In 2012, and in part because of Ivy-Style.com, which helped bring Richard Press back onto the stage of life, the former J. Press president once again became a citizen of Manhattan, leaving the suburbs of Connecticut for an Upper East Side apartment. Since then Richard has become a part of his family’s firm once again, but now he’s got the lockdown blues like every New Yorker. Let’s send him good wishes and thanks for his wonderful contributions to our beloved style over the decades.
• • •
Twenty-five years in the hinterlands is long enough. Today my wife and I move back to New York City, land of our original dreams.
Pictured is a souvenir of Father and Son Day 1978 at the City Athletic Club: me and my son, who in those days upheld the J. Press cut tradition at the Buckley School in New York.
The City Athletic Club was my home away from home that I shared with my best friend from my Loomis days, Gene Mercy, where we devoured cherrystones from Mike at the Clam Bar in the lounge topped by martinis at the second floor bar.
Today the City AC on 54th Street is long gone. The member roster included Senator Jacob Javits, producer Max Gordon, Paramount Pictures founder Adolph Zukor, Henry Kravis, Ron Perelman, Ralph Lauren, my Paul Stuart competitors Cliff Grodd and Paul Stuart Ostrove, not to mention Ivan Boesky, who appeared with me as an actor in an off-Broadway production of “Abie’s Irish Rose” at the Van Dam Theatre.
Now it’s time to seize the moment. I look forward to contributing to the Ivy Style exhibit at the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum, along with blog maestro Chensvold, author and sage G. Bruce Boyer, and the museum’s deputy director Patricia Mears, plus her enthusiastic band of FIT cohorts.
Got to love me some Queen Elizabeth II Royal Stewart plaid pants. Had some Corbin plain front flannels in the late 60s and who didn’t own a pair of Polo pleated in the late 70s, made of smaller proportion cotton broad cloth shirting.
I am excited for the Ivy Style exhibit. I hope there are some fun, casually organized events after the opening. Maybe some drinks and an impromptu lecture?
I’m sure there will be many events, official and non-official. Richard, I know, will be leading tours on the weekend, and I’ll likely be his sidekick.
I’d also like to use this site to help organize some informal get-togethers, so that like-minded (you know, except for politics) readers can meet and go through the exhibit together, then go out for food and drink afterwards.
Should be a great, great time this fall with three months of Ivy get-togethers in New York.
In 1974, I had a pair of plaid trousers identical to the ones in the photo. Loved them and wore them to death. One day while wearing them, someone I knew remarked that the pants were out of this world. He said they should have stayed there.
Won’t comment on your return to NYC, but I am trying to put something together for a visit to NYC in the fall – FIT exhibit is the primary attraction. Still trying to get together with Ben again, but it’s been hit and miss…
Nice pants, Ben! lol I’ll have to dredge up some old pics from the Buckley days… If you have any from the bar mitzvah, I might even be in some. Heh.
If you belong to a city club, TAKE CARE OF THE PLACE!!! Give a little extra and sit on a committee. Once they fade, they don’t come back. As Mr. Press says, they’re your home away from home.
Nouveau Riche? not likely, so back to the future, deftinately, so I wonder who else is going to attend the FITM exhibit, best wishes Chris, and proliferate us by the same token as we celebrate you’re accomplishment, achievements, satire, and angst to Ivy-Style.com. P.S. the last part was just a joke Chris, lol.
Really I mean no harm, you’re a good guy, good luck, I sincerely mean it, thanks for all the hard work you put in to this site , and for all of the wonderful, bright, interesting,and meaningful stories you share with us, thanks pal, Dick.
@Man in the White Pinpoint
I certainly hope that whoever takes over from CC will continue to provide us with insights and memories from Messrs. Press and Boyer. We haven’t, in fact, heard from Mr. Boyer in some time. I hope that he’s in good health.
I’ve posted before, this image of Mr. Press with his son is my favorite image of him. It makes me smile. I also like the image of Mr. Press with his beautiful wife at a clothing store meet and greet. I pray they are all well.
In 2012, and in part because of Ivy-Style.com, which helped bring Richard Press back onto the stage of life, the former J. Press president once again became a citizen of Manhattan, leaving the suburbs of Connecticut for an Upper East Side apartment. Since then Richard has become a part of his family’s firm once again, but now he’s got the lockdown blues like every New Yorker. Let’s send him good wishes and thanks for his wonderful contributions to our beloved style over the decades. 
Got to love me some Queen Elizabeth II Royal Stewart plaid pants. Had some Corbin plain front flannels in the late 60s and who didn’t own a pair of Polo pleated in the late 70s, made of smaller proportion cotton broad cloth shirting.
I am excited for the Ivy Style exhibit. I hope there are some fun, casually organized events after the opening. Maybe some drinks and an impromptu lecture?
I’m sure there will be many events, official and non-official. Richard, I know, will be leading tours on the weekend, and I’ll likely be his sidekick.
I’d also like to use this site to help organize some informal get-togethers, so that like-minded (you know, except for politics) readers can meet and go through the exhibit together, then go out for food and drink afterwards.
Should be a great, great time this fall with three months of Ivy get-togethers in New York.
New England’s loss is New York’s gain. I am sure you and Vida will be very happy! Wonderful picture of you and Ben.
This post made me bizarrely happy to read.
best of luck 2 both of u in your new(original) digs.signed-not john norey!
Mr. Press, you should add “fellow Loomis Alum” to Henry Kravis…
Best of luck with your move!
LC ’96
Welcome back to the heart of civilization, Mr. Press.
Hard to improve New York.Having the lovely Vida back will do just that.All the Best, Frederick
In 1974, I had a pair of plaid trousers identical to the ones in the photo. Loved them and wore them to death. One day while wearing them, someone I knew remarked that the pants were out of this world. He said they should have stayed there.
No accounting for taste. Best Wishes!
Maybe it’s time to open a “Son of J Press” store in Manhattan.
Won’t comment on your return to NYC, but I am trying to put something together for a visit to NYC in the fall – FIT exhibit is the primary attraction. Still trying to get together with Ben again, but it’s been hit and miss…
Nice pants, Ben! lol I’ll have to dredge up some old pics from the Buckley days… If you have any from the bar mitzvah, I might even be in some. Heh.
Little extra tidbit here:
If you belong to a city club, TAKE CARE OF THE PLACE!!! Give a little extra and sit on a committee. Once they fade, they don’t come back. As Mr. Press says, they’re your home away from home.
Nouveau Riche? not likely, so back to the future, deftinately, so I wonder who else is going to attend the FITM exhibit, best wishes Chris, and proliferate us by the same token as we celebrate you’re accomplishment, achievements, satire, and angst to Ivy-Style.com. P.S. the last part was just a joke Chris, lol.
Really I mean no harm, you’re a good guy, good luck, I sincerely mean it, thanks for all the hard work you put in to this site , and for all of the wonderful, bright, interesting,and meaningful stories you share with us, thanks pal, Dick.
Are we going to be deprived of Mr Press’s (and Mr. Boyer’s) enlightening words now that CC is closing shop?
@Man in the White Pinpoint
I certainly hope that whoever takes over from CC will continue to provide us with insights and memories from Messrs. Press and Boyer. We haven’t, in fact, heard from Mr. Boyer in some time. I hope that he’s in good health.
G.B.Boyer left a comment not more than a week ago, so he must be alright…
Going through the archives, I saw that Bruce did a reader Q&A some years ago. I’ll see if he’s up for an encore.
Richard Press is a treasure.
I’ve posted before, this image of Mr. Press with his son is my favorite image of him. It makes me smile. I also like the image of Mr. Press with his beautiful wife at a clothing store meet and greet. I pray they are all well.