Last month we told you about Take Ivy, the coveted style tome showcasing snapshots of classic Ivy League style from the 1960s being re-issued for the first time ever in the U.S. Now style maven Jack Spade is offering the iconic volume equipped with a K-Swiss x Jack Spade collaboration package featuring an old-school sweatshirt with preppy elbow patches and a retro leather belt for $245. The sweatshirt is a heavy gauge crewneck - just like the retro gym sweatshirts from the ’60s. For a preppy flair, the designers silk screened orange patches on to the elbows; on one of the patches is the K-Swiss 1966 shield and “Jack Spade/Warren Street/New York” to note the brands’ heritage and the collaboration. The belt was designed to complete the retro look and is modeled after a custom bridle leather book strap, artfully cinched around the book.
Famed French fashion and luxury goods house Chanel has brought on legendary director Martin Scorsese to help promote its new men’s fragrance, Bleu de Chanel. Scorcese has made a sexy new commercial for the scent starring actor Gaspard Ulliel with a soundtrack by the Rolling Stones, firmly positioning it as a cologne for the young, cool, rich and beautiful - or those who think all that can be found in a perfume bottle in any case. Marked by notes of citrus, vetiver, pink pepper, grapefruit, dry cedar, labdanum, frankincense, ginger and sandalwood, Chanel says Bleu “embodies that greatness of a man when he chooses to be free”. To be specific, it smells “enigmatically seductive”, reeking of “bold masculinity” and an “untameable, rebellious spirit.” The collaboration follows other high-profile director-fashion label matchups, including David Lynch for Dior, Frank Miller for Gucci and Zoe Cassavetes for Louis Vuitton.
If Jake Mueser isn’t the best dressed man in New York, then he must be the custom clothier dressing the chap who is. His shop, Against Nature Atelier in the Lower East Side, is a modern boulevardier’s hideaway with apparel to upgrade any gentleman’s life in a meaningful way. You know the sensuous thrill that comes over you upon arriving at the farmers market: redolent mint, eye-popping heirlooms tomatoes, suede-skinned peaches? Here, senses alight to the smell of craftsmanship, the luster of handworked silver, and the light fleecy feel of eight-ounce mohair. A cluster of off-the-rack seersucker suits stands summer ready in traditional blue stripe plus red and pencil grey along with custom denim jeans. Mueser, who could pass for Roger Federer’s runway-ready younger brother, identifies fabrics like a sommelier naming grapes in a meritage: cotton, linen, worsted wool, cashmere.
Under gray skies and the first honest wisps of fall, J.Crew unveiled its latest Men’s Shop on Madison Avenue in New York City.
For a brand whose rep has been synonymous with rep stripes, wide wale corduroy and the Ivy League uniform, it’s surprising that it took J.Crew this long to arrive in the neighborhood, since the Upper East Side is certainly the nexus of all that. Located on the corner of 79th Street, in a space formally occupied by a bank, the store is in many ways the apogee of J.Crew’s recent menswear translation of preppy as Nantucket by way of Japan. The shop itself feels like an Alpine lodge, with knotty pine wood paneling covering walls, floor and seemingly everything else. Populate that with Quoddy boots, Barbour jackets, and lots and lots of plaid, and you’ve got what amounts to catnip for fans of the trad, Americana, or workwear look (whichever you prefer).
Some might choose the slightly pejorative “urban woodsman” though, and you can’t really blame them. The trend metastasized to the point of self-parody, what with all those bearded 20-somethings head-to-toe in buffalo plaid, buying $250 axes and signing up for butchering classes. But you have to commend J.Crew, and head menswear designer Frank Muytjens, for navigating it without lingering to the point of definition. This fall season seems to be more about celebrating classic looks, classic brands-and as expressed by this new store-creating a shopping experience with some style and relaxed refinement (none of which you’re going to find at American Apparel). And they do, balancing out the aforementioned ruggedness with Thomas Mason spread collar shirts and cashmere navy suits, both exclusive to this location.
Even if you’ve already got an iconic, American-made Stetson hat, you probably don’t have one like this.
Though the classic Stetsons will always be available and you may think there’s nothing new (or at least nothing new that’s not ridiculous) in the world of hats, Albertus Swanepoel’s 2010 collection has rendered us speechless. These fabulous, spicy hats are masculine and creative, with lush materials and colorful, yet handsome plumage.
“It’s a great honor to collaborate with a legacy brand such as Stetson. They are the Rolls Royce of hats to me in America and I’m thrilled to be associated with this brand,” said Swanepoel. “This is also is a great opportunity for me to inject a more modern sensibility into their iconic designs.”
And that he did. Inspired by everything from vintage cars to modern films and even art, he has created an alluring collection of attractive hats that appeal to ages 8 to 80. Above, for example is the “Pablo,” a 100 percent fur felt pork pie dress hat which has coloring and an unusual bow placement influenced by the works of Pablo Picasso (retails for $200.00). Fewer than 50 of this hat will be made.
Select styles from the limited edition Albertus Swanepoel for Stetson collection are available now from Hartford York for pre-order, to ship in September, and will be available at Barneys stores nationwide. Check out the full 14-hat collection — and their inspirations — below.
With the latest in up-market jeans being readied for release, it’s exciting to see what’s in the pipeline. In this crowded space, look for the biggest noise to be made not by any fashion company you’ve pined over. Rather, the hottest denim on the market could be coming from the most unexpected place on earth … by way of Scandinavia.
According to Financial Times, “As clean silhouettes and the much-feted new minimalism shape the autumn trends, it looks like denim will take an equally reductive route: out with slashed, stonewash, fussy 1980s styles and in with the basics.” And you’ll find this manufactured in North Korea.
Two years ago, a trio of young, twenty-something Swedes were invited by the government into North Korea to manufacture a national jeans line. Really. “Noko“, as it was named, features two jeans styles for men and women: the Kara slim-fit and the Oke loose-fit ($215 plus shipping), both straight-cut and dark-wash, in keeping with the austere nightscapes of the designers’ inspiration, Pyongyang.
The Noko styles are consistent with what is expected for autumn:
“For autumn, denim is very customer-friendly,” says Lesley Torson of Trilogy, a London denim boutique. “It’s dark, and washes are quite clean, giving it a more polished look.” Meanwhile, the advent of styles such as the utilitarian cargo with convenient side pockets, the forgiving high-rise cut, and the faithful indigo boot-cut flare will offer something the premium jeans world hasn’t seen for years: wearability.
Palladium, a heritage boot company that relaunched last year is hoping to aid another comeback, that of Detroit. The brand has created a bunch of “Exploration” campaigns, in which Palladium explores and documents hidden and abandoned urban places in search of unique stories. These Explorations are then turned into viral videos that live on their website and their latest features “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville in Detroit.
In an exploration called ‘Detroit Lives,’ Knoxville puts on Palladium boots and checks out the city, which was once the fourth largest city in America but is now in the midst of a transformation from abandoned urban landscape back to a vibrant community. The trailer for the video above showcase the young people who are taking back the city and their community. The full video for ‘Detroit Lives’ premieres on August 30.
The challenging urban landscape also makes a nice backdrop for the boots. Palladium was founded in 1920 to make aircraft tires for the aviation industry. In 1947, after the end of WWII saw demand for tires dry up, Palladium turned to making rubber and canvas boots including the classic canvas Pampa boot. The sturdy boots for men and women sell for $50 to $275. The video is after the jump.
Obviously, much about North Korea, and especially Kim Jong-il, is left to the realm of speculation. It’s hard enough to know what’s going on inside the secretive country, especially given the risks of relying too heavily on defector testimony, and the Dear Leader tends to insulate himself from the outside world. There are rumors, of course, that he has a taste for Cuban cigars and upscale spirits, but confirmation is notoriously difficult to attain.
The defector says Kim Jong-il was impressed when Chinese diplomats knew to his tastes: “During his visit to China in 2005, Kim Jong-il was delighted to see bottles of Perrier that Chinese officials had prepared for him and asked his aides how the Chinese knew he liked Perrier.”
Questions about Kim Jong-il’s health have led to an increased focus on his likely successor, son Kim Jong-un. Not much is known about him … except the fact that he likes to kick around in Nikes. One can only expect his tastes to mature when his old man dies and the kid ascends to the top spot.
Joe Jonas turned up on the red carpet at the “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” movie premiere in New York City last night wearing a fashionable Dior Homme suit. The Dior Homme black wool suit is unusual, in that it has a slashed lapel blazer (as seen on Joe Jonas on the far right). The premiere was held at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center; “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”, which features all three of the Jonas Brothers, will air on September 3 on the Disney Channel.
Jonas isn’t the only celebrity donning Dior duds of late. Kanye West and his Rosewood Movement are big fans of Dior Homme, too. West and his Rosewood pals have been seen wearing a Dior Homme Black Classic Skinny Suit (as reported by Luxist yesterday). West’s suit is sold in Beverly Hills and New York City boutiques and retails for $2,200. It is available during every season, unlike the one worn by Jonas, which is Spring 2009 Runway and not available anymore (Dior isn’t doing slashed lapels this season).
The Rosewood Movement is a fashion initiative in which its followers wear the same sharply tailored suits. It stems from the Rosewood Civil Rights Movement, but in this case is meant to raise the level of sophistication within the rap and hip hop worlds.
Though those sharp soles look like they’re made of solid wood, the ECCO World Class GTX Golf Shoes are actually the only leather-soled shoes offered by any major manufacturer. And don’t worry, that leather is fully waterproof; it’s a GORE-TEX leather wrap. Durable polyurethane (the material used to make superballs, which won’t break down over time) comprises the the inside of these comfortable, attractive soles.
These elegantly cleated shoes are lined in ECCO’s Second Skin Lining, which wicks moisture away from the feet. A removable insole provides comfort and climate control.
The ECCO World Class GTX Golf Shoes are currently available in combinations of brown, white and black, and are also being released in limited edition colors including purple (see gallery), metallic red and silver.
The new ECCO BIOM Natural Motion Golf Shoes were developed to make your favorite leisure activity easier on your body. The first BIOM collection shoes were running shoes, after research into the human foot revealed that it’s healthier to have your foot closer to the ground than most athletic shoes allow. It turns out that excessive cushioning and “support” are actually counterproductive, as over time, they weaken the muscles and ligaments of the foot. The same applies to golf shoes, and this January, ECCO BIOM Natural Motion Golf Shoes will be hitting stores.
Far from stodgy, orthopedic-looking shoes, the BIOMs are sporty and classy, made with luxurious yak leather (a soft, thin and lightweight leather three times stronger than typical leather). The heels may look thick, but are actually partly hollow, allowing your foot to rest low to the ground for a stable, healthy platform. The sole of the shoe is made of polyurethane, the same material used to make superballs, which won’t break down over time the way rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) does.
The ECCO BIOM Natural Motion Golf Shoes will be available from ECCO in January for $225.00 per pair. And yes, just to reiterate, they are made of Yak and superballs.
Singer Adam Levine of Maroon 5 is the latest celebrity to announce a fashion line. His new line is named 222, after his lucky number which is also the address of the recording studio where his band recorded their demo. Levine has the number tattooed on his arm and also designed a line of guitars under the 222 brand.
Levine’s father Fred has been the owner of a chain of boutiques in Los Angeles called M. Frederic for the last 30 years. He will be involved in the new line as will a cousin of Fred Levine, Sami Cooper, who owns the clothing factory that will produce the line. The line for men and women includes t-shirts, jeans, leather jackets and more. Prices will range from around $30 to over $1,000. The line will be available next spring.
Unlike some collections whose famous names reflect only lucrative licensing deals, products bearing the Porsche Design label have a pedigree that’s strongly linked to the famed sports car marque. The Porsche Design Studio was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the iconic Porsche 911 and grandson of the founder of the world-renowned German automaker. Since then Porsche Design has become synonymous with innovative luxury products boasting immaculate craftsmanship, state of the art technology and the absolute highest quality materials, all adhering to the same clear functionality of form. While the product line ranges from cell phones to superyachts these days, sunglasses, one of the first items produced and one with the strongest ties to driving, remain the most appealing.
During the ’70s and ’80s the coveted sunglasses were the shades of choice for the rich and famous who prized elegant, sporty style. Now Porsche Design Eyewear has come out with a new “Heritage Collection” of aviators celebrating this colorful history. Often copied by others, they remind us that the originals haven’t been bettered. The new collection is not just a re-issue of the most notable sunglass designs however, but also an update for the 21st century. Iconic styles that went out of production years ago are back with major upgrades in materials with super lightweight, anti-corrosive titanium frames and lightweight shatter-proof polycarbonate lenses with a multi-layered premium anti-reflective coating. Priced from $250-$409, there are four classic styles in the collection in various color combinations, all variations on the iconic aviator shape and all now available from haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies.
Ah, another Jack Spade bag that I’m lusting over. The Dipped Industrial Canvas Tote ($97.50) makes me want to pack for the beach. Even though this candy-colored tote screams summer fun at the beach, I’m sure the designer did not create this solely for the beach. Especially since it’s made from canvas and dipped in rubber latex for ultimate durability. So while lugging all your beach essentials would be a piece of cake for the Industrial Tote, you could use this bag for anything and it would last a lifetime. Use for overnight or weekend trips, a day at the park, work, or if you are an oversized bag fanatic like me, wear as your summer handbag.
Keeping with the essence of Jack Spade style, it is minimally adorned with just the company’s tag. What sets this bag off is its adventurous colorway. View their other options here, if you in the market for something subtle. Dimensions: 16″ x 7″ x 14″.
Bellroy has a different approach than some to the idea of luxury: they think it’s less about flash and bling and more about quality and perfectly designed function. They’re a small company that for the time being is almost exclusively focused on men’s wallets in an attempt to “improve the way we carry.” Bellroy’s line of wallets is made with thoughtful details like thinner leather for reduced bulk and strategically designed pocket and tab options for uber-convenient stashing of cards and cash. They have something for everyone, from the super sleek and efficient “Very Small Wallet” to the portfolio-sized “Take Out Wallet” and everything in between. $60-$130
Swiss luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant has collaborated with classic cigar brand Cohiba on a new limited edition watch and humidor set. The timepieces are designed to evoke the masculine sophistication of the Cohiba brand. The luxury watches feature an elegant case inspired by Toro shaped cigars, an ivory colored dial, tobacco brown Roman numerals and a hand-sewn tobacco brown calfskin strap.The humidor is designed to hold the watch as well as several Cohiba cigars. The watches will be available in a limited run of 188 numbered pieces in stainless steel for $1,650 and 188 pieces in rose gold plate for $1,750. Constant and Cohiba will launch the exclusive timepieces at an event on Sept. 22, 2010 at Club Macanudo in New York.
Bespoke shotguns have been part of the wealthy British gentleman’s essential sporting kit since the turn of the last century. They’re as much a part of the English country house persona as tweeds, wellington boots and Range Rovers. Such guns are often passed down from father to son and are cared for like the precious objects they most certainly are. All these things they have long been, but up until now they have never been what one would call “affordable”. Now William Evans (above), a top-drawer London gunmaker since 1883, is aiming to change all that with a new line of lower-priced bespoke shotguns that still deliver the quality one expects from a well-established London gunsmith.
William Evans first learnt his craft by working for famed gunsmiths James Purdey & Son and Holland & Holland. In 1883 he founded his own gunmaking business near Buckingham Palace and by 1888 his reputation had grown enough for him to move to more prestigious premises in Pall Mall, opposite St. James’s Palace. By this time the core of William Evans’ client list was firmly established, notably with military officers in the Guards Regiments who ordered sporting guns and rifles before being posted to various parts of the Empire. The move to St. James’s, the heart of London’s gentlemen’s club district, further strengthened his client list and the company attracted the patronage of members of several prestigious clubs such as White’s, Boodles and Brooks.
Parabellum, makers of hand-crafted leather goods with a military flair in Los Angeles, have come out with a new line of bison hide and Kevlar laptop and iPad cases. The CPU Portfolio for $980 is designed for safe and luxurious storage and transit of either a 15″ or 17″ laptop. That’s not just hype - the case is lined in pure cashmere - vintage 1940s dead stock cashmere from the UK, to be precise. It’s made of deep textured Reservation Bison with leather and Kevlar reinforcements and features a carrying strap, super smooth zipper and a ceramic covered snap lock. Each piece is individually numbered for authenticity.
The iPad case for $600 is also made of deep textured Reservation Bison with a lambskin liner, dual ceramic covered snap locks, Kevlar reinforcements and reinforced, elastic and leather corner holders on the back. Each one is also individually numbered for authenticity. Prabellum’s deep textured Bison hide comes from free-range American ranches, and is tanned domestically in small batches using age old techniques. Their ceramic hardware is military grade for the ultimate in durability. The cases are available at Maxfield and Union in Los Angeles, The Webster in Miami and Colette in Paris.
We don’t want to say it, but we must: Maybach is probably doing better with its lifestyle accessories than it is with its cars. And with some undeniably attractive options on its designer menu, you don’t need to go far in search of an explanation. The line has been joined by a range of ten spectacle frames and eight different sunglasses, produced under license by German optics company IVKO.
Details on the hand-made glasses are as lavish as those found inside a Maybach 62, with piano-lacquered wood, natural horn, carbon fiber and leather-trimmed arms, titanium, 18-carat white, yellow, and rose gold frames. Lenses come from those quality glassmakers over at Zeiss.
For something more bespoke you can give your shades the coachbuilt treatment with Maybach’s Individual Collection, which “will cater to various special requests and customization choices and features 18K carat gold details.” Sadly, there still won’t be enough room here to add a refrigerator or humidor, but you might find space for rhinos and emus to make the contributions. You’ll be able to purchase them come October, when the ready-to-wear range lands at retail.
Menswear line LimoLand is coming to the U.S. This is the first time that the menswear brand will be available nationwide. Designer, photographer, and art collector, Jean “Johnny” Piggozi founded the line and is bringing a flagship store to New York City’s Meatpacking District set to open on August 26. There is also a new e-commerce site selling limited edition items including LimoLand bags, laptop cases and travel wallets designed in collaboration with Yoshida Porter of Japan, and limited edition jackets designed in collaboration with K-Way of Canada.
LimoLand was established in 2007. The colorful menswear and accessories are designed to inspire men who, as the founder Jean “Johnny” Pigozzi says, “Live to create.” The brand’s logo and namesake, Mr. Limo, is based on work of the late Tanzanian artist George Lilanga. LimoLand’s clothing and accessories have been sold in some of the top stores around the world, including Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London, 10 Corso Como in Milan and Land of Tomorrow in Tokyo and the brand has been featured in such fashion magazines as Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair.
Jack Spade x K-Swiss ‘Take Ivy’ Special Edition originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Palladium, a heritage boot company that relaunched last year is hoping to aid another comeback, that of Detroit. The brand has created a bunch of “Exploration” campaigns, in which Palladium explores and documents hidden and abandoned urban places in search of unique stories. These Explorations are then turned into viral videos that live on their website and their latest features “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville in Detroit.
ECCO
