Expert Bag-Maker Chapman Launches New Brand Identity & Bespoke Service

If not by name, you would surely recognise Chapman for their iconic bags, which they have been producing since the birth of the brand in the 1980's. Every piece is crafted in Carlile, Cumbria using locally sourced materials and using traditional hand-crafted techniques, which make the brand at the epitome of the 'Made in England' label.
More than 30 years later Chapman continues to hand-cut the pieces for their bags, which are also finished by hand, but they know that innovation is as important as tradition. For that reason, the brand has just released their new brand identity and website along with a service to create your own bespoke bag. Once you have chosen your favourite model, the bespoke service allows you to choose from a range of materials including their signature waterproof canvas or their tweed. The colour of these is also totally customisable, as it the colour of the brass and even the tone of the leather saddlery finish.
Click here to play around with all the different options. I recently had a go myself and was amazed by all the different choices. It is a perfect opportunity to get a timeless piece totally hand-made in England and have it be completely unique.

Courtesy of Chapman

Hardy Amies SS14: The Perfect Wardrobe

I first fell in love with Hardy Amies when I attended their super elegant SS11 presentation at Simpson's-in-the-Strand a few years ago. Since then, they haven't just grown into a prominent ready-to-wear menswear brand but they've become one of the best shows in town during the new London Collections: Men.
Their latest collection for Spring/Summer 2014 is my favourite yet and definitely one of the highlights of the season, and not just in London. The collection notes describe the line as the "complete summer wardrobe for a modern London lifestyle". And very rightfully so. Unlike to many designers and brands, Amies really proposes a full wardrobe which perfectly mixes the two biggest influences of London style that have driven it through time – tailoring and street style.
The 50's influence comes from Saul Bass, an American graphic designer known for his work in advertising (a real-life Don Draper) who also created posters for Hitchcock films such as Vertigo and The Shining and who still influences graphic design now. In come the graphic motifs by means of striped jackets, trousers and knitwear. The colour palette, which combines the house's signature French navy and bone grey with reds and oranges, the blocks of colour and the shapes also reference Bass.
The accessories, which most are not able to match with a strong collection, are equally on point at Hardy Amies. Created in collaboration with British brands, the totes and holdalls are made by Chapman, the canvas based formal shoes by Grenson and the superb monk straps by Alfred Sargent – my favourites.

Top top it all off, the brand chose the top of the iconic Gherkin building to present their collection. Now all we can do is carefully build our wish lists and rush (in an orderly manner) to number 14 Saville Row in six months to complete our wardrobes and be happy men.

Courtesy of Hardy Amies