Copenhagen based label Wood Wood took a page from England with their new collection,  ”The Kingdom”. It is inspired by the royal formalities of Britain, but through the eyes of a London college student. In designing their collection, Wood Wood says:

Ideas occurred from several trips to London where streets are teeming with uniformed pupils at that time of day when school finishes. The formal and sublime atmosphere around Buckingham Palace is a strong foundation in the design approach to The Kingdom collection.

The result is a romantic and wearable collection that retains Wood Wood’s signature whimsical style. This season, they plays with patterns and prints, including Wood Wood’s take on the classic Duck Hunter camouflage and the colorful insignia print inspired by traditional uniform emblems. Materials such as natural wools, jacquard woven knits, bouclé, thin silks, canvas and Japanese nylon bring some texture and diversity to the collection, while the essential tricolor blue, red and white emphasizes the uniform references.

There’s no denying that Caputo & Co. bags are gorgeous, but scratch the surface and you’ll see that the brand is not just for show – it has a real mission too.  As founder and designer Alex Caputo puts it, Caputo & Co. has a “North American soul and a South American heart” . What does that mean? With 10 years of design experience under his belt Alex began the NY company 3 seasons ago, creating workwear and bohemian inspired pieces. The designs might come from NY but everything is manufactured by hand in Guatemala in partnership with Comunidades de la Tierra, an organization that gives opportunities to artisans in small villages.  For this collection, all of the textiles used are made in floor looms by hand, supporting craftsmen all over Guatemala.  These pattered textiles paired with premium leathers make for some of the most handsome bags we’ve seen in a while, (especially that oversized reversible tote, below).  After three seasons, Caputo & Co is proving that design, function and social responsibility are a recipe for success.

This one is for the ladies who’ve always stolen their boyfriend’s oxford button downs – you know who you are. In fact, that is exactly why Gitman Sisters came about. After showing the staple menswear line, Gitman Brothers, for years, the company began to catch on to that fact that buyers were selling to women looking for a more casual, boyfriend inspired style.  Thus began Gitman Sisters. Three seasons later they are still creating a line that is borne from the men’s line, and equal to it in quality and construction. This season there are three main silhouettes, (photos 1-3 below): a classic oxford button down, a blouse button up, and a shirt dress.  In addition the Gitman Bros, have included some special women’s only fabrics for the lady line, including a couple of lovely florals and bright, pattered flannels.

When asked what his inspiration is for his first women’s collection ever, Mark McNairy responds “I dont have inspiration. I just do it”. A fitting answer for a man who’s made a name for himself in menswear with his daring, devil-may-care approach and clever collaborations. It’s possible that this first venture in women’s wear is his most daring and clever collaboration yet. We say clever collaboration because he chose his daughter, Daisy, to feature in his women’s lookbook (below). The result is a truly McNairy venture – in equal parts camo and neon.

He’s borrowed many of his fabrics from the men’s collection but introduced others, such as an daisy print suit, (like daughter like father?), and an array of pieces in colorful dyed furs. We’re fans of the new (very gender neutral) jersey baseball cardigans, the numbers on which indicate size of the wearer…a risky but awesome move. If this is what McNairy will be making for women in years to come, we say: just, do it, Mark, just do it.

The WM. J. Mills & Co. booth is full of patterns, colors, shapes and such a wide range of fabrics you kind of feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. It’s their signature, and represents a ‘menu like’ approach to selling product – buyers can specify silhouette, fabric, details to create a virtually custom bag.  This is exactly the way founder Tom Beatty wants it to be; about the company’s approach he says  ”many brands are known for a particular model or style. We want to be known for the quality of our bags, the fact that they are well made.” This season the woven seer sucker fabric caught our eye,  (in 100% solution dyed acrylic so the color will never fade).  The army green waxed cotton and a playful pink windowpane pattern also made an impression. With such a wide range of possibilities, the bags to come out of Wm J. Mills each season are akin to collaborations between supplier and buyer, and we’re looking forward to comes out of this season.

A preview of the (capsule) NY Men’s Autumn / Winter 2012 show at our brand new space. Vendors set up their booths and prep their collections the day before (capsule) opens up to the world’s most dynamic and innovative retailers, press, and the rest of the (capsule) community.
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Title:

Menswear Consultant & Stylist

 Favorite part of your job:

It’s NEVER boring, no two days are ever the same.

Valentines Day Plans:

Snuggling with my three daschunds, dogs love you unconditionally.

Trends you are spotting this week:

The return of tartan, it seems plaid went away and came back already, who knew?

Post Fashion Week down time plan:

There is no down time, I go straight into working on Aspen Fashion Week in March and styling A/W12 campaigns.

Curt from Warriors of Radness

McNasty and I took a spin around (capsule) Las Vegas with a fistful of Mark McNairy New Amsterdam headgear for our friends.

Brook from Chop Wood Carry Water

Philip from Bee Line by Billionaire Boys Club

Steve from BPMW

Jim from GQ

Derek from Riviera Club

Leah from Tulle

Greg from H.W. Carter & Sons

Micah from Jack Spade

Keith from Eat Dust

Erica from Sunpocket

Matt from BPMW

Courtney from BPMW