2007 July | Brandish

Archive for July, 2007

Annie Liebovitz snaps Gorbachev for latest Louis Vuitton campaign

By ShinyMedia on July 31st, 2007

When I first heard about this story I thought it was a joke; but it seems the joke’s on me because yes, Mikhail Gorbachev is modelling for Louis Vuitton. Obviously modelling is a bit of an exaggeration but there he is, looking tense in the back of a car with the all-important bag nestling at his side. Annie Liebovitz is responsible for the image which is part of campaign to promote the brand’s heritage and history which is a definite move to attract the new wealthy elite in Russia and China. As well as Gorby Liebovitz also snapped Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf snuggling up in a hotel, LV bags unpacked and Catherine Deneuve resting on a trunk in front of a steaming locomotive.

[Source]

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Footwear

Nike Dunk Lo SB – Freddy Kruger “Horror Pack”

By admin on July 31st, 2007

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Correct me if I’m wrong, but this has got to be the first time that a sportswear company has ever collaborated with the horror genre. I just wished it had happened sooner – these kicks are frickin’ cool.

Part of the Nike SB "Horror Pack", which also includes these Dawn of The Dead inspired Nike Airs, this pair of SB Dunk Los take their colour scheme from Freddy Kruger, including gruesome "open-wound" inner-soles resembling the supernatural child-killer’s skin, and red and black striped uppers, which technically should be red and green (sorry, I’m a bit of a pedant when it comes to films).

These aren’t released until around November and you’ll have to try your damnedest to get hold of a pair – there are only a few Nike SB stockists in the UK. Slam City Skates in Covent Garden will be getting them in, but tell me that they’ll be in extremely limited numbers. Watch this space for more news on these truly evil trainers.

[Via Highsnobiety]

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Accessories, Clothing, News, Top Five

French Connection autumn 2007 collection

By admin on July 31st, 2007

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Call me ignorant, but does "summer fashion" really apply to men? Whereas women get all sorts of colourful dresses, tops, skirts etc., blokes are lumbered with shorts and t-shirts. It’s not really fair is it?

It’s why I love autumn/winter collections – there’s a lot more to choose from, simply because the colder months need more clothes to keep you warm. So you can understand my excitement when French Connection launched their new autumn range this week. It means there’s a whole new range of jackets, jumpers, shirts, trousers and a multitude of accessories to choose from.

Keep reading after the jump for my pick of five top items from FCUK new collection.

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Clothing, T-shirts, Polos & Shirts

Two tone “Baron John” shirt from Asos

By Isabelle on July 31st, 2007

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Baronjohn
A good few years ago there was a glut of coloured shirts with white collars and cuffs, that I dubbed Baron John shirts after the shop which seemed the most keen to flog them. Five or so years later and Asos have got a rather more fashion-forward version on their website and it’s reduced to £11.
Featuring an ever so of-the-moment cutaway collar and slim cuffs it’s an absolute bargain. I also like the subtle dove grey, much less garish than the city boy blue or pink that was on Baron John shirts of yore and it offsets the bright white perfectly.

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Footwear

Diadora Sala

By admin on July 31st, 2007

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Sala
Along with the Seb Impact, Diadora are releasing some awesome looking trainers. Although they’ve always been big names in football kit manufacturing, mainly for Italian teams, over here Diadora were always perceived as making only so-so boots and strips.

Their new line in street-wearable sneakers is indubitably changing this attitude, especially with the Diadora Sala (£45), pictured above. Like the Seb Impact, the Sala have that retro-runners appeal, something that footwear manufacturers, such as Nike, are going with at the moment.

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Heroes and Celebrities

Brand Beckham named best dressed in Vanity Fair poll

By admin on July 31st, 2007

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Dave and Vicky Beckham have been named as one of the world’s 10 best-dressed couples, according to Vanity Fair’s annual fashion poll. Other celebrity couples on this year’s list include Demi Moore and Ashton Kutchner, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Viscount and Viscountess Linley (yeah, me neither).

Making Vanity Fair’s best-dressed list would seem like a fine accolade to have, you might reconsider if your entry was captioned with "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts". Which is a bit like saying "one brain cell between them", which is true, but not very nice.

To compound the suspicion that some people were less than happy with the Beckham’s acceptance onto the list, Amy Fine Collins – I bet she gave herself that middle name – had this to say about Vicks:
"She’s a fashion filly, always the first out of the gate with a new style, a born clothes horse". What’s she commenting on, Victoria’s fashion sense or her bone structure? Talk about back handed compliments…

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Accessories

This Old Thing tiered ties at Hintmag

By Isabelle on July 30th, 2007

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Ties
This Old Thing, Brooklyn’s menswear label have teamed up with Hint Magazine to produce a special run of their popular rickety ties. Designers Tommy Cole and
Roy Caires recently came upon a secret stash of the official, controlled-supply uniforms they use to make the ties and are producing a limited edition range for Hint Shop.

These are the exact opposite of the novelty ties I was spouting on about last week, quirky and different without proclaiming to all "I am a knob!" these are sure to get you sartorial kudos.

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Clothing, Designer Spotlight, Top Five

Topman top five new items

By admin on July 30th, 2007

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After their summer collection’s explosion of embarrassingly garish colours courtesy of the nu-rave scene, Topman’s latest releases for autumn and winter have been, thankfully, toned down a bit. I suppose even their designers realise that a pink-Paisley and green-denim patchwork raincoat would be a hard look to rock. But I may have just possibly given rise to a fashion-monster of epic proportions if any Topman reps are reading this. Please: don’t!

Keep reading after the job for five Topman picks of the week… and there’s not a spot of fluorescent day-glow yellow in sight.

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Clothing

Street Peeper: our new favourite street style blog

By Isabelle on July 30th, 2007

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Street style blogs are great, you get to see fashion in action and check out street-ready looks to inspire you. Our new favourite street style site is Street Peeper, their shtick is that you can view trendy folk from Sao Paolo to Stockholm thus checking out on what everyone is wearing around the world. Started last November by an NYU graduate the site now has 10 regular photographers keeping tabs on trends for us. They’re always on the lookout for new people so if you’re a budding photographer in a remote location you could get in touch and end up as part of their team.

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Clothing, knitwear

John Smedley ‘Chiswick’ cardigan

By Isabelle on July 30th, 2007

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Johnsmed_2
John Smedley have relaunched their website making it even easier for you to buy their fancy knits. They’ve added loads of features to make online shopping a more personalised experience, including a Fit Guide and fabric feel simulator. All that’s missing is an avatar of your BFF to tell you iwhen you look dreadful.
Their ‘Chiswick’ cardigan is suitably foolproof, and on sale at £109. Admittedly that still is more expensive than most people are used to, but the quality of these knits means that with some careful washing the cardie should last you a lifetime. The off-white and blue colour combo is awfully summery, and will liven up any rainy-day outfit.

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Designer Spotlight

Puma Urban Mobility

By admin on July 30th, 2007

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"Urban mobility" obviously means a different thing to each individual – when I hear the phrase I can’t help think of sweaty buses and traipsing through London avoiding unaware pedestrians and couriers who think they’re "all terrain" i.e. they can ride the roads and pavements.

But to Puma, the term means something wholly more satisfying and ultimately more stylish. Their Urban Mobility range takes your standard tote, suitcase or sports bag and elevates it to a new level by integrating it with thin wood panels that wouldn’t seem to offer anything except making everything look good. Stand out products for me are definitely the belt and wallet which are just so sleek it hurts. All products are available through the Glasgow and London flagship stores.

[Via NotCot]

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Clothing

D.I.E. Clothing

By admin on July 30th, 2007

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Dies
For those of you already in the know, you’ll have to excuse my ignorance. On a Saturday shopping splurge, I discovered D.I.E. (Denim is Everything), and I’m upset that I’ve let them pass under my radar for so long. Their clothes rock.

Most of their prints are based on horror-movie style posters from the 1950s – Think mad scientists, wooden acting and flimsy set design and you should get the picture. I picked up the t-shirt shown above, albeit in black and at full price from Natterjacks, but this one is available directly from the D.I.E. website for the nice little sum of £23, reduced from £30.

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Uncategorized

Topshop pinstripe trench

By Isabelle on July 27th, 2007

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Topmantrench
Topshop’s fine stripe trench is £70 and a great next step up from a hoodie if you want a more grown-up, smart look. Trench coats might seem a bit too faddish or trendy for most but they can look really stylish if you keep things simple; we’re not into style fascism at Brandish but a few tips will keep you looking good. Trousers should be slim cut and dark denim or a complementary colour to the coat; shoes should be either plain canvas pumps or brogue-type lace-ups.

If you keep broadly within these parameters there’s no danger you’ll look overdressed or fashion victim-y, but you can guarantee there’s always going to be some young whippersnapper rocking up in a trench, ridic sunnies, slimfit neon jeans and hi-tops who’s going to out-mojo your mojo. Meh, he’ll be working in a call centre in three years, don’t let it bother you.

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Accessories, Clothing, Entertainment, Heroes and Celebrities

Brandish (and Sean Lock) says don’t: Novelty ties and socks

By ShinyMedia on July 27th, 2007

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Seanlock
I’ve got nothing against genuinely humorous t-shirts but "komedy" ties
and socks say nowt more than "My friends and family couldn’t be
bothered to find out what I really wanted for Christmas". I went to see Sean Loc k (who incidentally looks just like my dad) doing a warm up show for Edinburgh recently and he did a whole sketch about comedy menswear. As he rightly pointed out, wouldn’t it be miles better to have factually correct but grimly depressing accessories? I’d love to see a tie bedecked in Christmas holly but upon closer inspection bears the wording: "Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy in the UK".

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Entertainment, Heroes and Celebrities, Lifestyle & Gadgets, Top Five

Transformers movie released today: Top five robots

By admin on July 27th, 2007

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Optimus_prime_powermaster
For once I know what I’m doing this Friday night. Granted the choice usually falls between drinking at home or drinking away from my home, but it can be a difficult one to make, especially if there’s a few good flicks on (bah, who needs friends anyway).No, tonight I’m going to watch giant robots kick the living circuitry out of each other in an epic battle over who will ultimately become rulers of the human race… I’m talking Transformers baby.

After months and months of waiting, I will finally get to see Optimus Prime et all in their full CGI glory. And I. Am. Excited. So excited in fact, that I’ve not gone one day without looking up robots to quell my robotic fervor. And here, in their full cybernetic glory, are some of my findings. OK, none of them transform from 60ft humanoid battle-machines into everyday vehicles, or actually fight each other but you’re not expecting that… are you?

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