A football collaboration on a Global scale – Puma’s limited edition Evospeed football boot

imageIn a summer when football becomes the topic of conversation around the world, evoSPEED one of Puma‘s most innovative football boots, gets a street and fashion inspired makeover. PUMA have teamed up with a handful of their most prestigious partners to create four different takes on this modern classic. BAPE, COLETTE, ALIFE and KITH have all interpreted the boot in their own unique style. evoSPEED enables a quickness of movement through some of the most innovative performance technology in football, while the fashion and street collaborations are true to PUMA’s creative vision.

The PUMA evoSPEED is an optimised blend of light, fit and flex which maximises performance without sacrificing stability and comfort on the football pitch. Each collaborative take on the evoSPEED is sensitive to the boots original purpose; each pair of boots will come with a co-branded boot bag and there is also a collaborative football jersey to round out each partners offering.

As a result of the evoSPEED’s arresting design it is immediately clear which boot belongs to which partner. The all-over camo print make up is quintessential BAPE, whilst two of the other models see the KITH and ALIFE logos loom large amongst a sea of arresting repeat print. In contrast, and in keeping with their clean image, Colette explore colour graduation through the considered application of their signature blue to create a boot that oozes Parisian cool.

The boots, each of which feature the collaborator’s branding on the tongue, will drop consecutively throughout the month of June and July. The exclusive PUMA evoSPEED collaborations will be available at the collaborating partners’ stores and in select global performance retailers. The boots are extremely limited, so you need to be quick.

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The Force is strong in this one – #VansxSTARWARS range

Literally the buzz around the new Episode VII of the Star Wars franchise is palatable, even bordering on insane, every film magazine and website are running features on the most minute and insignificant detail. Whether it be Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) both being in the UK at the same time or a piece of at AT-AT walker being spotted in Abu Dhabi.

Now I could include such puns as, Out of the World Collaboration, Interstellar collection, taking off to a galaxy far, far away for an out-of-this-world range, but I won’t, as hard as it is. Simply, the Vans x Star Wars collection introduces a six-piece collection from Classics. Aligning with the Dark Side, Vans introduces two colorways of the Authentic featuring Boba Fett and Stormtrooper characters. The Boba Fett camo color-up compliments the bounty hunter’s disguise alongside the Death Star, Darth Vader and the Stormtrooper to paint a dark scene of the evil Empire. The second style surfaces in the Stormtrooper bandana print that mashes up one of Vans’ archived patterns with the Galactic Empire’s henchmen for a discreet, all-over arrangement. Yoda brings balance to the Force with his special takes on the Authentic and Sk8-Hi Reissue. Blended with Vans’ Hawaiian pattern and images of Yoda, the peaceful aloha motif covers the uppers of the low top and hits each quarter panel of the high top. As a tribute to the original film, Vans pairs the Classic Slip-On with the 1977 poster artwork from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and showcases the Era in comic-book style graphics from vintage Star Wars merchandise. Young Padawans and small Sith lords, sorry a lease in the force,  can enjoy the collection as well with kid and toddler-sized shoes featuring the Yoda-inspired art and comic-book graphics as well as two kids-specific Stormtrooper and Darth Vader prints.

The men’s range highlights the Yoda aloha and Stormtrooper bandana prints across a selection of tees, with an addition of a cap, backpack and sock pack dedicated to Yoda’s special pattern.

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Suitably turned out for the World Cup – Marks & Spencer launch the new England Football Team suit

imageWith the FIFA 2014 World Cup little more then a month after, it’s fair to say anticipation is starting to reach fever pitch. The national treasure that is Marks & Spencer have been entrusted again to supply the official suit for the England Football Team to be worn in Brasil this Summer. Created in house by the M&S design team, Marks & Spencer has worked with The FA to develop this exclusive suit. Sourcing the finest British fabrics as well as tailor-making each suit to perfectly fit every player, the suit is designed to be lightweight and comfortable to wear in the hot temperatures in Brazil.

The grey Autograph suit is cut from light and breathable English wool and mohair fabric and features special details; an embroidered World Cup Winners star on the inside envelope pocket, the England crest on the Autograph label and a patriotic red, white and blue sleeve and pocket lining.

Celebrating six years as Official Tailor to the England Team, M&S has been supplying their formalwear wardrobe since 2007. Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington says, “With qualification secured to the World Cup, one of the most exciting parts of planning for the tournament is always the team suit and this has been no exception. We are delighted with what has been created for the team and staff to wear.”

It’s Magic -Stone Island Marina

imageRemember the Hypercolour T-Shirts of the 1980’s, they started off one colour then as you warmed up, or simply with body heat they changed to a different one, yeah they were all the rage. That was until it was you wore it and the first area to change colour was you armpits, which just highlighted something, which really didn’t need a big colour changing  arrow to point it out.

Anywho, the technology behind this has moved on in leaps and bounds and luxury Sportswear brand Stone Island are implementing it in a whole new way within their new Stone Island Marina range. It’s described as, “A meeting point between the Sports look and total relaxation.”

The technology used with this range on waistcoats in fine cotton muslin changes colour according to the temperature. The molecules of the micro coloured pigments encapsulated in the fabric changes colour gradually as the temperature rises, changing the shade of the jackets. Plus to make this a little more technical and a ravers delight, glow in the dark details have been used on the detailing, piping and print.

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Orla & John, a match made in Collaboration heaven – John Lewis X Orla Kiely

imageAs part of the landmark celebrations around John Lewis’ 150th birthday this year, You surely can’t have missed that TV Ad by now ? The department store is collaborating with world-renowned designer Orla Kiely on her debut menswear collection. The monumental celebrations, which will see exclusive collaborations by the likes of Barbour, Levi’s and Hackett, amongst others across the retailer and will cement 150 years for John Lewis at the pinnacle of British ‘shopkeeping’.

Internationally lauded for her striking prints and use of unique motifs and textures, the 19 piece range takes inspiration from the 1950’s Mediterranean styling from film, The Talented Mr Ripley. Featuring printed shirts, cotton poplin shorts, swim shorts, pigment washed jersey sweatshirts and a range of accessories including caps, belts and canvas beach bags, the collection features colourways from the designer’s signature ‘Stem Print’ palette in mustard, brick red and elephant grey. Anchoring the collection are two classic prints from the designer’s archive – ‘Sea Sketch’ in navy blue and ‘Ditsy Regatta’ in grey and brown – each in an illustrated, hand drawn style.

“For my debut menswear line I wanted to create something true to my established design signature – versatile matching sets that achieve a clean, confident and contemporary look. Working closely with the John Lewis team from start to finish has made the process an absolute joy. Happy Birthday John Lewis!” Says Orla Kiely