Posted in apparel, British, designers, tartan, tagged 2009, apparel, bespoke, British, classic, English, Fall 2009, fashion, jacket, Paul Smith, RTW, runway, show, tartan, WWD on January 25, 2009 |
Paul Smith always stands for color, pattern and cheek; but since so much of his tailored clothing this season was cut from conservative fabrics with gray or brown backgrounds, what was under the jacket became the statement maker. Sportswear came in corduroys, stonewashed black denim and lots of tartan, especially Black Watch. Foulard print scarves were layered for a bohemian effect.
Posted in accessories, apparel, British, designers, fashion, store, tagged Alfred Dunhill, apparel, British, classic, Dunhill, English, fashion, footwear, heritage, history, jacket, made, quality, store on January 23, 2009 |
Kim Jones, Dunhill’s creative director, will put his vision of a modern Dunhill on the Paris menswear catwalk at the Maison de l’Architecture on Sunday. (Chris Moore/Karl Prouse)
It is England, 1914. Imagine Alfred Dunhill dashing along in his motor vehicle at a daring 12 miles an hour, his eyes flicking to his rose gold stopwatch, tooting his four-note horn, the entrepreneur in a leather coat with matching goggles. And all these magnificent pieces designed by himself.
The heritage of Dunhill is so broad and so British: from its beginnings with the birth of the car to creating luxury accessories for motorcycling, aviation and the oh-so-fashionable smokers in the Roaring Twenties.
“This is from the 1920s – from the collaboration with Japan,” says Kim Jones, 32, Dunhill’s creative director, who will put his vision of a modern Dunhill on the Paris menswear catwalk at the Maison de l’Architecture on Sunday.
Jones was referring to a dynamic and ergonomic range of travel bags in wood-grain leather. But it would be a stretch to guess that a pen case from the 1920s had been the inspiration. (more…)
Posted in accessories, British, fashion, tagged Bamford, Bamford & Sons, bespoke, best, British, classic, Daytona, English, Explorer, fashion, GMT, made, master, Milgauss, Rolex, submariner, watch, yacht on January 16, 2009 |
THE CUSTOMISATION PROCESS
AT BAMFORD & SONS, WHAT STARTED OUT AS A BASIC BLACKENING PROCESS, HAS NOW BEEN ENHANCED BY A NUMBER OF ‘SECRET’ FORMULAE AND IS NOW PERFECTED AS A HIGHLY ADVANCED MILITARY GRADE COATING.
THE SCIENCE OF PVD OR ‘PHYSICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION’ IS HIGHLY TECHNICAL. THE RESULT IS A STUNNING, ALMOST’ DIAMOND HARD’ FLAWLESS COATING. FURTHER CUSTOMISATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF BESPOKE DIALS, LUMINESCENT INDICES AND CASE ENGRAVING.
THE COMBINATIONS OF DIAL COLOURS, LUMINOUS PAINT AND THE ABILITY TO HAVE UP TO 8 CHARACTERS OF YOUR OWN TEXT ON THE DIAL OF YOUR CUSTOMISED ROLEX, ENSURES THAT EACH FINISHED TIMEPIECE IS A HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE ONE OFF PIECE.
Posted in autos, British, Icons, tagged 4 wd, 4wd, army, British, defender, English, land rover, military, safari, tomb raider, vehicle on January 13, 2009 | 1 Comment »
The last pic is of the Land Rover specially equipped for the film Tomb Raider.
Land Rover is not just a vehicle, it is an institution. Conceived as nothing more than a short-term stop-gap, it went on to break records worldwide and to become the definitive 4WD brand. Production of the model now known as the Defender began in 1983 as the Land Rover One Ten, a simple name which reflected the 110 inch (2.794 m) length of the wheelbase. The Land Rover Ninety, with 93 inch (2.362 m) wheelbase, and Land Rover 127, with 127 in (3.226 m) wheelbase, soon followed. Outwardly, there is little to distinguish the post-1983 vehicles from the Series III Land Rover. A full-length bonnet, revised grille, plus the fitting of wheel arch extensions to cover wider-track axles are the most noticeable changes. Mechanically the Ninety and One Ten were a complete modernisation of the former Series platform.
Land Rover Defender vehicles have been used extensively by many of the world’s militaries, including the US in some limited capacity, following experience with the vehicle during the first Gulf War, where US forces found the British Army’s vehicles to be more capable and better suited to operation in urban areas and for air-lifting than the Humvee. The British Army has used Land Rovers since the 1950s, as have many countries in the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Defender is still largely hand assembled, and unlike most modern cars and trucks, all the major body panels and sub-assemblies simply bolt together. A Defender can literally be broken down to its chassis with simple hand tools — there is no unibody structure. At present, the Defender does not reach the safety requirement for the USA, and only small batches of specially modified (and very expensive) vehicles have been sold there in the past.
Posted in apparel, British, films, Icons, tagged 007, apparel, Bond, British, casino, Craig, Daniel, dress, English, fashion, gadget, James, James Bond, like, live, movie, of, Quantum, Quantum of Solace, secret agent, solace, spy, travel on January 11, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Bond Lifestyle provides a stylish and clear online guide to products related to the world of the most suave secret agent, Bond… James Bond. Find inspiration to improve your style, complete your 007 collection, get ideas for your James Bond theme party, or identify gadgets, cars, clothes, accessories and locations that you saw in the latest Bond movie Quantum of Solace.
Posted in British, footwear, store, tagged bench, bespoke, best, boot, British, buy, classic, English, fashion, footwear, hand, John, last, Lobb, made, made to measure, maker, quality, royal, shoe, shop, store, warrant on January 9, 2009 |
At John Lobb they like to say that comparing ready-made footwear to made-to-measure footwear is “like comparing chalk to cheese.” With Royal Warrants proudly displayed, the legendary shop in the shadow of St. James’s Palace is a treasure to behold and a mecca for those who can afford and appreciate the finest English footwear. There’s a great old story at Lobb about a customer many years ago- he waltzed into the shop with an elephant’s ear over his arm requesting that Lobb make him a pair of shoes. They did.
Posted in British, designers, fashion, tagged 1960s, 1970s, Abbey Road, album, apparel, bespoke, Bianca Jagger, British, celebrity, cover, English, hand, jacket, made, maker, Mick Jagger, quality, Rolling Stones, savile row, story, suit, tailor, The Beatles on January 8, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Tommy Nutter will always be known as the flamboyant bee in Savile Row’s stuffy bonnet. It was the late 60s, and narrow suits ruled the day. Trained as traditional tailor, the sexy and innovative Nutter was not happy following the status quo of Savile Row and literally took matters into his own hands.
He created a sensation with his bold, signature look- wide shoulders and unapologetic lapels. Nutter became the darling of the celebrity scene- clothing the likes of Mick & Bianca Jagger, Elton John and The Beatles.
His influence can still be seen today, through a legacy of apprentices who trained under him, and in the young new designers of today who are discovering his work. Tommy Nutter has forever left a mark on Savile Row, and defined a moment in time when bigger truly was better.
Posted in British, films, Icons, tagged actor, Alfie, best, British, classic, fashion, film, Gangster, Get Carter, great, greatest, Michael Caine, movie, music, Roy Budd, score, Sir, soundtrack on January 7, 2009 |
If your knowledge of Michael Caine is limited to Dirty, Rotten, Scoundrels - then you don’t know Jack about Caine. To get a true picture of the man you need to go back, way back - 1971 to be exact.
Michael Caine played sexy, smoking, drinking, shotgun-toting, trench-coat wearing British mobster – Jack Carter, out to avenge the death of his brother. Get Carter is widely considered to be one of the greatest British films ever made. Michael Caine’s steely performance and strong, sexy looks are spot-on, and visually the film is a sartorial splendor with clothing and furnishings that look like they’re straight from Savile Row.
All of this is underscored by Roy Budd’s legendary and innovative soundtrack. Budd incorporated sound effects from the movie (the famous train scene) along with the music – something no one else was doing. Altogether, it’s a masterpiece and by all means required viewing.
Other great Caine films include The Ipcress File (1965) and Alfie (1966). So if you please, put aside Blame it on Rio and get acquainted with the classics. You’ll never think of Sir Michael Caine the same way again.
Posted in apparel, British, tagged Belstaff, British, jacket, shearling on January 5, 2009 | 3 Comments »
I’ve been looking for the perfect shearling jacket. Call off the hounds. The search is over- the Belstaff M.C. Jacket. Founded in England 1924, Belstaff was the first company in the world to use the fabric that is now commonly known as “waxed cotton”. The fabric was woven from a very fine Egyptian cotton that is treated with natural oils, making it totally waterproof (well, the only thing totally waterproof is a duck…) yet still breathable and comfortable. Belstaff became specialists at crafting the finest-quality technical apparel, footwear and accessories for motorcyclists, aviators, the military and outdoorsmen alike.
Their legendary “Trialmaster” jacket has been worn by serious motorcyclists for generations, and popularized by cultural icons like Steve McQueen and Che Guevara. Belstaff continues to lead innovation in technical fabric and garment technologies. In 1970 they introduced the “XL500″ jacket, which continues to be their top seller, made of Belflex- a highly durable and totally waterproof fabric. In 1999 Belstaff introduced Ironguard- a fabric that protected against impact, tearing, high and low temperature, and radiation. Like that isn’t enough- in 2003 they collaborated with an Italian textile company to create Balistic fabric. Unbelievable. Like their logo, they truly are a Phoenix rising that constantly evolves, innovates and inspires.
Posted in British, motorcycle, tagged British, motorcycle, triumph on January 4, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Replica of the Triumph Metisse desert racer owned and raced by the famous Steve McQueen during 1966 and 1967. He was a keen motorcyclist and raced it in the Mojave desert. The bike weighs 300 lbs dry and has a Triumph 650cc 6T engine developing a power of 47 bhp. The motorbike was originally built in Carswell Oxfordshire.
Below is a great vintage video on the Triumph factory–
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