July 14, 2011 at 12:30 PM

by Mark Anthony Green, in GQ.com

Vera Wang referred to Steve Cohen as the best-dressed magician she’d ever seen. Cohen was hoping for just best dressed. When the dandy magician isn’t shocking the who’s who of New York City from his private suite at the historic Waldorf Astoria, he’s conjuring up bespoke suits from London and ties from Tokyo’s finest men’s shops. In between ducking in and out his closet to show off more “gems,” we asked Cohen a few questions about his personal style influences and the importance of always dressing the part.

GQ: You go by the Millionaires’ Magician. You probably have a lot of well-dressed spectators.

Steve Cohen: [Hesitant laugh] Oh, sure but I wouldn’t particularly be able to say who’s well-dressed, because sometimes you get wealthy folks who come through who are dressed in casual clothes. Sometimes people, especially the nouveau rich, will intentionally not dress to look wealthy. They call it “Stealth Wealth.”

The post GQ Article: The Bespoke Magician – A Q&A with Steve Cohen appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Guests to Miracles at Midnight usually dress to the hilt, and that extends to their jewelry. If you know me, you know I’m a watch fanatic. Last weekend I was impressed by a very handsome watch worn by a gentleman in the front row. Since we were in such close proximity, I could see the watch peeking out from his sleeve cuff. After the show he allowed me to examine it – an A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwork. I’ve long been an admirer of this German watchmaker, but had never seen a watch quite like this.

First off, unlike most fine timepieces – it’s a digital watch. If you look at the picture above, you can easily read the time: 7:52. To see how that time is configured behind the faceplate, look at the picture below.

There are three sets of dials. The hour dial rotates on a central axis, but the two dials that compose the minutes are positioned off-center. They rotate in league with each other to form any combination of minutes from :00 to :59. That is some inspired thinking.

For those curious to see what the watchworks look like from the rear side.

This photo shows a surprise feature that is available on one of the Zeitwerk models – glow-in-the-dark numbers. If you know anything about photoluminescence, you know that photo cells can only store photons when exposed to light. So how would the hidden dials be able to store light while they are constantly positioned behind the faceplate? A. Lange & Sohne engineers solved this problem quite elegantly by using filtered glass as the faceplate, allowing light to pass through the face of the watch, while appearing black to the naked eye. It’s like a sunglass lens, in reverse.

I’m not in the market for a new watch, but this fellow’s watch certainly caught my eye, and gave me something new to admire.

The post Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s watch appeared first on Chamber Magic.

In fact, it’s not unusual for me to slip into one of these purveyors of edible magic after a show for a quick bite of heaven, to entertain friends or pick up a chocolate gift bound to make not only the recipient, but everyone who witnesses the gift gush with envy.

I’ve put together this insider list of the most magical chocolate shops in NYC. Go visit, drink in the aroma of hand-crafted chocolate and the cozy environs, allowing every sense to come alive. Bring friends, share this list and, always, bring something home for those who couldn’t go.

1. Marie Belle – http://www.mariebelle.com/ These are the chocolates I choose to serve guests to my ultra-exclusive midnight show. Each piece is artistically painted with gorgeous eye-catching color images. You won’t believe them until you see, and then (ultimately) gobble them down.

2. Leodinas Belgian Chocolates – http://www.leonidas-chocolate.com/ Vice President Joe Biden was in there recently buying chocolates. Maybe their extra-fresh creamy ingredients make Biden speak extra-fresh!

3. Black Hound – http://www.blackhoundny.com/ – This classic East Village bakery is acclaimed for its insanely rich variety of chocolate cakes and decadent mini-chocolate truffles.

4. Li-Lac Chocolates – http://www.li-lacchocolates.com/ – For more than 87 years, this charming, neighborhood chocolate shop has produced delicious old fashioned chocolate confections.

5. Jacques Torres – http://www.mrchocolate.com – Every time I visit Brooklyn, I make it a point to stop at the original Jacques Torres shop under the Brooklyn Bridge. Now that they’ve opened up branches in Tribeca and the Upper West Side, it makes it easier to shop for their delectable sweets.

6. Vosges Chocolates – http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ – Luxury chocolate produced organically in a green facility that is powered by 100% renewable energy.

7. Mast Brothers Chocolate – http://www.mastbrotherschocolate.com – The creation of two brothers, this Brooklyn-based chocolate workshop handcrafts cocoa blocks from family-farmed beans sourced from around the world.

8. La Maison du Chocolate – http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/ (or literally, The House of Chocolate). Exquisitely crafted and displayed French chocolates and truffles that melt in your mouth. I always stop by their midtown shop whenever I’m near Rockefeller Center.

9. Teuscher – http://www.teuschermadison.com/ – The best champagne truffles ever!

10. Bond Street Chocolate – http://www.bondstchocolate.com – This wondrous little shop boasts an eclectic collection of mouthwatering chocolates and gifts, from chocolate Buddhas dusted with 24 karat gold to milk chocolate bars with caramelized almonds and sea salt that are so addictive, they’re known to the locals as the “crack” bar.

11. Francois Chocolate Bar – Newest location at the Plaza – http://www.fcchocolatebar.com – Chocolate as art, these fine chocolate creations are so stunning to look at you almost feel bad eating them…but that doesn’t last long!

12. Neuhaus – http://www.neuhauschocolate.com/ – Upscale Belgian chocolates at their Broadway and 76th Street branch. I like the ones shaped like dollar signs

13. 5th Avenue Chocolatiere – http://www.5thavenuechocolatiere.com/ – Enjoy their 100% Belgian chocolate and cocoa-covered truffles.

14. Mondel Chocolate – http://www.mondelchocolates.com/index.htm – This is the shop where Katharine Hepburn used to frequent for her chocolate purchases. Old-world, like stepping back in history.

15. Bespoke Chocolates – http://www.bespokechocolates.com – Tucked away on a hidden alley on the Lower East Side, this charming shop hand-crafts each piece before your eyes in small, sublime batches. Be sure to try their pretzel-covered sea-salted caramels.

16. Kee’s Chocolates – http://www.keeschocolates.com/ – Using fresh and often exotic ingredients in their exquisite chocolate creations: yuzu from Japan, sea salt from France, and saffron from Spain. Try their crème brulee chocolate. It’ll become your new favorite.

17. Max Brenner – http://www.maxbrenner.com/ – This guy is like a modern day Willy Wonka. Who would’ve thought of making a chocolate pizza? You can find that, and tons of other ingenious creations, here. Multiple locations in Manhattan.

18. Martine’s Chocolates – http://www.martineschocolates.com – Watch these fine chocolates prepared in front of your very eyes.

19. Varsano’s Chocolates – http://www.varsanos.com – Known for an insane selection of old-fashioned, fun and even downright whimsical handmade chocolates.

20. Levain Bakery – http://levainbakery.com/ – This Upper West Side bakery serves up what are very likely the most sinful cookies in the city, weighing in at a warm, dissolve-in-your-mouth 6 ounces a piece.

21. Silver Moon Bakery – http://www.silvermoonbakery.com/ – Higher up on the UWS, this neighborhood bakery delights with a hearty selection of chocolate, cookies and muffins.

22. Le Pain Quotidien – http://www.lepainquotidien.com/ – The chocolate-hazelnut spread here is even better than Nutella (if that is humanly possible). Also, try their chocolate chip cookies. They’re the same diameter as a volleyball. Try spiking one of these into your mouth.

23. L’Atelier du Chocolat – http://www.egchocolates.com/ – Dubbed by Zagats as the “Tiffany’s of Truffles,” this beautifully appointed, intimate Flatiron shop is sure to delight.

24. Evelyn’s Chocolates – http://evelynschocolates.com/ – This tiny John Street shop is a Wall Street fave for handmade chocolate.

25. Dylan’s Candy Bar – http://www.dylanscandybar.com/ – The mecca of all candy shops, the world’s largest candy store (NYC flagship store is 15,000 square feet).  They carry over 5,000 different kinds of candy and signature chocolates.  A must stop for every family.

The post Chocolate NYC: 25 Decadent Experiences for the New York Chocoholic appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Here are some promo photos from the Can-Am website.

The post Can-Am Spyder – parked in front of my apartment appeared first on Chamber Magic.

As with other Hermes silk twill ties, the repeating pattern is larger than you’d first think. It’s not a simple AB-AB pattern. If you look closely, you’ll notice different bends in each of the cobra necks. Also, the snake-charmer’s flute is raised and lowered at different angles throughout the pattern.

The swami on this necktie reminds me of the cover to a book that I enjoyed, The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick, by Peter Lamont.

(That swami certainly gets around.)

I bought this book at Powell’s book store in Portland, Oregon. Several years ago, I was in Portland for a performance and dropped into Powell’s in the Pearl District during a free afternoon. If you’re a book lover, this megastore is a step closer to heaven. It claims to be the largest independent used and new book store in the world. If you get a chance to visit, you won’t doubt this claim.

The Lamont book I picked up is a fascinating study of the legendary and controversial trick known as the Indian Rope Trick. Lamont argues that the trick is a spectacular hoax, and that through an odd set of circumstances – helped along by the power of the press – the world has been duped into thinking that this trick truly exists.

One of my favorite photos appears near the end of this book, depicting Alfred Hitchcock staring upward in skeptical disbelief at the rigid rope at his side. For a better view of this photo, please click the image to enlarge:

Looking back, this blog post was written in a stream-of-consciousness fashion: moving swiftly from a luxury necktie to a Portland bookshop, followed by a clever book and the Master of Suspense. Something for everyone, I hope??

The post “Charming” Hermes necktie, Alfred Hitchcock, and the Rope Trick appeared first on Chamber Magic.

During the show, I complimented the man on his tie. “Appropriate for a magic show,” I mentioned with a wink. After the show was over, I was surprised when he walked up to me, undid the knot, and handed it to me as a gift. How lovely! I now wear it from time to time, when I want people to think I’m magical.

Have a look at this lovely tie in THE ABOVE PHOTO. (Click any image to enlarge for more detail)

I don’t own any other Hermes neckties, but have found several more that have rabbits as their motif. Here’s one with a tortoise and a hare:

Here’s an Hermes necktie with brown rabbits in a tight pattern. The tessellation reminds me of an M.C. Escher illustration:

I don’t particularly like this following bunny pattern. It looks like a fat rabbit who ate too many carrot cakes, and can’t pull himself out of the ground:

Incidentally, my favorite neckties are from the Japanese designer SEIGO. The shop is named after the owner, Seigo Katsuragawa. He has two retail stores in Manhattan, and offers the loveliest silk neckties at a very reasonable price (only $80 or so). The silk is 100% Japanese kimono silk, and each necktie is hand-numbered since only twelve of each limited pattern are produced. I have about a dozen SEIGO neckties. Highly recommended!

The post Hermes necktie with magic theme appeared first on Chamber Magic.

My feet are proportionally large for my body size: I wear a 10 and 1/2. I’ve had the same shoe size since elementary school, so I expected my body to grow into my shoe size. Alas, somewhere along the way, my feet stayed large and my body decided to call it quits.

It was a surprise, then, when I went into buy a pair of shoes at John Lobb’s retail store on Madison Avenue and they told me that my shoe size is a 9. Apparently they have a different shoe measuring system – not the British system, but their own proprietary sizing chart.

I bought my first pair of John Lobb shoes around one year ago, the ready-to-wear Ashill single-buckle monk shoe. The oxford calf leather is durable and retains a terrific shine, and the fit has only improved since I first slipped them on. In fact, I would say that they now fit like a glove – a perfect fit that feels, shall  I say, emotionally comforting!

During my performances, I like to wear shoes that have a tall heel, since it improves the posture and forces you to lift your body frame. I know some male entertainers who wear boots with an extra high heel (like cowboy boots) during their performances, since they feel that it makes them more conscious of their bodies, and therefore they move more gracefully. (By the way, in Japanese, the word for platform shoes is “secret boots.” I find that hilarious.)

These John Lobb shoes have a decent sized heel, and I have starting using them as my footwear of choice during Chamber Magic shows.

I have my eye on several more pairs of John Lobb shoes. Maybe one day I’ll buckle down and have a pair of bespoke shoes made. However, based on the comfort level and my satisfaction with their ready-made models, I’m not sure if that’s worth the additional coin.

By the way, I visited the John Lobb store in London, located on St James Place, near Buckingham Palace.

Prince Charles and his sons William and Henry wear John Lobbs. So does Queen Elizabeth. So did Princess Diana, and stars such as Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Laurence Oliver. They are known as the “Rembrandt of shoes.” Pricey but, as I mentioned earlier, terribly comfortable and habit-forming.

The post John Lobb shoe addiction appeared first on Chamber Magic.

Over time, I’ve become a watch fanatic, and now have a nice little collection.

On a recent trip to Tokyo, I flipped through a watch-themed magazine and suddenly stopped. I’d never seen this watch before: a Franck Muller 7880 model named “Magic Time.” It even had those two words printed on the dial: “MAGIC TIME.” I instantly wanted one. Why? The two hands of the watch always point to 12:00, all day long. If someone were to glance at your wrist, they would see the time as 12:00. A second hand ticks around, counting off each second, but the minute and hour hands don’t move…

Until you press the hidden button.

To the left of the ‘9,’ there is an additional bezel that you can press. Whilst the button is depressed, the hands of the watch instantly shoot to the proper place on the dial to tell you the actual time. When the button is released, the hands flip back to the 12:00 mark. There they stay, all day long. (Reminds me of the old joke: “Even a broken watch is correct two times each day.”)

Upon returning to New York, I checked with my friend at Cellini, the high-end jewelry shop in the lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria. He made some calls to Franck Muller, and was informed that “Magic Time” is no longer available due to a trademark infringement case. As such, Franck Muller has renamed the watch “Secret Hours.” It has the same functionality (and I had a chance to fiddle with it at the Cellini shop). But oddly enough, I have no desire to own this watch with its new name. “Magic Time,” thumbs up. “Secret Hours,” I’ll take a pass.

Fortunately Franck Muller has such a lovely inventory of functional and/or flashy watches. I have a Master Banker that I’m quite fond of. The craftsmanship is unparalleled.

In a future post, I’ll write about my visit to Geneva to explore watchmaking facilities.

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