Masterpiece SS11 Collection

Japanese luggage makers Masterpiece have a new website to showcase their SS11 collection. With a combination of variety, style and durability the collection is certainly worth a few moments of your time. Using interesting materials and colours in order to merge design with functionality, they pride themselves on the Japanese production processes of their in-house factories based in Toyoka. I have picked some of my favourite images but make sure you get over there and have a look for yourself...

Onitsuka Tiger x Koi Klub X-Caliber Pack

Onitsuka Tiger had a storming 2010, after their Friends and Family exhibition last year which showcasted a host of collaborations which have released over the last 12 months I have seen the brand gaining momentum. This X-Caliber Pack is no exception, bringing the Berlin based Koi Klub founded by young Japanese creative Yoske Nishiumi onto his 4th collaboration with the brand. They have created 2 very distinctive denim X-Calibers, both the colorways I think look great and the materials will evolve with usage most notably the denim which will fray and wear over time. I love the graduation dip dyed laces on the grey pair they really set off the accented pink sole, they will be available from SNS, Wood Wood, Colette from May 28th...

Sneakerpedia is live

Its been 6 months of hard graft but Sneakerpedia by Footlocker (of all people) is online and is already creating a buzz. A place to browse, find, discuss and generally obsess about trainers. I've already whiled away a couple of hours just having a look through the huge archive, get yourself involved its something that has been tried before but one looks like its here to stay and this is definately a step into the 22nd century of sneaker culture...

Daniel Ballou 'Cargo Containers'

Following on from the Nico Sushi Memopad earlier this month heres another little gem to spice up your work desk. Daniel Ballou is a very innovative designer using the iconic cargo container as inspiration these ceramic desk tidies really are brilliant...

May: Day Tripping

So May is here already here, it feels as if this year is passing faster than any other of my life. The recent burst into summer weather has meant I have been making many more visits to London and other venues for days out, this is my perfect outfit for this month...


S.E.H. Kelly Raglan Shirt

After my feature on this shirt earler this month I felt its place was well deserved for a day tripping outfit. The thing that makes this shirt so unique is in its build and details. I love the pin point cotton and the club collar which adds a great dimension to the shirt.

Mads Nørgaard Blue Shorts

Shorts always mark the start of the summer and this pair from Danish brand Mads Nørgaard are a great addition to the wardrobe. They are a great colour, the blue is a perfect for both smart and casual outfits and can be the accent to an outfit or merely a background. The material these are built with its soft yet hard wearing and will last for many summers to come.

Vintage Rolex Submariner

I was looking through some vintage pictures of Steve Mcqueen and noticed he was wearing a Rolex Submariner. Definately one of the best looking watches of all time, this will be on my list for a long time I feel but I will have one some day. Interestly today I saw that inventory magazine has a feature on Submariners in their latest issue, cue a online purchase!

Fuji FinePix X100

After reading a piece on Gear Patrol I have become increasingly falling in love with this camera. With the aesthetcs of a Leica without the inflated pricetag but boasting some of the best technology available this camera really packs a punch. Don't get me wrong this is not a cheap camera by any means but with looks to kill and a plethora of features its worth it.

Coca Cola 125th Anniversary Hutchinson Bottle

After the news that Pepsi have finally admitted defeat in the Cola war (and rightly so) it seems fitting to celebrate their 125th anniversary by bringng back the bottle that started it all the original Hutchinson. I have always been an advocate that Coke tastes better from a glass bottle and this is the perfect accompaniment to a hot summers day.

Band Of Outsiders Suede Jacket

I spotted this jacket last year during Band Of Outsiders preview of their SS11 Collection. It is simply perfect, unfortunately the price tag agrees with me and although it is well out of my price range it is definately one for the memory bank when the sales come around, somehow I doubt there will be any left by then.

Mark McNairy Saddle Shoes

Saddle shoes are huge at the moment and no one in my opinion is making better looking shoes than Mark Mcnairy right now. These saddles boast some amazing quality in both materials with rich suede and lovely leather and a colour combination which laughs in the face of most try hard brands, this man is on top of his game and it shows.

Wings + Horns Sneakers...

Canadian brand Wings + Horns have already impressed in the clothing market with their mix of smart/casual styling. Now they look like they are having a go at doing it in the shoe game. Although only a small preview they look like they are going at the high end of the market, the sillouettes resemble Common Projects with a twist and the quality looks superb. It will be great to see them carry this kind of quality to the release...

Gant Rugger AW11 'The New Haven Math Club'

US brand Gant is using the current preppy trend to define its heritage brand status with its Gant Rugger line. Headed up by Swedish designer Christopher Bastin in his third year at the brand. He brings his knowledge of clean design from his previous work at Acne and a true passion for classic American Sportswear and he really has created a brilliantly refined collection. With everything from lightwieght wool suits, cricket inspired heavy knits to technical outerwear I think this is a sure fire hit this Autumn...

Ronnie Fieg x Asics G-T II 'Ultra Marine'

The imperious Ronnie Fieg is back in the game this time taking a step back from the Gel Lyte III which has brought him so much praise and has taken another model from the archive. The G-T II is a great looking sillouette and using his familiar materials with both perforated and standard nubuck suede in ultra marine and aqua these look amazing. He spent 3 years working on these and it shows, more pictures via Ronnie's blog, release information coming soon...

Adidas ZX8000 Autumn 2011

I realise that the blog has been somewhat lacking its main intention in the last couple of months so here is a something new from Adidas for this Autumn. Following the same vein as Nikes foray into mixing trainers and work boots they have taken the ZX8000 and given it a make over with some serious leather and d-ring eyelets. I think they have come out really well in both cases although the red/brown leather version is far superior in my opinion, it has a more authentic theme with the mustard interior and silver eyelets...

Customised Vietnam War Zippo's

The Selvedge Yard present a thought provoking look at a collection of Zippo lighters customised by soldiers during the Vietnam War. It is fascinating to see how an inanimate object became a powerful tool in expressing the thoughts, fears and frustrations of the men at war. At the time these lighters could be purchased and customised for around a pound, unbelievable...

Cicli Montante x Maserati 8CTF

Italian bicycle builder Cicli Montante has teamed up with Maserati to celebrate their 1940 Indianapolis 500 victory in their eight-cylinder 8CTF race car. The resemblance to the original vehicle is matched in both colour and design, with the highest specification parts being used to celebrate the design prowess which the car achieved. It has to be one of the best looking bikes I have seen. I especially love the half leather bar grips, although the single front disc brake sounds slightly dangerous (maybe to mirror the dangers in the original race)...

A.P.C. x New Balance 576's

French brand A.P.C. are no stranger to collaborations and there are 2 things you can rely on in all cases, great quality and simplicity. The New Balance 576 is undoubtedly a classic shape and it shines through in the two simple premium suede colour ups. Although these probably won't jump off the page at you they are guaranteed like most of A.P.C's product line to never go out of date...

London Undercover Umbrellas

I hate to tempt fate by advocating the use of umbrellas with current talk of the summer being over already. But I will throw caution to the wind as these are really good as umbrellas go. I think the designs speak for themselves, fish and chips being my obvious favourite, subtle yet funky, available via their webstore and paper-scissor-stone...

White Mountaineering AW11 Collection

White Mountaineering are a brand who are undoubtedly on top of their game. Their preview of their Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection is testament to that. The collections as you would expect from Yosuke Aizawa the collection has distinct Japanese flair with great layering key to establishing each of the looks. The mixture between technical outerwear, traditional materials and knitwear is impressive. The pictures really don't do the show justice but the full video is available for viewing on their website...

S.E.H. Kelly Raglan Shirt

Sometimes a brand creates a piece of clothing which is literally perfect and I think this could be one of those pieces. S.E.H Kelly is a British brand who actually produce their clothes in Britain which I think is really great. Their Raglan Shirt is made from pinpoint cotton in a finer weave than usual Oxford Shirts making it perfect for the summer. The S.E.H tailors have managed to remove both the yoke and shoulder seams to create a much airier feel and in the process creating a really unique yet equally smart look. The short straight hem which hangs just over the belt line also erases that shall I tuck this is in feeling. Add to this the unbelievable details such as the rounded club collar and natural corozo buttons and you have what may well be summer shirt perfection, available in limited numbers now...

Graffiti Cocktail Shaker

If like myself you enjoy drinking (heavily is optional) then this is an essential item, I already have a cocktail shaker but I feel inclined to purchase this on the basis that it is very cool and the attention to detail that is usually lacking items like these has not been missed. Check out the little nozzle and arrow etched onto the cap it's superb. Available via Play.com...

Patta x Kangol 'Summer Of Love' Collection

While over in Amsterdam last weekend I also managed to make a pilgrimage to the legendary Patta store. It was amazing to see the store and I also got wind of their new 'Summer Of Love' headwear collection with long term collaborators Kangol. Kangol’s classic Bermuda Casual hat is the canvas for a three hat collection. They look great in 3 simple colorways with contrasting top buttons and embroidered logos. Giving me LL Cool J flashbacks, old skool...

Paladium Boots - Hidden Gems of LA

Back in September I featured the a Paladium Boots video called 'Detroit Lives'. This is another video from the exploration series this time hosted by Odette Annable of Cloverfield fame. This time the scene is Los Angeles the sprawling metropolis that brings tourists in droves but behind the scenes of the city are some buildings which although they escape the attention of many are the real gems. It really is amazing to see some of the secrets hidden inside some of these forgotten buildings...

Tenue de Nîmes Shop Amsterdam

I came back a couple of days ago from a Queens Day Weekend in Amsterdam, sufice to say it was alot of fun and games. I also managed to sneak into a couple of shops that have been on my radar for a while now. Tenue de Nîmes gained its name from the birthplace of Denim and with a title like that they are on point when it comes to jeans in fact they stock one of the most varied selections of denim I've seen in one place. They also house a great selection of other clothing, shoes and accessories. And they know their stuff, the shop has a great relaxed feel the staff are awesome. I have to say thanks to Rene for helping my spend my cash so easily, if you are in Amsterdam please go down and check it out or have a look at their newly refurbished webstore...