My afternoon with Ruffian

I recently spent an afternoon with the design duo Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of Ruffian. They had invited me over for lunch and to show me their new collaboration with MAC: press on nails and coordinating lipsticks. Although in the case of the Ruffian nails I hate “press on nails” and would like to rename “Readymade: manicure”. Nail art has exploded in the past few years and the Ruffian nails are a brilliant way to make a statement without the fuss.

Claude with me wearing the Spectator Nails at their party (apologies for the ghetto watermark)

The boys say the nails are a modern way to fuse beauty and accessories and I think that’s the perfect description. I also love the beautiful boxes they come in and that they’re re-usable. Check out my whole review of the nails here along with a chance to win a pair in SDNYC FINDS!

I asked Brian and Claude to share with me a few of their favorite things. Answers below as well as images from their studio!

Vintage record player with Edith Piaf album

FOOD
Fav restaurant: Indochine
Claude: spicy beef salad from Indochine
Brian: homemade roasted chicken

DRINK
Brian: whiskey sour
Claude: martini straight up with olives – really dry

MUSIC
Brian: Yaz – Upstairs at Eric’s
Claude: Beegees – greatest hits volume I

BOOK
Brian: Les Liaisons dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos
Claude:Life by Keith Richards

One of their designs

ARTIST
Brian: Caravaggio
Claude: Jean Cocteau

NYC SPOT TO GO OUT
Sugarland in Williamsburg,
Under Acme

NYC SPOT FOR INSPIRATION
Brian: MET Museum
Claude: The Streets

VACAY
Brian: Santa Fe, 10,000 waves
Claude: Fire island, Pines

INDULGENCE
Brian: Porterhouse steak
Claude: Pedicures

Trousselier silk flowers

FAV THING ABOUT BEING A DESIGNER
Brian: Making beautiful things
Claude: independence

HISTORICAL TIME PERIOD
Brian: 18th century France, because I want to live at Chateau Versailles
Claude: 19th century England with all the dandies in London

Brian, me & Claude. (notice I’m wearing the Spectator pump that was designed for their show by Vince Camuto and goes with their new Spectator nails! Also an amazing leather jacket of their design and a Ruff (naturally!) )

Their studio with work by artist Louis Boudreault on walls