Today we speak to entrepreneur Cobi Levy about his career and personal style:
I was born in San Francisco, went to college at Boston University and now live in New York.
I’m a food and beverage entrepreneur, working mostly with Jeffrey Chodorow. Most recently, I opened Black Seed Bagels, Little Prince, Butter Midtown and in 2015 I’m reintroducing Asia de Cuba in New York, along with a yet unnamed restaurant in at(?) Sixty Miami with Jason Pomeranc. I got into the business almost on a lark. A couple of friends of mine were discussing how we needed a clubhouse and how much we’d spent on dinners the prior year, which led us to open Charles in 2008. It was buzzy and fun, though ultimately flawed. Nonetheless, I was hooked. Dining in New York is experiential, an amalgam of design, cuisine, service, and the intangible “vibe.” I love the creative process as it affords me the chance to work with best in class professionals from all aforementioned fields. When it all comes together, there is a bit of magic.
My approach to style matches my personality (as it should): precise, aggressive and regimented. I wear variations on a theme, mostly dark suits and light shirts. There is an illusion of intricacy to wearing the same thing well; nothing is easier than a black suit, white shirt, white pocket square and black shoes. Assuming there is such a thing, I’m typically overdressed. I spent my youth in jeans and t-shirts; I like being a man.
As for Levy’s personal style:
Jeans: APC Petit Standard
Shirts: Custom shirts at Freeman’s Sporting Club (FSC). I wear mostly spread collar white shirts. I like that they are made here in NYC, good to support local businesses. The team at FSC, Jon and Enrique has done a great job creating a perfect silhouette for my exacting needs with no yoke, a covered placket, and single pleated cuffs.
Pants: J. Crew 904 Khakis or custom at Martin Greenfield.
Suits: Custom at Martin Greenfield. Like FSC, they are local, keeping jobs in New York. Martin is about the most charming, stylish man. Even though they are an old house by American standards, they understand a modern silhouette. Few times will a man look better than in a perfectly cut white shirt under a tailored dark suit.
Shoes: Recently been buying from Scarosso online, a few custom loafers and classics. While I thought I never would, I did get a beautiful pair of Louboutin loafers.
Accessories: Simonnot Godard pocket squares, simple 40mm Panerai with various Nato straps.
Outerwear: Still have a few favorites from Hedi’s time at Dior. Unsurprisingly, most are custom from Martin Greenfield.
Favorite Cologne: Bois d’Orage by Frederic Malle. I don’t change it.
Your favorite App: Uber. Politics aside it’s a game changer except in Miami.
Favorite piece of technology: Phone glued to my ear
Next tech purchase: Some super duper TV that’s probably way too big.
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