Givenchy Pre-Fall Accessories: Things I Love

Well Riccardo Tisci does it again... Givenchy just released their Pre-Fall accessories and I had a really tough time choosing my favorite. The collection includes a great mix of pouches, wallets, and totes in a variety of prints and fabrications.

Two favorites (there was no way to pick just one)... I am digging this red tartan, it catches your eye but has subtle branding.

Another fav was the two-tone denim... a bit of a throwback-meets-today-and-still-cool take.
 

The ever-chic Spaniards at Fucking Young have the whole collection for you to check out. Stay tuned for when I decide which of these I'll be picking up!

Yellow Yellow Yellow: Things I Love

Most of you know that I have two color obsessions... yellow and navy. I can't get enough of either (as evidenced by the yellow sweater I just bought from Gant Rugger).


Well to celebrate the vast number of colors they've used since 1941 Coach is starting a really cool project called ColorTag. It's a way to identify with your favorite color, see the products it was created with, and more.

Of course when they asked which color I would choose, YELLOW popped right off the page. So here it is!


Check out the Facebook page they've created where if you're obsessed with color charts like I am, you'll have a blast... enjoy!


 

Leather Briefcase Options: My Brother's Shopping List

This week my brother asked me for some suggestions on a briefcase. He wanted something that looked nice for work, that was classic and could be used for a while, and that was reasonably priced.

I definitely have my favorites when it comes to leather goods... but in the spirit of meeting his criteria I've come back with what I think are three great options.

1. First up is a favorite brand of mine, Billykirk. Made in the U.S., they do great collections each season and are gaining quite a following. I really liked the simplicity of the Billykirk Schoolboy Satchel that I found on Bonobos, definitely a classic look.

2. I went to my go-to retailer's website to see what they had. While there were some bags that I loved, they weren't all suited for my brother. But this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag caught my eye. I liked the various textures of the leather, the front pocket, and the simple clasp. Available at Barney's.

3. Next I went to J. Crew, because I know they not only have a well edited men's mix, at a great price, but they also bring in other brands to round out their offerings. In this case, their own Montague Leather Satchel seemed like a nice fit for my brother.

Some good options to be sure, and hopefully one of them will soon be in my brother's hand!

A Series on Leather Craftsmen: Interview with Phillip Nappi

Following my interview with San Francisco based leather craftsman Gad Tal, I recently had the opportunity to speak with Nashville based leather goods brand Peter Nappi. I'll admit I have been salivating over their Julius boot for a while, so the chance to speak to the man behind the brand, was definitely a pleasure.

Launched by Phillip Nappi, the grandson of Peter, the story behind the brand and its Italian heritage is one that will have everyone believing in fate (read below). The story behind their Nashville studio, and the incredible level of quality and detail behind their work, is one that will have you believing in the resurgence of craftsmen and how you can purchase goods that will last a lifetime (continue reading below!).

Based in a rebuilt studio space that had been Nashville's Neuhoff Meatpacking Plant, the Peter Nappi team not only produces handcrafted beautiful products, but has engaged with local musicians, artists, and chefs to connect with the community and those who share a similar passion for artisanry and craftmanship.

The Tote

Julius Boot, a personal favorite

5 Questions with Phillip Nappi:

MR: What inspired you to "relaunch" the Peter Nappi brand?
PN: It all boils down to a passion for boots I had shared unknowingly with my grandfather, the founder of the original Peter Nappi. I've always dreamed of having a shoe store with old, great leather couches, a cappuccino machine and incredible music playing in the background. I was inspired to turn my dream into a mission when my favorite pair of work boots finally wore out beyond repair. I had worn them everyday for years to the point that they were molded to fit my foot as if they were made for me. It was like losing a great love and I couldn't find anything to replace them that could offer its perfected fit from the beginning. So I started sketching out some ideas, ripping out pictures, and piecing together all of my favorite aspects into one model. It became an obsession. But if we were really going to do this we had to be all-in. So my wife and I quit our jobs, boarded our dogs and moved to Italy to make the perfect boot. Everyone thought we were nuts.
It wasn’t until about six months into this venture that our fate was sealed. While in Italy, I found out my grandfather, Peter Nappi, whom I had never met, was a shoemaker from Vietri, Italy. It was as if all of this was predestined, uncovered piece by piece to seem like it was my own idea, when really it was a part of who I was all along. This is my heritage, I am just happy to be able to carry it on.

MR: What is the basis for your designs?
PN: Quality takes precedent. We spend equal time choosing the leather as we do designing and crafting our boots. Only the finest, most supple leathers will do. Then we focus on simple, time-honored designs that last. We believe your footwear should be a staple so we design ours to be both timeless and have the quality to last a lifetime.

MR: Is there a specific training or apprenticeship program for your artisans?
PN: We work with an incredible group of people in Italy. The man that helps bring our designs to fruition actually teaches the art of shoemaking to students in town (Monsumanno Terme, outside Firenze). He is so passionate about sharing the talents and skills of past generations and passing them on to the next reign. The family that owns the factory where our shoes are made has worked there since the 60s. The owner, now 78, and his wife still come in everyday. He's actually been making shoes for one of the most famous Italian fashion houses since he was only eleven years old. He's about to hand over operations to his daughter who's probably been there since birth. The head foreman, lovingly called "iL Mastreo" (the Master) has worked there 32 years - and he's only 50 years old. Shoemaking is in their blood— that more than anything trumps their training. They are truly incredible people and we are lucky to work with them.

MR: Are there any new materials or techniques you're looking to use moving forward?
PN: I've been experimenting with finishing techniques. One of the best things about our shoes is that they only get better with age. The leather is such that through wear, they actually become more beautiful—like life is evolving them into an extension of the owner. Some of these finishing techniques will bring out hidden qualities that would take months or years to see. Although the journey is half the fun, these effects on the leather give the boots the appearance that they have a life and a story to tell coming straight out of the box.

MR: Where do you see Peter Nappi going from here?
PN: We have some great women's models coming soon. Heels, boots, open toe, laced shoes. All with our signature quality and timeless style. We've also been working on leather jackets. We want "Peter Nappi" to be a lifestyle. A way to live—not just in the products we sell but in the principles we believe in, which inspire the way we work and produce our goods.
There are just so many options! We are thrilled to be given such an incredible opportunity to revive and continue a great man's calling.

Wooden shoe boxes

Inside the studio

Be sure to check out all of the great content on the Phillip Nappi site, including video and more photos of their amazing studio!

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: Canvas Bag by Mismo

Quelle suprise... another bag I want! This one from Danish brand Mismo as part of their Canvas Collection. I love the simplicity, the one pocket on the side, and the black leather handles. Perfect "day out in the city" bag!

You can see it and the rest of the collection courtesy of Selectism: http://www.selectism.com/news/2008/12/11/mismo-canvas-collection-bags/#more-6305

Things I Want: Karl Lagerfeld Bag

I have already written about my penchant for bags... and here is one more!  You have to love Karl.  Karl, Karl, Karl.  He just sent this number (with his own face, natch) down the runway for his next Ready To Wear collection.

Have to love it!

Work it Karl!

Things I Have: Krane Design

I love bags (see earlier post) and can't stop from buying them! Last Spring I decided to upgrade the ugly vinyl laptop bag I had to something I actually wanted to carry through the airport.

And voila -- Fred Segal Santa Monica obliged with these amazing bags from Krane. It is a waxed canvas with leather handles and a very sturdy construction. In goes my laptop, the latest issues of Monocle and Gourmet, passport, and some protein bars.

Check out their Spring '09 collection on their newly redesigned website: www.kranedesign.com

Things I Want: Mulberry Tote

One of the first things you should know about me... I'm a bag whore. I have more totes, satchels, weekenders, duffels than I know what to do with. It is an obsession.

So of course I am all about this piece from Mulberry! It is fantastic -- great size, nice short handles (so the bag doesn't drag on the ground).

Get it!