The Grenson x Foot the Coacher collection launches exclusively at Mr Porter

Today Mr Porter exclusively launches the latest collaboration between Northamptonshire-based shoemakers Grenson and Foot the Coaches, a Tokyo-based brand by designer Toshinosuke Takegahara. The two are a perfect match, as Foot the Coaches is known for their Victorian influence, which they have always approached with a twist. For this particular collaboration the brand has brought back some of the traditional Victorian details from their archive for an absolutely stunning shoe collection.
The collection consists of five boots in two different styles – one inspired by a vintage football boot  and the other by an Edwardian 'Balmoral' boot. Despite what you might think, the price point is actually very competitive for such great quality and design – they range from £425 to £475.
I absolutely love the entire collection and can see myself wearing many of the styles, especially the football-inspired boots in the grainy leather.

Courtesy of Mr Porter

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

Most Stylish of the Week: John Snow debuts with a double hit

First of all, let me apologise for the radio silence. Last week started out quite busy at work just before my 25th birthday on Thursday and a nice visit from a good friend for the weekend. So I had my hands full.
And the week was just as busy style-wise. Daniel Radcliffe has really become one of the sharpest dressed young actors around. His classic black and white combo by Spencer Hart for the Empire Awards, which he wore with classic Grenson lace-ups.
David Beckham wears a tracksuit bottom as easily as a three piece suit. This week he rocked a tucked-in tie to show off his football skills in China. Perfect haircut too, not much else to say.
The opening of the David Bowie exhibition at the V&A in London brought out some of the coolest guys in town who decked up in Gucci. Such was the case of Mr Hudson, who pulled off the beautiful micro print double-chested number like a pro.
Tom Hiddleston always looks elegant but I especially loved this Emporio Armani number playing with different shades of blue and featuring one of my favourite accessories – the collar pin.
My happiest moment of the week, I must admit, was Kit Harington's public (or candid) appearances. The actor looked super cool first arriving in the US in slim jeans, Chelsea boots and a blue suede bomber jacket (a man after my own heart) and then suited up in grey chinos and a black slim blazer, which he wore with black desert boots and a casual jersey polo shirt. It's less than a week now before we can see him suited up in leather and fur again on Game of Thrones!
Justin Chatwin showed this week how perfectly fitted casual clothes can sometimes be as cool as a suit. It's a pretty straight-forward look topped off by a killer haircut and an ace mustard jacket.
Speaking of good haircuts, Austin Butler was also out and about this week with this incredible hair – someone should really give him an award. There really is nothing special about his outfit but the hair is so good I thought he deserved a spot in the post.

JustJared, Getty

I'm not Frank: What I Wore in Milan, Day 1

Fashion, Frankly

I really tried to make an effort to try and get pictures of what I was wearing during the days that I recently spent in Milan. However, I didn't make it past the first day.
On Saturday, to kick things off, I wore my Gant Rugger tweed blazer, Nudie Jeans, Uniqlo shirt, Grenson shoes, Jil Sander tie and Urban Outfitters scarf. It was freezing in Milan and I wasn't wearing a coat but the combination of tweed, scarf and tough shoes didn't make me miss it.

Just in: Grenson leather desert boots

Fashion, Frankly

I have endeavoured to post about all my buys of the month. I post endlessly about everything I want to buy but I rarely post about what actually ends up being part of my wardrobe. So expect at least... 4 or 5 more posts like this one. May has been a very successful month in terms of purchases – especially shoes. These are probably the easiest pair of shoes I've ever bought. I got them last week at Bicester Village for (hold on to your pants) 40 pounds. Yes, I typed it right. They're a classic, super light and perfect for most seasons so I did not hesitate a second before heading to the till. Plus, Grenson's XL sole is perfect to add a couple of centimetres extra, which I can definitely do with.

Men's British Designers Collective launches at Bicester Village

Starworks, @jamielondonboy

Las week I attended the opening of the Men's British Designers Collective at Bicester Village. We took a train from London Oxfordshire-bound where we enjoyed the delicious on-the-go picnic that Bistrotheque had prepared for us, hampers and all.
I had never been to Bicester before but was pleasantly surprised. It's a perfect place to spend a day with some friends. If the weather is favourable you can enjoy a snack by Jamie Oliver or have a break from the amazingly discounted designer shops at Starbucks.

@jamielondonboy, @grensonshoes

I didn't take too many pictures myself but I did find these of me snapped for Twitter. I wore my favourite dark blue Acne jeans, a grey +J cashmere jumper, ASOS Camo jacket, All Saints leather jacket and Grenson brogues. I was very much flattered when someone from Grenson asked if they could take my picture!

@jamielondonboy

The warm and bubble welcome at the launch.

Fashion, Frankly

Some of the incredible selection of Grenson shoes you shouldn't miss – I got a pair myself for a portion of the regular price. Nothing better to make my day!

Fashion, Frankly

I discovered at Bicester a new swimwear brand I am crazy about. Chucs has all the great prints and contemporary cuts you need for the summer. Very much in line with Orlebar Brown, my new favourite swimwear brand.
I also fell in love with these Richard James polka dot shirts. The round collar and light fabric makes them perfect for the summer. I couldn't find one in my size but I would have love to wear them with chinos and a denim jacket. A leopard print pair of Lou Dalton shorts also created some infatuation but I don't know I have the guts to wear those yet.

Fashion, Frankly

Things you get when you turn 24

A week and a bit ago I turned 24. To be quite honest, I have got so used to my and everyone else's being kind of broke for so long that it did not for a minute consider I would get so many (amazing) presents. And it's because I am still so surprised, amazed and lucky (to have so many friends with such good taste and memory) that I decided to share them here.

The first to come was this silver cocktail-making set with which I already celebrated on my birthday. I fancy myself as a bit of a booze snob so this will either help to encourage me or I will be humbled by the experience (the least likely). Also in the picture above are a drawing of myself I received from my most talented friend from high school – I encourage you to check out more of her amazing work on her blog.
Fashion-wise, it was quite a successful birthday too. I actually couldn't believe some people had been paying so much attention to my blabbering and got me the Mansai anchor bracelet I wanted and the limited edition YMC pocket square I was kicking myself for not having bought.


It's funny because I love big coffee table books but I rarely go ahead and buy them for myself, which is why I am so thrilled two crafty ladies got me the Carine Roitfeld 'Irreverent' book. I was so chuffed, in fact, that I couldn't help but flick through it at 4am when I got home after innumerable champagne mojitos. Keeping the book company is my brand new Goyard wallet, which I got as a present for myself. I was pretty tired of my über-flat card holder so this slightly bigger version is going to make my life that much easier. It' adds a pop of colour and I feel like a 30's millionaire.

All pictures property of Fashion, Frankly

Unlike a lot of people I love getting house decoration as a present, mostly because I always end up spending all my money on clothes. So I absolutely loved this Arabic holder and the little utensil to put the candle off. It fits right in with my living-room table! What doesn't fit on it but I thought was quirky for the picture are my new Grenson brogues, also a present from me to moi. I had been looking for a classic pair in tan leather forever and am so happy I found them just in time for the spring!

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!