Bertrand Étienne P.

One man's trash may be another man's treasure, but how that is defined is rapidly changing. That's because what's hot might just be a heap of beautifully rusted chains, or perhaps something surgical - say, some 19th century mortician's tools.

The bay area counts several storied mansions that made headlines in their day for their opulence and spendor. The Pullman family's Carolands Chateau in Hillsboro or the Italianate palazzo Filoli. But few know of Lantarnam Hall in Los Altos Hills, a near-replica of Speke Hall, a 16th Century masterpiece of English Tudor architecture near Liverpool, England.

In the golden days of San Francisco interior design, which many would argue was the 1970's, there was a small coterie of daring young men who experimented in exceptional ways. John Dickenson (1920-82) was and in many ways, still is, the dark horse of the group, with work that is still below the radar -- but that's changing.

The twenty-first century man has discovered his
inner peacock ––– and he’s ready to show it off to the world.

Without a doubt, the politics of appearance have changed and men aren’t afraid to strut their newly buffed and bronzed selves. But are retailers ready to serve this new male customer? More importantly, how do men define themselves as men ––– when the very rules of the game demand that men compete with one another in much the same way women do? Branding the Man delivers solid… Show more

The twenty-first century man has discovered his
inner peacock ––– and he’s ready to show it off to the world.

Without a doubt, the politics of appearance have changed and men aren’t afraid to strut their newly buffed and bronzed selves. But are retailers ready to serve this new male customer? More importantly, how do men define themselves as men ––– when the very rules of the game demand that men compete with one another in much the same way women do? Branding the Man delivers solid facts on why men are an increasingly important target market for nearly everything.

Author Bertrand Pellegrin offers a provocative peek into the male psyche and reveals to readers what makes a guy buy, and why. Discover why men today are searching for self-expression and doing a whole lot more than just keeping up appearances. Buy the book today and see for yourself why best–selling author and industry guru Paco Underhill calls Branding the Man, "a sharply analytic and practical guide to the modern American man." Show less

A first-hand account of the trials and tribulations of finding the perfect suit.

Consumer spending has steadily declined since the beginning of the year, following a weak Christmas season. In a May 2008 survey, 58 percent of consumers agreed "We are in a recession," and indicated they plan to curb spending or carefully consider how they spend. A recession is a time for retailers to go back to basics, that is, to get the merchandise right, communicate what the product does (with the right message), and show why the consumer needs the product. The author presents a number of… Show more

Consumer spending has steadily declined since the beginning of the year, following a weak Christmas season. In a May 2008 survey, 58 percent of consumers agreed "We are in a recession," and indicated they plan to curb spending or carefully consider how they spend. A recession is a time for retailers to go back to basics, that is, to get the merchandise right, communicate what the product does (with the right message), and show why the consumer needs the product. The author presents a number of retailing strategies to accomplish these ends: understanding the desires of the consumer, such as "This will last a long time and never lose its value," "I will be able to share this with my family," or "It's a classic item that can be used every day"; new retailing formats such as pop-up stores and a more effective online presence; and revamped outlet stores. A successful business doesn't rest on its laurels. Instead, it refreshes itself in order to stay compelling and relevant, tapping into an evolving audience with evolving needs. Show less