Jones Bootmaker SS12

Clean, simple and modern aren't really adjectives you'd use to describe Jones Bootmaker (A brand steeped in history and tradition) but that's exactly what their latest SS12 campaign is.
Photographed by Blair Getz Mezibov the campaign features fresh faced model John Todd in a series of pastel coloured, preppy styled ensembles accompanied, of course, by Jones footwear.
A wise move from a brand that was at risk of becoming ever so slightly stale.

Quote of the Week #28

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn”
Orson Welles

The very talented Mr Welles certainly knew what he was talking about and I'm all for not giving a damn!

Domenico Cordua

My latest artistic discovery is the wonderfully imaginative and ever so colourful Domenico Cordua who's work deals with the notions of celebrity and pop culture and frequently touches upon several issues affecting the fashion industry.
My favourite and possibly most pertinent creations of his are the depictions of runway ensembles on some rather Rubenesque ladies; thought provoking and funny.


Alexander McQueen

Vivienne Westwood

Prada

Gareth Pugh

Valentino

Jil Sander SS12 Campaign

Jil Sander's latest advertising campaign shot by Willy Vanderperre takes dramatic cues from 1940's film noir. The advertisement's dark aesthetic is in strict contrast to what is a clean, bright collection and is a welcome change to the usual light and breezy SS campaigns.

Haunting expressions from models Natasha Poly, Clément Chabernaud, Aiden Andrews & Daria Strokous ensure this vision of Sander is one that lingers.

All Tied Up Two

In my current place of work the uniform is deemed casual, and the donning of a tie prohibited so when I put mine on to go and buy Lunch an eyebrow or two may be raised. However I'm not one for shirking my sartorial obligations and will continue to proudly wear mine for the 100 metre walk to Marks & Spencer every lunch time.
So in honour of keeping the tradition alive here are some rather lovely ones available today.

1. Richard James - Silk Natte Tie - £75
2. Paul Smith - Polka Dot Tie - £69
3. DAKS - Check Silk Tie - £30
4. Etro - Knitted Silk Tie - £105
5. Drake's - Striped Raw Shantung Tie - £105
6. Duchamp - Delire D'Ete Print Tie - £59
7. Thom Browne - Classic Gingham Tie - £115
8. Topman - Russian Doll Motif Tie - £10
9. Liberty London - Chive Liberty Print Tie - £55

For previous season ties see here

Organic Prints

One aspect of SS12 that is perturbing me ever so slightly is the designers penchant for using organic inspired prints, it may sound rather lovely in theory but in practice I remain unconvinced.
However here are some examples in all their glory, I shall leave you to make up your own minds.
Do let me know what you think.

Moschino

Prada

Tommy Hilfiger

Jean Paul Gaultier

Givenchy

Again one has borrowed the images from Style.com

Cut The Mustard

Cut the mustard this SS12 in one of the seasons most popular colours. The deep shade of yellow appears on everything from full suits to jackets and accessories - just what's needed to brighten up the current dismal days we're having.
Below are a few Dandy Fantastic favourites.

Roberto Cavalli

Hermes

Alexander McQueen

Viktor & Rolf

Roland Mouret Mr.

Lanvin

Burberry Prorsum

Images sourced from Style.com

Joseph Abboud SS12

With such Tundra like weather conditions upon us I find myself longing for a little respite from the cold and so I ponder on what we'll all be wearing when the summer months arrive.
I for one wouldn't mind spending those months clad in the latest Joseph Abboud offering.
Like many of his contemporaries for SS12 Abboud is inspired by the notion of journeying and exploration - It is both relaxed and rugged, through his use of deconstructed tailoring, yet highly luxurious thanks to the lightweight fabrics and rich colour palette.
Highlights for me come in the form of a fantastic suede, rather 70's, safari shirt and a beautiful blue Dupioni silk, shawl collar dinner jacket.
Do scroll down and a have gander.

Images were sourced from Abboud's own website where the rest of the collection can be seen.

Quote of the Week #27

"Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing"

Alexander Wang

Great quote from American fashion designer Alexander Wang, made all the more pertinent whilst I read the GQ 50 Most Stylish Men 2012. One wonders how they dress away from the camera, Perhaps their style accolade maybe ever so slightly tarnished

Sock It To Me Again

What goes into a gentleman's shoe is arguably just as important as the shoe itself and so following on from last week's Best Foot Forward post I am today bringing you a selection of the finest foot wrappings currently available.

Get ready to brighten up your nether regions.....again.

1. Burlington Manchester Argyle Sock - £12
2. Pantone Chunky Sock - £10
3. GANT Stripe Sock - £20
4. Paul Smith Multi Stripe Classic Sock - £17
5. Richer Poorer Men's Elder Sock - £10
6. Corgi Thick Fair Isle Sock - £18
7. Richard James Ribbed Cashmere Sock - £25
8. Bresciani Ribbed Knee Length Cotton Sock - £20

Best Foot Forward

I am currently on the hunt for a new pair of shoes but am rather stumped as to which I should purchase. So whilst I'm deliberating here are a few of my favourites on the market at the moment. Feel free to recommend.

1. Grenson Suede Penny Loafers - £170
2. Kurt Geiger Wenham Suede Tassel Loafers - £110
3. Trickers Sloane Tassel Loafers - £325
4. O'Keefe Burnished Leather Wingtip Brogues - £395
5. Car Shoe Classic Driving Shoes - £240
6. ASOS Suede Brogues - £45
7. Dr Martens Original 3-Eye Shoes - £80
8. Paul Smith Dip Dyed Leather Brogues - £247

Click the image for closer inspection.

Polite Prorsum

Having recently started working for British luxury brand Burberry I feel I am honour bound to promote their latest Prorsum collection however with it being so fantastically strong I would be doing regardless of them paying my wages.
The collection is based on the notion of The Gentleman and his polite and well mannered nature. The various ensembles from Chief creative officer Christopher Bailey most definitely lived up to the title.
A concotion of town and country the collection sees a medley of fabrics from rustic tweeds to lush velvets in the form of body skimming suits and various outerwear styles - almost everything ive ever wanted from life really.
Slight hints of drole with a nod to rural England came in the form of animal heads embroidered onto shirts and appearing on the end of some magnificent umberellas.
One cannot wait to take advantage of employee discount!



P.S. Not normally one to end on a sour note but one item Mr Bailey can keep for now is the cropped puffer, a silhouette we first saw in Burberry Prorsum SS12, most definitely not to my taste, perhaps I'll warm to them.

Ted's Illustration

It's quite some time ago now that I first saw the work of Ted only because the lovely Manchester based artist/illustrator asked to sketch myself.
Her weapon of choice is the pencil and she's rather bloody good with one. The works below come from her Portraits series, the series I am featured in, but she also has some rather good fashion illustrations too and the best part is it's all for sale should you like her work as much as I do.

All her work can be found here so do take a look.

Umit Benan A/W 2011-12

With a new year upon us I feel it is nigh time that I begin looking forward therefore with this post I put to bed Autumn/Winter 2011-12.
So as a fond farewell to a season full of fantastic tailoring and for those that haven't yet seen it I introduce one of my favourite collections from the aforementioned season brought to us by a Mr Umit Benan.
Inspired by fictional character Patrick Batemen from Easton Ellis' American Psycho, (which just so happens to also be one of my favourite books) the collection is a mix of incredibly sharp coats and jackets softened through his implementation of pleated trousers and paperbag waists.
Below are just a few of the key looks.

The rest can be found here.

Quote of the Week #26

Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul.
Mark Twain

A lovely thought from Mr Twain however it is my belief that one should always strive to keep both in order.

The Man In The Red Suit

With a certain Mr Claus' iminent visit one thought one would pay homage to the jolly old man in red by taking a look at some other rather jolly ensembles in one of this season's most popular colours.

Viktor & Rolf

Paul Smith

GANT

Burberry Prorsum

Rag & Bone

Dior Homme

To see see how I like to wear red please click to my previous post on Peregrinator's street shot.
Images courtesy of Style.com

Oh and have a very Merry Christmas!

Hats Away

With the recent inclement weather we've been experiencing here in Blighty it has been quite necessary to wrap oneself up tight. That I can manage, but there is one part of winter dressing that leaves me quite literally cold; it is the simple skill of wearing a hat. The sad fact of the matter is I just cannot carry one off.
It may have something to do with the large circumference of my cranium but whatever the reason I just look ridiculous in one however that isn't to say you gentlemen will too.
so to keep out the winter chill and damp here are a few headwear suggestions from the current 2011-2012 autumn/winter season.

Dior Homme

Salvatore Ferragamo

Kenzo

Paul Smith

Lanvin