Marni for H&M March 2012

JUST ANNOUNCED:

MARNI FOR H&M

MARCH 8TH 2012

It has just been announced that Marni, the Italian label founded in 1994 by Consuelo Castiglioni, is to be the next H&M designer collaboration for the high street brand on March 8th 2012. According to the announcement, 'the collection mixes Tribal prints with Bauhaus graphics in a playful, colourful way that catches the sporty but always so chic world of Marni'.

Now, that sounds like a bold collection and judging from the video released by H&M, the menswear is going to be a classic play of clean lines and a strong input of colour. The sandals are looking great - a mix of strong style and a muted sense of practicality. The fore mentioned Creative Director said, 'It is great to speak to a wider audience and in particular to the younger generations'.

 

Ralph Lauren Rugby Tweed Run London

After cycling for the first time in ten years and 12 miles later, I completed the Rugby Ralph Lauren Tweed Run on Saturday which started outside the Rugby store in London's Covent Garden. I arrived 10am, with my fold-up Brompton from Velorution (an emporium of bikes and cycling equipment on Great Portland Street), and got my registration plate and arm band which was a wonderful shade of vintage olive printed with my number and the name of the event. We bumped into Alex of Alex Loves as well as Rugby Ralph Lauren guest bloggers Steve of Style Salvage and Susie Bubble. Rugby had provided pre-run refreshments of coffee and pastries which was a welcome sight and a much needed fuel injection. Considering my lack of exercise and bike skills, this was going to be an interesting ride and one that could have proved fatal - to my pride and my bones.

 If you get a chance to get to the store, then go. It is wonderfully dressed for Christmas and does seem like a full on RL advert. And the staff are VERY attractive too.

Alex of Alex Loves looking great in a masculine tie and jacket juxtaposed her flowing pleated dress.

 Fellow rider Simran who is a medical student wearing some incredible crafted boots that he recived for his 21st birthday.

 Steve Salter from Style Salvage wearing a pair of Clarks Originals in Tweed - there is a great simplicity about these boots.

After a group photograph in front of the store, we were off on the first part of the Tweed Run which took us around Covent Garden and through to Charing Cross Road, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square, Birdcage Walk, in front of Buckingham Place - where more tourists were more taken with the Tweed Runners than one of the most famous residences in the world - Hyde Park Corner, Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, Sloane Street and Square and a pit stop adjacent to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Here we stopped for quintessential tea and cakes, plus a catch up with other runners, as well as taking part in a supporting video for the run - so watch out for that coming soon. The atmosphere at the square was immensely fun with everyone talking to everyone else, a raffle by sponsors Murdoch London with grooming prizes and a cake stand full of miniature cupcakes which went down very nicely.

The tea stop in Chelsea after about seven miles, entertained by the band. I thought the couple of the Union Flag were the epitome of vintage Brit style and the shot of the tea cups was a dramatic image that was both charming and captured the moment.

My outfit -

Orange Slim Fit Chino's

Grey Tweed Waistcoat

Cream Scarf with Orange Tipping 

All

kindly provided by Rugby Ralph Lauren

Shirt - Debenham's Made to Measure

Shoes - Clarks SS12 Mead Ride Saddle Derby's

The wonderful Erin O'Connor who I have now met three times - and thank you Ms O'Connor for the offer of a  Jaffa Cake during the nightmare of Knightsbridge traffic lights!

It was very British and after a quick sit down we headed off around the back of the hospital, through Vauxhall and through Pimlico to Belgravia for a final surprise closing event at the very exclusive Caledonia Club - complete with chandeliers, wood panelling and a portrait of The Queen over hanging the stair way. After 12 miles, a cup of tea didn't cut it so I headed for the Jonnie Walker Blue Label (another sponsor of the Ralph Lauren Rugby Tweed Run) whisky table which was an explosion of warmth and love that I really needed.

Brad, of the FYI Blog at the Caledonia Club post Tweed Run...

We took a cheeky car back to Great Portland Street to return our bikes and from there, Brad dived under the golden arches for a cheese burger and I for a caffeine injection. It was such an incredible day despite my aching body and bottom and the inability to construct a good sentence over dinner later that evening. 

Competition: Win Calvin Klein Underwear!

WIN CALVIN KLEIN

COURTESY OF URBAN ALPHA

It's coming up to Christmas and you will no doubt be thinking - or dreading - what underwear your Mum/Auntie/Dad/Santa will be giving you. Well, take controll this year and get some for yourself by entering the Last Style of Defense x Calvin Klein competition courtesy of Urban Alpha Mens Underwear.

Urban Alpha is a new designer mens underwear website that combines the built in functionality and ease-of-use of a website with a fantastic array of designer brands to constantly introduce you to the best styles of designer mens underwear, including Calvin Klein mens underwear.

So to celebrate the launch, Urban Alpha are treating ONE LSoD reader to win three pairs of one of the styles below in a colour of your choice. The competition is open from TODAY until 11th DECEMBER at 00.01pm GMT.

All you have to do is email laststyleofdefense@googlemail.com with your name and address before the closing date and I will pick one winner at random. Easy.

    

                             

 Calvin Klein CK One Low-Rise Trunk (Black, White, Grey)

 Calvin Klein CK One Trunk (Black, White, Grey)

Calvin Klein Pro Stretch Trunk (Black, White)



Calvin Klein CK One Low-Rise Brief (Black, White, Grey)

This is a sponsored post courtesy of Handpicked Media

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OFFERS LSoD READERS 20% OFF

Type november20 in the promotional code box on the final payment page and click “SUBMIT”.

Check that your discount has been applied to your order summary then click

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Here is what I would get...

Jimmy Choo York Leather Biker Boots - because it's cold outside!

Burberry Prorsum Classic Trench - because a classic never dies.

Swain Adeney Brigg Bridle Holdall - because this is craftmanship at its best!

Junya Watanabe Fair Isle Bomber - captures the American  50s trend in a seasonal way, perfect.

Dazed and Confused x St Martins Lane Hotel Vending Machine

This is such an an incredibly visionary and ingenious way to celebrate a birthday and  to celebrate 20 years of an of contemporary style, design, and popular culture; the groundbreaking Dazed & Confused magazine. To put this mile-stone into action, it was was invited to curate Morgans Semi-Automatic. Pictured above, the vending machine in St Martins Lane hotel, London, WC2 is the ultimate 21st century 24 hour distribution system for incredibly limited edition, hard to find products. 

Containing 32 items, some I have picked out below as my favorites, it is in the lobby of the minimalist lobby right now, until 10th Janurary 2012. St Martins Lane is one of the most desirable modern hotels in London situated in the heart of Covent Garden and houses New York export member's club Bungalow 8. It is a slippery slope once you get downstairs - I do not know if it is the striped walls but a hangover is guaranteed! 

Here are my picks from the concept vending machine; 

AnOther Candle

AnOther Magazine and Parisian concept store Colette have collaborated on a candle inspired by the smell of fresh magazine ink (spicy pink pepper and ginger blended with Texan cedarwood oil) - it's very sleek looking and the smell sounds interesting. 

 Fashionary x Sibling Special Boxset

Fashionary and Sibling have teamed up for a great fall collection on this limited collector’s boxsets. This special edition includes a knitted iPad pouch, Fashionary  and mini knitwear handbook. The iPad pouch is patterned with Sibling's signature red & lemon leopard print with skull graphic. Hott to trot...

Dazed/Gap/Colette Collaboration 20th Anniversary Cover Art Project T-shirts 

 A very limited-edition range of T-shirts, specially produced by GAP, and featuring reworked cover artworks by Mark Titchner - Dazed and Colette? Yes please!

Dazed/Gap/Colette Collaboration 20th Anniversary Cover Art Project T-shirts

 Featuring reworked cover artworks by Tim Noble & Sue Webster - ditto above. 

Moo Piyasombatkul Sunglasses with Noir porcelain

 This is from her second collection 'Noir Baroque' using Black Porcelain, depicting 'anger', 'Bubbly' and 'Desire' emotions, featuring 4 different vintage glasses to make every pair unique and special - I met Moo and saw her a collection couple of seasons ago and was adored with it. 

Lou Dalton Wool Mohair Exclusive Scarf

 For her collaboration with Dazed and Confused, Lou has produced a limited edition Wool Mohair Scarf. Knitwear has always been an essential part of the Lou Dalton aesthetic, this particular knit was a signature piece from Lou’s AW12 collection the two colour ombre mohair scarf has been produced exclusively for this project - this vending machine is fast becoming more expensive than a few cans of Coke. This is pretty special from one of my favourite London designers. 

 J W Anderson Exclusive T-shirts

Needing little introduction, for this project, J W Anderson produced a six exclusive T-shirts - these shots are great and hail from his AW11 collection. 

Leebo Freeman x Style Homme

Leebo Freeman in new magazine Style Homme from Vincent Ko. He is fast becoming one of LSoD's leading favourite faces.

Alber Elbaz for Lanvin x Claridge's

IT'S A FASHION CHRISTMAS 

AT CLARIDGE'S

WITH 

ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANVIN

It's Christmas! Well, not yet but 'that' advert has appeared on TV and the ever stunning, ever enchanting decorations of Claridges have gone up. Claridge’s, the Brook Street, London, W1 hotel is a buzz and hive during the festive season - I know, I used to spend a fortune in the bar a few years ago. Plus it is my favourite hotel in London - surpassing that other synonymous establishment on Picadilly - and the jewel in the Maybourne Hotel group. 

The decadent art deco hotel today unveiled the iconic Christmas tree, designed by long-time guest Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. Alber has created a dream world of colour and fantasy with his signature marionettes and at the top of the tree is a silk figurine of himself with trademark glasses and bowtie complete with the festive spirit of fairy wings and a wand. 

 It is the third year that Claridge’s has invited one of its longstanding guests to create and decorate the Christmas tree in their own inimitable style. All the decorations were made in Paris, and features around it some 'staff' of the hotel - including a maid and doorman. 


I can't wait to see it. 

Rugby Ralph Lauren Tweed Run London

This Saturday, I am very pleased to say I have been invited by Rugby Ralph Lauren to the first London Rugby Tweed Run. I was aware of the New York event that took place in Manhatten on October 15th and though it looked the best fun you could have on a bike - a comment from someone who has not cycled since I was 13 years old. So I have taken to hiring a fold-away cycle from Velorution on Great Portland Street which will compliement my look that is courtesy of Rugby Ralph Lauren. 

This is a great video with a few of the models from the AW11 look-book showing how to rock some tweed and ride a bike with style. 

But this video from the people behind the London Fashion Week newspaper, The Daily Rubbish, is a satrical and comical guide to how to prepare for the Rugby Tweed Run - I fully intened to use my breaks!

The event starts at 10am - 11am set off on a secret route - outside the Rugby Ralph Lauren store on King Street in London's Covent Garden which is just stunning housed in a beautiful Portland stone building that has some very grand entrance steps. If you are around come and support the couple of hundred people taking part including myself or follw the Tweed Run on Facebook and Twitter.

Henrik Vibskov iPad Cases x YMC

I absolutely adore these; designed by Scandinavian designer Henrik Vibskov, available at YMC, has produced a series of laptop and iPad cases including one which features his signature Napal knitwear pattern which is as simplistic as it is striking. Vibskov has also produced some wooden beaded cases which are like taxi drivers seats supports or those in my Dad's old Volvo. 

Henrik Vibskov's pieces are available exclusively to the YMC website and their great new store - which I was working around by last week -  at 23 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6PQ. 

The Indepedent i-Thursday Style Feature

I have been away for day-job work since Monday, but coming back to the office was made even better by a Tweet from Bryan Morel PR this morning that I was pictured in The Independent's i magazine.

It talks about the rise of chino's and talks about the Dockers shoot I was part of for the UK launch of the Levi's sub brand online. It is a great short article, and for 20p is great value for a take down of the news.

Once again, ASOS explores the fresh and young talent of the UK and  have once again teamed up with cult magazine It’s Nice That for the third in a series of graphics based projects.

Five graphic artists who also produce their own music have been hand picked to create a series of limited edition print t-shirts. Each t-shirt will be sold alongside an 18” record of a track produced by the artist and each record will also feature the artwork of the print created by the designer. Scroll down to explore who is involved with the project this time around and the t-shirts will be priced at £25 and are available now. 

Jim Stoten is an illustrator living and working in Suffolk, having graduated from Brighton University in 2003, he has worked for a diverse and eclectic mix of clients. 

After graduating with a 1st class hons degree, Robert Hunter has gained a reputation for his nostalgic illustration created through traditional drawing. 

Supermundane or real name Rob Lowe, Rob works as a graphic designer, artist, illustrator and art director in London. His drawings and paintings are almost all exclusively unplanned. 

Tim Moore is an English born, Australian artist who uses needle and thread on white linen to produce his work. He is renowned for the subtle and comic nature of his work. 

Chris Pell graduated from Brighton University in 2009 and enjoys fantasy worlds, alchemy and mysticism.