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

Just in: YMC Navajo print sneakers

Credited websites

Yes, I have bought a lot of shoes in the last two weeks. I realised a few weeks ago that I have only been buying leather and suede shoes for most of the winter so I've had to quickly get ready for the warm weather. And in summer I pretty much only wear sneakers.
My latest purchase is a pair of the incredible navajo print model by YMC – from My-Wardrobe. I have only worn them twice so far but I have never got so many compliments on my shoes. Only yesterday a friend looked at them and shouted "I am in love with your shoes, where are they from?". I went for the dark navy background because, despite the fact that I love the orange, they look super chic with khaki trousers and they work great with evening looks.
You can find the brown and blue ones over at Mr Porter and the orange ones at Oki-Ni.

Just in: Vans x Kenzo

Fashion, Frankly

I received these bad boys yesterday and I couldn't be happier. I usually miss out on these amazing collaborations because either my size sells out too quickly or I'm too out of pocket to afford them – why is it always at the end of the month before pay day?
Anyway, the Vans x Kenzo are tad comfier than your standard Vans. The sole is a bit more consistent and it's evident that all the stitching is a lot stronger. So if you were hesitating, rest assured the difference in price is justified.
I went for the green because, despite being my favourite colour – can you tell? – I don't seem to have any green shoes. I have already worn them and I'm pretty certain I have chosen the right colour, they just look so cool. Although after watching this video on the Kenzo site I am more than tempted to also go for the nude version... In June, though.

Thoughts?

The Kenzo x Vans Collaboration

Hypebeast

It gets a lot for me to actually want to buy into designer collaborations these days. Every year there's more and more of them so it's got to the point where we have to be really selective.
The Kenzo x Vans one is the first one from 2012 that has given me that feeling of excitement where I almost get upset when I imagine I can't get a pair...! Fortunately, they are not on sale yet so I can prepare and, most importantly, choose the colour combination I like the best.
All the promotional pictures from Kenzo show bicolour pairs (see above) but it looks like the ones that will end up in shops might end up being even more commercial as you can see from the ones below at the Black Frame Press Day this week in London. I am most tempted by the red and green version. And it looks like they're going to be quite affordable – they're not expected to go much higher than £100.

The R-Kive

Shopping for Summer shoes: Veja Méditerranée

Courtesy of Veja

As much as I love brogues, Chelsea boots and desert boots I rarely wear any of them in Spring and Summer. Because the heat usually drives me mad I get dressed every day with comfort in my mind. That is not to say I don't care about the way I look – because I do. So when I shop for SS items I try to choose pieces that add something interesting to my look in an effortless way.
Veja is one of my go-to shoe wear brands for this because there is such a chicness to everything they do but it's all about simplicity. This season they are launching a new range of trainers which are a crossover between a sneaker and a boat shoe. They come in 5 different colour combinations, all in canvas. My personal favourite are the terra/chino model. This season I am all for soft earthy colours so these will work perfectly with my SS12 wardrobe.

Which one is your favourite?

The SS12 Build-Up: Prada Prints

Spring is barely even getting closer and all I can think about is what I am going to be wearing in a few weeks. I have this love/hate relationships with the warmer seasons because I never know what to wear and I'm always sweaty an uncomfortable. It's even more difficult being a man because there is only so much you can work with (shorts + t-shirts/polo shirts) and London has a tendency of changing season a few times a day.
So this year I have decided I must make myself buy some statement tops and bottoms to be worn with other more basic tops or bottoms. Basically, I don't want to look like I am wearing the same clothes for the next 3 or 4 months.
Adding to my collection of checked shorts I would like to welcome Prada's printed polo shirts into my wardrobe. So much attention has been given to their 50's printed shirts but people seem to be overlooking my favourite pieces. The blazers and suits, quite in line with some of the Miu Miu prints we have seen for the womenswear FW12 line, were also perfect for me.

Even though they are not quite my cup of tea I must say I couldn't stop looking at the SS12 Prada shoes. I loved how Miuccia managed to keep her momentum from last season going with a brogue take on the classic golf shoes. If I weren't such a classic when it comes to shoes I would wear this pair above in a heartbeat.
I would have to be a lot braver to pull off the pair below with the metallic studs and crystals. But, again, I would gladly be seen walking around carrying the Prada gold bags. Or does someone carry them for you? I would know if I had ever played golf... In any case, they're incredibly cool.

I was also very impressed with the t-shirts. Big designers tend to either overdo tees or just stamp their name or logo on them, which I hate. Prada, on the other hand, went for funky young prints like the florals below. I am not much of a florals fan but if I I'd definitely wear the blue, black and yellow one below. Same for the slightly cropped jackets. Simply perfect!

All pictures Fashion, Frankly

J.W. Anderson SS12: Another hit!

Last season's London Fashion Week gave us the treat of a double dose of J.W. Anderson. Having presented his SS12 womenswear line a few days earlier, the designer showed his first menswear collection amongst a lot of hype.
Everyone waiting to enter the intimate venue seemed to be really excited with what we were about to see.
And Anderson didn't disappoint. The collection was in line with the womenswear one but it stood on its own. My personal favourite were the futuristic paisley fabrics in shorts, vests and t-shirts. I was blown away by the leather work. Geometric leather panels came together creating more complex geometric patterns that end up becoming a sleeveless top or a skirt. Even more impressive were the interwoven leather techniques, which combined with the amazing tailored trousers created very interesting looks very much in line with the season's luxury sportswear trend.
Check out the whole collection here and watch my video of the finale above.

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

The SS12 Build-Up: James Long & the snakeskin jacket

Back in September, during menswear day at London Fashion Week I attended the James Long SS12 show. I didn't really know what to expect because I wasn't too familiar with the designer then. This was, perhaps, the most surprising of the menswear shows because it didn't feel like the kind of thing you see in London. It was like I had been transported to Milan. I understood the reason for this when I found out that Long had been working on the men's division at Versace. The only element that brought me back (metaphorically) to London was the eccentricity in styling and in the mix of prints.

It was super interesting to see a collection like this at LFW. Despite what it might seem at first glance there were a lot of very wearable elements in the collection. The ultra-slim tailored shorts and the printed shirts were among these and some of my favourites.
But the pieces that stood out the most for me were the python jackets. I have had a fixation with croc and snake for as long as I can remember and I have wanted a jacket like this ever since I saw Brandon Flowers looking like this a few years back. I really liked the maroon biker jacket option from James Long but thinking about it I would probably wear the beige one a lot more. I love the classic cut and the more muted colours, which would work so well with the kind of palette that I wear in the summer. Picture it with a nice pair of denim shorts, a white tee underneath and some cool sneakers for a summer's night. Cool, non? – See below my video from the show's finale.

You can buy some James Long online here. It's also available at Harvey Nichols in London.

Christopher Shannon SS12: A formal edge

Courtesy of Christopher Shannon

I remember how excited I was last season when I got my ticket for the FW11 Christopher Shannon show. When I attend shows of designers so talented that are only going to become bigger I feel like I'm sort of witnessing the making of fashion history. Yes, that is super corny, even wanky but that's the way it is.
So I was ecstatic when I got another invite in September for the SS12 show in London. I must admit that even though I loved the winter collection I couldn't quite see myself wearing it, which doesn't mean it wasn't wearable. In fact, it was way too hip for me to ever pull off. The new collection, however, has that super cool Shannon edge but it felt a lot more grown up. The combination of his signature patchwork of prints and colours seemed to work perfectly with the perfect tailored pieced that were still evidently inspired in sportswear. Some of my favourite pieces were the black shorts with the mother-of-pearl button details, the jumpers and t-shirts printed with photographs and the shoes, which the designer created in partnership with Swear.
Now I just can't wait for his pieces to hit Oki-ni and The Corner. Those sheer half checked, half plain shirts would be the perfect final touch to a smart suit look.

PS. Follow Christopher Shannon on twitter @shannonmenswear especially on a Saturday night. There is no better X-Factor commentary than his.

Hardy Amies SS12: An Englishman in Venice

Courtesy of Hardy Amies

"I can't work out what is about Italian men that makes them look both stylish and relaxed. How can I steal a bit of their elegance?" asked The Mr Porter Post on menswear day during LFW. The answer was "Let's remember that many Italian men want to dress like an idealised Englishman". –What if we could find out at Saville Row?, must have asked herself Claire Malcolm, the creative director of Hardy Amies.
Malcolm only joined the famous tailoring house last season for her first collection –f/w 2011– but had already managed to position Hardy Amies at the front of the leading menswear London names. For her SS12 collection Claire took the Englishman on a trip to Venice. Not that of overpriced gelatto, crowds of tourists and clichés but the Venice of enlightenment that was a melting pot of cultures.

It was as if a Saville Row regular had travelled to Italy and there he had adapted his wardrobe to suit the new climate, even the style. He'd cut short his suit trousers for the day and cropped his evening ones to stay fresh. The cuffed hems gave them an elegant touch that makes them apt for meetings and such.
The tops stay more true to the tradition. Two-button blazers accompanied by matching waistcoats or lightweight double-chested jackets. For the evening, jacquard blazers in subtle colourful patterns inspired by Roman mosaics.
When avoiding the tie, the Hardy Amies man opts for a more relaxed neckerchief look that keeps the look interesting and dressed up. The shoes remain classic in shape –Oxfords, brogues and tasselled loafers in a super elegant "gold leaf" leather inspired on the Byzantine influence of Venice. For the evening the Oxford shoes come in patent leather to match the silk shirts that finish the looks.



In only two seasons the House of Hardy Amies has created a line of ready-to-wear that is more than worthy to be shown at the Pitti trade show and the Milan catwalks alongside Trussardi, Ferragamo and the rest of the houses we worship. It's young and cool but extremely refined and well made. If I could only choose one house to dress myself next summer, this would be it.

Richard Chai SS12: Refined casual wear

Style.com

Even though it's time for womenswear to steal the lime light it's nice for some designers to show their menswear collections during New York Fashion Week.
Richard Chai has been one of my favourite NY menswear designers for a while. His SS12 collection was full of brilliantly made pieces for cool people. But there's no room for pretentiousness.
The jackets were some of my favourites. The cropped three-button blazers have been made for casual days. They look tailored but relaxed. The same goes for the shorts –they're a perfect three-quarter length and fitted but not straining.
I loved the smart classic shoes with blue and orange soles, which we had already seen at Jil Sander but in this case they feel a lot more approachable and wearable day-to-day.
The prints and colours were interesting but not overpowering. Even the flower prints seemed really relaxed and masculine. Now it's just painful I have to wait so long to wear these...!

Milan Fashion Week: Burberry Prorsum SS12

The Burberry collections are mostly every time at the top of my list of fashion week highlights. This time even more so as Giulia and I attended our first Burberry show in Milan, which was the main reason why my trip to the city actually took place. And what a collection we saw!
Christopher Bailey got a little whimsical for SS12 with a lot of colours, prints, appliques although, in fact, I would say that the play on materials and textures made the collection. The were, of course, the expected trench coats and macs but they came out in jacquard and suede and finished with wooden beads on the collars. I loved this combination of Burberry's heritage with the innovation in materials and the almost ethnic graphics.

Courtesy of Burberry, Fashion, Frankly

If I had to choose the peaks of the show I would have to mention the raffia and leather shoes (I want!), the geometric-appliqued jumpers and t-shirts and the exquisitely chic prints on shirts and trousers (which will be in my wardrobe as soon as the collection is out).

I also paid a lot of attention to the knits and trousers as they're always two of my favourite items from burberry collections. Bailey has kept the lines of trousers slim and the hemlines almost unnoticeably cropped —so that they're fresh in the summer but still smart— and has made of knitwear more of statement. I remember especially well a blazer-shaped cardigan that would be so handy for chilly summer parties by the sea.

It was, in my opinion, one of the best collections for men Bailey has delivered in seasons and I can't possibly tell you how happy I was to have seen it with my own eyes.

A big thank you to the Burberry team!