Oliver Sweeney pops up in John Lewis – Oliver Sweeney Shoe Tattoo pop up in John Lewis Flagship Store

Screen Shot 2013-06-03 at 19.19.35Oliver Sweeney is somewhat of a legend when it comes to Mens footwear, from the age of 16 when he ran away from home and lived for a time on the Circle Line in the London Underground, no that isn’t a mistake on my part, you read it right. This is where he saw an advert in a Shoemakers window looking for an apprentice, the rest they say is history.

Since its foundation in 1989, his signature company, has always made its own path through the industry pitfalls. With a good eye for sharp but always comfortable footwear. Built around their unique Anatomical Last, which mimics, as accurately as possible, the profile of the human foot. A celebrated design created after years of research, it’s sculpted to give support to the arch, the instep points to the big toe, like the real foot. A gentle twist through its length simulates the natural shape of the foot, and helps reduce rolling to the outside of the foot.

From now until June 24th, Sweeney has opened a pop up shop housed within one of the UK’s most well known and trusted retailers John Lewis. During this time, in it’s flagship Oxford Street store, the shop in shop will stock a wide selection of their Footwear, Outerwear and Accessories. Throughout its duration Sweeney will be bringing their unique shoe tattoo service, what tattoo a shoe ? Poppycock ! No, no Oliver Sweeney will be offering you the chance to create a pair of shoes with your own exclusive, indelible mark. Perfect for commemorating your wedding day this summer or for letting your dad know that he’s one of a kind this Father’s Day. Tattoos can be of any design, size and location, the only recommendation being to choose a tan or light coloured shoe or accessory to ensure the best outcome, but hopefully, that goes without say, yeah ? And the tattoo service will be free of charge at John Lewis with every pair of Oliver Sweeney shoes or tan accessory purchased.

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Get your motor running without overheating – Suremen F1 Special Edition

Sure_Men_Lotus_F1_GroupWith the Formula 1 season in full swing now and the British Grand Prix literally only weeks away, Suremen have teamed up with the Lotus F1 Team, to produce a complete Anti-Perperant Deodorant range which promises to offer you 48hr long-lasting protection you can trust, even in the most heated, high powered, adrenaline inducing situations.  The Lotus Team drivers of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean are well used to exceeding speeds of over 200 mph, on the track, of course, I’m not condoning breaking the speeding limits, come on now, to ensure pole position.

The range has an exhilarating new fragrance to leave you feeling fresh, dry and confident whether you’re reaching thrilling speeds like an F1 racer, or simply running for the bus or more importantly, keeping your cool on a big night out.

Here comes the rain again, again – The Baracuta G9

_DSC1416Sorry folks to mention the
weather again, I mean its been so schizophrenic of late it could
have been institutionalised. One day it’s beautiful sunshine, the
next it’s like we jumped from March to November. Anyway, the
subject of today’s post is a undoubtable iconic piece of clothing
that is suitable whatever the weather. The Baracuta
G9
, much copied but never bettered, is the original
Harrington jacket. Hailing from Manchester, England in 1937, the
brothers Miller, Isaac and John began making the G9 Baracuta
at their Chorlton Street factory. In 1938 the jacket was further
refined with the acquisition of the Fraser tartan for the inner
lining, which is still used right up to today. Initially popular
with golfers due to the ‘umbrella’ effect of its back design, which
conducts water away from the wearer, it is also designed with an
element of ventilation, making it ideal for any sport. When Arnold
Palmer wore a G9 to compete at St. Andrews, the jacket was proved
the perfect attire for a golf tournament. However golfers, were not
the only subculture to have a liking for the versatile all weather
jacket, The Mods, Ska, Punk and Britpop movements all adopted and
incorporated Baracuta’s G9 into their look and made it part of
their overall uniform.

_DSC1313Over the decades the
jacket has developed an impeccable pedigree worn by the likes of Elvis, Ryan
O’Neil, Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra and even the victorious
England World Cup team in 1966. For Summer 2013, the G9 is being
opened to two different interpretations, with two different
labels; the Ivory Label, this being the core collection based on
the iconic G9 reinterpretation; and the designer range known as
Blue Label. The Ivory Label remains true to the British
identity and the iconic characteristics of the G9, but with more
technically advanced and new performing materials such as shower
proof cotton-nylon and a new cotton coolmax lining. The second
label is the designer range known as Blue Label, a project designed
by Kenichi (Kenny) Kusano former Director of the Brilliant Japanese
retail institution Beams+. Kusano was inspired by the British
military of the 18th and 19th centuries, and took a cultural trip
around the British manufacturing industry to look at design and
fabric elements. Details include external pockets, inside layering
and military inspired colours. Ten styles will be available,
including a G9 and G4 with a military twist, a three quarter length
field jacket, vests, and a trench inspired by the 1940’s model.
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A better class of Trainer -J.M.Weston Guethary Collection

Screen Shot 2013-05-28 at 12.12.01I don’t want to tempt fate or equally the wrath of mother nature here, but summer, or even, warmer more timely weather must surely be only round the corner now. So we can finally put away our winter warmers for at least, please, a couple of weeks. Now to mark this long awaited climate change, the French luxury footwear house, JM Weston, have taken advantage of it, to slip away on a stylish and sporty getaway, travel naturally takes on the aura of seaside elegance, not not Blackpool or Bognor no. Michel Perry, the house’s artistic director, has taken himself and his imagination off for a stroll along the French coasts of the twenties, in search of the holiday destinations bustling with the Parisian jet set. His drawing pad intuitively came to rest in the Basque country, where he has chosen to let his pencil wander in step with his meanderings through towns and countryside.

Screen Shot 2013-05-28 at 12.25.32Think stylish gentlemen in, tasteful, golf attire, lashings of fresh seafood and the best champagne, countesses at the races and fishermen at sea, village frontons or Art Deco villas, the Basque country clearly comes to the fore in J.M. Weston’s world.  Two models have been born of this impromptu getaway: a tennis shoe and a soft ankle boot, by the name of “Guéthary”.

Screen Shot 2013-05-28 at 12.27.34Perry’s most striking nod to the Basque Country lies in the addition of a natural woven cord around the sole of some of the footwear, in reference to the famous “espadrille” traditionally worn by the region’s chic residents. These models, all of which are mounted on a leather sole of the finest quality.

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Spec-tacular glasses – Archibald Optics

Screen Shot 2013-05-23 at 20.25.29If like me and countless other guys out there you wear glasses you know what a minefield it is when it comes to picking a new pair. You know the score, your happy with your spectacles, it took you long enough to select the last pair so why do you need to put yourself through the agony of going to your optician, having to try on loads of pairs, feeling ridicules and thinking, can I not just have these again ? Ohhhh I got these 5 years ago, OK. Help is at hand, in the form of Archibald Opticsfounded on the ideal of producing great eyewear that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Archibald Optics takes inspiration from the styles of yesteryear to create eyewear that is bold, brave and unique, while at the same time not running the risk of having you look like you bought a job lot of Elton John’s cast offs at his last car boot sale, him and David need the cash with that ever growing family.

Screen Shot 2013-05-23 at 20.24.03Archibald’s USP is they aspires to bring quality eyewear directly to the customer, bypassing opticians and retail chains. So through our unique business model,  they are able to charge the customer a more responsible price for eyewear designed in London and handmade by trained artisans at their manufacturing facilities in Fukui, Japan. However, the overriding bonus to this is, it can all be done from the comfort of your own home. So you can browse through their online collection and choose your 3 favourite frames. Not sure which style works best for you? Then why not use the Virtual Try- On System to see which styles suit you face shape best, see everything, all thought of.

Once you have narrowed your choice down to 3 specific frames, you create your own account, Archibald will then send you your 3 preferred styles to your abode. What you need to do then is over the next 5 days decide which frame floats your boat. After all that all you have to do is follow the easy-to-use directions so that can collect all your bespoke requirements, including prescription details. Eight to ten working days after your order has been confirmed, your personalised pair of Archibald spectacles will arrive directly at your doorstep.

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