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When Daniel told me that we were going to visit the Scott Kay studios in Teaneck, New Jersey, I looked at him in with a surprised look and said “You’re making me go to Jersey? How exactly are we going to get there?”. Apparently, I am bit more naive then I thought, because an hour later there was a black suped-up Cadillac Escalade waiting downstairs, a complimentary ‘red carpet welcome’ from Scott himself.

As we drove across the George Washington bridge, we watched a video about the history of Scott Kay, showcasing his mens collection ‘The Art of Man.’ Rugged with a bit of rock and roll influence the collection was what I would imagine someone like Dave Navarro or Travis Barker rocking, a real rebel without a cause look that could only be pulled off by the type of person who could hold court at a sold out concert. I was in love!!!

The Cadi pulled up at an obscure looking building in a rather suburban community.  I suddenly felt as if we had fallen for a trick, an evil plot by Conde Nast to quiet down our vocal critisms on Annie Wintour and her brainless attempt at publishing, a final cell and prison, locking us up in one of the least stylish locations possible, a windowless warehouse in Jersey (ewww, shivers). We headed into the building, me gripping my cell phone with the 9-eleven on speed dial just incase we’d finally meet our maker (I imagine him to be a lot like Karl Lagerfeld; old, wise and ready to diet). Of course when we entered through their dual security doors, passed the receptionist, and into their showroom we were transported into a world we could never imagine, a space filled with dozens of dutiful workers putting final touches on intricately detailed pieces of gold, palladium and my personal favorite DIAMONDS!!! It was like Santa’s Workshop (if Santa was really me and I could have my elf-slaves do my jewelry bidding) a wonderful place where everything had a thousand-plus price tag and everything was shiny and ready to wear.

Scott’s marketing  kahuna, Dan Scott, took us on a tour explaining that everything relating to the Scott Kay brand took place within these office like walls. Design, creation, sales and maintence all managed themselves from this massive warehouse, carefully hidden in the middle of suburbia. He guided us into a conference room where Scott’s entire mens collection laid stretched out. Daniel took to trying on massive skull chains which made him look like a total poser in his prepster ensemble. I gravitated to a piece from the Guardian collection which featured an amazingly detailed clasp and linking that I’ve never seen in any modern jewelry piece. Each of the pieces were so intricate and well designed with an attention to detail which just doesn’t exist in the types of delicate accessories we normally see for women. This was truly a mens collection. A set of pieces that define an attitude and style, rather than just some passing phase or trend.

While checking out the cuff wear, which was made up of purposely oversized palladium pieces, Scott Kay entered the room ready to take us on a full tour of his factory floor. He explained his design ethic, bringing us up to speed on what he envisions his brand to be. A true craftsmen who refuses to compromise on quality, Scott beamed about what he believes to be the Art of Man, the idea that a new customer has arrisen that is devoted to details.  He shared his inspiration, films like Gladiator and 300 (a Spartan helmet sits proadly in Scott Kays office) which helped him establish collections which were not only inspired by the Roman-Greecian era but also crafted in the same artisan ways of the period, true reccreations from a time when craftmenship and quality always stood before a name brand.

The factory was filled with nearly three dozen workers all focused on one specific task necessary for the completion of one of Scott Kay’s jewelry pieces. Designers, diamond setters, weavers, polishers, crafters, and others worked tirelessly shaping metals, choosing settings and ensuring the quality of pieces. The process was mind boogling and I came to understand the price tag on these items, seeing the amount of work that goes into each one from multiple workers.

Later Scott led us upstairs to his office, breaking out some of his concept books for whats on the horizon for Scott Kay. We got to see what he envisions as a lifestyle brand, a selection of sportswear, handbadgs, and shoes which incorporate jewelry styled clasps and accents. My favorite item was a pair of thigh high boots which incorporated a Spartan inspired clask and heel. Me wantie.

We packed up and got ready for our trip back to the big city realizing that Scott Kay is one brand that is ready to dominate and in the words of Russell Crowe in Gladitor (yes, I immediately made Daniel watch the movie with me after the trip)  “unleash hell’ on the fashion world.

For more info on Scott Kay visit Scott Kay.com