FABRIS LANE X JAMES LONG

James Long is a name on many menswear corners, making a name for himself from his MAN Topman collection and Fashion East involvements, he's the current darling of the young London menswear scene and has now re focused his sights for a second time to pair up with Fabris Lane, the covetable eyewear label for the second time.

They are releasing a range of sunglasses which are in military greens, black and metallic leather. Playing with the aviator shape with camouflage and foiled leather in protective layers, the unique metal-framed glasses combined with two-tone lenses are evidence of Long's creativity combined with Fabris Lane's quality craftsmanship. 

http://www.jameslonguk.com/

+J at Uniqlo // part deux!

Today heralds the first of the new seasons collection moments going into store for 2010 with the second collection of +J, Uniqlo’s Jil Sander designed range going on sale. The campaign is all over London's Oxford Circus tube station and every piece featured in the posters look to be a delightful head-to-toe must have. Simple lines with classically twisted details and signature sharp tailoring -  this is compulsory shopping... see you in there.


http://www.uniqlo.com/

TIM SOAR // Preview to AW10

The London based designer teases us with preview of his forthcoming AW10 collection, which shall be shown at London Fashion Week in February this year.  The collection is interestingly entitled 'Reassembly Of Past Things - Handsome'.... intrigued doesn't even come close...

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

Closed For The Holidays : Back On The 4th!

I must embrace the festive season, but shall return with prompt and informed style in the new year!

Introducing : Martyn Bal

If a man is known by the company he keeps - and the companies that retain his services - then Martyn Bal deserves to be more widely recognised. Having completed an MA at London's Royal College of Art in 2000, the young designer was instantly recruited to assist Hedi Slimane at Dior Homme, helping to make the label arguably the most influential in early Noughties menswear. Bal followed that plum first job with stints as creative director and design consultant at Verri Uomo and Versace respectively before being hired by Burberry as menswear design director. (Burberry Prorsum autumn/winter 2007 was his last collection.)

Bal's constructivist (and unsurprisingly sharp) design ethic is tempered by a certain fluidity of movement and softening details such as raglan sleeves, which filter into his more relaxed spring/summer 2010 capsule collection, featuring lightweight trenches and leathers. His muse for S/S 2010 is musician Erik Hassle, a Swedish singer/songwriter who, although not widely recognised outside his Scandinavian homeland, has recently been signed by Island Records. (His single Pieces is out on 10 February 2010.) Promisingly, the campaign was shot at Knebworth House, which in the past has played host to - or rather been played by - the Rolling Stones.

www.martynbal.com

Dinning Under the Divine

St Paul’s Cathedral has been garnering high praise of late, but not (at least as far as we’re aware) for anything liturgical. The object of this newfound adulation is the excellent restaurant in the crypt.

While i struggled slightly to find it (as you’re facing the main door, head left around the building to the discreet entrance), once inside the no-nonsense space you will be in excellent hands.

Its Christmas menu is thoughtfully presented – although a trad dinner of roast goose with bread sauce and Brussels takes the lead role, there are also excellent options such as braised shin of venison or pork belly (with possibly London’s best crackling) for those who have already overdosed on turkey, etc.

Puddings, such as gingerbread and honey ice sandwich, should not be missed. It’s anything but ostentatious: the ingredients have been lovingly selected, are well presented, and details like sides of “forgotten veg” (East Anglian rampart brussel sprouts & chantenay carrots) add extra interest. An excellent addition to east London dining. The Restaurant At St Paul’s,

www.restaurantatstpauls.co.uk

Umbro Archive Inspired Collection

The on-pitch power house brand Umbro, has released a sportswear collection inspired by Football and English culture which is the amalgamation of over 85 years of referencing from the Umbro print archives, with style inspirations taken from sport, music and art. The collection offers retro graphic tees featuring prints influenced from the Mancunian music scene, vintage advertising and the ever famous classic tracksuit, depicted in a fun line of male joggers!

The collection is available now launched exclusively with House of Fraser.

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/ 

Smythson Lippiatt folder

Encased in luxurious dark brown Mara calf leather, inside and out, and housing leather pockets with nubuck lining, this Smythson Lippiatt folder will certainly look more sophisticated under your arm than that Ryman document wallet. It comes complete with one A4 pad of pale blue featherweight paper, a gilt pencil, and plain Kings correspondence cards and envelopes. £415

http://www.smythson.com

Casting A Sunspel

Despite producing its wares in the same Derbyshire factory for the last 150 years, t-shirt and underwear specialist Sunspel – official supplier of James Bond’s very own undergarments no less – has taken the modernist view of making its entire collection available online via its new website, which for us ensures we are able to furnish our bottom draws with knitted delights!

http://www.sunspel.com/

Nike Sportswear X Ben Drury Air Max Current

Nike Sportswear have released another killer collaboration - the Air Max Current sneaker created in partnership with  British designer, Ben Drury,who has worked extensively in the music industry, creating album artwork for the likes of Turin and Dizzee Rascal amongst others. Nike, a brand which has so many iconic products all under the mighty Swoosh, have taken the Air Max 90 and given it the updated treatment. 

With a colour combination of jet black and electric blue the details of Drury's Air Max 90 Current reflects his supposed dual inspiration of town and country. Featuring metal D-rings; bright urban light laces and technical fabrics guaranteed from Nike Sportswear, gives this shoe the desirability for...

The Nike Air Max Current will be available exclusively from Nike Sportswear at 1948 Store, Batemans Row, Shoreditch, London from today , 11th December, 2009.

www.nikesportswear.com/1948