What would you call your style?
Someone described it to me perfectly once: Details meets circus clown.
Where did you get this outfit?
It’s a Jack Spade hat. The hat and the tie really look Jack Spade, but don’t make me sound like a fashion victim! My jacket is from a thrift store. The sweater’s not thrift, it’s Brooks Brothers. The jeans are Rogan. My watch is Panerai. I buy one watch every ten years, and I bought this one used, online, three years ago.
Is the collar only half-up on purpose?
That’s the Linus in me. You know how the Berbers purposely weave a mistake into every rug? It’s like that.
That’s a very yellow bag.
It’s from Coach, and it’s a great color yellow—very obnoxious, in a subtle, tasteful sort of way.
Do you have any grooming rituals?
I don’t use products. I just wake up. How about style icons? Jean-Luc Godard movies—Alain Delon or Jean-Paul Belmondo. That sounds pretentious, though.
How did you choose a wheaten terrier?
I’m allergic to dogs, and he’s hypoallergenic.Why’d you name him Oskar? It was kind of an Oscar Wilde, Oscar the Grouch thing. But a friend had just named his kid Oscar, so I used the k out of good conscience.He looks like he needs a lot of space.
Do you have a giant apartment?
I live in a loft on Hudson Street, but I have this hundred-acre farm in Sullivan County. There’s a pond and a stream and even more land than he needs. I bought it for Oskar. It was good for both of us.
What’s your favorite commercial that you’ve ever made?
For the Mini Cooper. A duck shows up at a guy’s apartment and they take a road trip.
How about your favorite all-time commercials?
I would say photography and movies inspire me more. I like Terrence Malick films; The Thin Red Line is my favorite. And Gummo.
Let me guess … you want to make movies?
Of course! It’s kind of a cliché, though, huh?