Sunspel's first standalone store

That Sunspel makes the most refined T-shirts and boxers should not be surprising - the Derbyshire-based brand has been refining them for 150 years. Only now though has Sunspel opened a standalone store, in London's Shoreditch, following the success of its pre-Christmas Mayfair pop-up shop. As well as the full collection, including the Riviera polo that Daniel Craig wore inCasino Royale, you can also buy Levi's 501s so you can recreate that iconic ad where Nick Kamen stripped down to his Sunspel smalls in the middle of a laundrette.

7 Redchurch Street, London E2. 0207 739 9729

www.sunspel.com

Useful Wastage

Though the sentiments behind new art-eco-fashion brand ISSI are truly worthy we cannot accept that ‘waste not, want not’ is a maxim that necessarily rings true. Why? Well, ISSI’s products might all be made from waste but we really, really want them.  


The launch collection has been produced in collaboration with a series of award-winning contemporary visual artists. The ‘Volcano’ Messenger bag £260 and Kitbag (above £270) by artist Paul Morrison are made from decommissioned fire-hose and reclaimed parachute silk. Fifty per cent of profits from the ISSI range go back into charities associated with waste.


My favorite is the Kit Bag priced which you can buy online here or find the collection at Selfridges from 4 May.

Gentry Quick Fix - Hentsch Man X Garbstore

The divine genius of Hentsch Man is upon us once again, this time not in a pop-up store format (see Mr.Gentry post from 2nd December 2009) but in the form of 3 beautifully crafted, and exclusive, styles of shorting apparel for online retailer Garbstore.

Hentsch Man - a brand started up with the aim of producing simple, elegant and wearable menswear, has perfect gentlemanly values of simplicity and functionality for young men with a refined aesthetic sense that must be saluted!

The Nantucket shorts by Hentsch Man for Garbstore keep true to their simple tailored ethos and subtly arrive with an equaility simple colour palette to choose from; Coral, navy and a grey-on-grey fine stripe.

Priced at £95

Available exclusively from http://www.garbstore.com

Gentry Quick Fix - 3 Best In Show Rings!

This weeks Gentry Quick Fix focuses around the humble ring and arrives in 3 different forms to suit most peoples taste,  up first...

1. Maison Martin Margiela Ring (pictured above)

A more statement focused style, the Margiela ‘tin foil’ finish ring is made from silver coloured brass and is one of the key effect for Margiela’s s/s10 accessories.


Priced at £119.00
Available from http://www.oki-ni.com

2. Chronicles Of Never Signet Ring

The Chronicles Of Never chunky signet ring is the perfect day-to-evening transition piece. It arrives in a black lacquered sterling silver metal and has a brushed/aged detail. Perfect. Simple.


Priced at £195.00 

Available from http://www.oki-ni.com

3. Odeur Special Edition Triangle Ring 

Made exclusively for Oki-ni, this triangle shaped ring is an unconventional style piece which only some will appreciate. If that someone is you (and indeed myself too) then be quick to snap one up before they sell out.


Priced at 109.00 

http://www.oki-ni.com

Up Rising Sleeves!

During the hot summer of '77, cap sleeved T-shirts were tough punk symbols of nonconformity - the flashing of biceps marked out a man not to be messed with.

However, with more masculine trends seeping through from the runway, the new macho stance of baring arms to all are abound once more and to save you valuable time trawling around for the key pieces of armless delights, i've selected the most notable, vastly updated "Sid Vicious" style pieces seen across the Spring Summer collections at GUCCI, Lanvin, TIM SOAR, Trussardi, Calvin Klein Collection and Givenchy; all of which should make you proud to poke your arms through... however puny they are!

GUCCI

Calvin Klein Collection

Lanvin

TIM SOAR

Givenchy

Spring Has Sprung!

The sun is shining folks and the ever present grey clouds are fast becoming a distant memory. I have noticed a new spring in my step as we enter a new season and it is time to shed off the protective outerwear shell and reveal a little flesh while wearing lighter, more seasonal friendly layers and adding colour to our lives once more!  I have outlined  a tiny selection of spring essentials to point you in the right direction for the arrival of Spring.

As time is a-ticking lets start with exposing my contradicting beliefs of eco-friendly sustainability and consumerism. Every once in a while there is nothing wrong with what I call a “summer rental” -  and at £50, courtesy of ASOS.com, these Time Teller P’s from Nixon definitely fit the bill. Simplistic design,  I love that every bit of the watch is the exact same color and does not need to scream for attention. Understated good. Try hard bad. and these definitely fall in the former bracket.

Moving up from the wrist, and keeping a clean crisp spring look, i suggest a visit to the denim and chambray section of dressing, where the good people at Full Circle, who have just launched their new site and denim campaign, have a vast selection of denim apparel in every shade imaginable! Add to this an exclusive 10% discount code for Mr. Gentry readers for any online purchase in the next 3 weeks and you are set. Just log on to www.fullcircleuk.com and enter mrgentry10 at the check out. If you want to make a more confident nod towards the denim, l would urge you to embrace the full 'DoubleDenim' ensemble! (pictured above and below -denim blazer is £100 and the jeans are £90). 

Now, even though its spring its also time to be realistic. Unless your reading this post in Miami, LA, Australia or any coast line with an average temperature of more than 15 degrees, most of us can not get to carried away with how lightly we dress. To this end one of the most stand up British brands around, Universal Works, have provided the spring season with a great light weight Chambray "Baker" jacket, which shall see you through the summer months and into early autumn (priced at £99.00 from theglassboutique.com).

Taking a look at spring footwear i came across a whole new direction from Havaiana's (known for their ridiculously comfortable flip-flops). Launching in May exclusively to Harrods London, the SOUL collection includes high tops, lo tops and even espadrilles! I'm not quite ready to advocate an espadrille appearence on your feet in the latter stages of March, so have instead opted for the suggested high tops. Colour favorites are in Blue and a burnished red/navy mix - the High Tops retail at £40 and the Low Tops- £44.

Lastly - it would be a crime to deny yourself a new season accessory - so hop along to ASOS for a low-key holdall in cream cotton from Paul Smith Jeans, (priced at £81.00 from ASOS.com).

http://www.glassboutique.co.uk/

http://www.fullcircleuk.com/

http://www.harrods.com/harrodsstore/

http://www.asos.com/

Kurt Geiger "reboots" Sebago’s Dockside

Boat or deck shoes have been on trend for the last few seasons and their ship shows no sign of sailing anytime soon. However, fashionable landlubbers have generally been restricted to wearing them in calm conditions. 


Thankfully Kurt Geiger has collaborated with American brand Sebago of New England on an ankle-high "boat boot" version of the latter's classic Dockside. Named Manitou after JFK's yacht, it's perfect for navigating the choppy style waters of the spring/summer transition period here in rainy old England. Put Vampire Weekend's Contra on your iPod and pretend that it's a sunny day in Cape Cod.

Priced at £130
Available at http://www.kurtgeiger.com

Madonna On Your Face

Questionable phrase to introduce this post but not totally misleading... The first summer rays of 2010 have been teasing their way through my window this week and so i thought it was time to bring you the latest from the world of designer sunglasses.

The big news is that trend-setter Madonna is putting her commerical weight (and tiny name tag) behind a new Dolce & Gabbana range that will go on sale this May – giving you a handy new option should there be a special birthday coming up.

The collection incorporates a distinctive letter ‘M’ (that will be for Madonna) on the arm and will retail for around £120. It’s the first co-branding venture Madge and the designer range have embarked on to date.

Look out for the advertising images for the MDGs that have been shot by Steven Klein in ‘fim noir’ style and starring – you guessed it – pop star and businesswoman, Madonna. Now all we need is for the sun to come out again...

http://www.dolcegabbana.com/

Gentry Quick Fix - Fred Perry x Raleigh Bike

Fred Perry will soon be opening their new online store as part of Zozotown.jp.  To celebrate the launch, they have gotten together with Raleigh to produce a limited edition bike. It comes in a classic English racing green colorway and a Brooks leather saddle. 

The bike drops along with the new online store on March 30th.

http://zozo.jp

Emboss-bag!

In an era when we are inundated with more and more “stuff”, it can be hard to remember what exactly each bag, compartment, pouch and case we own is actually for, turning the original concept of the accessory – convenience – on its head. 

Natalia Brilli’s new leather range, in which the proposed contents of her items are pressed into the façade of each bag, may well be the answer to this very modern dilemma. 

http://www.nataliabrilli.fr

Making A Spectacle

A new discovery has come upon us by the name of Orgreen, a spectacle brand from Copenhagen. There’s a lot to like about it, chief among which is that it’s a design-driven company that’s as interested in the quality of manufacture as it is in styling. 

To this end the shapes, colours and mix of materials leave one in no doubt about the dedication of the three founders, who include the eponymous Henrik Orgreen, to pushing forward with a wearable but contemporary aesthetic. This, however, is balanced by the fact that equal importance is placed on the quality of manufacture.

That’s why the frames are made by hand in Japan from materials that include acetate and titanium, which makes them surprisingly comfortable and light to wear. Production of the frames involves 100 separate operations, over the course of about six months. That makes it even more gruelling than the process of choosing a pair of frames from Orgreen’s vast range.

Style featured; Chill 29, Priced at £280 - available from The Eye Company: 020 7434 0988


http://www.orgreen.dk

Fred Perry Celebrates 100 Years

In celebration of the now 100-year-old quintessentially British brand, Oki Ni has launched a Fred Perry archive – an extensive personal collection of Fred Perry clothing and related memorabilia including a signed piece from the very first collaboration with Paul Weller, a Sixties inspired COMME des GARCONS track top and a 1964 edition of The Sunday Times, iconic for Mods the world over. 

http://www.oki-ni.com

PETROU\MAN FW 2010-11 Collection

The seasonal return of PETROU/MAN appeared on our radar whilst in New York for Fashion Week - a collection designed by Nicholas Petrou and styled by Robbie Spencer (menswear editor at Dazed & Confused), was presented at Drive Studios. 

The collection, a more tonal and sophomore affair, ratained the technical tailored sports-lux feel we have come to love with PATROU, whilst improving on construction and keeping inline a scattering of signature prints - giving a new take to tie-dye and even hand dyed tartan.

Unusual fabrics, hand detailing in the embroidered shirts and the light use of fur made for a nomad inspired collection - we especially enjoyed the head pieces and customised footwear. This is a collection which seems to be pushed further in the right direction with each passing season - a talent is before us Gentry readers so sit up and take note.

http://www.petrouman.com

The Out-Of-Towners

Believe it or not Gentry followers, there is a world of fashion retail to be unearthed outside our fair capitals walls, and here are a selected few: 


Bespoke Boutique, Norwich: Co- owned by friends Sean Ward and David Holland, Bespoke Boutique is a relative newcomer, having only launched in summer 2007. Bringing a fresh take on British and European style, they misx up rock ‘n’ roll inspired couture, modern tailoring and matching footwear, as well as accessories. Top-selling brands of the moment include Cheap Mondays and April 77, whilst a more niche audience is catered for with a limited edition Raf Simons collection for Fred Perry. 
18B Lower Goat Lane, Norwich, NR2 1EL. 01603 76 66 11. www.bespokeboutique.com




Hip, Leeds: With a stellar reputation in the city, Hip has quickly established itself as the clothing outlet of choice  for the Leeds creative set. Doing the tried and tested things well, you can expect Levi Vintage, Barbour and Engineered Garments from the US. 
9 & 14 Thorntons Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LQ. 0113 242 4617. www.hipleeds.com




Oi Polloi, Manchester: Home to an extensive variety of must-have labels, including the ever popular full clothing range from APC and hand-dyed Edwin jeans, this has long been a favourite for clued up men in Manchester. For something a little different, you can pick up a pair of Superga super-classic canvas tennis shoes in a variety of colours.
70 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LG. 0161 831 7870; www.oipolloi.com

Studio D’Artisan 30th Anniversary

Here at Gentry Towers we just adore a celebration of heritage and pain staking yesteryear techniques of producing garments, and so i introduce to you Studio D’Artisan.  Founded in a tiny workshop in the traditional cotton weaving area of Okayama prefecture, Studio D’Artisan are celebrating their 30th Anniversary in true style with the release of their 30th Edition jeans.

The brand boasts being stocked at fine establishments such as Self Edge in New York and at the very relevant style emporium PRESENT, based in east London . The 30th Edition jeans are made from 17oz Japanese selvedge denim and dyed with Natural Indigo, the "Kase Zome" dyeing technique is repeated up to 30 times on each of the 200 limited pairs which have been produced, which provides the deep colour. Other refined features include "Tri-colour selvedge intertwined with gold Lame, triple needle dual-colour chain stitching", and pocket bags lined with the 30th Anniversary Jacquard lining. 

But its not all denim and indigo dyeing, also available as part of the 'Big 30' offering is the premium grade organic cotton jumper limited to only 180 pieces, each produced using the vintage loopwheel process (a technique Nike use on their premium sportswear produced in Japan) to achieve an extremely soft garment.

Available at  www.superdenim.co.uk 

Dunhill AW10 Collection

The revival of Dunhill is well into its third season and for AW10 the Dunhill man is a suited and booted style chameleon: he’s studious, an explorer, enjoys out doors-y sports and isn’t afraid of dressing appropriately for black tie events.

Kim Jones' third collection for Dunhill looked at exploration, travel and adventure undertaken by Clement Court (general manager of Dunhill’s Rue de la Paix store), and Setsuji Wada (Japanese ‘Maki-e’ lacquer artist) for inspiration. “It is always about a maverick with dunhill, said Kim, ‘and when I found out about Clement Court trekking across Europe and Asia in 1930, taking the Trans-Siberian railway, and saw the detailed diary he kept with photographs, he became the focus and the maverick figure to personify this dunhill collection.”

A profoundly important collection which should be watched, taken in and digested for any man worth his style salt!

http://www.dunhill.com/