Yolanda Edwards should come as no surprise to all of you as my guest today. She, like her husband Matt Hranek, is the epitome of a collector. She cut her cloth working for Martha Stewart and eventually became the creative director for Conde Nast Traveler, but it’s safe to say her magazine, Yolo Journal, is exactly where she’s supposed to be. Yolanda and Matt have become the go to for a lot of things, but traveling advice has always been paramount. Whether it’s her writing or the photographers telling you the story, Yolo Journal and her newsletter answers all those questions you have about the hidden gems worth traveling to and where to treasure hunt while you’re there. Although she travels the world to experience familiar and new places, one thing has remained the same, and that is that no trip is complete without hunting for goods to add to her many collections. THAT, is the epitome of a collector. Alright, let’s get into it. Yolanda Edwards, for Collectors Gene Radio.

YOLO Journal - https://www.yolojournal.com/

Known as the last great rattan dealer, Harvey Schwartz is getting ready to relaunch his infamous rattan company, Tropical Sun. So why is Harvey the last great rattan dealer? Well, at 80 years old he’s still running the show and grabbing up all the great rattan known, even if it means going to a swap meet at 5am. To say he loves this stuff is an understatement. His collection spans over 2500pcs, and the best part? It’s all for sale. Harvey actually started as an aerospace engineer which has surprisingly helped him in his rattan business more than you would think. He’s not only dealing in vintage, but he’s bringing the old stuff back and bending the rattan himself. Be sure to check out his store in Los Angeles next time you’re around, or his website. But for now, please enjoy, Harvey Schwartz, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Tropical Sun Rattan - https://tropicalsunrattan.com/

Rattan Furniture Book - https://www.amazon.com/Rattan-Furniture-Schiffer-Military-History/dp/0764307703

Today I’m chatting with Malaika Crawford, style editor at Hodinkee. Our chat is a bit different than the usual you’re used to here, as I really wanted to get Malaika’s thoughts on styling, diversification, and what all of this means for us collectors. After moving to New York in 2014, Malaika started working for Mel Ottenberg, you know, Rhianna’s stylist. Getting an early exposure to all things luxury has propelled the trajectory of her career and here we are. But all of this had to start somewhere, and it actually began with the collector she looks up to the most. Malaika’s got a pulse on all the latest trends, and if anyone has an eye for what looks intriguing, it’s her. So here it is, Malaika Crawford, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Malaika's Storie's - https://www.hodinkee.com/pages/masthead/552

Aaron Sigmond, or as a lot of you may know him, Sig, is one of the more well known authors in the luxury space. You know that $1200 book from Assouline, The Impossible Collection of Cigars, well that’s Sig. Or the Drive, Sea, and Air Time series, also Sig. Nonetheless, you’ve seen his books and if you know him, his love for cigars doesn’t stop at writing about them. But as an author and collector, you can imagine being a bibliophile takes precedence. We talk about his upbringing and how collecting always remained top of mind in the household. And after getting acquainted with and mentored by a well-known film director and fellow bibliophile while in college, Sig’s career went from being Editor In Chief at Smoke magazine, to being one of the most respected authors on life’s luxuries. He was taught to never be envious of anyone else’s possessions, which I think is what makes him a great collector. It’s the same old story, buy what you love and what speaks to you the most. Sig’s got some exciting projects on the horizon that he can’t quite spill on yet. So for now, please enjoy, Aaron Sigmond, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Sig's Books - https://aaronsigmondbooks.com/

Today’s guest is one I’ve been excited about for quite some time now. Mary Randolph Carter, or Carter as she prefers, is the author of many books on collecting what she likes to call, “junk” and finds some time to be the creative director at Ralph Lauren. But this isn’t a new hobby for Carter as she has been collecting for as long as she can remember and has mastered the art of clutter, or the perfectly imperfect. She’s got stuff in the empty space under the desk, the walls are filled with artwork, and it really doesn’t stop there. But there’s not necessarily a rhyme or reason to her collections, but it’s the idea of what catches her eye that makes her a great collector. For example, the garden tools she wrote a book on or the kitchen junk book, both of which doesn’t partake in. It’s not very often you get to hear the excitement in someone’s voice about the things that they love, or the things they grew up around, but Carter’s book “A Perfectly Kept House, Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life, is the perfect idea of whether you’re a minimalist or you love junk, you can still find a way to add character to your home. She’s collecting each and every week, in fact, she tells me how she’s looking forward to her next hunt this weekend. I’ve been a fan of Carter’s for quite some time now and I know you’ll be hooked on her books like I’ve been. So without further adieu, Carter, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Mary Randolph Carter's Books - https://www.amazon.com/Books-Mary-Randolph-Carter/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AMary+Randolph+Carter

RL Interview - https://www.ralphlauren.com/rlmag/culture-books-home-Mary-Randolph-Carter.html?ab=en_US_dlp_ATHOME_Slot_2_S1_L1_SHOP

Today we’re chatting with a friend of mine who's been a collector for as long as he can remember. James Lamdin, founder of Analog/Shift, is no stranger to the watch and car community. Fresh off a sale to Watches of Switzerland, we talk about how he got into collecting from an early age and how things have changed since running a successful business. Not only a collector of the aforementioned, but James is after rare movie posters, vinyls, coffee table books, and just about anything else he can get his hands on. But if there’s one thing James has, that’s patience, which makes him always collect with a purpose. I mean the guys just getting ready to pick up a multi-year project on a vintage 911 and drive it through the west coast. As James puts it, he’s never met a dollar he couldn’t spend. So without further adieu, James Lamdin, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Analog Shift - https://www.analogshift.com/

Watches of Switzerland - https://www.watchesofswitzerland.com/

As small as the watch world is, there’s a lot more collectors out there than you would think. But not all of them stand out or impress, subjective of your taste. And then there’s Jaclyn. Jaclyn is a collector who took the community for a loop when she popped up on the scene in 2020. Since then, she’s taken us along with her as she ebbs and flows through her collection. But as an Ivy League student, how does she find time to collect, co-host her watch podcast, The Waiting List, and make sure she’s doing it with purpose? Well, as a ceramics collector as well, she takes the same approach to watch collecting as the pottery making process. With Jaclyn, everything is done with intention, but for herself, nobody else, and that’s what makes her and her collection so unique. So without further adieu, my friend Jaclyn Li, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Jaclyn's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/a.dose.of.time/

Joining me today is Editor in Chief of Robb Report, Paul Croughton. Paul reached out to me as a fan of the podcast, which was truly humbling as I’ve been a fan of Robb Report for quite some time. Without knowing him too well, I figured he had to be a collector. In fact, Paul’s been collecting his whole life. His father was a collector and he subsequently caught the bug early on. From action figures and magazines, to vinyls and record decks, Paul’s collecting has since evolved into vintage barware and watches. We chat about what it means to collect and curate for himself, but also as Editor in Chief of one of the largest luxury publications around. His vintage barware collection is as extensive as a jigger that plays music as you pour, which you’ll all get to hear mid show. Needless to say, Paul’s life revolves around luxury things and he’s found a way to hone that in on his own collecting. I’m grateful to present, Paul Croughton, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Tyler, The Creator Robb Report Article - https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/tyler-the-creator-prized-possessions-1234758594/

Editors Letter - https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/editors-letter-2023-march-1234808624/

Today we’re chatting with a collector that’s owned some of the rarest gems in the world and has created some of the most sought after jewelry. Glenn Spiro, based in London, is calling in today from the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, where he has an outpost that he opens for just two weeks out of the year. G has created some of the most magnificent pieces utilizing the highest of quality and rarest stones in the world, from diamonds to emeralds. He’s created pieces for some of the most exclusive, including Beyonce, and has his very own book made by Assouline. Not only is he selling jewelry with some of the most incredible gems in the world, but he’s also collecting them too. In fact, he puts stones away for his daughters every year and tells an incredible story which you’ll have to wait until the end to for. He’s a first generation for his family in this business and deserves all the credit. Without further adieu, Glenn Spiro, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Glenn Spiro - https://glennspiro.com/
Beyonce's Papillon Ring - https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/papillon-ring-by-glenn-spiro

Today we’re chatting with the Men’s Fashion Director for Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, Bruce Pask. Bruce has had an amazing trajectory in menswear over the last 30 years, especially for someone who grew up in Southern Arizona. Today’s conversation on collecting is a little different than something I have done in the past. As a Fashion Director of two of the biggest names in the industry, Bruce’s role is really curating collections for well, all of us. Curating for multiple brands has become a fairly easy task for him as he’s always got his eyes on the next thing, but what really goes into curating collections and how it relates to collecting as a whole is what I wanted to know. Collecting as a hobby can come in many different forms, and Bruce is the perfect example of that. And without realizing it, he also collects one very specific item of clothing which has become a staple in his everyday wardrobe. It’s safe to say that we could all learn something from Bruce. But for now, please enjoy Bruce Pask, for Collectors Gene Radio.

B. Shop - https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/c/editorial-5th-58th-b-shop-cat455214

Bruce Pask Esquire Spread - https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a40643285/bruce-pask-neiman-marcus-bergdorf-goodman-five-fits-with/