Treasured Items... Andrew Bunney

As cash registers frantically ping for last minute presents and sellotape is manically stuck on to all manner of gaudy printed adorned gifts, I thought it an opportune moment to change the pace by serving up another treasured item. Here, Andrew Bunney (British Remains and Bunney) reveals the pride of his chambray shirt collection...

----------

Andrew Bunney and the Big Smith chambray shirt

"I go through phases with the clothes that I'm into - not that I would really consider myself faddish, but it is fashion... so consequently, I always want to discover something new. I want to enjoy, research, and find the best-in-field before I move on to something else. Finding the 'best of the best' is subjective of course, and it could be interpreted in many ways.

One of my earliest jobs was working as a vintage clothing buyer in NYC. This involved scouring warehouses, and sorting out the 'vintage' from the 'used'. Used clothing remained in the US, and the vintage styles were sent to Japan where they could sell for a premium. Today, probably more would stay in the US as the current boom for Americana shows little sign of abating. I had collected Chambray shirts on and off for years, and whilst I find many of the stitching or construction details interesting, my aim was really to find something to wear. The chambray shirt may be a classic, but has really only been the past few years in which companies have remade this style again, or started for the first time...

Here, I want to present this Big Smith chambray shirt made in the early 1960's. This Big Smith shirt has taken an unusual greenish hue, with parts of the original blue showing through in patches. It features side gussets, chain stitching, slightly translucent glassy buttons - many of the details that heritage brands would look to include - but this shirt, as with others of the same ilk, was intended to be cheap and to sell in volume.

The real charm to this shirt comes because of the ubiquity and the democratic price point. On the reverse, this particular shirt has been treated like a t-shirt or banner, and has been printed with a Clenched fist - the screen print is homemade, crude, and off-centre. The shirt looks to have been creased when printed towards the bottom of the arm. The shirt was used merely to carry the message.

This was found in Oakland, and of course I immediately thought of the Black Panther link. Here is a photo of co-founder of the party Bobby Seale wearing a chambray shirt in the late 60s. Or, could this shirt simply have been worn by a protester for a different cause around the same time. Life magazine features a cover with a clenched fist image, worn by a striker on the Harvard Campus in a completely different part of the country. Is there any way to confirm the provenance of this fist? A London-produced pamphlet features another rendition...

I doubt that I will ever know the true story of this shirt, but it captures a certain power and moment in time and for me, that spirit is enough." Andrew Bunney

----------

We hope the fat man in red brings you a future treasured item. Either way, enjoy some quality time with all of your family! Here's to taking a break from it all whilst eating and drinking far too much. Merry Christmas everyone!

Treasured Items... Sergei Sviatchenko

This season Costume National asked Sergei Sviatchenko from Close Up And Private to give his take on the AW11 collection. The result is “The Beetles News”. A mix of photography and collage the projects takes its inspiration from a Beatles performance in Milan back in 1965. The subject matter comes as no surprise because when we first featured the wonderful detail shots that Close Up And Private is now known for, the lens was focused on Sviatchenko's sartorial homage to the fab four. Shortly after the news of the collaboration arrived in our festive filled inbox, we asked the artist to reveal his treasured item. Fittingly, his choice of a bespoke flannel suit has a connection with Liverpool's finest...

----------

Sergei Sviatchenko and the bespoke flannel birthday suit

"My most cherished wardrobe item is a bespoke flannel suit, made at Westbourne House. The suit was designed by Paul Smith and made by Christopher Tarling.

Now, I first met Paul many years ago when I visited London and explored Notting Hill in tremendous rain. I sought shelter from the torrential downpour in Westbourne House, one of Paul Smith stores in London. By chance, I came to talk to Paul and he later drove me back to my hotel. Since this encounter, we have met at many of his shows in Paris, London and Milan. It has developed into a very interesting relationship.

When I turned fifty, Paul designed a birthday suit for me. Given that I am such a big fan and collector of The Beatles, the lining was based on the cover of their album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" Inside the pocket there is a hand written note that simply reads, "Happy Birthday from Paul." There is only one suit like this." Sergei Sviatchenko

----------

As I'm sure you are all aware, Close Up And Private is an on going project by Sviatchenko which looks to capture the spirit of modern style, as seen through the subtle shades of the individual. We have long been admirers and love the project celebrates classic details alongside contemporary looks through a unique form of photographic documentary. After all, the real beauty of menswear is in the details and this series celebrates them daily.

Treasured Items... Mr Hare

There are few occasions where my two passions, Arsenal and menswear, collide. Today, as our other obsession celebrates its one hundred and twenty fifth birthday, we're pleased to share a fitting treasured item with you. Regular readers will know just how much we love Mr Hare. As you should all know by now he makes beautiful shoes but we love him that bit more as he's a fellow Gooner. As statues of Arsenal legends were being unveiled to press and fans alike outside of the Emirates Stadium, Hare revealed his most treasured possession, a customised NSW Nike Destroyer jacket. Now, as we have said before, every item has a story to tell and this jacked is packed full of personal narrative. With his choice of customisation for the sportswear giant's most iconic piece of outerwear, our favourite shoe designer has celebrated his passions... 

----------

Mr Hare and the customised Nike Destroyer Jacket

"I wanted an Arsenal Destroyer jacket, just like the one you have actually.  I had been looking for the perfect black bomber jacket everywhere for ages. The only one I had seen that I liked was a Hermes one but that was something like £5,000 and it got to the stage where I was contemplating giving the credit card a bashing but I'm so glad that I didn't. After the Hermes incident where I practically had to slap myself out of being stupid, I was drawn to a Givenchy one but they were just so damn small. When this came out, I was just over the moon. It's just so perfect. However, I was away when they were released and I missed out. I went in and pleaded with them but then they said 'don't worry, we can do something much better' before leading me off to the customisation room. An awesome surprise. It was then the case of choosing all of the added features that I wanted. I could do almost anything. The only limitations that I encountered involved the positioning of the embroidery work due to their grid system which is why the double exclamation mark Mr Hare logo on a patch, along with the A. In all it only took a few days.

I've had it two weeks now and it is already my most treasured item. I don't have many treasured possessions but this is one of them. It is so personal to me. The line on the back is my favourite feature. As it is a Destroyer jacket, I thought about what I'd like to destroy and the one thing it came down to was racism in authority. This line is the best description of defeating it. It comes from Dead Prez, you'll know the track as soon as it plays but you might not necessarily be familiar with the line..." Mr Hare

On Hare's strict instructions we just had to share the video with you. Watch it.
----------

It might only be a recent acquisition but there can be little doubt that this jacket is a most treasured item. From the embroidered official Arsenal 'A' above his initials to an official unveiling of his new double exclamation mark logo to a sentenced spat by Dead Prez adorning the back, this jacket could only be worn by Mr Hare. Come on you reds.

Treasured Items... Alex Frank

Each time that I've ventured across the Atlantic for a good nose around New York Fashion Week, I've encountered the friendly face of Alex Frank amongst the sea of the unfamiliar. Style Editor at The Fader, Frank is one of the most interested and supportive out of town journalist to London menswear, so it should come as little surprise that we get on. Currently in my capital researching a feature on the latest crop of design talent, I couldn't resist organising a spot of show and tell to uncover his most cherished items...

----------

Alex Frank and the Pop Souk find

"I picked up this cap at an amazing pop up market called Pop Souk. Now taking over The Standard, it has become a yearly showcase for emerging designers in New York. It is a club kids dream with DJ Sets, Go-go dancers, drag queens and so much else. Basically it's New Yorkers hanging out in their own personal pop up shops and hocking treasures from their own closets or selling their original designs and wares. It was here and amidst the madness and cocktails that I first encountered Gypsy Sport, a recently launched street wear brand from Harlem. They do bill-less baseball caps and amazingly fitted updates on the traditional Muslim Taqiyah hat but I snapped this one up. I've been looking for the perfect plaid hat for ages and this it. Also, at $25 it is an absolute bargain."

----------

... and the first item in Neoprene

"This jacket is by an amazing but quite under rated label called Number:Lab. For me, it was one of the first labels in New York at least, that really understood the tech world. Luis Fernandez, the designer behind it, is a total geek for innovative fabrics and futuristic technologies. He just does the best dressed-up gym clothes. A part of me has always wanted something made from neoprene because I love it as a fabric but I tend to find that most designers don't use it quite right. Luis understands what neoprene should look like. It doesn't feel clingy and it is lined really well so that it actually feels likes a hoodie. I just think it is super cool and everything just works. I've only had it for a short while and worn it a few times but I plan on wearing it a crap load." Alex Frank.

----------

Treasured Items... Ochuko Ojiri

"I have a fine head of red hair thank you very much but occasionally it is covered by a Bowler, Trilby, Panama, Beret, Plantation, Beretta, one of a whole host of wooly hats, there is a Stetson if I were to look for it and caps galore. I've pretty much got the entire gamut of head gear in the house," reeled out writer, broadcaster and hat connoisseur Robert Elms excitedly on Woman's Hour last week. As the Radio 4 programme  asked the question, 'what leads a man to wear a hat today?', it is clear that Elms is in the minority of passionate hat wearers. There have been many golden eras where a man would consider an outfit incomplete, consider himself naked even, without a hat. These sentiments have certainly dwindled but thankfully, they have not been totally lost. Pelican & Parrots' very own Ochuko Ojiri is almost, always wearing a hat. Watching over his treasure trove of curiosities, a cocktail of contemporary furniture and objects sitting alongside one off vintage pieces, Ochuko is rarely seen without a hat. The form might change according to need or fancy but whatever silhouette it takes, a hat is a constant fixture. Here, he shares his Sunday Best.

----------

Ochuko and the Sunday best hat

"For as long as I can remember, I've worn a hat everyday. I think it goes back to growing up in the 70s and 80s and seeing these old black guys in their hats, accessorising those sharp suits. More than being under dressed, I feel undressed without a hat. People fail to recognise me if, for whatever reason, I am hat less. Hats are an important part of my look.

I've got so many hats. Every hat you can imagine. I tend to go through cycles of obsessions. I've recently been really in to tweed flat caps. This particular hat is my more formal hat, my Sunday hat and I've been wearing it on and off for the last ten years." Ochuko Ojiri.

----------

Treasured Items... William Kroll

Over the last few years William Kroll has worked tirelessly to nurture an evolving family of British artisan producers to supply his needs. The result is Tender, a small clothing label that specialises in denim and making an ever growing inventory of products by hand. From a pair of wattle dyed hand linked cotton socks to a hand thrown red clay coffee mug and graphic interlock t shirts to cotton acetate sunglasses, each Tender item is is a personal and exhaustively conceived, sourced and manufactured celebration of craftsmanship. Each is a labour of love. It should come as little surprise that his most treasured item shares these values. Here, Kroll tells us the tale behind his favourite piece of knitwear...

----------

William Kroll and the Grandmother knitted Guernsey knit.

"This is a Guernsey sweater that my Grandmother knitted for me. One of the reasons that I love Guernsey knits in particular is the tightness of the knit pattern is and how the wool reacts to rain to help seal it. It affords you that bit more protection from the elements. Another, is how they are knitted. They have a pattern from the middle of the chest up to the neck whilst the rest, including the sleeves is left plain. They are the same front, back and inside out so you can wear them four ways which means you get extra wear from them. Also, when you get washed overboard and drowned, the pattern on the top represents your village and means you get returned to the correct place. Each village or town has their own distinct pattern and is complete with initials on one side.

I chose a relatively plain stitch because I liked the look of it in all honesty but if I were to be lost at sea, or anywhere else for that matter, I would be returned to Scarborough which is where my Grandmother used to go on holiday. My initials of W.A.K. are on the back and are a little stretched because she got the pattern a little mixed up. 

I've had it for about three years now and wear it almost every day during autumn and winter. These days, I only tend to wear things that I have designed but this is one of the few things that I didn't, yet wear regularly. It was a real labour of love because it is navy blue and she didn't find the yarn easy to see. It is packed full of interesting features. It's not completely faultless but that's one of the reasons why I like it so much. Ultimately, I love the fact that my Grandmother knitted it for me, that there is only one of them and when I first got it there were a few white hairs knitted in to it. It's just a lovely thing." William Kroll.

----------

Treasured Items... Dapper Kid

The much appreciated art of wardrobe building is not a fast or haphazard activity: instead it is developed and nurtured over time. Now, as you all know, the ever changing pursuit of building the perfect wardrobe is a lifelong one and wholly personal. Of course, there will be the odd irrational purchase or taste questioning gift but over time these and desire will be forgotten and you'll be left with a true indication of your style and a wardrobe of items that perfectly balance need, function and desire. A wardrobe to be savoured and enjoyed is much more than a piece of future housing hanging possessions. Clothing is there to be worn but items should be filled with emotion and narrative. Over the course of the Summer, our fellow blogger dapper kid, found himself disassociated with his own wardrobe and embarked on crafting a new one (more on this endeavour here). After purging ninety five per cent of his possession, dapper kid was left with a core set of things that he actually found some personal value in. A solid core to build on. So, we thought now was the perfect moment to ask him to reveal his most treasured of items...   

----------

Dapper Kid and the 'Cheeky Monkey' sweater

"The garment in my wardrobe that I cherish most is one that I never actually wear. Not because it is too precious to be worn, but because it is a sweater made for a two year old, which does present slight issues for a six foot frame. It is a bright red acrylic sweater with an image of a yellow primate and the words "Cheeky Monkey" sewn on in the form of a patch. Aside from family photographs and my memory box, it is the only material object I own that I would go out of my way to save from a fire."

----------

Dapper Kid and the new wardrobe

"In terms of garments that I actually wear, the item I treasure most is perhaps not the most interesting or exciting I own, but it is one I view as marking a personal turning point. The piece is a long black hoody from the first Silent by Damir Doma collection. It serves as a reminder of a feeling and a decision.

I got to a point where I looked at my possessions, and whilst certain garments or objects triggered associated memories, they were in and of themselves entirely meaningless to me. They were garments that were nice enough, but they were not ones I loved. I was not happy with the idea of owning so many things that I could essentially do without, so I got rid of it all. I gave away, donated and sold 95% of my possessions, trying to edit down to a core set of things that I actually found some personal value in. I would rather own only a handful of things that I truly cherish, than a house full of things that are 'nice enough'. The hoody was one of those items I found value in. Even when I stop wearing it I intend to keep it as a reminder to myself that sometimes a little less can be better than a little more." Dapper Kid

----------

Treasured Items... JW Anderson

Born in a small town in County Londonderry, Jonathan William Anderson originally wanted to pursue a career in acting. Thankfully for our wardrobes, whilst learning the art of treading the boards, he soon realised that he preferred the costumes to the dramatic action and went on to study menswear at the London College of Fashion. His eponymous line made its debut at London Fashion Week back in 2007 with an audacious collection that was characterised by the use of real insects in jewellery. A dark and somewhat sinister, Rasputin-inspired AW08 collection followed, before Anderson made his real breakthrough with the highly acclaimed SS09 collection, An Eye for an Eye. Drenched in historical referencing, inspired by religious paraphernalia, mythical characters and societies bound in traditions, the collective imagination was ignited. A well measured step into womenswear followed and that suddenly propelled the designer on to the international stage and he has captivated an ever growing audience ever since. 

 The design talent has barely had time to look back on a remarkable rise but we asked J.W. Anderson to sift through his wardrobe and reveal his most treasured item. We've previously discussed how a treasured item should stand the test of time and his pick has certainly done that...

----------

J.W and the personalised swimming hoodie

"I've had this sweatshirt ever since I was nine years old. it was part of my training kit and came with matching shorts that would now be far too obscene to wear. I love a hoodie, I love the ease of them but this, with my initials chain stitched in to it to help differentiate it from my brother and sister's who were also part of the same club. I loved swimming, I swam for this club and then for Ulster but then I moved to London and started smoking, ha. 

Now, I just wear it when I get the end of my laundry cycle but I love it. This is the only thing that has survived through time and various moves. It just hangs on in there." J.W. Anderson

----------

Treasured items... Tommy

Our blog roll is constantly evolving as we discover new favourite reads and bid a fond farewell to the ones which are sadly no longer with us. This is Naive, thankfully, is one which has been an ever present fixture. As stated on the blog itself, Tommy lives in London and she likes the beautiful and the good things. Her pictures and accompanying musings have been a constant source of jealousy and admiration for us and her eye for detail really cannot be overstated. With this in mind, it was only a matter of time before we asked her to to take part in our Treasured items series. Here, she reminds us that is far more pleasant glancing down at a well crafted watch face that tells its own story as well as the time than fishing out a mobile phone...

----------

Tommy and the Rolex Air King

"My watch, a Rolex Air-King from the 1970s, is one of my treasured items because it is practical and goes with everything I want to wear. It has belonged to others before me but I guess it is mine now. Like many, I believed that phones have made watches irrelevant; I started wearing this watch purely because I like how it looks. After spending some time with the watch, however, I thought I had rediscovered its functional worth: there is something pleasant and polite about keeping time by checking one's wrist rather than fishing for the phone. Perhaps this is still an aesthetic reason. It will be nice to wear the watch on its original bracelet but a bent edge on one of the links gives me a rash whenever I attempt to. Instead I use a dark brown crocodile-embossed leather strap made by Japanese clothing brand, Neighborhood. It is not official Rolex merchandise although it fastens with a vintage Rolex buckle. Last year I cracked the crystal face in an accident involving a ferret and bathroom tiles. Much fretting ensued: I was hunting on the Internet for an exact matching part but decided to go with the Rolex service centre in St. James. Other than the cracked crystal, the watch was diagnosed with water damage and I was recommended a full service. "No, please don't replace the hands or the dial! I really don't need it fresh and shiny!" A bit of negotiation and a few months' wait later, the watch was returned with the cracked crystal face replaced and a new case back to prevent further water damage. Relief! At least it still looks like how I remembered it to be. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the edges of the crystal now seem sharper than the watch in my memory. Oh well! Typically this is the sort of thing that can drive me crazy but I think age has relaxed my once-pedantic nature. After all, the process of using and repairing only brings out the character in a manufactured item. And it is only with the passing of time that we come to understand what we treasure and why."

----------

Tommy, This is Naive and The Beautiful and the Good

Autumn Favourites... Will Westall

As mentioned in our recent post on Encens, we have always been fascinated by the idea of uniform. Many of us regularly turn to set clothing each morning for ease, comfort and confidence. With the addition or subtraction of a few layers, our sartorial habits of the everyday can prevail over any seasonal difference. In our latest instalment from the 'Autumn Favourites' series, Other's very own Will Westall tells us how an emergency charity shop buy has become an everyday favourite. Whatever the weather, his Levi's denim jacket adorned with an ever changing array of patches follows the model, stylist, creative web director and all round man about town wherever he treads. Here, against a backdrop of leaves falling under the autumn's spell, he dresses up for the season by wearing his old favourite with an assortment of his in store picks...

----------

"My Autumn favourite is my every day favourite. It's an old Levis denim jacket, nothing particularly special, but it's mine! 

I've had this for years and years. I picked it up for a tenner in a charity shop because it was getting cold and I couldn't be bothered to go home before going to a party. I was already out West and going back to East London because I was cold felt a bit ridiculous, I didn't have my bike and I can't stand public transport... So I suppose I can thank my utter laziness for acquiring what's since become my most treasured item. I wear it every single day of the year. Over a shirt and jumper, a tee or under a coat. If it's not on my back, it's in my bag. Over the years it's been dyed, bleached, and re-dyded which has now actually given it a really nice super soft feel to it and a really deep inky colour. It'll probably stay as it is for at least a few more years, though I imagine the patches will chop and change here and there, They've all come from gigs or tees that have finally fallen to bits. Sadly I'm not one for sewing and they tend to fall off..."

"Full outfit run through...

Shirt - Blue flannel Thomas shirt by OTHER. Just a great cut, blue flannel button down shirt. Job done!

Sweater - Navy Albert sweat by OTHER. This one's turned into a bit of a staff favourite, it gets pretty cold in our studio, so we all end up in the same sweater at the end of the day...

Shoes - OTHER/T&F Slack, I was lucky enough to get my hands on these! Theyre not quite ready yet and still in production, so I was pretty stoked to be able to get my hands on a pair! Thanks Matthew!

Trousers - again I can thank Matthew for these ones! They were some old b Store samples that sadly never went into production, luckily for me, I managed to cop a pair and i cant seem to take them off now..." Will Westall
----------

Treasured Items... Matthew Murphy

A treasured item should stand the test of time. Far from being influenced by the whims and fancies of the now, a truly treasured item should be continuously appreciated, worn and loved throughout any change. Here, Other's very own Matthew Murphy shares the quick tale of his cherished Margaret Howell double breasted blazer. What began its life as a special occasion fix has since become a mainstay in his wardrobe a decade on. It's a testament to the timeless authenticity of British fashion's great outsider...

----------

Matthew Murphy and the every occasion blazer

"I purchased this blazer from Margaret Howell after dropping in to her Wigmore flagship store around ten years ago. I was searching for something to wear to a very good friends wedding and found this gem. It has remained a permanent resident in my wardrobe since. Seasonal buys have since been relegated to the boxes in the loft but this particular jacket never felt as if its time was up. There has always been an appropriate occasion and time to wear it. In my opinion this is the strength of Margaret Howell as a designer, to make modern classics. I was originally attracted by its use of fabric, traditional shape with its double breasted and peak lapel, but the unstructured construction and use of washed cotton has a modern and casual feel." Matthew Murphy.

----------

Treasured Items... Steve Sane

Every item has a story to tell. Of course, some stories are more captivating than others and here at Style Salvage, we strive to seek out the most interesting to share with you. After weeks of fashion and previews in what future seasons will bring, we've acquired a thirst for the tangible and items that have a real narrative and meaning to them as opposed to having been dreamt up by an excited PR. Here, Sane Communications and The Great Divide's very own Steve Sane continues are series of wardrobe tales and reminds us that there really is more to menswear blogging (and life for that matter) than the goings on at the latest trade show or glimpse of a runway...

----------

Steve Sane and the wedding ring

"I love this as it signifies in one gold band the man that I have become and how fortunate I am to have the lady and relationship that it represents. It's heavy and chunky and I always know it's there - a quiet reminder of my VERY animated wonderful wife with whom I share everything. She's a top lady. I'm super proud of it."

----------

Steve Sane and the protection ring

"This ring was bought by my aforementioned lady and it is made by HOPI tribe Indians - I am a big fan of Navajo belief and symbolism - the rings two symbols represent the scorpion and the bear - the sting and the protective weight look after me - it's blessed and I dig it bad."

Steve Sane of Sane Communications and The Great Divide

----------

Treasured Items... Rhamier Auguste

Having missed Tim Coppens and Siki Im present their SS13 collections last week due to a planning error on my front, my menswear design dreams rested in the accomplished hands of Patrik Ervell. Thankfully, the last of my favoured trio of talent did not disappoint. Adopting a Californian mindset, he appropriated, explored and reimagined technical leisurewear to stunning effect. We've come to expect a utilitarian and elegant parade of boyish tailoring from Ervell but people often overlook his fascination with experimentation and fabric development. In recent seasons we've been seduced by his use of gold foil, vintage parachutes, fabrics died with oxidised iron and copper, handmade rubber raincoats, horsehair and most splash dyed silks.

Seasons on, I still dream about finding a club collar rust shirt from SS10 in my size. My hunt is ongoing and my longing indefinite. There is always hope. Yesterday I met up with freelance fashion assistant/stylist and Opening Ceremony family member Rhamier Auguste for a beer and a spot of show and tell. Here, he retells the story of his sample sale snatch, turning my eyes green in the process...

 ----------

Rhamier Auguste and the sample sale snatch...

"Last summer a good majority of the Opening Ceremony NY team (including yours truly) were setting up for the sample sale we have every once in a while. Opening up boxes filled with merchandise from the past seasons is always a treat for me because you never know quite what you'll find but hold hope for uncovering certain pieces. I was in the right place at the right time when one of the boxes we opened had left-overs from Patrik Ervell's S/S 2010 collection. 

Anyone that knows me knows that Patrik Ervell is my favorite designer. Frantically combing the rack for my size in any of the rust-printed jackets, I finally came across a size 40. I'm usually a 38 but being the die-hard fan of his that I am, I knew the sizing ran a bit small. I tried it on and it fit like a glove. At the end of the day, I had it booked out, and the rest is history. I've only worn it about three times but each time I wear it, anyone, whether it's the elderly or a member of fashion's elite, have made it a point to compliment me on it. The process in creating this jacket was a pain-staking one, and I believe this was one of the collections that solidified Patrik Ervell's place among the better menswear designers in NY." Rhamier Auguste.

----------

Treasured Items... Brandon Acton-Bond

As I currently find myself casually covering New York Fashion Week I couldn't resist stepping off the fashion conveyor belt in search of a change of pace. I found friend of the blog and adopted New Yorker Brandon Acton-Bond and asked him to take part in our 'Treasured Items' series. Thankfully he agreed.

Now, as we lurked in the sartorial shadows last year we revealed that Brandon is a man who knows how to use colour and play with textures to make truly wonderful, multi faceted, layered outfits. He is someone who knows how to balance vintage, high street and a mix of labels (although, he is a self confessed Issey and Comme addict) in such a way that the admiring observer has absolutely no idea where he shops. Unsurprisingly, his cherished show and tell demonstrates all of these facets...

----------

Brandon Acton-Bond and the everyday cuffs

"I wear these two cuffs everyday. To me jewellery is the hardware of style and as such it should, for me at least, be as symbolic and meaningful as a tattoo. It also represents more long term thoughts and ideas on the way I see life. It has to stand the test of time and take the hard knocks and so do the ideas.

The silver Navajo cuff was given to me by my best friend Amber Doe. It's a shame that in NYC it's tough to see the people you love on a regular basis so this keeps us together. We share almost the same birthday (23rd and 24th march) and two years ago we exchanged cuffs which we have both worn everyday since. I guess it's a glorified friendship bracelet but it means so much to me.

The lapis cuff is from Afghanistan and was made in the 80s. Whenever I start a new job I always reward myself by purchasing something I've wanted for a long time. I had seen it in a random Asian Tchotchke shop in my neighbourhood for a few months but couldn't bring myself to, as they say, "treat yo self". It stands for my commitment to keep learning everyday and to always be inquisitive. I was always the kid in class who asked too many questions and I realise how important it is to keep on asking questions. I just love the size of the stone and the crappy white metal has this texture that just gets better with tarnishing.

I like to wear a bandanna or silk scarf underneath them for comfort and contrast. It seems to frame the two cuffs in such a lovely way. My right wrist is a simple cross section of how I try to dress as a whole. Every piece I buy means something to me. Here in New York, whilst we are limited economically to what we can buy, space is even more a constraint. I decided that as my rolling rack takes up half my room I wanted it to be full of old friends. As with all closets it's a constant work in progress but if I believe dressing is an art form, and these are the tools in our paintbox, then they should be a well curated and useful selection." Brandon Acton-Bond

----------

Treasured Items... John Holt

As soon as I picked up the first issue John Holt's Law magazine (on the recommendation of Goodhood's very own Kyle Stewart) I knew that I had discovered a title with a refreshing point of view. For its editor Holt, style is everywhere - all you have to do is keep your eyes open. Law is a bi-annual magazine that revels in revealing what others miss and serves to document the ups and downs of the beautiful everyday. Unsurprisingly his 'Treasured Items' pick demonstrates that treasure can be found anywhere. From a market stall bargain, Holt has added his own personality in a similar fashion to how he has approached the print world. Here the editor shares its story...

----------

John Holt and his lucky charms...

"It’s my pride and joy, always close to my heart. I got the gold chain for £10 from a stall on the old Open Market in Brighton. I didn’t know how much it was worth at the time and fortunately neither did the man who was manning the stand for his wife. I was studying fashion and was therefore skint and used to spending a couple of quid on makeshift chains out of the glass cabinets in charity shops. They never lasted long and I missed the feeling of something round my neck, as those who wear a chain or a watch or a ring will know, you get used to each other. After much deliberation we did the deal and I’m pleased to say we did. Since then I’ve taken it to one of those ‘WE BUY GOLD’ kiosks and lets just say I don’t think he would have been too popular with the wife that night. All I know is it hasn’t turned to silver like the others.

My mum gave me the horseshoe that her best friend gave to her for a 21st birthday present. Some people say you shouldn’t turn horseshoes upside down because you will lose all your luck, I say it showers me with every step. The crown is from Edinburgh castle, which my pal and I visited whilst on a trip round the coast of Scotland in his Transit. I can’t speak highly enough of that country, the locals and the scenery. I guess you could also say the crown is a symbol of my love for our queen, she’s inside the back page of the magazine. I thought if she’s ever going to be in an issue then in this diamond jubilee it must be. The shell is a fossilised unicorns horn, which I found on a beach in Wales and from the acorn a mighty magazine, will grow.

Two times too many I’ve come close to losing this chain and its charms. Once after a scuffle in town and twice climbing up the old Astoria in Brighton to paste up LAW posters at night. On both occasions I’ve managed to get it back but getting away with it by the skin of my teeth like that has led me to think about stopping wearing it, because I can’t bear to go through the heart sinking feeling of losing it again. Perhaps that is the mark of a truly treasured item, too rare to find another too treasured to wear." John Holt

----------

Treasured Items... Glenn Kitson

There are few items within menswear that provoke as much debate and obsession as denim commands. Geekery aside, regardless of where you live, what you do or what size you are, chances are if you have a quick rummage through your wardrobe you will encounter a few pairs of jeans in there some where. We all have our favourites and after giving it much thought, Glenn Kitson has chosen his pair of Levi's XX 1967 XXs for his most treasured wardrobe possession.

----------

Glenn Kitson and the well worn pair of Levi's XX 1967 505s.

"When Steve asked to me to find my most treasured item I spent weeks chewing it over, it was always at the back of my mind. You see, I wanted to look cool in front of my peers, do I pick something really obscure even though I don't wear it that much or do I choose something really exclusive and expensive? I pondered on it...

Eventually, it became obvious. I chose my jeans. Levis XX 1967 505. OK, so they're repros and in the world of crazy denim geeks, the fade probably isn't the best. But it's my fade. My wear and tear from work, cycling and raising a couple of kids."

A selection of detail shots showing the wear.

I've worn them in from raw, I sized up initially and had them tapered in quite blunt at the hem. I took them to an old Turkish tailor who when explaining that I wanted to keep the selvedge line nice and slim, shooed me away pridefully saying 'I know', needless to say, when I returned a week later to pick them up he hadn't listened to me and the selvedge edge is fat and chunky. But to be honest, I like them that way- they're unique. Its probably sacrilege to the hardcore denim nerds but to be honest, I'm not keen on their 'the way we used to live' fancy dress 'where's my steam engine' lifestyle/look. I live in the real world.

I could harp on about the history of denim and its primal association with an outlaw lifestyle but I won't ..Its bad enough that I'm sat here typing about my trousers... so anyway, there you have it. I like wearing my jeans."
Glenn Kitson is the co-founder of The Rig Out magazine (issue IV is a must read), a PR, stylist and many, many other things.  

----------

Treasured Items... Simon Chilvers

As we are all shown glimpses in to the future with the unveiling of the SS13 season and as AW12 product lands on to many a shop floor, it is all too easy to become muddled and confused about the present and the past. Over the last year or so we've been asking a selection of our favourite menswear personalities to 'show and tell' their most treasured items with us. The series helps us to look back as opposed to continuously leaning forward. From wedding bands to battered sneakers, airport security puzzling bracelets to lost but not forgotten t shirts, we've shared the stories behind all manner of cherished objects.

In addition to helping us change the pace of the blog, the feature asks our invited guests to question their wardrobe and how they wear their clothes. Some treasured items have revealed themselves instantly but most have required a little more searching. For stylist and journalist Simon Chilvers, it was the latter. After much thought and searching (both wardrobe and soul), here Chilvers shares the tale of a well worn Marc by Marc Jabobs t-shirt...    

----------

Simon Chilvers and the old favourite designer t shirt

"Apparently when it comes to clothes I am a bit of a slut. When asked to dish my wardrobe’s most treasured, I looked at the wardrobe only to realise that there really isn’t much in there that has enough history to quantify the “treasured” tag. Yes, there’s a pair of old jeans that I always carry in hand luggage because I’ve invested too much time wearing them in to lose them to a cheap airline, and there are some trusty basics always on rotation, but when it comes to talking point clothes most of them feel too new.

In the end I chose this old Marc by Marc Jacobs t-shirt not because it’s the most brilliantly designed thing in the world – I’m not even that crazy about clowns or white t-shirts – but because there’s something youthful and rock ‘n’ roll about it. I love its old battered look. I rolled around the floor of a marquee in it during a particularly wild dance routine at one of my friend’s birthday parties and it has the faded stains to prove it. 

It also reminds me of being on holidays with its faint whiff of suntan lotion. Being so worn in and baggy its become ideal for wearing on the beach, which is really the only time I wear it in public these days.

I hold various affections for the Marc label too. It was one of the first designer brands I hankered after. I liked its quirky graphics, it’s 1970s references – I still wear an old Marc sweatshirt with a drawing of a girl’s head poking over the top of a wall that I persuaded my mum to buy me from Harvey Nicks. Neither of us had ever been into Harvey Nicks before that.

On my first trips to New York, before there was a Marc store in London, I always went to the shop on Bleecker Street where they sold loads of old tat with the MJ initials on it – mirrors, pens, condoms. I thought it was brilliant. I also bought a pair of dark red leather shoes from there, which I wore to complete death.

I wear a t-shirt most days. I’ll wear shirts, though I prefer short-sleeve ones - the best are from Marni because they’re cut loose - but I’m much happier and more comfortable in a t-shirt. Though as I get older I suppose that might change.

My current favourites are an oversized one from KIDDA by Christopher Shannon – it’s grey, blue and paisley. It also features Christopher’s initials CS on it, which also happen to be my initials in reverse. Then there’s the Christopher Kane printed “turbine” tee, which is busy and has a slightly higher neck line than your average crew – it’s a small detail but a nice one. It looks great with dark jeans. And lastly, a Dries Van Noten purple ikat print t-shirt from spring/summer 2010 - that one is the t-shirt equivalent of a comfort blanket." Simon Chilvers.

----------