Monthly Archives: July 2012

Matches Charity Tshirts

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Matches (which is one of my favourite destinations to shop) has joined teams with an array of British designer to celebrate all that is British. The result of this collaboration is a selection of unique tshirts exclusive to Matches. All the proceeds go to London Evening Standard’s Dispossessed Fund – a charity which fights poverty in London. What could be better; you get a great tshirt and you are also helping a very worthy cause.


Matches charity tshirts (illustration from the Matches blog)

Matches charity tshirts

For the women there are tshirts by Jonathan Saunders, Richard Nicoll, Herself, Mary Katrantzou, J.W. Anderson, Roksanda Ilincic, Holly Fulton and Erdem. In terms of men’s there are tshirts by Jonathan Saunders, Mary Katrantzou and J.W. Anderson. At £50 each the limited edition tshirts are a steal. I ended up buying the men’s Mary Katrantzou one – if I was not saving up for something I would have probably splurged on all three…


Mary Katrantzou for Matches

Me wearing my Mary Katrantzou for Matches tshirt

Mary Katrantzou for Matches Mens

Close up of Mary Katrantzou for Matches tshirt type writer pattern

Mary Katrantzou is one of my favourite womenswear designer so it is great to be able to own something by her designed with men in mind. Katrantzou is known for her prints and this tshirt is no exception. The pattern is inspired by a type writer keyboard. I love how it looks almost like scales when worn.

p.s. excuse the photograph! My room is like a sauna today and I am about to have a shave…

Matches Fashion

Yves Saint Laurent YSL logo tshirt

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There has been a lot of confusion lately with Yves Saint Laurent rebranding and the new Saint Laurent Paris identity. From what I have read YSL are not abandoning Yves Saint Laurent, or the YSL logo. It is the prêt-à-porter collections from the fashion super brand that will be in the name of Saint Laurent Paris, the rest will retain Yves Saint Laurent and the iconic logo devised by Adolphe Mouron Cassandre in 1961.

My friend took me into the Yves Saint Laurent store on Sloane Street when I was shopping in London the other weekend (the sales assistants were great). He wanted to look at the bags, mean while I was distracted by the scarves. One of the Python wallets caught my friends eye and whilst I was waiting for him a certain tshirt caught my eye. Needless to say he left the store with his new wallet, me with my new tshirt.

Yves Saint Laurent, Made in Italy clothes tag

The tshirt is plain black with the YSL logo on it in black velvet. They had various different combinations including a black YSL on a white tshirt (which was a bit much for me personally) and even a long sleeved version. The black on black is a lot more subtle and is not instantly obvious and the velvet texture gives it a luxurious edge. Black on black is almost sexy and sensual at the same time. The tshirt is fitted in a flattering way and has definitely short listed itself into being one of my going out pieces.

Yves Saint Laurent YSL logo tshirt

The Kooples shirt with a lambskin collar

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I am one for detail when it comes to garments and it is quite often the little details that really attract me to a piece. Lately I have particularly found myself liking subtle leather accents, and I fell in love with a shirt from The Kooples which has a leather collar. The Kooples is a very French brand with a distinctively British rock and roll vibe to it. It is a perfect style union resulting in chic basics with flare and sprinklings of attitude.

Me wearing my The Kooples shirt with lambskin collar

The lambskin collar is detachable so you can wash the shirt. I feel the soft grey collar spices up the classic white shirt, I love traditionally classic pieces with contemporary luxurious twists and this is such a piece. I also love how the cuff buttons resemble cuff links and have a subtle crest design printed on them. The shirt has a great cut which probably would have reflected in the photograph more had I made the effort of ironing it before wearing it oops… The Kooples are teamed up with Norton & Sons of Savile Row who design the cuts for them.

The cuff on my The Kooples shirt

The label on my The Kooples shirt

I got it in The Kooples sale (which is still on going) when I was shopping in Chelsea the other weekend. The staff in The Kooples are really helpful, I initially tried on a Medium (it was all they had) in the King’s Road store however it was too big – fortunately they checked their stock database, phoned up, and reserved one for me in the Kensington High Street store which was not too far away so I skipped along.

Getting casual with Sandro

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I am not shy in admitting that casual dressing is not a forte of mine. It does not come naturally, and is something I have to work at. I am much more formal in my dress, however lately I have made quite the effort, and my casual wardrobe is coming on leaps, and bounds. When I do casual I tend to go more for casual luxe as opposed to a more “urban” style.

Today I went shopping on the King’s Road so I decided to try, and dress a little more casual than usual. I am quite pleased with the result! My friend actually said to me, “You look so West London”, regarding what I was wearing today – I have yet to decide if that is a good, or bad thing…

I wore my new Sandro top with Nudie jeans, my Car Shoe tasselled driving shoes, and accessorised with my Tom Ford sunglasses as we actually had a dry sunny day for a change (England I’ve not forgiven you for the lack of a summer just because today was nice by the way).

Tom Ford sunglasses, Sandro top, Nudie jeans and Car Shoe driving shoes

Excuse the photographs I am tired from the weekend, and trying to pose so that you can see the elbow patch detailing of the Sandro top was not quite as easy as I anticipated (oh, and the fact I cannot take a decent photograph of myself period).


Getting casual with Sandro

Getting casual with Sandro

At first I did not know entirely how I felt about this Sandro top. When I tried it on in Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge although liking it I was not completely sold (it did not help the fitting room lighting was horrendous!) however on it’s first outing a love affair began. It is a perfect slouchy casual top for down days, and times when you just want a spot of casual luxury. This soft cotton top is slightly sheer but not in a way that is indecent. I actually rather like that it is so light as I get hot ever so easily, and it gives you that comfortable feeling that you are not wearing anything at all whilst preserving your modesty (would be great for layering!). The contrast stitching on the top instantly adds to it, and gives it an expensive casual look. The top also has elbow pads which are brushed goatskin. Sandro is a Parisian brand that is great for chic basics, and understated staples. I can see this top becoming one of my favourite casual go to pieces, I will definitely be paying more attention to Sandro in future.

What I wore today, and what’s in my bag

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I decided to show you what I wore to work today seeing as I have not done an outfit post in quite a while:


Me, Lorien Adey

My faithful Gucci brown suede moccasins

Mulberry Elkington brief case

Shirt – Reiss
Knitwear – Topman
Belt – Mulberry
Jeans – Nudie (from Matches)
Watch – D&G
Bag – Mulberry
Shoes – Gucci

…and because I always find it interesting when others do the same I thought I would show you what I had in my Mulberry Elkington bag today:

Mulberry leather accessories

What Mulberry bag isn’t complete without a few Mulberry items inside? I have my Mulberry wallet, Mulberry locked cosmetics pouch, Mulberry horseshoe coin pouch, Mulberry Dan pouch, and Mulberry iPad case (with my iPad inside naturally). I love how due to use, and age each piece is a slight different hue due to the natural patina, and wear.

Smythson pocket diary,notebook, and Cross pen

I always like to have my Smythson pocket diary on me so that I can scribble down important occasions, and pencil in lunches, dinner dates, and the like. I opted for orange as it stands out, and is always easy to find at the bottom of a bag. I also have my Smythson ‘Style Icon’ notebook in case I have to write anything down. Of course I also have my Cross pen because what’s the good in having a notebook, and a diary without a pen.

Jo Malone 154 cologne, Elemis hand cream, M&S gum, and breathspray, L'Occitane shea butter.

A few loose things which should probably be in my Mulberry locked cosmetics pouch… I love Jo Malone’s 154 cologne, and as this bottle is only 30ml it is great for just throwing in my bag. The miniature of Elemis Spa@Home Pro-Radiance hand and nail cream is because I have found my hands quite dry with the current schizophrenic weather here in England! I always throw L’Occitane’s miniature shea butter into my bag as it has so many uses from lip balm to an actual moisturiser. The M&S gum, and breath refresher spray ensure I always have fresh breath on the go.

Harrods umbrella, Amazon Kindel, Apple iPod Nano, Smythson iPhone case

With the current weather you would be mad not to have an umbrella, and I just use this simple black Harrods one. I love music, and I would be a little lost without my Apple iPod Nano – the size makes it ever so convenient. I also love reading, and my Kindle makes it easy to have a quick read when I get chance. Last but not least is my Smythson iPhone case which I actually adore – when it started raining earlier I just threw it in my bag (my BlackBerry, and iPhone tend to live in my pockets).

…what’s in your bag?

A Month in Snapshots III

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That time again already? Apparently so! I cannot believe how quickly this year is going. So this is my edit of the past month in Instagram snapshots – as always feel free to follow me on Instagram (my username on there is kaleidoscopeboy).


A Month in Snapshots III

This month I have made the effort to be more spontaneous, and I have said ‘yes’ when I perhaps before would have said ‘no’. There is something about being outside your comfort zone, and just going for things that I feel develops you as a person. Biting the bullet, and just going for it once in a while really makes you feel alive.

A lot of last minute trips to London town, frolics in Paris, Givenchy moments, running around in Jimmy Choos, Lovebox festival, scoffing my face at Ladurée, cocktails in Birmingham with one of my best friends, watching the sun set on the balcony at home, champagne at Dean Street Townhouse, adventures in Knightsbridge, Bayswater, drinks in Pimlico, lunch, and breakfast in Clapham, moments in Notting Hill and fun in Fulham (I like to mix it up), catch ups at Euston with a certain blonde, dinner at Malmaison Birmingham, and many exciting things on the horizon.

Mulberry Simple iPad sleeve

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Say hello to the latest addition to my ever expanding Mulberry family. I got the Mulberry Simple iPad sleeve in green, I already have it in natural oak leather but I fancied a change (I love dressing up my iPad). The unique green colour really appealed to me (green is one of my favourite colours), and the glossy goat leather has a really soft unique grain pattern.


My Mulberry Simple iPad sleeve

My two Mulberry iPad sleeves together

The case has a brushed leather interior perfect for protecting your beloved iPad, it fits all iPads from the original generation to the iPad 3. It is a great option whether you hold it on it’s own, or throw it in your bag. I much prefer sleeves for my iPad as opposed to cases that enclose it – that is just my personal preference I suppose.

It is the understated nature of Mulberry that adds to the charm. The unopposing Mulberry tree logo, and the simple stitch detailing together with the quality leather, and craftsmanship result in a charming piece you cannot help but enjoy.

Christian Louboutin Men’s Autumn Winter 2012

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So I was in Paris on Friday (oh J’adore Paris!), and I went to the Christian Louboutin Autumn Winter 2012 Men’s Collection (Shoes, and Bags) press preview. Anyone who knows me knows how I love my red soles; there is something thrilling about a flash of red sole, and I am a massive Christian Louboutin fan.

My Christian Louboutin Mens Harvanana velvet spike slippers

Naturally I rocked up wearing a pair of my own Louboutins. I wore my Harvanana Velvet Spike Loafers (picture above). I also wore a spot of Givenchy, and used my Balenciaga bag – well when in Paris stick to Parisian chic right? I was greeted with a glass of champagne, and shown inside where I met Susie – my contact at Christian Louboutin (she is so lovely!). We had a great chat about the new collection, the brand, and where Christian Louboutin’s Men’s collection is heading.

The Autumn Winter 2012 collection is the biggest Men’s collection Christian Louboutin have ever done. There is something for everyone with old classic styles such as the Rollerboy, and Papi Hugo reinvented, more demure options, and of course out there statement shoes. Following this expansion Louboutin will be opening soon a London store solely for men which should hopefully make it less of a challenge to get a pair!

Christian Louboutin Men's AW12

I took a few snapshots to show you some of them. I love the blue velvet loafers top left with the spikes – just like my Harvanana loafers sans the crest! Typically you have to have a few animal print options – it is Louboutin after all. I am loving the slipper on the left, and the one on the right with the gold toe cap. Following on from this check out those gold Loubs!!! A bit much for me personally mind. The tartan is continuing included a version of the Kris iPad case/clutch in it. The black slippers are divine – I would love a pair. The Papi Hugo espadrille as well has been reinvented with a version in velvet adorned with a bow – talk about juxtapositioning. There were too many shoes, and bags to picture. I really love the Kris clutch, and all the different variations of it. I better get saving up… there are quite a few pairs of Louboutins I now have my eyes on.

Christian Louboutin goodie bag

Oh, and what press event is complete without a goodie bag? I am now the proud owner of a Christian Louboutin notebook, a fascinating fold out poster in the guise of ‘The Louboutin Times’, temporary tattoos (which could be hilariously fun), and treats in the form of Clinique Skin Supplies for Men anti-fatique cooling eye gel roll on, and face scrub. Thank you Christian Louboutin!

Christian Louboutin notebook

The Louboutin Times

Christian Louboutin poster

Christian Louboutin temporary tattoos

Christian Louboutin Goodie bag freebies from Clinique

Christopher Kane Multi Cable tshirt

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The latest addition to my wardrobe comes in the form of this Christopher Kane tshirt from his Spring/Summer 2012 collection. I found it in the remnants of the Harrods sale whilst I was having a little mooch on Saturday morning. I preferred the differently coloured version of this top which had red in it, but seeing as I picked this one up at a great price I cannot complain.

Christopher Kane SS12 Multi Cable tshirt

The tshirt itself is made of a premium quality cotton – it feels unbelievably soft to the touch. It is made in Italy, the only evident down side is that it is dry clean only; which really is not that big of a deal.

Back of Christopher Kane SS12 Multi Cable tshirt

My favourite thing about the Scottish born designer’s creations is the attention to detail, and the intricate prints. I am really into statement tshirts at the moment, and with all the cables, and wires this one really fits the bill.


Harrods