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By Mark Starr
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Tucked away in a small shop in SoHo, Derrick Miller calmly explains a pair of $4,880 shoes. "These are our Lancer side lace, in chocolate brown crocodile leather," says the 33-year-old creative director of Barker Black Ltd. The detailing on each shoe is exquisite, from the vicious checkered leather, to the unique diagonal lacing, to its leather sole, where the company's
trademark skull-and-bones with a crown is imprinted with 139 tacks. The "chocolate crocs" are the most expensive shoes in Barker Black's luxury men's line--pairs start at $675--but they best represent the brand's style: "sophisticated, with a touch of subversiveness," as Miller puts it.
The company is at the forefront of a new trend in men's fashion--making formal style hip again, from slimmer suits to sportier dress shoes. Barker Black launched last year in New York, aimed at the man who is tired of the classic Brooks Brothers look but too tough for Prada. The label recently became available in Dubai and Tokyo, and will make its exclusive London debut at Harrods in May. "We're taking dresswear, once an uncomfortable necessity, and making it something guys want to wear," says Miller.
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The ties, handmade in Italy from English silk, include a pink herringbone pattern with skulls in green spades (inspired by Miller's first skateboard) and a single-color piece with a bloody dagger at the tip ("You can't see it when your jacket is closed," says Miller). They are slightly narrower than standard ties, and run from $95 to $135. As for shoes, the most popular model is the two-tone Spectator ($775; barkerbrown.com ). But if the shoes on the rack don't jump out at you, try the made-to-order service, where you pick from more than 30 leathers and colors--then wait 16 weeks.
Barker hasn't expanded into suits yet. But hipper-than-thou designer Thom Browne is making suits with shorter jackets and straight pants. He also boldly uses traditionally feminine fabrics--like pale yellow brocade and white lace patchwork--for men (from $3,600; thombrowne.com ). Never again should dressing up bring you down.
No need to relegate your pooch to a kennel anymore when you go on holiday. Hotel chains have begun rolling out the red carpet for pets. At the W, Westin and Sheraton hotels, dogs get luxurious beds, complete with duvets. Starwood's Love That Dog program gives each pet a plush robe, food and water bowls and temporary ID tags ( starwoodhotels.com ). With the Loews Loves Pets program ($25 service charge per pet; loewshotels.com ), pets are greeted upon arrival with a complimentary bag of treats and a toy, as well as information for their owners about local pet services and shops. The vet-sanctioned room-service menu includes grilled lamb, chicken, liver, salmon and rice. Owners can borrow leashes and collars and even rent videos for their pets. The VIP (Very Important Pet) service includes pet-walking and sitting services as well. But for the ultimate in pooch pampering, Loews offers getaway holidays where dogs can learn to surf or hike. At Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, four-legged visitors can live out their rock-star dreams in "The Hound of Music" program, which includes a night in a hotel suite, a massage, a limo ride and--we're not joking--a trip to a recording studio with a voice coach, where the dog can howl along with a musician or bark a favorite karaoke song. Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa offers dog surfing lessons, supervised swim time and Reiki sessions. After such royal treatment, Fido will have no excuse for not retrieving the newspaper.
Lauren Mack
Top designers are using leather and crystals to take their flip-flops far from the beach. Coach makes a metallic leather sandal with beads ($80; coach.com ). Stuart Weitzman's tan nappa thong sports a two-centimeter heel and matte-gold Swarovski crystal starfish ($250; stuartweitzman.com ). Taryn Rose's spring line includes platform thongs made out of leopard-print, paisley and silver lizard ($295-$345; tarynrose.com ). And Kate Spade's fun leather fringe sandals, in green or coral, will add some pizzazz to any ensemble ($295; katespade.com ). Lauren Mack
With the season's new top-of-the-line tents, even city slickers can be happy campers. Those who want extra room will love the North Face's Fortress 33, which has an improved tunnel design and a side door that props up for additional sleeping or storage space ($660; thenorthface.com ). For extended group expeditions, Mountain Hardwear's Space Station makes a perfect base camp. Its domed shape minimizes wind at high altitudes and a titanium-oxide coating makes it practically impervious to water and sun damage ($4,000; mountainhardwear.com ). Eureka's Solar Intent offers the outdoor experience with indoor amenities; its solar-powered unit charges during the day and then lights the tent's interior at night ($300; eurekatent.com ). For adventure without the back strain, REI's Quarter Dome UL Tent weights only 1.6 kilos; its two-door design means never having to crawl over anyone to answer late-night calls of nature ($209; rei.com ). Roughing it has never been so easy.
Hallee Berg
Boston, once a culinary back-water thanks to its English/Irish heritages, is now one of America's finest dining cities. Some of the best is across the Charles River in Cambridge, where you can enjoy slightly lower prices and a more casual atmosphere. Joining the list is Rendezvous, a converted Burger King amid the storefront ethnic restaurants in Central Square. Owner Steve Johnson favors Mediterranean flavors with prominent North African accents.
Ambience: Stylish--a little jazzy, even--with rich mustard and paprika colors and an airy feeling thanks to a large skylight. Dress is very casual.
First course: Try the grilled Portuguese sardines with tomato-caper vinaigrette; the vegetable antipasto with roasted eggplant purée is another spring delight. Potato gnocchi, currently with green garlic, baby carrots, spinach and peas, is always on the menu.
Entrees: Gascon-style duck three ways is a winner any time of year. Local seafood is also featured, including skillet-roasted skate with Moroccan spices, Meyer lemon, capers and brown butter; sautéed halibut with morels, favas, artichokes and pea tendrils, and a spicy fish stew.
Dessert: Who can resist warm chocolate cake with hazelnut pralines and cinnamon cream? If you can, then try the lemon-buttermilk pudding with huckleberry sauce.
Wines: French still predominate, but the list is inching toward more Italian and Spanish wines. Johnson's primary goal is a broad selection of quality, moderately priced wines.
Mark Starr
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