Something for everyone in this exciting collection. from YMC and Clarks. The favourite high street brand have teamed up together to offer a capsule collection of footwear. Exciting and accessible, Clarks Originals are known for their ace collaborations, and YMC’s philosophy makes them a perfect match for the brand. Formed in London in 1995, You Must Create has become a highly significant design label. With a huge cult following, the range offers the very best qualities of the two brands: the high quality and heritage of Clarks and the design aesthetic of YMC and featured on the catwalk during the YMC show at the recent London Fashion Week.

The ‘Edmund Create Loafer’, with the brands giving the traditional driving shoe design an update through the addition of Clarks’ distinctive crepe sole and stitching, the traditional penny loafer and feature a chunky wrapped crepe sole. Incredibly comfortable and with the high attention to craftsmanship that we have come to expect from Clarks.

With its roots in the desert boot, the Edmund Must is a casual chukka in dark brown with woven toe detail. Capturing YMC’s ‘form follows function’ mantra, the classic styles are made of soft, supple leather supplied by UK-based tannery, Blenkinsop and are the perfect blend of comfortable and cool.

Here their iconic Moccasins boot is given a substantial wrapped crepe hand-stitched sole and a Navajo inspired woven toe detail to compliment the clean, simple style. Incredibly comfortable and with the high attention to craftsmanship that we have come to expect from Clarks.

Clarks boots are available from Stuarts of London

The new blank canvas collection with Christopher Raeburn, who is a  true icon, not only in British fashion, but throughout British culture, Fred Perry has been the label of choice for generations of forward thinkers. Known for his heavy military inspiration in all of his designs, it comes without any surprise that the Fred Perry x Christopher Raeburn Blank Canvas line uses various camouflage patterns. Raeburn takes contemporary fashions obsession with military style to a new level, using cuts from original military surplus fabric to create details for new pieces, which also appropriate the distinctive styles of camouflage from these unique fabrics.

The Schneetarn East German camouflage also known as ‘snowy pines’ is an unusual two-colour winter camouflage developed by a mountain warfare school first trialled in the 60s. The German Raindrop camouflage is a strong graphic reference from the 60s and 70s, less effective as an actual camouflage because at close range the colours would blend together.

And the American Issue Desert camouflage was specifically designed as an interference pattern for use during the early 90s, one that would interrupt the pixelated images of first generation night vision services.

Lastly, the German Raindrop camouflage is a strong graphic reference from the 60s and 70s, less effective as an actual camouflage because at close range the colours would blend together. Raeburn has utilised surplus camouflage fabric to construct the chest pocket then worked the pattern into an all over garment print. The slim fit shirt features our signature twin tipping in the designer’s signature orange and dual branding embroidery on the chest. Every shirt comes packaged in a branded bag manufactured from original parachute material.

Christopher Raeburn x Fred Perry from Stuarts of London

]]> http://www.stuartslondon.com/blog/christopher-raeburn-x-fred-perry/feed/ 0 http://www.stuartslondon.com/blog/alexander-leathers-hand-made-in-scotland/ http://www.stuartslondon.com/blog/alexander-leathers-hand-made-in-scotland/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 13:31:13 +0000 Stuarts London http://www.stuartslondon.com/blog/?p=6769 Continue reading →]]>

Alexander leathers is the creation of Sandy Alexander, founder of the Schuh fashion footwear business, and Will Lauder, a leather industry “veteran”  with over 30 years experience of design and pattern cutting in the high-quality leather jacket business with Aero leather.

The Alexander Leather Sheepskin Flying Jacket is a true authentic classic design, constructed from a soft, thick and durable shearling sheepskin sourced here in the UK. This heavy duty sheepskin is recreated by our specialist artisans Julie and Vicki, who have constructed these jackets for many years. You can have the best materials in the world but if you don’t have the expertise to put them together, the end product is never going to cut it. All seams are overlocked, then double stitch bound with a brown leather trim, the attention to detail is outstanding on these specialist sheepskins. The jackets are finished with brass hardware and an AM zip. For the true enthusiast pockets are not standard on these jackets but can be added as an optional extra.

A chance introduction led to a realisation that they both shared a passion for high quality, authentic, vintage style leather jackets.

Will was seeking a new challenge, and a combination of  Sandy’s retail and business background and Will’s wealth of manufacturing experience in the leather garment industry, led to the the idea for Alexander being conceived and born in Selkirk, Scotland.

The Alexander GT MK I : Four large bellowed pockets Corduroy collar Stud cuffs 1 piece back Windflap Zip guard Leather belt

Will’s vision is to recreate the ultimate in vintage style leather jackets with an updated  modern fit, combining the use of traditional walking foot sewing machines, and authentic high quality leather hides.

Customised added extras include local tartan linings produced by artisan weavers in the neighbouring Scottish borders. These elements combine together such that each and every Alexander garment is individually constructed, from start to finish, by one highly skilled craftsperson. These are the essential ingredients for creating the ultimate leather jacket – the Alexander jacket..

The Collection is split into 3 distinct categories, Vintage , Modern Classics and Military.

Roadster – The Roadster is a classic civilian jacket. The jacket features three outer pockets, two side pockets and one breast pocket with a brass zip. It also has adjustable side belts. The back is separated by a top yoke and the sleeves are standard American cuff.

The Product

“Vintage styling with a modern fit” is what an Alexander creation is all about. Styles that have in some cases been popular from as far back as the 1920’s, recreated using the same production techniques and using the same high quality materials as those from which the originals were constructed.

Our attention to detail is of paramount importance, be it on our military range such as the RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket and Dakota or the Alexander civilian range such as the all- time classic “Roadster”.

Also one of the best features of buying an Alexander leather jacket is you also have the choice of having one custom made to your own specification. In case the standard fits are not to your liking and need a longer sleeve or wider shoulders, all this can be arranged and a jacket can be made to order with in 3-4 weeks. Each jacket is handmade by a skilled tailor who expertise is only to make that particular style.

Such is the high quality of each jacket many UK leather companies & fashion designers that we known for selling leathers above the £1000 mark have their jackets made by Alexander. A recent collaboration with Nigel Cabourn is just one to name.

The Team

Many of Will’s colleagues from  his previous employment shared his vision and have joined him at Alexander .This gives the company  the benefit of over 242 years of experience in the manufacture of high quality leather jackets.

Alexander Jackets are made from the finest Steerhides, Horsehides, Sheepskins and Goatskins leathers.

Stuarts London is one of very few selective stockist and proud to be a stockist of Alexander leather jackets.

Crombie remains an iconic British brand, trusted worldwide for the quality of its products and the timeless elegance of its designs. In England, the ‘Crombie coat’  has been used to refer to the sometimes velvet-collared covert coat – a close relation to the Chesterfield – that has been beloved by Teddy Boys, skinheads, City bankers and gentlemen of the turf.

The brand’s enduring simplicity and elegance have allowed it to be rediscovered afresh by every generation. The company continues to use the finest British wools, tweeds and cashmeres to create its iconic menswear.  So what is a true Crombie coat, The answer is all of them. For although Crombie is a trademarked producer of men’s clothing, it has only been a coatmaker since 1985. Crombie was founded in 1805 as a woollen mill in Aberdeenshire.

Crombie produced hundreds of miles of cloth for blankets and uniforms during both world wars. With its war work over, Crombie reassumes its position as a purveyor of fine British fashion to celebrities royalty, and statesmen worldwide. During the 1980s the group was acquired by Alan Lewis, the Conservative Party’s vice-chairman for business.

 Under Lewis, Crombie’s emphasis has shifted: in 1985 the first Crombie-branded collection was produced. The current collection of Crombie branded clothes is strong – star garments include plenty of City and skinhead-friendly coverts, plus a cracking cognac camel coat. When the legendary British tailor Tommy Nutter sought to return to Savile Row with his own ready-to-wear range, he approached Crombie for support. A partnership was formed, and for many years Crombie and Tommy Nutter products were sold alongside each other from the same shop.

With  clients including Elton John, John Lennon, and Mick Jagger. Tommy Nutter produced a variety of eye-catching designs – including Jack Nicholson’s Joker costumes for the 1989 Batman movie – while Crombie supplied him with the cloth. Crombie continues to source only the finest raw materials to make its luxury products

Crombie Blue/Black Fully Waterproof Rainmacs from Stuarts of london

This piece has the usual Crombie durability
By using a single layer of double faced fabric (a once difficult technique of which Crombie was a pioneer in the nineteenth century), it is a lighter weight than many other full-cotton raincoats, and the superb grade of the weaving gives it a softer feel as well

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If you think Nashville is all cowboy hats and honky-tonks, you’d be mistaken. Nashville is also a place of high culture, and that’s why the latest campaign for Original Penguin SS13 was a great starting place for their latest campaign. The Tennessee four, showcases the latest campaign in Nashville in the cities local haunts.

In a great summer feel, the vibes from this great city, juxtaposed with the new techniques in washing, unexpected use of fabrics and keen eye for detail in this collection. With various prints and bright colours, suits, tanks, polos, shorts, and more are highlighted around Music City’s diverse scenery. Nashville provides the Original Penguin SS13 campaign, textural backgrounds as well as a creative culture especially in regards to American music history.

The brand didn’t have to go far for models as Original Penguin also used local business owner  and entrepreneur Daniel Ness as the face of the campaign along with other Nashville, Tennesee locals that embody the spirit of Original Penguin.

The whole campaign showed sun-bleached brights, a range of cotton shirts which include prints such as tropical flowers, water fountains and paint brushes, each shirt with its own name to reckon with, vegetable dyes and deep blues mixed with neutrals and playful prints that bring a sense of fun-loving adventure.

Original Penguin from Stuarts of London….

Original Penguin The Earl Vest Total Eclipse 1FSK0374GP 432

Original Penguin Floral Total eclipse Polo Shirt 1FSK0110 432

Original Penguin The Earl Polo Shirt Cinder 1FSK0274GP 051

Original Penguin Volley Mazarine Blue Swim Shorts PE18374

Where did it all start, the famous Polo shirt. No longer just part of the preppy style, the polo is now probably one of the most important part of a man’s wardrobe. Since it was invented in 1929 by Rene Lacoste, founder of the  crocodile-bearing brand, the versatile Polo shirts for men have remained popular and has gone from strength to strength.

Part of the Mod scene in the 60-70′s, the mod look is definitely a statement style without having to go full-on to the preppy style and looks.

Back in the day a Harrington jacket and chin’s were added to give you the perfect Mod look. Gone are the days of the aertex polo shirt and we go back to the knitted versions. Classic, and fifties inspired, the knitted polo shirt speaks of an old world elegance, when men, even in casual attire were always smart.

The polo shirt epitomises English style, the cricketer or golf player wearing it. Designer polo shirts are an among the most popular item of your staple wardrobe, as being neither a t-shirt or shirt, it comes as an in-between to roll out a smart casual or just plain old casual for an everyday look that can take you right through day-tonight.

Fred Perry‘s Polo’s are undoubtedly one of the most iconic polo’s in the world, they are an understated classic that no man can live without. Wear it like a real Englishman would, buttoned-up and with the collar down. It will give you that specific boyish, mod or preppy look and well-dressed look.

Polo Shirts from Stuarts of London

Merc London Jesse Chocolate Polo Shirt 1613103

Fred Perry Authentic Fred Perry Paisley Print Polo Shirt Medieval Blue M2275 126

J Lindeberg Rubi Slim Pique Melange Pink Polo Shirt

Take a look at a group of stylish guys, that shows the ‘Boys are back in town’. Gant Rugger presents its Spring-Summer 2013 collection’s campaign, which features six American men  living in New York who are all intimately connected to the fashion industry and media figures, in one way or another, including Sean Hotchkiss, Zeph Colombatto, Gabe Alonso, Noah Emrich, Lawrence Schlossman, and Justin Chung.

Gant creative director Christopher Bastin based the Gant Rugger collection to be sophisticated, with a group of stylish guys with roots in the world of online men’s-wear. dubbed Team Americano, as they take on Pitti Uomo for the Spring 2013 Campaign.

Sporting classic American silhouettes infused with an effortless Italian finesse, as they come forward with their individuality through the collection. They journey to Firenze and Alassio, Italy to fuse the classic American silhouettes with Italian finesse for a real-life road test of the styles they unknowingly helped create featuring classic shapes, highlighting individual and unique styles. Each member of the group embraces the collection highlighting the collections’ malleable aesthetic.

Under the direction of Christopher Bastin since 2009, Gant Rugger has grown from a small vintage-inspired specialty line into a full stand alone collection. Now creative director of all Gant collections Bastin was inspired by the street style scene at the biannual menswear trade show Pitti Uomo when creating his Spring Summer 2013 Gant Rugger collection.

Bastin titled the collection ‘Team Americano’ as a tribute to the eclectic mix of American sportswear and Italian style on display in the courtyard outside Pitti. The looks emphasize lightweight tailoring in cotton, linen and jersey perfect for summer dressing.

Gant Rugger from Stuarts of London

Gant Rugger R. Dreamy Oxford Pinstripe Capri Blue Shirt 345520

Gant Rugger The Hugger Dreamy Oxford Field Green Shirt

Barbour Jackets are world renowned for their heritage in producing some of the finest jackets. Over the last 5 years we have seen a colossal amount of change in J Barbour & sons. A decade ago we only affiliated Barbour jackets with our great British Country scene. The classic farmer’s  jacket has come along way indeed. Barbour focused on reminding everyone  what we all had forgot,  the sporting history of the brand , producing some of the finest motorbike jackets way back in 1936. With the re-release of the ‘Union Jack’ Jacket by Barbour International few years ago, Barbour has once again deepened it’s foundations in the fashion industry. So what’s next ? A collaboration with a top end Japanese designer…. wait, they have ticked that box already with Mr Tokihito Yoshida. A what fantastic jackets they are too, I have had mine almost three years now and it’s parked in the garage waiting a bit of re-waxing. Lets not forget Mr James Bond wearing the now dubbed Commander Jacket in the recent Skyfall film, which just identifies what heights Barbour have reached.

The To ki To Collaboration has now  come to an end, well almost, as we’ll be seeing more of the To ki To jackets being re-issued from the start again under a new label called Dept.B incorporating subtle changes, but that’s another blog for a different Saturday afternoon.

The latest developments with in Barbour are to the Beacon Heritage Range which for Autumn Winter 2013 will see a new collaboration with Norton & Sons of Savile Row.

Fashion over the last couple of seasons has divided into very much two split routes , one being the Street look, with the likes of Boy London and Billionaire Boys Club , Mr Bathing Ape to name a few, leading the way and the second and more in tune with Stuarts London is the smarter more tailored smart fashion. Its trendy once again to been seen in a blazer that will last the test of time, buying into quality. Top end fashion means parting with extra money, but as a wise man once said; you can buy cheap everyday of the week, but you only buy expensive once in a while to keep.

In short quality cost money and becomes a good investment.

Norton & Sons will of course fall into this category and with the creative direction of Patrick Grant, who has a sound reputation for working closely with celebrated designers of London, New York and Paris. One can only expect the best from this partnership between two British super brands. The collection will be based on authoritative cut blends with functional and rugged materials.

“You can buy cheap everyday of the week, but you only buy expensive once in a while”.

Inspiration for the collection comes from the artisan look and feel of workwear worn by traditional fishing and working communities along the Northumbrian coast. Combined with Barbour’s history in supplying these with quality, simplicity and understated style of Savile Row.

Norton & Sons established in 1821 by Walter Norton as tailors to the Gentlemen of the City of London, originally located on the Strand. The business flourished and by 1860 Norton & sons moved to Savile Row, where they still remain today. Savile Row still today is the home of bespoke tailoring. The Firm gained eminence as a sporting tailor, with an impressive portfolio of clients including King Edward VII, Wilfred Thesiger and Winston Churchill.

We look forward to being one of the very select few to stock this new collaboration for this A/W 2013. Deliveries will start End of July to Mid August.

Stuarts London is an official stockist of Barbour x Norton & Sons Collection.

Written by Ravi Grewal

Weekend Offender, out from the mid-noughtie’s spring/summer 13 lookbook uses famous quotes from classic British films such as Quadrophenia, The Krays and A Clockwork Orange, the collection of images provides an idea of the Weekend Offender lifestyle.

The collection itself is no-nonsense, functional, bold, stylish and playful, assured. Bold colours, the colour palette utilised, broad cuts and clandestine pockets. The Weekend Offender Spring/summer 2013 range does the  tough terrace-like styling, bringing in  simple lightweight jackets, ideal for football away days, and minimalist shirts for weekend nights out.

It’s all about confidence and attitude as much as you  can expect from Weekend Offender as the collection itself is no-nonsense, functional, bold, stylish and playful, assured, appealing, the model, the clothes, the locations and concepts all work and compliment each other.

The ‘Specs Graphic Jumper’, sporting the words ‘You wouldn’t hit a man in Glasses’ gives the ladish culture,  photographed in front of The Royal Oak pub in Hackney, home to scene of a violent trashing by the Maltese boys in The Krays.

Weekend Offender have obviously done something right due to its admirable simplicity,  maintaining  an understated aesthetic. Wearable garments that always get a second glance. Detail in everything, ADMIT NOTHING

“No, Kev, that’s it. Look, I don’t wanna be the same as everybody else. That’s why I’m a Mod, see? I mean, you gotta be somebody, ain’t ya, or you might as well jump in the sea and drown.” From The Film Quadrophenia.

Weekend Offender from Stuarts of London

Weekend Offender Paraguay Navy Polo Shirt CAPOSS1305

Weekend Offender Andorra Navy Jacket CAJKSS1301

Weekend Offender Bolivia Navy Shirt CASHSS1302

Weekend Offender Elite Squad Navy T-Shirt PTSS1302

Tony Patella & Pete Searson are a duo on pursuit to make the very best on offer in the denim world. Based in San Francisco, California Patella and Searson are not new to the industry, they have over 20 years experience working with fashion. Both sharing a passion for items crafted and authentic, the two turned a double decade long friendship into a business partnership to craft the world best denim jeans.

The question we wanted to find out……..have they achieved it?

After extensively wearing the jeans and seeing how they compare to a pair of my classic favourite brands like Levis Vintage , Edwin and Nudie – Tellason have stood the strength of time and worn in like one would expect from a £179 jeans. To be honest compared to the £215 , 14.5oz Levis vintage offer, Tellason is very fairly priced. Especially when Tellason’s £179 model is a 16.75oz denim. As a result we at Stuarts London have placed these jeans amongst our top denim brands and suggest they are a must have for any denim lover looking for an alternative to their standard issue.

All Tellason jeans are made in USA. What’s even better they are actually cut and sewn in San Francisco by experienced denim craftsmen. Each pair goes through a rigorous check point process to make sure the end product is worthy of its “Heavy Duty” Tellason leather hide patch, stitched to the waistband, made by Tanner Goods, Portland.  Even the pockets are made from superior quality canvas cotton and the back pockets are half lined on the inside for further durability.

We’ve established they are made well and the quality is up there with the rest. Is the actual selvage denim any good?

Yes. All Tellason jeans are only made from a Cone denim produced in Cone Mills’ White Oak plant, situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. If you know you stuff, you’ll know that’s the same place where Levi’s Vintage get their denim manufactured from too.

Soon to be available on the Stuarts London website on 19-04-2013 , Tellason jeans are already available  in store now from today. Starting the collection with three denim options. The first is the Ladbroke fit, a 14.75oz Denim, a Slim tapered leg and a narrow hem at 15″ with a low waist and low rise. The name of the jeans is based on the famous Ladbroke Grove area in London, UK.

The second is based on more of a 60s cut, with a mid rise waist but more forgiving fit around the seat and thighs, but still tapered in from the knee down to a 15″ hem. This style is named ‘Gustav’ and in my opinion is relaxed version of the slimmer Ladbroke fit, with a slightly longer front and back rise . However it not a loose fit and still slim in the leg, Gustav in comparison to others denim companies is a similar fit to Edwin’s Ed55 , Levi’s zXX 1954 or Nudie’s Grim Tim. The Gustav is available in two weights at a 14.75oz denim priced at £169 or 16.5oz priced at £179.

All the jeans have been given extra length in the leg too.  Mainly to allow for slight shrinkage on first wash and also allows you to turn them up to show off the selvage.

The short legs are in a 31″ inside leg , the regular in a 33″ inside leg and the long leg is available in 35″ leg.

We hope you like the selection so far of Tellason jeans we have, also to compliment the collection we have added in the ultimate workwear denim jacket complete with a carpenter’s wooden pencil, named the Coverall Jacket. We have good expectations for this denim brand and hope to see more good designs  added to the collection soon.

Written by Ravi Grewal

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