TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.

This looks decent, a cinematic version of the John le Carré novel and classic British television series starring Alec Guinness. In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.
This new version looks slick, the teaser trailer went live today, is directed by Tomas Alfredson (Let The Right One In) and has a fantastic cast - including the ever reliable Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch and Stephen Graham. CD

THE STONE ROSES : FIRST LOOK.

The one which is getting a lot of interest right now is the forthcoming Stone Roses tee, designed by our pal Peter O'Toole, we've just got the sample back and it's looking good. The artwork is superb, a deliberately oversized print to fill the tee, every little detail has come out really well in the print. Available very soon. CD

A CONNOISSEUR UPDATE:

We have just added a brand new Red version of the best selling Northern Music Factory to the store. Also the cult Tinted Lens tee is given a final run out on black, grab it whilst you can. We have also restocked several tees after they proved very popular on release, the Peter O'Toole pin up on both Sky and Yellow, and the ever popular Real Ale Ramblers has been topped up on the favoured bright Orange in time for the good weather and some outdoor pursuits/drinking too many ales.
We also added another stock to the Billy Casper tee last week too. Also recently released was the Plain logo t-shirt which went on sale last week.
COMING SOON : our first ever Premium Shirt collection is on the way to us as I type, so as planned should be in store by July. The Stone Roses tee which you all keep asking about is currently in for sampling. The next offering in our Collaborations range are on the way too, with Section 76's Essential Kit and the Ben Lamb design currently on the drawing board. We also plan a small run of the Madness tee from a few years back as it's one we have been asked about a lot recently, so keep an eye on here and our Facebook page for that one as it won't be a general release.
IN OTHER NEWS : we're currently putting the finishing touches to several items, looking way ahead into winter too, the 'Beat A Storm' cagoules are scheduled to land in time for the new season, as are the long sleeved Woodbank polo shirts. So watch this space. CD

OUT & ABOUT : LONDON GATHERING.

It was this time last week we had a little gathering of like-minded souls from the Connoisseur community in and around some carefully selected boozers of North East London. A good twenty of us from as close as just down the road in the capital itself, to all the way up as far as Boro, Sunderland and Hull and even as far and wide as Hamburg and Hannover and several places in between!
Drinking the day and night away without a care in the world, a good mix of ages, and general good vibes! Here's to the next one. CD

UNIVERSAL WORKS A/W 12.

It was just yesterday I nabbed my third Universal Works jacket in the sales, a decent British brand which bucks fashionable trends and does classic British garments fit for all seasons. Here's a sneak peak at their forthcoming Autumn Winter collection. Shirts, jumpers, hats, big jackets the best time of the year. Pics from Second to None. CD

Little White Lies - A Decade Re-discovered,

Little White Lies - The best film magazine out there presents An exhibition of specially commissioned illustrations inspired by classic films from cinema's most aesthetically fruitful era, imagined in the style of the LWL cover artwork, at Kemistry Gallery in East London. Acemans!









Exhibition runs from Friday June 18th - July 2nd.
Kemistry Gallery, 43 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PD
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm

ÅKE'S FIRST GRÖNLAND.

Next summer the good Arctic Fox folk will launch Fjällräven’s very first jacket in a new edition The Greenland No. 1. Styles come and go, but Fjall is as good as anything for those who crave nice and simple functional clobber that defies fashionable fads and trends, the Greenland jacket is a good example of this, their classic item.
'We can’t escape the feeling of nostalgia, but also pride, when we look back at the products created by Fjällräven’s founder Åke Nordin in the 1960s. These were products which decreased limitations on enjoying outdoor life, which made it possible for thousands upon thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to venture further into the wilderness, or at least venture out in a more comfortable and safer manner than they could earlier.'

It all started with the Greenland Expedition :
After a Swedish expedition to Greenland in 1966, it was obvious that the outdoor clothing of the time was not as functional as the climbers would have desired. Åke had in-depth discussions about equipment and clothing with the expedition members and with the help of Hasse Hellström he drew up a design for a functional jacket. The jacket became a reality for one of Åke’s own mountain trips. He made it from the olive green fabric which he had found to be too heavy for a lightweight tent but seemed to be perfect for durable outdoor clothing.
The jacket was named Greenland Jacket after the expedition, and was launched in 1968, the year of the student revolutions across Europe. Climbers loved the practical jacket. They appreciated its water and wind resistance and its hood which followed their head movements. They loved its practical breast pockets for storing everything that was needed close to hand (in those times; maps and cigarettes). It was lightweight, flexible, durable, and dried fast – everything that earlier cotton garments were not.

So this is why we all felt a bit nostalgic when Åke Nordin took out his very first jacket during a personnel get-together recently. We were where it all started; in Åke’s workshop outside his home town of Örnsköldsvik. This was where he had his sewing machine (his mother’s Singer that he had taken over), and this was where he made Fjällräven’s first tent, first backpack – and first Greenland Jacket.

As a tribute to Åke, his ingenuity and Fjällräven’s origins, Fjäll have decided to launch a new edition of this first model. Greenland No.1 is an exact replica of the original jacket which Åke worn on his mountain trip in 1968. The only difference is the fabric and here we have opted for an environmental alternative. Greenland No. 1 is made from G-1000 Eco – a combination of recycled polyester and organic cotton.
Looking forward to it. Fjallravenbloggen.com CD

OUT & ABOUT : ONE MAN AND HIS BIKE.

In readiness for an attempt at riding the Grand Union from Brum to London it was time to get some Training in. A 42 mile round trip on the local canals was needed. Pics via Warren.