Editor’s Picks: Luca Faloni cashmere, Canada Goose jacket and a David Bowie print
From an elegant slate chopping board to WaterRower’s stylish exercise bike, here’s what we want this week…
As the second lockdown draws to a close (well, in name, at least), we at Gentleman’s Journal have come over all philosophical about the nature of time. How, for example, has the last month felt longer than most normal years?
Yet, while we may be justified in our complaints about how much it’s dragged recently, time is also responsible for some of the greatest things in life. A well-aged Scotch, for example, or a bespoke suit. And so it is with many of the items on our wish list this week. From a cosy cable knit that takes 10 hours to make to a beautiful leather bag three years in the making, here’s what we want this week…
Buckled up: Past Vintage Leather Bag
In a world of mass produced goods and industrial production lines, it’s rare to find a brand that takes the time to get its product just right. But that is exactly what you’ll discover in Past Vintage. A labour of love for founder Jordan Kirby, the brand offers just one bag design in four colours and it took nearly three years to perfect. Produced from start to finish in the UK from fine bridle leather, its design is based on a vintage postal bag with thoughtful updates for modern life. They say good things come to those who wait and, this time, we’re inclined to agree.
Wrap up: Luca Faloni Cashmere Cardigan
We’ve reached that point of the year where we’re faced with a serious work-from-home conundrum – how to stay looking smart for business calls while our houses are getting decidedly chilly? A sweatshirt is too casual and your usual jumpers are too thin. Step in Luca Faloni and its chunky shawl collar cardigan. Knitted in Bergamo using 100% four-ply cashmere, its ribbed design locks in warmth and is incredibly soft, while the tapered collar is perfect for wearing over a button down.
Back in black: Canada Goose Hybridge Lite Tech Down Jacket
You know Canada Goose’s Hybridge Lite down jacket. You’ve seen it on the slopes in Verbier, on bankers scurrying to offices in the City and world leaders leaving important meetings in Davos. It’s the winter jacket du jour for the wealthy and powerful and this year it’s back with a range of enhancements, including a narrower quilting pattern for a better fit and a down filling designed to pack away to nothing.
The art of music: David Bowie Diamond Dog Print
There’s nothing better than a truly great photograph to instantly add a touch of class and sophistication to any room. It’s also the easiest way to freshen up that home office you’re sick of the sight of. Shot by British photographer Terry O’Neill, this classic print by Sonic Editions captures the eccentricity, wit and charm of the great David Bowie and comes in a handmade solid wood frame.
Form and function: WaterRower NOHrD Bike
Gyms are closed (again) and we’re not too proud to admit that greater proximity to our fridges has left our favourite trousers a little tighter than they were at the start of the year. The answer, of course, is to invest in some home gym equipment but, if you’re not lucky enough to be able to dedicate a whole room to it, the issue is it’s often not very attractive. Which is exactly the problem WaterRower set out to solve with its NOHrD range. Handmade in small batches in Germany, each piece in the collection is crafted from solid wood and reinforced with a steel frame for durability. We’re rather taken with its exercise bike.
Knit so fast: Turnbull & Asser Welsh Aran Jumper
As we said before, good things come to those who wait, and thanks to the complexity and intricacy of its knitting method, each one of Turnbull & Asser’s Welsh Aran jumpers takes more than ten hours to make. The results, however, are well worth the effort. Woven by Corgi in Wales using natural British wool, this is jumper you’ll be reaching for whether you’re bracing the elements on a long country hike or cosying up on the sofa for another night in front of Netflix.
Check mate: Ralph Lauren Sutton Chess Set
Speaking of Netflix, have you watched The Queen’s Gambit yet? Of course you have, Beth Harmon is the Joe Exotic of lockdown part two. And, while thankfully no one rushed out to buy domesticated tigers in the spring, this time around Netflix’s latest hit has caused a huge surge in interest in chess. Knowing your knights from your bishops is, dare we say it, cool. So next time that hipster friend of yours pops over for a dram and demands to show off the Sicilian Defence he’s perfected, pull out Ralph Lauren’s chess set and you’ll have him on the back foot before you’ve even begun.
Smelling sweet: Jo Malone Car Diffuser
In a turn of events that isn’t great for the planet but inevitable given the state of the coronavirus pandemic, car use is at an all time high in the UK, as people eschew public transport in favour of their own set of wheels. If you’re one of these people it’s time you gave your car – be it a Porsche or a Peugeot – an aromatic upgrade. Get rid of that pine tree that’s been dangling irritatingly from your mirror since your last visit to the car wash and replace it with Jo Malone’s utterly chic car diffuser. There’s even a number of the brand best-selling scents to choose from.
The slate of it: Nkuku Fala chopping board
A bad workman may blame his tools but a good chef knows that having the right kit for the job is necessary for whipping up all those culinary creations you have planned for the coming festive season. Named for a village in Zambia, homeware brand Nkuku supports and celebrates independent artisans who are elevating everyday items to the highest levels of function and style. This unusual and undeniably useful wooden and slate chopping board is a case in point.
A low profile: Uniform Standard Series 1 Sneakers
There’s never a bad time for new trainers – especially when they look as good as Uniform Standard’s Series 1 designs. Handmade using fine Italian suede in this just-different-enough-to-be-noteworthy denim shade, they’re built on a recycled cupsole with full leather lining and a recycled moulded footbed for supreme support and comfort.
These are the best penny loafers money can buy…
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