It has taken a lot of concerted effort for me to learn to spend money on quality fashion items.
It’s hard to explain…mainly because I don’t fully understand it myself.
For some reason it simply comes much more naturally for me to spend a significant sum of money on an old, rare, out-of-print book or a piece of original artwork by Matteo Scalera than a gorgeous 100% leather holdall.
However, I have learned through experience now that the price tag attached to these items comes with an unspoken guarantee that these items will last a lifetime. In short, they are worth the money.
The first brand that I spent more than £100 for an accessory on was Jack Spade. They were my gateway brand.
The brand may be familiar to those of you in the USA; however, outside of the USA, it is relatively unknown.
I can think back now and remember clearly what it was that convinced me to part with my hard-earned cash (I was employed as a music manager at this time, so all cash WAS hard earned to say the least). I was sat on a train to Edinburgh and a fellow commuter flashed by me … and his dark-grey briefcase caught my eye.
From a simple glance I could see the quality of the product and the attention to detail yet simplicity of the design.
I knew in that instant that I needed to own it.
How did I know?
…because in that quick flash as the stranger walked past I managed to both read and remember the brand name.
Jack Spade create timeless pieces, consisting of quality components.
High quality with beautiful style… but a reasonable price tag.
They are the type of brand I would expect to see regularly in Esquire magazine if you added £100 to the price tag of each item…
Jack Spade was founded in 1996 with the aim to only create items which could be both utilitarian and stylish. This company moto was inspired by the creator’s experiences living in New York, where storage space is expensive. They wanted to create items which could service multiple needs.
Kate Spade: New York is an American fashion design house founded in 1993 by fashion power-couple Kate and Andy Spade. The company initially started selling mainly woman’s handbags, but now have also branched out to include a full women’s clothing line.
Jack Spade is the name for the Kate Spade brand’s line for men.
Jack Spade, is an entirely fictional name, inspired by the couples’ two idols – Beat novelist Jack Kerouac and business titan Jack Welch. They believed the combination of these two idols were the perfect fit for a company which aimed for art and commerce to comfortably co-exist.
From their initial offering of men’s bags – accessories followed – and now Jack Spade offer a full clothing line. However, in recent years, the brand has featured designs by guest designers and is no longer the sole creative output for the marital dream-team.
I am still very attracted to the designs of the organisation, high quality leather goods that let everyone know you have a classic, effortless style. However, I also love the family aspect to the organisation. I have a strong affinity to family, it is very important to me.
There’s a reason menswear is consistently going back and revisiting the classic styles; Jack Spade deliver this in abundance.
Gallus Lad 