Hey guys.

I know I haven’t posted anything here in awhile and I apologize for that.

Between my new job with Stryx, the lockdown and a bit of personal burnout, I haven’t been able to do much in the way of publishing new articles.

But I did want to let you all know, in case you missed it, that I moved last week.

I’d been wanting to for awhile, but it’s been a difficult last couple of months for reasons I’m sure we’re all well aware of.

Every plan I made for this year got thwarted in one form or another

But I managed to make this one work, so I wanted to tell you all about it.

New Digs

About two weeks ago, I accepted an offer on my house, which was a bittersweet decision but ultimately the best one.

I bought this house the month that I graduated from college over 7 years ago. This was the first time I’ve moved since before college. Growing up, I moved a lot, and didn’t like it.

Now I’m doing it myself, this time with my wife and three children.

The house was in foreclosure when I bought it and it was quite an intensive but worthwhile labor of love to bring it up to par (check out the various stills in the video above).

I also built the studio in the backyard, where I worked a great many hours and filmed many of my videos. I basically lived out there.

I’ve been in this house for seven years.

I’ve brought three children home to it.

I’m going to miss it.

Not only the house itself, but Pittsburgh. I spent my early childhood in Ohio and New York, but I’ve lived in Pittsburgh for as long as I can remember and it’s not going to be easy to say goodbye to all the friends I’ve made and all the family who still live near here.

But it’s time just the same.

So What Happens Next?

Re: my burnout, I think the move will be a good change and help refresh a couple things, including my own mindset. A change of scenery, including a long-term one, can often do that. This also gets me out of my comfort zone, which is good. I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I thrive in chaos.

I have a lot of logistical loose ends to tie up (new address, new internet, new commute, etc…) but my new place will be closer to the Stryx offices and I’m honestly looking forward to being a commuter.

I’ll be able to cycle/ride the train to New York from wherever we end up settling (not official yet: I’m currently staying with my brother-in-law) and my home and office will be more separated than I’m used to.

Perhaps that’ll be a good thing. I’m not sure yet. Certainly won’t hurt my productivity. Just the same, it has been nice the last few years to “come home” for lunch by walking across my back yard.

I’m very happy to say that Stryx continues to thrive. I was taking a bit of a gamble accepting a position as the head of marketing for a fledgling men’s cosmetics company but I’m glad I did. Like it or not, men’s cosmetics are here to stay, and I’m glad I got in on it early.

I’ve seen several Stryx products through their entire journey from concept to packaging, I’ve built great relationships with some awesome colleagues, and I’m really excited about where the brand is going.

Another advantage of moving a bit further North is that I’ll be able to do meetups with you fine gentlemen once things return to normal (I can’t wait to start traveling again!). As I mentioned, I won’t be far from New York, so if you’re nearby, do keep a look out

I’ll be sure to keep you all posted about all that.

A few Tough Questions

I’d be lying if I said I’ve been productive the entire pandemic (who has?). But all the down time did give me the opportunity to ask some tough questions. Better still, I was able to answer them. I think they’re good answers

Is it really worth talking about clothing right now?

I think so. Why? Because they matter right now.

They matter whether you’re meeting with your board of investors over Zoom or you’re an essential worker at the local hospital. What you wear matters and it always will, because it sends a message. Are you sending the right one? If not, I’m here to teach you how to.

Where am I headed with The Kavalier?

Same direction I’ve always been going: there will always be new brands to review, new clothes and grooming products to pick or pan, new perspectives on dress codes and how they might change in the next few years.

My assistant suspects that we’ll see a return to more formal business attire since everyone, including him, is sick of loungewear, but he’s a bit quirky.

Regardless, I’ll be here to connect with you and answer your questions about menswear as long as you’re here to ask them.

What do I want to do with the channel?

Again, I’m happy to say that not much is changing.

I’m planning on continuing the round ups. I’ve actually got a few ready to finish up the year.

I’ll be quiet for most of the rest of October but before I moved out of my house I shot a TON of videos and they’ll be appearing regularly through the rest of October. Keep watching and commenting on them. Connecting with you is one thing I love about this job.

In the mEantime

I’m up to a few other things.

Stryx is up and running and it’s thriving.

It’s stocked in CVS and several other retailers.

There’s a new gel cleanser available, as well as several other products that I’ve seen all the way through from concept to packaging.

If you’re on the fence about men’s cosmetics, Stryx is a seriously good place to start. I know you’ve come to trust me on all matters related to men’s style and I’m here to tell you that, while it may never become mainstream, men’s makeup is here to stay. Man up and give it a try.

Speaking of earning your trust on all matters related to style, I’m also launching a Graphy, which I’m really proud of.

Graphy, if you’ve not yet heard of it, is similar to Masterclass and Skillshare in that it offers video courses on a variety of subjects from knowledgeable instructors (like me!). It’s markedly cheaper than those two platforms, mostly because its tutors aren’t as high profile, but it’s really high quality content and a project that I’m excited to be a part of.

Graphy’s management contacted me a few months ago and I was intrigued at their platform, so I put together a course that covers a lot of the basic rules of style in about two hours’ worth of short, fun videos and quizzes.

It may not be new material for those of you who’ve been following me for awhile, but I think you’ll learn a thing or two just the same. Check it out.

I love you ALL

Before I close, I think some thanks are in order.

To all of you.

I can’t tell you how much all your support has meant to me over the last several years. Your loyalty to my channel, your financial support through my affiliate links and, perhaps most importantly, your trust in my recommendations and the personal success you enjoy as a result of taking my advice when you up your style game.

I'm very excited about things to come, and I promise you I’ll be continuing to to what I do for quite some time…

Thank you all!

Want to meet up in New York? DM me on Twitter or Instagram and let’s make it happen!

Until next time gents, this is the Kavalier.