Junya Watanabe MAN - Men's Fall / Winter 2012-13 collection

Video courtesy of the good guys over at Tres Bien. 

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.

Baracuta - 'Made In England'

The original Harrington makers, Baracuta teamed up with the good folks from the Rig Out - Glenn, Dan, Antony et al. and let them produce this fantastic style-reel.  I'll call it that, as I hate the term "video lookbook".  This is great, wonderfully shot as always, great A&R and Mr. Doyle styles it effortlessly.  Absolutely kicking myself for not picking up that Baracuta in TK Maxx a few weeks back. I love a Harrington.  Expect even more from the Rig Out camp as they are rapidly becoming the "go to guys" for that more mature and style savvy take on things.  Who needs an agency huh?

GORE-TEX®

A couple of weeks ago we passed through a little GORE-TEX® event, to learn a bit about the technical qualities of GORE-TEX® as well as to see how some of the top Japanese and Italian labels in the business are utilising GORE-TEX® within contemporary menswear.  It was pretty interesting to see how brands such as Beams, White Mountaineering, BAPE and Visvim had managed to make suedes, corduroys and Harris-Tweed all waterproof.  Also on show were products by the likes of Barbour, Stone Island and Arc'teryx Veilance.  As you can imagine these pieces are pricey but would all prove a worthy investment and will last a lifetime such is the nature of GORE-TEX®.  Tested in some pretty serious conditions and in heavy duty laboratories, Gore are known predominantly in the rambling and golfing worlds for keeping the warmth in and the rain out. But those familiar with 90s Indie bands will have seen many a band in a Gore labeled Berghaus jacket.

   

 

NEIGHBORHOOD

These cats never fail to impress me. 

Them shorts are the one! 

 

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.

Y'OH - T-SHIRT

Big shout out to the original homie Kara over at Y'OH. Today saw her drop the first set of Y'OH t'shirts fresh for summer.
They are all currently available (here)

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.

Adidas TGB Tailored Sport Collection

I'm feeling some of the latest Adidas pieces for Spring Summer 12, especially this new tailored collection.  Adidas' long history as Team GB sponsors is seen throughout with a slightly more preppy edge.  Cameron McNee on photography duty does a damn good job and styling from Sunday Times Style Fashion Features Editor Michael Hennegan is on point.

 

Human Made - Season 4

Here's a sneak peak at some of the season 4 Human Made pieces via the o.g Nigo.

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.

Han Kjøbenhavn

I recently purchased a pair of jeans by Han Kjobenhavn. 50s inspired Japanese denim, with a slight taper and a great wash are perfect for the spring / summer, especially after living in a pair of Albam's Raw Denim throughout the winter it's refreshing to change it up.

Having come across the brand at Folk I'm pretty impressed with the detailing on the jeans and the quality of the denim. The Danish brand first came on the scene with a range of sunglasses and have since developed a full apparel range of some quality. They take classic silhouettes and instill them with the design sensibility commonly associated with Scandinavia. Their video work is decent also, old people acting reckless is always a winner.

Available at the usual suspects: Oi Polloi, Folk, The End etc.

Trafalgar by Alfred Dunhill

On the 16th of March Dunhill showed their  Autumn Winter 2012 collection in Shanghai.

Named 'Trafalgar' they used 3D mapping technology and holographic projection to demonstrate the adaptive nature of men's style through the seasons.

Could have used a better sound track but, EHHH. Tight visuals none the less.

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.

B-side by Wale - Custom Cheetah Varsity

Shouts out to my main man designer Craig D over at B-side who put me on their soon to be released Cheetah Varsity jacket.
This will be one of their first quickstrike releases in between the regular seasonal collections.
Expect a release for the jacket on March 26th over on the B-side website (here)

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.

UVU Launch

Back in November I was introduced to a brand named UVU. Having just a few samples to show me and some fabric swatches it was a conceptual idea starting to become something quite interesting. Fast forward a few months and a launch for the brand was set to take place at the Royal Geographical Society in South Ken.

Tucked away in the shadows of the Royal Albert Hall is a venue steeped in history. The explorers and pioneers from the UK who would chart some of the toughest terrain across the globe would begin their journeys here, including the likes of Robert Scott. A fitting venue for a brand beginning their own journey.

UVU is a technical sportswear brand, in every sense it's extreme. Tested with the best ultra-marathon runners in the world who crave endurance. One of whom is Richard Donovan a tripple-North Pole Marathon Winner, who has also ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 4 days.

The brand has stood up to and exceeded the expectations of athletes like Richard but what underpins this technical excellence is a conscious and astute application of design and style.

Using the most sophisticated fabrics available, the brand has also taken the technicality of its performance wear and enthused a line of casual wear products. From body warmers to quilted jackets in a fusion cashmere that has been treated to be waterproof. Truly remarkable, something I've yet to come across. I'm unsure on price points but make no mistakes about it, this is luxury and with that comes a heavy investment but an investment you will not regret.

Batten Sportswear Coming Soon!

We mentioned Batten here a little while ago, when a few pictures did the rounds and word on road go out that a graduate of Daiki Suzuki's Woolen Mills team was starting a little something or other. Well the wait is over, Batten will be dropping any day now at the ever reliable Oi Polloi and as such, a lot of people are eagerly awaiting the brands arrival. A great interview exert from the forthcoming Oi Polloi Pica-Post with man of the moment Shinya Hasegawa is now online HERE.

YMC S/S 2012

Definitely digging YMC's spring summer 2012 offering. All the looks are strong.

Minus them Jerusalem sandals, of course.
Source hypebeast.

Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.