Rounding off the footwear offering is an homage to Spezial curator Gary Aspden’s upbringing as the brand brings back the Blackburn SPZL silhouette in the new ‘Ewood’ edition. The colourway takes its lead from the unreleased first round sample of the original Blackburn SPZL that generated a lot of excitement when it was revealed online. The colourway draws on the signature aesthetics of the Lancashire rose, revising the shoe with an inverted colorway based on its predecessor. The shoes feature a red suede upper, collegiate green in the tongue, and navy outsole. The foil print of the Rose below the collar of the shoe is a modern take on the graphic foil prints used by adidas on training shoes in the mid 70s.

Moving from footwear to apparel the Summer 2021 Spezial collection consists of a number of spring-ready pieces lead by the Aldrington Anorak with its signature neon pink panelling. Based on an outdoor jacket that was popularised in Japan almost three decades ago the coat comes in a generous 90s fit with details like the half waisted draw cord and Spezial zip pullers. The other jacket this season is the new rain-protective deep red Todmorden smock – another Spezial classic in the making with its oversized chest branding and array of draw cord pockets. This season’s tracksuit sits somewhere between the world of Freizeit leisure wear and vintage training suits of the late 70s – the utilitarian looking ‘Ewood’ track top and track pants come with a distinctive collar and minimalist detailing. Lastly we have the Birchall Tee along with the elegant bluebird coloured Durrington Shorts.

Words by Emma Collins

A common myth is that we only need SPF when we’re sunbathing, but skin damage is a problem even outside the beach. We are exposed to UV light all year, even on gloomy days and inside our homes because of our windows.

We may not notice this at the beginning, but the harm caused by frequent UV exposure adds up over time, increasing our chance of developing skin cancer.

Protection from UV Rays

UVA rays are more penetrating than UVB rays. They are a component in premature skin, resulting in dark spots and wrinkles since they can infiltrate the skin even deeper. Any skin cancers are often triggered by UVA rays.

The ozone layer’s degradation has raised our chance of sunburn from toxic UV rays. Sunscreen absorbs these rays, making sunburn even less likely. Men tend to overlook areas like the head, eyelids, cheeks, back of the neck, tops of the feet, and scalp. Wearing a hat is not enough. So keep these in mind to protect your skin from getting damaged.

Protection from skin cancer

It has been found that men are more likely to develop skin cancer than women, including melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer which becomes more difficult to treat in its advanced stages. This means that it could be fatal for men who do not practice any form of skin protection.

The use of sunscreen on a regular basis will minimize the risk of skin cancer by up to 50%. Men are more likely than women to develop skin cancer on their scalps and ears.

Anti-aging

It also assists in the prevention of wrinkles, age marks, and leathery, weathered skin.

The sun is responsible for 60-90 percent of aging, depending on which dermatologist you consult.

Since we are subject to the sun throughout our lives, collagen and elastin are harmed over time. Have you ever seen an older person with sagging, flat skin? This is mostly due to sun exposure. Choose an SPF sunscreen (with SPF 30 or higher) that is sustainable for you so you can use it regularly for a long time.

Fighting acne

The explanation for this is that UV light encourages bacteria to thrive on your skin. Bacteria that are normally present on your skin are trapped by your body’s oil (sebum). This mixture causes a mild infection, which results in plenty of acne.

Sunscreen will assist in this situation. It can prevent UV light from penetrating the bacteria on your skin, and certain sunscreens contain niacinamide, which helps to reduce inflammation.

Keeping an even skin tone

The dark patches on the skin from sun exposure is called hyperpigmentation. When light strikes the skin, melanocytes, or skin cells, produce and release melanin. Your body’s natural sunscreen is melanin.

Photodamage from both continuous and transient pulses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation stimulates pigment-producing cells, resulting in spots that are darker than the surrounding skin. There is no way to absolutely eradicate them until the damage has occurred. The best way to avoid hyperpigmentation and hasten its resolution is to use SPF on a daily basis.

A skincare kit is not just for women, but men as well. Men are less aware of the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to the sun, making them laxer with skincare and protection. But no one is spared from the sun’s harmful effects, so choose a sunscreen that works for you and build a sustainable skincare routine!

British Menswear Design Genius, Oliver Spencer and Italian Heritage Sportswear brand, FILA have collaborated on a sustainably produced collection inspired by over 100 years of FILA’s rich sportswear heritage taking its inspiration from Wes Anderson’s iconic 2001 classic, The Royal Tenenbaums. The collection will be exclusively available at Oliver Spencer, FILA and at MR PORTER. 

Olie will be contributing 10% of sales towards the MR PORTER Health In Mind Fund which since 2019 has provided content and fundraising initiative in partnership with Movember, developed to raise awareness around men’s mental and physical health, and is fundraising dedicated to helping men lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives

This versatile collection consists of FILA classics seen in the Hayward Jersey Jacket, Benedict Polo, and matching Ari Jersey Shorts. Harking back to the timeless style of iconic FILA tennis players from the 1980s, the collection brings an updated twist on heritage styles. Oliver uses the influence of Dapper Dan to FILA’s iconic sportswear style with his own contemporary take on lifestyle; giving the collection a fluid easy-to-wear feeling.

Sustainability has been at the forefront of Oliver Spencer’s brand for many years, this collaboration continues their efforts to produce ethically sourced, sustainable goods. Alongside this, all packaging is made from sustainable, recycled materials.

For this collection Oliver has specifically developed a terry-towel corduroy that is super-soft and exudes richness of colour. Hero pieces made in Oliver Spencer’s Auckland Navy, Auckland Red and Auckland Cream pay tribute to the classic FILA colourways seen on and off the court for generations.

“I am very excited to be working with such an authentic, heritage sportswear brand. Working together to fuse lifestyle and sportswear we have produced an exciting collection that is selling through our long-standing partner – MR PORTER. The collection feels very nostalgic, yet modern while using all of our sustainable credentials” Oliver Spencer, Founder & Owner.

Welcome to the Jam! This summer, NBA champion and global icon LeBron James goes on an epic adventure with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes in the animated/live-action event “Space Jam: A New Legacy”.

To celebrate the release Vilebrequin and Warner Bros. team up to bring you a slam-dunk collaboration of swimwear and leisurewear celebrating the hotly anticipated release of “Space Jam: A New Legacy”.

After almost 50 years of non-stop summer, Vilebrequin feels more energized than ever. It’s no big surprise when joy, freedom, and the seductive charm of St-Tropez in the 1970s are in your DNA! The other thing that keeps Vilebrequin young: a passion for playful swimwear design, faultless tailoring, and constant reinvention. From fathers and sons to women and girls, ready-to-wear and accessories, Vilebrequin has made an art out of living in the sun all year long. Driven by innovation since day one, the House is committed to developing sustainable solutions, fabrics and processes that make an impact on vacation, not on the oceans.

This swimwear line comprises matching limited-edition swimwear for men, women & kids— ideal for shooting some hoops in the pool. Once you’re done, go grab your towel, rehydrate, and talk tactics while you catch some rays.

Featuring a custom “Ready 2 Jam” print by Vilebrequin Studios, organic cotton father-kids tees, sweatshirts and baseball caps will score you some serious style points.

God rest his soul Karl Lagerfeld was a force of nature when it came to fashion. Not only was Karl a high successful designing collections for his Signature range, but for Fendi for many years and Chanel, but he was a very talented artist and photographer. The focus of today’s post is Karl as a extremely talented fragrance creator.

Towards his untimely death he launched fragrances based on some of his favourite destinations. The house offered with the release of the first two creations from a new fragrance collection that stoped off in the cities that inspired the great man. From one continent to another, the journey is full of surprises. It begins with Paris and New York, major fashion capitals in their own right, but also places that influenced the work of Lagerfeld.

First we had PARIS, 21 RUE SAINT-GUILLAUME, an Eau de parfum for women. Uniting beauty, culture and art of living like no other place, St Germain instantly captured Karl Lagerfeld’s heart when he arrived in Paris. Its unique atmosphere and way of life immediately resonated with the designer, who had chosen to make this neighbourhood the centre of his world by establishing his offices and studio at 21 Rue Saint-Guillaume.

Then, NEW YORK, MERCER STREET, An Eau de toilette for men. New York: another ambiance for another city – one with which the designer evidently shared several common values: creativity, dynamism and effervescence.

During his regular trips to Manhattan, Karl Lagerfeld loved to stay in the vibrant neighbourhood of Soho. This is where Mercer Street can be found, a unique road with an iconic hotel ideally situated among art galleries and upmarket boutiques – a perfect viewpoint that distils the vibrations of the city and its visitors.

These now classics, have been joined by Tokyo an Hamburg. Tokyo, captivated by Japan, Lagerfeld drew on this duality, where urban elation encounters the endless delights of Mother Nature. This fragrance blends notes of Citrus, Obviously Cherry Blossom and Amber.

Then Hamburg, the home of his birth, he was inspired by the German city, where he would come to own one of THE most beautiful Hamburg homes. Built in the 1920’s in the hills of the Blankenese residential area. This scent includes notes of Mandarin, mint, sage and Blond woods.

Just as iconic as his designs, Karl Lagerfeld’s sketches are instantly recognisable. Produced on grained paper and enhanced with a red frame, they feature the unique hand-signed “Karl” signature.

The bottle of these fragrances adopt these truly characteristic Lagerfeld graphic codes. Inspired by apothecary bottles, it reveals clear-cut, direct and timeless lines. The textured label is highlighted with red bears -the designer’s handwritten signature. These pure aesthetics resonate with the couturier’s constant and radical search for the essential.