My Highlights from the Surgery PR Press Day

This week I stopped by the Surgery PR showroom in London to check out what's in store for FW13 from their brands.
One of my favourites was Farah Vintage – an American brand founded in the 1920's and who first specialised in chambray shirts and, a decade later, in blue denim. The brand continue to grow overtime until opening their first store in London and the 70's, when it became the denim brand to wear and, consequently, the uniform for 'the casuals' of the 80's. Since then the brand has become a fixture in stylish men's wardrobes – it obviously has to do with their excellent quality and vintage-feeling preppy designs. You can check out their website here and shop key items from their SS13 collections over at ASOS.



Another of the collections that caught my eye was Peter Werth, which I recently posted about for the launch of their N1 Project. The designer, is one of my favourites for the London scene. The FW13 collection is full of classics with a Mod vibe, which interprets the 50's/60's inspiration in a very contemporary way. I fell in love with the stunning tailoring – double-chested coats, four-button blazers, sharp trousers – but I must admit it was the shoes that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. These gems below have such a sophisticated and luxe finish and they're all around the £100 markup, which means I will be ordering one of each! Shop their current collection at ASOS.









Talking about shoes... I loved the the range Lacoste is introducing for FW13. I used to wear their canvas sneakers when I was a kid and now I can continue wearing the brand with their awesome desert boots – needless to say, the green ones will be becoming park of my wardrobe. You can shop this season's Lacoste collection at ASOS here.
My other pick in the footwear department were the H by Hudson slippers, particularly the suede camouflage ones. They're a perfect to add an interest touch to an evening look or worn with jeans during the day! Take a look at their current collection over at ASOS.

Fashion, Frankly

A closer look at Valentino SS13

I've been raving about the Valentino SS13 collection for months now. I first fell in love with the genius game of khakis and raw denims back in the summer when the brand presented their line during Pitti Uomo. And a few weeks ago style icon Simone Marchetti proved that a total Valentino look is the way to go next season. He also reaffirmed my conviction to buy a pair of the amazing camouflage sneakers, which will drop in shops this December – perfect Christmas gift, hello?
This week I had the chance to have a look at the collection first hand at the Karla Otto press day in London. I was amazed by the exquisite finish of the sophisticated and modern collection, talk about luxury sportswear... As well as the sneakers, which are surprisingly light, I fell in love with the rest of the camouflage accessories. Especially the lace-up shoes and the luggage. I also loved the high tech varsity jackets. I would happily exchange a vital organ for any of these.

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A closer look at Tod's SS13

Last week I stopped by the Tod's SS13 Press Day at their New Bond Street boutique, which is one of my favourites not only because I love (!) the brand but because they have the nicest people.
It was nice to have my memory refreshed after seeing the collection back in June during Milan Fashion Week. The colourful suede brogues are still one of my highlights from the collection, I'm especially keen on the orange number. In fact, I am quite feeling orange for next season. I love how it works so well with earthy tones and adds a pop of colour. So I obviously fell in love with the classic 'gomini' in the same hue as well as the folders and iPad cases that make up the super chic luggage collection.
My other two big highlights were the super modern but timeless take on the Oxford shoe (perfect with jeans or a suit) and the new line of Tod's bags. The green is simply perfect for travelling or going to work.

Click on read more at the end of the post to see more images after the jump.

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A closer look at Giorgio and Emporio Armani SS13

Since I hardly ever get to do re-sees of my favourite menswear shows I always look forward to 'Press Day season' because I love having the chance to have a closer look at all the collections. One of the first ones was Armani this week.
I recently posted about the Emporio Armani SS13 collection, which I really enjoyed. I loved getting a feel of the amazing textiles the ultra light blazers were made of. The flecked one above was one of my favourite pieces. As were the olive green leather biker jacket and the tortoiseshell accessories, especially the monk strap shoes.
The Giorgio Armani line was even more exquisite. There is a real sense of modernity and expected uses and combinations of materials but the cuts are classically Armani. I could have easily taken the whole collection of blazers home with me. They have the most beautiful prints and textures you could wish for summer. Some of my other highlights were the leather lined double-chested trench coat, the croc lace-up shoes and the incredible travel bags and carry-ons.

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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!

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Italian sole

Last week I attended the Tod's SS11 press day. First, I have not only to thank the team for inviting me but for being so extraordinarily welcoming and nice. The thing I have always liked most about Tod's is how they stick to tradition. You can always spot a Tod's loafer no matter what season it is. And that is exactly what they've done for next summer. They are bringing back their staple thin suede "gommini" and introducing new touches such as the straw laces, which add a different, more rustic stroke. I also saw some of (my favourite) desert boots. I have at least four pairs of these and I love their versatility. However, what surprised me the most about what I saw at the preview were the bags. I had never payed much attention at Tod's luggage and daily bags. And what I was missing! They make brief cases and carry-ons with the most exquisite fine leather. It feels as if it might melt between your fingers but it is actually a sturdy material —a great combination.

I decided, then, to take a look at what Tod's was offering for this season we've just commenced. And I found two of my must-have models of footwear for fw10 —the brogue boot and the leather mid-top sneaker. Do also keep in mind that Tod's always puts comfort first, which is why even their sneakers or smart shoes come with their signature rubber "pebbled" sole.

[Pictures: Iñaki C., Tods.com]