An office can tell you a lot about a creator, but in this case, we were first struck by Kendrick Jackson’s off-beat preppy look at WeWork Wonder Bread Factory.
Turns out, this modern day gentleman also has a beautiful office turned showroom that matches his dapper style. The managing partner of State of Affairs, a men’s custom clothier and lifestyle brand, describes the decor of his showroom as a “reflection of the company’s everyday lifestyle.”
Jackson and his team at State of Affairs has mastered showing off their wares in a cool, comfortable space so their clients can feel relaxed when they’re coming in for alterations or cocktail workshops.
We chatted with Jackson as part of The Desktop — a series that highlights interesting (and always inviting) offices at WeWork. Jackson shares where he draws inspiration from inside these glass walls.
“We have made an effort to take one client at a time in the showroom. It’s important for them to see that their comfort comes before ours. We are proud to have a space that respects this philosophy.”
“It’s important for us to have a functional and beautiful workspace because it plays a pivotal role in our company. It has to look great and be organized or it can quickly look cluttered. You want to showcase an item in the best light possible that will hopefully elevate your customer’s wardrobe.”
“Brandon Andrew, a leading tech and policy advocate here in the District is one of our style icons. We also like Gianni Agnelli, a prominent automobile, industrial, and menswear enthusiast. I love that we are able to get inspiration from icons from the past and present. This really fits into our classic and modern approach to menswear.”
“The ties are from Sette Neckwear. They’re silk ties handmade in Como, Italy, and based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Another favorite brand is General Knot & Co. It’s an Upstate New York brand that makes and designs everything here in the U.S., which has been a major selling point for our cost-conscious clients.”
“In these days of content overload, a magazine like Monocle is in a league of its own. We love the in-depth articles and briefings from around the world, but we hate that it takes so long to finish an issue. Monocle has been a valued resource for us to update and inform our clients on various places to visit when we hear of their upcoming travels.”
“The sketches are from our family and partners at A&H Magazine. They were sketches taken from photographs at the Pitti Uomo menswear trade show in Florence that occurs twice a year, every January and June. We also work closely with another traveling artist by the name of Sunflowerman, who is a contributor at Details magazine.”
“Our concept is very simple. Scour the planet for the highest quality products at an accessible price. Clients can try on each item in our showroom and make an order in person or online. We can have any item shipped to them in three to 15 business days. This concept has been revolutionary for our business. We want to continue growing upward and onward, and we look forward to getting [stuff] done.”
Photographs by Lauren Kallen