This evening we toasted to Double RL’s first year in Hong Kong with canned spirits, the twang of a folk duo, and the appreciation of a damned good denim outfit.

For those unfamiliar, Double RL aka RRL is a fine project for the house of Ralph Lauren.  The outpost of Mr. Lauren’s ardor, this collection showcases his admiration for the frontiersmen and frontierswomen who built the great Americana.  Iron-jawed union heroes and the rigid jeans a 15-hour shift could break.  Sentinels of naval shipyards with only the pockets of a wool pea coat to save their hands.  Daredevils of industry and the finely combed haberdashers who suited their panache.  Every piece in this store carries the familiar tune of honest pay for honest work.  A well-dressed museum of American history, if you’d ask me.

The RRL staff were generous in hosting the event, offering much more than new items to their impressive stock.  Matt Abergel – owner of HK eateries Yardbird, Sunday’s Grocery, and Ronin – led his staff in passing artisan cheese sandwiches and cans of Suntory highballs throughout the night, which made this morning’s hangover completely deserved.  The house band upstairs played out the celebration with bluegrass and and country harmonies, ringing in the anniversary with all the right tunes for a house of this style.