Expert Bag-Maker Chapman Launches New Brand Identity & Bespoke Service

If not by name, you would surely recognise Chapman for their iconic bags, which they have been producing since the birth of the brand in the 1980's. Every piece is crafted in Carlile, Cumbria using locally sourced materials and using traditional hand-crafted techniques, which make the brand at the epitome of the 'Made in England' label.
More than 30 years later Chapman continues to hand-cut the pieces for their bags, which are also finished by hand, but they know that innovation is as important as tradition. For that reason, the brand has just released their new brand identity and website along with a service to create your own bespoke bag. Once you have chosen your favourite model, the bespoke service allows you to choose from a range of materials including their signature waterproof canvas or their tweed. The colour of these is also totally customisable, as it the colour of the brass and even the tone of the leather saddlery finish.
Click here to play around with all the different options. I recently had a go myself and was amazed by all the different choices. It is a perfect opportunity to get a timeless piece totally hand-made in England and have it be completely unique.

Courtesy of Chapman

A Bag for All Seasons: The Tod's Double Stripe

After going on about it for months I am happy to announce that Tod's new icon – the Double Stripe bag we first saw for SS13 and then more prominently for FW13 – is now available to buy through the brand's US and European online stores. Take your pick here.
If, however, you can make use of a little of your patience I recommend heading to your nearest Tod's store, where you will be able not only to shop the entire new collection but also to personalise it. Tod's is offering a customisation service for clients to choose their favourite combination of colours for the stripes so no bag is like another!
The new range has been photographed in a super stylish and slick way that really shows the versatility of the pieces. You will find the perfect work bag, which sometimes double-up as an overnight bag, and the best weekend travel bags – perfect for getaways, as cabin luggage or even for the gym. And, best of all, they're all made by hand!

Courtesy of Tod's

Just in: Herschel Settlement Backpack

When I posted my 25th Birthday wishlist little over a month ago I never expected anyone (but me) to take it seriously. It looks like some of my friends really do pay attention to what I do on the blog and so they decided to get me the Herschel Settlement Backpack I wanted in the camo, red and blue.
Funnily enough, I had been thinking about buying it from ASOS for the last two weeks because I am tired of carrying my laptop bag to work everyday. The Herschel bag has not only a cool red micro-striped lining but it comes with a built-in laptop sleeve pocket, so it's the perfect bag for travelling, going to work or just to the gym (if I ever do go, this is where I'll carry my stuff).
Belated birthday presents do make the best surprises. And I can't wait to wear this one to work this week!

You can get the Herschel Settlement Backpack in camouflage at ASOS here. For a wider Herschel range, click here.

Tod's F/W13: A Paradise made of Leather

The Tod's presentation at Villa Necchi is always one of my highlights from MFW but this goes double for the FW13 collection. I have often reiterated how essential are Tod's modern classics for a style-concious man and this, too, goes double for the FW13 range. If you bought every single piece from the collection you would have the ultimate accessory wardrobe a man needs for life – everything from casual suede desert and Chelsea boots to smarter monk straps, brogues and even the versatile new style introduced this season – the toe cap Oxford shoes with a modern hiking boot detail. My absolute favourites from the collection, I must say, are the midnight blue pony skin Chelsea boots. Picture them with a pair of slim grey jeans or even a black suit... simply incredible.
Tod's has also given a great push to their bags for FW13 introducing the zip shopping bag and travel bag to their 'Double Stripe' line, which colours you can personalise to give it a unique touch. Also in line with this the brand introduces 'Sartorial Touch', a new shoe collection created through construction and polishing techniques developed by Tod's artisans and exclusive to the brand. You can literally leave a mark on your new pair of shoes by embossing your initials into the leather.
For the last couple of seasons the brand has also been introducing a lot of ready-to-wear in the shape of phenomenal outerwear in the most exquisite skins. For FW13 Tod's has focused on ultra light-weight and soft leathers and suedes, which are then quilted inside or lined with neoprene or shearling – this makes them warm enough for winter without taking away from the lightness.
And last, but not least, another of my favourite pieces – the double pochette. It is such a simple but practical idea. Documents and notebooks can be kept on the bigger pocket while your phone and keys can go in the front, easy to reach.

NOTE: If you are a friend or relative reading this post remember my birthday is on the 21st of March so please interpret this and any previous post as a very literal wishlist. Thanks.

Fashion Frankly, Courtesy of Tod's

Introducing... StefanomanO Accessories

As I've mentioned in the past, one of the reasons why I love going to Milan for fashion week every season is because I get to learn about new exciting menswear brands. Such is the case of StefanomanO.
Like most of Italy's best leather-good-making companies, their activity started as a traditional family company focused on the production of leather suitcases. StefanomanO was born in 2005 with one intention: to create classic products handmade in Italy for a client with a love for details and quality. Since then, they have been selling internationally and have been especially successful in Japan, where men are known for their love of craftsmanship and details.

The FW13 collection consists of pretty much one hit after the other. My absolute favourite, I must say, is their Niloticus line (above), a limited edition of super luxury bags made of crocodile skin from the Nile and treated with an innovative process that makes the skin soft and flexible like suede but also 100% waterproof. It is one of the most stunning skins I have ever seen! (*See note below)
Also new to FW13 are the Spazzolato line, StefanomanO's signature style. For the new season they have introduced new colour variations with beautiful leather linings and trimmings in contrast (see below, in red).
The Morbidone line introduces to FW13 the softest leather, which StefanomanO's tanners obtain by an exclusive process. The designs are timeless, elegant and practical and their great size makes them perfect for going to work or even an overnight business trip.
Every single corner, strap and stitch is handmade and the general finish of all their bags, wallets, laptop and iPad covers are not only beautiful but also incredibly strong so they can stand whatever lifestyle. The entire collection – Niloticus aside – falls perfectly into this new concept we refer to as affordable luxury. Their range starts under 200€ for one of their classic nylon bags (I love the camouflage one!) and go up to under 500€ for the leather lines, which is crazy when you consider everything is done by hand!

You can find out more about StefanoManO here on their website. Click here to check out more from their collections!

*Note: My 25th birthday is coming up so feel free to get me one of these in black.

Courtesy of StefanoMano, Fashion Frankly

Jimmy Choo presents 'Porno Camo'

Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Even knowing that the camouflage trend has made it to its third consecutive season I am surprise that fashion has welcomed it so keenly and consistently. It took me a while to warm up to it but once I dared to wear the first camo pieces I realised how versatile it is. It is also perfect for me because as a green lover – can you tell? – it helps create a very interesting colour palette in my outfits.
We have seen quite a few spins on it over the last couple of months and now Jimmy Choo has introduced their own twist for FW12. Quickly glancing at their camouflage print you wouldn't realise that they have actually subtly used pin-up silhouettes to create the print – hence the name. What I love about it is the fact that the shapes are not only classics from the brand but actual timeless pieces – the Sloane evening slipper, the Vigo iPad case, the Archer belt, the Hanover bag and the Belgravia sneaker.
My personal favourites are the belt and the high tops. The first because, like my YSL leopard belt, it adds an interesting touch to a polished tailored look and the latter because who wants a plain sneaker when you can wear something cool and interesting?

The range is available at Jimmy Choo's 14 Burlington Arcade store and online at JimmyChoo.com with prices starting from £265.

A companion for life: Balenciaga Overnight bag

Last week, to celebrate some good personal news, I logged onto Mr Porter just in time for the beginning of their sale and bought myself a present. My new Balenciaga Overnight bag arrived the following day in the biggest bag you could ever image, which only added on to the anticipation.
In just under a week it's proved to be a really clever buy. I carry it every day to the office as I can fit my laptop (15 inch MacBook) as well as my glasses, moleskin, iPod and anything else you'd like to put it. It is also a brilliant traveling bag. It came with me to Milan this weekend and, even though I took a trolley as well, it easily fit a couple of trousers and shirts and a pair of shoes and washing bag.
Once in Milan I used it as a regular bag as it's a perfect size to carry my camera and all the notes and press releases and invites you don't want to have ruined.
It is definitely on my top 5 list of best buys ever.

[Mr Porter]

I'm not a plastic bag

In fact, it isn't. It's made of acetate. A lot of people may argue that it's a stupid idea to pay good money (or not so much, it's only £90) for something you might've got at the supermarket but I am really keen on Jil Sander's "market" bag. I think it looks extremely cool because it's only a little see-through and because somehow everyone's agreed upon carrying it from just one handle so it stays closed. I also really like the leather tag. My birthday is coming up so if anyway has some cash to spare, buy me one? You can do it at Net-a-Porter here.

[Pictures: Net-a-Porter.com, teampeterstigter.com]

The Dylan Jones

Today Dylan Jones joins an exclusive club of names, the likes of Jane Birkin, Grace Kelly and Alexa Chung. The one thing they all have in common is they have bags named after them. But in this case, Dylan Jones did more than just wear a bag —he helped design it. And he has done so in collaboration with Anya Hindmarch, who is launching her line of bespoke men's items. The editor of British GQ had the inside pockets especially designed to fit your Blackberry (or iPhone, but I am team BB), your business cards, keys and MacBook/iPad (I only do Mac laptops). Its exterior is made with the finest brown leather and the inside lines with jacquard and bound with a grosgrain ribbon. I haven't wanted a briefcase this much in my whole life. It's so slick and timeless but also very cool! Its price, £1,095, doesn't match its Hermès cousins and yet, I could hardly call it affordable. One thing is for certain, if I had the money I would buy one in a heartbeat.


[Pictures: WWD.com]

Meet Henry

I don't know about you but I always feel like the big designer brands famous for their bags often leave us men out of the equation. Which is why I really appreciated the fact that Mulberry has launched a new line of bags for men that, unlike the Ted or the Brynmore, do not replicate women's designs. This is Henry in its multiple shapes —the laptop case, the backpack and the gym bag. The great thing about this new line is that it is made of nylon, so it's durable, but it has a leather trim, so it's sophisticated. It's black and has a simple design, so it's classic and elegant. And, most importantly, it's manly and useful. And I am particularly fixated on the backpack because I haven't owned a decent one in years and I very much love the pocket distribution in this one.

[Pictures: Mulberry.com]