Sam Jones Interviews Chef Irvine for Thrillist

One thing Irvine never fails to find time for: making his muscles even more enormous. Our correspondent Sam Jones, from the only occasionally SFW show At Home With Sam Jones, caught up with him at Northfield, NJ's Island Gym to ask him some deeply probing questions.

T-Project: The Answer To EVERY American Fashion Designer's Prayers

After spending over ten years in the fashion industry working with designers from Alexander Wang to Zang Toi, I grew to understand the importance of being able to both source material locally and find manufacturers willing to work on smaller minimums without compromising the quality of their craftsmanship. The industry lacked a one stop shop where designers could walk in with an idea and have it brought to fruition all under one roof. Until now.

Introducing T-Project (Tuscany-Project); A New York satellite production and sourcing hub that's developed an innovative, seamless way to provide American designers, both high-end and contemporary, with full access to a network of over 16 artisans and the best craftsmanship Tuscany has to offer. T-Project navigates the production process on behalf of their client's and offers an a la carte menu of services ranging from raw material sourcing, product management, design, operations and manufacturing without ever leaving Manhattan! Hello? This is infuckingcredible! 

Never before has the playing field been leveled to such an extent. Designers no longer need to finance costly, exhausting trips spending countless hours walking through fairs trying to decipher what the vendors are saying while attempting to communicate back with some half-assed broken Italian or what I like to call Span-talian; You know... you take the Spanish that you learned in school and add a few more vowels. (Although, in actuality, the vendors don't really care what you're saying as long as you're wearing a low cut blouse. Ciao Bella!)

Aside from the full scale production and manufacturing, T-Project works with highly skilled Tuscan "modellerie" to develop samples, offering brands access to some of the most sought after professional sample makers. Having worked with the best brands in the world, these model makers can render exquisite composites of even the most creative and difficult of designs at surprisingly doable prices.

I visited their showroom on October 1st for the debut of their 2014-2015 'Made in Italy' Trends & Collections Presentation (they'll be showcasing their work until October 30th) and was blown away! I met Gaia, one of T-Project's representatives, who showed me some of the most extraordinary work from some of their affiliate manufacturers along the likes of Altre Mani, Beauty Brass, Calzaturifico Eleven, Cappellificio Memar, Denim Pelle, Enrico Pucci, Galeotti Piume, Giano Gerruzzi, Lartigianabottoni, Most, OBI, Parentesi Quadra and Pelletteria Pratese. Each unique collection was shown in it's entirety, allowing us to see the quality of their samples first hand. I'm talking about feathers,  buttons, resin accessories, labels (laser stamped and reverse laser stamped), various trims, all different kinds of material, beautiful custom jewelry, bags, hats, belts... I could go on for days here.


The bottom line is that T-Project bridged the gap between Italy and NYC by launching a turnkey Tuscan operation that gives designers the opportunity to produce high-end articles from accessories and shoes to garments and outerwear without ever having to deal with the headaches and ulcers that come with working overseas. It truly is A ONE STOP SHOP.  



 P.S. Adam, Gilles, Jill, Lazz, Bibhu, Brandon Sun, and Alvin Valley.... YOU'RE WELCOME! (Now how's about front row next season?)

T-Project:
347 West 36 Street, Suite 1100
Between 8&9th ave
212-334-9060 or info@e-tuscany.com
Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm

Fashion For A Cause: One Man's Mission to take a PINCH out of Cancer one hat at a time...

With Breast Cancer Awareness month only a few days away, I wanted to share an inspirational story attesting to the fact that “one person can make a difference.” Jason Pinchoff, the founder of PINCH NYC, has overcome extraordinary hardships due to the passing of his mother from breast cancer. However he has come out the other side with a clear purpose.

Most people don’t have the time or money to dedicate to the fight against breast cancer – so how can one person make a difference? Jason was also faced with this dilemma. However he found a solution and is now spearheading a fight against breast cancer through his brand PINCH NYC, an urban hat brand. PINCH NYC’s tagline says it all - “Take a PINCH Out Of Cancer”. 

“People assume that the only one affected by breast cancer is the patient, but in truth their family, children, friends, and loved ones are also battling this horrible disease. Everyone is born with a voice, what matters is how you use it. The PINCH NYC hats are giving people, like myself, a way to use their voice in support of their loved ones battling breast cancer” – Jason Pinchoff

This October, the PINCH Group is launching a limited edition breast cancer awareness hat in which 100% of the proceeds go to The Linda B. Pinchoff Foundation’s Waiting Room Project. The Waiting Room Project furthers Jason’s mission to create a way for people like himself to show support and solidarity for their loved ones affected by breast cancer.

Jason’s hope is to give men, women, and children, like him, the opportunity to bring a voice to breast cancer and truly believes that together we can take a PINCH out of breast cancer.

To learn more about PINCH NYC, please visit apinchlife.com or contact A Higher Society @ 646.517.5155 getbusy@ahighersociety.com ahighersociety.com  

Converting pain and suffering into fuel to burn on his journey... Jason Pinchoff’s Story:

In 1989, at the young age of 11 Jason saw his mom Linda battle breast cancer. While the cancer went into remission, it returned a few years later just after his father and sister were killed in a tragic automobile accident. She lost her battle and Jason was left a teenager

without his family.

Through his own inner-strength, Pinchoff rose above these tragedies and became a real force in the music industry. As a producer and director, Jason worked with the biggest names in hip hop including: Kanye West, Ice-T, LL Cool J, Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, and many more. With the help of his Hip Hop friends, Pinchoff is setting his sights on a new target – helping the fight against breast cancer through his brand PINCH NYC.  Click here to watch Hip Hop legends along the likes of Chubb Rock, Ice T and Dana Dane support Jason's Movement.

About The Waiting Room Project:

The Linda B. Pinchoff Foundation, founded by Jason Pinchoff, is a non-profit organization raising money for The Waiting Room Project. Patients, their family, children, and loved ones spend an enormous amount of time in hospital waiting rooms. Being able to have an environment that is warm and inviting rather than stark and sterile makes a difference. By working with artists and interior designers, these cancer waiting rooms will be transformed into serene areas that will be a comforting force in these individuals’ lives.