Alfred Dunhill opens new shop on Sloane Street

As much as I like Jermyn street, I have my usual stomping ground and trekking out of the way is not always my favorite thing to do. Well Alfred Dunhill heard my cry for help and opened a shop on Sloane Street just above Sloane Square. Actually its opposite my fathers office building so its very convenient when I go to visit him!

Purveyor of luxury goods for gentleman, how could I not love this British institution. They do leather goods, time pieces, smoking and tobacco paraphanelia, writing objects, accessories and a collection of top-notch menswear. Both ready to wear and bespoke.

Not as large as the flagship store on Jermyn street, the Sloane St. outpost stocks more shirts and ties adding extra competition to Pink, Hilditch and Key, T.M.Lewin and Hawes and Curtis, all located in the surrounding area. Of course a small selection of other products are also on sale.

This 100 year plus company keeps on growing and quite rightly so. Very proper to spread the word acquiring your elegance doesn't require such a trip to the West End anymore, you can stay in your Chelsea tractor and dash in for a quick pick-me-up!

www. dunhill.com

159 Sloane St.
London SW7

Favorite Shop Alert

If you are a man, a woman or a boy, whichever you be you ought to strive for excellence. In doing so presenting yourself in the most pristine and perfect way is utterly necessary. That said I have been advised to visit a shop in London which has taken my heart and run for the hills. Such is my excitement at learning of a new store, I'm blogging it!

Bamford and Sons on Sloane Square in Knightsbridge is now officially my favorite new store of the moment in London. It carries men's, women's and boys clothing and accessories as well as housewares and a basement organic cafe with to-die for smoothies.

I insist on paying a visit to the website:

www.bamfordandsons.com

to fully experience this magnificent store.

I think a gentleman should have practically everything in the shop. From the gizmos and gadgets in the cases ranging from can-openers and stationary to a Rolex watch or an engraved hip-flask to the luxurious sweaters, blazers and shirts its all worth its while. What really got me excited however, was the collection of mens travel bags, day bags and man bags.

They have clean lines, are not too small or feminine and come in durable rugged materials that will last whether you treat them with the utmost care or you fling them in the back of your Discovery 3 and whisk away to the country for the weekend.

I will return to this shop again, its marvelous!

Cloak Spring 2007

Those who know me well understand my obsession with Cloak by Alexandre Plokhov. But I was saddened to see just a few days ago his Spring 2007 show in NYC. Basically as my favorite designer he let me down.

Whereas in the past I have wanted almost every single piece from the runway, I was hard pressed to find looks and pieces I liked. Some of the models were painfully ugly, the clothes too dark, and the anger that was in the presentation over-powering.

There were details that I liked such as this three piece suit:

I find it well tailored flattering, beautifully cut and elegant. It maintains the gentlemanly forms of past collections but is not staid in its traditional black or charcoal color tones. What is even better is that all three parts could be worn on their own or in any combination of two. Its rocker but its presentable as well.

My other favorite look was this short trench, trousers and rolled neck smock shirt. Typically I would find this too heavy and better suited for the fall and winter, but shown here it looks light and airy compared to the rest of the outfit. I'm thinking early early spring when its still nippy and the wind can pick up:

But the trousers are so well cut and fit perfectly, the jacket is immaculate with the belt tied just to the side and the color palette is flattering and slimming. I feel that the rock/punk look is over and if people are still wearing the trend, its because they are trend followers and not trend setters. This taken into consideration, Plokhov has designed a collection that ought to sell well, but he is teetering on the line of becoming too Dior Homme when he shows a first look like this:

tsk, tsk, tsk...lets wait till next season to see what he does and save our excitement for then. I do hope he stay around for a while though, as I can never get enough.

Oliver Spencer

While shopping for groceries yesterday at Harrods, I fell in love. Well I already love the Harrods foodhalls so that wasn't it. No yesterday I fell in love with this:

I had never heard of Oliver Spencer till I walked through the British Designer section of the menswear department at Harrods. Well besides the rest of the line which is amazing and can be viewed at

www.oliverspencer.co.uk

this tweed bomber jacket jumped out at me and said 'buy me, buy me ,buy me' and so I did.

Not only do I love the tweed fabric, but I also love that it is kept modern by applying it to a bomber jacket with a biker collar. How swish. Then Mr. Spencer decided to add a mackintosh-like breast flap that just plays with sartorial British tailoring even more. British with a twist? Oh please how could I not. The remainder of the collection which you can see at the website above is just as good. The same bomber is available in other tweeds, and is also available in 3/4 length overcoats with impeccable detailing on the back.

Basically, men in Britain simply have a greater understanding of dressing as a man. Back home in the US, men tend to just roll out of bed into whatever is most comfortable. In Britain, they might still roll out of bed but at least its done with style and flair. Amazing.

Alexander

Don't mind the Gap: Raid it!

Newsflash!!!

This morning I was dragged kicking and screaming into the Gap Inc. on Oxford street across from Topshop. Well I may have gone in with such drama but I emerged with glee, singing and dancing for Gap has finally stepped up to the Fashion batting cage and swung a home run!

FIRST of all, they have actually done pieces that are relevant to this seasons fashion.

SECOND of all, they have decided that skinny people shop at Gap too and have made ultra skinny jeans for men which are hot to trot and I would say rival any of the horrendously over-priced brands on the already saturated market but are able to compete at very VERY reasonable prices.

THIRDLY, I wanted so much stuff.

What really got me excited were the shawl neck cardigans with pockets and the shawl neck pullovers in cable knits both Hunter Green and Ash Grey. I had just walked out of Ralph Lauren where the same piece of knitwear were priced three times as high as those at the Gap. Sure you are paying for the label, and sure you are getting softer cotton. But, if comfort and style are what you are after without breaking the bank you really should take a look see.


What's more the price is SO right. I was about to pee in my pants. I actually cannot believe I have become this excited over the gap. The advertisements aren't bad either. The only problem is... there is quite a bit of stuff that I fear may be exclusive to the European market and even solely the British at that. But for the time being I remain very excited.

www.gap.com

Alexander.

Gieves and Hawkes

I have decided that to be a gentleman and yet still be fashionable requires a lot of taste, time and money. Nonetheless, upon my visit to Gieves and Hawkes yesterday, tailor located at No.1 Saville Row, their GIEVES line is quite perfect for achieving this.

First of all, the design is not just good, its very good. Second the cut of the garments is timely yet traditional maintaining hints of proper British tailoring as well as updated detailing which gives this younger line a twist to shout about. My favorite piece was the cardigan and turtleneck in one. Shown below, rather small I'm afraid, the two are sewn together but appear to be two separates. Love this look, will be sporting it this fall.


Then I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had many overcoats, topcoats and jackets to choose from. Below is just one example of the slightly military styled overcoats they have in a slightly moss/jade green. They also do a glass green suede artisan jacket that is quite amazing. I say take a look.

Next problem is to find where it is stocked in America. Where to find it, where to find it. So fashionable gentlemen, keep reading and keep shopping becuase you are what you wear and a gentleman is nothing is he is not refined.

www.gievesandhawkes.com

What has the King's Road become?

I would post photos so as to not have only text on this page, but the sight last night was SO dire I would not wish it upon anyone to relive the moments we shared at Nova, the launch of a new club on the Kings Road.

Poor, poor, POOR! King's Road. Stuck in its Sloanie and Sloane Ranger ways, never to change, it seems no matter what they try they cannot escape their roots.

Yes of course there is the Beaufort House, opened for about a year now, but if that is all you can boast in night time entertainment beyond the sartorial English pub and the trashy 151, then you have anything thing coming. Well, replacing the former Pitcher and Piano, Nova at Tugga opposite what once was the Chelsea UGC and now is CineWorld, is a purple and Pink padded bar that was serving free whiskey sours till about 12:30am. Not bad on that count at all. But even a face-lift has not given this bar any hope of a future worth documenting.

Stay well away if you know whats good for you!

Henri and I then made our way uptown to Bon Surprise at a private member's club on South Moulton St. One of my personal favorite addresses in all of London. This night promoted by two of Henry's friends was a mix of Hoxton hipsters, and Oxbridge artsy fartsy types all grooving to the tracks of European Dj's. Supposedly occasionally a celebrity DJ find his/her way into the club beneath the rather swank Martini bar upstairs. Small but swank.

When we had just arrived, a DJ who was flying off to Ibiza had just wrapped a set, but Henry and I only found it necessary to stay for a drink before we bid our adieus!

Onwards and upwards.

Thursday was a blast!

Today was full of shopping fun but not for me! I took dear sister Lilliana back to school shopping. Has anyone ever taken their 12 yr old sister back to school shopping? Let me tell you...no easy feat!

Of course we had to make our first stop at TopShop. Where we found amazing oversized deep v-neck sweaters, thinly knit grandpa cardigans, footless tights, Victorian dresses, skinny belts and then some all for her fashion delight. She was very reserved when it came to picking out the things she thought fit to enter her wardrobe. Remember she is 12 and at that age you get made fun of for being too well dressed!

We then went to American Apparel which is not quite as well known in the UK as its father in America. Nonetheless we found a ridiculously amazing glittering purple one piece swimming costume, as required by the school clothing list. No one said 70s disco queen wasn't allowed! And then we trekked around for a good hour and a half looking for a store that stocked Keds, lace up variety, in her size. But we found them finally at Schuh, having stopped at many many stores and she was happy to try on her whole outfit to shrieked of glee from the dressing room. Where I was not allowed to snap a photo sadly so you'll have to imagine it.

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That night we went to see Mary Poppins.

HOWEVER! I was not quite as enthralled by the West End musical as I usually am by the Disney movie. Yes I am still enthralled by the Disney musical!

Can you CRAVE the Art?

This evening Fashion Writer Extraordinaire, Nicola Copping, of The Times, London, invited me to an exhibition opening in E1.

Spitalfields Market and actually the entire East End has undergone a massive make-over in recent years. Gone are the days of sad curry houses, forlorn factories, and dubious doughy bagel shops, now these re-modeled establishments sit next to some of London's trendiest locals. Of course there is the LoungeLover and Les Trois Garcons that I mentioned in my first post. There are hip shops, swank salons and cool exhibition spaces.

Tonight we found ourselves making our way from nearby Liverpool Street station to CRAVE at Raw Space, Spital Square, London, E1. Crave is an exhibition that is mostly showing Italian artists, however, there is the odd foreigner amongst them. "To Crave is for the small part of those linked to the sense of willing always something". Or so their pamphlet says.

That is the space above. There is Nicola standing in here skirt talking to one of the curators. And did we talk! The Italians for some reason loved Nicola and I hanging on every word either of us spoke. Whether it was about what we do, or which of the art pieces we liked or where we liked to shop or travels in Italy, they lapped it up like a dog fetching a bone! Ok perhaps that is a big too strong of an image to grace this gentleman's site, but nonetheless I'll say it! So the space was really quite great, the atmosphere was fun and light-hearted. The hosts loved us what more is there to say about it.
Afterwards, Nicola and I strolled around the area to find a place for a quick drink. Nicola in her Vintage Chanel blouse with tuxedo pleats down the front and her Balence(you know what I mean) skirt, silver pumps and gorgeous, unpretentious brown leather Prada bag. I in my Lewis Original trousers, my comfy Jockey white v-neck t and my Under the Garden ridiculously complex, wear it two ways black v-neck with suspenders!
Well we dounf Leon and sat down for some red wine and some tapas. Although I only had one dish and we stuck to the wine.

There's a close up for you to have a better look.

Do you all know that Nicola, used to be a teacher at Harrow School, my highschool? Yes she did! And what's more we are greater friends because of it, and the fact that she never taught me just helped me curate the exhibition Foot Fetish! several hundred years of shoe history. Quite fabulous really.

I must say something about the art before I sign off. My favorite piece was by artist Caterina Nelli. She had prepared a triptych called "Euro-fun" which, be her own description, was meant to illustrate the sense of distance between one person(herself, in self-portrait) and the young man she photographed in the street(whom she had a craving for). Both sexual and thoughtful, I liked the use of mixed media from the pin-hole photo on Wood, to the void of oil paint also on wood and the oil self-portrait on wood. Situated on the wall in an off kilter line, the disconnect of space between each item only emphasized the distance and loneliness that can be felt when yearning for something you might not have becomes to great.

thanks and on to tomorrow.

Alexander

The History of London and The Hell Rake's Revels

For a city centuries in the making, it is wonderful to see that History is alive and well keeping the masses educated and giving the educated something to rely on! Every Tuesday nights a veritable who's who of Londoners descend upon the belle epoque interiors and restored Victorian grandeur of this hotel on Regent Street. Built in 1865 by a Parisian wine merchant this location is sure to make you shudder with glee. And shudder I did, jitterbugged, charlestoned, jive and rock 'n rolled.

This is the exterior of the location

For on Tuesday's its home to The Hell Rake's Revels, a 30s,40s, and 50s themed night where everyone is dressed to impress and no one misses a sequin on their flapper dress, or a brace holding up their vintage trews!

My dear friend Henry Conway was the leader for the night taking myself and Karin along for the mad ride. I had heard so much of this night from him over the course of its first year in existence but never had my trips to London allowed me the chance to open my dressing up box and don longshoremenman attire or my most dapper tail-coat. Last night however we took to the streets in style...

Here I cozy up with flapper fatale Karin as we prepare to dance the night away.

This is lovely Caroline, a fashion writer for Penthouse magazine makes a splash decked out in full Burlesque attire. Ravishing I'm sure.

This fair young Pirate takes the Jack Sparrow look to the next level with her glittering Pirate boots. A three corner hat sat atop her coiffed head.

And Henry and I take a break to have a puff from our Dunhill cigarette filters. He in silver and I in gold, of course.

What is so amazing to me is that other cities may have these parties for some special some one's birthday, or perhaps once a month. In London, you can find it every night.

The Modern Time Club at www.themoderntimesclub.co.uk The Black Cotton Club at www.ladyluckclub.co.uk and The Lady Luck itself also at www.ladyluckclub.co.uk

are just a few of the options as well as eveTuesdayday at Cafe Royal for The Hell Rake's Revels. They all boast an array of HotHouse Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Big Band, Be Bop Jump,Vegas Grind asking their guests to come prepared for sparking conversation, ravishing and refined robes the finest of champagne. Where could you go wrong.

Tonight I am off to an exhibition opening at Spitalfields Market, so updates to come!

Keep reading

And so it begins...

Having blogged for a few months now for Decades Inc., I decided it was time that I turn my efforts towards my own blog, somewhere to say it how it is, say it how I would like it, and simply relate all that I deem fit to print.

Currently in London, my hometown, I have been overwhelmed by the fashion haps and mis-haps since I arrived. Of course having grown up here, attended Elstree School a preparatory for under 13s and then Harrow School a secondary school in north London, added to the fact that my father is American, my mother Brazilian and my step-father British I think have quite a unique take on apparel and clothing.

I want this blog to be both my own but also yours, who ever you may be. In essence, interactive. So comment away, let me know if you think I'm ludicrous, absurd or intelligent? If you have a styling question I am here to help, if you have a location question I will do my best to help to, or anything-if you simply want to chat I am happy to do that do.

Enjoy.

Alexander