Cole Haan x Harrods – American Shoe Label Launches in Harrods

by Keanu Adorable

Inspired by the motto “Manhattan to Maine, Invention and Reinvention”, the Chicago founded footwear label, Cole Haan recently dropped its new Spring 18 collection, and it’s a quality line up. The company launched in the UK last year and continues its expansion through the UK’s finest department stores with a new collaboration with Harrods. The brand’s showcase in Harrods is located on the Lower Ground Floor of the Men’s Shoe Salon. It features panelled surfaces in gunmetal blue and fittings wrapped in charcoal grey leather to provide a sophisticated retail backdrop for the brand, which is known for its smart shoe/sneaker hybrid based on its bespoke Grand.ØS technology.

A five-piece collection, the line-up is comprised of signature styles like the ZeroGrand with Stitchlite Wingtip Oxford are presented alongside new launches such as the GrandPro with Stichlite Runner. Cole Haan’s GrandPro Tennis in black, navy, white and brown, and the ZeroGrand Wingtip Oxford in marine blue, are also available.

Grand.ØS replaces the heavy steel shanks traditionally used for support in footwear with a modern and updated cushioning compound which is stronger, more flexible and longer lasting, reducing the overall weight and slimming down the shoe’s outsole.

The men’s GrandPrø Tennis shoe weighs less than a third of the average leather court shoe, weighing in at 250 grams (based on a men’s leather court shoe in size 8.5). Other key features of the footwear are: an operating system designed to mimic the foot’s natural flexibility and light-weight foam footbed cushions which support weight distribution and moisture control.

We advise you head down to Knightsbridge ASAP as these will be snapped up sooner than later. The Cole Haan brand is also available for men and women on its UK website.

 

The Bumbag – The best retro homage accessory or tasteless NO NO ?

Now the above statement is one, pre-occupying many a hipster, trend setter and cool kid around the globe currently. Is the humble bumbag/fannypack the height of trendiness or an accessory which deserves its place in room 101 and should forgive stay there !?!? This question is as divisive as marmite or Mrs Brown’s Boys.

Once very much the laughing stock of the accessory world the bumbag, or ‘waist pack’ if you will, is back with a bang with everyone from Rhianna to A$AP Rocky trading in their arm candy for the humble bumbag.

A nineties phenomenon, the bumbag was the standard uniform of the ‘uncool dad’, overeager fitness instructor’ (google Mr Motivator), the remit of Germany or American tourists and early 90’s ravers Fast forward 20 years the latest ‘it’ bag has had a significant rebrand thanks to everyone from Louis Vuitton, Balenciga right the way through to Supreme and New Balance as the height of practical, stylish, hands free option with serious style points.

So how do you wear this mini marvel? For nineties nostalgia, wear slung low on the hips, twisted to the side or to the back for extra quirkiness. If you’re feeling brave, make like the fash pack and wear it cross body for the ultimate in street style cool. No longer limited to fitness wear, the bumbag can be teamed with jeans and a t-shirt for a laid back look or with a dress and boots to cinch in your waist.

 

Buildings upon a Legacy – Montblanc Legend Night

For over 10 years now, Montblanc has designed long lasting and essential accessories, writing instruments, watches and leather goods.

In 2011, the luxury brand embarked on a new chapter in its history, when it launched the Legend fragrance. The enviable reputation Montblanc Legend has gained is thanks to its signature scent and unique visual campaign captured by legendary photographic genius, Peter Lindbergh.

The latest milestone in the olfactory Legend journey is this new timeless fragrance, Montblanc Legend Night. This scent was created by dynamic fragrance duo, Antoine Maisondieu and Olivier Pescheux, who’s past successes include Higher by Christian Dior, Paul Smith Extreme, Gucci Rush for Men, Armani Code and Burberry Brit, so yeah quite the heritage.

The fragrance is a magnetic woody aroma, ultra-masculine in its tone, with aromatic notes of clary sage and peppermint, enhanced with cool spices (cardamom) and sparkling bergamot. The middle notes of cedar wood blend well with the floral lavender tones, a classic in men’s fragrances, and slightly powdered violet. Finally, “In the base notes, we wanted a strong and memorable signature, full of contrasts,” explain the two noses. “On one side some dense and vibrant woods with a duo of Vetiver and Patchouli Wood, and on the other, the envelopinug depth of Musk and velvety black Vanilla.”


 

Save our Polos – Lacoste X Save our species (IUCN)

WORDS BY ISAAC PERRY 

 
Lacoste known for its ever so iconic crocodile logo is coming together with the international union for conservation of Nature to create an array of new Logos highlighting some of the most endangered species world wide and through projects such as this ensuring that these animals have a place in the future of our planet.
 
The brand has created 10 limited edition polo’s, with a different animal taking the crocodile’s place. Each individual polo has been manufactured to a limited number specific to the estimated amount of animals believed to be left in existence.
 
The smallest amount being for the Vaquita (sea creature) with only 30 animals thought to be left, this animals numbers have been diminishing thanks to an up rise in shrimp fishing and the Vaquita becoming tangled and drowning with the fisherman’s nets.
With the other nine being the Burmese roofed turtle, Northern sportive lemur, Javan Rhino, Cao vit Gibbon, Kakapo Parrot, California Condor, the Saola, Sumatran Tiger, and the Anegada ground Iguana.
 
Each Polo only comes in a white colour way, all priced at $185 (£132), through buying the Polo’s you will be participating in the fight for wild life conservation, helping these animals to not become extinct. Visit IUCN’s Save our species program to find out more information into how you can help save your world. 

The Unmissable Mother’s Day Gift Guide –

Sunday 11th March should be marked on your calendar with a big red love heart encircling it. As in the UK this is earmarked as Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday. Yes that’s right a whole day dedicated to singling out those ladies that do the hardest job in world, yeah the lady that gave us life, brought us into the world, and essentially crafted us into the individual we are today. Remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the lady who gave born to us, but simply the lady we decide to call Mum, Mom, Mammy or Mother. To ensure you make sure she knows you care, take a look at these specially selected items below and go on splash out, she’s so worth it.

365 of the best loved chefs from the UK’s leading restaurants, private members clubs and 5* hotels have collaborated with CHARITABLE BOOKINGS by sharing their secret main course Signature Dish recipe to help raise money and awareness for 1,000’s of UK registered charities.

What lady can resist the charms of any Jo Malone fragrance, but Mrs Mc’s all time favourite has to be Pomegranate Noir and what’s even better is this super handy handbag travel sized version.

 

Treat Mum like royalty this Mother’s Day
Show her you care with a Fulton Umbrella. Holder of the Royal Warrant for HRH the Queen, don’t you know.

Show Mum that you really think the world of her with this Charm Pendant “HEART MUM in ROSS Gold by Thomas Sabo.

Under certain circumstances there are few hours more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”  -Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady.
Luxurious, elegant and the perfect (indulgent) treat for Mum. Hotels and eateries around the country have got incredible and creative delicious Afternoon Tea menus available on Mother’s Day, ‪Including King Street Townhouse and Great John Street Hotel.

Pure fragrances and chic packaging, Diptyque candles have been a favourite in design–conscious homes for more than 40 years. This set of three mini candles is a great way to introduce this coveted brand into your home; set includes Baies, Diptyque’s best selling candle – a bouquet of roses and blackcurrant leaves, Figuier – the warmth of fig wood, the freshness of its leaves and the milky sap prolong the pleasure of Philosykos eau de toilette. Roses – an armful of tender, changing roses that lightly evoke the world’s most universally loved flowers.

Show Mother Nature some appreciation too this Mother’s Day by giving a giftbox from Boxwild that helps birds and wildlife to thrive and survive!

Boxwild recognises the importance of encouraging wildlife conservation and have created a selection of gift boxes that are packed with nutritious seed blends, habitats, feeders and treats!From March to the end of May garden birds are in their nesting period, so it is crucial that they have food readily available to them. The Ultimate Bird Lover Hamper is sure to increase the presence of birds and other critters in your garden over the coming months.

No Mother can resist the delights of freshly cut flowers arranged into a delightful bouquet and there are some cracking deals out there at the moment including Mark & Spencer and RealFlowers.co.uk

A gift to delight any gin lover. This Marks & Spenceraromatic London dry gin No 1 spice, infused with select botanicals, perfectly combined with crunchy sea salt and black pepper cashews and roasted and salted almonds and of course very Hamper is sent out with a personal message.

This highly versatile quilted bow tote bag by Ted Baker at House of Fraser can take Mum from Day to evening seemlessly.

These beautifully lightweight and soft cotton Pyjamas by The white Company are popular come rain or shine .this set comes with a traditional collared nightshirt and pull on trousers.

Invest in a classic for her and this trench than from Jigsaw ticks all the boxes for being bang on trend, versatile and a classic.

 

Gift Set are a perfect gift and great value for Mother’s Day, Issey Miyake have a gift set available on the L’Eau D’Issey line consisting of a 50ml eau de toilette with complimentary body lotion or Jimmy Choo’s best selling fragrances Jimmy Choo Eau De Parfum and L’eau will be available this Mother’s day along with a complementary body product

This year marks the first Mother’s Day without my Wonderful, Mother, so today’s post is dedicated to this very special and much missed lady. Mum x