friends that
they have a man who thinks about them and appreciates
them. You can buy a simple sterling silver bracelet or locket
for less than two tickets to a baseball game.

• If you watch football on Sundays and baseball on weeknights,
encourage her to watch with you. If she is not a fan,
pause the game after a great play or a lousy call and explain
it to her. She will either get into the game and want to
watch more with you, or never want to see another one.
Either way, it’s win/win.

• Give her a break. You just spent half the day on the golf
course with your buddies. When you get home, offer to
make dinner or take the kids to a movie.

• Find a new activity that neither one of you have tried and
sign up for lessons together. Perhaps you can take a winetasting
course and make it your date night. Regina and I
took an Italian class, followed by dinner at an Italian
restaurant on Wednesday nights. It was a great escape and
wonderful way to reconnect during the week.

• Exercise together. Even if it is only once a week, go to the
gym or on a bike ride together.

• Maintain the passion. Remember to always make time for
intimacy. Nothing will unite you more. Do not go for long
periods of time without sharing a quiet—or perhaps
wild—moment together.

Great Romantic Comedy Movies
It Happened One Night. (1934) Director: Frank Capra.
Cast: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly

Moonstruck. (1987) Director: Norman Jewison.
Cast: Cher, Nicholas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Vincent
Gardenia, Danny Aiello

When Harry Met Sally. (1989) Director: Rob Reiner.
Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan

Men Skill #4 Light & Smoke a Cigar

2010-11-07T15:22:00.002-05:00

Excerpt from Men: 10 Essential Skills by RVR - Light & Smoke a Cigar by Frank Seltzer

It’s all about an even burn.

Much has been written on the correct procedure for lighting
a cigar. In reality, it is pretty simple—cut, light, and
smoke. You don’t need to over think it. However, you can develop
a ritual, if you want. Pretty much anything goes as long
as you enjoy the process.

So to begin, the question is: what cigar should you smoke?
That is a tough call since there are so many to choose from.

Hint: The darker the wrapper often the stronger the
cigar. The exception to this is Maduro-wrapped cigars.
These wrappers are usually very dark but the cigars are
not that strong. “Maduro” simply means ripe. The
wrappers take longer to cure and age, and they often
have a slight sweetness to them.

Part of the fun of cigars is admiring the construction. By
the time it reaches you, over two hundred people worked on
that one cigar—in the fields growing the tobacco, in the barns
aging it, in the fermentation rooms curing it, and finally to the
roller’s table. It is a lot of work; cigars are an art form.

Speaking of art, look at the cigar band. Much thought
went into designing the band, be it simple or complex—although,
you really cannot judge a cigar by its band. Some
men save the band so they can easily remember which cigar
they liked.

You may want to remove the cigar band before lighting the
cigar. The reason I remove the band is because if it is a very
good cigar, I may want to smoke it down past the band and it
is easier to remove it now than when the hot end of the cigar
is close.

Other cigars come wrapped in cedar. Be sure to remove
that as well. Some cigar smokers say the only proper way to light
a cigar is off a cedar strip. Hmm. How can I put this diplomatically?
They’re nuts.

The next step is to cut or punch a hole in the cap.
I recommend you use a cigar cutter. You can borrow
one or purchase one for a couple of bucks at the store where
you got your cigar. You don’t need anything fancy, just sharp
so it doesn’t crush the tobacco. Cut the cigar right where the
top of the cigar begins to go round for the top. It is between
1∕16 to 1∕8 of an inch from the end. (For cigars with a pointed
tip, cut about 1∕4 inch from the top.)

I recommend you use a butane lighter. Butane is fairly
odorless and does not impart any taste to the cigar. Matches
and Zippos work, but be sure to give them a second to burn
off some of the smell or use them to light the cedar strips which
have virtually no odor.

Put the cigar in your mouth and bring the flame close to
the foot. Puff on the cigar, drawing the flame into it. When
you get the flame into the cigar you will see the flame jump up
after the puff. This is normal. As you do this, also rotate the
cigar so you can get an even burn.

The key to enjoying a cigar is to focus on the ritual and let
the world’s cares drop away. Often you are with others where
the conversation is fun, and sometimes there are even adult
beverages present. The key is: don’t rush it. Take a puff maybe
once a minute—you don’t have to actually time your puffs.

If you smoke too fast, you will overheat the tobacco and cause an
uneven burn and the cigar may get a bit hot and harsh on you.
If you smoke too slowly, the cigar will keep going out, forcing
you to re-light it.

Just relax and enjoy the flavors and the experience.

Does Your Tie Pass The Quality Test?

2010-11-04T19:55:00.003-04:00

You are getting dressed for a special meeting or evening affair and reach for your favorite tie. First, make sure you know what you're reaching for. The external fabric should be silk, wool, cashmere, cotton, or any combination of such. (The finest fabrics are woven in Italy and England.)

A fine-tailored tie is comprised of the following:

• Lining (tipping), sewed onto the back of both ends, usually
the same premium silk as the front of the tie or a
unique design, sometimes the manufacturer’s logo, in a
similar quality silk as the front of the tie.

• Interlining, which gives the tie its weight, is made of all
wool or all cotton. Traditional American-style sevenfold
ties are fully lined in silk and do not have interlinings. The
Italian sevenfold model has a double interlining made of
all wool or all cotton.

• Tie keeper, which keeps the narrow end of the tie in place
after the knot is tied. Usually it is a loop in the same fabric
as the front of the ties, although some manufacturers use
their label instead of a keeper.

• Bar tack, which keeps the tie together, is a small stitch on
the back of each end of the tie.

• Slip stitch, which is the end of a tie-length thread that protects
the seam and keeps the lining intact.

A great test for checking the craftsmanship of a tie is to
hold it by the narrow end, with the wide end almost touching
the floor. The tie should hang perfectly straight. If it turns, with
a slight screw-like twist, the fabric was not cut on the bias—a
sign of a poorly tailored tie.

Now you're ready to 'Tie One On'.

Men Skill #8 - How to Order Wine in a Restaurant

2010-10-30T20:47:00.003-04:00

RVR MEN SKill #8 - Order and Taste Wine in a Restaurant. Excerpt from Men: 10 Essential Skills below. By Kurt Gunkel - Masciarelli Wine Company

It’s all about personal taste.
There are only two kinds of wine: wine you like and wine
you don’t. The enjoyment of wine, like food, is very personal
and subjective. Ask a dozen people what toppings they
like on their pizza and you are likely to get twelve different
answers.

Why then, are we so intimidated when having to select a
wine from the list at a fine restaurant? I think it is the perception
that there are rigid food-and-wine-pairing rules that we
are supposed to adhere to. We are afraid of making a mistake
by ordering the “wrong” wine. We stress at the thought of ordering
wine for the table and choosing one that some snooty
sommelier may sneer at and say, “Are you sure you want to
drink that with your meal?” Yikes!
The notion that there are proper food and wine pairings
is ingrained in our culture. There are a myriad of books, magazines,
and wine education classes devoted to the subject of
pairings. However, these can also perpetuate certain myths
about wine and intimidate anyone trying to decide what wine
to drink. We are told that for every dish there is a perfect wine
and many mistakes can be made by choosing wines that just
“don’t go” with certain foods. We are led to believe that learning
food and wine pairing is difficult, requires in-depth wine
knowledge, and is better left to the experts.

Can you learn from the experts? Absolutely. You can learn
a lot. Should you take it as dogma? No way. We are all quite
capable of determining what we like to eat and drink. The best
way to figure out what really works for you is by experimenting.
There are many good wine shops that conduct tastings for their
customers. Take advantage of these and try as many wines as
you can. While tasting different wines, you’ll think to yourself,
“Gee, this wine would be perfect with a filet.” Or “That wine
would really go great with salmon.” You don’t need anyone to
tell you what you enjoy. Just as you’ve developed a palette for
certain foods over time, you will do the same with wine.

Okay, you’re hosting a dinner at Chez Expensive and need
to select wine for the table. You have some experience with
wine, maybe not a lot, but you have a vague idea of what you
like. You open the lengthy wine list, scan the 400 or so wines
and don’t recognize any of them. How are you possibly going
to make a decision?
Well, you basically have three options: [1] read the wine
list from right to left and choose by price (uh, not a good idea);
[2] ask your guests if anyone would like to select the wine
(unless there’s a wine geek at the table, it’ll be up to you); and
[3] by far the best option, engage your server/sommelier.

Any good restaurant with a comprehensive wine list will
have a sommelier or wine director on staff. They are the most
underutilized resource in many restaurants. These wine gurus
are not only well educated but are also passionate about wine.
They have put much effort into selecting wines for the list to
complement the chef ’s menu and have intimate knowledge
of each bottle. They are like little kids who can’t wait to show
off their new toys. They respond well to people who appreciate
their work and express genuine interest. Don’t be shy.
Ask them lots of questions. “Do you personally taste all the
wines on the list? Do you have any favorites? What do you
recommend?”
Every wine list will reveal something about the sommelier’s
personality. It might focus on small loire producers, or have a
great Riesling selection, or feature some interesting Oregon
Pinot Noirs. This is where his passion lies. Ask about these. If
you’re someone with limited wine exposure, you can learn a lot
from these guys.

When selecting the wine for dinner you need to provide
the sommelier with as much information as possible to come
away with a bottle (or bottles) you will enjoy at a price you feel
comfortable paying. What is everyone ordering? Will you be
having wine with the appetizer course as well as dinner? Do
you want red or white? How about starting off with champagne
or sparkling wine? Have you had a wine recently that
you really enjoyed? Maybe he can suggest something similar.

Discreetly let the sommelier know your price range. A good
trick is when engaging the sommelier, point to a wine on the
menu in your price range, or mention a wine that you like in
your price range. The sommelier will take your lead and make
a few recommendations. He should explain why he chose the
wine and why it meets your criteria. Then it’s up to you. Make
your selection and get ready for the wine presentation ritual.

There are some basic guidelines—not rules—you might
want to consider in the absence of knowledgeable waitstaff or
a sommelier. The better values are often found in the midprice
range of the wine list. The least expensive and the most
expensive wines commonly carry the highest markup. Regional
wines will usually go well with regional foods. Wine
should complement the food. Typically you will want to
match lighter foods with lighter wines and heavier foods with
heavier wines. You don’t want the wine to overpower the food
or the food to overpower the wine. You want the flavors of the
food and wine to play nicely together. Apart from that, it’s all
about your personal taste.
Wine is an adventure. Go forth, drink, and enjoy.

RVR Men Skill #7 Catch a Wave

2010-10-25T21:17:00.002-04:00

There is no better feeling than exhilaration of riding a wave! Learn from a true surfing instructor and pro, Elliott Zuckerman (excerpt from Men:10 Essential Skills below).

Respecting the Beast
You may have visions of riding in the tube of a 15-foot
wave, but that is not the best place to start. Instead, go for the
whitewater at a safe beach. The whitewater is the foam on the
“inside” of the breaking waves. While it might not be as impressive,
you won’t have to deal with getting past the break or
bothering more experienced surfers. Get the rhythm of surfing
before venturing out to ride some serious waves. It is very important
to understand the strength of the ocean and be aware
of rip currents. Never go surfing alone; it is even better if you
stick to beaches with lifeguards.
It is imperative that you understand the hazards of the
ocean. Safety is your top priority. Before you go in the water,
make sure you practice covering your head so your arms are
protecting your head with your palms facing down. When you
fall off the surfboard, cover your head and always fall back,
never fall in front of your board. Never position the surfboard
in between you and the waves, because the water will push the
board right into you.
The easiest way to find the best area to paddle out and the
best waves to catch is to watch the local surfers. Follow their
lead, but keep your distance. local surfers have a tendency to
be territorial and can become aggressive when beginning
surfers get in their way. It is also important to never let go of
your surfboard in the water, since it can hurt you or other
surfers.

Paddling Like a Pro
Paddling is actually the most important aspect of surfing.
Not only will effective paddling let you catch more waves but
it will also get you out past the break quickly and safely so you
can spend more time surfing. Not that you’re ready for that yet,
but practice good habits now so your talent can skyrocket.
lying on your stomach, with your legs together and your
upper body lifted off of the board, alternately paddle with your
arms using long, even strokes and keeping your body balanced
and anchored on the board. When paddling out to the waves,
always make sure that you are paddling directly into the waves,
never sideways.
The same holds true when you are catching a wave. Always
make sure that your surfboard is pointing toward the beach
and never on an angle. It will take some time to get used to
your board and learn how to maintain your balance. If your
board is tilting side to side, you need to better anchor your
lower body by pushing your abs down on the board. The nose
of the board should be slightly lifted out of the water. If the
nose is dipping below the surface of the water, you need to lift
your upper body more. If drastic measures are needed, it is
probably because your body isn’t positioned right, so slide your
body back a fraction on the board. Once you find that sweet
spot and have gotten used to the feel of the board, you are ready
to start catching some waves.

Men's Skill #6 Propose a Toast

2010-10-17T10:46:00.002-04:00

Excerpt from RVR's Men Skills Book
'Propose a Toast' chapter written by famed public speaking coach, Fred Rivera

It's All About Practicing!

Hamlet said, “Since brevity is the soul of wit… I will be
brief.” Mark Twain quipped, “I didn’t have time to write
a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Wise words, especially
when it comes to proposing a toast.

Things to Absolutely Remember

Write down your toast and practice it.
Memorize your toast. You can use a cheat-sheet and place
it on the table in front of you in case you go blank—print in
large type so you can read it at a glance.

Before you give the toast, be sure to greet the honoree’s
relatives and close friends so they know who you are; it will
make all of you feel more at ease.

Eye contact is very important—because of size, you may
not be able to address everyone but you can address every
section.

Keep your toast as brief as possible while still including
the name of the person you are toasting, both at the beginning
and end of the toast; how you know him or her; a brief
personal reminiscence about the honored guest; and sincere
wishes for the person or persons you are toasting.

CHEERS!

Men: 10 Essenial Skills

2010-10-14T20:18:00.002-04:00

Remember to visit www.rvrmenskills.com for the skills that men just can't live without.

MEN: Try the RVR Knot

2010-10-06T23:00:00.006-04:00

A Variation of the Windsor and Four-in-Hand

Step 1. Set the wide end approximately 12 inches below the

narrow end. Cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Step 2. Bring the wide end up and through the loop between
your shirt and tie, so that it drapes in front of the narrow
end. ( Just like the Windsor.)

Step 3. Bring the wide end under the narrow end and wrap
across the front.

Step 4. Bring the wide end behind the narrow end and up
through the loop between the shirt and tie.

Step 5. Pull the wide end through the front and tighten the
knot.

Step 6.Hold the knot with one hand. Pulling the wide end
with your other hand, tighten the knot by carefully
pushing it up to your collar.

Step 7. Remember the dimple.

Test The Quality of Your Tie

2010-10-03T20:32:00.002-04:00

A great test for checking the craftsmanship of a tie is to
hold it by the narrow end, with the wide end almost touching
the floor. The tie should hang perfectly straight. If it turns, with
a slight screw-like twist, the fabric was not cut on the bias—a
sign of a poorly tailored tie. www.rvrneckwear.com

More Men Skills

HOW TO STORE YOUR TIES

2010-10-03T08:43:00.002-04:00

HOW TO STORE TIES

When you take off your tie, never pull it. Gently loosen

and reverse the steps of tying the knot. Some men store their

ties rolled up and others hang them on a tie bar. The best way

to maintain a tie’s shape is to fold it twice over (about 15 inches

long) and place it on a flat surface, similar to how you see ties

displayed in stores. Since most of us don’t have the shelf space

to keep our ties lying on a flat surface, the next best thing is to

hang them on a tie rack. While rolling them up may look neat,

it causes excessive wrinkling.

Now, you are ready to “tie one on!”

www.rvrneckwear.com

www.rvrmenskills.com

Men: 10 Essential Skills, The Professional's Guide

2010-07-05T13:12:00.004-04:00

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our new book, Men: 10 Essential Skills, The Professional's Guide. It is available at www.rvrmenskills.com and shipping begins July 12, 2010. It will also be available in national book stores by September, 2010.

Please send a post request for a sample chapter.

Fashion Links From Around the Web

2010-06-16T16:06:00.009-04:00

Photo: Paul Goyette

How to Stuff a Linen Pocket Square

A quick yet informative video on stuffing a linen pocket square.

Summer Survival Shopping Guide

Summer is officially here! Hit it with style with this guide to everything you need for the perfect summer looks.

Best Twenty Five Fashion Items Under Twenty Five Dollars

Fashion does not have to be expensive. Use this guide to find some of the best deals out there.

Best Father's Day Gift Guides for 2010

2010-06-16T15:47:00.004-04:00

Father's Day is right around the corner so we have put together a group of the best guides to find that perfect gift for Dad.

Father's Day Gift Guide 2010
Details.com has put together a list of 8 gadgets that every dad will want.

What the World's Coolest Dad's Really Want for Father's Day
Esquire asked 8 stylish dad's what their Father's Day memories and what they would want.

15 Great Father's Day Gifts
Askmen breaks down 15 cool gifts into groups of gadgets, tools, food and entertainment.

Father's Day Beauty Gift Guide
Gifts to spoil dad and clean him up!

2010 Father's Day Gift Guide
No mugs, hats, tshirts or ties included from the men's magazine for dads.

Picking Out That Dress Shirt

2010-06-10T16:53:00.004-04:00

Over on AskMen.com there is a great article covering the basics of a dress shirt.

The Anatomy of a Dress Shirt

The dress shirt is the first step. Once you get that right its time to pick out your perfect tie.

RVR Neckwear Partners with Hearts of Gold

2010-06-02T21:55:00.000-04:00

RVR Neckwear Partners with Hearts of Gold to Help NYC's Homeless Women & Children

Luxury neckwear company RVR, founded in 2008 by Wall Street veteran, Robert Valdes-Rodriguez to donate a percentage of online sales to Hearts of Gold in support of NYC's homeless families.

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 3, 2010 -- RVR Necwkear (http://www.rvrneckwear.com/), a men's luxury neckwear company, today announces an agreement with Hearts of Gold (http://www.heartsofgold.org/), a not-for-profit organization that fosters sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children in New York City. RVR Neckwear will donate a percentage of its online sales of RVR ties to support the organization.

You'll Get A Compliment Every Time You Wear One!

As the nation begins to recover from a challenging economic environment, individuals buying RVR ties online will be joining the fight to help New York City's mothers and their children build better lives for themselves and their families. One hundred percent of all donations to Hearts of Gold go directly to those in need, helping them get through the day and beyond.

It is an exciting opportunity during this challenging time in New York City to join forces with such a passionate organization as Hearts of Gold. Robert Valdes-Rodriguez

RVR founder, Robert Valdes-Rodriguez launched the company as a way to replace an old "lucky" tie he wore as a Wall Street executive. His fruitless search led him to design his own tie, which quickly turned into a passion, ultimately resulting in a collection simply named RVR. Today, that new "lucky" tie has evolved into more than 30 styles in hundreds of different color combinations. RVR ties have gained a loyal following of celebrities and high-profile executives alike. John Hamm, star of the popular television show, Mad Men, wore an RVR Sterling Silver tie on the red carpet at the 2010 Oscars. "We are humbled by the overwhelming support from the most discriminating men and women buying our ties, all while helping homeless mothers at the same time," said Valdes-Rodriguez.

Hearts of Gold founder and Executive Director Deborah Koenigsberger believes that helping mothers develop the confidence to help themselves is paramount to their future independence and success. "We aim to ease the transition and strengthen their resolve in this critical time so they can go on to lead rewarding and happy lives," said Koenigsberger.

To purchase RVR ties and support Hearts of Gold, visit http://www.rvrneckwear.com/.

Contact: RVR Neckwear, http//www.rvrneckwear.com; Deborah Koenigsberger, Hearts of Gold Founder and Executive Director, 212-206-1461

About RVR Neckwear: RVR Neckwear is a men's luxury neckwear company founded in 2008 and located in New York, New York. The RVR collection is comprised of elegant designs that are woven and hand-tailored in Italy. RVR ties have been praised by luxury publications and successful men around the world. They are sold at fine menswear retailers and online at www.rvrneckwear.com. The RVR Spring 2011 collection will debut at The Warwick Hotel in New York from July 17-20, 2010. All RVR designs are property of RVR Neckwear and/or its licensors.

About Hearts of Gold: Hearts of Gold (HoG) was founded in 1996 by Deborah Koenigsberger, a former model and a fashion industry stylist who owns a successful women's clothing boutique, Noir et Blanc… Bis, established in 1989 in Manhattan's Chelsea district. Her caring nature was touched by the struggles of homeless women in her neighborhood, so in 1996 she founded HoG, a not-for-profit organization that exists to improve the lives of New York City's homeless mothers and their children. HoG has raised more than $1.6 million in support of city shelters including Nazareth Housing, Nazareth House Harlem, and Semiperm HDFC. Past shelters HoG has supported include the Alexander Abraham Residence and Icahn House East, LLC. In 2009, founder Koenigsberger was named a Smart Cookie Awards honoree by Condé Nast's Cookie magazine and was honored as "New Yorker of the Week" by NY1 News. The organization has attracted the support of such luminaries as Bobbi Brown, Kirsten Dunst, Edie Falco, Emme, Marcia Gay Harden, Hoda Kotb, Laura Linney, Soledad O'Brien, Susan Sarandon, Ivana Trump, Tamara Tunie, Vanessa L. Williams, and Stevie Wonder. HoG is a section 501(c)(3) organization. For more information on how you can help, visit http://www.heartsofgold.org/.

Jon Hamm Wearing RVR on the Red Carpet

2010-05-18T17:11:00.005-04:00

Jon Hamm of Mad Men was seen wearing an RVR tie at The Oscars this past March.

"Just wanted to pass the news along-your neckwear is beautiful! Best" - Jamie Bryant: Mad Men Costume Designer

See the full collection RVR Neckwear