Getting up close and personal with Jigsaw

Clockwise from left: Contrast Crew Neck Jumper, Breton Stripe Snood, Navy Pea Coat, Indigo Bib Dinner Shirt,

Hopsack Dinner Jacket, Tartan Tie, Tote Backpack, Shetland Wool Blazer.

Last Friday I was invited to pay a visit to the world of Jigsaw menswear at the brand's Spitalfields store.  I would be lying if I said I knew a lot about the history of the brand but I sure was more than familiar with their menswear collections from my seasonal window shopping online.
Jigsaw, which was founded in 1972, is still privately owned by the founding family. From only one shop in Hampstead, the brand now has over 40 stores in the UK and 6 in the States. The reason why the brand works so well is very obvious. Everything about the brand is 100% British and, in fact, most of the pieces you will find at the store are also manufactured in the UK. The designs are simple and timeless but often quirky, referencing country life and full of subtle details that make every piece special. The subtle play on materials, the beautiful textures and the hidden details like a pop of colour under a collar or a polka dot pocket lining that doubles as a pocket square give everything a character of its own. And all of this at a very affordable price – everything in the collection is under £500.
The shop environment follows the same relaxed and effortlessly stylish line of the clothes. The staff is absolutely lovely, helpful and very knowledgable about the products they sell. Take it from someone who would rather shop for everything online, Jigsaw is to be experienced.

Follow me on Twitter today to see what I got on my trip to Jigsaw...

Courtesy of Jigsaw

Tod's No_Code FW12 Collection

Courtesy of Tod's

A few days ago I shared my fantastic pair of Tod's No_Code from the SS13 collection and I promised a post about the FW12 line. Here it is.
The new collection has kept the sleek clean lines that make the shoes so classic and so cool but they have all been given an upgrade by means of new colour and fabric. The new colour palette is very much in line with the FW12 trends – intense rich hues nodding to the autumnal colours of the forest. I think this new collection feels especially British because it brings together that urban feel of the shape and the countryside vibe from the colours.
As well as the classic lace-up model like mine, Tod's offers a desert boot and a Chelsea boot, which this season also come in some stunning dark pony skins.

Take a look at the video below to get in the No_Code mood!

Alexander McQueen FW12: A Modern Man with a Victorian Soul

Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

Today Alexander McQueen released their latest film directed by Marlon Rueberg to promote the FW12 collection. The intoxicating music by John Gosling really got me into the new season's mood this morning. The collection finds inspiration in Victorian Britain, which has often been the go-to era for McQueen. Unlike the FW09 collection – one of my favourites, read my review here – FW12 focuses on the characters from the "pages of Vanity Fair: the dandy, the gamekeeper, the lord of the manor, the politician, the major general and so forth". Hence, the strong shoulders, the fur collars on coats and jackets, the equestrian and military features that speak of a powerful man.
Henry Pedro-Wright, Ysham Avdulahi with Greg Buckley, Kumi Keazor, Alex Bennett & Jermaine Josephs, the models featured in the video, help give the collection a really contemporary feel, almost street, if you will. I could really wear any of these pieces on a normal day to the office.



My favourite thing about the collection is, perhaps, the colour palette. Black, oxblood, ivory, grey and inky blues make for a perfect winter wardrobe. Especially when added to the amazing textures like the silk moiré and jacquard of the McQueen collection. If you are looking for an evening look next season, this is the brand to go to.

This new season McQueen is also offering a special bespoke service at their Bond Street Store – "Huntsman for Alexander McQueen Saville Row". One can only imagine what that would be like.

Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

Kenzo x Vans FW12: Get excited!

Hypebeast.com

I have probably worn my Kenzo x Vans mesh-printed Eras shoes 5/7 days a week since I bought them back in May. I don't remember being that excited over a particular item since I bought my Gant Rugger tweed blazer last year. And it seems like the excitement is about to continue. Kenzo and Vans have released their new FW12 collection styles set to hit stores with a "limited release" this month.
If I had a tough time choosing my favourite model last season, it's only got harder this time around. They have gone for 2 different prints – stripes and florals – in 3 different colour combinations. Even though I love the candy shop vibe of the stripes I feel more inclined towards the florals, which is something I can't say you'd find much in my wardrobe. I love the yellow and navy but knowing myself I will probably not wear them as much in the winter. So, as of today, I have my sights set on the burgundy and navy floral paid. A nice bit of texture and intense colour to my winter ensembles. They would look awesome with my tweet trousers, as a matter of fact.

Head over to Hypebeast to see the 6 models without getting a nosebleed. They will also retail at about €90 a pair.

Stephen Dorff is the face of the Hogan FW12 campaign

Courtesy of Hogan

Exactly a week ago, during Milan Fashion Week, Hogan announced Stephen Dorff as the face of their FW12 campaign. To celebrate the occasion the brand held a chic cocktail event hosted by Dorff where they also presented their new SS13 collection (post to come).
The teaser video for the FW12 campaign – watch below – was playing all around the Hogan space projected onto the walls. It gave the whole room a super dynamic feel that together with the endless Aperol spritzers and great company created a great atmosphere. I am really excited to see what Hogan is doing at the moment. They have always been a staple in the wardrobes of Italians but I think the new collection is going to be a big hit...! And Dorff bring just the right amount of cool and suave to the images but also this rebel vibe, which is incidentally the name of one of Hogan's lines.
Click here to see the rest of the images from the collection.

Courtesy of Hogan

Make sure to watch the beautifully shot teaser video for the campaign below. It was shot, like the campaign, by Alex Hay at the legendary Cinecittá Studios, where iconic films like 'Cleopatra' or 'Ben-Hur' were filmed.

My highlight from Milan: Ermenegildo Zegna FW12

Ermenegildo Zegna was my the first show on my first day in Milan back in January. I had arrived very diligently the day before to make sure I was there for the show at 10am. But I did not know about the taxi strike. My friend and I ended up having to walk in the gelid Milanese early hours to catch a tram. And so, like that, we missed the show. Luckily, thanks to a very kind (and cool) PR, we were told we could attend the show for the buyers right after.
Milan was extremely chic, even in the cold. Which is part of the reason why I loved this collection so much. The space felt so homey, with a screen fireplace blazing along the room. It was like getting back to your chalet in the Alps for a spot of après ski.
The clothes were simply perfect – for me anyway. Checked flannel suits, cashmere turtle necks worn under shirts, chunky knits. I just had this image in my head of an elegant business ban who flees the city on a weekend and, while he tries to shake off his formal attire he can't just quite do it entirely so he mixes it with more casual garments – the modern and the classic come together.
I was instantly in love with a look – a subtly checked three-piece brown suit worn with a dark chambray shirt and finished up with a brown turtle neck. The shoes and gloves were also a highlight. A lace-up, a desert boot, a monk-strap shoe with a twist: double light stitching on the sole or a chic leather fringe.

I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that, all of a sudden, eveningwear started to come down the runway. This, to me, was the wittiest part of the collection because it is even harder to bring the casual and the formal together for evening. I was in love with the (alpaca?) double-chested blazer worn with a white shirt and black turtle neck – I see myself dresses like this at home drinking whiskey on my own. I also loved the perfectly cropped textured trousers and the (!!) quilted smoking slippers.
After so many seasons keeping to the classics it looks like Ermenegildo has taken a few tips from his younger brother Z Zegna but let's remember that even at looking cool experience is a key factor.

Style.com

Take a look at my video of the finale below. Please excuse my poor filming skills – I was still cold!

Moncler Gamme Bleu FW12

Last January, while I was in Milan for menswear fashion week I attended the Moncler Gamme Bleu show. Even though I've always been a fan of the brand and its different branches – especially the quirkier one courtesy of Thom Browne – I often saw most of their runway shows as being more for fun. But how wrong I was!
The FW12 collection was full of jackets I would love to wear! There is something so cool about a quilted puffy blazer, like a perfect marriage between formal and sportswear. This season was inspired mainly by Formula 1 racing attire, which meant a lot of overalls (worn over full suits) walked down the runway. Despite not being traditionally from the Formula 1 background Browne managed to include some quilted Prince of Wales trousers and jackets that broke the collection up a bit but that worked great with the other plain greys and navy blues, which aside from the odd red and bright yellow, dominated the collection.

Click here to have a look at the full collection in pictures.

Milan FW12 Photo Diary

As I promised, here is a little more form my visit to Milan back in January when I attended some of the FW12 shows.
The most exciting bit about the beginning of fashion week is, no doubt, when you start receiving the invites to the shows. And it's even more exciting when they're directed at your hotel and you get them all in one go as you check in. I was also lucky enough to get an absolutely amazing room and have the company of Giulia and Mélina, two of my favourite people.

We enjoyed some intoxicating and delicious Aperol Spritzers, which you must try when you're in Italy. These particular ones below are from the Gucci Cafe inside the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

The following morning we all met back at the top of the Armani Hotel. It's such an incredible luminous space and such a relaxed and chic ambiance to have breakfast or lunch to recharge before a show.


Our first show that day was, very aptly, Emporio Armani.

Followed by the Moncler fashion show later that day. Below is the incredible toy Formula 1 cars installation that welcomed guests to the show. The hours that must've taken to line up!

All pictures Fashion, Frankly

Tod's FW12: My favourite pieces

Last January while I was in Milan for fashion week I made a stop at the stunning Villa Necchi where Tod's presents their new collections every season. It really doesn't get better than being with nice people sipping espressos and enjoying nice fashion.
As well as clothes and accessories Tod's always presents a few luxury items that make excellent presents and even better treats one an give oneself every once in a while. In my personal list I have the bright blue crocodile watch case or the also bright blue croc pencil stand. This season, as well as these classics, they have introduced an office gold set that comes perfectly laid out inside a crocodile case that comes in different colours. Exactly the kind of gift you would buy your father if he was the Gordon Gekko type.

Gommini aside, my favourite shoes from the FW12 collection were the more casual ones. Especially the sneakers above. I love the classic and simple lines of the shoe. They're casual but not too dressed down and I love the worn-out effect of the skin.
I was also very keen on the boots you can see below. As Tod's usually does with their shoes, they come in a variety of colours, which is great but makes making up your mind that much harder. I think my favourite are the burgundy, though, they would look fantastic over a pair of skinny mustard jeans and a brown pea coat on a winter's day.
But of course I also fell in love with some of the classics. I am a sucker for brogues and these light beige suede ones are simply perfect. And not just for winter, I'd wear them all year around.


My other highlight of the collection were the jackets. Tod's has started branching out into ready-to-wear over the last few seasons and has done so by doing what they do best: working with leather. I absolutely fell in love with two of the jackets below – the blue suede one, which made me think of a 70's rock star, and a soft leather one that was more 'American road trip on a bike' – if I can afford it I will buy them both next season.


I also loved a few of the more traditional suede pieces from the collection. The beige suede blazer with the broad lapel and the split I love because it would look amazing as a 'coat' over a turtle neck worn with jeans – the ultimate chic Italian look I've always loved. But my absolute favourite were the suede shirts. They're amazing because you can use them as actual shirts adding an interesting twist to a suit or they can be worn as jackets over t-shirts or, say, a denim shirt for a super relaxed look.

Acne FW12: Four of your five a day

Courtesy of Acne

Acne's FW12 collection was one of the best I can remember from the brand. Everything seemed to be more serious, a little more grown up. And yet there was a coolness to it as if Johansson was saying 'we can be smart but still have fun'. The tailoring was exquisite even when executed in colourful nylons or faux leathers. But my favourite thing about the collection was the beautiful, if briefly shown, colour palette. Every single hue had been carefully selected – olive green, cranberry red, plum, blueberry – and even more carefully put together. The look above was my favourite from the collection. I don't normally like head-to-toe outfits from the catwalk but this one I would put on exactly as you see it.
You can check out the whole collection here.

Prada FW12: Dr. No gets a makeover

Style.com

I don't think anyone would disagree with me if I said that one's first ever Prada show is one of life's highlights that are impossible to forget. Well, I am a very lucky guy and I got to experience this first hand last weekend during Milan Fashion Week.
I first got goose pumps (of excitement) as I entered the venue and walked up the stairs with a 20-metre Prada logo staring back at me. The actual show space was a stunning square open space with columns running down its middle and four blocks of seats on each side. The only decoration element and the most striking was the huge red carpet with geometric motifs. It was a simple but very strong setting.
The clothes were quite different from what we've seen over the last couple of seasons. In recent collections Miuccia has looked at the past quite a lot (50's, 60's, 70's) and updated the look to make it "Prada" but also very modern and current. This time she has done a little of that by slightly referencing the 60's but she's done so in a very different way. The feel of the collection is very much futuristic rather than contemporary –"Retro-futuristic", if you will– like a new take on Dr No. The emphasis was on outerwear –double-chested knee-lenght overcoats in either in simple cut wools, printed fabrics with astrakhan collars or even jacquard, which almost looked like dressing gowns.
The collection was all about formal attire but it didn't take itself too seriously. Here's also where the VIP guests came in –Garrett Hedlund, Adrien Brody, Jamie Bell, Emile Hirsch, Gary Oldman, Tim Roth and Willem Dafoe all missed the Golden Globes to wear Miuccia's creations in Milan. Bell, Oldman and Brody were formal and serious, professional. Roth and Hedlund were goofy, they were having fun.
It was definitely one of those shows that people talk about for years and I am so glad I got to be a part of it! Watch below my video of the finale and click here to see Miuccia taking a bow.

Valentino introduces the 'Jape' for FW12

Style.com

Menswear fashion week kicked off a couple of days ago in Florence with the famous Pitti Uomo trade show, which Scott Schuman and Tommy Ton first made famous because of the brilliant street style of its attendees. Some of the bigger menswear designers such as Jil Sander have chosen to have their show there in the past. This time the Valentino Uomo and Hardy Amies collections have been the ones to walk down the rooms of the Palazzo Pitti.
Sadly, I have missed this event (once again). Fortunately, I am flying to Milan tomorrow to attend some of the FW12 shows there. So stay tuned for all the reports of Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry Porsum, Emporio Armani and Tod's first hand. I am very excited!

The Valentino show really left me amazed. It's not a brand that I would normally go to for menswear but it seems like Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have really found a direction for next winter. It was a mostly monochrome collection about subtlety. All the garments were about structure and details that you wouldn't normally find at first glance –zips and pockets perfect placed– because they're intended to be used and not necessarily decorate.
I am usually more keen on having a mix of colours (you will never see me in all black) but this monochromatic take on the tailoring works so well. It's like watching a film in black and white where you pay more attention to the texture and shape of things. I found curious how the trousers were cropped –something that I have always been a fan of for the winter– but even more so I was intrigued by the reason why the models walked sock-less. Chic as it looks, I am not sure of how practical it can be for the cold months. Perhaps it was a mere presentation choice?
My favourite part of the collection were the 'Japes' –a term combining 'jacket' and 'cape' that I have decided to coin to save me time. Men (me included) have worn their jackets and coats simply thrown over their shoulders for decades but it's sometimes hard to keep from sliding off. Maria Grazia and Pier Paolo have solved this by adding a strap of fabric (matching the jacket) that reaches from the left to the right lapel and buttons underneath it. It's early yet to say whether this will become a trend for FW12 but it would be fair to say that we will probably see many men sporting this in a year's time.