Archive for April, 2011

Heralded as one of the original icons in American footwear, Sperry Top-Sider, the renowned brand for performance boating shoes presents its autumn/winter 11/12 collection full of both classic and trend-led styles, all with assured quality and comfort.

Throughout the collection, added cushioning, wet/dry traction for a non-marking sole and shock absorbing heels are just some of the key features making Sperry’s the go-to brand for performance boating footwear. The introduction of more trend-led styles for both men and women has broadened their target market with these quality features separating them from the competition. I was lucky enough to try a pair of classic deck shoes and can certainly confirm the comfort factor, a feat not often felt by feet living in the world of fashion.

Updates to the classic boat shoe is noted with subtle fabric contrasts using suede, leather, wool and canvas within the ‘Bahama’ and ‘Bahama Chukka’ designs with a light aged finish. The ‘Boat Oxford Wing Tip’ stands out as a potential top seller in a range of colourways from tan suede, olive, spice red and grey as does the shoe shape of the moment the desert boot, titled at Sperry as the ‘Boat Oxford Desert Boot’. More relaxed designs include a range of lightly aged plimsolls the ‘Burnished CVO’s’ as well as the new ‘Seamate Chukka’, again with a slight aged finish, chunky sole and hi-top.

There is certainly alot to get excited about within the womens range as Sperry present a range of heeled hybrid boot styles that combined with the comfort assurance can only be a winning combination. Stand out heeled styles include the ‘Trinity’ boot in tan and olive which is a delectable boat/hiking boot hybrid that screams comfort and style, also available in a low heeled ‘Saddlebrook’ variation. The ‘Darlington‘ (heeled boat loafer) and ‘Princeton‘ (lace-up desert boot) also stand out as potential key sellers. The ‘Seamate Suede’ and ‘Pinnacle’ offer more casual options with the new for a/w 11/12 ‘Skiff‘ design submit the ultimate in lounge footwear, fleece lined suede slip ons with fabric lace-feed.

We here at Mpdclick HQ shall definitely be waiting with bated breath for the autumn/winter 11/12 collection to be released.

Bahama Chukka

Bahama

Trinity

Princeton

Words by Trend Journal Editor…

Now established as an all-year brand, the original sneaker brand Keds present a transeasonal collection for autumn/winter 2011/12 featuring a range of both fashion forward and classic styles within their narrow silhouette signature.

Featuring warm, weatherproof fabrics such as high quality leather and oiled & waxed canvas, function and comfort forms the basis of the collection. Stand out designs within the womens collection include the Zip Hi-top, fur lined lace-up boot and variants from the Celebrity range offering feminine ribbon laces. Nautical inspiration is also evident within the Skipper range, available in suede, leather and even striped canvas for an all out seafaring style.

The Booster makes a fresh return for menswear this season in the form of a casual day shoe in collaboration with US designer Mark McNairy, inspired by the 50’s booster styles, steering Keds in a new direction away from its iconic casual trainer style. Classic Saddle designs are also given a twist with leather and suede contrasts reminiscent of a modern golf shoe with perforation detail, again a more formal direction for Keds. Key sellers will no doubt be the slick leather & canvas hi-top sneakers, providing a timeless, investment style that will continue to surge in popularity for the brand.

The high-end Plectrum collection by Ben Sherman presents a range full of modern classics where detail and quality is imperative in their ‘Englishman in New York’ autumn/winter 11/12 collection, presented by Sane Communication PR.

The notion of an Englishman in New York conjures up images of the discerning, well travelled gentleman, curious and intrepid in his quest to discover the foreign and the fascinating. It is from this timeless, almost heroic character that the plectrum collection takes its inspiration for autumn/winter 2011, delivering a collection that captivates the very essence of this eccentric gentleman; the Englishman in New York.

A silhouette defined by an eclectic mix of old English and military influenced design is made contemporary through their introduction to modern textures, technical fabrics and traditional wool in innovative fabrications. Knitwear features tweedy yarns, Fair Isle designs and a belted long-line cardigan sees knits being worn as outerwear. Colour blocking appears within shirting, while an antiqued theme lend the shirts a lived-in look reminiscent of dishevelled luxury. Tartans and indigo are also evident whilst oxford fabric and ginghams are tackled with a fresh approach. Outerwear is key, with statement pieces such as the iconic duck-down Parka and a fantastic coated technical marl gilet taking centre stage. An indigo dyed flat front trouser that will age beautifully with time, completes the look. A colour palette of mossy greens, burnt oranges, gunmetal and smoky greys are offset against new highlights of mustard yellow and shades of winter berries. Dynamic trims come through in the form of shearling collars and heavy twill linings, whilst flamboyant checks punch through muted knit colours, elevating the pallets autumnal tones. Today, the attitude and aesthetic of the Englishman in New York remains a supremely timeless image the world over.

Stand out pieces for Mpdclick include the fur lined bombers and duck down parkas, the side fastened pea coat and the range of delectably snug Fair Isle knits.

In case you missed it, Mpdclick published their a/w 11/12 trend findings for the intimates market for both male and female last week.

Vintage inspiration took over female ranges in the form of highwaisted pin-up sets and traditional pyjamas while retro prints and minimal silhouettes dominated mens ranges.

Mpdclick subscribers can click here to see the full male and female reports.

For more information on subscribing to Mpdclick, please see here.

Words by Mpdclick Trend Journal Editor…

Both looking to times gone by for inspiration, we take a look at labels Whillas & Gunn and Rae Jones presented by Sane Communications PR to see what they have in store for autumn/winter 2011/12.

“Combining timeless rugged Australian outearwear with contemporary styling and a polished fit” Whillas & Gunn present no less for a/w 11/12 in an aged palette of rust and mud brown, khaki green and off-white with a particular focus on aged finishing. Classic bag shapes such as holdalls, totes and back packs carry a uniform of rust brown straps and sturdy tabbed metal popper fastenings. Hats of all shapes are also presented from short and military peaked caps to leather deerstalkers and flat caps. Within the array of accessories was the statement coat of the season, a longline, waxed jacket with contrasting leather collar and tabbed button fastening.

Footwear label Rae Jones takes inspiration from popular vintage styles to create feminine footwear with longevity in mind. Again, a muted colour palette dominated with caramel browns, dusty navy and pistachio green taking centre stage, reinforcing the vintage inspired. Stand out pieces include the wrapped heeled Chelsea boot and the stripes weekend bag with a subtle red accent.

Whillas & Gunn

Whillas & Gunn

Whillas & Gunn

Whillas & Gunn

Rae Jones

Rae Jones

Rae Jones

Rae Jones

Words by Trend Journal Editor…

Mpdclick visited IPR to view their range of clients and their autumn/winter 11/12 collections; here we present stand out fashion designers from the event.

Texture and panelling is a clear focus for Julian J Smith presenting a collection full of organic curves and embellishment unpinned with hi-tech silhouettes and fabric choices. While an overall contemporary aesthetic prevails, homage to decadent times gone by are also noted shown by tiered fringing against heritage inspired woven fabrics.

British designer Richard Sorger presents a more subtly embellished collection adorned with delicate sequins and beads. Simple shapes such as relaxed blouses and shift dresses are used allowing the embellishment to take centre stage upon a soft neutral palette of off-white, black and feminine hues of petal pink and lavender.

Loft, Design By presented a collection drenched in heritage influences with a contemporary twist. Decorative knit patterns appear as Trompe l’oeil prints upon button up cardigans and ‘on trend’ mid length skirts. Traditional tweed blazers are reinterpreted with knitwear creating hybrid jackets with classic parka jackets and rustic holdalls also being seen.

Label GoodHood source from a vast range of contemporary brands to bring their customers a carefully curated collection of pieces, this season statement classics prevail. Stonewashed tapered jeans are lightly distressed with an overlay of a light polka dot print, as is a panelled denim shirt while a utility jacket is reinvented with a rustic animal print and sports infused dot overlay. Stand out footwear includes a pair of 1970’s inspired tan suede platforms from and cut-out hessian lace-ups.

Julian J Smith

Julian J Smith

Julian J Smith

Julian J Smith

Julian J Smith

Julian J Smith

Richard Sorger

Richard Sorger

Richard Sorger

Richard Sorger

Richard Sorger

Richard Sorger

Loft, Design By

Loft, Design By

Loft, Design By

Loft, Design By

Loft, Design By

GoodHood

GoodHood

GoodHood

GoodHood

GoodHood

GoodHood