25 Things I'd like for my 25th Birthday

1. Stubbs & Wootton vekvet slippers, 2. ASOS paisley embroidered short suit, 3. Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience album,

4. Saint Laurent denim shirt, 5. Herschel Settlement backpack, 6. House of Hackney 'Flights of Fancy' satin cushion,

7. Mulberry 'Freddie' croc-print suede bag, 8. Church's Beijing Chelsea boots, 9. Carven honeycomb-knit jumper, 10. AMI contrast suede jacket, 11. The Perks of Being a Wallflower DVD, 12. All Saints Kushiro leather biker jacket, 13. Christopher Kane floral print jumper,

14. Thorocraft camo Mercer shoe, 15. House of Hackney 'Palmeral Luxury' cushion.

I promise this is (one of) the last post where I mention anything about the upcoming celebration of my 25th birthday on March 21st. As I mentioned recently, every year I put together a list of presents – more for personal fantasy purposes than for realistic use – and this time I've made it extra special. You must obviously add to the list the pair of sneakers I posted about recently. You can, in fact, still vote for the pair you think I should buy next month.

What do you think of the selection? Any favourites?

16. A villa in Tuscany, 17. Zegna camel blazer, 18. Saint Laurent double monk-strap shoes, 19. Thom Browne striped tie clip,

20. Cutler and Gross transparent acetate sunglasses, 21. Rotonde de Cartier Perpetual Calendar Watch, 22. Missoni knitted blazer,

23. Beams Plus camouflage pocket square, 24. Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 55, 25. Cutler and Gross mustard acetate sunglasses.

Church's presents the "Flexible Goodyear Welted Collection"

I am always fascinated with how some of Britain's oldest and most traditional houses seem to also be the most innovative ones. This season Church's, which was founded in 1873, is presenting the 'Flexible Goodyear Welted Collection'. The brand wanted to give their classic welted shoe more flexibility, which they have managed by using a lightweight rib on the insole and special oil treatments on the sole. The leather, which could be harmed from the bending, is softened with sophisticated tanning processes. The great thing about this is that your shoes will last longer but you don't have to give up the timeless style or Church's craftsmanship. I am looking forward to seeing these bad boys up close at the press day in a couple of weeks.

Courtesy of Church's

Church's presents the "Stratford" shoe for the London Olympics

Courtesy of Church's

I would never thought I would ever be into any of the endless special editions of merchandise created for the London 2012 Olympics. But then again we're not talking about 'merchandise' here. Church's is presenting this month their new shoe – the "Stratford" – exclusively designed for the Olympics. The collection will include 17 colour combinations. They will all be available at the brand's flagship store on Regent Street, which will be transformed into a Olympic pop-up shop for the occasion.
The whole concept of the shoe was to create something casual – imagine a pair of Doctor Martens, only lighter, slicker and incredibly well made. And, in line with this season's trends, the whole line is about pops of colour and contrast between the upper, the sole and the welt (see here if you don't speak shoe).
I am very interested in seeing what the other 12 models are like, Church's is always coming up with genius ways of updating the classics.

Click here to take a look at my favourite pieces from SS12 you can already get your hands on!

Courtesy of Church's

First look at the Church's SS12 collection

A couple of weeks before Christmas I attended the Church's SS12 press day. I have always been a huge fan of the house. I remember looking at its windows as a kid eyeing the leather brogues like candy. So taking a look at the new collection before it hits stores later this year felt like a privilege.
The model that I was instantly drawn to as I walked into the shop was this patent leather tartan brogue that comes in contrast red, white or black leather. They were incredibly light and comfortable-looking. And I loved the sort of "Jazz Age in New Orleans" feel they had – a more fun take that the classic designs the house is known for.
Somewhere in between the tartan pieces and the classic shoes were the brown and red brogues in a sort of distressed leather. They looked as exquisitely made as the rest but there was a more casual feel to them, which I'm very keen on as I love wearing brogues with jeans and plaid shirts.





I have never been especially interested in tasseled shoes but there was something about this green suede pair below that really caught my attention. Perhaps is the stitching at the front or the kind of 'slipper' feel but they look like such an easy shoe to wear – you can literally wear them with anything. They'd look great with a full-on tweed suit, a cropped chino or skinny jeans.
And I loved, of course, the smoking slippers. I bought myself a pair from the winter collection in navy velvet but I am already thinking about my next purchase. The summer models below (even though they are from the women's line) are perfect for summer. Just think how cool the brocade ones could look with a light grey jean and a blue Oxford shirt!

All pictures property of Fashion, Frankly

Wishlist: FW11 Shoes

1. Prada, 2. Church's @ Mr. Porter, 3. Creative Recreation @ Revolve Clothing, 4. Stubbs & Wootton, 5. Balenciaga @ Macthes, 6. Alden @ Browns, 7. Stubbs & Wootton.

I find funny how my taste and fixations vary from one winter season to the next. For f/w10 my obsession were desert boots and suede shoes. That is pretty much all I wore for the whole winter and so I bought quite a few of them. Now that f/w11 is approaching I need to think of what I need and want to buy. Last year's boots are classics I will keep using until they fall apart so I'm now looking for shoes with character. I have been going back to the Balenciaga sneakers over and over again and decided I will buy them this season they look comfy and cool and I love them in the powder greys. I am also obsessed with buying a pair of burgundy patent leather brogues.

Prada's take for winter tempts me because I so wanted to buy a pair of their summer brogues and these tricolour ones seem perfect for winter –quirky yet classic. On the other hand, Church's ones are also hard to resist. They're the epitome of English brogues and they'd look so cool with jeans in the winter. They're also much cheaper than Prada's. So it seems I'm very much into leather this season, which is why I am in love with the Alden boots. They are so effortlessly elegant and would work so well with a suit, jeans, corduroy trousers and pretty much anything I already own.

I've realised high-top sneakers are getting a lot more of my attention than usually. The Creative Recreation ones have a great mixture of colours and fabrics for the winter. And the laces add a kind of hiking-shoe touch to it I love for winter. And finally, the velvet slip-ons. I recently discovered Stubbs & Wootton, this Palm Beach-based shoe-makers who specialise in slip-ons. They're über cool "Screw You" model is no longer on sale but I am quite keen on their "Kings Court V" model. Velvet and Medieval motifs go hand in hand for me.