Thursday 26 December 2013

ACM x Marks & Spencer | Mystery Gift









































The most wonderful time of the year, a time when family's get together, people exchange gifts with one another and the festivities are in full swing. As Editor-in-chief of ACM I was approached by Marks & Spencer Menswear Team to see if I would be up for teaming up with them to do a festive feature.

The idea was simple - I would provide a buyer/designer at M&S with information about me and my personal style to help them select a gift, for me (which I would know nothing about until it arrived at HQ) from their premium gifting products in the M&S menswear 'Gift Collection'. I would then as I am doing now, talk about how well they chose a gift that matched my personal style and show how I would style it for a Christmas themed party.

I received my gift just in time for Christmas, and I must say they matched the gift with my personal style very well. A lightweight formal cotton shirt from their 'Autograph' collection. This long sleeve button up features a cutaway collar, two button cuffs and a nice polka dot print. It came nicely packaged in a gift box too, adding that special little touch for the holiday season.









































So as mentioned the idea behind this post was to show how I could put this shirt into an outfit for a party I may attend over the holidays. I have kept things simple, and chose three quality garments that I feel offer a mature, smart casual look, to team up with the M&S shirt.

It may be classed as a formal shirt but that's not to say you cant wear it a little more casually. If your off to a friend or family members party you want to look smart, yet you want to be comfortable. With that said, we decided that wearing this shirt under a grey two pocket, heavy knit cardigan was the best way to go.

The cardigans large v-neck enables the shirts two main quality's (polka dot print and cutaway collar) to shine through, whilst the heavy knit will keep you warm. We teamed the shirt and cardigan up with some slim fitting dark indigo jeans for a more relaxed feel and some suede shoes with a small crepe sole to finish things off.ACM

www.marksandspencer.com

Tuesday 24 December 2013

IKKU | Black & Blue Collection



















Amsterdam based brand Ikku creates future friendly accessories. Their latest collection features organic cotton denim combined with vegetable tanned leather. The continuous search for future friendly materials brought Ikku on a journey to Turkey, where they found a 13 oz. heavy organic cotton denim, and to Italy, for premium quality Italian vegetable tanned leather. This combination of fabrics matches the sophisticated design Ikku is known for. 

"Leather and denim are remarkably timeless and durable. They both age beautifully as well. Combining the two fabrics creates a subtle block of colours and materials, complementing every wardrobe. All perfect for our aim to make design that lasts", says Daniel Archutowski, Ikku’s co-founder and designer.

The Black & Blue collection combines a 13oz. deep dark blue organic cotton denim with a premium Italian leather that’s vegetable tanned in either blue or black. The collection consists of sleeves for MacBook 11”, 13’’, 15’’, iPad 2 & 3, iPad mini, a neck wallet for iPhone 4, 4S & 5, a card holder, a shopper and a key ring. All are available from December on the new website www.ikkuonline.com, and in boutique stores in Japan, Portugal, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

www.ikkuonline.com

Friday 20 December 2013

Scarf Industry | Rain Scarf



















Rain Scarf's story is pretty simple. Think about a lashing rain, a ride on a motorcycle through Paris, and a traditional scarf. Scarf Industry's creator did not need more than a rainy ride on his motorcycle to realize the obvious; he actually knew right from the beginning. 

Everything starts with an observation: there's nothing worse than feeling the rain running down your back because your scarf is not watertight. Therefore, it's in order to find a solution to this drawback of traditional equipments, and with that he naturally created the first waterproof scarf.













The concept of 'Rain Scarf' is simple, the scarf has a nice inner face made of high quality wool, which is comfortable on the skin. The outside helps you brave the elements without undergoing the rain, thanks to its quilted nylon whose impermeability is guaranteed. 

This fabric is water repellent, which means it has undergone a treatment that allows water to slide over without penetrating. Thanks to its magnetic closure system, the scarf is kept around your neck. Made in France, the 'Rain Scarf' comes in 5 different colours and is available in two sizes: 150 cm and 180 cm.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Knomo London | Balham Collection





















Introducing luxurious, stylish and practical bags by Knomo London. The name Knomo is made up of two words, knowledge and mobility. Knowledge because Knomo want to be about understanding and expertise, and mobility because technology lets us be more mobile and flexible.

In 2004 Knomo realised the way we use technology was going to change radically. With the use of laptops, it means people can be online anywhere, and that been able to carry your expensive bit of tech is very important. With this said, Knomo aim to create perfect bags for real men and women. They specialise in keeping technology protected and looking good. Their in-house design team consider every detail through the process of Kaizen; taking each piece of feedback and working to tweak and improve their products.





















Seen here is the 'Balham Collection'. Taking it's name from the south London suburb, the Balham Collection has a similar feel to the area itself: Relaxed, with an element of laid-back cool. Each style will take you from work to weekend with ease thanks to the natural canvas and raw-edge leather trim, with antique brass hardware.

Knomo like to think of 'Balham' as their most versatile collection and the style can fit all ages of urban men. The canvas is lightly coated to make sure the bags always look pristine and  keep your belongings safe and dry inside. 
All Knomo bags feature a shockproof laptop compartment as well as a unique ‘MyKnomo ID’ – so that if the worst is to happen, they can help re-unite you with your bag.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Togs+Clogs AW'13 Photoshoot | #JustBargin'




















Togs+Clogs have just shot their AW'13 seasonal look-book named #JustBargin'. The look-book features an array of brands from their website, all shot on the canals of central Manchester.

Using photographer Tom Cockram and in-house stylist John-Paul Cassidy, the #JustBargin' look-book is an intimate look into the life of a Barge User during the Winter months. Featuring some highlights from Togs + Clogs AW'13 collections including Marshall Artist, Armor-Lux, Carhartt, Uniforms for the Dedicated, New Balance, Edwin, Universal Works, I Love Ugly and Lacoste Live! amongst others. There was also space for the Togs+Clogs x Grenson shoe.





















Armor-Lux // Kabig Breton Wool Jacket - Rich Navy Blue
Lacoste Live! // Aztec Engineered Pattern Sweater - Multi
OBEY // Brownsville Paisley Shirt - Tobacco Brown
Han Kjøbenhavn // Tapered Selvedge Denim - Raw Unwashed





















Anerkjendt // Tem Knit - Multi
Brooklyn We Go Hard // Leo Shirt - Khaki Green
I Love Ugly // Zespy pant - Army Green
Clarks Originals // Desert Boot - Dark Grey Suede



































































Good Fortune // Maneki-Neko

Friday 13 December 2013

Interview | Our Legacy



















During the summer of 2013 photographer Sven Eselgroth (sveneselgroth.com) embarked on a four month motorbike trip around Scandinavia, to meet up with some of the regions most exciting fashion labels. He spent his time interviewing the head designers, documenting their work place and shooting their AW'13 collections.

Our Legacy has been around since 2005 and comes from the forward thinking , creative hot-bed of Sweden. They make great, tees, sweats and shirts, and are famed for their relaxed fit. It's not just clothing they are known for though, they've dabbled in publications too, publishing a book of short-stories and photo-books under the Our Legacy label.


An Interview With Our Legacy by Sven Eselgroth


Can you describe your previous design education?
I studied fashion communication previously and I think that lead us to this because we were working with clothes. After university it was firstly very fine art like sculpture, then painting, graphic design, more fashion communication, illustration and photography. I didn't really want to be doing that but at the same time we started Our Legacy and did graphic t-shirts so they suited one another quite well because it was really conceptual. It was more of an expression purpose in the beginning, not really as a clothing purpose.

We tried to understand what subculture a particular t-shirt came from and create a look with it. They were all quite different themes so we had some punk, skate and some like football hooligans who could relate to the 80s. It didn't need to be very specific sub cultures but I think that today they are growing and there are some we’re not aware of yet which can be quite interesting.

How did you meet Jockum?
We played ice hockey together when we were 15. We both quit and didn't see each other for awhile but met again through a friend when we were 23/24. We both lived in Gothenburg so we started to hang out at first as friends and then we saw we had something in common even though we were quite different, and that’s how we became interested in the same thing and why we do what we do today.

Did you start the brand in Gothenburg?
I would say Gothenburg was the first starting point but it actually happened in Stockholm. My father makes vinyl's and printed material for different companies so we firstly did the printing in his studio at home in a small city between Gothenburg and Stockholm. We did all the samples there and then went to Italy to make the very first production and were then based in Gothenburg.

One year later, we moved to Stockholm where I was already living because I was working as a freelance art director at the time. Jockum had an agency with some other clothing brands and then moved to Stockholm and we decided slowly to create more and more clothing.

I got the feeling when you were talking about the t-shirts that they were a University project but you were actually making t-shirts as a line of clothing?
We had a small idea and we weren't fully sure but it felt like a personal project and one we wanted to make a business out of. We both just wanted to express and Jockum also had a background in marketing. I don’t know whether we wanted to try something new and express with prints at that time and then when we understood that we were actually making clothes, we wanted to try that. It took two years to get there with the right factories and the right manufacturer.

How did you break through the first issue of creating samples and manufacturing?
I think with a bit of luck and luckily we met some good factories quickly. We had some trouble as well in the beginning but we held onto really wanting to push it through even if it wasn't that season, so there was perseverance but we went down to Portugal a lot and saw the factories. You have to be very ‘on it’ I guess because in the beginning the factories know you’re not going to produce a lot and you always get the last line so you have to show commitment.

We got our first sample collection in 2007 which was around 40-50 pieces from Portugal with colour options and we had trousers, knitwear, some light suiting and coats too. We went to Copenhagen and we had a showroom, we didn't have any expectations about visiting for our first season but it went really well. We were not so much lucky but surprised that it actually went as well as it did in the first season because we thought it was nice stuff we were doing but we didn't understand how we got 50 customers and the factories were surprised too.

Where were the buyers from?
The buyers were from all over the world. I remember Terry Ellis from Beams International Gallery in Tokyo was one of our first buyers and Storm in Copenhagen. They were really good stores so we were really happy and we had some Italian and American customers too. I think it was a very nice spread.



How did the last season go?
Spring/Summer ’13 went really well I think. It was probably our biggest collection yet and was a bit excessive because we had 30-35 more pieces than we normally do. Sometimes it happens and I understand that it’s quite hard for a buyer but one nice thing is that they buy a good spread. I also think there can be some confusion in the buying process because let’s say we had different categories in a collection and they buy one piece from one category and one from another, then it can be a bit split. It was easier in our own stores because then you can create a tighter offset because we allow a lot more pieces in our stores.

What are your favourite parts from this autumn/winter collection that you designed yourself?
I like the whole idea of it. For me it’s definitely the best collection we've done structure wise, it’s a bit different visually but I think we kept it really clear in all parts. The idea was to look at official sectors in hotel lobbies, aeroplanes and banks and get the interior of these places into clothing.

We had one fabric that Lufthansa airline used in the 80's or 90's for their uniforms which was like 100% nylon fabric. We had one called ‘real fake leather’, which is actually like it sounds because the leather on this fabric is torn down and then sprayed onto polyester which is why it’s called ‘real fake leather’. It’s not that we’re using nylon or polyester or ‘real fake leather’ because it’s cheap, we just wanted to express that these normally quite uninteresting environments can be turned into something totally different.

Were any of the garments inspired by the uniforms people wore?
Yeah you had some garments that could normally be worn in this environment. For example we tried to make flight jackets with the ‘real fake leather’ and we also had the Lufthansa material which we wanted to make bomber jackets with. We tried to make hybrid clothing so we would take a classic suiting fabric for example and make a shirt, hooded jacket or even shoes just to break the norm of traditional clothing. We used the expression ‘no service’ within this collection to get a feeling of standing in the subway and wearing this sign. People are more likely to approach you if it said ‘service’ because they would probably think you were working there so there’s a bit of that design aspect within the garments as well.

Do you make accessories?
We’re starting to but we already do some sneakers and boots. Luggage will probably come in one year because we felt that we really wanted to work on it and build up a proper collection. It’s not going to be very big but it’s going to be very good hopefully and the idea is to show this in Fall/Winter ’14. Instead of just classic luggage and accessories, we've also been working on merchandise material like stickers, shopping bags, key rings and a small pouch which is actually in this collection but that’s only for our own stores.

We like to have an accessible product, especially inthis collection because it’s in this service world and we wanted to create more merchandise material. We also have sticky tape which says ‘no service’ on. Also one big thing with this collection is that we wanted to be able to take out some details. The bomber jackets or the shirts for example have straps which can be taken off if you want, so it has more of a uniform and working feeling.

Is it true you’re going to make a womenswear collection?
Yes, I think it’s going to be good for us to do that and we’re not going to let it affect the menswear. It will be a bit different and it’s not going to be a boyfriend style because that can be quite complicated and it doesn't really work in practicality. Firstly it’s about finding the right production and trying out some samples and seeing whether it works or not, we’re going to take it as it comes. We’re going to work for it but it has to feel as if it’s been around for a while and established; we don’t want to make it as a new thing.

I know you haven’t done any fashion shows but do you think you will eventually?
Not now but maybe we will do that, it just needs to feel right. It’s not that I'm against it but it feels a bit too traditional sometimes and I'm quite surprised that brands haven’t gone further with this type of presentation. It’s not every time and I'm not saying this in general but the big brands have the muscles to do whatever they want but they are still building it around a catwalk. Some are doing it really well and maybe they should always do that but I think brands have to find their own and shouldn't look at it like we’re expected to do a catwalk. Maybe it would be good for us but right now.

I’d rather focus on the product and the books we’re doing to actually give something to the customers or the end consumer that they can keep. We have felt that for a long time and some other media could be interesting like electronic films, mixed materials or having more intimate presentations. It doesn't need to be shown every time on a model, I don’t think it really works like that today because there isn't that stereotype any-more. It varies from season to season but if you look at the internet or the image flow we get today, I think there are quite a lot of things you could do if you spent some time rethinking.



Does social media play a big part in what you do right now because you don’t do fashion shows?
To be honest it doesn't. I'm not big on social media myself and I'm not saying the company is against social media but I wouldn't say we’re affected by it. I would like to be though because maybe that’s the future. If you do a product I think it’s more important to get that right than a factor of the vast information we all receive today. I wouldn't do that but Our Legacy do to let people know what’s going on.

Have you done any collaborations with Our Legacy?
We did one five years ago with bikes with a Swedish bike brand. Maybe we will do it again, it can be an interesting way if it’s the right match but we wouldn't just to do it for the sake of it. It doesn't need to be something outside the fashion industry, it could be bikes but of course it could be really interesting to do something with another clothing brand. I think people are just doing collaborations for the sake of it and it feels more like marketing rather than actually generating something between two parts, so it just feels a bit too much like marketing tricks out there right now.

Do you have brands that you look at and watch what they do?
Yeah of course we grew up with some brands that affected us when we were younger and they’re probably some of the reasons we’re doing what we are today. We grew up with Helmut Lang which was interesting and Armani was in that period in the 90's. You get affected by so many but all these brands still exist and are very different. Today it’s more about finding the dynamic of your own inspirations. Today I don’t buy fashion magazines, it’s very rare. It’s not that I don’t like fashion magazines but I've always been collecting photography and art and especially books. I consume them quite a lot and we try to get the feeling from them a lot.

When you say books, do you mean photo books?
Yeah. A colleague here started publishing and I was working with him in the beginning of this Swedish photography publishing house. So that’s always been a big interest for me. The first book we did was with Viviane Sassen called Sol & Luna and we sent around 10 pieces down to her in Amsterdam and then she played around with them. We didn't use all 10 pieces of clothing in this book but it was nice to see how she actually brought it in her own way. I think that’s a good collaboration when you let, in this case the photographer, do what she wants with our commercial product. All the books are very different from season to season.

Do you have a ritual to get inspiration?
I think we look at these social subcultures or at what we are doing at the time and try to develop what we’re doing more than trying to find a concept. I like it when the concept comes by itself sometimes and we don’t really struggle to find one. It’s like more of a coincidence sometimes and I really like to work like that. You can’t have it too structured and you have to let the people you’re working with and your ideas work freely.

This new collection, spring/summer ‘14, was more of a treatment and over exposure inspiration and I was trying to think how to over-expose clothing. We did a lot of tests and tried to find the source of bleaching indigo to almost white. Then we needed some sort of opposite energy and created the clothing that looks very much like protection clothing, like chemical laboratory clothing and people have been trying to bleach clothes. It’s a small part in the collection but I think it’s an example of how we can look like how we work.



Do you have a particular constant inspiration that you are always coming back to?
Maybe it’s the very culture of field studies and looking at what a store can sell in different areas. You have different areas here in Stockholm, some are a bit more of a posh and then you have inside Stockholm which is very different. I think we’re trying to look at all different areas and take different things or feelings, what they are doing and bring them together a bit more. For example how you wear a suit on an aeroplane, as a uniform, in a bakery or in a bank, we’re looking at how we can combine these and make a non-segregated look because we don’t like segregation. Our first piece we ever did was a basic grey marl sweatshirt because there were so many ways of wearing it but it was segregated because it was seen for a specific purpose like training or for the gym but we wanted to bring it into a new light and that’s what we’re still trying to do.

We did a collection after where we were refining everything we were doing. Like if we did a coat in cotton that first season then we did it in wool the season after. I think we decided to have some kind of recognition in the first two seasons so we kept these styles and changed the fabrics to make it more into a winter collection because it wasn't such an early stage, but I think it’s good to be very clear in the beginning. But since that it’s been a lot of changes and a lot of good developments.

And that was 2007?
Yeah 2008 we were in production of Spring/Summer 2008 and that collection was out in stores because you sell it half a year before. And that was the starting point I would say.

Making the collection more distinct or clear is a long development and we don’t want to be stuck in one typical style or an idea all the time. We try to change from season to season and I think even if we’re creating we still have our classic styles that we always do. We update them a bit but we always keep them in the collection. I think because we’re doing men’s, the general man will find his shapes and find his colours.

Do you have the bomber jacket here?
Unfortunately not. Also we did this army jacket but we wanted to make it more of a suit jacket. And this is a piece we’re using for Spring/Summer ’14 but in a very thin suiting fabric.

If you look at some online shops today that are doing their own style, they’re working with their several brands and mixing them together, which could have more of an impact to make you actually want to buy that t-shirt. Of course that’s their purpose and on a catwalk it’s also their purpose, but I don’t think it needs to be so restricted.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Quba & Co. | Southwold Store




















































Quba & Co. have just opened their fifteenth brick & mortar store in Southwold. Southwold is a seaside town situated on the coast of Suffolk. It is know for its ancient high street, famous beaches, Southwold pier, and spectacular views of the town, beach huts, and lighthouse.

For those who enjoy walking, there are plenty of wonderful areas to explore, walk across the River Blyth, or take the small rowing boat ferry. For the brave and adventurous, try the Voyager, a high speed race across the water. Southwold has its own old fashioned cinema, "The Electric Picture Palace" and its spectacular views are a magnet to artists.

96 High Street
Southwold
IP18 6DP


www.quba.com

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Gift Giving | Julian Ganio


















There’s been something of a Julian Ganio take-over at oki-ni. Following his superb STYLED and behind-the-scenes video, oki-ni asked Julian to share his take on 'Gift Giving'.

As Fashion Editor of Fantastic Man and an acclaimed stylist for the likes of Agi & Sam, i-D and others, Julian makes a living from his keen eye and appreciation of aesthetics. Who better then to guide us through the social minefield of festive present buying?

What, for you, makes the perfect gift?
Something thoughtful, caring and sentimental.

What’s your gift buying policy: research or instinct?
Gut instinct… always… this usually works well for me.

Tell us about the most memorable gift you have ever received?
My best friend Emmanuel Katsaros (a handbag designer) made me a woven-leather, checked duffle bag for my last birthday, which is also named after me - the 'Ganio'. This was a very sweet and lovely gesture!

Are there any gifts to be avoided; for example, where do you stand on socks?
I think it wouldn't be Christmas without the sock giving and receiving… I normally end up with a load of Paul Smith ones. Almost all joke gifts are pretty rubbish and could be done without.

To read more on the 'Gift Giving' interview between oki-ni and JulianGanio, head on over to the oki-ni blog, here.

www.oki-ni.com                                                                                           Post by - oki-ni

Monday 9 December 2013

Percival Clothing | Navy Wool Parka
































Percival believe in lasting design and timeless styling, and it shows in their modern take on the traditional parka. The Navy Wool Parka is the latest addition to their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, it's made from a Abraham Moon heavy wool and the jacket boasts a bright quilted orange lining. Other features include adjustable drawstrings on the waistline and hood, and a detachable fur collar. The jacket also features a wax yolk back panel and multiple pockets with wax flaps, the parka fastens with a zip and buttons to keep the cold firmly out.

This Parka is intended for everyday use by a wide generation of gents alike, in the hope that the customer will develop a connection with their Percival jacket- a design to last from season to season. Intended as a key wardrobe essential, the Parka Jacket is synonymous with Percival’s philosophy for timeless styling. With clever detailing over a trend led consciousness, Percival pushes its customers to experiment with their everyday style and consider the brands subtle design innovations. 

Priced at £375, available in store 43 Berwick Street, London and online.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Peggs & Son | In Store + New Website Launch






















Peggs & Son is a independent menswear store in Brighton. They first opened their doors in April 2000, but with a lack of places to buy quality clothing, even in a town known as a centre of style and fashion. With very little money and no experience they opened their first store on the outskirts of Brighton's North Laine.

The shop has since evolved, and moved twice until becoming the store it is today. Situated in the heart of Brighton, the store is located in Duke Street with a view towards the sea down Middle Street, one of Brighton's oldest streets with a rich history.

The collections of clothing you see in store and online, are curated in order to bring together the finest choices of international menswear available. Stocking quality brands like: Universal Works, APC, Grenson, Another Shirt Please, Our Legacy, Oliver Spencer, Red Wing, Arc'teryx Veilance. And rare denim from the likes of 3sixteen, Tellason, Ironheart and Edwin Overworks to name a few.

As good as their brick & mortar store is, Peggs & Son have just launched their new website, which hosts an electric mix of products. It's modern, more interactive and offers easy browsing, for online customers. With that said, Peggs & Son aim to assist the modern man in making his wardrobe his own.

www.peggsandson.com

Friday 6 December 2013

Interview | Per Andersson, Velour



During the summer of 2013 Sven embarked on a four month motorbike trip around Scandinavia, to meet up with some of the regions most exciting fashion labels. He spent his time interviewing the head designers, documenting their work place and shooting their AW'13 collections.

Sven met up with the Swedish fashion brand VELOUR by Nostalgi and talked with Per Andersson, creative director, about the brand’s origins, inspirations and plans for upcoming seasons.


An Interview With Per Andersson by Sven Eselgroth


How did you become interested in fashion?
Back in 1997 I rummaged through the store of my ancestors old ready-to-wear shop, which closed in the mid-eighties after 50 years of business. I decided to make use of the asset and opened the store Nostalgi together with a friend. 

The shop sold dead stock clothes together with re-makes art and design and became a forum for the Gothenburg, Sweden independent scene. Back in 2002 Nostalgi´s creative customers inspired me and a friend to start designing our own clothes under the brand name VELOUR by Nostalgi. The first VELOUR by Nostalgi collection was launched in 2005. This is how I became interested in fashion.

You design all the collections at Velour, how would you describe the look of Velour designs?
Some say that VELOUR by Nostalgi is all about Nostalgia preppy/subculture style & personality. Maybe this is true? I guess this is derived from the Nostalgi store period. We always end up cooperating with interesting people and authentic brands etc. We target the chino & shirt personality rather than the jeans & t-shirt personality and this influence the look of course.

Is there a common theme you keep in mind when you are designing a new collection?
No, not particularly. But i tend to go back to the Nostalgi store period and its creative customers like musicians, artists etc.

What other interests do you have as well as design?
I like music, read biographies, running and playing golf.

What made you choose the name 'Velour’?
It is a sort of anti name to the Swedish Velour-man or Velour-dad phenomenon. Back in the seventies the Velour-dad was a slightly derogatory term for what is perceived as a "soft" one, in contrast to a more traditional masculinity father. This may be reflected in his involvement in household and child care but also in his approach to conflict resolution. 

The term arose in the 1970s when the soft velour fabric was popular in a particular type of unisex fashion. The appellation is part of man's softer approach, partly to the typical velour-dad used to wear velour-clothes. The word is not used today.

You started the brand with two other friends, but you now run the business solo. How are you liking being the sole decision maker?
Actually I started the company with one friend and we were five partners at most. For the past four years I have been the only working partner but my employees and me make the most important decisions together. Velour by Nostalgi is not a one man show.

How else has the brand evolved since its beginning?
Velour by Nostalgi is today selling to around 150 stores in 25 countries and is distributed by several of the best independent stores in the world such as Soto Berlin, Opening Ceremony, LA and N.Y, French trotters, Paris, American Rag, LA etc. We have one flagship store in Gothenburg, Sweden and one in Amsterdam, Holland. Product development is a key factor for our success and especially our chino program called the Adan chino family. This is the corner stone in our business and look.



How much does your personal dress style influence the collections, or do you keep your personal tastes separate from the business?
We are still part of our target group and the target group is derived all the way back to the Nostalgi Store period at the end of the nineties. I was part of that period so my personal taste is still very much the VELOUR by Nostalgi look.

We know that you named your collections after the names of islands in Sweden. Is there anywhere else you would like to live that you feel could inspire you in the same way?
I think that you can get inspired by many things but the core look will be the same. I have lived in Gothenburg more than fifteen years and I still enjoy and get inspired by the city its people and its DIY ethic.

What kind of music do you like and does that have any influence on your designs?
I like a wide variety of music but one of my old time favourite is the Manic Street Preachers. Yes I can get inspired by the music scene, for example when I designed our SS'14 men´s collection I was inspired by a typical Dexy Midnight Runners, don’t stand me down and the reissue the directors cut look.    

Recently you made a portrait of musician-José González, how did that come about? Are you friends?
I actually met him in our store in Gothenburg when he was buying some shirts from the SS'12 collection. I started talking to him and later I asked him if he could portrait the SS'13 collection. I did not know him before.  

Do you have plans for more collaborations with other creatives, like Jose, in the future?
Yes, we are doing one portrait for each collection. We went to L.A in July to make our AW'13 portrait with the renowned painter Johan Andersson. (http://www.johanandersson.com). Very interesting person.

You recently collaborated with shoe brand-Clarks Original in the UK, do you have any more brand collaborations planned?
Yes, we just launched our Iconic Adan chino collection with the Soto store in Berlin. We launched this exclusive collaboration with SOTO´s in-house label Le Berlinois at the SOTO store in Berlin the 4th of July. 

The collaboration consists of a collection of limited edition paisley pattern Adan chinos and shorts. The pants come in two different colour palettes and is now available in Velour by Nostalgi´s own Gothenburg and Amsterdam stores as well as in SOTO store. It is also available online. The Adan chino has always been, and still is, one of the most fundamental pieces of the Velour by Nostalgi collection´s; a modern alternative to a classic garment. We are also planning a new shoe collaboration with a very authentic shoe brand that we like.

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