L'Estrange

This is one piece you will not be wearing to the gym. Hopefully. I saw L'Estrange in some press last week whilst flicking through a publication last week - I have no idea which one and couldn't find it again. However, William Green, one of the guys behind the brand reached out to LSoD earlier this week which was a quirky coincidence by any means. Like many people who create successful products, whether clothing or otherwise, have sought to improve an existing item - who has ever picked up/eaten/worn something and thought, 'this is just perfect'? They could not find the right hoodie with the perfect fit, material or style that can take them from dawn to dusk and so created this impressive, and highly desirable range.

The Hood is manufactured in Europe using super-soft loop back cotton jersey, which for me is the ultimate fabric to use, and each one is lined with contrasting cotton fabric ranging from striped shirting to bold prints. Taking influence from the suit jacket, the tailored cut sit neatly on the shoulder with a slimmer-fit around the body and arms. In addition to this tailored hybrid, the hoodies one has two inside pockets as well as a single outside breast pocket; the pocket bag of which, doubles as a pocket square for a more sartorial look.

Thankfully, not just content with focusing on the details of the cut and fabric,  all the hardware is custom made in Italy. The zips are finely polished for a smoother mechanism and high-shine finish and matching cord ends are moulded in solid brass for a heavier weight and opulent aesthetic. Going back to the prints, which I favour the paisley over the striped shirting; the classics will carry through each season and consist of neutral coloured hoods with traditional understated linings. Where as the prints will use limited runs of eclectic and vibrant patterned fabrics sourced from around the world to make this not only a wardrobe staple but a luxurious one too.

 

To view the whole L'Estrange collection, including more printed lined ones, click here and whilst your at it, like them on Facebook and follow on their Twitter.

 

LA Diary: Crooks and Castles SS13

I have been seeing a lot of bandanna, Mexican and the more prominent tattoo trend for quite some time now and Los Angeles based, Crooks & Castles is deeply rooted in street culture to adopt these looks with credibility. It's a brand that has seen a big growth in its home town (if you can call LA a town) and their SS13 look book shots and collections shout about their influences with gusto. From the alleys of Downtown LA, to the block of Fairfax, and even to the streets of Venice, Crooks stay artistically and culturally enriched. This preview of what is to come from Crooks & Castle's Summer '13 Collection includes bandanna prints, serpent influence, and luxury wovens. Whilst I am not a big fan of the logo emblazoned on my torso, as in the polo below, it looks great in an urban way away from the Polo fields of Beverly Hills and I would readily shop the whole collection. Prevalent on social, with their Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, you can shop their offering here...

John Lewis x London Collections: Men

It seems today is the day for London Collections: Men announcements as John Lewis has just announced it will join the London Collections: Men events schedule this June. The department store, probably my favourite multi-national, will also become an official supplier for this major menswear showcase. The department store will showcase the Spring Summer 14 collection of its covetable John Lewis & Co private label, which has been a massive success for them. It will all be styled by super stylist Stephen Mann, and will no doubt include male supermodel Johnny Harrington  - above - who got the Daily Mail all a chatter with their redefinition on masculinity. Whilst I could give you a potted trend history of why; beards and Scandi influences, the launch of KIN, a contemporary edit of Scandinavian inspired staples, and the evolution of John Lewis MAN has really redefined what the brand is all about. Welcome aboard John Lewis...!

Dolce & Gabbana x British GQ x LC:M

Yesterday it was announced that Dolce & Gabbana will be showing at the London Collections: Men in June but this morning the plot thickens. On Saturday 15th June 2013, Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana and Dylan Jones, the Editor in Chief  of  British GQ, will celebrate the opening of  the fourth Dolc & Gabbana boutique in London with of course, a party, where the Tailoring Collection for men will be presented. Exciting, no? The store, proposed for 53-55 New Bond Street is destined to mix both Italian and English sartorial traditions meet in a store that is fresh, creative and exclusively designed with London in mind. The current stores around the city have long been decadent and Sicilian inspired destinations so it will be interesting to see what Domenico and Stefano come up with.

Retrousse x Jonny Burt

Good afternoon, it's been a little manic at LSoD Towers of late but I had to squeeze in some time to tell you about this t-shirt from Retrousse. Just released, the artwork is by Jonny Burt, an illustrator and all round creative (an model) which through it's dark urban visual is a comment on a very modern issue. Why? Because Retrousse has teamed up with Beat to raise the issue of anorexia and other eating disorders and with 20% of profits going to the charity, the £35 t-shirt is not only a style but also social statement. Jonny Burt is quite the rising star in his field and his gritty handwriting is attracting the right attention, and you will see a bit more of him on LSoD shortly...

Jimmy Choo Mens Flagship

A lot of bloggers have a rule that they won't post about an event that they were not invited too. Well, I was invited to the the Jimmy Choo Men's launch of their new flagship store at 35 Dover Street, London last night however I was still at my desk by the time it had started. It was attended by the creme of menswear press and insiders (bar me, of course) but enjoy the shots below. A masculine colour scheme of black, charcoal and silver is punctuated with highlights of red.   Slick finishes of black marble and leather are complemented with textures of felt, velvet and tweed. Vintage furnishings provide a 1960s retro edge to the modern interior and highlights include a marble topped, antique mirror edged working bar located on the lower ground floor. The store replaces the existing Jimmy Choo men’s store in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade allowing more space to showcase the growing collection for men across shoes, bags, belts, scarves and small leather goods and tell the brand story.

From LEft: Nick Bain of Bainser, Niel Thornton of Selfridges and Jonathan Daniel Price, photographer. 

Nick Carvell, Online Fashion Editor of GQ

Left: Luke Ross and Jenny Lau of Harvey Nichols' Social Team

Gareth Scourfield and Teo Van Den Broeke, of Esquire.