shopping

Gentlewoman style: Atlantique Ascoli



Atlantique-Ascoli MAIN

This new shirt-centric brand is a good example of what I call ‘gentlewoman style’. The shapes are utilitarian but feminine, while the white cotton-linen fabrics nod to indestructible men’s shirts. Paris-based Atlantique Ascoli is inspired by her cache of Victorian blouses as well as Cristobal Balenciaga, which is reflected in the balloon-shaped sleeves and ruffle collars. (more…)



New-look Coach AW14 arrives at Net-a-Porter



Coach-Stuart-Vevers-AW14-RTW-netaporter

It’s crunch time for Coach. Will Stuart Vevers’ new ready-to-wear vision sell or not? (They’ve certainly spent considerable budget on the launch.) You be the judge.

Net-a-Porter has first dibs on the Coach AW14 collection
which is pitched at the more luxury end than Coach customers would expect. (more…)



Perfect pairing: Mansur Gavriel and Il Bussetto



Mansur-Gavriel 3 Il-Bussetto-Card-Holder

Could there be anything chicer than vegetable tanned leather right now? Those saturated colours, that unmistakable polish? Mansur Gavriel thinks not. The brand is all the rage at the moment, for its pared-back totes and bucket bags. This article in the LA Times last week explains its success. Simple, modern shapes, a reasonable price point and their signature contrast-coloured innards contribute, but the leather is a key factor. (more…)



Slippers for hipsters: Mahabis



Mahabis

I stumbled on these Mahabis slippers via a Facebook ad of all things. But I think they’re really cool.

After being subjected to three ‘aging raver’ DJ types having a serious discussion about slippers a while ago, I said ‘someone needs to hurry up and exploit this market’. I was thinking along the lines of Stussy, Junya or Nike even, the brands that people of my generation grew up with and respect, because we want comfy slippers, but we also still love our credible brands and aren’t ready for Bhs.

While we wait for Stussy et al, in stepped Mahabis. Just launched this summer, these indoor-outdoor slippers look like a hybrid of old school Keds, felt Birkenstocks and those neoprene sock shoes you wear on the beach. (more…)