Search Results for: butler

Classical Portrait Painting Exists Today

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Classical Portrait Painting barlyng

Classical portrait painting by Jonas Barlyng.

Rare classical portrait painting

Portrait painting today often includes a context or a reference to the person’s life or ethnicity. Classical, pure portrait painting founded in the 19th Century is less common.

Classical Portrait Painting barlyng

A reader of mine, Jonas Barlyng, performs the rare art of classical portrait painting.

This week he just finished a portrait of Butler. Only contextual feature is the evening wear, bespoke, of course.

At the atelier

Classical Portrait Painting barlyng

The painter and his model.

I visited Jonas and Butler at Jonas’ atelier in downtown Copenhagen, and I went to the reception at Butler’s house, when they unveiled the painting. Both Butler and Jonas held a speech.

Classical Portrait Painting barlyng

Jonas uses a technique of long, swift brush strokes that results in a clear picture at a distance. If you stand closer to the painting sharpness dissolves. It’s magic, in a way.

Classical Portrait Painting barlyng

A new side of Butler

Classical Portrait Painting barlyng

Usually, in photos, Butler looks somewhat servere and tough. Jonas’ painting adds softness to his expression as if Butler has a hidden gentle side as well. I like that.

Jonas’ role model is the deceased Danish portrait painter Herman Vedel (1875-1948). He is very fond of American expatriate and portrait painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) too.

Price for a small portrait starts at 25.000 DKK, Jonas tells me. It equals 3.350 euro.

Photography: Sartorial Notes

Well-Dressed Men Went Out for Dinner in Copenhagen

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well-dressed men bernhard roetzel

Bernhard Roetzel in a classic blue blazer (Possaner) and striped tie drinking Danish beer.

Visit from Germany

Bernhard Roetzel was in town, and I arranged a dinner with him and ten well-dressed men in Copenhagen, readers of Sartorial Notes.

As you probably know, Bernhard Roetzel has written several books on classic menswear. His latest book, A Gentleman’s Lookbook came out in Spring. I have contributed to it with a set of photos.

Well-dressed men at Vinstue 90

Our first stop was Vinstue 90 at Gl. Kongevej in Frederiksberg. It’s a pub from the 1920s that has kept its charming art deco interior. People are still allowed to smoke there, so you have to take a deep breath, before you enter the pub.

weel-dressed men at Vinstue 90

Cheers. Jeppe in a sage green tweed jacket (Guida) having a toast.

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Mikolaj of Blue Loafers talking to Jakub, who is of Polish origin as well.

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Jakub.

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The old pub Vinstue 90 in Copenhagen with an unusual amount of neckties.

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The two-button sleeve cuff.

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Milanese buttonhole in vintage cloth.

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Bespokesman (Ripense).

Dinner at Restaurant Sans Souci

At seven we left Vinstue 90 heading for Restaurant Sans Souci a few hundreds meter down Gl. Kongevej. Sans Souci dates back to 1902. Today’s interior is from the 1920s, so it has the art deco style that Vinstue 90 has too.

restaurant sans souci

Butler greets a young man.

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Mikolaj found a photo on Instagram of Butler in swimming trunks.

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Discussion on sartorial details.

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Captain Madsen.


Bernhard Roetzel on tailors and taste. Cant’ figure out, if Butler agrees or not.

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Good company.

well-dressed man in Copenhagen

Yours truly at the bottom end of the table in a DB suit (Mescia).

Photo: Sartorial Notes

The Best Dressed at Pitti Uomo 92 – Part 2

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Pitti Uomo 92: Faiyaz Amlani and Erik Mannby in the patio at the launch of Pomella trousers.

Don’t trust fashion experts

Fresh photos from Pitti Uomo 92.

I notice that fashion experts, who participated in the event, can spot numerous trends. Honestly, I don’t always find their judgement trustworthy. You have to look at more seasons to find a development, I would say. Shoes like suede loafers and trainers, trousers with turn-ups and skimpy length, and fabrics like seersucker, linen Fresco and Solaro have been around, since I was at Pitti Uomo for the first time six years ago. I cannot remember not to have seen accessories such as bracelets and neckerchiefs.

And, that is pretty much the point about Pitti Uomo. It is a festival of classic clothing. Although new designs, fabrics and items appear at each fair, they appear within the the boundaries of classic menswear, that is, the lounge suit.

Butler and Giorgio Giangiulio


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Patrik Löf of Skoaktiebolaget

Gianluca Migliarotti

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Gianluca Migliarotti, film director, and now creator of Pommella trousers, wearing a bespoke olive linen suit.

Bernhard Roetzel and Butler

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Menswear author Benrhard Roetzel in a seersucker suit together with Butler, who sports a seersucker suit as well (from Steven Hitchcock), though of a wool-silk blend instead of cotton.

Roman Zaczkiewicz of Szarmant

Representative of Justo Giméno

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The teba jacket.

Yasuto Kamoshita of Camoshita

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Maciej Zaremba

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Maciej Zaremba, owner of the Zaremba tailoring house, in seersucker.

Check out the first batch of photos here.

Photography: Sartorial Notes

Readers of Sartorial Notes Met in Copenhagen

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Anders. Francesco Guida has made the suit. Camiceria Artigiana Carmen has made the shirt.

Like last year I gathered with a group of readers of Sartorial Notes. This time around we upgraded the event, and we went to Restaurant Palægade in the old part of Copenhagen. Kenneth, a reader, who imports the best American wine for fine restaurants in Copenhagen, including Geranium and Kong Hans, arranged the menu with Restaurant Palægade.

The Scandalous Butler

I had forwarded a dresscode stating “lounge suit” that most attendees choose to follow apart from Butler, who arrived in t-shirt and worn-out jeans. I know Butler a bit, he is player, so I expected it was a practical joke of his. Yet, he insisted that his ugly jeans were proper, and I had to deny him access until his was dressed in a lounge suit. After a while he gave up, and we could all sit down to a superb dinner.

Sartorial Notes snapshots from the sartorial event

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Jimmy in a glen check vintage suits.

Lasse in a striped English vintage suit.

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Kenneth, wine provider, in a bespoke linen suit by Francesco Guida.

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Jacob in a 3-piece bespoke suit from Guida.

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Disgorged sparkling wine for a start outside Restaurant Palægade.

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Iversen, the dandy, in a pink jacket by Francesco Guida.

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Butler joking in t-shirt and worn-out jeans.

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Jeppe in a bespoke linen jacket by Musella Dembech.

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The lawyers.

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Butler and yours truly friends again. Butler in a Steven Hithcock suit. I’m in a bespoke suit by Volkmar Arnulf.

The wine we had

  • 1990 Tirage late disgorged sparkling
  • 2014 Eyrie Vineyards Original vines Pinot Gris
  • 2014 J. Rochioli Russian River Valley Chardonnay
  • 2013 Paul Lato ”California” Pinot Noir
  • 2013 O’Shaughnessy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2005 Williams Selyem Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

Photography: Sartorial Notes

How to Fold a Shirt Properly

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How to fold a shirt, a sort of craft in itself that is very convenient to know, if you don’t have a butler doing it for you.

New old method

I’ve been folding my shirts for many years. The other I had to realize I could improve my method. I met Carmela from Camiceria Carmen in Turin, and she showed me, how she is folding her shirts. Her method is without doubt better than my old one. It protects the sleeves better. It puts the creases in hidden places.

how to fold a shirt

You can start out with a magazine to stabilize the process. Place it under the collar of the shirt. After a few times you can skip it. Your hands will know how to fold a shirt a properly.

More methods on how to fold a shirt

For sure there are more methods on how to fold a shirt properly. My impression is that the folding of shirt sleeves are key in Carmela’s approach. She does that her own way. I suppose her way of doing them sleeves protect them well.

As soon as you have arrived at your destination, unpack the shirts and put them on hangers.

Check out how to fold a jacket like an old Italian tailor.

Photography: Sartorial Notes

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