Bottega Veneta Shearling Slippers

Luxury leather goods brands Bottega Veneta sure know that dapper men need pampering daily and what better way to give your feet some deserved support than with these shearling slippers. The shearling sits on the outside and inside of the slipper. Round toe. Simply slips on, perfect luxe item to pair with your designer bathrobe :o]

Massimo Dutti F/W 09 Ad Campaign

Mariano Vivanco was on duty behind the lens for this Massimo Dutti 09 Ad campaign featuring British model David Gandy.

Raf by Raf Simons for Dr Martens Metallic Boots

This is a very good reason to have bootie love [lol whatever] This fall the metallic vibe is on, even oxfords and boat shoes are getting in line. Retails for £280.

Life Without Rules [Vogue Hommes Japan Editorial]

Vogue Hommes features models Kerry Degman, Alan Carey , Pablo Contreras , Jake Madden , Ryan Bertroche , Roy Pratt & Dean Sibrizzi in an editorial titled " Life Without Rules" shot by Mariano Vivanco.

Prada Calfskin Manbag

Italian luxury label Prada designs manbags i would want to carry. They combine style and practicality exuding a sartorial flair. Retails for $1,516.

Lanvin Leather and Wool High Boots

These Lanvin Boots are uber chic and oh so fantastic. Step out in style with a luxe touch, all you got to do is tuck ur slim/skinny jeans into them. Retails for £810.

26.10.2009

Because today I found myself missing New York City a little more than usual....

 

Editorial taken from US Vogue, September 2007; 'Shift into Neutral', Daria Werbowy shot by Inez and Vinoodh.

(Image credit: Bellazon.)

Miharayasuhiro F/W 09

Miharayasuhiro is amongst prominent Japanese designers whose names are recognised in Europe and America. The f/w 09 collection was shot by Horst Diekgerdes.

25.10.2009- There's a Wild Thing in all of us.

I can't wait to see 'Where the Wild Things Are' when it's released over here in the UK on December 11th. Adapted from Maurice Sendak's adored book and directed by Spike Jonze,the film looks simply beautiful, both on a design level and in the sentiment of imagination which it encapsulates.

(Image credit: flickr and trailer courtesy of Youtube.)

You Are A Voyeur [Blackbook Magazine Editorial]

Blackbook features an editorial titled "You are a Voyeur" shot by Joe Lally in their october issue featuring models Ryan Koning & Michael Brager.

NewLook Chunky Knit Snood

Tubular neck scarves a.k.a Snoods are the hottest items this fall. Following the chunky knit trend from last fall you might want to update your snood to a chunky knit. This retails @ Newlook.

Reiss Windsor Fabric East To West Tote Bag

The double handles and fold over front work well with this tweed tote bag by Reiss. It's cool for work and can pack a few things for an emergency getaway :o] Retails for $209.30.

Balenciaga Hi-Top Sneakers with Felt Detail

Browns just added this stylish Balenciaga Navy and beige hi-tops with felt detail. The felt detail sits in panels on the sides of the trainer as well as the tongue. Retails for £305.

21.10.2009- An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls, Novello Theatre, 06.10.2009, 7:30pm.

An Inspector Calls, written by J.B Priestley and set in 1912, premiered in the UK after the end of the Second World War in 1946. Over sixty years later, Stephen Daldry's revival has returned to the West End, following its hugely successful inception at the National Theatre in the early 1990's. Telling the tale of the tragic demise of a seemingly anonymous young woman, Priestley's narrative is a parable of social responsibility, pitting the middle-class Birling family against the perplexing, authoritarian figure of Inspector Goole, who quite literally demolishes the foundations upon which the Birlings have built their artificial lives.

The most striking thing about this production is the breathtaking set design, which brings an affluent Edwardian neighbourhood into the theatre, complete with rain, cobbled streets, working streetlamps and an imposingly opulent house, belonging, of course, to the Birling family. The interior of the set is breathtakingly elaborate, demonstrating the disingenuous and narcissistic nature of each of the protagonists within Priestley's narrative. Ian MacNeil's scenography (complemented fantastically by Rick Fisher's lighting design) effectively brings the audience into the world of the Birling family; we at first encounter them from afar and feel almost as if we are spying on them through the windows of their house, isolated from their world of parlour games and platitudes.

As Inspector Goole arrives however, the house physically unfolds as the secrets and lies of the family are systematically revealed by their interrogator; the characters and their shameful deeds no longer have anywhere to hide on stage. The director also ensures that the audience feels an affinity with Inspector Goole from the outset of the performance, by having him make his first entrance through the auditorium, breaking down the parameters which usually exist between the fictional world represented on stage and the real world of the audience. Here the Inspector is the representative of the audience; he poses the questions which we want answered, and holds the characters to account for their appalling behaviour as they each reveal their complicity in the death of their voiceless victim, Eva Smith.

The strongest performances of the cast come from Nicholas Woodeson as Inspector Goole and Marianne Oldham as Sheila Birling. Woodeson brings nuances of his own to a character which has to find the right balance between otherworldliness and authority, and his portrayal of the Inspector as a somewhat unpredictable force echoes the many twists within Priestley's script. Oldham is suitably sensitive as Sheila, and is the only character which I felt underwent a completely earnest reversal of attitude as a result of the interrogation. Although David Roper and Sandra Duncan as Mr and Mrs Birling are adequately irritable, I didn't feel that their performances were pitched at the right level; the hysterical laughter they engage in upon realising that the Inspector isn't all he seems somehow makes a mockery of the sentiment of Priestley's writing and undermines the revelation which is made at the end of the play. Robin Whiting as Eric Birling attempts to bring a level of pathos to the conclusion, but his histrionics do little to evoke any level of empathy with the audience in view of the demonic joy exhibited by both of the older Birlings and Gerald Croft (Timothy Watson) when they believe that they have been exonerated after Goole departs.

Overall, a production which I found more engaging on a technical level than a performative one. In order to have any emotional resonance with the audience, this piece needs to evoke a semblance of realism, something which was attempted but undermined by the archaic and almost pantomime style of acting on the part of Roper and Duncan. Although sound, scenography and lighting all served to evoke a strong atmosphere, sadly I feel the performance was let down by a style of acting which diluted and detracted from the over-arching theme of collective social consciousness which Priestly endeavoured to convey when the play was first written.

(Image credit: here.)

Benetton F/W 09 Ad Campaign

Canadian models Ryan Taylor & Simon Nessman were the chosen ones for Benetton's fall/winter 09 campaign shot by David Sims.

Casting [GQ Italia Editorial]

Love the idea of this spread in october GQ Italia featuring a host of hotties like Gabriel Perez , Lucas Mascarini & Arthur Kulkov.

Ben Sherman Twill Commuter Bag

You get to haul around your laptop and documents in style with this Ben Sherman bag. It's design is very minimal and its practical with a touch of natty. Ideal for the Wall street or Silicone valley man.Get it for $130.81.