Native Craftworks

As the endless supply of Dessert Boots and Chukka's continues to stream across retailers, I've been looking for some new footwear to switch it up.  I tend to favour Red Wings but since my favourite style has since been discontinued I've been on the search for something a little different. I've been toying with splashing out on some Yuketen but have recently come across Native Craftworks.  Designed in the UK, handmade in Portugal, I'm impressed with what I've seen.  A little different and not for everyone, the key to Native Craftsworks is probably rocking them without looking like Richard Ashcroft. Available exclusively at Oi Polloi and with new styles dropping this week, certainly one to watch out for.

Oi Polloi's Tenth Birthday Party

Arguably the best retailer in the UK is celebrating it's 10th Birthday. Oi Polloi has been at the forefront of Men's casual wear for quite some time and since leaving their humble beginnings on Tibbs St have expanded to a new premise and dominated the online market. Many, many other retailers across the UK have cottoned on to their buying and look to the Mancunians for more than a little inspiration. I've been a big advocate of the store for many years, so if you're in Manchester head to the Soup Kitchen for what is to be quite a night, with a raffle featuring exclusive clobber and footwear from event partners Superga, Fjällräven and Lee to get your hands on.   For a taste of the varying sounds you can expect to hear, you only need to check out the Oi Polloi Soundcloud for an esoteric offering of mixes from friends and family.

 

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.

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.

Oi Polloi for Clarks Wallabee

The ever consistent boys at Oi Polloi have dropped one of the best Clarks Wallabee collabs to date. Choosing to use the best materials and colours over messing with the panels. I would have loved to see a mid top version but the shoe as a silhouette seems synonymous with the Manchester look. The Wasabi colourway is a winner...

"When tasked with creating a variation on one of our favourite shoes, we were initially stumped. How to improve on a design as classic as the Clarks Wallabee? Something special was in order — ‘Unicorn Leather‘ — the name given to elk hides by the specialist tannery tasked with producing the raw materials. As with all deer and antelope skins, the resulting leather is naturally very soft. When using hides from wild animals, there are always plenty of scars and scratches on the leather. The tannery have rightly made a feature of this natural quality, accentuating it with the use of aniline dye. Aniline dyed leathers are tumbled for up to 12 hours, in order to enhance the subtle variations of each hide and ensure a vibrant colour."


Available to buy now HERE.