A Return to My Editorial Roots.

Now, it’s been a little while since managing online magazines and sharing my views from topics as far reaching as art, historic motorsports, horology and menswear.

And to continue with the transparency, I have no formal qualifications in any of those disciplines, except as a self-proclaimed enthusiast, modest collector, and petrolhead. I wouldn’t go as far as calling myself a hedonist, but my love and appreciation for life’s finer things certainly doesn’t go unnoticed… or so I’ve been told.

As I say to those dearest to me, the small details of our day are what makes life so worth living. Just think about it; the morning coffee ritual on a SLAYER Espresso machine, the early visit to a local bakery following the morning run, discovering a new Julio song from the mid ‘70s, or a weekend drive heading nowhere. In the never-ending pursuit of happiness which forever seems on the horizon, we often lose sight of the smallest moments - the moments which are in fact, the essence of a happy and enjoyable life itself.

I guess this explains my appreciation of a good coffee, a well-brewed tea with company, or a cigar in a hotel lobby or sun-soaked terrace. I try to collect core memories with the people I hold closest, in the locations I love, whilst appreciating the history, story or human input into a finely curated object.

Sometimes - although not always - these factors align perfectly, and when they do, well, that is when I like to say, “I’m in my element”. But I’m thankful these moments are not everyday, for then the purity and bliss of the perfect combination wouldn’t feel so special after all. No, I prefer allowing this alignment to fall into place naturally, and on the odd occasion.

I imagine some of my personality shines through on Instagram - no doubt where most of you will know me from. But in truth, content-creators, influencers or whichever other term we are grouped into, are far more in control of what we share about ourselves and our privacy than is often perceived from external viewpoints. Through short-form content via Instagram and other platforms, it’s usually difficult to share or converse on topics which speak to us as individuals with glaring interests. Some of the ways we do so - you may have noticed - are through the music attached to posts or even via Q&A sessions and direct messages. But honestly, there are few places which allow for full self-expression quite like editorial outlets, or at least the sharing of thoughts with wider communities. And I would presume that’s one of the driving factors of why I’m here!

My love for all things classic encompasses everything from music (Elvis Presley, Julio Iglesias, Bing Crosby etc.) and film (the golden age of 1940-60 is my favorite era), to cars (starting with pre-war Bentleys, Alfa Romeos and Duesenbergs right through to the mid-1950s and ‘60s dominated by Ferrari and Porsche) and of course menswear.

Through this new outlet I hope to share a few thoughts and express topics which I and no doubt many of you reading will resonate with. A thread which removes you from your day for a mere 5 minutes or less, whilst discovering, learning, or just indulging in something you enjoy alongside myself.

And from one bon vivant to another, to that I say cheers, and happy reading!

Azzam.