THE VILLAIN HAT #2

The second release of the Villain flat cap is available from this evening (22nd 7pm) this is an acquired taste and one we love as it reminds us of our Grandad, who never left the house without one. Part country gent, part Northern stereotype, part south of the river. The Villain takes it's name from legendary local climber Don Whillans, a man's man, a man who scaled mountains with the best of 'em Brown, Bonington et al, and even drank whisky and smoked cigars at the top of them. Whilst those around him wore hard hats with their Berghaus and Mountain Equipment jackets, he wore a flat cap.
The Villain comes in Army Green and Dark Olive cotton canvas, Grey cotton and Herringbone tweed, stitched down visor, three panel detail and subtle woven Connoisseur tab above the ear.
One size fits all. Made in the USA. OUT from 7pm Thursday.

WEIR NEARLY HERE....

Now then, here's a little update on the forthcoming Weir release, as the weather turns colder we're starting to get inundated with questions and queries about when the new hats are arriving online. As with the last couple of years, the hats will be released in separate batches, with no few than seven different colourways this year, thats right there's an extra one this time! As always the hats have been produced in strict limited numbers right here in England and it should be noted; this year they've been tweaked to the original shape following one or two of last year's seemingly getting ever so slightly pointy.
 

The first batch of the 'Weir 5' are scheduled to be online by the end of this month.

There's also two very special edition's this year as you may have already seen. The Black Lodge and the Overlook hats inspired by two great cults - Twin Peaks and The Shining.
PLUS as we did last season - there's also a Stockist Exclusive which are heading out to them over the course of the next week or so, so watch out for details.
As always these are strictly limited to just 50 per colour. YHN

THE McMURPHY HAT.

Tonight once again sees the return for A/W 12 of the McMurphy hat, this premium  pure new wool hat has been handmade for us by renowned manufacturers Highland 2000. Available in four non-institutionalised colours : Charcoal, Moss, Rust and Navy each featuring a rogue streak of lovely coloured marl.
This is the subtle alternative to the Connoisseur Weir hat, top quality titfers with no branding. Limited numbers, Made in England. Available from 7pm.

For our tomorrow, they gave their today.

RESISTANCE SMOCK.

It's a pleasure to reveal a first look at our next garment, we took delivery of the 'Resistance' smock sample this week from our local manufacturers. It's a genuine thrill to see designs from scrapbooks develop into cut and sewn garments. The first opinion is it already looks bang on and only minimal changes and additions are required. Scheduled for a 2013 release, we are now going forward with a 60/40 cloth - a durable and classic fabric which will give this the authentic old school look and feel it deserves, ready to take this to full production.  
Inspiration for this one obviously comes from the Norwegian Resistance, this anorak style is our take on a classic silhouette which has been produced for up to 70 years now - think Heroes of Telemark, vintage Belstaff and even Action Man in his exploration garbs - a real classic British outdoors piece.

Additional details required are fixings, zippers and our own branding. We have added two very substantial two-way bellow pockets with side entry for your hands. The Large chest pocket features a secured zip entry, we have included the always handy small wrist pocket for cards etc, weather protective inner cuffs, waist drawstring and contrast bright coloured mesh hood lining to set this one off perfectly.
There's also the inclusion of an extended 'drop seat' for a longer length at the rear and wooden drawstring toggles. Branding will be kept to a woven cub scout style patch or large woven label on the left sleeve.
All being well this should be released early 2013, the current sample is made with a water resistant ripstop cotton, the full release will differ slightly.
Designed and made in England. CD

NITTY GRITTY - THE BENCH.

 
During a recent trip to Sweden, we visited Stockholm and some good friends. On Friday afternoon shortly after landing we had a browse of some of Stockholm's best stores, most notably the famous Nitty Gritty on Krukmakargatan.  A store which stocks premium labels such as Stone Island, Nanamica, APC, Diemme, Garbstore and a whole host of others. The shop has a long running insight to the world both inside and out, with their famous bench outside. Customers and passers by alike are photographed on the bench, ourselves and pals - and sometime Connoisseur 'live' mannequins/poseurs Andrew & Hess, were invited to sit there last Friday. Check out Nitty Gritty's store, and of course The Bench. CD

WARP FILMS 10th BY PETE McKEE.

Warp films are currently celebrating 10 years in business in the erm, business. The company responsible for some great British indie films such as Four Lions, Kill List and Submarine and of course our pal Shane Meadows' work. Warp have several celebrations lined up at the moment including an exclusive screening of cult film Dead Man's Shoes ( brand new Dance at My Party tee coming soon from us, too ) these posters by Sheffield based illustrator Pete McKee caught our eye too.
Available here. YHN

NEW PINS.

Today we release the next installment of our ongoing series of little men, by popular demand! The 'Dapper Dandies', a two piece 80's inspired set featuring the classic Benetton rugby shirt, split jeans and Borgs. With a Burberry harrington and titfer with Trimm Trab combo.New pin badges released. 
Next up we have a collaboration with our Swedish brothers Our Culture, from Stockport to Stockholm, great friendships have been forged over the last few years, we've done the tee, the hat, even the tattoo! Now it's the pin badge set. OUT SOON.
Lastly, the 'Hooded Hoolies', featuring the classic Goretex Trango, cords and suede shoes, with an urban protector complete in his CP Metropolis jacket and deadstock Puma Bluebirds. COMING SOON. YHN

THIS IS SHANE MEADOWS.

 We here at Connoisseur are avid film fans, the movies have influenced our every step and found their way into many of our garments produced. The grittier and British the better is often the case for us, one director's progress we've enjoyed following since his early shorts, is Shane Meadows. From early boxing drama 24/7 to cult hit Dead Man's Shoes and our personal favourite A Room for Romeo Brass. Without wanting to sound in any way snooty, we saw them all when they were shown to tiny audiences in indie cinemas and it's great to see him enjoying success today the fantastic, ongoing This is England TV series and other future projects. Meadows bridges the gap perfectly between British stalwarts such as Ken Loach and Mike Leigh. 
It was a genuine pleasure to receive this photo of Shane wearing our Dexys shirt from last year. 
His next project is the re-union of The Stone Roses, as Meadows and long term collaborator Mark Herbert were present on every step of their tour this year for a documentary, which should be out by the end of this year. 
Look out for a brand spanking new version of the original Connoisseur Dead Man's Shoes tee, 'Dance at My Party' coming soon. YHN