BOB HOSKINS

Another legend of the silver screen, gone too early. 
Robert William Hoskins 26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014

OUR FAVOURITE COAT.

Today we release our own Capandula jacket with 6876, this is certainly one of favourite jackets of all time, it has to be. I cannot think of many others where we've bought the same thing in every colour and fabric we could find. Same, but different, a modern classic. The Capandula takes it's name from a Corsican nature reserve and it's fair to say it's 6876's signature piece.
OK, corny I know, but they say never meet your heroes, well, we've actually worked with one of ours in 6876's Kenneth Mackenzie, someone we've followed and admired for many years. It's been both a pleasure and a great experience for us to be part of this (not to mention a great step forward for our little label) The 'Black Project' - in which we get the chance to release our own take on this famous coat, along with our good friends from Sweden Our Culture. It's high end, it's premium, it's just spot on. Coming in black (obviously) this Ventile edition is the twelve and I think third in that colour, but the nicest black one yet. Made in the North of England with the Ministry of Defence, with high performance L24 Ventile® 2005 Gsm, featuring taped seams, waterproof zips. Perfect standing out whilst blending in.

Released April 25th in limited numbers. Black Project Capandula. DC

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

One of our best highlights of last year and a real pleasure and privilege was to be acquainted with our sister from Elista, an honoury member of Team CC. 
Danja, from Russia first came over to work with us and Peter O'Toole on a shoot and new collaborative projects last summer. 

The internet makes the world a small place, whilst that can have it's downside it's also brilliant too - we've met new friends from all over the globe via the world wide web, as well as dear old Blighty, from Stockholm, Berlin, Dublin, Porto, Hanover, Japan and now Russia to name a few. And what a joy to meet such a well turned out young lady. Danja who online will be well known from Instagram by her moniker mille_miglia from the famous CP jackets she's partial to, of course is rather 'famous' herself. 
Danja is now a bona-fide Connoisseur, cementing our friendship and indeed our working relationship we've met up again twice and done several shoots together. As well as working on some future projects and ideas. Danja continues to play an integral role in assisting us with our working relationship with Russia too, which includes some forthcoming authentic Russian t-shirt designs with independent designers Outskirts and Drei Striefen Madness. 
As well as being a cool girl she's also an avid collector of clothing and pretty savvy when it comes to all things casual. For those who say girls can't be 'dressers' we say what nonsense and she's the proof.  
Это было очень приятно встретить нашего нового друга, и вот к долгой дружбы вместе. Бог благословит Даня!

Here's a few words from Danja herself...

"First encounter with The Casual Connoisseur was in 2007. I remember myself an 18 year old girl  watching casualco.com, with open mouth staring at the pictures, clothes and website design. Being a student I did not have much money, I could not even buy a t-shirt! And then even more the weirs, which were sold out very quickly! What's more, I have always been delighted with the CC girl models. Shocking, bold but stunning pictures - if one had told me once I would be one in future - probably i'd have laughed to his face. But in a few years,  Peter O'Toole  met me over the internet and immediately offered to illustrate me in the 'Thing of Ours' style, later he showed the СС lads a picture and even suggested to make a t-shirt in collaboration with me . Until recently I did not believe in the reality of this idea, but as you can see, a t-shirt, created by CC and me is on sale in few days! 

The real pleasure was to visit Peter, Tom and Dan in the North and meet in real life. They proved to be very kind and caring cool guys and all my stay there was called  "Danja in Wonderland!" :).

I want to thank them and I hope our relationship will not end on this ! "

As always, we do what we like here at CC towers and that old adage we always say, 'that would look good on a t-shirt, that' rang true when we photographed her portrait. Our collaborative tee  fittingly snapped in her in her namesake coat taking a breather on an old Chesterfield armchair. Going online on Tuesday 22 April, 7pm (GMT) after the Easter weekend, it went to several stockists before our release and sold out quick, so they might not hang around. TC

PRODUCT UPDATE...

Now then, lot's of goings on here at CC HQ. As you might be able to tell on the shop we've been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring a bunch of new product out. Over the coming weeks there'll be t-shirts a-plenty, as always each one as different to the next.  We've also got a selection of new prints being added soon too. PLUS as we continue to progress this little brand we've got some ACE new shorts on the way, made in Portugal with Newfangle just like our equally awesome Union II shirts, these will probably be gone as fast as they were! We've got our collaborative Black Project Capandula with 6876, another round of quality shirts with tuktuk, not to mention some cord, yes cord shoes with Veras and as well as Round Two of Curva Nord, we've also joined forces to bring back Rather Not Say for a limited edition collection. We're continuing to seek new ideas, designs and new products for the future including some more rather interesting collaborations. 
Sometimes you might forget about the blog with the social networks being that bit quicker and instant but it's always worth checking here for more detailed updates. As technology continues to evolve it's probably instagram for the first previews, so if you're not following us get involved and follow us on instagram.com/casualco. On instagram we do have quite a few comments asking when? How much? and where? 
As always it's shop.casualco.com product is either live and ready to go (unless it sells out quickly) or it's coming soon and where possible the date and details are on there. TC

KEYRING - THINGS, NICE.

Keyrings, why are they called keyrings? That's the metal ring that goes on keys and not the colourful interesting part, isn't it? They should be called keyring decal or keyring special or something. Anyway what ever they should be called, we had a bunch produced like last Christmas and we're finally getting them online now!
They're really ace made from a flexible raised PVC in vibrant colours and six choices no less. AND yes the metal ring thing comes with them too, for free. 
Online Thursday at 7pm (GMT) TC

THE UNION II SHIRT

 

Tomorrow evening sees the release of our 'Union II' shirt. Made in collaboration with NewFangle Clothing in Portugal, it's a reworking of our original Union shirt release from a few years ago. This time we've gone with a smoother, softer indigo chambray, details are : 
5.6 oz indigo Chambray, two button tab collar, box pleat and locker loop. Utility is key on this one; features five pockets : two pen inserts, jetted 'coin' pouch, secured button top pocket and one specifically designed to fit your iPhone/other. 
Twin stitched shoulder seams with contrast bar-tack detailing on pockets, reinforced elbow patches, darted cuffs and curved hem, contrast stitched button holes. Low key branding sees just a small woven Connoisseur label to hem and etched Mother of Pearl buttons with dual branding, with contrast black Mother of Pearl button to cuff placket.

Made at the same place as some of our favourite brands, we're very happy how this one came out and it's continued progression for the brand. The shirt is made from our own specific block which is the same measurements as all previous releases including those we've collaborated with tuktuk, so your normal size should apply. The shirt is online through both stores : Newfangle Clothing and ourselves from Monday 7th April at 7pm (GMT). TC

CONNOISSEUR + NEWFANGLE UNION II CHAMBRAY SHIRT. from CC-TV on Vimeo.

PIN SETS...

PINS! Our next in our continuing two-piece, two man pin sets "The Smart Bastards".
Go online tomorrow night at 7pm (GMT) TC