Layers.

The sun has got his hat on... hip hip hip - blahhh! The fickle month of April, that typically has us Brits drenched in the wet stuff and cowering under our stereotypical "Made in Britain" waxed, waterproofs. Has been replaced by a serene scene of scented carpets and our usual stagnant city air is now laced with the delicious and distinct scent of sizzling fat on smoldering barbecues. With our pagan G-D blessing our usually drizzly isles with glorious sunshine, we have come one in worshiping the sunshine. Layers have been shed, baring almost all on our tiny high-rise balconies to bathe in our pagan G-D's warm kiss.   

Though for I, the little spy, the early coming of summers bliss is bitter sweet. Bitter because I have been stripped of my final month of layering. I revel in tiers of fabrics and contrasting textures and summer prevents just that. Instead we plod along in yawn inducing tee's and knobbly knees, exposed by shorts in various shades of boring. 

Impatiently I await for autumn's return. Until then I look to Dana Lee's impeccable FW11 collection, which consists of simplistic layers of rag-knits, hopsack shirting and marino wools in the most delectable colour pallet of deep burgundies, orange rusts, lavenders and olive greens.

Pics courtesy of Dana Lee

Bag.

Ello.... Apologies are due to the lack of posts of late, my concentration lies not with the frivolous joys I daydream of, but with finding an apartment in my new home to be - London. After many torturous weeks of searching north and south of the river, I and three of my closest buds are soon to call Hendon home. It's no Dalston... Skinny-jeaned hipsters are replaced by the abundance of bagel gaffs (mmm, salt beef kosher goodness). Now that I have a place to call home - I suppose its time to find myself an internship... Yup - I plan on being someone's bitch boy, offering my skinny self for free, for 3 months... eeek!

As you lovelies know, I have been lusting over various man-bags, nothing too fussy, sissy or tactile, something sturdy and masculine to stop my pockets from jangling. I contemplated the "playing it safe" rucksack, though for fear of looking like a lost foreign exchange student, that thought was quickly dampened. So without further a due... I introduce to you, my new man-sized, man-bag - The mulberry clipper, in oak natural leather. It's a Beaut!

Shop Online: Mr Porter

Look.

I have been obsessing, with my mouth ajar (no dribble - I promise), over the cinematic brilliance that is Lykke Li's "I follow rivers". Why so brilliant, I hear you ask.... Well it's only directed by none other than, THE Tarik Saleh - whom takes the schizophrenic forms of graffiti artist, slash film director, slash animator, slash all round hero of mine - he's so dreamy (in a none perverse/homo-neurotic kinda way) when I grow up, I want to be just like him. Ooh Ahh - Enjoy.

Migrating.

Friends, readers and passers-by... I am uniting with the North-South exodus and migrating to pastures new. Exchanging the rain and benign, for a new life, a new chapter, a new beginning in the BIG smoke. I have pondered, deviated, hummed and hawed over such a move for quite some time and I have finally decided to join ranks with those thousands of wanderers, seeking our modern day holy grail - opportunity. So it's time to follow those very opportunities that I desire and crave.

Opportunity aside - "Priority", keeps rearing its sensible head (Urgh - shoo, be gone with your guilty ways!)... Sensible I am not, nor can I conform to an oppressive, killjoy of an adjective. My priorities comes not in the form of purchasing the necessities to play house (I wonder if fisher-price do an 18+ cook set), my priorities are those frivolous bits + bats which I need, ok....want, to make such a move that teeny bit more comfortable. My latest want, comes from Isaac Reina's, architectural leather tidbits. No frufru frills here people! Simplicity is king when it comes to these understated, aesthetically joyous, leather pieces. Lets take a look-see, shall we?... O and wish me luck.

My Fave

#014

Standard Week-End Bag

Full Calf Natural 

#110

Standard Satchel

Full Calf Natural

#254A

Cynlindric Coins Wallet

Vegetal Tanned Calf Natural

#254B

Cynlindric Cards Wallet

Vegetal Tanned Calf Natural

#195

Cynlindric Coins Wallet

Vegetal Tanned Calf Natural

#195B

Cynlindric Cards Wallet

Vegetal Tanned Calf Natural

Pics courtesy of: Isaac Reina

Hood.

The hoodie... the uniform of choice for a generation of disgruntled youths. A uniform that has the unassuming passersby, quicken their steps and cross the road, with heads bowed and fists clenched - as these menacing, cloaked figures approach. Like a scarlet letter, this unnatural mix of cotton + polyester, tars the hooded unknown with that which is demonic and unchaste. I confess, I am one to stereotype, uneasy I am around such caped, Reaper-esque shadows. I choose to seek cover amongst that which is familiar, or a seat close to the front of the night bus always helps in easing my suspicions (pussy!).

Though, Courtney McWilliams, the fresh face at Givenchy, is one such menswear designer that does not share such reservations. Instead she embraces in all that is thug-chic. Bold Burberry-esque prints, tracky bottoms and of course the hood, all feature heavily in her collection - a homage to the the chavy, tracksuit wearing, Staffordshire bull Terrier owning, hoodie.

Pics courtesy of: Michael Mayren

Zine.

Port magazine... The new kid on the shelf. A men's magazine that prides itself on it's IQ... A magazine, less interested in packing its pages with benign advertisements (take note Conde Naste) and where quality overrides quantity. Quality comes in the form of its contributors, from esteemed journalists, such as Jon Snow (I envy not his sheer brilliance with words, but that of his tie collection) and fashion director, David St John-James (whose simplistic, no fuss aesthetics, I have admired since his work with the Dazed group). O and what's more - Daniel Day Lewis as a contributor and on the front cover! POW - The very sound affect made by that chiseled jaw. Lets take a looky look, O and please do excuse my scribbles.

Lusting after the Ally Capellino canvas bag.

Hmmm... Those Prada Brogue's - still not sure.

Prada x Ivy League

Real men - Real clothes (As opposed to...)

Those Lapels.... Enough Said.

Something for Buckets + Spades

Single.

"Single"... The check-box I tick and the solitary ticket I purchase. I seek no pitiful "Awww",  in my life of one. No sympathetic string cortet, to serenade my request for a table for one, as I revel in all my single glory... Sharing I need not, in my life of me, myself and I. Though, selfish I am not, nonetheless - Sharing is not caring, when it comes to sweet (never salty) popcorn.

I like Colin Firth (minus the torturous self loathing and the most perfect of side partings) in the cinematic bliss of "A single man" - seek comfort in a crisp + starched, bone white shirt and a pair of Tom Ford tortoise, speckled specs. These very spec-tacular (uch - please do excuse the pun) are soon to be mine - ALL mine.

Shop online: Restir

Shop.

It's not often that we men are gifted with a concept store, distinct from the predictable units we have all grown to know and loath. All too often, our temples of sartorial grace, conform to stockpiling that which we our told to honour and obey, by the clerics of fashion.Yet, there our but a few whom dare to not play along to the same hymns of an orthodox playlist. One of a Kind, is one such concept store, that acts as a haven to the discerning gentleman. A haven of unique goodies, that make you wanna scream hallelujah.

I had a little natter with the folk behind the concept, to gain a greater insight into the store and the creator... Enjoy.

Whats the story behind your concept store, One of a Kind?

After returning to Australia in 2001, from living overseas. I noticed a gap in Sydney - there were no stores like the ones I had been shopping in. So in 2002, I opened my first store, "Our Spot", then in early 2010, I opened One of a Kind. I wanted to open a little neighbourhood menswear store, stocking Australian designers, second hand pieces and accessories. The space became available, the vine was in bloom and it was open 3 days after I came up with the concept.

When buying pieces for the store, what's the single most important factor? 

These Days, price has definitely become an important factor, though, aside from that, the story behind the brand is important to me and I buy the pieces that I like.

What can we expect from One of a Kind in future months?

This month we see the exciting arrival of the AW11 collections. Further down the track I'll be working with many labels to feature shop-in-shops. I've also got some interesting window displays planned and another group of art shows in November.

Looking into your well groomed crystal ball... what do you see as the next big trends we folk should be on the look out for?

I think the next trends to come through, are beautiful tailoring, organic fabrics and colours. One label using organic fabrics is Dana Lee - this combined with Dana's impeccable designs makes it definitely a label to watch.

What was the sole thing that gravitated you to wanting to work in fashion?

Skateboarding.

Casting your mind back, what's the earliest piece of clothing you remember wearing as a child?

When I was five, I had a cool pair of Adidas Roma's.

What was the last item you purchased, your most coveted item in your wardrobe and what have you been desperate to get your mitts on?

Last item purchased, J Crew dessert boots... Fave wardrobe item - Rag & Bone Work Jacket and I am desperate to get a Isaac Reina Wallet and Buttero sneakers.

Finally, what's your biggest Fashion NO!?

Ugg Boots outside of the house.

BIG thanks to the beauts at One of a Kind + watch this space for the eagerly anticipated online shop.

Feathers.

Ahhh - Peacocking... The pick-up-artists law of attraction, adopted by 30 something - 5ft nothing PUA's. Whose mating calls, comes not in the form of the sweet sounds of good ole fashioned charm and whit, but that of its eccentric, uniform of choice. "Picture me", is fashions desperate plea for attention, a call for attention by those desperately seeking the adulation of the street-style twitcher. Gone are the days when a simple rustle + flutter, of a cleverly placed feather had those Cannon's snap, snap, snapping and so the effortless is now void. Replaced by a hybrid plumage of excessive colour, disproportionate layers and schizophrenic textures. All to keep the voyeurs content

With my feathers looking a tad worn and muted in comparison, I seek a dash of colour from the Danish lovelies at Mismo, whom appreciate the simplistic and shy away from the overdone.  

Mismo Backpack - Curry/Brown

Pics courtesy of: Mismo

Shop online: Mismo

Sublime.

Man About Town starring Kilian Martin from Atelier Franck Durand on Vimeo.


Sublime... In every sense of the word. Enjoy...

BAH.

BAH! HUMBUG! Were the defeatist words I croaked in a morning haze. Caffeine and nicotine, simultaneously slurped and inhaled, are my pick-me-ups on a dank Thursday morning. A morning when fashion has come and gone and creative stimulation comes in the form of which of my assorted Tupperware containers, should have the dutiful honour of housing a rather limp looking salad. A sprightly kick of energy, induced by my morning rituals, dampens my pessimism, as our next fashion installment is just a hop, skip and a jump away - Hooray! 

A season hijacked by Suiting and the foe I fear the most... The boot - whether military, desert, docs or hiking. I find comfort in a suit free James Long's collection, which featured fuzzy mohair knits, cozy structured outerwear and polka dots - my favourite kind of dot. As for the boots - we will just ignore those (Shoo - be gone with you!). 

Pics courtesy of: catwalking

Faux.

Ahh... "MAN" day, THE day, a day in which we men can call our very own, during a swollen calender, dripping with billowing chiffon, the silkiest of silks and luminous prints. This day, is a day in which we celebrate the new and emerging talent, typically ignored on fashions four stop tour, where an old world of established traditionalists weave a PR web (of freebies) too potent for the Conde-Naste elite & Co to resist.

Forget freebies, tis the season to be furry... Well, according to Gordon Richardson. Topman Design, the first of the shows at the dedicated MAN day at London Fashion Week, was a collection of fur coats and no nickers... Literally and figuratively. Nickers neatly tucked to one side, Fur and fox stoles draped on fresh faces were all too much of a distraction from the collection at hand. Topman + fur!?!?! Nah... Still confused. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the furriest things in life (maybe a tad less then Bryanboy), though not, fur for fur sake. A collection that prides itself on affordable price points, will see those furry critters breath a sigh of relief, as they are likely to be replaced by faux, synthetic fakery. Fur aside, the collection tantalises the thrifty shopper with 50's suiting, an exciting variation of lapels and collars, box shaped outerwear and a plethora (my new BIG word) of herringbone.  

 

Pics courtesy of: GQ

i.

Shirt: Vintage Ralph Lauren
Sweater: Vintage
Trousers: American Apparel
Shoes: Bass
Socks: American Apparel
Specs: Oliver Peoples

Awkward and stiff I am, in front of that, that never lie's. I the little spy, dyspraxic (or so I think) from limb to limb. Is driven to deceive the capturing eye, a stubborn eye that fails to make the teeniest of tiniest exceptions....Pfff - Who am I kidding, awkward and Stiff Is me and awkward and stiff I shall always be.