Escapism

What sort of music do you all like? With the winds being as tempestuous as they are, and the rain wholly more consistent than London transport, i have been enjoying an American duo hailing from San Francisco called Girls.[ www.myspace.com/girls ]

They strike me as an accidently cool pair, with their obvious neglect of fashion working wonders for their aesthetic [ironically] and their musical simplicity is a refreshing source of nostalgia, for the warm memories of summer sun.

Playful lyrics teamed with a minimalist instrumental. Simple. Effective. Amazing.

They are touring England in the new year, get your Vans ready and GO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuoTjYYqe4c

Lanvin Sneaker Cufflinks and Tie Pins

Lanvin just put out cufflinks and tie pins in the shape of their reknown high-top sneakers.
The toe cap and other typical design features are incorporated and the laces are supposedly made of Swarovski crystals. Supposedly because they have also just revealed a new version of the sneaker, making heavy use of that lovely bling.

Opposites work wonders together.

This is a quick heads up, be prepared for the culmination of a wonderful working relationship: Fred Perry the quintessence of British sporting charm and Stussy, the label dressing the downtown streets of America [maybe].

February 2010 will see the launch of this delightful duo's collab project, Nick Bower - the creative director at Stussy has described it as 'the definition of modernist', whilst the house of Perry is yet to release a statement.

The collection features six pieces, embodying the ethos of both brands. A heart wrenching combination of London style and American casual. The typical plaid of Stussy features, but with a more geometrically savvy approach, a slimmer cut shirt references the fit favoured by Fred, and the plaid appearing on a polo shirt is a collaborative icon in the making.

A varsity jacket is an Americanism in it's finest form from these two creative super powers, who sculpted their's from plaid and leather, surely a list topper for many a Birthday, come February.

The Stussy x Fred Perry 'Blank Canvas Collection' will be available internationally from around February 2010, but probably not for long.

Oki-ni, your guide to fashion.

In the last few years the tumultuous clamour of brands scrambling to get selling online has created an infinite list of fashion sites, making it hard knowing what to type into your search bar.

I think as long as you type in www.oki-ni.com then you will not be disappointed. From Adidas to Alexander McQueen and Raf Simons to Margiela, this jewel of a site has something to make you lust, whether you prefer yourself covered in carefully crafted cotton for comfort, or something a little more structured for effect, you will find it here.

And as an entree to their tantalising designer selection, they also serve up exquisitely chosen industry information, keeping you comfortably ahead of the times whilst dressing you dashingly also.

Fashion is not the only service provided, you will also recieve a comprehensive list of musical recommendations, and a selection of camera's and accessories to capture everything with.

How very convenient.

www.oki-ni.com

The Pop-Up Flea is Back - Get Handsome

After the 1st completely successful round during the spring, the Pop-Up Flea is back for the Fall. You will get to go through items from BillyKirk, Rogues Gallery, Jack Spade, Michael Andrews Bespoke and great selections from New York retailers such as Epaulet from Brooklyn. Best of all, there will be a variety of vintage clothing and furniture. Starts today at 3:00 p.m. and runs-throughout the weekend.

A men's market of quality handsome goods..

201 Mulberry Street

Between Spring & Kenmare

Online Contributing Editor -NJD

Possible great British Collaboration? Leaked pictures of Clarks with Barbour Fabric

May two British fashion heritage brands have collaborated together, combining their iconic styles? Pictures have been leaked of a Clarks Wallabee apparently using the typical Barbour waxed cotton on the outside and the famous checked lining inside. Combined with brown leather on the heel and the lining. All this is mounted on the typical natural rubber sole, giving it the known Wallabee silhouette.

This shoe is however classified as a non-production sample and it may never see the light of day.
We hope it will.

via frankthebutcher

American Youth by Hedi Slimane - Collector Film Box

Menswear designer turned photographer and overall creative talent Hedi Slimane has released his newest coup exclusively at colette. A collection of 11 DVDs showcasing the culture of American teenagers throughout the years along with a series of Slimane's photography.
Having been the focus of his previous Berlin based exhibition SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH, this selection further displays Slimane's admiration of the American adolescents.
The film box will be limited to 2,500 and retails at £155.58.
The featured movies are:

- REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE by Nicholas Ray
- WHO’S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR by Martin Scorsese
- WOODSTOCK by Michael Wadleigh
- ZABRISKIE POINT by Michelangelo Antonioni
- PERMANENT VACATION by Jim Jarmusch
- RUMBLE FISH by Francis Ford Coppola
- BOYS DON’T CRY by Kimberly Pierce
- MYSTERIOUS SKIN by Gregg Araki
- WASSUP ROCKERS by Larry Clark

Hard Graft - 3 Bags in one

Hard Graft has recently released their 3Fold multi-use laptop bag. One of the most versatile bags to be carried around, it can be used to carry an A2 portfolio, flipped over it becomes a laptop bag which can hold two 15" laptops and when opened fully it becomes an overnighter.

This is made possible through adjusting the chestnut brown leather strap, using hooks that are traditionally used in heavy-duty hiking boots. The bag is made entirely by hand in Italy and comes in a limited edition. Available via the Hard Graft online shop and select retailers.

Burberry's Art of the Trench Platform asks you to participate

Burberry has released a platform, where everyone is encouraged to submit pictures of themselves wearing a Burberry trench coat of some sort. As all beginnings are difficult, the team around Christopher Bailey had commissioned Scott Schuman from The Satorialist to snap trench coat wearing individuals on his seemingly restless travels around the globe. One is able to press a "like" button, leave a comment or share pictures on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook or via E-mail to friends.

A very interesting concept, go check it out at artofthetrench.com and if you feel creative, put on your favourite trench coat, take a picture and submit it on the website.

DSM xs pop-up shop in St Martins Lane

Dover Street Market Xtra Small is opening its doors in St Martins Lane today. The temporary store inside the luxurious hotel nearby London's Covent Garden uses pictures of the original Dover Street Market as wallpaper, displaying the retailer's well-known ground floor. Some of the familiar fixtures of the flagship are also present at the XS version, such as multiple showcases displaying jewellery and the DSM monogram glass cubicle for the Comme des Garçons Play collection, for instance featuring the newly released Comme des Converse.

Many accessoiries are on display, including bags and wallets amongst others. Additionally perfumes of both the Dover Street Market label and Comme des Garçons will also be sold, in case one needs to freshen up between sipping cocktails downstairs at Bungalow 8.

Go check it out, it's open daily until 7th January, 12.00 - 22.00.

Reload@St Martins Lane
45 St Martins Lane
London WC2N 4HX

Gagosian Shop Opening in New York

Gagosian Gallery opened its first ever-retail shop last month, located on Madison Avenue. The venue is featuring Gagosian publications, posters, prints, and magazines as well as limited editions by John Currin, Tom Friedman, Ellen Gallagher, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Marc Newson, Richard Prince, and Franz West to name just a few.

This will also give Gagosian Gallery and their artists the new opportunity to create innovative projects in the medium of editions and artists books, bringing everything to us directly. The space will present rotating artist projects, beginning with the presentation of Richard Prince's newest limited edition artist book, Bettie Kline, up for grabs now.

One will also be excited to know there will be a section of the store devoted exclusively to "Other Criteria". Currently running two shops in London, which already has been established as one of London's best locations for buying artists editions and books.

7th Man is pleased about this new approach to art. A store where one can unwind in the reading lounge with out-of-print Gagosian titles, a video installation of current gallery exhibitions, and collaborations with artists on works exclusively for the store.

Gagosian Shop

998 Madison Avenue-@77St.

New York, NY 10075

212.744.9200

Open Monday to Saturdays: 10am-6:30pm

If you have any questions please e-mail: shop@gagosian.com

www.gagosian.com

Online Contributing Editor-NJD

Hussein Chalayan 'Urban Mobility' Puma Collection Preview

Having been appointed Creative Director at Puma in February last year, this collection seems more than just a collaboration, as has been done with Sergio Rossi and Alexander McQueen. It could be considered to be the first directional impact that Hussein Chalayan has on the Puma brand itself.

This second preview of the 2010 (see the first preview here) collection now gives us an insight into the upcoming footwear.
Two pairs of high-tops, one grey suede Chukkah inspired shoe with very subtle branding and a more futuristic looking sneaker, made up of two different shades of grey and some silver patent leather applications. Additionally a teaser into the menswear t-shirt collection is released, showing a white t-shirt splattered with black colour, leaving different shades of grey and white bubbles behind.

Via Contemporary Standard

Hermès Aluminium Leather Suitcase Preview

Gabriele Pezzini, the designer who also brought us "L'helicoptre par Hermès", now revealed a suitcase that will fit very well in the trunk of the Hermès Helicopter.
With an outer shell of Carbon reinforced Aluminium, embraced by two Hermès-typical leather straps, this suitcase not only looks beautiful, it can surely take turbulences for many years.

Leather is also used as the lining on the inside, with sturdy leather straps and an egg-shell coloured divider separating the two luggage departments.

Via Tetsuya Suzuki on honeyee

TOM FORD lauches brand new scent Grey Vetiver

Today, Tom Ford launches his third fragrance for men from his Signature Collection.

According to the Style Icon himself, his new scent, called GREY VETIVER, "evokes the classic man, someone who has a confident, refined, and slightly traditional sense of what it means to be a man - an elegance that is mirrored in TOM FORD clothing."

"Almost everyone recognizes Vetiver and has an association with the aroma; it is the fragrance equivalent of the classic blue blazer, the beautiful watch, or the cap-toed shoe."

The beautiful pale coloured GREY VETIVER is encased in a frosted 50ml/1.7 oz version of the iconic TOM FORD FOR MEN fluted bottle, customised with a silver-toned cap and neck ring, and a palladium plaque embossed with the TOM FORD logo.

The silvery character of Vetiver is reflected in the cool, white silver colouring of the packaging - a fluted carton bearing silver foil accents and borders.

A modern classic for the modern 7TH MAN.

GREY VETIVER is available from today (2nd November):
EDP Spray 50ml/1.7oz - £50.00

www.TomFord.com