The Watch List - Uniqlo x Undercover

This is happening this year. I've been extremely impressed by Uniqlo's offerings over the time I've been shopping there (a long f'ing time). They offer quality at a price point not found anywhere else on the high street. I mean where are you going to find 100% for under £100?

Uniqlo teamed up with German designer Jil Sander for the The +J collection, which was launched in 2009 and won 2011 Brit Insurance Design Fashion Award, but after numerous seasons boasting better and better offerings the two split ways and the final collection made its foray into stores this Fall/Winter season. I recently picked up a jacket from that collection and really wanna show you guys because first, I'm extremely proud of myself for actually plucking up the courage to buy; second, it was a steal and third it looks ace.

Now Uniqlo seem to have developed a taste for collaborations and are now planning a collection with renowned Japanese label UNDERCOVER. The Undercover brand was started in 1989 by the designer Mr. Jun Takahashi, while he was still a student at Bunka Fashion College. In 1994, the brand appeared in the Tokyo Collection for the first time, achieving instant popularity. Undercover Co. Ltd. was established in 2000.

From the announcement press release:-

The collaboration pieces are planned to be launched in Spring 2012, with the opening of flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo.

According to the press release it seems we won't be waiting long until we see the first pieces. I for one and both excited and in saving mode.

The Watch List - Outclass

Have you heard of Outclass? No? Well, really you should have. The brand was bought to our attention when they followed us on Tumblr. As always my natural inquisitiveness drew me to check out my latest follower. To my surprise it was Canadian menswear label, Outclass. 

Founded in 2009, they take cues from the past as a means of building their vision for what men should dress like. Their roots are firmly in sophisticated execution using the best fabrics and details to ensure that their fits are contemporary and timeless. At the moment Outclass are looking to keep their quantities limited in order to maintain the high level of quality the brand wishes to maintain. 

If you were to visit their website now you'd find a small yet well rounded collection of items ranging from shirting to leather goods. One of my personal favourites from the label's SS12 collection is the Wax Cotton/Leather Carryall. Made using a wax cotton outer and leather base it boasts a high quality look and feel, to add to this it is limited in numbers and made-to-order.

Antique brass zipper closure, seersucker lining, leather handled and pockets

100% wool exterior and Italian wool houndstooth lining

An example of the thoughtful detailing Outclass employs to set their products apart, here they've lined their raw grey  denim with a 100% striped oxford cotton

I hope this year sees the brand grow and go from strength to strength because I think they're onto something great.

The Watch List - Cheap Monday

Late Thursday afternoon, I was casually strolling though Liberty's, because I'm always astounded by how much they manage to fit in that store without it looking, well, like TK Maxx (nothing wrong with it). I came out on Carnaby Street and I spot the Cheap Monday logo. Could this be the sign of a new store opening. I'm certainly crossing my fingers and toes. 

Cheap Monday is a brand that I love simply because it started secondhand and small then decided to go big or go home. This is all thanks to the genius of Örjan Andersson the creator of the Cheap Monday 'Tight' style jean. World domination has really been key since the expansion of the brand from denim to full collections in 2005.

The 'white skull' of Cheap Monday has been imported from Sweden to stores in Birmingham, Manchester and Selfridges, London. Feeding us it's representation of youth, our fast living and love of freedom,

Their Spring/Summer '12 collection encapsulates a 'bad ass' vibe. Loving the vertical block striped jean, they are on my watch list fo'sho!

The Watch List - I Love Ugly

Any naysayer who ever doubted the work of designers from Australasia should zip it. Australia and New Zealand are becoming a melting pot of some new and very exciting labels, one of which I've featured on the blog before - Vanishing Elephant. It seems the people behind these clothes are not afraid of colour or pattern because they use them in abundance but don't make anything look overworked, it's quite fascinating. The brand I will be focusing on for The Watch List is I Love Ugly.

I Love Ugly was the child of founder Valentin Ozich's conflict over whether he should continue making music or concentrate more on his visual art. Ozich began to fuse his visual art style with t-shirts, a venture that proved successful and led to the formation of a full menswear line. In January 2011, Ozich and Barnaby Marshall, whom he met in his t-shirt packing days in 2008, found office space and have since made I Love Ugly their main focus and aim to create a menswear brand recognised not only in Australasia but the world.

The line has the stamp of an artist with crazy prints, slim cuts and subtle and thoughtful detailing. They also put spins on old classics like sailor stripes and the bomber jacket.

Here we have a floral short sleeve shirt. Great fabric and wooden buttons for a luxury finish. Detailing includes button down collar and a simple monochrome floral lining

An example of the thoughtful detailing I mentioned. Contrary to its Plain Jane name it's anything but. A simple black singlet but with the added dimension of floral lined arm holes.

I Love Ugly's own take on the classic sailor tee. Using contrasting colours and spaced stripes they have managed to reimagine this staple piece. Longer cut with a relaxed neck.

Check out I Love Ugly at their tumblr and main site.

The Watch List - Camo

You all must know by now that I am head over heels with camo and it's recent revival into the mainstream. It's definitely one to watch this month and year as many brands are now embracing the once covert print and incorporating into everything from shirting to underwear. I will point you toward Complex's guide as overseen by Nick Wooster and Japanese brand maharishi's founder Hardy Blechman.

Click the image:

The Watch List - Weekend Offender

Weekend Offender was founded as a side project from the independent outlet ‘A Two’ in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales in 2004. A select group of prints and designs were produced and sold by Rhydian and the owners of the store. This later expanded into a full clothing range including polos and graphic tees.

I was out and about in Central London with my friend Shanice trying to pick up some bargains in the sales. Usually we hit all the high street stores like H&M, Gap and the such to try and get our hands on some cheap basics, then we make our way into the lesser travelled backstreets of the West End. We had just left The Hideout and we came across a store I've never seen before. It was Weekend Offender. Naturally I turned to Shanice to find out if she knew anything about it but she said "no" and asked if we should go in. Call it curiosity but I said "yes" and in we went.

The store itself is what we'd expect from a modern day retailer, clean lines, minimalist so nothing distracts from what's on sale. When we walked in we were greeted by a friendly sales assistant and we proceeded to inspect the wares. I was very impressed by the large range of graphic tees on show in the middle of the store and the range of outerwear as well. As we made our way round this table I spotted a bright yellow jacket and was drawn to it.

This coat to be specific. Constructed using wax cotton with contrasting navy stitching, tan buttons and leather detailing it's very stylish. What I liked most was the fit of the jacket, it fell mid thigh and the sleeve length was on point. The jacket also comes in navy if you're a person who shies away from bright colours. I'm really excited to see what Weekend Offender will do in future because right now it appears to be on the up and up.

Cosh (Sunshine) Wax cotton jacket available at Weekend Offender and check out their blog including pictures from the launch of their Soho store.

[images via weekendoffender.com]

The Watch List January 2012

I thought I'd try something new that I can expand upon as the year progresses. It's called the Watch List. I'll be a list of all the brands, retailers and other things I'll be watching for the month, give some commentary and from there you decide for yourself.

It's definitely a two way street whereby I'm actively seeking out new things and sharing what I'm learning with you guys so you can also benefit.