Passarella Death Squad

(These are now sold out)

In an attempt to take graphic t-shirts in a new direction, Passarella Death Squad create highly sought after garments inspired by products and places from popular culture and arts subculture with their own twist. The images are not far detached from the raunchy images spread across the pages of fashion magazines. The pair, in between releasing music on the label Republic of Desire, reimagine city branding, corporate logos and some of the world's most recognised architectural landmarks.

Based in London, they're quickly becoming a cult label with a growing following. Broddle and Albisser use the finest Japanese fabric and manufacture in London and Japan alone, resulting in an exclusive and extremely comfortable cotton blend.

The sun may have disappeared in the North of England for today but I'm sure it'll be back soon and there's no better t-shirt that stands out from your crowd.



Vogue - 50% cotton 50% rayon (ALSO AVAILABLE IN WHITE)



Interview - 50% cotton 50% rayon (ALSO AVAILABLE IN BLACK)



NY - 50% cotton 50% rayon



Popeye - 50% cotton 50% rayon (ALSO AVAILABLE IN BLACK)

Check out their music at Passarella Death Squad: hauntingly beautiful electronica.

Tretorn

Since its inception in Helsinborg in the late 19th Century, Tretorn have always been for people who enjoy to live their lives outside. Starting out producing rubber goods, Tretorn are now more widely recognised outside Sweden for their classic understated and practical sneakers as well as their sponsorship of the ATP World Tour. They also understand that products that celebrate a life lived outside have a commitment to a sustainable approach to manufacturing and respect for the environment. They have set up major sectors that ensure their longstanding commitment to social corporate responsibility as well as forming an essential relationship between employees, environment and customers.

These guys really know how to put together a great pair of trainers and the fairest part is the price:


Krona Mid Suede - £80

T56 Canvas - £55

T56 Black Canvas - £55


(via Selectism, cheers guys)

If there is such a thing as exhibition envy, I am feeling it right now. The National Gallery of Art in Washington is putting on the first scholarly exhibition of a true legend of modern American poetry (and personal favourite of mine), Allen Ginsberg. From early photographs of close friends and fellow writers, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs through his rise to literary fame and involvement in an expanding generation of beat writers, this is an intimate exhibition of his friends and lovers all assessed in scholarly scrutiny.

Earth day: April 22

With Earth day only two days away, ethical clothing has had some focus in the national media over the weekend, most notably the FT's look at ethical cashmere. Earth Day was designed to inspire awareness and understanding of the Earth's environment, celebrated around the world since its introduction by Senator Gaylord Nelson back in 1970.

As well as an increasing amount of focus on the quality of garments produced (afterall, the longer they last and perform, the more environmentally friendly they are), there is a growing focus on sustaining artisan cooperatives, skills and trade. A brand we stock, and I felt it was appropriate to bring a little focus to once again is Veja, the ecological footwear brand. Their intention to use fairtrade cottons, leather and latex as well as maintaining the dignity and respect of craftsmen and women they have created a global chain that emphasises solidarity and the environment.

Full grain ecological leather upper and low profile latex sourced from Amazonia

"Fair-trade" has become an ever profitable selling point over the past few years, but this is the real deal. Veja understand the importance of getting deep into the architecture of our worldwide infrastructure to change our methods of transportation, organization, production, conditioning and consumption. Transported to France by boat, the shoes are then shipped on barges along the canals of the Parisian suburbs in packaging made from fully recycled and recyclable cardboard (which was even altered in 2002 to consume less cardboard.)


Organic cotton upper and low profile latex sourced from Amazonia

If this wasn't enough, to ensure a fair price is paid by the consumer, Veja DO NOT ADVERTISE! The money saved on advertising means they can pay their workers overtime at a fair price, as well as offering what is a beautiful product from concept to fabrication to people around the world. I'm sure there are further improvements to be made by this brand over the next few years, but they're setting the standard for ecological clothing at the moment.

The thing we have always recognised Nom de Guerre for is their ability to weave harsh military references into an everyday wardrobe that looks clean and effortless. In the past, its been all about high density knitwear, great denim and bold outerwear, and this season its no difference, but the stand out elements for me are their shirting. They have delivered everything we expected, strong references to the military delivered in soft delicate materials and bold patterns.

The feeling of Spring is in the air, and these shirts utilising materials from linen to ramie (a tough vegetable fibre), are made to the perfect weight and from the softest materials making them perfect for the coming months:



A sea blue button-down shirt made from 100% cotton with three quarter sleeves and mother of peal buttons. For such a delicate material, the shirt is ready for a good bit of wear and tear.
£135



For me, the ultimate lightweight cotton shirt and the 3/4 button adjustable sleeve details make it perfect for pretty much all occassions. Twin button down chest pockets, mother of pearl buttons and a curved hem top of a beautifully detailed piece. Made from 85% cotton, 8% linen, 7% ramie.
£140



This is a summer edition of the Nom de Guerre classic shirt. Its made in super soft cotton and linen for a heavy duty shirt thats as easy on the fingertips as it is on the eyes. Once again, detailed with mother of peal buttons, curved hem and button down collar. Made from 98% cotton and 2% linen.
£160



A military inspired soft ribbed cotton shirt with twin breast pockets, epaulette details and curved hem in Khaki with mother of pearl buttons.
£160

Filippa K SS10

[For information on suiting call 01142723482]

The latest collection from Filippa K sees a great offering of classic tailoring, cotton tees and the pallette of Venice beach circa 1985. It offers you the opportunity to pick and choose pieces to form an individual look. Classic workwear details are combined with modern suit patterns to produce garments with a softer but elegant cut in vibrant, Summery colourways. The collection brings together your the basics for every man's wardrobe: clean shirting, cotton tees, sports jacket, classic cut two-piece, the great fitting chino and the timeless driving jacket.



[For information on suiting call 01142723482]

Soft tailored suits mixed with more casual t-shirts and a pair of desert boots offer an elegance, glamour and lightness whilst maintaining a relaxed masculinity that looks so easy. Its the ultimate look for Spring or Summer whether they're worn together or seperately.

Alternatively, the lightweight pre washed materials and casual cut mean its the perfect summer suit for the office or a few drinks on the weekend.







Check out the pieces from the Filippa K range at Ideology webstore.

Fashion, film and ACNE

LFW saw Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey exploit our digital age by broadcasting 3-D coverage of their collection to four exclusive cities around the world. Alongside this, a huge debate was sparked about the role that the internet blogger has to play in the world's Fashion Weeks. It goes to show that, however you view it, we are in a period of transition that pragmatic fashion houses are ready to exploit. The internet, its broadcasting capability and the power of film in fashion is becoming ever more poignant. ACNE, one of the most creative fashion houses around at the moment (in my opinion) are more than ready to explore and utilise this power.

Fashion film has become more and more important to ACNE over the past year or two and they have openly displayed their interest in the creative dialogue between fashion and film. Their display at Copenhagen Fashion Week showed an understanding of the understated but also displayed an artistic arrogance by projecting a film of their AW10 collection at the gateway to the trade show. However, this understanding of an expanding market continues, especially that which is bought by the internet, namely, the time of live streaming.

AW/10 Denim Film by Andreas Larsson from Acne Studios on Vimeo.

Ideas of androgyny, self love and restraint are explored by photographer Andreas Larsson's film for their AW10 collection. At the heart of this tempestuous and haughty piece of cinema is a collection of denim set against pale, shackled angelic figures. It celebrates the denim and communicates the raunchy and immodest side of a brand that has excelled itself to popularity in the past ten years.

Spring essentials: Part I

A few of our favourite pieces that we see as essential pieces for a capsule wardrobe. A classic mac, oxford shirt, cotton trousers, hand-made leather shoes and calf-skin leather holdall in great spring colours without forgetting essential reading from the guys at Inventory.

P.S, a great image of Jean Touitou playing in Tokyo with his band at Unit Tokyo. Jean also appears on the soundtrack to Fantastic Mr. Fox alongside Wes Anderson and Jarvis Cocker (two personal heroes.)

Surface to Air

(Photo courtesy of Selectism)

Surface to Air opened the doors of their new flagship Paris store in January and they translate their innovative use of material to their built environment. In collaboration with Federico Masotto the creative team behind the Parisian brand have explored sparkling concrete, marquina marble, moving panels and trompe l'oeil flooring which reflects the innovative and exclusive materials that the brand utilise in their clothing. Masotto finished the space by produced custom and contemporary furniture built by artisan craftman Paolo Vale.



We also have new leather weekend bags from S2A in store. Made from soft calf skin leather, there is no need to break these bags in, they're ready to go. The interior is lined with red, navy and plaid lining and interior pockets. Big fans.