Who can thow a Birthday Party on a Monday? The Armoury Can.

Suits everywhere at The Armoury 2. Credit: Tom Sing (@t0m_sing)

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the fourth-year anniversary of The Armoury – Hong Kong’s premier haberdashery – at their new Landmark location in Central. Below is what I can remember through snifters of Kilchomann.

The Armoury 2 has moved across the hall from its previous location to accommodate their growing fan base, as well as to expand into distilled offerings with new partner The Whiskey Library, a connoisseurie of liquors that pair seamlessly with a three-piece in wool. This collaboration proved impeccable last evening, with high spirits all around.

The men of Signet (formerly Lost + Found): Edie Lim, Jason Qua, Tom Sing, and Kelly See.

Celebrants toasted champagne and whiskey in a throng of support for the four-year-old store. Among them included old friends – Osaka’s Ring Jacket, new friends – Makati’s Signet. There even managed a live suit measuring by Noriyuki Ueki (Ciccio) and spectacle sampling by Naoki Nakagawa (Nackymade), who both exhibited an attention to detail and design in the subway-tight corner of customers and onlookers.

As complete dilettante of the menswear world, I shook hands and picked the brains of living legends, the faces and silhouettes that line tumblr pages and dog-eared magazine features. I needed a drink before the 6pm start time to ease my nerves and assure myself that it was totally fine to wear the band’s shirt at their rock show – last night’s shirt read Ring Jacket. Luckily for me, the night showed an absence of pomp and display.

Sasamoto-San and Fukushima-San of Ring Jacket. Bessed Dressed, hands down! — Sasamoto-San and Fukushima-San of Ring Jacket. Best Dressed, hands down!

When I had a chance to say hello to Sasamoto-San, Kimono and all, he immediately recognized the jacket cloth he picked out for me seven months ago. His first words were “Did it fit you well?” He and Mrs. Sasamoto then gave suggestions for me and mine’s first trip to Japan, recounting their first date on a ski lift some sixteen years ago. Suddenly my jacket felt a little more exceptional.

Last evening was free of announcements and ribbon-cutting. It was more a gathering of artisans and the canvasses who wear them. Of humble historians and the collectors of their artifacts. Last evening was what makes menswear and places like The Armoury exceptional.

Arnold Wong's Leica M4. Wrapped in a navy bandana, all-analog. A real beauty. — Arnold Wong’s Leica M4. Wrapped in a navy bandana, all-analog. A real beauty.

Since my decision to study and write about tailors and related artisans, I have found that the true value of what they make is in its story. The generations that passed down a squeaky pair of scissors. The inspiration for an odd detail on your lapel. The promise that you will care for the old Leica M4 as much as its previous owner did.

These stories inspire us to preserve the traditions of our sartorial forebears, and sharing them creates the menswear community that teaches me something new every day. These stories, history, relationships, and community is what you wear on your sleeves.

I wish many happy returns for the men and women of The Armoury, and I thank you for the community it has built and the friends I have made because of it. Happy birthday.