UNDERCOVER BACKPACKS BY JUN TAKAHASHI

For all you cycle enthusiasts out there, here is a hot backpack by Jun Takahashi for Undercover. It is part of a wider range of accessories (including a courier bag) on the Japanese Undercover website CLICK RIGHT HERE to go there.


The material looks like a coated PP with some really nice subtle details including elastic strips and leather tabs at the base. As well as what looks like a coated reversed vertical zip on the front.


I love the material combinations which make this backpack a perfect mixture between sports and lifestyle. Perfect for city dwelling urban cyclists.


This colourway blends off white with baby blue, pumpkin orange and my favourite tan-brown colour. Fresh!


And for a bit of urban action, the army/bottle green colourway also works wonders. If you like Northface but you want a bit more fashion. This might be what you are looking for.

RUSTIC IPHONE CASE

I really like this iphone case. Its pretty darn rustic but so so charming.


It makes a nice contrast to the slick iphone inside. n'est pas?

TOOL BOXES

I just love tools and I wish i could keep mine in a toolbox like this one. Its from Alice Supply, costs US$60 and is seriously nice.


The below one is a bit bathing ape and not quite as special but both of them together show what a fab product Alice Supply have come up with.


I only wish i could see a picture of the inside. It also comes in a Paul Smith-y stripey version but I couldn't bare to post it, not even to add to my 'irritating bags' section.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN DIES

I don't even know what to say. It is the saddest news. This is a tribute posting to the brilliant Alexander McQueen.

USEFUL LITTLE POUCHES

All three of these products have the same raw feel about them. The first and last are from David and Azumi, my fellow east london neighbours and the middle one - is an oversized keyholder from cos. A lady in my office had one and it looks very nice.

Azumi and David

Keyholder from Cos

Azumi and David

ALEXANDER WANG

This sexy little number by Alexander Wang is an 'it' bag that people actually buy and wear, i have spotted it being sported around shoreditch many a time. Its super accessible and you don't even have to live in west london to have it.


What i love the most is the soft marbled leather. Did i mention that beautiful soft supple marbled leather? Oh my god, its so nice. poor cows. I also love the slinky chain and the metal zips on the front two pockets with facing zip pulls.


This bag reminds me a bit of an old pair of jeans. Nothing too flash but luxurious in its minute and subtle details.


Slouchy is another word that comes to mind.


and here is a close up of the leather which has a sort of denim look to it. Back to watching CSI now...

METALLIC TYVEK BAGS

I had been meaning to post these bags, they are made from tyvek which is that papery - plasticky stuff that we have seen a lot of especially in white, where it really looks like paper, its the same stuff that fedex envelopes are made from, really hard to tear and super strong but really light weight.


Anyway, this is the first time i have seen it in metallics so i thought that would be worth a mention. And sorry, becuase this image has been sitting on my desktop for so long, i don't have a credit for it,... oops.

HICKOREES HARD GOODS

This range of cotton canvas bags from Hickorees Hard Goods are extremely amazingtastic. The online store have a lot of heritage work wear type apparel and accessories. These bags are so simple and paired down. Humble lux.


This is the website so you can check out the rest of the hardwearing canvas / leather trim range.
http://www.hickorees.com


This branding gives me shivers, its like burned embossing. I generally get the shivers when i encounter veg tanned leather.


The stitch work and embossing are so exacting and precise and although the fabrics are basic and understated, the result is extremely sophisticated and lovely.

NIKE BACKPACKS

These are Nike believe it or not. I really like them, they are so bicycle courier / snowboarder chic. Extremely cool and not really very 'nike'. DOn't get me wrong, i don't hate nike, i just like not to like the brand. maybe it has something to do with the fact that i worked for Puma for so many years - which would lead to the fact of not liking adidas, its more that i'm not really into huge sports companies and think generally cool stuff comes out of smaller brands.


It has nothing to do with the fact that its friday afternoon at work and i'm dreaming of the pub as i sip my spiked diet coke.


I suppose i should tell you where i got these images from - as i don't want to get in trouble by copyright law - they are from an excellent site called Skate Warehouse - and here is the link:
http://www.skatewarehouse.com



This colourway rocks, i just love lemon yellow at the moment. its so, not very masculine (in a good way)


I really have to get outa here. i hope you like these bags. if you do, send me a message! yo. have a great weekend!

PEASANTS AND TRAVELLERS

This is a brand i recently discovered who are doing some nice mens bags... i reckon Jack Spade meets... ehhh Prada sport... meets nike. hmmm maybe not. But i really like this version of the old fashioned doctor's bag executed in what looks like high performance nylon.







I definitely love the dr's bag the best, check out the rest of their range on:
http://www.peasantsandtravelers.com

MENS SUEDE TOTES

In my humble observation, one of the nicest things going around at the moment are mens suede bags. Totes, sports bags and other more casual styles done up in luxurious suede in an array of different colours. Here below you can see an electric blue tote during Paris fashion week.



This isn't really suede, i know but its a really soft supple leather by Tillmann Lauterbach, Autumn/winter 2010/11


And here we have a chocolate brown gym back style by Hermes autumn/winter 2010/11


By Ermenegildo Zegna from spring/summer 2010. I love suede in these sandy, caramel colours.


Again by Ermenegildo Zegna from spring/summer 2010. This sort of plum colour suede gives off a dusty feel. I think the simpler the bag the better with suede, so no pockets and minimal hardware.

BIKKEMBERGS AUTUMN/WINTER 2010/11

A bit of catwalk action, the mens catwalks are now over and i will be posting a few of my favourites from the shows, today, i have a few pictures of these gym-style bags from Bikkemberg's collection. I really love the rope handles and the compact shape of these bags.


The way the rope joins onto the bags is really nicely executed and the rugged outdoors look mixed up with some old fashioned luxury is really hot at the moment. I predict that alot of high street stores are going to copy this look.



Its almost like the new stud. You heard it here first.

Lorinza Studs Backpack

I really like this bag. Its japanese... of course. The panel of studs mixed up with the highly rugged, performance construction brings a bit of city to the outdoors. Note - not everyone will be able to pull of this bag. i suggest starting with some skinny jeans...



As seem at http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/tag/lorinza/

These clutch bags by TsuruBride on etsy are pretty cute. Check out their shop, there have been lots of new additions to the site lately. I think my favourite is the lil piggy.