Christmas wish list #3: Longchamp /Michel Gaubert

DJ Michel Gaubert has a hard life. When he’s not djing at one of the world’s most exclusive fashion shows, he’s djing at one of the world’s most exclusive parties. And when he’s not doing that, he’s designing bags for an exclusive high end label. Like I say, a tough life.
The lifestyle of an international DJ necessitates a lot of portable equipment – the man has 10 i-Pods – so he needs a good system for keeping it all in order. One quick call to his mates a Longchamp later and our man at the cutting edge has his own range of luggage and travel bags. The collection includes i-Pod cases, a trolley case for vinyl, two laptop cases and other bags designed for those who’s life revolves around music. All are made from coated cotton with a great print  by Base Design, Brussels, trimmed with leather and available in black or white.
My pick is this case with specific compartments for i-Pod, PDA and mobile phone as well as a zip pocket for all the associated cables and chargers.
The range is available exclusively from Collette until the end of January 08 when it goes on sale in Longchamp boutiques.
Anyone thinking of getting me a Christmas present take note.

Christmas wish#1: That Mariah Carey song banned and this Paul Smith Scarf

Don’t you hate it when people just talk
about what they want for Christmas? It’s all me, me, me. Who gives a flying
baboon what other people want? I was recently looking at other scarves to get
myself and I realised that since I bought a cashmere scarf, I’ve turned into a totalitarian
scarf snob.

I can’t accept anything less than cashmere
and would rather mismatch than wear one of my old wool scarves (which feel like
sandpaper in comparison to the cashmere). So I’ve decided to put this grey Paul
Smith cashmere scarf on my Christmas list. When accessories cost this much,
people you know will start looking at you in a different light, one that looks like
you’ve got lots of money. I can guarantee you won’t go back to ugly wool after this but don’t try and
ask your friend for a tenner while wearing a hundred pound scarf.

Peckham Rye skinny tie

With designers increasingly looking back at
Davie Bowie album covers for inspiration these days, it’s no wonder that the
skinny tie is popular again. Skinny ties are basically ties for people who don’t
like ties. The anti-tie, if you will. Simply making it skinny has rid it of its
stuffy bank clerk image that fat ties still hold. But apart from American Apparel and a few other small brands, there’s been little competition for the skinny tie crown.

Until now. This Peckham
Rye tie costs more than 4 American Apparel skinny ties at £45 but is a cut
above material wise, making it a much better option to wear with a suit. So why not treat yourself this coming Christmas or better yet, not-so-subtly drop hints about what you want so someone else can get it for you.

Westwood scarf

Ever wondered why older ladies always wear a wee neckscarf with their winter coats? No? Well you’re not paying enough attention to women of a certain age in that case. We have a lot to learn from them – their survival skills are second to none. If there’s ever a nuclear winter, all that will be left is a bunch of Marjories and Dorises hopping through the rubble and making a nourishing soup from cockroaches. Want proof? Who are the people who’ve not only survived but thrived in I’m a Celebrity? Game old birds, Janice Dickinson, Janet Street Porter and Carol Thatcher. See? I’m on to something.
So back to the scarves. The reason ladies often wear a scarf with their good winter coat is for protection. It stops the collar of your coat getting ruined by sweat, grease and friction from your neck. Simple yet effective.
A light woven scarf, such as this beauty from Vivienne Westwood via Men a la Mode, will keep your posh coat going strong for several seasons to come. On top of that, the medal design and soft camel colour are pretty gorgeous.
See these older dames? They’ve got it all sewn up.

Oki-Ni deerstalker

Just as two wrongs don’t make a right, two rights sometimes don’t make a right either. In fact, two rights can make plenty kinds of wrong, as witnessed by this Fair Isle Deerstalker new to Oki-Ni.
I like fair isle as much as the next man – I’m a big fan of any traditional British craft. Deerstalkers likewise are normally a wholly good thing evoking two fine upstanding versions of manhood: the lumberjack and Sherlock Holmes. And yet when brought together its such an unhappy union it makes David Guest and Liza Minelli look like a perfect match.
Not for me, Oki-Ni.

Trend Watch: week-end bag from Chris & Tibor

Chris and Tibor are a London-based design duo who love London and who can blame them? They work together on a collection of bags, which are all named after London streets of places. Their current collection is called the Jack the Ripper collection, reflecting their East London base.
The label began in 2005 and their A/W 2006 collection (their first ‘proper’ collection) was immediately selected by trade show Pitti Uomo, which is the menswear equivalent of being blessed by the pope.
Their bags are stylish and practical, but by far the most lovely in my humble opinion, is this vast red creation called the Bow Bag. Its right on trend being huge and the twisted strap across the front is a fine touch.
For a list of stockists see the website.

Lukesville shoulder bag

We do love our bags here at Brandish. We
love them in all shapes and sizes – from satchel to weekend bag. But I have a
special affinity to the smaller bag, like this Lukesville
shoulder bag.

Just big enough to carry a book, an ipod and
some keys, the only problem with the shoulder bag is the price. While I don’t
mind paying a bit more for the finer things in life, paying £180 for a small
shoulder bag is too much for even my expensive tastes!

Surface to Air three finger ring

I am kind of boring myself with all this Surface to Air adulation, but this three-finger ring is a bit of a work of genius and shouldn’t really be ignored.
Surprisingly unrestrictive, this chic stainless steel band sits over three fingers together, creating a long oblong of brushed steel across the back of your hand. I’ve had it on so can vouch for its comfort and for the fact that it looks phat.
Get hold of yours from. Oak NYC

New releases from Billionaire Boys Club

So, Billionaire Boys Club have launched new items which are available through their website as well as from We Sold Out. Amongst the new batch are these 3 fingered gloves, which apparently echo Pharell et al’s Star Trak logo but I don’t really see it. On a first glance I saw them and thought ‘Oh how novel’, but on reflection, I’m more ‘Oh how “novel“‘.
I just don’t get the direction BBC and their sister brand Ice Cream are moving in. It’s all so cartoonish and unsubtle. I don’t mind them referencing comic-book culture but no-one actually wants to have hands like Mickey Mouse.
I know it’s a joke, and I get that, but I don’t dress for comedy. Unless it’s an in-joke, that is. I’m no jester.

Mads Norgaard Scarf

We seem to be in love with Scandinavian
designers lately – in the past few weeks we’ve featured Patrick Ervell,
Revolution and now Danish designer, Mads Norgaard. Norgaard thinks that the
Western world moves too fast and has based his collection around key pieces.
This would set them up in the mould of a Lyle & Scott rather than a Cheap
Monday.

With all that said, this scarf is very much part of the 80′s trend (even Prince
had one). It even has the dreaded meaningless slogan that briefly took over
in the summer just gone. Thankfully, the slogan is barely visible – it says ‘speak
up’ if you were wondering – so you won’t get people assuming you’ve recently
gone deaf.

Quikoin Coin Holder

Functionality
has never really bonded well with fashion. How else could you explain the
current trend for fingerless gloves? Luckily there are a few items that can be
useful in all situations, like this Quikoin coin holder.

As an
esteemed reader of this site, you’ll almost certainly have splashed out on a
fancy wallet and you’ll know how annoying loose coins can be. But the coin
holder can get rid of all those niggling annoyances and all for the sum of £4.

Surface to Air Bags

You know I love Surface to Air, right? And week-end bags too, I like week-end bags. Can you guess where this is going?
Surface to Air’s online store had disappeared for a while but now its back and they’ve got some great leather goods, not least of which is this big ol’ bag, which would look great slung over my arm this season.
It has nice crossed seam detailing across the front the brand’s logo embossed between the handles. Not cheap but rather delightful.

Isla cashmere scarf

I
personally can’t think of a better material for scarves than cashmere. Whilst
cashmere is nice when on cardigans
and jumpers, it’s perfect for scarves as they’ll be rubbing against your neck. Having
recently been a convert to the cashmere scarf, I must say that it’s the
softest, smoothest material that I’ve ever had the pleasure of feeling. Isla’s
cashmere scarf is one of the best cashmere scarves that you can find online
and at £95, you’re certainly paying for the privilege.

Once you
get over the fact that you can buy a John Smedley jumper for the same price as
this scarf, you can treat yourself (or wrangle your better half into
treating you) and get yourself the best scarf you’ve ever had.

Octopus ring from Gourmet

Oh. My. God. I love this. Jewelry designer to the stars, Christian Tse has been working with LA based label, Gourmet, and this bejeweled pinky ring is one of the fruits (de la mer) of the collaboration.
This is all pointless really, but let’s go through the motions: The rings are 18K white gold, encrusted with 1100 micro-pave diamonds (no idea what that means – why do I need to know about diamonds?) and green diamonds for the eyes. Only 5 have been made and they cost a whopping $35,000.
See what I mean? Pointless.
Actually do you know what? I think I’ve gone off it. I think I wanted it so badly, my desire has actually flipped round to revulsion. Good.
If you’ve a spare £35K, you can place your order here. [via gourmetinyourface blog]

Franklin and Marshall colourful gloves

These gloves from are cute without being too cute. They’re from Franklin and Marshall and not only are they available in three colours (red, black and white), they’ll also allow you to give the finger in 5 different languages.

My only problem with them is that they’re 100% acrylic. Yuck! They’ll probably not feel very nice on your hand and will do that weird crusty thing that acrylic does when it gets damp. Probably. Still, at £18 they’re quite affordable so perhaps you can live with it… Available from Yoox.