My daughter and I have been crafting a new reality show to pitch to the major networks: Tackle the Pope. With a one million dollar prize, teams are encouraged to find new venues and ways to tackle the Pope to the ground. I can see it now: Disguises include fake Bishop and Cardinal outfits, black-clad hunchbacked Italian Nonnas, and dwarfs disguised as flower-girls with offerings to His Holiness. The team with the most successful tackles in a season wins the grand prize.

And think of the spin-offs: Mug the Mullah, Push the Patriarch, Wrestle the Rabbi…the options are as numerous as there are religious leaders!

Ever have one of those days that made you feel like this?

In the beginning, there was the birthday (or other special event) card. With the advance of technology came the email card; a great innovation that quickly lost its impact and appeal because of all the ads and pop-ups that such cards carried (a necessity if they were to remain free of charge). Some disdain email cards because they carry the conceit of, “I’m too busy to go to the store and actually write you a card and go to a post office to mail it”. They prefer to buy and write traditional cards and actually go to the post office, etc. More power to them.

For the rest of us, there are Jacquie Lawson cards. Exquisitely designed, subscription based, i.e. money (but no ads, pop-ups, etc.), and still requiring time, effort, and thoughtfulness to craft a personalized message. A nice alternative to the freebies, and true works of Art at the same time. Worth a look just for the pleasure of seeing the creativity and artfulness.

As both a Leica enthusiast since the early 1970’s, and a corporate turnaround specialist, I’ve followed Leica’s various responses to the evolution of the photography market with keen interest.

It was easier to understand Leica’s strategy while it was a public company since its financial statements and notes to shareholders were readily accessible. Since being rescued by Dr. Kaufmann a few years ago, that’s no longer the case. Private companies in trouble do have some distinct advantages, one of them being the ability to exercise the wonderful entrepreneurial privilege of “before you can make it, you have to fake it”, i.e. they can spin all kinds of great stories to inspire customer confidence while they’re getting their act together. And I’m not being facetious here; customer confidence is a crucial driver of success in any rescue (just look at what is happening to the US auto industry if you have any doubts).

Nevertheless, we can still understand even a private company’s strategy from the outside, by looking at what it is doing in the market. One thing that’s clear is that Leica has decided to reposition itself as a luxury-goods player à la Louis Vuitton, Rolex, and Zegna, among many others. You will have surely noticed the rather astronomical rise in prices for its cameras and lenses. The repatriation of its manufacturing of the X1 POS to Germany is another nail in the coffin of the understandable, if misguided, partnership with Panasonic that was an effort to play both sides of the market: The traditional Leica enthusiast, and the new digital POS user. The release of painful (to traditional Leicaphiles) cameras like the white M8.2 and the new Hermes M7 are further nods to the purposeful collectors and fashionistas.

My original reaction to all this was one of anger and disappointment as I saw Leica “speaking” less and less to traditional users like myself. But stepping away from my personal interests and looking at it professionally, it’s fairly clear that this is the right strategy for Leica – simply because there are few other options left. And ultimately, it is also the right strategy for users like me, who must swallow the bitter pill that in a market of disposable cameras, we will all have to pay a lot more for brilliant design and superb craftsmanship.

But there’s a potential fly in this therapeutic ointment. There are few (I can only think of one) luxury goods makers in the high technology market. In many ways Leica brings Danish audio and video maker Bang & Olufsen to mind. With superb design and aesthetics, wonderful sound and images, and an astronomical price, B&O is de-rigeur in the homes of the rich and famous. But a sound system isn’t a digital camera, and a Leica in particular demands photographic skill as well as the money and aesthetic sensibilities to own one. The “S” function on the M8.2 was an effort to make the camera more accessible to a less experienced segment of the market. It failed and is nowhere to be seen on the M9 (rightfully so).

The M9 will be an unqualified success because it is the Holy Grail for Leicaphiles. I bought an M8.2 new in May 2009 and already have an M9 on order. But would I buy an M9.2 or an M10 within the next 5 years? I don’t think so. The S2 is still not available and Leica’s competitors aren’t standing still. How long before Canon and Nikon have technologically competitive products for the professional, at a fraction of the price? Short product life-cycles are now the norm for technology companies. Products are generally built so well that they can last forever; the key is to keep innovating and make them technologically obsolete while bringing new stuff to market fast, in order to keep revenues flowing.

The nagging question is: Is there a sufficient upscale market for the M, the S, possibly a new R, and point-and-shoots like the X1 to sustain a company like Leica in the medium term? And will buyers shelling out thousands of dollars be interested in continuing to fork out for products that become obsolete every couple of years? An authentic Louis Vuitton bag will last a lifetime with some care. A B&O will provide pleasure for 10-20 years (I finally sold mine a couple years ago after 20 years of use). A Rolex will last several lifetimes, passed down from one generation to the next. A digital Leica? Two to four years…maybe.

One possible answer is that Leica must build upgradeability into its cameras. I would have been happy to pay a couple of thousand dollars to upgrade my M8.2 to an M9. But for the time being, I appreciate the efforts and moneys that are being invested to save a beloved company that represents values so dear to the many serious photographers that grew up with its iconic brand.

My business partner, Mr. Angelo, has a knack for inventing great quotes. Here’s one that had me laughing out loud this morning: “There’s nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequals”.

This from archaeologist daughter during lunch yesterday at L’Express bistro:

She: “So I read your blog entry on Elements of style”.

Me: “How did you like it?”.

She: “I found it a little strange coming from a guy who spends his days in elastic-waistband shorts and a t-shirt”.

While researching the topic of the status of men’s shoes for one of my posts last week, I came across GQ’s web site. It featured a section called 10 Essentials, which turned out to be ten celebrities’ opinions of 10 items that are “essential” to a man’s possessions. So, I figured, “Hey, I’m a legend in my own mind, why don’t I develop my own list of 10 essentials?”. Here it is: Steve’s 10 Essentials (featuring photos of my personal choices for each item):

1. A good mechanical self-winding watch

No batteries. Waterproof. Shockproof. Winds itself. Lasts forever. Can be passed over to the next generation. Used to be great value for money (bought mine new for $185 in 1971)…not sure if that’s still true since most of the best brands have become “luxury” goods. Buy the best you can afford even if it means a financial stretch (1971 Rolex Air-King Date).

2. A double-edge razor (DE)

Nothing shaves better. Cartridge razors do their thing by tugging at the beard and cutting it above the surface of the skin. A DE shaves the beard at skin level taking a micro-thin layer of skin cells with it. Women pay big bucks to do this every day with all kinds of fancy-shmantzy products (It’s called exfoliation). DE shavers get it for free. Supposed to keep your skin looking younger too. Who knows? Feels better than cartridge shaving and leaves you with a real sense of accomplishment in addition to a better shave (Edwin Jagger Chatsworth razor).

3. A comfortable work chair.

My friend Jens used to say, “A man should spend the most money on the two things in which he’ll spend the most time: His mattress and his shoes”. I’d add a chair to that list, since most of us will spend 6-8 hours a day sitting on our duffs. Fully adjustable, reclining so you can put your feet up on the desk, firm and supportive in the back and thighs. Contoured to fit. Available in different sizes to accommodate different sized bodies and butts (Aeron Chair by Herman Miller).

4. And speaking of shoes…at least two pairs of great classic leather shoes (two because you should never wear the same pair on consecutive days).

Goodyear welted. Leather uppers and soles. Keep them in cedar shoe trees so that they can dry back to their natural shape. Polish occasionally. If you can afford it, get one pair in cordovan leather (horsehide). Take reasonable care and they will last your lifetime. Take really good care and your son will be wearing them once he “wakes” up somewhere around age 30. They will be supremely comfortable and always look great (Alden Genuine Shell Cordovan Model 975).

5. A Leica M camera.

Look I could have said “A good quality camera” but why beat around the bush? There are cameras and then there is the Leica M. If you’re a serious photographer you owe it to yourself to own one in your lifetime. Life is short. Cut back on other useless shit. It’s a lot less expensive than psychotherapy and much more effective (Leica M9 full-frame digital camera).

6. A badger shaving brush.

Boar is great too. Either way, a good shaving brush will prepare and set up your beard for an amazing shave. And the sensual pleasure of the brush is just so much better than slathering on gloop from a spray can (Dan Capshaw brush in Cocobolo wood).

7. A handmade leather bike seat.

Once your butt breaks it in it will be the most comfortable seat you’ll ever own, allowing painless riding for many hours. Like a great pair of handmade  leather shoes, a bike seat like the ones Brooks makes, will last a lifetime (or more), and will link you to a past when things were made by craftspeople who cared about their work and things lasted forever rather than being disposed and filling up the landfill sites (Brooks B-17 Titanium).

8. A custom made bike.

Fitted to you like a bespoke suit. The bike feels like an extension of your arms and legs. Amazing pleasure. You could ride forever. Lasts for generations. As current today as the day it was built. Timeless (1981 Leonard set up for winter on a Tacx indoor trainer).

9. A fountain pen.

I’ve owned a few, including a couple of Mont-Blanc, but none come close to my Dad’s iconic Parker 51.  Still in pristine condition although it’s actual manufacturing date is 1948 (from the date code). It writes with a smoothness that puts roller balls and even felt-tipped pens to shame. You may only occasionally use it to sign your name to some important document, but it will make you feel far more important than you really are. Like MacArthur accepting the Japanese surrender. No wonder it’s in the Museum of Modern Art’s design collection and has a whole book written about it. A couple of years ago, Parker reissued a commemorative version of the ‘51. Garbage. Like writing with a chicken’s foot. The good news? There’s thousands of original ’51’s on the market in great shape. Just be prepared to pay a hefty dollar (Parker ‘51 with blue diamond clip).

10. A patient and long-suffering wife with strange hobbies of her own (Alpaca for spinning and weaving).

There are some delicacies that many people eschew because of their cost. And certainly if you look at the cost/weight of certain foods and compare them to others, they easily appear to be outrageously expensive and very poor value-for-money. For example, one can buy a top quality Fillet Mignon for about $40/kg (about $18/lb). Compare this to a piece of tuna bottarga (dried, salted tuna roe) at $800/kg, or a white truffle at about $2000/lb, and you may well exclaim, “You’re outta your mind!” with some apparent justification.

But consider this. One ounce (app. 30g) of tuna bottarga grated onto pasta will easily bring both satisfaction and a beatific smile to the faces of four people with relative ease. That translates to $24, or $6 per person. The same value of Fillet Mignon would leave two people craving for more and two with nothing on their plates! Truffles are not too far off that mark either. My point is that some of the greatest culinary experiences need not be prohibitive if taken in the context of how much is needed to produce great pleasure and satisfaction.

Of course, from a nutritional standpoint, these delicacies are definitely not great value for money…the steak will provide lots more protein and other essential nutrients (a lot of extra fat too though). And one doesn’t need to eat Fillet Mignon either…the same money will buy quantities of lean pork to feed a small army at current low prices.

But for occasional forays into wonderful culinary experiences, one needs to keep the cost/volume relationship in mind…it may just enable some of the most pleasurable (food) moments you will ever have.

Tonight’s dinner was simplicity itself. Spaghettini with a grating of tuna bottarga, tossed in a mixture of hot olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes. A salad of endive, radicchio, walnuts, and shaved Reggiano, tossed with some olive oil and Greek Musto Balsamic vinegar completed a very satisfying, healthful, and inexpensive meal (about $10/person).

Echoing my wife’s food philosophy: “Eat better…eat less”.

I first visited the Alden factory in 1985, when the company agreed to give my partner and me a dealership for Canada. I just found this amazing video from earlier this year. You’re gonna love it. Listen to the opening remark about the 405 “Indy” boot (pictured below). A fascinating story in its own right. Video, here.

Cordovan is both a color (dark reddish brown) and a leather type. The leather is horsehide from a specific part of the horse, the “shell” or butt area. I suppose animal-rights activists might well call those who wear genuine shell cordovan shoes, “horses’-asses”, without being too far off the mark! It is generally considered the finest leather for making shoes as well as other accessories such as belts, because of its texture, suppleness, and durability. Fine men’s shoes made from cordovan leather may last several generations with proper care.

Genuine shell cordovan, when used for a traditional welted shoe (Old-men’s shoes as I like to call them) provides an unparalleled level of lateral support and stability when walking. Your feet  feel firmly planted onto the earth. And as good as they look new, they look even better as they age; the leather acquires a deep patina and since it is quite oily is virtually self-polishing. A quick few brush strokes every few wearings and they look awesome once again. There’s a whole web site dedicated to this leather, here.

America has only one tannery left that specializes in working with genuine shell cordovan, the Horween Leather Company of Chicago. They’ve been in business since 1905. They make all the cordovan for Alden and for some of the other shoe-makers that can still work this amazing material.

If you live in New York or California you are blessed with the highest density of stores selling Aldens as well as a few other world-famous men’s shoe brands. If you live near San Fransisco you are in Heaven in more ways than one; there is an Alden Store in that beautiful city.

This is going to sound kooky, but if you live near an Alden store it is worth the trip to see these shoes as if you were visiting an art gallery. Yeah…..that good!

Hey, as I get older, I come to realize that those “old men” knew a thing or two about comfort and value, in a time before marketing managed to convince us that we should throw everything out every couple of years and fuel the money-coffers of the corporations.