London Designers x Grenson Exclusive Shoe Collection For Mr Porter

On Wednesday, we headed to Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels at Neal's Yard Covent Garden in London to celebrate the launch of a special collection at Mr Porter. Six London menswear designers have collaborated with British shoe brand Grenson: Agi & Sam, Craig Green, Christopher Raeburn, Matthew Miller, Katie Eary and Sibling have each designed a pair of shoes, made by Grenson. The designers have applied their creative vision to a mix of boots, brogues and loafers. We had the chance to take a closer look at the shoes, to have a feel, to speak to the designers about their inspiration etc. The shoes were all handmade in England, and the finishing were impeccable. My favourite has to be the bright blue suede monkstraps designed by Katie Eary. Wear that with a nice pair of grey distressed denims and simple black sweatshirt, and we have a gorgeous winning outfit.

And since I am forever in the process of furnishing my flat (just two years in the running...), I love that couch with the printed fabric at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels. I tend to go to events and press days, and start asking people if they are willing to sell me the display furniture. Yes, I might need help.

Here are the six exclusive designs at Mr Porter, click to find out more and to shop online. I also throw in two of my favourite couches at the moment for good measures.

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Max Minghella in Louis Vuitton - Paris Fashion Week FW14

Kata Mara and Max Minghella / Vogue.co.uk | Louis Vuitton Pre-Spring 2014

Kata Mara and Max Minghella attended the Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2014 show on 5 March 2014 as part of Paris Fashion Week. The couple attended the much heralded show, which debuted the collection from Nicolas Ghesquière, previously from Balenciaga. The couple both wore pieces from Louis Vuitton for the event. Max Minghella, English actor and son of the legendary Anthony Minghella, wore a two tone fading effect knitwear from Louis Vuitton Pre-Spring 2014, over red / maroon coloured trousers. He accessorised with blue suede brogues and a pair of wooden sunglasses.

If you have been following this blog for a while, you would know that I love and adore and want to marry Nicolas Ghesquière (along with the whole fashion crowd then). His debut collection for Louis Vuitton is so beautiful, I wished there are pieces which could work for men. Love Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton menswear too, but this might be the unhealthy love for Nicolas Ghesquière. Have you seen the collection, do you like it?


Shop Louis Vuitton books and vintage items:

Keith Richards in Saint Laurent - Rolling Stones 2014 Tour, Tokyo

The Rolling Stones performed in Tokyo on 4 March 2014 as part of their Rolling Stones 2014 tour. Keith Richards was pictured on stage in a blue silk teddy jacket from Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane. He wore the jacket over a dark pink silk shirt and black silk t-shirt, also from the same label.

Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane Spring Summer 2014

I love the vibrant blue from the silk jacket, it looked really lightweight and perfect for the coming summer months. I feel this is a great follow up piece from their stellar varsity jacket from Fall Winter 2013. Do you like this jacket? You can shop the Saint Laurent jacket online from Mr Porter and Luisa Via Roma.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Montblanc cufflinks - 86th Annual Academy Awards

Joseph Gordon-Levitt / Source: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Montblanc

Joseph Gordon-Levitt attended the Oscars held at Hollywood and Highland Center on 2 March 2014 in Hollywood, California. Joseph Gordon-Levitt wore a tuxedo with hints of sparkles from Calvin Klein Collection. As in many occasions, he wore a red pin/button on his lapels. The pin is for an organisation he advocates: "HitRecord". HitRecord is an open collaborative production company which includes writers, musicians, filmmakers, video editors, animators, illustrators, photographers etc.

On the red carpet, he also gave a hint of the cufflinks he wore underneath the tuxedo: a pair of classic Montblanc bar motif cufflinks in onyx, combined with stainless steel. It is often difficult for men to shine on the red carpet, but beautiful accessories come through with the raise of the hands, the kick of the heels. I love cufflinks and collect them if I can, when budget allows. It is a nice way of accessorising an office attire, I actually have more cufflinks than double cuff shirts. I like vintage pieces, or the odd piece with semi-precious stones (ie, no diamonds, yet).

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emma Watson / Source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America


Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emma Watson / Source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America

Montblanc cufflinks with platinum finish / Montblanc

I often preach that accessories maketh the man. Cufflinks do not go hidden or unnoticed under a suit. When I go for job interviews, I pick my favourite cufflinks: I gesture to drive the point further, and they see the hint of the cufflinks underneath. If it is a beautiful piece, it drills down further into their minds. Little details like that help stand out amongst the competition. What we say is important, how we look saying it, is just as. I don't know what Joseph Gordon-Levitt was saying above, but I know he looked damn fine saying it.

Here are nine of my favourite cufflinks at the moment, click for more information and to shop them online:

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#OBWAYOFLIFE 'My Perfect Day': Orlebar Brown video series featuring Mr. Hare

Orlebar Brown recently released a series of videos entitled #OBWAYOFLIFE 'My Perfect Day'. They followed a small group of people who resonate with the brand, those who appreciate the simplicity and attention to detail, how they choose to eat, dress, drive and live. The above video featured British shoe maker Mr. Hare. I talk a lot about his shoes on here, and I thought the video is really interesting as you get to see who Mr. Hare is, how he sounds like, what is his #OBWAYOFLIFE. 

Orlebar Brown also worked with three other ambassadors including tailor Luke Sweeney of Thom Sweeney, interior architect Jonathan Reed and kitesurfing champion Alex Caizergues. To document their perfect day and highlight their unique crafts and talents. You can click on the video to watch the other series on YouTube.

Orlebar Brown is also offering one lucky winner the chance to live their Perfect Day. Whether it is diving into a crystal clear sea, dancing under the moonlight, a day in the boxing ring or playing football with friends. You can find out more information on http://orlebar.co/myperfectday

Shop Orlebar Brown and Mr. Hare:

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Nicholas Tse [谢霆锋] in Valentino - Paris Fashion Week Fall Winter 2014

Nicholas Tse [谢霆锋] and Hilary Tsui [徐濠縈] / Vogue.co.uk | Valentino Spring Summer 2014

Nicholas Tse [谢霆锋] and Hilary Tsui [徐濠縈] were pictured at the Valentino Fall Winter 2014 show in Paris on 4 March 2014 as part of Paris Fashion Week FW14. Nicholas Tse wore a blue / grey jacquard camouflage print suit from Valentino Spring Summer 2014, over a white shirt and navy knitwear. Tortoiseshell shades, gorgeous deep red brogues and slick side swept hair completed his look for the event.

Having kept on and off with the celebrity news from the Far East for the last decade (gosh I am well old...), Nicholas Tse sure hasn't aged at all. Not to mention his hairstyle remained the same from many moons ago. I love the pairing of the red brogues with the camouflage suit to give it a nice fashionable contrast. The clever accessories plus the buttoned up white shirt nicely deflected the full on camouflage print. It is a difficult suit to wear, but I thought he did well.

However, would you wear a full camouflage suit? Personally, I wouldn't. I spent two and a half years with the National Service when I was 18, and that was my uniform everyday. Not as chic and glamorous as the runway versions, but it served the intended purpose. I just cannot put myself through a full on camouflage look again unless war breaks out, which I hope not. It is also a little respect for the soldiers out there protecting the peace. Don't get me wrong, I love a little camouflage fashion accessory or clothing here and there. Maybe having been through the army myself, I don't find the whole camouflage look outside of the barracks to be any appealing. I cannot even go camping, or the thought of paying to go camping outdoors, pitching a tent etc. I've done that, got the t-shirt and moved on. That however is just my personal story, you guys keep saying I should talk more about me at times, so here I did. Don't let me stop you from buying the camouflage suit ok? Oh please do, it helps keep the site alive.

You can shop the Valentino jacquard camouflage print suit online from Farfetch.com.

Shop Valentino Camouflage:

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