Oki-Ni Shofolk suede shoes

Spring is finally here, which means it's time to put those boots away and slip on something lighter. If boat shoes and sandals aren't doing it for you, check out the The Alaric, by Folk Clothing's sister label Shofolk.

Handmade in Portugal, Shofolk's modern twist on the classic Oxford shoe is an elegant substitute for spring plimsolls when that warmer weather finally arrives. Comfort and a timeless tan colour come together for a clean look, featuring suede on the upper and off-white rubber sole, with a contrasting mid-brown leather heel tag providing a nice detail. 

The perfect partner for rolled-up chinos this spring and summer, the Alaric is exclusive to oki-ni, but is only available in limited numbers.

Priced at £125  www.oki-ni.com

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.

3 is the magic number

The three button blazer was seen as the stuff of uptight geography teachers for a long time. But now, with brands like Visvim, Our Legacy and Norse Projects all adapting them for summer, that perception could be about to change.


Visvim and Norse Projects have taken the loud and proud approach to three button tailoring, the only problem with Visvim being that getting hold of it is a rather arduous task. Out of the three, Our Legacy have taken a subtler approach, hiding the third button behind the lapels. Whatever your pick, with all this choice, there’s never been a better time to take style tips from your old teacher.


www.norsestore.com

A Clockwork Orange

Luxury - a word we find banded around by so many "non-luxury" classified brands these days. To my mind this is a word to be used to pin-point and categorise a very specific type of production quality, expertise's and ultimately the expense paid for such items produced with these points in-mind.

French luxury brand Hermes, who could single handily define the word luxury, stand only for the highest level of quality and have been producing covetable good since it was founded way back in 1837, and in-time for Spring-Summer holiday season continue to reign supreme with the ultimate nautical watch.

Hermes introduced the Clipper watches, which were originally designed by Henri d'Origny in 1981.  Named after old three-mastered racing ships, the watches were always nautical in nature - and the newest version arrives in an eye catching 44mm case, suggests that its owner will probably spend most its his time flitting between Mediterranean ports and Caribbean hideaways. 

The masculine and sporty design is accentuated by the black free face and orange rubber strap. Inside the steal and titanium case -luxury point proven- there's an automatic chronograph Valjoux movement, which is protected at depths of up to 200 metres.

Priced at £3,700

Available from www.hermes.com 

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

Sperry - Re-building a classic

April is a confusing month for weather, a most un-profound statement to make i know but having mother natures movements for the week ahead thrust towards me via my morning television, i find it hard to believe we shall be faced once again with any permanent sunshine!?

However, turning the clocks back to embrace what should be Spring, i realise that the seasonal changing over of my winter wardrobe to lighter spring/summer options should not be viewed as a rushed step to far, as i am not the only one waving the flag for the warmer months, having spotted early deck shoe appearances around the feet and streets of London and now its time for a blog post announcing their arrival.

There have been a whole host of respectable options which have fallen into my inbox over the past month; from Lacoste and ASOS, classic Gucci in red and blue rubber, to a beautiful hybrid pair from Opening Ceremony, but the ones to catch my eye, if only for its 75 year heritage, arrive from Sperry Top-Sider.

The brand started when a certain Paul Sperry invented the first boat shoe in 1935 after observing his dog's ability to maintain sturdy and not "hit the deck" on the slippery surface! Mr Sperry incorporated the wave like groves found on the dog's paw which have continued to be the inspiration for the Sperry Top-Sider sole that we see today.

To celebrate, Sperry have released a limited edition 75th Anniversary collection consisting of 3 unique styles; the Double-Sole, the Seamate and CVO all reworked for 2010 and packaged in commemorative shoe boxes inspired by the original packaging.

Priced from £50

Available from www.oipolloi.com 

www.sperrytopsider.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

YMC Navajo Style Knitwear

Navajo, or Dine as they call themselves, is the largest tribe of North American Indians, and by the looks of things they must have a inspiring style icon amongst them somewhere which has been aptly spotted by the clever design collective over at YMC.

The British brand have taken a classic Navajo style chunky knit cardigan  and added a YMC twist to ensure no criminal over-kill in design has been committed - my personal favorite knitwear piece for 2010 so far!

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

Great Moustache!

Gentry quick-whip for all you tea and coffee lovers  - If you’ve been too tentative to join the recent moustache renaissance, the 15 great soup strainers on this mug could provide the necessary inspiration!


Priced at £6.99, www.lazyboneuk.com

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

MENSWEAR DAY London Fashion Week // Reviews

There’s a restless spirit at Number One Savile Row judging by the magpie tendencies of Gieves designer Frederik Willems. Rather than settle for a recognisably British look the collection had an international feel, with influences ranging from ultra-modern RAF Simons-style short duo-tone jackets to Fifties Havana in the form of elaborate printed silk shirts.


Eye-catching wine-coloured suits, with strong shoulders, were as close as Gieves & Hawkes got to classic tailoring. The standout pieces were a dandyish cream-coloured double-breasted over coat and a pair of low slung pleated leather trousers that were a major declaration that Gieves’ needn’t be constrained by its Savile Row origins.




http://www.gievesandhawkes.com

MENSWEAR DAY London Fashion Week // Reviews

TIM SOAR

The menswear designer showcased a collection that showed just how to execute signature luxury finishing, more  likely to been seen at the likes of Lanvin in Paris than on the runways of London's dedicated menswear day.

Tim Soar marked his confident design territory with a condensed yet perfectly concise 14 look collection entitled "Reassembly Of Past Things - Handsome", the starting point of which being a late Victorian dinner suit twisted  with Tim Soars personal 70s style, reminding us of what gentlemanly dressing used to be like way back when, and just how it should be in 2010. The collection was a well thought-out mix of boxy wool jackets - one of which displaying vintage-esq leather cuffs - over-wash blue denim becoming almost acid white, electric blue and salt and pepper knitwear, a secret sports jacket creeping into the show helping maintain the Tim Soar sports-lux DNA we have come to love.

Standout pieces included the sheer silk shirting, optioned in a crew-neck finish and with bib-front (a new must for AW10). No Tim Soar collection would be complete without a touch of leather seen lightly applied as applique to the knitwear. The colour palette was relatively sombre in black, camel, greys and vintage cream with the play on texture and fabric being the defining detail of Mr Soars continually impecaable collection.

http://www.soar-london.com