That's a Wrap

Danish designer Rene Gurskov had his Palestinian scarves started as a quick styling trick back in 2004. It was purposely created for the model and photographer’s demand to add on a press shoot, but eventually, it spread out across Copenhagen and everyone seemed to like it. Giving you a little bit of info, the Palestinian scarves were actually there on the streets and were an issue since the seventies. Thanks to Gurskov’s artistic creativity, he formally debuted his infamous sequin-decorated scarves through a collection back in 2005 and with a tremendous outcome; it became a first global bestseller for the brand.



The new collection of scarves have gone through interesting collaborations with leading graphic designers around the world that include Lars Johansen, Char Alonzo, Ron Wan, Leon Jorgensen, Michael Christensen, and WEIS. For Spring/Summer 2011 comes another set of wonderful designs. Adding to an already eccentric print collection is a series of mesh scarves combined with the signature sequin stylings:

For more, click here.

Words by Rolly Ibanez

The Pelle Clipper

This must-have bag of the season comes in the form of luxury Milanese label Bric's latest export- The Pelle Clipper. Made from beautiful Tuscan leather and complete with removable shoulder straps and a zip pocket at the front perfect for travel documents, the bag makes the ideal accessory be it for rural or international mini-breaks.

Adding to this chic bags credentials is the very fact it shall be making its debut on the arm of Johnny Depp in his latest film The Tourist due for release in UK cinemas next month.

Well, if it's good enough for Mr. Depp...

For more, click here.

Stockist: www.caseluggage.com

What Your Winter Outfit Has Been Missing....

London Undercover, despite only launching last month, have garnered a large following for their luxury hats, scarves and umbrellas. Stocked in Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty, the brand is already proving very popular in the US and Japan.

A/W 2010 sees the launch of London Undercover's "Made in England" range, which will feature luxury accessories (bags, hats & scarves) which are all made exclusively in England from the finest English materials. After previously working with Basso & Brook and Manolo Blahnik, this latest venture features a limited edition collaboration with Michael Williams' A Continuous Lean, and this double-act have produced two beautiful English Gentleman's scarves.

The featured scarf is a traditional Black Watch plaid scarf, made from the softest two-ply cashmere and with a very functional yet elegant reversible side. Made in England, this limited-edition Black Watch scarf retails for £165 at Selfridges and is sure to compliment any of this seasons "It" coats; camel, aviator or time-honoured mac.

The second scarf in the collection is more traditional and subdued than the first. Created from the best English cashmere, each scarf has been combed by hand to ensure the softest feel possible. Colours vary from soft shades of brown with hints of khaki green to plain Winter block-colours. Available for £135 from Selfridges, this is a quality investment buy.

As mentioned above this London Undercover and ACL collaboration is available at Selfridges, The Garbstore and online at londonundercover.co.uk. Remember that this is a limited collection and stocks are sure to fly off the shelves!

Wrap up in style this Winter!

Words By Ann McLaughlin

Redesign Tomorrow. Today.

The Earth Awards is an aspirational platform that recognizes innovation and inspires positive change for all our futures. The awards celebrate designers from the worlds of Architecture, Innovation, Product Design, Process Efficiency, Fashion and Social Justice and gives shape to their vision. In all, it is the only truly global awards dedicated to identifying viable designs which have the potential to improve our quality of life and build a new economy.

Within the Fashion category, it blends sartorial design leadership with innovation in the use of sustainable ecouture materials, right through the supply chain and garment lifecycle. The Earth Awards believes in both the aesthetic and the ethical when it comes to high fashion.

Out the top six innovations within the fashion category, Jamie Lim's bamboo Kayu Eyewear has come out on top and will now compete with five finalists for $50,000 funding in a ‘Dragons Den-type’ pitch to CEOs at an FT Innovators to Investors Summit on 16 September. Selected finalists will also exhibit at HRH Prince of Wales’ Start Festival in London.

The Kayu sunglasses, designed as an ethical fashion statement where each pair sold funds sight-restoring surgery in the developing world, highlights the groundbreaking innovation needed to make the Earth Awards Shortlist.

Says Julie Gilhart, Earth Awards judge and Fashion Director at Barneys New York: “The Earth Awards is about empowering a new generation of innovators to propose new designs and technologies which have the potential to redesign our future. Cutting-edge fashion has always responded to the latest social trends; in such a competitive industry, it’s exciting to see undiscovered designers push through the crowd by gaining an ethical edge.”

For more on The Earth Awards, Click here.

For more on Kayu Lim's incredible bamboo eye-wear, Click here.

Simon Carter Celebrates 25 Years in Business

For a business that has now become somewhat of a British institution, it’s hard to believe the humble beginnings of Simon Carter Menswear and Accessories.

Having shunned a career in medicine in favour of working in fashion and design, Simon found himself working in a vintage clothing store on the King’s Road back in 1983. One day, a customer brought in a 1930s motorcyclist brooch to sell, and with this came that all-important light-bulb moment that would denote the path his future would take…

“They gave it to me instead of a day’s wages. I wore it. This was the early 1980s, the New Romantics. Blokes wore brooches!”.

Following this revelation,  Simon went and sourced a manufacture in Cornwall to make up a hundred of the design and loading up a Gladstone bag, Simon hit the streets.  And so, the label was born.

Roll on twenty five years and Simon Carter Menswear and Accessories is now an incredibly successful business with the brand being stocked in stores in forty countries worldwide. In celebration of this expanding empire and  his twenty fifth year in business, Simon Carter invited 7TH MAN down to his store in London’s historic Shepherd Market for a preview of his new collection.


Practically bursting at the sartorial seams, the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection features an eye-catching range of shirts, classic watches, informal bags and of course, Simon’s iconic signature cufflinks.

Never one to shy away from embellishment, Simon’s range of cufflinks take luxury to the next level. With whimsical designs from turtles to frogs, 7TH MAN’s ultimate pick is perhaps the the Swarovski Jewel encrusted mother-of-pearl Union Jack cufflinks:




The Union Jack most definitely is a common theme for this season, with Simon Carter’s Union Jack paint effect tote most definitely injecting a certain “Best of British” spirit into the collection. Available in three colourways, the bags are finished with equestrian grade leather straps and the iconic Simon Carter comic strip lining:

So what have we to look forward to from Simon Carter in the future? Well, building on the success of the Shepherd Market store, Simon intends on launching four more of these stores over the next three years. Meanwhile, Simon’s limited edition range of gentlemen’s accessories marking his Silver Jubilee celebration will no doubt be a hot favourite this upcoming season.

For more about Simon Carter, click here.

Pocket Essentials

Complementing their luxurious A/W 10 garment collection, Lanvin has provided a decedent selection of must-have accessories this season. From knitted tie-pins to silk patchwork ties, one of the key pieces out of this vast range is the signature python pouch. Perfect for housing all your pesky loose change, the pouch is also the exact right size for holding the python card-holder and python wallets. Never have your credit cards and cash been able to look so stylish!

www.lanvin.com

Wrap It Up

Fresh from his collaboration with Ellery, Australian accessories designer Toby Jones is back this season with an extended line entitled Wrapped in Plastic. This wonderfully whimsical collection consists mainly of jewellery inspired by everyday plastic objects, which Jones has playfully re-imagined and re-worked to create a clever mix of “satirical cynicism and pop sensibility”. The overall collection features an eclectic selection of chains, rings and cuffs and is complimented by cosy Merino wool scarves and soft crushed calf-leather grocery bags.






The collection is now available in Colette so should you find yourself in Paris, make sure to pop by and take a peek. Oh and while you’re there, why not pick up a copy of 7TH MAN!