SEMIFINALIST® - Journal

An Interview with Andrea Nguyen

2023-04-27T23:56:40-04:00

It's always thrilling when Andrea Nguyen releases a cookbook. Her work is in heavy rotation in our kitchen. Her new Ever-Green Vietnamese is spot on with dishes we want to be eating right now. I had the lucky opportunity to catch up with Andrea during her recent book tour in New York City.

Kitty: Welcome to New York, Andrea! I love this passage you shared about your mom’s reaction to your new cookbook, Ever-Green Vietnamese:

When Mom received her copy, she called me and unboxed hers over the phone. She told me it was beautiful, that it was my đứa con tinh thần. “Do you understand what đứa con tinh thần is?” she said. Um no, I sheepishly admitted. “It’s something special that you only could create.”

Andrea lovely in her Semifinalist sweatshirt

It's such a sweet, profound statement. Could you clarify what she meant and do you think it is accurate? Why this particular book, not your previous books? How did it make you feel?

Andrea: I later realized that the phrase best translates to “brainchild” in English. My family went through a lot while I wrote this book. My dad was very ill and passed in December 2021. He’d answer my questions when he could. My mom was always there, even though she was stressed by his condition. When she saw the book, it’s depth and design, she arrived at her succinct comment. My mom doesn’t offer compliments easily.

Ever-Green Vietnamese represents me at midlife, as a much more confident cook and writer. There’s a lot of information packed into the book but it’s not stodgy or over serious. There’s plenty of wiggle room and cool hacks. It’s how we all want to cook today.

Kitty: Being of similar age, I find confidence at mid-life is an underrated thing. You sweat less of the small stuff, which is liberating.

You have written several well-received cookbooks (I believe seven?) How has your process of building a book changed over the years? Does it get easier or harder?

Andrea: Cookbook making during the pandemic was difficult. Getting ingredients was tough for testers and for the photo shoot. Shipping from the printer overseas could have been delayed. But all that said, there are changes that I’m happy about – for example, Vietnamese language is right there alongside the English, without having to call out the Vietnamese in italics as a foreign term.

Smart book design allows me to pack more information on the page too but that means lots of editing, polishing and proofreading before the book goes to print.

Kitty: Clever book designs has made home cooking more approachable. Finding more cookbooks becoming less "cheffy" (even those written by Chefs) and more "let's do this together". Although, yours have always been the latter certainly.

Vietnamese history has resulted in our people and culture living in almost every corner of the world. What do you consider the most fascinating evolution of Viet food in our diaspora?

Andrea: The internet has blurred a lot of Vietnamese culture and food. It’s now a translational cuisine that anyone may plug into. People traveling to and from Vietnam factors into the flavors and ideas that we see on the table, in Little Saigon. I’m extra excited about the next generation of cooks – professional and home chefs, who are looking at traditional recipes and creating their own riffs.

Kitty: I hear you about this next generation of cooks! In the last few years, we've had a wave of young Vietnamese cooks in New York getting nerdy with tradition, applying their own modern interpretations. Really delicious stuff.

Let’s say you have surprise dinner guests arriving tonight - Don’t know about you, but I found this is to be typical Vietnamese thing. Family or friends are in town and ping to say they are looking forward to dropping in for dinner! Lucky you!

What’s your “back pocket meal” that you can whip up with little notice?

Andrea: Fried rice because it can go so many directions – casual or fancy. I always have frozen fish or seafood in the house so I’d thaw that to pan-fry to serve with the rice. My pantry is stuffed to the gills so I can usually throw together a bun rice noodle bowl, too. I often have frozen chả giò (a recipe in the book) so that’s likely to be on the menu. And, I can do many things with tofu, which is a staple in my fridge.

Kitty: I have been jealous reading about the piles of chả giò your mom makes that you freeze and have on the ready! A great tips. A stuffed pantry is a great comfort.

Kitty: Thank you so much, Andrea. Such fun chatting with you. I'm really looking forward to cooking my way through Ever-Green Vietnamese - already jammed with post-its! Congratulations on another classic.

May We Discuss The Electric Rice Cooker?

2023-01-24T12:50:54-05:00

Happy Year of The Cat!

On this occasion, may we discuss the humble electric rice cooker? Iconic and faithful, I can’t think of any Asian household that doesn’t use one. Fool-proof rice every time with the push of one single button. The OG of set-it-and-forget-it.

And yet this appliance remains largely overlooked – taken for granted. Let's change that right now.

First, did you know this marvelous device was created by a Japanese woman?

Prior to Toshiba releasing the first automatic rice cooker in 1955, daily cooking of perfectly fluffy rice (the reflection of a good housewife) occupied many hours of the day. Fanning an open flame to maintain the ideal temperature for proper water absorption is not passive cooking. Multiply this task by three meals a day, you can understand her motivation!

We can thank Fumiko Minami for giving us back those hours. Her husband, Yoshitada Minami, was the engineer at Toshiba tasked with creating an automatic rice cooker. Like most men of his time, he had no idea how to make rice. Therefore, he passed on much of this project to his wife, Fumiko. Fumiko tested prototype after prototype (while raising six children) until she arrived at the insulated one button on/off model, still in use today.

The electric rice cooker revolutionized kitchen work forever. Globally, it liberated women from hovering over a pot, keeping an eye on the rice. Not quite a complete win for women’s lib, but it did ease the path for to women enter the workforce and gain quality time for themselves. Indeed, something to celebrate.

A bonus fun fact: The magical way of measuring rice – the only method I use!

What Can You Count On?

2022-05-18T11:30:00-04:00

On the occasion of designer Dieter Ram’s 90th birthday (May 20), we’ve been thinking about every day things we can truly count on in this topsy-turvy world. A comfy chair, a favorite pen, a hand-me-down watch.

As you know, we are big fans of Ram’s approach to design, and to life in general: function, permanence and humility - in addition to aesthetics. Strongly influenced by his grandfather, a carpenter, Rams once explained his grandfather’s worldview with the phrase "Weniger, aber besser" which translates to "Less, but better."

To Rams, good design is not precious or hifalutin. It’s useful and honest. It avoids being fashionable and therefore is never outdated. It is long lasting and unobtrusive. Good design elevates essential purpose of a product and respects the consumer. Seems simple and obvious? Yet how many of the objects surrounding us reflect these principles? Surprisingly few. Rather, we live with many items designed on planned obsolescence – the deliberate production of goods that become obsolete quickly to generate replacement purchases. Sigh.

Well, let’s be better than that! Support designers and makers who respect us as consumers.

They make our favorite go-to items. The stuff we truly count on.

Happy Lunar New Year!

2022-01-30T16:57:13-05:00

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!

Vietnamese New Year (Tết) is early this year, landing on February 1.

Here's an accidental revelation as I was preparing for Tết. I have a deep fondness for phở, our national dish. I grew up watching my mom make it and later, made it myself from her recipe. Her “recipe” is a list of ingredients with lots verbal encouragement - that's it.

It’s worth noting that the phở making process is an indelible sensory mingling of nurture, togetherness and home. The smell nabs you from the first step, charring the onions, and permeates the house as the pot simmers for hours. Mom never measured, neither do I. A few weeks ago - after decades of homemade improvised phở - I followed a written recipe to the letter. Andrea Nguyen’s recipe, because Andrea never lets you down. It was my best phở ever. Seriously delicious, and made me super proud. At last, it’s as good as Mom’s.

Good Luck Red

While you're making stock, take some too, with this cool journal.

It’s a place to jot down a couple lines a day, for five years. Each day of the year takes you back to the same page so you can see what you were up to last year, two years ago, etc. There is a prologue and epilogue section for each year as well as charming illustrations that subtly help with organization of the journal. Also it’s undated, so you can start whenever you wish. - Who says chronicling has to start on January 1?

Note appointments, quote of the day, even the weather. Or skip the day if you aren’t feeling it. No pressure.

An ideal diary for people who don’t like to keep diaries.

Consider The Cardigan

2021-11-06T12:30:00-04:00

Our favorite garment, hands down.

Cozy, trusty, practical yet unboring. The story goes that the cardigan is named after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, a dapper British Army major general who led the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War of the mid-1800’s. Apparently worn with such military flair, it became a trend that stuck.

Although originally conceived as a men’s garment, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is credited with making the cardigan fashionable to women in the 1920’s. Favoring the look and ease of wear herself, it has remained a staple in every Chanel collection since. Take a peek at photographs of Chanel; chances are she looks smashing, and she’s sporting a cardigan. More cardigan wearers: Marilyn Monroe, Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Steve McQueen, Kurt Colbain, Daniel Craig, and let’s not forget, The Dude (The Big Lebowski).

A bonus: The Cardigans

Let's Cook

2021-08-19T15:30:00-04:00

Julia Child’s August birthday got me thinking about how cooking and generosity are often intertwined. My go-to cookbooks tend to be written by cooks with big hearts who make great companions in the kitchen. Julia is an excellent example of this largesse.

Like Julia, other favorites such as Jacques Pépin, Marion Cunningham, Andrea Nguyen, Deb Perelman, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, Julia Turshen, Nigella Lawson, are as generous as they are clever. You can sense them rooting for you. In keeping with true Semifinalist sensibility, it is worth noting that these are not “mega star chefs” per se, but formidable cooks – no less talented, just with different intention.

Lastly, speaking of heart, check out Anthony Bourdain describing how to cook good food in his first cookbook Les Halles, “You need love.” Love for the food, the process and the people you’re cooking for, “because the greatest and most memorable meals are as much about who you ate with as they are about what you ate…enjoy the fact that you are nourishing them, pleasing them, giving them the best you’ve got.”

The Politics of Pockets

2021-07-22T14:49:20-04:00

Did you know the history of pockets is political, even sexist? Men’s clothing tends to have ample, visible pockets; women’s clothing tends to have small pockets (sometimes fake ones!), if any at all. How did this happen? On the surface, pockets seem to be a reasonable ask. Indeed, women have been seeking them for over a century. Yet time and time again, from corsets to skinny jeans, fashion has failed them. Oscar Wilde said it best: “fashion is merely a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to alter it every six months!”

At Semifinalist, we are staunchly pro-pockets. Deep, real pockets you can sink your hands into. You will find them in every dress, skirt or pants we make. Pockets facilitate utility, independence and confidence — allowing for physical and psychological freedom. They are liberating and enable that sly hands-in-pocket casual, yet in control demeanor. Having pockets brings us joy. Clearly, they transcend fashion.

Where Are You From?

2021-06-19T14:30:00-04:00

As an Asian, I get asked this question pretty regularly. It generally annoys me, but not enough to make a big deal about it. Most of the time, it’s harmless. I mean, aren’t people just curious and showing interest? Perhaps. Why have issue with that? Maybe because it feels invasive and mildly uncomfortable. To get asked this repeatedly reminds you that you are from somewhere else – somewhere that is not here. It is belittling.

Aside from the country where I was born (Vietnam), raised (France) and live (US), I come from formidable people. My mom, as you may recall, was brave and resourceful. This enabled my dad to shoot for the stars. He organized for independence from colonialists, led troops into battle, agitated government officials, staged a coup d'etat. He also loved to read, think, entertain, debate. A bon vivant of action and principle, he liked to remind us about his general philosophy on life: how will the world know you were here when you're gone? He advocated for living large, not just being alive.

So, that’s where I come from.

Here’s to the dads. Listen to them – they know stuff.

Are You Brave?

2021-05-09T11:30:00-04:00

“You are so brave,” said another parent in the stairwell of my son’s elementary school. Noting my bewildered look, she clarified it was brave that I did not color my grey hair. Stunned to hear this. Frankly, it's not a deliberate defiant act but rather a gradual evolution that started in my late teens. Certainly not brave. Lazy, perhaps? Having no real aversion to grey, I never considered covering it. The maintenance would have disqualified it if I had.

I don’t think much about age, or aging, really (the youngest in my family, the “baby”). But when I do, it tends to lean positive - the wisdom and perspective, the self-knowledge, the “character” from bumps and dents. Proof of a life engaged! Nowadays, I’ve actually grown fond of my grey do. It’s pure me and I’m good with that. Dare I say, it’s part of my signature look? I encourage everyone to land on one and own it, at any age.

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken” - Oscar Wilde

Also, because he nails words, “You don’t need fashion designers... Have faith in your own bad taste” – John Waters

Speaking of brave…

While we’re here, let’s talk about moms. Moms are the bravest of humans. Armed and ready to move mountains for their families. My mom was fiercest person I have ever known, all 4'10” of her. Her sheer will could be intimidating. She toiled and supported her family through 2 civil wars and 3 resettlements. She didn’t overthink things, just did what needed doing. I don’t believe she ever gave a thought to equity or fairness. Who's got time for that? She kept us alive and made us feel powerful. Friends describe her as amazingly capable and resourceful while being the most charming and chic woman in a room. She could be difficult (who isn’t) and drove people nuts (that will thing), which made her fantastically imperfect. I think she may have inspired the word unapologetic.

For all they are, every day is mother’s day, but handy to have the annual May reminder!

Beyond Words

2021-04-15T15:13:50-04:00

Scottish Heritage

You can infer a lot about a country based on its use of language. For example, the Scots have 421 words for snow. These folks know inclement weather and how to keep warm. History and circumstance may have triggered the knitwear industry in Scotland, but it’s the culture that made it legendary. The devotion to the craft is unrivaled. The historic family-run mills, the local loch water, the forthright sensibility – all embodied in the sweaters you will pull out of your wardrobe and wear every winter, forever.

Japanese Aesthetics

While the Scots collected words for snow, the Japanese conceived words that are so ethereal, they defy language. Subtle and integral in daily life, they emphasize aesthetics and mindfulness.

Consider the word yūgen. It is referenced when one encounters something beautiful and profoundly moving; evoking an awe so deep it cannot be expressed with mere words. Another Japanese aspect of beauty is wabi-sabi, the traditional philosophy that accepts beauty as imperfect and embraces asymmetry and modesty. You can feel this respect for objects whenever you pick up a Japanese made product.

Mr. Naomasa Ochi founded Tabio Japan 50 years ago. It is a company that approaches sock making like an art form. We had the pleasure of speaking to him about his work and learning how tiny details can lead to a larger impact.

Happy Tết!

2021-02-08T19:15:27-05:00

Living in the US, I try to keep my Vietnamese heritage relevant. At times, this takes some effort and I can get lazy – way easier to succumb to the Super Bowl and eat nachos. Happily, I'm finding myself particularly jazzed this year about the upcoming Tết holidays with all its traditions and glorious food.

Tết, Vietnamese New Year, is big deal in our culture – like if Christmas, Independence Day and every other “Hallmark holiday” fell on the same day. It celebrates the arrival of spring and takes place on the first day of the lunar calendar (same day as Chinese New Year, usually around February). The name is shortened from Tết Nguyên Đán, meaning “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day."

Certainly, it is joyfully anticipated. Growing up celebrating Tết, I learned that it packs much more than festivity. Its rituals and superstitions reveal a lot about the Vietnamese psyche.

Tết brings opportunity for renewal, a reset button that we treat super-literally. Extreme pragmatists, we are raised to look forward and rarely back. Day One is serious. The belief is that everything you do on this day sets the precedent for the rest of the year. Imagine the pressure. Every first counts!

In preparation for Tết, new clothes are bought, big meals are planned, your debts are paid and your home is cleaned. Sweeping on Tết is considered bad luck xui (unlucky) because you are sweeping away good luck. Being xui is the worst of all curses, and achieving good luck is at the center of all. It can border on obsessive. One example, the Vietnamese believe that the first visitor a family receives in the year determines their fortune for the entire year. We actually have a name for it - xông đất - the act of being the first person to enter a house on Tết! A person of positive character and success is a lucky sign. Because the criteria is murky and consequences are grave, Vietnamese folks simply know you don’t go around visiting willy-nilly on the first day of Tết.

Every year on the eve, my mom would leave the house around 11:58 pm only to re-enter right after midnight. Just to be safe.

This is my heritage. Essential, absurd and beautiful. Must not forget.

Let’s celebrate, like it’s 4718!

* Photo:

From the "Our Roots" project, a photo series that explores the complexities of the Asian-American identity, and acknowledges the beauty of growing up within this vast and varied intersection.

Creative Partners: Carmen&Co.
Art Direction: Haruko Hayakawa
Photography: David Chow

Q and A with Mr. Naomasa Ochi of Tabio

2021-02-02T16:18:57-05:00

Socks have sartorial stature in Japan. The traditional custom of leaving your shoes at the door makes them a very visible part of Japanese culture. The variety and abundance of socks available is mind-boggling and at the top of the heap is Tabio, the world’s most respected sock maker, founded by Naomasa Ochi over 50 years ago. Naomasa’s sock obsession began when he was 15 and is so palpable that he is affectionately known as the “god of socks” nationally.

The name Tabio, derives from the traditional Japanese tabi sock worn with geta sandals.

Kitty: This is a delight, thank you. To begin, how did you decide to make socks your life’s work?

Mr: Ochi: At the age of 15, I left my home in the small village of Aichi to become an apprentice at a sock wholesaler in Osaka. This was where I developed my passion for socks. I worked there for many years until the company reorganized and my colleagues and I were forced to leave. My love and expertise of socks was the only thing I had at that moment, so I decided to start my own sock company. I was 28 years old.

Kitty: It has been noted by many that Tabio approaches sock-making like couture tailoring. How are Tabio socks different from other socks made in Japan?

Mr. Ochi: Historically speaking, the Japanese sock industry is renowned for its quality and craftsmanship. The proprietary machines developed purposely for sock making and the attention to detail enabled Japanese sock companies to be the world’s top producers of hosiery. However, the eventual competition from China forced prices down, flooded the market with inferior products and bankrupted many Japanese sock factories. Tabio was able to remain steadfast and the singular Japanese maker to continue to this obsessive manufacturing tradition. We treat every sock we produce with care and respect, paying particular attention to stitch detail, machine tension and room climate to ensure that we create perfect socks. Since comfort is key, Tabio designs socks based on the anatomy of the foot, recognizing the wider toe and heel sections, as well as the angle of the hind foot. This results in socks that fit and stay put. Many of Tabio’s socks are so calibrated, a pair may have a right and left sock.

“It almost doubles the production time, but when it comes to quality, we don’t compromise. And while it is common to set knitting machines on automatic, we tune the machines by hand to create the precise balance in texture, prioritizing product quality over production efficiency. Some of our machines are so finicky that they require at least a decade of training to master.”

Naturally, Tabio uses the best quality materials, from French linen to the world’s thinnest wools. If we can’t find it, we develop it ourselves. In 2019, we began cultivating our own 100% organic long-staple sea island cotton in Nara, Japan.

Kitty: That sounds like an ambitious project. Wow, seed to sock, is it...?

Mr. Ochi: Exactly. Cultivating cotton locally for socks has long been an aspiration of mine. However, the challenges associated with this have seemed more like a dream than an achievable goal. Fortuitously one day, the Mayor of Koryo - the town of our base of operations - approached me with an interesting proposal. Could we engage the town’s community of retired persons in some manner?

Japan has an early retirement age, and its Silver Human Resource Center (SHRC) programs provide part-time, paid employment to retired men and women. Securing post-retirement work has been shown to contribute to better health and well-being. In addition, the Mayor informed me that there was an increase in fallow fields and abandoned uncultivated land.

Today, on eight hectares of this available land, managed with assistance from the Silver Human Resource Center, we grow and harvest organic cotton – a variety reminiscent to the Sea Island cotton that was protected by the British royal warrant for hundreds of years. Harvested and spun in Japan, our cotton yarn has a silky luster that feels like cashmere; it is the best cotton for socks. While the yield is still relatively small, we look forward to increasing our future use.

Lastly, there is another aspect of this Koryo cotton cultivation that I am particularly proud of. The cotton crops absorb the salt content in the soil. This helps regenerate the rice fields damaged by the tsunami that resulted from the Great East Japan Earthquake. By planting cotton on these fields, the salt concentration is reduced each year and rice will be able to grow there again. We were able help to launch this reconstruction project based on the knowledge we gained from cotton cultivation.

So you see, my far-flung goal of cultivating fine cotton in Japan for Tabio socks has developed into a holistic social and geographic project that benefits our environment as well as our products.

Kitty: Amazing. A virtuous cycle. Certainly another element that makes Tabio distinctive. In your opinion, what are 5 key elements inherent in every Tabio sock?

Mr. Ochi: If I were to narrow down to five, they would be: good materials, beautiful design, ease of wear, natural comfort, and durability. However, the truth is that Tabio is not just about a list of elements but rather their balance relative to each other in every product. The most important thing of all is that you achieve a harmony of qualities. I test all the styles myself and believe that “it takes all five senses to adequately evaluate a product.”

Kitty: Indeed. If I may say, we take a similar point of view at Semifinalist. Product quality is a given. But there are humanistic elements that aren't quantifiable. This is the reason we describe our products as "favorites" rather than "best."

I'm curious, do you have a personal philosophy regarding how you approach life in general?

Mr. Ochi: There is a tenet in ancient Chinese philosophy that being true is the optimal way of living. The belief is that you are what you do. The things you do in your everyday life, how you interact with others and the activities you pursue, all form who you are in practice.

This philosophy is my compass as I strive to act with integrity and sincere thoughtfulness each day. As a result, I extend respect to everything, from people to socks. Without compromise, I pour my soul into every pair of socks to share comfort to as many people as I can.

Naomasa Ochi with his son, Katsuhiro, Tabio’s CEO.

Reflexology Lounge Socks

Sparkly Socks

*Thank you to the Tabio team for their kind translation assistance!

What's In It For Me?

2021-01-21T17:41:05-05:00

A toast to the new year and your good health! Clink!

The flip of the calendar often brings reflection and the hypothetical reset button.

Well, here’s a fun fact to kick things off. Did you know being kind is actually GOOD for your health?? Turns out that warm and fuzzy feeling we get when doing nice deeds benefits us more profoundly than we can imagine. Science reveals that altruistic behaviors, such as volunteering, making donations, and random acts of kindness, promote wellbeing and longevity. Continuing down the rabbit hole we discovered that kindness also improves sleep, relieves pain, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress.

Woah, right?

Kindness not only counts, it’s healthy! So if you're ever wondering “what’s in it for me?” (not you, of course;)...

Breakfast Goals

A Semifinalist way to start the day if there ever was one. This cute mini trophy egg cup acknowledges any effort, no matter how modest. Perfect for that six-minute soft-boiled egg with little toast soldiers, or just the right amount of chocolate chips to snack on.

Also makes a fun, pragmatic gift!

No Time To Be Meek

Unabashedly pink and brimming with optimism, this sweater is designed in a magical one-size-fits-most slouchy silhouette that looks terrific on everyone. Made in Hardwick, Scotland with Todd and Duncan 2-ply cashmere.

Countdown is near!

2020-11-27T02:50:41-05:00

But first, the Holidays.

While our celebrations may be limited physically, our spirits are not.

Semifinalist loves helping you find products that are optimistic, well-made and destined to become go-to favorites for everyone on your list in the years to come. And while you're at it, throw in a little something for yourself. Joy is in order for all.

Let's do this!

Food For Thought

Our guiding principle is "eat, drink and be merry", followed closely by "breakfast all day". What better way to show love than through the sharing of food and drink? We can't think of anything else that binds people as readily while engaging all senses at once. We partnered with Nguyen Coffee Supply to bring you a complete Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) kit - Just add hot water. Founded by Vietnamese-American Sahra Nguyen, Nguyen Coffee Supply showcases the growing profile of Vietnamese grown coffee. While many are familiar with its famous coffee drink, most people do not know that Vietnam is the world's second largest producer of coffee and the #1 producer of Robusta beans.

The kit includes everything you need to make authentic Vietnamese coffee at home . Whether you prefer yours hot or iced, black or unctuously sweetened. It starts here.

Hungry for more delicious ideas? Check this out!

Taking Care

The act of caring is the most basic form of love. By giving attention and tending to something, it gains sentimental value and becomes even fonder.

Everybody needs a tissue sometimes. Remind dear ones you care each time they reach for one! This appealing tissue cover fits over the top of a standard cube box of tissues and brightens up any room. Designed by Ellen Van Dusen, a Brooklyn based designer who is inspired by the brain's reaction to color, movement and contrast.

And remember to say it like you mean it. A little note goes a long way.

Dress For Yourself

We are bullish on the everyday delight that comes from owning and wearing the clothes we love. The ones we mend and repair. The ones that have the power to make us feel like our best selves. At Semifinalist, we design as if we are designing for a close friend.

Proudly made in Scotland, our sweaters are technical wonders. Knitted continuously into whole garments, they are completely seamless, resulting in a superlative fit. In addition, this complex technique produces a comfy sweater without any bulky seams on the sides or neckline. Destined to be the one you reach for without thinking.

Our sweaters are the happy mashup up of modern and heritage. They are knitted with Todd and Duncan wool and cashmere, the world's leading producer of heirloom quality yarns that has been operating since 1857.

Our top 5 go-to's right now!

- CPO Jacket for MEN and WOMEN

- Trusty turtleneck sweater

- A good shirt, for MEN and WOMEN

- The ONLY socks you need

- An easy, comfy scarf

World Post Day and Letters

2020-10-12T18:43:14-04:00

World Post day happens each year on October 9. It is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, established in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. It was a communications revolution that introduced the ability to write letters to others all over the world.

Coincidentally, snail mail is having a moment. Like little gifts, a handwritten letter nestled in with faceless solicitations and bills is a delight that digital pings cannot match. The process of mailing a note is an act of kindness and generosity. It requires tools - pen and paper. It requires reflection, sometimes even a first draft. And it requires planning – stamps! Sending a letter takes effort and lets someone know that they are important. In recent days, the sight of our congenial mail carrier walking toward the back door brings comfort as well. A sign of normalcy and expectation. Who doesn’t secretly hope that there will be a letter for them? So, make someone’s day and send them a handwritten note. Plus, writing on paper is relaxing, so extra bonus for you!

Like all our favorite things, letters get better with age. Hang on to them. Tuck them into books and rediscover them later like little surprises.

Oh, and here are some recommended books of letters to get you in the zone.

84, Charing Cross Road

The Selected Letters of Ralph Ellison

Dear Mr. You

Matters Magazine October 2020

2020-10-06T15:31:56-04:00

Read article online.

As seen in Mother's Day 2020 gift guide

2020-05-02T06:00:00-04:00

Expiration Dates

2020-04-30T17:00:00-04:00

There are people who adhere to expiration dates, and then there’s me - much to my kids’ horror. How can they possibly forecast with such precision, I say? Well, it turns out they can’t. With the exception of baby food, there are no federal regulations on date labeling. Generally, expiration dates are just the manufacturer’s best guess regarding how long their food will taste freshest. “Expiration dates are not expiration dates,” states my go-to food resource, Kenji Alt-Lopez. There you go, vindicated!

The USDA created this for quick look up – or just ask Mom.

Shameless plug: Mother’s Day is May 10.

Many of us are thinking about use and value these days. As arbitrary as the expiration date on food, there seems to be a built-in one with fashion. In an industry originally built on a desire for allure and workmanship, clothes have sadly become disposable.

Newness for the sake of newness.

The fashion industry (responsible for 10% of the world's carbon emissions) is now advocating for recycled materials and organic cotton. Fantastic. However, to truly address waste and sustainability we need to address our own consumerism. I propose we act like owners, not consumers. Let’s rediscover the everyday joy that comes from owning and wearing the clothes we love – the ones we mend and repair. The ones that have the power to make us feel like our best selves.

Buy less. Buy Better. Use forever.

Less, but Better

2020-04-17T16:30:00-04:00

Semifinalist is inspired by the intimacy of everyday favorite things. I value the things I use every day more than the things I save for special occasions. These trusted tools -- whether it’s a never-fail stapler or a good white shirt -- are the result of honest, enduring design. My mantra: Buy less. Buy better. Use forever.

I was delighted to discover that “Rams”, the 2018 documentary by filmmaker Gary Hustwit (Helvetica) about designer Dieter Rams is streaming now. I want everyone to watch this film.

For more than 60 years, Rams designed iconic products that have shaped our lives – stereos, razors, alarm clocks, coffee pots, shelving. His Ten Principles of Good Design is a bible for design enthusiasts. Guided by simplicity, he advocates living with fewer things that last longer. Beyond design, Rams’ philosophy has suggested living more sustainably since the mid-70s. As he notes in the film, “the time of thoughtless design for thoughtless consumption is over.” It is hard to imagine a more prescient statement.

Thank you Gary Hustwit for generously sharing your work while we are cooped up.

Katharine Hepburn's Brownie Recipe

2020-04-17T00:00:00-04:00

A badass recipe from a badass gal. After Ms. Hepburn died in 2003, I noticed a letter to the editor in the New York Times that included her recipe for brownies. Turns out it’s the go-to recipe for generations of brownie savvy people. Her secret? A scant quarter cup of flour. Ideal for these flour-diminished-times. And “Don’t overbake!” (cue Hepburn’s commanding voice...)

THE RECIPE

1/2 cup cocoa, 1 stick butter, 2 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Add sugar, flour, nuts, vanilla and salt. Pour into a greased 8x8 square pan. Bake 30 minutes. ''Don't overbake!'' They should be gooey. Let cool and cut into bars.

Channel Hepburn, put on a pair of cozy socks and treat yourself to a terrific brownie.

Everything is different

2020-04-12T19:00:00-04:00

When life changes drastically, you notice small things. I believe that the small things -- each of us doing what we can -- really matter.

I am proud to partner with Frontline Foods, an organization helping local restaurants stay open and deliver meals to healthcare and other frontline workers. Semifinalist is offering 25% off all your purchases and donating 25% of our profits to Frontline Foods. Please enter code FRONTLINE at checkout to receive your discount.

I grew up in the kitchen of my parent’s restaurant - a restaurant they built together after we fled Vietnam. It was in that kitchen that I learned about accountability and attention to detail, noticing the small things. I know that our restaurant would not have made it through this without help.

Let’s do what we can, wherever we can, as much as we can.