The Girl's Have It....

The Eyes have it...

From the lost roll....

I had just recently received a call from friends of the above voicing disappointment at never having seen this image published... Then I realised that neither had I a missing roll of images which I found earlier today and have started to process...

Hannah Martin: The Man Who Knows Everything Shoot

Towards the end of last week, I detailed Hannah Martin's triangulated launch of her fifth collection, The Man Who Knows Everything. The awe inspiring installation at Dover Street Market, an exclusive fashion film and a unique augmented reality experience all combined to create a truly memorable experience. It allowed as many people as possible to try, play, ponder and marvel at her precious creations. Having enthused over the launch, I'd now like to take a little more time over the designs themselves and share the stunning look book with you all.

 

As previously detailed, the character that this collection is based upon is the Comte de St Germain. Ordinarily the designer dreams up her characters but this alchemist has popped up at various points in history. The Comte was the original International Man of Mystery. Seemingly unplaceable and untraceable and utterly intriguing. An eighteenth century European aristocrat of unknown origin who had no lack of resources and moved in the highest social circles. He hobnobbed with Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, Voltaire, Rousseau, Mesmer and Casanova. There are many stories spun around this elusive character: he always appeared forty years old, popped up from time to time after his official death to make spot on prophecies, he could transmute matter , and spontaneously teleported to distant locations. Some considered him to to one of the hidden immortals who manipulate history and an 'Ascended Master.' This fifth collection from Hannah Martin is a visual dedication to this man beyond time. Beyond scientific limits. A balance of the highly modern and unspeakably ancient. The collection, delirious and drenched in blinding lights, reflects the intensity of Hannah’s latest exploration of narrative masculinity. Here, she presents a range of hyper-real, shamanistic jewels that seem to tell the unspoken tales of the Russian Tsars, secrets from within the courts of Louis the XV. These photographs by Joss McKinley shot at the stunning Lullingstone Castle in Kent explore this shadowy, otherworldy collection quite beautifully..

Credits

Photography Joss McKinley

Styling Anders Solvsten Thomsen

Grooming Dorita Nissen

Hair Takeshi Katoh

Model Jose Wickert at AMCK models

Production Nathan Morse

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Throughout her fifth collection, Hannah Martin pushes the boundaries of her craft while  intricately weaving her narrative within each covetable piece. Here, intensely coloured stones are mixed to hallucinogenic effect upon structures that find their source within constructivist and monumental architecture. A heady cocktail of neon rubies, emeralds, fire opals, amethysts, sapphires are offered sobriety with cleanest white diamonds. White, yellow and rose gold is used for the first time together in this tale of mysticism whilst signature black rhodium gives these radiant combinations their grounding. Of course, the real focus of this series is the shaman's triangle. Visually prevalent in Masonic circles, this geometrically perfect shape has been elegantly skewed by the un-wielding power of the Man Who. The ancient symbol of esoteric power has been finely mutated into an iconic piece of sculpture. Intricate lines that are fine and graphic are picked out with sharp edges and vivid stones. This triangle is formed within necklace, pendant, earring and cufflink and of course in the centrepiece, the pyramid ring. Simply magical.

H?Katsukawa from Tokyo for AW11

Better than any medicine, a look at H?Katsukawa from Tokyo for AW11

The last few days have seen me bedridden with the worst type of flu I've ever experienced. A symphony of moans and groans accompanied by a percussion of sneezes and wheezes with the odd fever induced soliloquy have echoed around my bedroom. This morning I could check my emails for the first time in days and was treated to a batch of images from Eiichi Katsukawa that made me feel instantly better.  Now, Katsukawa makes hand made, eye poppingly colourful and patterned brogues, along with wonderfully textured distressed Nibe leather brogues from his studio in Tokyo. His carefully crafted leather creations are far better than any spoonful of medicine.

Last June I was fortunate enough to meet the craftsmen at Pitti Uomo and it was an absolute pleasure to talk through his label and be introduced to his designs in person. After gaining experience in Tokyo, he moved to Northampton to study shoe design and production methods at the Tresham Institute’s Practical Design and Shoemaking Course. It was there that he had the opportunity to meet the great Paul Harnden. Following his graduation from the Institute, he studied further under Paul as a intern at Brighton before returning to Tokyo in October 2004. His passion for shoe making has since evolved whilst working at the Shinjuku Isetan men’s shoe repair center and through his participation in a number of successful collaborations. Katsukawa is currently focusing on his eponymous collection and his offering is growing with each season. Knowing that I missed out on Pitti this season, he has sent through a few images that he'd like me to share with you. Let me introduce you to his smile inducing yet stunningly beautiful, hand crafted designs...

 A look at H?Katsukawa from Tokyo's AW11 presentation.

 The Symmetry derby alongside the Nibe leather brogues and boots.

 A closer look at the texture rich distressed Nibe leather.

 Silkprint houndstooth, check and star prints.

Paint splattered Nibe leather brogues.

Eiichi Katsukawa at his AW11 presentation wearing a pair of his Armylast Torico's. 
All images by Ogiwara.


"I express the avant-garde style as new viewpoints and the day-to-dayness as enjoyments by creating a form of shoes. And the essence of that form is intangible love."

Katsukawa on his leather creations.

For Eiichi Katsukawa shoes should be enjoyed. In addition to being well crafted, they should bring a smile to the face of the wearer and the people who encounter them throughout the day.  His collection of bold designs certainly does both. His collection is currently available at United Arrows only but I'm hoping he picks up a few more stockists this season and I'll be able to update you during Pitti 80.

London Fashion Week: The world's leading Fashion Carnival

MITCHELL JOHNSON

Mitchell Johnson, born November 2, 1981 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, is an Australian cricketer.

When attending a fast-bowling clinic in Brisbane at age 17, former Test fast-bowler Dennis Lillee spotted and identified Johnson as a "once-in-a-lifetime prospect" and quickly arranged for the young athlete to join the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide.

An athlete who started out preferring tennis, Johnson was late to focus on cricket and suffered early in his career with four back stress fractures that almost floored him for good. He persevered, driving a plumbing van when he lost his Queensland contract, and became only the fourth Australian left-arm paceman to pass 100 Test wickets.

With a strong, flowing run to the crease, Johnson can become mechanical in delivery, especially if his wrist, a long-term concern, is in the wrong position. When it's bad, he sprays the ball on both sides of the wicket like an old-fashioned firebrand. When it's perfect, there is probably no better bowler in the game.

Johnson achieved great success in 2008 when he was named Player of the Series vs. South Africa 2008-09. He followed that up a year later with another great feat -- he was awarded the International Cricket Council's 2009 "Cricketer of the Year" award, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy on 2 October 2009.

LFW: The Retailers...

The owners of Darkroom the concept store in LDN who offer an eclectic range of fashion for men and women, interior and lifestyle accessories...
>>>www.DARKROOMlondon.com

Brushfield St. E1

From Bologna, Italy

ANNA NICOLE SMITH

Name : Anna Nicole Smith (Vickie Lynn Hogan)
Born : November 28, 1967
Died: February 8, 2007
Country : born Mexia, Texas, USA
Lives : USA

Anna Nicole Smith is a famous American Playboy mate and nude model, who was born as Vickie Lynn Hogan. The model, born November 28, 1967 in Texas and later changed her name to Anna Nicole Smith.

Anna Nicole Smith worked in a variety of jobs when she was younger, including a chicken restaurant and as an exotic/topless dancer. Than she met J. Howard Marshall, the American oil billionaire. With limitless money available to her, Smith increased her breast size and started her nude modeling career. In the year 1993 she was named Playboy’s playmate of the year. She married her billionaire in June 27, 1994 (he was 89, she- 26) and went on to become a much photographed and talked about in gossip magazines.

After her husband's death Anna Nicole Smith fought with the former stepson, E. Pierce Marshall for the money of her billionaire husband. The year 2000 (September) was very successful for Smith, as her wealth was estimated to be $449,754,134. In 2002 she was awarded $88 000 000.

Anna Nicole Smith has been involved not just in modeling and performing, but also in acting, by playing roles in several movies and TV series: The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Skyscraper (1997), To the Limit (1995), "N.Y.U.K" (2000), Be Cool (2005). Her biggest success has been with working with Playboy, including a TV series (and dvds) and magazines since early 90's (she was the Playboy mate for the first time in June 1992).