Specs from Tom Ford: Things I Want

Just last week I was thinking I could use a new pair of specs... I'm loving the Warby Parker's I have now but something a little more unique.

This morning I came across these rockin' frames from Tom Ford (quelle surprise). Mix of a light navy around the eyes with a tortoise type print on the sides. Love the contrast and how it stands out.

Definitely keeping an eye (no pun intended) on these -- they're listed at Restir but currently sold out. More info from the good folks at Hypebeast.

Carven x Porter Backpack: Things I Want

Two of my favorite brands -- Carven and Porter, have collaborated on a backpack. Dream come true. 

I've been obsessed with Porter for years, and on my last trip to Japan picked up a couple of pieces... the "problem" is that Porter collaborates with so many different brands, designers, artists that there is always something to want. Saturdays Surf, Margaret Howell, Comme des Garcons, the list goes on.

This piece with Carven is awesome -- I love the quilted body, leather pocket, and fabric side panels.

More info at Hypebeast, and you can pick one up at Matches.

Rhett Bonnett Spring 2013: NYFW Review

Last season I had come across the first collection from designer Rhett Bonnett while at Project, and was interested by the styling (he also shot Cory Bond for the lookbook). So this season when I had the chance to stop by Bonnett's studio and see Spring, I was curious to check it out.

The collection was inspired by a photo of Paul Newman, looking young and relaxed in a polo shirt. Bonnett mentioned that while he will always have a red, white, and blue core to his line, here he introduced other colors -- including a seafoam green.

One of the first pieces is this cotton peacoat, with a striped cotton lining. The vintage looking white buttons etched with an anchor caught my eye (as always, a sucker for anything remotely nautical).

I also liked this navy jacket, with a cinched waist and detachable hood. The type of thing you take boating in Nantucket, or for a rainy Spring day in the city.

Sticking to the red/white/blue game, this striped shirt was simple yet stood out (and there is a matching tie... see below).

For Fall, Bonnett had sweatpants that he paired with sweaters and outerwear. With Spring he showed this washed striped tank with a matching pair of shorts. A muted take on his core color palette was a nice way of showing it differently and softening the look.

And now the neckwear... the striped tie to go with the shirt above; a vibrant blue and some seersucker rounded out a nice accessories story.

You can find out more about Rhett Bonnett and points of distribution on his website. I am interested to see what comes next!

Saturdays Surf x Porter Tote: Things I Want

This past weekend I was cruising around SoHo and stopped into Saturdays Surf. I'm a big fan of the space, and of the brand, and the guys have been getting a lot of (deserved) press these days. Plus they just opened a store in Japan! 

While I was drinking my espresso I ran into Richard Haines, the venerable fashion illustrator who in addition to projects with the NY Times and J Crew, runs the What I Saw Today blog.

Moving on through the store, I came across the bags they did in collaboration with Porter. If you regularly read me, you'll know I am a Porter fanatic... so imagine my reaction to these totes.

They come in four colors and have a great waterproof snap top, so it's ready for beach use. A fantastic bag and one I hope to be using this summer!

Shirt from FLAPH x Barney's: Things I Want

This morning I came across this shirt on Hypebeast and with the red, white, and blue cuffs thought for a second it was from Thom Browne.

But no, it is Japanese label FLAPH, done in collaboration with Barney's. I love the spread collar, detailed tailoring, and that it is made of a quick drying fabric (summer swelter, anyone?). And of course for me, the tri-color ribbed cuff is the selling point, that touch of individuality that makes it (and you) stand out.

Head over to Hypebeast to see the shirt in blue, and you can also link to the FLAPH's own site.

Regatta Tote from Head Porter: Things I Want

I'm always a sucker for a good tote bag, and with Spring (hopefully) coming I'll need some pool and beach-side very soon. And a good tote from Head Porter is too hard to resist... I mean, they do call it the "Regatta" collection.

Made from a waterproof tarp material, the two-toned bags are in four colorways. I can't decide if the black/blue or white/yellow is my favorite. I think I'd prefer a custom black/yellow option!

But either way, more goodness from the folks at Head Porter. Check out Hypebeast for more info!

Tie from Uniform Experiment: Things I Want

I just came across these ties from Japanese brand uniform experiment and love them! The two-toned contrast is awesome and would definitely stand out when worn. I also dig the logo action "UE" on the bottom.

The black and darker blue version is my favorite, will definitely look to pick one of these up.

You can find more details at Hypebeast...

Oxford Shirts from Uniqlo: Things I Love

I've been a big fan of Uniqlo well before they hit Stateside... when I worked in Asia I started (and still do) get most of my denim there. They're great for basics in fun colors, and the Japanese slim tailoring is perfect for me.

Recently I had an emergency for a white shirt and bought a Uniqlo oxford. And I loved it! It fit me so well, was easy to wear, and totally flexible to dress up or down. Paired the white one with my new AMI sweater, which was a big hit.

I've since gone back and bought it in 3 of the 5 colors they offer (two shown here). My younger brother commented on how much he liked mine, so he got one too.

While they now have three stores in NYC (one dangerously close to where I live), that's it for their U.S. retail presence, and they currently don't offer e-com in the States. So for now, just go to their site and drool (or ask me to pick something up for you!).

Jimmy Choo Boots for Spring: Things I Want

I've been keeping my eye on the Jimmy Choo men's collections since they launched last year... there have been some fun styles (although Choo & Loub are starting to cross over a bit in the men's space).

But this morning the Spring 2012 offering jumped off the page at me -- brightly colored boots, and of course anything in yellow goes right on my want list!

Found these on Hypebeast (naturally) who found it on Honeyee (naturally) and I love the prices in Yen.

United Arrows Fall Lookbook: Things I Love

Japanese retailer United Arrows always impresses me... every time I am in Tokyo I have to stop by and check out their wares.

For Fall they've done a really fantastic lookbook bringing together pieces, colors, textures.

This was my favorite -- loved the hat, overcoat, and the vest:

But check out the rest of the images over at Selectism.... you won't be disappointed.

Pants from Ts(s): Things I Want

Pants are a constant source of problem for me. I struggle to find the right fit, the right fabrics, and often end up dissatisfied. Thus far Uniqlo and Bonobos have been the two exceptions to that rule, but I am always on the look out for something new.

From the good people at Selectism I came across these pants from the Spring collection of Ts(s). I'm not too familiar with the label... but since Selectism found it via a Japanese website, chances are it's not available Stateside. Again, another great find we can't get! Trip to Tokyo anyone?

I really liked the gray heathered look of these pants, guessing they're a light cotton or linen blend. And probably something I could wear to work, out to dinner, or for a weekend of errands.

Ts(s)'s collection also included a fantastic tartan jacket, so be sure to see more images here!

Rich Magazine's First Issue: Things I Love

One of the blogs I read, Coute Que Coute, always finds amazing fashion spreads from magazines around the world. This one, from the first issue of Rich Magazine in Japan, I thought was so compelling and touched on such a variety of themes.

From the life sized pearls, to the glittery Balmain-esque jacket, the shots were so well styled and really intriguing.

Below I've included a couple of my favorites. The whole hat series was awesome but I particularly liked the mask (is that Lucille Ball?) with the bowler hat (and one mouse ear), and the glossy red lips of the model.

And here I loved the color, the fabric, the draping...

Check out the rest of the shots here: http://coutequecoute.blogspot.com/2010/05/introducing-japanese-rich-magazine.html.

Enjoy!

Things I Have: Kickass Uniqlo T-shirt

On my recent trip to Shanghai I picked up a few things (see prior posts on shoes, t-shirts, jeans). One of my buys had been a really cool striped t-shirt from Uniqlo, which my brother Adam subsequently said he wanted.

So... I decided to give it to him and get a new one for myself.

Enter this awesome + kickass shirt with cool Japanese illustration and an exclamatory phrase whose meaning escapes me. Kiiiiiiin!!

Can't wait to rock this around L.A. as an addition to my tees from Japan that no one here has.

Check it out on the Uniqlo Japan site: http://store.uniqlo.com/jp/CSaGoods/289399-16-002

Things I Want: Red Shoes from Japan!

Okay so I had to take a week from posting because work has been insane! But I am back and with the men's shows last week in Milan, there is a lot to talk about.

But first, and maybe because it's been raining in L.A., I wanted to talk about these suh-weet red shoes from FAT in Japan (quelle surprise, everything cool is Japanese).

As I'm a fan of bold + bright colors, these are perfect for me. I love the rubberized crepe soles and the mid-ankle height. They're not as rain resistant as my Marc Jacobs wellies (see previous post) but are probably more wearable.

Found these bad boys on Hypebeast... FAT Gumbee II.

Enjoy!

Things I Want: Porter x Margaret Howell

This item encompasses two of my obsessions... bags & Japanese design. Could Porter do any more collaborations? Maybe? I feel like there are new ones every week (and I love it!).

I'm not that familiar with Margaret Howell, but after seeing this line of bags she did with Porter, I want to know more. I love that it is simple, and like the colored zipper and zipper pulls. Give me this tote!

Everyone has been blogging about this (Selectism, hyrcollective, highsnobiety) so I'll just send you to the All Beams site where you can buy it: www.allbeams.com

Things I Want: Japanese Scarves!

While not very appropriate for the cold Shanghai winter, these scarves from Pure Blue are perfect for Spring in L.A. They're from Japan, which is no surprise since 99.495% of everything hot these days comes from there (except for Band of Outsiders of course).

I'd like to pick up the blue since it seems to be my signature color...

You can read more about them at Selectism: http://www.selectism.com/news/2008/12/24/pure-blue-japan-plaid-scarves/.