You know and love Jeremy Kirkland because he invented the podcast. Well if he didn’t invent it, with Blamo! he made a place for himself having enlightened, enthusiastic conversations about style with the people you want to hear from. And a few you might not want to hear from (I am confident that I was Jeremy’s only guest who ever drank Riesling during the recording). But don’t let his friendliness fool you, he’s insightful, opinionated and informed.

Happy Menocal, among many talents, is a great dog portraitist. Do not underestimate that skill! It requires sympathy with the dog’s nature, an assured touch and a sense of flair. She brings those skills to her illustrations for small work like emblems and stationery and large-scale murals (one adorns the lovely dining room at the Hotel Kinsley in the Hudson Valley).

Timo Andres is a composer and pianist. He records for the renowned Nonesuch label and is performing at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall next year. These are all good things! That he’s funny and well-liked are also good things. So is his new record, called Work Songs. Thanks for coming on the Watch List, Timo, and elevating our classical knowledge. Let’s bid, kids!

Chris Benz, head of women’s design at J. Crew, has been on the upward trajectory since he moved to New York from Bainbridge Island. He attended Parsons, interned at Marc Jacobs, was the creative director at Bill Blass, and now has the big job. I respond to his combination of self-expression and classicism, and am looking forward to his first J. Crew collection, which is Spring 2020. That he’s very involved in the renovation of his home in Bellport is appealing. That he is raising chickens is divine. Thanks for coming on the Watch List, Chris. Let’s bid, kids!

To read Naomi Fry’s work is to love her. Her byline means self-effacing comedy, pop culture insight, and a deep and curious knowledge of D-list celebrities. Her Twitter following is fervent, as are her readers at The New Yorker, where she’s a beloved contributor. Now she’s a regular guest on menswear podcasts, where she arrives like a conquering hero.

We know and love Chris Black because he invented Twitter. Well he didn’t invent it but, he refined it to an art form. As @donetodeath he offers sharp commentary on the highs and lows of pop culture, style, design and a lot of celebrity insanity I know nothing about. Now he has a terrific column at The Strategist.