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...