Bulletin Board 37

Wm Brown tweed, life lessons from a pizza pioneer and the EV future of a legendary off-road automaker.

Before you dive in here below, a heads-up to our friends in the Bay Area—Yolanda and I will be in San Francisco on December 10th, for a party celebrating the release of the fall issues of Yolo and Wm Brown hosted by our friends at Tailors’ Keep. It’ll run from 6:30-8:30pm and have drinks from the likes of Golden Rule, Trick Dog, Favia Wine and Telmont Champagne—hope to see you there!

WORK IN PROGRESS

I’ve always wanted to have my own ghillie tweed (the tweed pattern traditionally worn by gamekeepers in Scotland) and I knew that if that opportunity ever came to pass, it would have to be a Harris. Harris tweed, for the uninitiated, is like the Champagne of tweeds. The rules for making it are tightly governed by an act of parliament, that confines its manufacture to a handful of islands off of Scotland’s Northwest coast, and deems that it must be handwoven in workers’ homes from locally spun and dyed virgin wool.

Where I added my own twist was to call on the colors of a fall in Upstate New York, based on photos I took around Wm Brown farm. The Wm Brown tweed has a rust-brown base that brings a freshly raked leaf pile to mind, topped with an orange windowpane recalling some of the more blazing foliage colors.

We had it made up by J Mueser in their handmade Waverly model, whose softer Neapolitan construction is a nice application to the fabric’s heft. We gave it what has become a bit of my signature design with J.Mueser, three patch pockets with inverted pleats, a subtle detail that recalls English shooting jackets. But should you have other thoughts on how to wear it, we left Jake with some cut lengths for custom tailoring—drop him a line if interested. - MH.

YOU SHOULD MEET

Italy’s tradition of producing Renaissance men is not over, as proved by the remarkable Ugo Galleli. The London-based, Ligurian-born multi-hyphenate has worked as a nightlife promoter, an ad agency art director and more recently as the entrepreneur behind an American-style pizza restaurant in East London and a plastic-free potato chip brand—all while operating his own food and beverage-focused creative agency, Merry Galleli. In between it all, he somehow found the time to complete our questionnaire. - Eric Twardzik.

What do you do, and how did you get started?
I am a food and drink specialist creative director, my role is a bit of a hybrid as I love to build brands as well as help others build theirs. My latest project is Short Road Pizza, a pizzeria born out of lockdown 2020 when me and my wife started catering for our neighbours with the aim of strengthening the community around food and raising money for a local food bank. Now Short Road is a pizza joint in East London and my goal is to expand beyond that. Aside from pizza, I have co-founded a potato chips brand with plastic free packaging. My academic background is fine art (Brera Academy, Milan) but my real background is club life. I was a club promoter and DJ in Milan and that's where I got all my contacts and where I learned the most about new trends and cultures. Eventually I got into advertising and after a few years working in top agencies in Milan I moved to London where I have been living and working for the past 13 years. I have a love affair with NYC where I spend at least a month a year and my dream is to open a pizza spot there.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the idyllic Ligurian Riviera, in a small seaside town called Sestri Levante. I couldn't think of a better place where I could have grown up. The food, the weather, the sea and nature have blessed me with a great classic Italian upbringing.

First car?
I got my first car in London and it had to be a MINI Cooper.

What book or movie has most shaped your perspective?
The book that did that for me is "The Buddha in Your Mirror" written by Woody Hochswender, Greg Martin and Ted Morino with a foreword from my favourite jazz musician Herbie Hancock. I grew up in a Nichiren Buddhist family and I read this book when I was really young and inexperienced. It helped me approach life with a positive outlook and focus my energies on value creating whatever it is I am doing.

A piece of advice that changed your life?
Positive thoughts, words and actions create positive effects in the lives of individuals, leading to happiness. Cause and effect!

I would never sell my?
My grandma's Yves Saint Laurent leather jacket from the ‘80s.

The most unusual job you’ve ever had?
Working as assistant to Mark and Tyron Lebon in their wacky creative studio and home in Kensal Rise, working on all sorts of tasks, from making English breakfast tea to sorting out Mark's immense i-D archive, editing films and spending time with the most eclectic and creative West London socialites.

Morning routine?
Cold shower, French press coffee (yes, I am an Italian man drinking French press in the morning), homemade granola with yogurt and fruit or toast with eggs and avocado, apple juice, quick scroll through newspapers (mainly the italian sports magazine La Gazzetta dello Sport and The Guardian) 30 minutes chanting/meditation with my wife and quick call to Mamma before heading out and conquer the day.

A small habit that’s made a big difference in your life?
Again, my Buddhist practice. Chanting a mantra for even just 10 minutes helps me shift away from the bad vibes and focus on positive thinking and stay focussed on important life objectives.

Who’s your hero?
It's gotta be either Roberto Baggio, or Michelangelo (the ninja turtle).

Daily uniform?
Lately I have been in full "The Bear" mode so I've been mostly wearing my chef uniform which is Service Works pants and branded company t-shirt by Kate Prior. Crocs Dylan and Fernet Branca socks.

A chance meeting that changed your life?
I guess it's when I first got my job as a creative... I got into advertising in the most random way possible. I was DJing in a club in Milan and a creative director who was also playing in that club started chatting with me and said he liked my vibe and then asked if I was up to work with him at a major creative agency. The following day I showed up to this colossal agency, showed my quirky portfolio and got hired as an art director.

Favorite collection? And how did that come about?
I have a collection of spectacles, my favourites (currently on my nose) are Larry David's Oliver Peoples but I also love my black Julius Tart FDR. Well I guess that came about because I am pretty short sighted.

What advice would you give your younger self?
Never stop believing in yourself and don't be afraid of setting impossible goals, because if you really believe in yourself and your potential, nothing is impossible. Also I would advise to drink less cheap gin and do more exercise.

Current vice?
Gin martinis.

CAR TALK

From reconnecting with the original Scouts to experiencing the new Traveler and Terra, Scout Motors put on a launch worthy of its storied name this past October in Tennessee. For those unfamiliar, Scout Motors was once an icon of rugged exploration. Born in the 1960s under International Harvester, Scout vehicles were the Swiss Army knives of the automotive world—capable off-roaders that thrived in mud, snow, or rocky trails, with an everyman appeal. They were simple, durable, and utterly reliable, earning a devoted following before production sadly ceased in 1980. But some legends don’t fade, and now, thanks to Volkswagen’s backing, Scout Motors is roaring back to life, bringing with it a revived sense of adventure and connection.

The new lineup, set to release in 2027, is a nod to simpler times with a modern kick, and the event at Southall Farm & Spa—a truly incredible, landscaped compound just outside of Nashville— was the perfect setting to bring this revived brand full circle. It’s not just an EV with a badge; it’s a connection machine, ready to create new stories, conquer trails, and continue the Scout legacy for a new generation.

Imagine a car launch where you’re not greeted by polite finger sandwiches and a glass of Prosecco, but by a roaring fire pit, a guy named Derek teaching you how to cook apple crisp over open flames, and an invitation to go off-roading. It’s the sort of event that reminds you how the best cars aren’t just driven—they’re experienced.

Old-school Scouts get their day in the sun

It was like stepping back in time to the days when cars weren’t over-engineered, over-styled computer rooms on wheels, but proper machines. This wasn’t about gadgets, autonomous nonsense, or delicate alloys; this was about grit, heritage, and the raw thrill of the road (or the mud, depending on your mood). Scout knows its audience, and it knows its heritage. With nearly 400 die-hard fans in attendance, you could feel the history. Old Scouts were there, lined up in all their rusty glory, owned by enthusiasts who had been taking them on weekend adventures and weekday commutes since before half the room could walk.

But enough about nostalgia; let's get down to business. By 4 p.m., as the sun dipped just so over the Tennessee hills, they unveiled the stars of the show—the Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup. These aren’t your typical EVs with touchscreen-everything and doors that feel like you’re cracking into a safe every time you climb in. These are real, rugged, body-on-frame machines built for the wild.

Both the Traveler and Terra are electric, sure, but they’ve been designed to deliver that old-school, tactile driving experience Scout was known for. No weird switches, no gimmicks, just a proper 800-volt system under the bonnet and a bit of genius called the “Harvester”: gas-powered range extender that gives you 500 miles on a tank, so you’re not praying for a charging station when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Brilliant.

And the specs? Both vehicles boast serious off-road specs: a solid rear axle, enough ground clearance to make rocky trails look like smooth tarmac, and the ability to ford nearly three feet of water. They’re towing champs too: 10,000 pounds for the Terra and 7,000 for the Traveler. And they’re fast—0 to 60 in as little as 3.5 seconds. All in all, it’s the sort of car that makes you want to ditch the city, hit the trail, and do something, well, a little mad.

This wasn’t just a launch; it was a full-blown homage to the Scout legacy. And if this is the future of EVs, bring it on. - Thom Fortune.