Clarks FW15: All the New Styles to Look Forward to

This past week I stopped by the Clarks FW15 preview to have a look at the new styles we will be wearing in six months. I'm a big fan of the brand and proud owner of several pairs so this is always more of an occasion to make my personal wish list ahead of time.
Everyone's all-time favourite are obviously the desert boots, which no one makes like them. The new earthy tones on offer are perfect for the colder months and they're an easy way to add a touch of colour and texture to a look. For FW15, the brand continues to play with new patterns and materials – my personal favourites the navy check print and the suede and wool felt combo.
A personal highlight from the new collection was the style directly below – a very Clarks take on a skater sneaker, which I will definitely be buying in at least a couple of colours.
It's not easy to find good boots but I found at least two brilliant options from Clarks for the coming season. One more formal – a grainy tan leather brogue boot perfectly finished with a leather and rubber sole (you need rubber if you live in a city where it rains) and a more casual and super light option in a maroon leather and a commando sole detail.

If, like me, you can't quite wait a few months to have a few new pairs you can head over to the Clarks website to quench your thirst for shoes. If that is even possible.

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

New In: Nike Janoski Mid Wool

If you read Fashion, Frankly regularly you will know by now that if there is a particular item I can never have enough of in my wardrobe that is shoes of any style. I tend to buy an average of a pair a month, which keeps me cheeper for a few weeks and normally doesn't hurt my credit card too much.
This month I wanted to find a pair of Nike sneakers I could wear in the winter. I love my Free Run's and Roshe Run's but they simply aren't a good fit for the cold London temperature. That is why these Janoski Mid Wool style couldn't be better. With a wool upper part, sturdy sole and cork insole they really insulate my feet from the winter weather. Because they are made of such an unusual material for sneakers they add great texture to my classic clothes. The striking red sole is also an easy way to inject some colour into my dark(ish) looks.
As well as in brown, they are available in a beautiful shade of grey, also with the red sole. They're both a perfect match for your blue jeans but look fantastic with black and grey too. You can get them here.

Iñaki Carvajal x Tod's No_Code

I couldn't quite believe it when Tod's, one of my all-time favourite brands, asked me to take part in their latest No_Code web campaign. It was something I had never done before and I am known to be a little adverse to photo cameras but I, of course, had to say yes. When asked which photographer I'd like to work with on this project, Jonathan Daniel Pryce was my top choice. After all, he had shot me in Tod's No_Code before and everyone had sent the nicest compliments my way thanks to his images.
If you read the lovely piece they wrote on me on the No_Code website, my outfit makes a lot of sense. I chose to wear the leather and pony skin-effect lace-up shoes – buy them here – because they had a slick modern feel despite their more traditional shape. I wore them with my favourite Acne black skinny jeans, a Ralph Lauren denim shirt and my All Saints biker jacket for a classic look with a dash of rock and roll.

Go check out the amazing FW13 Tod's No_Code collection here and choose your favourites. You will not find a more comfortable and cool shoe this season!

You can see all the images and read the full interview with Tod's here.

I want to send a huge special thank you to the dapper Jarvis Macchi at Tod's, and to Silva Premoli and to Jonathan D. Pryce for their help making this happen!

All Images by Jonathan Daniel Pryce

Winter is Coming: Get Your Camo On with Tod's

This weekend I visited the Tod's store on Old Bond Street to pick up some goods for an exciting upcoming project with the brand. While I looked around the new season collection I spotted two new models from their signature gomini range. I instantly fell in love with the classic khaki camouflage model, which also comes in a combination of deep blues. I can't think of a better way to introduce the trendy pattern into a classic dressed-up outfit. The camo loafers are also perfect to upgrade a weekend look keeping it comfortable and cool yet relaxed.
They are available at Tod's stores and also at the brand's online shop here.

Winter is Coming: Shopping for the Best Burgundy Shoes

It has recently come to my attention that burgundy is the only (essential) colour without a presence in my shoe collection. This is obviously an issue that must be addressed as soon as possible, especially since the FW13 is upon us and a merlot-leather shoe is the best way to add a dash of season-appropriate colour to a winter outfit. I had a look around at my favourite online retailers to see what they had to offer and these are the ones that made it to the shortlist. Which one is your favourite?

1. Clarks Edward Limit Brogues, 2. Armando Cabral high-shine Derby Shoes, 3. H by Hudson Cornell Brogue Shoes, 4. KG Kurt Geiger Burnham Brogues, 5. Rolando Sturlini Leather Brogue Shoes, 6. Jil Sander patent-leather Derby Shoes, 7. ASOS Derby Shoes in Polido Leather, 8. Selected Homme Leather Desert Boots.

Nicholas Kirkwood: The Footwear Addition to your FW13 Wardrobe

Last January, coveted shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood presented his first men's footwear collection during the second edition of London Collections: Men. For those eager to get a piece of his debut FW13 offering, a selection from this line is available as of today at MatchesFashion.com I personally love the lace-up shoes – both in the classic black, playing with texture, and the colour-block model in burgundy and black. There is something really simple, timeless about them and yet they have such a contemporary feel.

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

Must-Have Early Drops from the Clarks FW13 Collection

This week Clarks released a selection of their key FW13 pieces online and in stores. What all the pieces have in common is a sense of tradition, a Victorian influence that Clarks has translated into contemporary pieces to suit the lifestyle of the modern men – that's us!
Amongst the pieces that have dropped early I am most keen on the Darby Desert shoe – an adaptation from Nathan Clark's archive, which had been reinvented for SS13 and continues into the new season. I love the minimal brogue detailing, the contrast of texture and colour introduced by the smooth and grainy leather and the fringed tongue at the front. They're one of those pieces you can wear both with a suit as a statement as with jeans as a cool standout piece.
You can buy these styles here and here. And I also recommend you have a look at their Dorset Strap and the classic Edward Limit brogue.

FW13 Essentials from Tod's

I already posted about the Tod's FW13 collection after attending their beautiful presentation during the last Milan Fashion Week. And, after this new one, I am sure there are a few more coming because this is one of my favourite collections yet.
I was excited to see their new ready-to-wear looks, which keep getting better every season. No other brand has the skill to create the most stunning lightweight leathers and suedes without lacking comfort and practicality. They're pieces to have for a lifetime.
Also for FW13 I am coveting most of the footwear collection. From the classic suede Chelsea boots, to the cozy shearling-lined desert boots and my two favourites – the pony skin Chelsea boots and the brushed leather monk straps. Every single piece is a wardrobe staple of the highest quality.
I am almost equally crazy about their new line of work and travel bags, which have also been treated with their unique brushing technique to make the leather soft and flexible and give them a richer texture.
The collection is not dropping for a while yet – let's content ourselves with some of their SS13 hits – but be sure to keep an eye out for your favourites towards the end of the summer.

Courtesy of Tod's

Just In: Comme des Garçons Shirt Benjamin II Suede Chukka Plimsolls

It's time for the sales and for some of us to try and catch all the items we've been coveting for months but unable to afford. Alas, most of the guys following my strategy seem to have my size, which means everything I want is gone!
Luckily, I was able to snatch a new pair of shoes at the My-Wardrobe sale last week and they arrived yesterday. The winner is a pair of colour-blocking suede sneakers by Comme des Garçons Shirt. The powder pink, baby blue and deep green contrast and complement each other and they're a brilliant addition to a casual look with jeans and a preppy shirt. I'll be breaking them out tomorrow for a sunny day of morning meetings.

The Jimmy Choo SS14 Collection

I could have easily spent my whole afternoon at the Jimmy Choo SS14 presentation during the latest LC:M. The brand had taken over a space on King Street in Covent Garden, which they had turned into a chic cabana full of colour, green foliage and, of course, shoes.
All the different lines stood out from the crowd thanks to the super cool stalls, which had been decorated according to their style. What tied them all together was the inspiration drawn from the 'Sapeurs' – a group of dandies from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. These gentlemen, who are treated as celebrities in their home town, are known for their bold sartorial choices. They admire the classic Parisian tailoring, which they wear in the most garish ways using striking colours and patterns.
Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo's creative director, has translated these daring spirit into a collection that mixes dashes of bright colours on the soles, laces and stitching of otherwise classic sneakers and dessert boots. Degradé snakeskin or leather contrasting with python and camouflage do it for the smarter pieces.
Their signature 'Belgravia' models adopt this style for SS14 but the brand continues their start-studded offering in powder shades of pink, beige and black for next summer.
I loved some of the new introductions like the slip-on shoe, which comes in a modern velvet leopard print. And the new take on their chic urban espadrilles in soft suedes and classic hues.
From among the smart options I loved the monk strap shoes both in classic monotones and in contrasting two-tone options like the super cool camouflage-detailed or the python skin ones.
Whatever you end up going for during SS14 it is clear that, like the 'Sapeurs', classic shapes are a must but so is individuality and that's why every single Jimmy Choo piece has a character that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Fashion, Frankly and Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

The Most Stylish Kicks they wore to the Jimmy Choo & Esquire party

On Sunday night Jimmy Choo and Esquire threw a bash at 5 Hertford Street to celebrate the opening of a new season of London Collections: Men. Everyone I spoke to on the day, including me, was extremely excited about attending as the turn out was meant to be excellent and Mark Ronson was set to spin tracks all night down at Loulou's. Sadly enough, I didn't make it – and I blame it on a dodgy fashion week spring roll.
Luckily, I was the only one absent. All the coolest faces from the London scene and even some from abroad attended the party wearing their best looks with, of course, Jimmy Choo shoes.
Some of my favourites of the night were Mark Ronson, always unique but super stylish, who wore his Prince of Wales check suit with 'Radnor' Choos. Game of Thrones actor Joe Dempsie went for a more classic blue tailored outfit worn with 'Prescott' Oxford shoes.
Tinie Tempah pleasantly surprised me going in a bit of a fashion-forward tangent in an all black look accessorised with the tasseled 'Foxley' loafers. On a more casual take, Wretch 32 wore his 'Belgravia' croc sneakers with a velvet blazer, keeping it cool but interesting.

Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Three Zara Shoes you Need in your Wardrobe this Summer

Despite the non-existant signs of Spring I am in full SS13 mood already planning my season's essentials and key pieces and I have even begun to put together (in my mind) a few looks for the upcoming London Collections: Men, Pitti Uomo and Milan Fashion Week.
Even though I am usually not too keen on buying shoes on the high street I must admit that Zara, for one, has put some really interesting options out there this season. Now, granted they won't be shoes you will have forever but at these prices you really get value for your money at the very least.
I have been meaning to buy a pair of monk straps for a while but I'm always afraid to spend a bit of money on them and never wear them. Which is why these Zara option seems like a great way to try out the shape before investing on a durable pair.
Loafers are always a Spring/Summer essential but if you are a bit bored of the classic suede driving shoe this (faux) croc version is both interesting and manly and it will inject a needed dose of texture and colour into your summer looks.
No Summer wardrobe of mine is ever complete without sneakers. I love this suede option from Zara because they have the sporty yet old-school design of a low-top but the brogue detailing and colour clocking in a sandy palette gives is a chic city vibe.

Jimmy Choo celebrates the Opening of their first Menswear Store in London

Last night I attended the Jimmy Choo store opening at 35 Dover Street. The new space devoted exclusively to menswear is an eclectic perfection of 60's furniture and a mixture of textures – animal prints, velvet, marbles – that transports you to an exotic yet very chic world where all you want to do is buy glitter slippers, croc sneakers and camo bags where you can also have a drink.
The event itself was also pretty remarkable. The crowd was great and the music – provided by Richie Culver – and the drinks – provided by Sipsmith were spot-on. The vibe was excellent and everyone looked like they were having a great time (which is not the norm at these events).
If you're making weekend plans already make sure to fit a visit to Jimmy Choo in. I personally suggest brunch at Automat, which is next door, and a cheeky drink afterwards while trying out the most amazing shoes.

Yours truly in very good company at the event

Luke Ross and Jenny Lau from Harvey Nichols and Nick Carvell from GQ

My new favourite drink: The gin Old Fashioned by Sipsmith

Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Introducing Antoine + Stanley: Shoes with an Australian Sole

It would be fair to say that, within fashion, I am the most keen on shoes. I see them as the way to top off any look – a way to dress it up or down, to give something simple the perfect vibe. And it would also be fair to say that I know what I talk about when it comes to footwear because I own quite (a lot) bit of it from a range of brands and designers.
One of my biggest struggles is to find comfortable, light and breathable shoes for the summer that are not sneakers. Antoine + Stanley seem to have the perfect solution for this. The Australian brand founded by Paul Waddy in 2005 is now landing on the UK via ASOS. Their philosophy is to create traditional styles such as brogues, desert and Chelsea boots and loafers in premium materials. And they do so with an edge – bold colourful lines on the soles and contrast trims – which makes them perfect for the summer. Their models are great for pretty much any scenario: from picnic at the park to drinks on a rooftop to even a summer wedding.
You can shop the collection online at ASOS. My favourites (see below) are the Smith loafers in navy, the multi-colour Ralph brogues and the white leather Hensel brogues. The latter were a style I always thought only Chuck Bass or Jay Gatsby could pull off but I am totally infatuated with these Antoine + Stanley ones!

Courtesy of Antoine + Stanley

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