It was so exciting to see friends Ashley James of Ruell & Ray and Billy Moore of Cause & Effect launch their collaboration shop Art & Survival on Park & Bond this week. Both are incredibly talented designers and makers, producing hearty denim and reliable leather goods respectively. Hailing from Tennessee and Virginia, they both display the sort of kindness, generosity of spirit, and cheer that only Southern folk can posses. For example, only Billy would carry Maker’s Mark in a hand-made leather hobo stick and insist you join him for a toast . . . in the middle of a menswear tradeshow in NYC. And only Ashley would be too happy to join in for no doubt the fifth time in an hour. Now aren’t you eager to get a bit of that southern charm in your wardrobe?
