Woolrich Woolen Mills AW13

Back in 2006, building on the success of his Engineered Garments label, Daiki Suzuki set about bringing back an American manufacturing tradition to menswear. A wool-rich town and community was built around the activities of the mill.

The original Woolen Mill was founded in Pennsylvania in 1830. Working with original fabrics and patterns Daiki developed the brands first collection for WP Lavori (a high end men's clothiers) in Corsi, Bologna.

Since 2010, with Mark McNairy in the driver's seat, the brand has thrived and is revered for its dedication to outerwear Americana.

The garments are made to tested specifications with hidden elbow patches and re-enforced stitching for durability.

Synonymous with strong plaids and wonderful fabrics the excitement always builds for Autumn/Winter collections from these guys and this season is a strong effort.

Photo Source: Men's Reverie

Brand Watch: H&B London

Whether you like your shirt with single or double cuffs there is no denying that a pair of cufflinks denote a sense of an era gone by, the 1920's and before, when gentleman were gentleman and the debonair aristocrats of the country would head to the home counties for the weekend to get dosed up on spirited alcohol, cutting a rug into the small hours.

These days the popularity of double cuff shirts is usually retained for a business environment, but what of the humble cufflink?

I'm not a big jewellery fan even despite the recent popularity of men's beads and bracelets I'm usually only wearing a watch in addition to the typical garb. I like to keep adornments simple with clean lines and the same can be said for my shirt cuffs. I'll go for something silver in colour to compliment my watch and avoid anything too shiny. I've always found it fairly difficult to meet my requirements and consequently I only own only two pairs of cufflink to date.

When I spoke with Stephen Brister of H&B London I found a kinship. Someone who had been disappointed by the lack of quality and been thrust into making a change. It was a personal concession that forged the way for Stephen after he was left searching a lack-lustre market for a suitable accompaniment to a important social date. A fruitless forage meant that he had to enlist the services of a family member to lend a hand. This experience left a lasting impression and from this the inception of H&B was to come.

H&B aim to create something individual to be treasured, like a heirloom passed down from generations. Their artisans craft from the finest materials using vested techniques perfected over the ages. This doting and time devoted has helped to realise an incredibly simple yet handsome aesthetic.

Stephen was kind enough to give me the chance to try, first hand, what he was putting down. Given the choice I picked a geometric shape set of cufflinks, my consideration was based on what I was hoping would be complimentary lines to edges and hems in my more tailored wear. The links themselves have a brushed alloy like finish and the tough angular finishes make them a fitting addition to even busy shirt patterns.

After a week of solid wear I was clamouring over my shirts for more double cuff options to give me another excuse to take these for a spin. Now my previously unloved shirts are seeing the light of day once more and all thanks to H&B.

I was incredibly pleased with my choice and couldn't recommend more heavily checking these guys out if you find yourself in a predicament for formal attire. As well as cufflinks you will also find an accomplished range of leather goods. You can view the full collection at handblondon.com.

Sebago 'Made in the USA'

A few weeks back, the 19th July to be precise, Michigan based footwear company Sebago had a preview showing of their SS14 collection at the London flagship store on Regent Street.

Unfortunately due to personal commitments I couldn't attend but from what I hear the event went swimmingly, with champagne and oysters laid on for the do.

Sebago are a brand that I have overlooked this summer, not for any particular reason it just happened that way. Probably most notable for their 'boat-shoes' (I've put that term in inverted commas because it needs revision, yet the alternative is deck-shoe which adds 50 years to the perceived age of its wearer. Can we think of a less pretentious name?). The rest of their range had almost passed me by, but thanks to the wonderful world of Instagram I noticed a friend sporting some might fine looking green leather penny loafers which deserved a bit more attention.

I've always loved penny loafers, I love the different era's and stylish traditions they encompass. The preppy/ivy league definition and the mod culture which continue to inspire. Unfortunately because of my diminutive stature and stocky build there was only a very brief period of my life in which I was slim enough to even consider being a mod, and that faded rather rapidly to my dismay. All is not lost mind, and penny loafers are probably the most reliable pair of shoes I own to accompany shorts in summer.

This summer Sebago have introduced a 'Made in the USA' moniker to the production line. This collection is hand sewn in Maine and constructed by one of the oldest tanneries in North America, the Horween leather tanners. Their cow and horse hides are renowned for durability and comfort lasting and hard wear.

For a jazzy turn they've injected some colour and 'hey presto' a fully fledged summer swathe.

 

Patagonia: Legacy Collection

This season is a landmark one for Patagonia, a Ruby year, a 40th anniversary. For those preceding decades the brand has created wares and tools of trade for almost all wilderness pursuit, from climbing and fly fishing to surfing and recreation on the piste.

The company remains family owned and since it's coming together in the 1960's the ambition, to provide the best product at the least detriment to the environment and in turn use business to inspire and assist solutions to environmental crisis, is a mantra still etched fervently into the creative minds at its helm.

Their legacy collection reflects on the forty years past and re-imagines classic pieces with the use of new materials and techniques.

Personally I find it astounding that an isolated brand such as this, being fairly specific in it's aspiration and market, with an organic message of sustainable material and production manages to stay so relevant with so many different walks of consumer.

These new classics include, a GORE-TEX constructed cagoule, cut with a fuller shape to give the best possible shelter from the elements. Woolen bombachas or pants, a hybrid of traditional workers trousers with an adaptable three button cuff to tighten around the calf. A Re-incarnation of the traditional 'summit' backpack with plenty of room for a full family picnic or an itinerary to complete an ascent of a considerable mole hill. These items will be available in Patagonia stores in the US and their Covent Garden shop in London from September 1st. You'll also find them across selected stockists in Europe, or online at Patagonia.com.

Here you can view the rest of the collection, the original design on the left hand side and the revised design to the right of the photo. Particular reference to that devilish body warmer which is killing it!

Photo Source: A Continuous Lean

Brand Watch: Okun

After recently hyping Onia and the Spring/Summer swimwear it got me to thinking of what we Brits had to offer and what interesting brands were out there causing a stir on our rock. At my first port of call a brief scan of our Twitter followers revealed a plethora of such companies and immediately one in particular stood out.

Back in January of this year at the second installment of London Collections: Men in addition to the wide coverage of the shows, many a snazzy looking industry head were caught on the streets of London heading to and from shows and were snapped by the flocks of magazine photographers and bloggers all eager to capture some 'street style'.

From all of the pictures paraded following the event none seemed to be more prevalent than a bearded chap in a particularly exotic suit. It transpired that the suit in question was the makings of traditional African prints and since then the market has been baying for more of the same.

Okun, a swimwear brand, are running with the ball at the moment and they use a multitude of African print for their wares. The brands ethos is a care-free confidence, mixing contemporary print with classic design. Okun is a translation for the 'The Ocean' and a name decidedly befitting of such a whole hearted concept.

Like all the best swimwear brands they offer a range of lengths to their trunks as well as varied fittings like drawstring and button fastenings.

The prints are incredibly vibrant and I couldn't think of anything more congruent to a dip in the deep blue.

Here a just a few snapshots of their range, but for more you can visit their shop here.