Philly Sneaker King Brian Nadav on the Things He Can’t Live Without
The Lapstone & Hammer tastemaker’s designs are worn by everyone from Ben Simmons to Post Malone. Here’s what he loves right now.
Brian Nadav is the man behind the hit menswear shop Lapstone & Hammer. Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
With his hit menswear shop, Lapstone & Hammer, and capsule collections worn by everyone from Ben Simmons to Post Malone, Brian Nadav is one of Philly’s top tastemakers. Here, all the stuff he loves right now.
FAVORITE THINGS
Items I wear every day: A Thorn by Niv x Lapstone dog tag, part of a custom collaboration we did with Philly jeweler Eli Niv. And a Cartier Trinity ring, which represents my three kids.
Brian Nadav’s Thorn by Niv x Lapstone dog tag and Cartier Trinity ring. Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
Currently wearing: Noah paisley sweatpants. I’ve been pretty much living in them.
Prized possession: 1985 Original Air Jordan 1s. I think the original box had a $79 price tag on it. Now, they’re worth in the tens of thousands.
Brian Nadav’s 1985 Original Air Jordan 1s. Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
Hobby: Playing guitar and oud, an 11-string Middle Eastern lute. My father’s family is from Yemen, and when I first heard the oud, it resonated with me.
Brian Nadav’s oud. Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
On my desk: Nike packing lists, product catalogs, doodles upon doodles.
Favorite local boutiques: Ps & Qs. And Franklin & Poe, which has the best denim collection in the city.
Brian Nadav’s doodles. Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
Project I’m currently working on: A Lapstone cut-and-sew apparel line, all made in Philly. It’s a collection of essentials like flannels, cargos, hoodies, sweatpants. And a 76ers Crossover capsule collection that’s being released in April.
Brian Nadav is working on a 76ers Crossover capsule. Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images
AT HOME
I collect: Sneakers. I cut my personal collection down to about 300 pairs, mainly due to a lack of space in my current home and for peace and well-being between myself and my wife.
Skin-care essential: Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Moisturizer; Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner and Rose Day Cream Light, stolen from my wife. And doTERRA frankincense essential oil.
Hair essential: I can’t give that away. It’s top- secret.
OUT AND ABOUT
Workout: Training sessions with Giovanni Romero of the Fitness Ethic on Spring Garden.
Hair salon: Blue Hair Studio in Huntingdon Valley.
Favorite restaurant and what I order: Any vegetarian special pie and the white bean salad at Pizzeria Beddia, and the rib eye for two at Suraya.
Sunday-morning routine: Brunch with the kids at Cafe La Maude.
Brian Nadav makes an annual trip to Paris Fashion Week. Photograph by Ilnur Kalimullin/Unsplash
Annual trips: Paris Fashion Week twice a year, and my family goes skiing in Vermont. We’re trying to make Treasure Beach in Jamaica an annual trip — our good friends own Jakes Hotel, and it’s amazing there.
Minnow Lane. Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
Where I buy gifts: For the kids: Minnow Lane and Momo’s Treehouse. For my wife: jewelry from Milner Jewelers, Eli Niv Jewelry and Halloween. For everyone else: sneakers.
Published as “Sneaker King” in the February 2020 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
