It looks like he’s at it again. Former Maniac cover model, Jonathan Passavant is proving to be a renaissance man as he reinvents himself as a businessman, designer, and innovator. Deep in the Maniac Magazine archives is a cover featuring the international model, which made all of our knees buckle and hearts melt with his dreamy good looks. I wrote the accompanying story on my childhood friend and described what it was like growing up with such a hearbreaker, and watching him take New York by storm modeling for Ralph Lauren, Estée Lauder, Giorgio Armani, and Christian Dior among others. He certainly made us all proud, but he was just getting started.
Aware that modeling is typically a career with a limited shelf life, Passavant began plotting his next move and decided to partner with fellow model, Benj Lee, in a shift to behind the scenes of the design world. Together they founded Passavant and Lee, a men’s accessories brand that recently launched with the release of the No. 25 Briefcase. According to the website, the briefcase “is formed of aircraft grade aluminum, covered in full grain leather, and made entirely by hand to maintain quality and precision.” It is the ultimate in business chic. Not surprisingly, their product captures the essence of Jonathan and Benj: sophisticated, yet rugged; stylish, yet strong; sexy and smart. 
The inspiration for their brand and its pieces is the pair’s distinct, yet parallel backgrounds. Passavant, a Western Pennsylvania native, enjoyed what could be called a classic American upbringing as a high school football player and son of a pastor. Benj embraced adventure sports like surfing and skiing, and also grew up the son of a religious cleric, but grew up a world away in Central London. Passavant says, “People often say Benj is the English version of me. We work really well together because we have had common experiences.” They both draw inspiration from their respective paths and aim to include these elements in the timeless styles they create together.
For now, Passavant and Lee are focused on their men’s accessories, but are excited about future projects. They are considering ventures in everything from fashion to more architectural designs like home interiors and lifestyle items. Their company has been three years in the making though, so they realize the evolution of branding can take time and they are willing to put the care and effort into doing it properly.
While the Passavant and Lee brand is in its early stages, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Esquire, GQ, and countless tastemakers have heralded the brand and its briefcase as embodying gentleman’s luxury. Their release party attracted the likes of Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons, actor Seann William Scott, and many of New York’s most trusted stylists, designers, and journalists.
Passavant and Lee is committed to creating strong, handsome products and continue to develop new ideas for future men’s accessories. Passavant and Lee is passionate about “true luxury” and believe it is found not in “chasing trends, but in expressing what is timeless.” If their past success and personal style are any indication, Passavant and Lee is a brand that will be creating inspired pieces that will embody luxurious living for years to come.
We couldn’t be happier for our former cover model, and we can’t wait to see what he and his business partner do next. Visit www.passavantandlee.com and Facebook.com/passavantandlee for more on their company and the No. 25 Briefcase.
