"And why not turn a restaurant into a disco?"

Acne took over Paris last week for their first international menswear presentation, and I think it took everybody by surprise. They've turned everything on its head, with 2010 show baggy upperbody wear and tight legwear, but S/S 2011 is an exercise in juxtaposition and typically, androgyny. Their jackets are short and tight fitting, whilst they're are taking a leaf from Bowie's book with wide, flared legwear.



Acne have said they are attempting to create "the perfect disco, school boy look" by challenging classic proportions throughout their collection, "waists become higher and tshirts become longer". The materials just heighten this sense of sixties extravagance and "silhouettes are pushed across silks, jerseys, cotton, wool and microfibre pieces".

"I had a moment of clarity for this collection with my design team at a place called Tango in Paris. It was just a good night out actually, and that dance hall with all of its styled up, dueting couples and slow routines, reminded me of a school dance. For me it also has to do with personal history; in my teens I would travel to these summer dances in remote halls in the Swedish countryside – cause that’s what you do. These dances were super exotic parties for me in my youth; believe me – it’s more spiritual than doing drugs, the all night light kinda sends everyone into this crazy positive place. I have always found this very interesting – it is quite seldom that you find yourself dancing with strangers and I started to imagine this fun, young, imaginative boy going to a school disco. Sometimes I think fashion should just be that: a fun and happy moment and a memory. When I was thinking of my first international Menswear showing, Paris was the natural choice. And why Le Chateaubriand? For me it is about a fun night, great food and wine, sexy people and having fun either in a group or just watching. And why not turn a restaurant into a disco?” – Jonny Johansson





[Thanks to Selectism for the images]

There's a heatwave on its way, so with our Summer Sale in full swing, now is the perfect opportunity to grab a few needed bits (at a bargain price...)



Acne O-neck Sweater - Lightweight, wide neck and perfect for the evenings. The suede elbow patches just top it off.
Filippa K Peter Salmon Shirt - Breathable cotton, great colour and handy breast pocket... wear it with a pocket hanky, yeah?
Surface to Air Portofino Shorts
Common Projects Desert Boots - Perfect profile to wear with shorts and beautiful, beautiful material
Inventory Mag - Great Summer read, content galore and some great photography
MAKR Tote Bag - Cotton duck and deertanned cowhide. If you're pon de churps, its perfect to carry a bottle of champers...

Finally, if you're looking for the perfect BBQ album, its got to be Swim by Caribou. He's a doctor in mathematics, so there is no surprise this album really adds up. Its mellow with experimental percussion and it takes dance music to much more fluid realms. Its a real journey through the album and there is no better record to have on the iPod. He'll be appearing at Field Day this year alongside Phoenix and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and if his Sonar appearance is anything to go by, its well worth the trip to go and see.

Back from Barcelona

So, its been a couple of days now since returning from the beautiful city that is Barcelona and we're close to catching up on sleep and getting things back to normal. The city never ceases to astound me, and Sonar was absolutely fantastic, as expected. There is nothing more reassuring than a group of forward-thinking musicians and artists taking control of their city to exhibit the best music in the world right now. Off Sonar proved to be the biggest surprise, with a collection of vintage stores and connoisseur record stores hosting international radio shows and DJs live for the festival. A special mention goes to Discos Paradiso who put on the Hepcat Radio show hosted by Mamiko Motto with sets from Hudson Mohawke, Jackmaster and Eclair Fifi, playing to a crowd of three. It was definitely a highlight of the weekend. Its great to see some guys pushing their love for vintage, boutique and rare vinyl. I'll stop boating anyway.

Now we're back, MAKR Carry Goods are online and ready to buy with one line already sold out. These are extremely limited so if you want one, there is no chance to hesitate, because we didn't have many. We're the first store in Europe to stock them, so a big thanks to MAKR and we look forward to what they can offer us in the future.

There has also been a restock of a few of the classic Passarella Death Squad tees, but again, we've only got limited numbers and they're destined to be as popular as ever.

Holly Verso - Westminster BA Grad favourite

A couple of weeks ago, Max headed to London to see his other half's collection in the Westminster BA Fashion graduate show. One of the collections that really caught his eye was by Holly Verso, who offers up a selection of garments that seem draw inspiration from streetwear, workwear and outerwear to produce a collection focused around cycling that exhibits some great use of materials, intrepid use of raw denim (sponsored by the guys at Albam), and an adventurous take on classic mens jackets (the spare wheel being one of my favourite ideas in the collection.)









Holly is currently working up a price list and will be selling off her collection at the end of the month, with all pieces obviously being one-offs there has been quite an interest. If you do want to get in contact with her however regarding her collection, her email address is holly_verso@hotmail.com.

She is currently constructing her website too, which should be complete in the next couple of weeks: http://www.hollyverso.com.

New additions for A/W

As well as Our Legacy, there are a few other brands we just couldn't stop ourselves working with, from Scandinavia as well as here in the United Kingdom. These brands are allowing us to move in directions we previously haven't looked and add a diversity to the store which still adheres to our desire to supply clean, classic menswear. Most importantly, these brands have stories, and their products adopt yours every day.

SEH. Kelly - Clothes made with mills and factories in England

Spun, stitched, cut, sewn, and finished — from fabrics to components and through every stage of manufacturing, each garment is a product of the clothing and textile industry in England. The love for our domestic clothing industry was inspired by their work alongside many manufacturers on Saville Row. Their aesthetic is driven by workwear, but all garments are refined and modified to have a usefulness and relevance in every day modern life.


The collection we are taking for A/W10 comprises of cashmere, Shetland wool, and brushed cotton drills and twills designed around factory attire and workwear. Sourcing of fabric and components runs the breadth of the domestic textile industry, with flecked cashmere-wool from the Cotswolds, hard-wearing cotton drills and twills from a mill in Lancashire, and knitwear in the form of moss-stitched Shetland yarns.

We're expecting big things from these guys, and appreciate their dedication to forming lasting relationships with manufacturers to reignite a once great clothing industry here in England, but also their dedication to producing new fabrics alongside preserved local crafts.

SNS Herning


Producing top quality knitwear from their small factory in Herning since the 1920s, today SNS employ just 5 people. Their team comprises of three knitters who produce approximately 2,500 sweaters a year and who sign each individual pieces they produce as well as the two gentleman at the helm of this true heritage brand. As soon as you hold one of these knits in your hands you will think "they don't make them like this anymore." However, SNS are still producing virtuous garments in limited yet diverse lines and they'll soon be available at Ideology. Not only producing great garments, but the guys were true gentlemen when we visited them in Copenhagen with the nicest attic space to display their products.
Fisherman

Stark

Naval


Ally Capellino



Ally was noted as saying “People should add something of themselves, so that the bags become theirs not mine,” and there is nothing we believe in more. Her bags are made to be worn, used and loved, Ally Capellino produce timeless, but never boring bags from the finest quality leathers and fabrics offering the perfect canvas to make the product yours and nobody elses. These are products that stay with you for life.


Libertine Libertine

These guys had one of the most interesting collections on show at Gallery in Copenhagen this year, combining rails and old wooden carts to display some great shirting, t-shirts and heavyweight chinos finished with beautiful discreet details. Chinos are finished with bright selvedge outseams and alternative coloured bottom buttons on their shirting. The brand follows their title, a brand who is free from the restraint of social norms; motivated to create a brand based on a different set of values and set new standards for the fashion industry. Libertine Libertine strives to stimulate the creative and celebrate the extraordinary in every day life.



The collection consists of elementary designs, seasonal items and a new take on classics.

Our Legacy A/W10

At this point in time, we take forward some of our favourite brands and add to our evolving range of collections to include some new comers and some old timers who we feel all have a huge amount to offer and a story to tell. Whoever they are, we think we're going to be working alongside some really special people.

The first of these brands is Our Legacy, from Sweden, who are offering their take on classic style. They are a brand for the modern gentleman, of all ages, made to appear thrown together in a perfectly natural and confident way alongside anything in your current wardrobe. The use of Italian, British and Portuguese fabrics give them the feel of being pulled straight from your Grandfather's wardrobe, but remodeled to offer relevance in a modern context. However, the great thing about this brand is they do these things with a sense of humour. Drawing from their knowledge of graphic design and sales, these guys took that leap of faith, and season-on-season their fits improve, new materials are sourced and factories discovered and we're excited to be part of their evolution. People often talk of 'effortless style' and it would be an insult not to mention Our Legacy's name when discussing this topic. You can't help when looking through the collection each season to feel reassured by the familiarity of their pieces, but the enjoyment of noticing new additions. When you look into a brand such as Ralph Lauren, not only did he sell you garments, but you buy into an entire culture for which some become lifelong devotees; Our Legacy have every opportunity to grow into this kind of brand.




For a more indepth look at the story behind Our Legacy, and a personal interview with Jockum Hallin, one of the brand's founders, then pick up a copy of Inventory Issue 2 from our online store.