Frank Loves: Jack Spade's Eyewear Collection

A few months ago I posted about the latest Jack Spade campaign for the SS14 season, which conveyed perfectly the style and feel I like to go for the Spring/Summer time. Already then, some of the pieces that really stood out were the sunglasses, which the brand has launched for the first time this season and which arrived in store earlier this month.
The line is all about classic shapes made super relevant by playing with frame and lens colours, all in perfect combinations to really make you feel like summer. The campaign that accompanies the collection brings a personal angle, with shots of NYC street vendors wearing the different models proving they are also quite versatile. To celebrate the launch in London, the brand had their very own Big Apple Hot Dogs stand outside their Soho store in Brewer Street.
The collection is available at their stores worldwide and via the Jack Spade website.

Courtesy of Jack Spade

Frank Loves: Tod's Envelope Boat Shoes by Nendo

Coinciding with the latest edition of the Salone del Mobile taking place in Milan this week, Tod's is introducing their new collaboration with Japanese design studio Nendo. The result of this über-cool collaboration is The Envelope Boat Shoe, a new take on the modern classic perfectly in time for the SS14 season.
The new style has been created using two different materials – a soft leather for the vamp with suede for the quarter and backstay. Both elements are brought together with a visible side tie string, which doubles up as the subtle yet distinctive detail adding character to the shoes.
Just like with everything Tod's does, the shoes are practical – made water-resistant, anti-rust and anti-slide for major regattas – but also an everyday essential perfect for a man's laid-back weekend.
The new model comes in powder blue, green and grey suede as well as in black, brown and putti leather, all of which are (evidently) handmade in Italy following Tod's unique treatments of the skins.

Keep an eye our for them at your nearest Tod's flagship store. I can't wait to get my hands of a pair of suede ones!

Courtesy of Tod's

Frank Loves: Maison Kitsuné FW14

Ever since its launch, Maison Kitsuné has struck all the right menswear notes – or at least those I find most interesting. Together Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki combine the best of French cool and Japanese attention to detail with an obsession of sorts for Americana. To put it in my own words, the brand is the perfect recipe of French effortlessness, American preppy-meets-rock and Japanese savoir-faire.
The FW14 is perhaps the closest a brand has ever got to producing almost to the smallest details how I envision my perfect wardrobe. The inspiration is so very clearly found in rock and roll, from its iconic birth in the 50's (my favourite era) and following its evolution through time.
The silhouettes are mostly quite structured with a laid-back attitude. The colours are bold – plum, electric blue, striking green – and perfectly matched with checked patterns, paisley, stripes and, of course, camouflage.
It's not uncommon to hear people comment on the brand's high price point. Don't be fooled, this might look like every-day ready-to-wear, and it is, but it is also luxury. It is the luxury of wearing pieces of the best quality, crafted and detailed to perfection and scarily in tune with the modern style-concious man.

Shop Maison Kitsuné at Mr Porter here.

Courtesy of Maison Kitsuné

Frank Loves: Louis W. for A.P.C. SS14 Collection

It is a little crazy that Louis W.'s latest collection for A.P.C. is only he's fourth for the French icon. And I say crazy because it's so quickly gained its own cult following that one might think it's been quite a few more years than that.
This month sees the launch of this fourth collection for SS14. An exercise on the reinvention of the Teddy jacket, which was inspired by the looks of American mobsters – its most obvious illustration is the pinstripe wool jacket. The rest of the line sticks to dark colours – black, navy, brown – with the exception with the so-called 'desert-boot' beige suede (my favourite). Suede, wool and leather are all present either individually or used as a play on texture.
You can already buy the entire Louis W. for A.P.C. collection online from this week here.

Frank Loves: Dries Van Noten S/S13

If I could only choose a Spring/Summer 2013 collection to wear for the next three months I would doubtless choose Dries Van Noten's. The Belgian designer has been my number one ever since I discovered it many years ago when I was still learning about fashion. Every season he manages to create desirable timeless clothing yet full of a contemporary almost trendy feel.
The SS13 line's unlikely focus point was camouflage, one of the trends we have been seeing the most of during the past three seasons and one that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. I'm quite happy about this because, even though I don't intend to overdose on camo I can appreciate how it adds something interesting to an outfit – proof here.
In this post I've put together some of the highlights of the runway show together with some of my favourite items that made it from the catwalk and some of the commercial pieces.

Above: 'Blade' Camouflage printed cotton-twill jacket.

Above: 'Radcliff' reversible camouflage jacket, 'Hailstone' quilted knitted sweatpants (here in brown).

Above: 'Pendell' camouflage denim jeans.

Above: Textured cotton suit.

Style.com

Frank Loves: Gucci Guilty Black

I must admit that, when it comes to fragrances, I am quite a classic man. I like having choice – ideally two day colognes and one evening perfume – but I tend to stick to my guns. So when I received a bottle of the new Gucci Guilty Black I decided I would take this post as an exercise to open my mind to new smells I might be missing out on. And I am glad I did.
If the bottle is anything to go by, Guilty Black's suggests a subtle fragrance. The branding only reveal itself when looking through the Dartmouth green and black glass in the light. It's unfussy and modern but I couldn't help of thinking of the 60's – all elements troppo Gucci.
The fragrance is fresh, full of character and super wearable. It opens with lavender, coriander and orange flower and finishes with a twist of patchouli. The last two are two of my favourite cologne ingredients for the summer – you should always think of cologne as an extra accessory. It can't be overpowering, it should enhance.

Gucci Guilty Black is available now exclusively at Selfridges here and will be on sale nationwide from April 4th. It retails for between £46 and £61 in the UK.
Take a look below at the short film/TV commercial featuring Evan Rachel Wood.

Fashion, Frankly

Frank Loves: Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858

My fixation with watches is, along with another for shoes and the finer things in life, one of the mian things I seem to have inherited from my dear father. I used to steal his watches all the time when I was younger but for some years now I have wanted to start a collection of my own.
I probably stared at the pictures above for a good 10 minutes after opening an email from Montblanc, who showed their new watch collection at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva for the first time. You are looking at two of the new members of the Collection Villeret 1858, specifically at the ExoTourbillon Chronographe. It features a large minute-hand and elapsed-seconds hand at the centre of the dial, a small off-centre circle for the hours, a second time zone with day/night indication, a small hand for the continually running seconds and a chronograph with a counter for 30 elapsed minutes.
My favourite without a doubt is the model in white gold (left), which together with the model in red gold have been produced in a limited edition of eight timepieces of 18 karats each. I have a tendency for always choosing the finest, most expensive pieces without even knowing it. There is something so mesmerising and somehow mysterious about the way a watch works and this one is extremely beautiful too.

Courtesy of Montblanc

Also at the SIHH, Montblanc presented some of their other lines. Runner up after the ExoTourbillon is the Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours, which I love in red gold. Not only it's seigniorial and elegant but it features a revolutionary new technology whereby the hour numerals change colour – pale blue during the night and black during the day. – The perfect present for my 25th Birthday in March, I might add.

The TimeWalker Watches for Globetrotters collection was also presented at the SIHH. My favourite of the models is the TwinFly Chronograph, which allows its wearer to check the time on two different time zones and is also a 24 hour watch, so you know whether it's night or day.

The Villeret 1858 ExoTourbillon collection is available from this month. For the Nicolas Rieussec Rissing Hours and the TimeWalker we will have to wait until October and September 2013 respectively. Check more from Montblanc at the SIHH on their Youtube channel here.

Frank loves: Tom Sachs for Nike

nikeinc.com

Foot wear is a long-time addiction of mine but I seem to be taking it further as I become older. As you might have noticed, I am currently what could be correctly described as obsessed with sneakers. I usually go through a phase like this every summer but, since I rarely wear any sneakers in the winter, it usually fades for 9 months. Not this year, it seems.
It so happens that for the last couple of seasons we've seen the rise of what you would I would call trainers not only as every-day shoes but as cool accessories fashionable men know how to combine with formal clothing. Before high-end brands like Valentino have their go at this new niche in SS13, sportswear giants New Balance and Nike have really taken the opportunity to open to this new market.

A great example of this is the latest collaboration between artist Tom Sachs and Nike for the Nikecraft collection. Tom Sachs is known for his conceptual sculpture work and exhibitions such as the 'Space Program', which links to his Nike collection.
My favourite piece is the 'Mars Yard Shoe' inspired on lunar boots. Not only it's a handsome shoe (!!) but a brilliant exercise in product and package design, which explains for the most part its $385 price tag. Ragged as it might look, the shoe is meant to be as tough as old boots (ha!) as it is built to astronaut's standards. So you could technically take them for a stroll in the moon and doing that in style, believe me, is priceless.

The shoes are on sale at the coolest retailers around the world (obviously): 10 Corso Como, Colette, Dover Street Market and Opening Ceremony. Click here for the full list of retailers.

nikeinc.com

retaildesignblog.net

Frank Loves: Valentino SS13

Courtesy of Valentino

When it comes to menswear it is a very hard thing to combine the trendy and the classic, the passing and the timeless. But Valentino has managed to strike a perfect balance between the two in the last couple of seasons.
I am still in awe of the SS13 collection. The colour palette was right up my street – khaki, beige, mossy green, camouflage and dashes of denim blues. And so were the cuts – slim suits with jackets falling just below the waist, trousers cropped at the perfect length, untucked modern and crisp shirts.
Thinking of it, the reason why I love so much what the brand is doing is how they've positioned it right next to Balenciaga and Céline. I am a sucker for new materials and techniques and a contemporary and timeless aesthetic.
I must confess that, as it often happens to me, I was most infatuated with the shoes. For SS13 Valentino has adopted the popular shape of the New Balance 574 – another sign of how much in touch the bran dis with what is happening in menswear. They've taken the shape and completely redesigned it with different combinations of leather, suede and nylon in colours and prints to go with the clothing. My favourite touch is the strip of studs across the heel that connects them to the womenswear line – remember this shoe? Just like Louboutin did with his red soles, Valentino is indulging men with those little details that make women happy and that we've missed out on for a long time.

Style.com

Frank loves: Pankhurst London

I have been religiously visiting Pankhurst London once a month since having my first haircut there last November. You see, I might be young but ever since I can remember I have always taken grooming very seriously and so wherever I have lived I have always tried to find the best hairdresser in town. I stay clear of trendy, sassy places and go instead for the sharp ones, the classic ones with a twist. That's exactly what Pankhurst is: the place where a 21st century London-based Don Draper would get his trim and chat about Scotch with Steve McQueen.
Downstairs at Nick Tentis on 37 Savile Row – The Row, for the regulars – Pankhurst creates its own world of vintage barber shop furniture, golden book wallpaper and iTunes-powered background music. My favourite thing about it is how they bring together the old school and the modern that is even evident in the young staff who have the skills of someone twice their age. Here I must insert the shout out to Stefan Avanzato, the artist to whom I own all the good compliments about the 'sharpness' of my hair even when my next visit is due. He is also the first hairdresser I have had a normal conversation with. Despite what his skinny coffees might indicate, there's no room for uncalled-for gossip at Pankhurst.
I am yet to try out their barber services, which I hear feel like being reborn. I have denied myself the pleasure of a clean shave for years due to the fact that my bare face gets me ID'ed trying to buy a Mars bar. But a Pankhurst shaving experience is in my list of things to do before 2013.
Another struggle during my short yet intense life in grooming has been finding the right hair products. There is nothing more irritating that walking out of your hairdresser's feeling good with your fresh haircut only to shower the next morning and realising your products are no use.
Pankhurst also sells their own range of products so you can go home and avoid the day-after disappointment. They kindly gifted me some of them to sample. The moulding cream is deceivingly strong and works extremely well both for classic smart and contemporary textured styles, which is very useful for me and something you won't find in a lot of products. The head to toe shampoo is also the same one they will use on you at the shop. It has this amazing sort of citrusy menthol smell that will wake you up and make you feel fresh in the morning or on Friday night before going out. But my favourite is the aftershave ice gel. Chuck out your regular after shave balm because Pankhurst's, which genuinely looks like gel made from ice, not only doesn't sting but it makes your skin feel better than before you even shaved.
Pankhurst has also recently released a series of video tutorials where they teach you how to use each of their products so that you can have a professional result every day. But remember real men don't go longer than 3 or 4 weeks without a fresh trim. Click here to book yours at Pankhurst London.

Make sure to check out their site for hairstyle inspiration and follow them on Twitter for updates live from the Row.

All images Fashion, Frankly

Frank Loves: Siviglia SS13

While I was in Milan a few weeks back I had the chance to attend the SS13 Siviglia show. I was quite excited to see the collection because I am always interested in finding out about new brands and designers doing interesting work. And I love the element of surprise of attending a fashion show you don't know what to expect from.
I wasn't disappointed. The SS13 collection was fascinating because it brought together sportswear elements and very sharp modern tailoring in a very unique and innovative way. Classic 3-piece suits were reinvented by introducing new materials such as nylon or jacquard and fencing-inspired waistcoats. The contemporary shapes of the tailoring together with the bold colours and prints struck a perfect balance between the modern and the classic – a total look is bang-on the season's trends but separately, each item is timeless. These are clothes for a modern, fashion-savvy and very practical man.

The trousers were one of my highlights from the show. Siviglia introduced for spring the perfect length of both the cropped suit trouser and the shorts – a man never wants to show too much ankle or expose too much thigh.
I fell completely in love with the exquisite textures of suits. Especially the short numbers in orange and blue you can see above and below. They will be perfect additions to my SS13 wardrobe.

Make sure you check out Siviglia's site to find out more about the brand, including the list of retailers.

All images courtesy of Siviglia

Take a look at my video of the finale below. This is one of those shows where they clothes look amazing in pictures but they blow you away in person. Click here to watch the full show.

Frank Loves: Tod's Loafers

Courtesy of Tod's

I could literally buy these by the bundle, just like in the picture. Though I might want to make sure I get a second one with all the right foots. Mismatching shoes, like socks, is better left to Helena Bonham Carter.
This summer Tod's presents the new version of their iconic loafer. What I like the most about these is the weight. I really can't wear heavy shoes in the summer so these loafers are great because not only the rubber or leather soles are as light as a feather but the shoe itself – they come in brushed calfskin, suede, velvet and soft patent leather – is virtually weightless. Plus, they're perfect for formal occasions but they look amazing with jeans or shorts.
As Tod's usually does, they come in more colours than a grown-up man can name. You can find them at Tod's boutiques worldwide starting at £285.

Frank Loves: Orlebar Brown x Nick Wooster

Courtesy of Orlebar Brown, TheStyleBlogger.com

A match made in heaven. That's what they should have called the latest collaboration between Orlebar Brown and Nick Wooster that hits stores (on and offline) this month.
Orlebar Brown has become the coolest trunk in the waterfront in a matter of months and I, for one, can't wait to buy a few of their designs for my summer getaway. Not only their prints are a great mix of classic and contemporary but their cut and fit is just perfect for those of us who stopped wearing boarding shorts when they weren't cool anymore.
Now the brand has teamed up with style icon Nick Wooster, who used to be the men's buying director for Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus and is now the Creative Director of Men's Clothing at JCPenney. I've been following his style evolution ever since the street style photographers started documenting it and I consider myself a huge fan and follower. He's a man after my own heart.
His collection for Orlebar Brown consists of 6 swimsuits in two lengths – bulldog mid-length and setter shorter short – and five different colours playing with a water camouflage print that hits several of this season's trends. They're quick drying, 100% polyamide and woven in France (in case you were wondering). You'll also notice they come with a snap fastening at the front, a zip fly and Orlebar's signature adjustable side tabs – so chic they might pass as shorts so long as you don't tell anyone.

Courtesy of Orlebar Brown

Frank Loves: Chanel Cruise 2012 Sneakers

Getty

I don't think I am alone when I say I've always felt like certain brands in fashion, the creme of the crop, have always alienated men. I know that the reason for this is that the menswear market has never been as big (or keen) as it currently is. So it's great seeing brands like Christian Louboutin branching into menswear – who doesn't want to have red-soled sneakers? Exactly.
Now it's Chanel's turn. The house held its Cruise 2013 fashion show in Versailles on Monday and, as it is tradition, Lagerfeld included a few men looks – three, to be more precise. Even though I must admit that the apparel was a lot more wearable (aka: realistic) than normal – see below – I thought the best part of it were the sneakers.
Chanel is been another of those brands that has always made me jealous of women's fashion. Why isn't there an equivalent of a quilted Chanel ballerina shoe or a 5.55 bag? – This is why these sneakers are genius. They bring together something wearable and desirable any men would like to wear and the cool Chanel elements that make it exclusive – a stitched logo on the shoe tongue and the different colour toe point.
I really do hope these go into production – they would then hit stores around September – and that they retail for a bit less than crazy Luboutins. Though, to be honest, I would probably pay it for Chanel.

Thoughts?

Getty

Frank Loves: Barbour x Grenson shoes

Courtesy of Grenson

It' fair to say that I have an intense yet under-control obsession with shoes. I own between 30 and 40 pairs (last time I counted...) and people often say that I have "too many pairs of shoes for a straight man", whatever that means.
I usually buy a pair a month –whether they're sneakers, smart shoes or the space in between (desert boots, rubber-soled brogues...). This month I was looking for a pair of brogues with a twist because I feel like all-leather and all-suede ones are e bit too dressed up for every day.
Grenson has just launched their collaboration line with Barbour, which has perfect timing for me. What I love about them is that they bring together the best of both –that hand-made traditional feel of Grenson that reads high quality and the sort of countryside feel Barbour injects into everything they do.
I am really into this vintage countryside vibe this season, as I said before this week, so I love the look of the 'Espresso' model (great name too!). The rough suede contrasts with the leather on the front and back and I'm really keen on the light stitching and the bicolour sole with the boot sole. They're first on my list of things to buy this month!

Click HERE to buy your pair. They just arrived in store today!

Frank Loves: Edward Green for Hardy Amies brogues

MatchesFashion

I have been looking for the pair of brogues all my life. I once thought I found them in a pair from Alexander McQueen but I made the mistake of buying the wrong size when they were on sale...
But now I think I've finally found the ones. A few months ago when I previewed the FW11 Hardy Amies collection before the catwalk show I knew it was full of hits. Hits like these hand-crafted Falkirk brogues Edward Green has made for Hardy Amies.
The details are exquisite and extremely classic bit the two tones of bluish grey give it a very cool and contemporary feel. They look like a piece of art –like a one-off car design you can't wait to try because you know how brilliant it will feel.
The shoes retail for a price that's not for everyone but, well, a piece like this shouldn't be. You can get a pair at Matches here –also check out the Shannon brogue boots. But if you want the full experience I recommend you get down to Hardy Amies at 14 Saville Row and enjoy the amazing ambiance and the rest of the hit-filled collection.

The Emporio Armani Super Meccanico watch

Courtesy of Armani

I still remember how excited when I bought my first "grown-up" watch quite  few years ago. I went to the Emporio Armani shop in Madrid with my parents so I could choose the watch for my birthday.
I ended up choosing a really avant-garde (for the time and my age anyway) watch –it had a wide leather strap that almost seemed like a bracelet and it had a small metallic rectangular box in the middle that was the digital watch. I couldn't have been happier and I got so many compliments about it in school.
A couple of years after both my dad and I bought a second watch there, that one was more grown up and classic, of course. And now I feel like it's time to bring another Emporio Armani watch into my life.
The brand is now launching a limited edition watch –only 999 pieces of the Super Meccanico watch have been produced and they have all been individually engraved with their number. How cool would it be if you could pick the one with your lucky number engraved on it?
I love the design because it's elegant but not too formal –the screw details make it tough but the flexible strap give it a sporty touch. I would love to have it in the black (with an 8 engraved) but I also feel like the metallic sphere would be a great buy for people who want a watch to go with a suit during the week and jeans and a cardigan on the weekend.

The watches will be available in Emporio Armani stores in September.

Frank Loves: Burberry Prosrum FW11 Moccasins

Even though summer has finally arrived to London (about time!) and I am carefully planning my holiday wardrobe for my trip to the beach next week I can't resist to start looking at FW11 items I can't wait to get my hands on.

Burberry always has the ability to reinvent classic pieces and give them a touch of coolness and uniqueness. And yet they're season-less pieces you can wear for the rest of your life.

This is the case of these moccasins from their FW11 collection. If the incredible structured coats weren't enough they also had to create brilliant shoes like these. I love how they've used very smooth leather and a very tough sole to make such an old-fashioned shoe a current item. They could work with suits and jeans and even in the rain, something us Londoners have to think about. Can't wait to get my hands on a pair!

Courtesy of Burberry

A tough classic

Raf Simons, one of my favourites season after season, excited editors buyers and fans once again with his SS12 collection a couple of weeks ago during menswear fashion week.
As well as the hard to pull off but super interesting kaleidoscopic shapes and bright colours, which he mixed with lots of black, my favourite thing about the collection were the shoes.
Simons reinterpreted the classic smart lace-up shoe in polished and granulated leather. He included a gold chain sometimes around the entire shoe, just above the sole, or around the perimeter of the point of the shoe.
I initially thought this was very Givenchy and as much as I loved it I could never wear them but looking closer I realised these would make excellent tuxedo shoes. It's always hard as a guy to add that touch of distinction when you have to dress black tie and this seems like the perfect option.
Thoughts?

[GQ.com]

I want a striped Prada wash bag

Having a look at some of the sales of online retailers I came across these two Prada wash bags. If I'm totally honest I don't care much about where I put my toothbrush when I travel. However, it never hurts to keep every single detail in your life a little stylish, right?
I'm especially keen on the second one because I guess I could also use it as a pencil case or to keep whatever I need to take anywhere. The first one in the pictures is sold out at Far Fetch but the second one has a 50% discount, which is pretty good!

[FarFetch]