Gotta love a stylish literary happening. And a literary style happening.

My Thursday night “book club” was both, as first-time author Bart Boehlert (he of the style blog Bart Boehlert’s Beautiful Things, linked here) welcomed family and friends, including me, graciously hosted by his brother and sister-in-law Tom and Karen Boehlert, to celebrate How I Look: From Upstate New York to Downtown Manhattan, Adventures in American Style with a chapter straight from the author’s mouth.

The informal reading delved into driving designer Perry Ellis back in the day, as Bart pronounced prose and phrases as well-turned out as Perry himself, the imagery powerful, the relaxed nod to the fashion world an ode to Bart’s own life of style and taste.

Hear, hear! to Bart for his just-published paperback, as well as to his partner of 29 years, Ted Dawson, who designed the book. I can’t wait to finish reading it!

Fine and Dandy boutique co-owner Enrique Crame III

Brothers in style, Tom and Bart

Friend and neighbor, designer George Carr

Proud partner (as well as designer of the book) Ted Dawson