oki-ni: FOCUS 002 ¦ Denim

The second entry in our new FOCUS series deals with a rugged menswear staple that forms the core of most men's wardrobes.

Denim is a fabric with many qualities: it is rugged and hard wearing; it is expressive and ages with grace; and it is a cultural icon that brings to mind lost legends like Brando and Dean. It is a fabric that creates obsessives; people who could name all the denim mills in Japan or tell you, by sight alone, which laundry techniques have been used to give your jeans that vintage look. But it is also a laid back everyday fabric that is unassuming and undemanding.

Bespoken Spring 2012 Now Available!

 Combining the rich history of classic Savile Row tailoring with a Rock ‘n Roll cool, Bespoken explored the seamless relationship between sound and style as inspired by the attitude of late 70’s British working class rebels and newly minted post-punk music genres for Spring 2012. Mixing subtle graphic prints with lightweight, treated fabrics demonstrates a textural complexity that shows the brand’s appreciation of the heritage and history of traditional English garment production and manufacturing, but with a modern finish. The collection is now available on the brand's website (http://www.bespokenclothiers.com) where shoppers can find a selection of outerwear, shirting, suiting, accessories, and footwear.

Lernert & Sander for Wallpaper* and Brioni

These stills and video series for Wallpaper* Handmade 2012, shown in a specially-designed outdoor cinema at Brioni HQ last week, arose naturally from the marriage of Brioni's bespoke craftsmanship and Wallpaper's Handmade theme. 'We like to be playful and have fun, so there is an element 
of mischief about this film,' reveal Lernert & Sander. 'What better way to showcase the abilities of Brioni's master tailors than to set them the ultimate test of skill with a particularly exacting customer?' .

Project Credits:

Commissioned by Wallpaper*
Directors: Lernert & Sander
Produced at White Lodge
Executive Producer: Stephen Whelan
DOP: Ram van Meel
Handmodels: Ashley Khoo, Jacques Drent
Styling: Ferry van der Nat
Carpenter set: Egbert Steenwinkel
Editor: Derek van Egmond
Assistant L&S: David in de Bosch
Post production & sound: The Ambassadors
All pieces by Brioni Master Tailors
Fashion Director: Sébastien Clivaz, Wallpaper*

Video: City Portraits - London - Ellesse Heritage Campaign

1st ever ellesse heritage campaign. Fashion filmmaker, Konstantinos Menelaou, exhibits three of the world's leading cultural cities - London, Berlin and New York - through a set of 'day in the life' style films. Showing our local hero in London, UK.

Dandy Hanks: Drake’s Dandyish Style Taken to Summery Heights

The SS12 collection sees Drake’s dandyish style taken to summery heights. The collection is brimming with sunshine; springtime colours and super soft summery fabrics make up the bulk of the offering. These cotton and silk printed handkerchiefs are spruced up with tropical prints, flamingos, seashells and deckchairs, perfect for any pocket or more traditionally for summer knotted for pate protection.

Men's Suiting from Topman

Topman recently released a bunch of cool tailoring , styled to perfection. There's no excuse not to be natty and stand out from the crowd with these pieces.

B-Store Liberty Collab Paisley Shirt

On my e-trek for some of the hottest men's shirts this season i stumbled upon these cool paisley print cotton and jersey mix shirt by B-Store on Asos. A lil too much for £160 but nonetheless if you love it, you should go buy it.

Jack Spade Opens in London

JACK SPADE has chosen London as the destination for its first European store. This will be the fast-growing brand’s ninth retail location since opening the original JACK SPADE shop in 1999 on Greene Street in New York City.

The new store will be located at 83 Brewer Street in London’s historic Soho. This increasingly fashionable neighborhood is a perfect fit for JACK SPADE’s line of stylish and practical menswear.  The 1,000 square foot retail space will house JACK SPADE’s full assortment of products including bags, clothing, wallets, ties, small goods, laptop & phone accessories, and other idiosyncratic furnishings.   The London store’s interior was conceived by renowned designer Steven Sclaroff, and the space will reflect JACK SPADE’s reputation of producing timeless collections with a unique point of view and sense of humor.

“We are excited about coming to London and adding this new store to the JACK SPADE family, bringing the total to nine standalone stores for the brand,” says Cuan Hanly, VP and Brand Director of JACK SPADE.  In 2011, JACK SPADE opened new stores in Washington DC, Boston and Tokyo, doubled the size of their NYC flagship location, and re-launched their e-commerce website, jackspade.com.

 

My 5 Day's , 5 Looks for Afripop Magazine

This week i started a 5 day, 5 looks style story for Afripop Magazine. I'm currently at uni and studying in London where you have to walk a lot and not just work but walk briskly you need proper functional clothes, so out with the dress shoes and in with the sneakers.

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In Lust: Christopher Shannon Men's Tasselled Sweatshirt @Okini

Lord i need this in my life....that is all.

Retails for £190

Lyle & Scott Vintage Spring/ Summer 2012

The onset of Spring 12 sees Lyle & Scott striding towards a bold and bright season with a contemporary, modern collection, ever moving forward whilst successfully maintaining a strong element of traditional style. Three stories; Classic, Utility and Surf, provide a youthful and cohesive range for the modern man. All three adopting a different take on the famous golden eagle logo.

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Jeffrey Swartz – What happened after he sold Timberland

Swartz used to be the president and CEO of footwear manufacturer, Timberland. Classic Timberland boots have become synonymous with hip hop culture, although more recent styles have opened the door for a bigger demographic to enjoy the brand’s shoes. Whilst the company was, and continues to be, successful, Swartz seemingly never ran the company with profit margins as the be-all and end-all. He wanted to provide customers with high-quality products and shoes that were comfortable and stylish.

Timberland is one of the most recognisable boot brands in the world today. Their designs can be spotted from afar, and they’re the perfect complement to a pair of modern, stylish men’s jeans. The thing is, when Swartz finally sold Timberland – for a cool $2 billion, less than 12 months ago – he changed his entire perspective, and started focusing on corporate social responsibility, rather than profits.

In 2000, Swartz drafted his first corporate responsibility report in which he wrote: “It is not enough for Timberland to make the absolute best boots, or shoes, or clothing in the world. We recognize we must also serve. Everything we do, everything we sell has an impact on the communities in which we live and work.” Following this initial report, an updated version was re-issued every three months, accompanied by that quarter’s financial reports.

In theory, Swartz should be a very satisfied man. Corporate responsibility is no longer swept under the table at board meetings, but is developed and fostered in companies across the UK. However, Swartz seems to see things a little differently. As he said in a recent Tel Aviv interview: “the data is all against me. Twenty-five years ago, when I started saying this, nobody believed business should do this. Now, business does it, and things are worse.”

The main problem, according to Swartz, is rage. Highlighting the Occupy Wall Street protests, he said: “It is just rage. It is not constructive. In fact, it is self-indulgent.” Wise words, indeed, for all businesses looking to improve their corporate responsibility policies and cultures.

To Buy or Not: Urban Outfitters Leopard Print Snapback

Seen this Snappy at the Urban Outfitters Oxford street store but i was unsure bouts it, now its like its singing lullaby's to me every time i wanna sleep lol. Its just £20 which is quite decent compared to the Boy London snappy which retails for £35 which i would prolly still get lol...

So what's the verdict guys, should i buy or not?

MORE AFRO NEWS: Meet London Based Streetwear Label LaskaSAK

Laska|Sak was founded by British/Nigerian Ladi Kazeem and his friend with their foundations firmly placed in the North East of England. Their combined enthusiasm for creativity, incessant work ethic and make it happen attitude have brought them to where they are today. The fast rising street wear label with loads of attitude creates some of the coolest prints making use of their Logo design L|S

 

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I Was Model of the Week for Bukki Afropunk Denim Shirts and Gilets

I had to use 'Was' in the title of this post cos this happened 2 weeks ago but i had not got the chance to post it up on here. I guess i can count modeling as one thing i've managed to dabble into as well as styling and blogging :D...but out of all i love blogging the best. Bukki is a London based Afro-punk label that fuses strips of Ankara print over vintage denim shirts and Gilets. They also just launched their Tee shirt line, will save that for another post ;)

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Currently Lusting: Jansport Camo Backpack

Okay i've promised my self to be of good shopping behavior and only buy what i really need and not respond to short term wants but guys, look at this camo backpack ;) isn't it a beauty? i'd just buy this and not buy any other other backpack this year i promise x_x and no i'm not influenced by the fact that one of my fav models Harry Uzoka is the one sporting it in the picture above....err ok maybe that helped too lol. But for £30 on Asos, i simply can't reject it.

Ekopolitan Memoirs: Ricochet by Haus of Hercules

 A) Ekopolitan:- The lifestyles of millions of people who are mostly African or of Western descent, exuding fun, fearlessness & resilience in Every area of their lives, originating from a place called LAGOS.

B) Ricochet:- /rik-uh-shey/:- The rebound, bounce or skip off a surface, particularly in the case of a projectile.

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Japanese Label Bringing on The Noise SS12 "KRAUT 2" Collection

 

“Kraut” is originally a German word meaning pickled cabbage (sauerkraut) and was a derogatory term used by the English during the Second World War. In modern times the term is used to describe German rock, and because it has been recognized for its high musical quality it used as a complementary term.

Love at First Sight: My Lazy Oaf Mickey Sweatshirt

So you know them tales of couples where one claims the moment they saw their partners they fell in love and knew they were the ones bla bla...i had that sort of emotion course through my 26 year old Nigerian veins. I was browsing through Lazy Oaf's website and saw this Mickey Sweatshirt priced down from £75 to £45 and knew i was gonna buy it , even if it meant me eating baked beans for a few days.

So i patiently waited all the while contemplating if it was a sensible purchase. I even went as far as going to Primark to find suitable alternatives but they were not all over print and certainly not as eclectic as this.  Finally summoned courage and went over to the Lazy Oaf Carnaby street store and whipped out my debit card, the rest is history.

 

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Burberry Presents new Eyewear Campaign with Exclusive Soundtrack by British Musicians

BURBERRY PRESENTS a new eyewear launch for Spring / Summer 2012. This launch is an exciting moment as Christopher Bailey has also selected four amazing British talents to feature in the campaign. The campaign and product launch break globally on Wednesday, April 4^th. Christopher Bailey has also produced original music videos with each of the four Acoustic talents specifically for this launch.