Prey for the Hunted

In the last few years military influence has been seen in all areas of fashion. Kill Spencer is a new line of mens’ bags that is serious enough to move beyond military cliche and uses battle tested materials that actually deliver on that military cache’. LA Based designer Spencer Nikosey uses clean modern lines and constructs them with repurposed treated canvas used in the Korean War. The hardware consists of black anodized steel buckles and snaps and looks like it will withstand just about anything that gets thrown at it.

See More Kill Spencer Bags

One look into Tim Hamilton’s humble beginnings and you might not guess that the man was on his way to being a major force in mens’ fashion. This same young man who grew up as the youngest of seven in children in Iowa has now received the coveted CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear. While the label that bears the Tim Hamilton name is only 3 years old Tim is no stranger to the fashion word having come from a design internship with Ralph Lauren and a Parsons education. See More Tim Hamilton 2009

Many luxury brands have deep roots and trade on their storied histories to command extraordinary prices for their wears. While the likes of Louis Vuitton have turned to modern artist to offer innovation Aquascutum is looking to its past to provide direction for their current collection. Enter Aquascutum Vintage a collection of outerwear based on some of the brands most classic pieces from their 155 year history.

Aquascutum was established in 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition, when tailor and entrepreneur John Emary opened a high quality menswear shop. Two years after opening the store John Emary patented a process for waterproofing wool and introduced the world to his new brand Aquascutum. Aquascutum is the Latin term for “watershed”.

Aquascutum’s overcoats became the standard issue for British military officers from the Crimean war through the first and second world wars. As demand exploded Aquascutum built a factory in Cornby, Northamptonshire. This factory is were Aquascutum still produces most of its garments today.

While many of the highest quality brands have moved large parts of their production to the far east, the “Aquascutum Crafted in England” label is a badge of pride that is revered the world over.

When you are really ready to step up your game to a quality and style that will never go out of style wander over to Aquascutum

Well known French brand A.P.C has churned out a sharp fall/winter collection of classic styles with that certain I don’t know what. The trousers are all smart and slim and the I would buy one of each of the Jackets if several of America’s largest lending institutions weren’t all declaring bankruptcy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Honestly I don’t know the complete biography of Yohji Yamamoto, but being born in Tokyo at the end of World War II he seemed unlikely to become an international fashion icon. Yohji Yamamoto grew up in post war Japan and took a sensible approach to his education pursuing a degree in Law from Japan’s Keio University. Yohji graduated as a lawyer in 1966, but instead of starting his career in law he took an unlikely turn and went back to school to pursue fashion. Attending Bunka Fashion College Yohji groomed his skills for years before making his international debut with a critically acclaimed Pret A Porte collection in Paris in 1981. Even as his the reputation for his line named Y’s,  grew in the international community Yohji was mostly unknown in the US.

In 2003 Yamamoto teamed up Adidas to introduce the Y3 line that covered men’s and woman’s sport inspired fashion and highly coveted Y3 sneakers.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are looking to step up your kicks and you value hustling the streets in something that most sneakerheads haven’t even heard of, then look no further than Lanvin .  Lanvin is a French brand started by Jeanne Lanvin in 1909. She grew her local dress boutique into an empire including a dye factory and shops devoted to home decor, menswear, furs and lingerie , ultimately created Lanvin Parfums SA and introduced her signature fragrance Arpège in 1927.

Lanvin has changed hands many time and has employed a number of designers who have managed to keep the brand’s design ethos while staying relevant to modern trends.

See more shoes after the jump

Read the rest of this entry »

Hip Hop legend Andre 3000 of Outkast has clearly always been the creative type. From Outkast’s blend of soul, pop, funk, and jazz to create a truly original brand of hip hop, to his personal style that has long made him a stand out in the public eye, Andre Benjamin seems frothing with creativity.

Andre Benjamin has now officially turned his creative eye on the world of fashion with his new line called Benjamin Bixby. Andre harnessed his ecclectic and unique fashion sensibilities and focused the collection on 1930’s era foot ballers. The Benjamin Bixby line contains over 70 odd pieces ranging from collegiate boiled wool sweaters, to suspenders, and cordoroy blazers. Expect the Benjamin Bixby line to get more press in the pages of GQ than Sean John does on MTV.