Thom Browne + Moncler Gamme Bleu SS/2010

Okay, heres a simple sum of design collision between Moncler, the Italian brand best known for its luxury puffa jackets in ultra light fabrics, who have previously collaborated with Giambattista Valli, Comme des Garcons and Balenciaga, is now fusing with progressive American design talent Mr Thom Browne.

The collection features simple color schemes of navy, gray, white, and black, peppered with versions of Browne’s trademarked gray flannel, including a tone-on-tone camouflage pattern. 3-button suiting, school boy shorts, full on tuxedo tails, even 3/4 leg gaiters, all filled and quilted in Moncler down insulation. The Moncler Gamme Bleu Collection by Thom Browne will arrive in specialty boutiques towards the 3rd quarter of this year.

If you are unaware of Thom Browne, or Moncler i suggest a cold shower followed by a visit to your nearest google search engine to familiarise yourself with both... or better yet click below and be visually informed!

http://www.thombrowne.com
http://www.moncler.it

Poppin-Up with Original Penguin

Bread & Butter, not the delicious pudding your grandmother used to make you or the world wide pre-dinner hunger clencher, i'm talking about the trade show known for its more commercial, urban and denim-wear brands, the power brands such as Levis, G-Star RAW, Adidas, GUESS and even CK Calvin Klien.

However one brand which is huge in the states and quite recognisable around the UK and Europe is Original Penguin, the classic preppy apparel provider for those of a more relaxed style. They have opened up their first Pop-up store in Berlin this week just in time to hit the thousands of international travelers in town for the trading festivities.

The store, located in the “Mitte” a very stylist and culturally rich area of Berlin and is a linkup with the store everyone should have heard about - Trüffelschwein, who's brand stockist list (including YMC, Paul & Joe, Folk) keeps true to the cool of Berlin.

The store will retail select pieces from the current AW09 collection, and will have the brands famous Earl polo in a selection of special colours for the holiday season including; Black & Yellow, Blue & Orange and White & Red.

For those of you who are not able to get out to Berlin, you can either buy online at ASOS.com or visit the London store located in Covent Garden.

Solo Show for TopMan

This London Fashion Week is the 5th anniversary of MAN, and will be a first since its conception in 2005 that Topman Design will be showcasing its AW10 collection as a solo show. 

MAN was founded to find and nurture the new wave of british talent and has been a success story, helping not only support young brands but give them a chance of a retail outlet through the flag ship TopMan store, Oxford Circus London. “Our decision to show apart from MAN this season has been welcomed by both the MAN and the Menswear Panel who collectively agree that it is the right time for us. We have established a consistent design ethic and have a good following which gives us the confidence we need to move on and allow MAN to continue to nurture new young talent which is after all it’s purpose," said Gordon Richardson, Design Director for Topman.

Last season saw the launch of British Fashion Council’s NewGen Men Award to which Topman remains the sole sponsor and along with the new emerging talent seen each season, the Topman Design collections have evolved season afetr season under the Creative Direction of Alister Mackie - Fashion Director for AnOther Man and Topman Design Director himself Gordon Richardson, plus a little help from the in-house design team.

Both Topman Design and MAN will be part of the second official full day of on schedule LFW menswear. Topman Design will present its collection at 4.30pm on Wednesday 24th February 2010.

To buy pieces from the current collection, click online at  http://www.topman.com/

TIM SOAR // Extended Preview to AW10

We haven't finished with Milan or Paris yet, but These are the images we have been waiting for from designer Tim Soar, before his show at February's London Fashion Week. They are a clear indication that Aw10 is already looking  slick and well constructed even before LFW kicks off!


http://www.soar-london.com/

Milan Fashion Week : David Shrigley’s Pringle Video

With Milan fashion week in full swing, yesterday’s Pringle of Scotland menswear show was a clear highlight for most, opening with a video of learning made great by artist David Shrigley, who last year designed a T-shirt line for the brand. With a little bit of historic help from Pringle HQ and a lot of humor, this video is the only way to be taught the road of producing knitwear...


David Shrigley for Pringle from esquireuk on Vimeo.

Seeing "Red" with Wrangler Spring/Summer 2010 Campaign

Wrangler, the famous denim brand from the american mid west has produced the latest installment of their “We Are Animals” campaign for Spring/Summer 2010. The campaign, conceived by Fred & Farid Paris, and by Jeff Burton, is certainly a bold statement for the brand even if a little reminiscent of the NIKE football campaign 6 or so months ago -  it showcases a classic red dust which is supposed to be symbolism for; love, passion, energy, warmth, life and liberation.

http://www.wrangler.com

Wonderful Day at the Matches...

The new year brings with it the perils of having a mid-month zero bank balance and 2 weeks left until the first of 2010's wages land within our overdrawn grasp. Most of us try and stop the spending sprees spilling over from December, attempt to stay in and save! save! save! Well Save was never a work i felt conformable with, and even though I'm all for the wiser folk amongst us trying incorporate this word into their lives, my wondering eye spies the online sales which are taking place, its then just a slippery slope into the "add to basket" button and a click away from the purchase 'shopping cart' button where the magic begins.

Case in point is the Matches online sale of last seasons goodies, which i find hard to believe were missed by the full price shopper before christmas?! First up is the LOT-78 leather jacket, This chef style high-neck jacket gives an original, utilty feel to the leather outerwear trend and is almost half its original price down from £728, now £428. Layer underneath a cashmere t-shirt from the creative team at Commonwealth  which costs £118, was £278!

Next inline is the uber denim brand PRPS, the wash is dark and highlighted with some areas of distress to add a smart lightly rock infused feel - these are the best Japanese denim on the block which were £308 and are now £218. Slip on the sleek black GUCCI brogues which are the height of polished sophistication with a fantastic buckle detail, down from £370 to £228.

Finish off belt up with the printed suede belt by YSL which will contrast with the LOT-78 jacket and add a touch of formal texture, down from £168 to £98.

Christophe Lemaire Spring/Summer 2010

The Fashionisto gives Mr Gentry their prespective on the Spring/Summer 2010 collection from Christophe Lemaire. “Dressed in a serene color palette of whites, creams and blues, Christophe Lemaire refines his minimalist vision for the spring season. Ushering in a close-fitted, yet relaxed range, Lemaire continues the fusion of Western and Chinese design ideas that see to the construction of simple functional pieces. Finally, by concealing select buttons and zippers, a sleek finish is maintained with overall silhouettes that are representative of the modern man who desires both chic styling and practicality.”

http://www.christophelemaire.com/

http://thefashionisto.com/

Backpacking with Louis Vuitton

Never one to go backpacking across the globe when my university years were over, I somehow felt a tad left out from never owning a rucksack or knowing what it must have been like to haul your belongings across various cities for months on end. This feeling did not last long of course, especially when i saw the selection of backpacks which were student standard for this type of  'adventure' - JanSport anyone? I think not.

However, to my pleasure, an honorable rucksack has arisen in the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2010 Collection. If you are not looking for something technical and just want a nice looking premium backpack, you might want to check these out. They come in the standard Louis leather and even Ostrich this season, and in a choice of only 2 colours making the decision process a lot easier.

My advice to any like minded people such as myself, would be to make the wise choice of the  Ostrich skin which in years to come it will age to perfection and you can tell your grand children how you backpacked your worldly belongings across many cities in pure luxury style... even if it is from Bond Street to 5th avenue and back again.

http://www.louisvuitton.com/

Edwin x Pendleton Woolen Mills // Collaboration Preview

EDWIN have formed what can only be described as a hearty and beautiful alliance with the one and only Pendleton. The Pendleton Woolen Mill, located in Oregon, celebrated their 100th Birthday last year yet despite its old age they continue to be at the forefront of style and the supreme provider of woolen garments from shirting and jackets to their legendary blankets. 

The Edwin x Pendleton Woolen Mills shirt is a special project with limited run of 300 pieces. A special and exclusive colour way using japanese  Kaihara denim fabric detailing has been utilised. These two attention-to-detail  clothing producers have collided to provide us with a plait shirt of neat style. 

This is a special preview as the shirt will not be available to buy until July 2010 - however, lusting for a few months will only make you want it more.

http://www.edwin-europe.com/