SUPER OPTICAL SS 2012 EYEGLASSES

Experts in stylish acetate sunglasses, Super have launched their debut line of eyeglasses for Spring/Summer '12. The OPTICAL line features nine of their favourite shapes, retouched and re-worked for a stylish and functional set, catering for almost every taste and look. It's quite an impressive introductory drop, with each model available in three colourways. These may answer my call for a new set of frames perhaps, certainly looks solid. They'll be available at opticians and all. Glad to hear it.

THE NEW GROVE BAMBOO IPAD CASE

From the Portland-based bamboo Apple accessories specialists, Grove, is the new set of iPad sleeves and cases, following the release of the device's third generation last week. All hand-made by their close-knit team in Oregon, they are well constructed with beautiful high quality materials and meticulous attention to detail.

The cases come in either German wool felt or all-natural black and tan leather, to enclose the iPad securely and regally, whilst maintaining port access, acting as a stand, and even sleeping the iPad upon closing. The bamboo veneer casing does add significantly to the thin dimensions of the iPad, but ensures protection and a fittingly smooth natural feel. The alternative choice is the sleeve, which I think I prefer. Made with the same high-end materials and style, the sleeve houses the iPad (and in fact any iPad) just as securely thanks to its magnet-embedded bamboo flap and thick wool insulation. It's priced cheaper compared to its case companion too. They're both available to purchase now from $79.

HYPHEN INDIAN STRETCHABLE TIME WATCH

"In India, time is not science but an art. And we know that art can never be rushed." Perhaps a slightly flawed argument, but Hyphen have played with this apparent Indian culture to create this quite humorous and certainly ambiguous timepiece, the ish watch. With numbers fixed vaguely by their positions, the watch is by no means one that is easy to read. But that's the point. And with it made from nice leather and clean silver finish, it makes for a very attractive accessory. It's a rather neat excuse to be fashionably late. Designed by Hyphen, it's now available through the Filter shop.

VICTATE CLOTHING SUMMER '12 TEASER

THE BUSHMILLS BY SHWOOD AND BODEGA

Having just posted new wooden eyewear by Holloway yesterday, Shwood have today released a video introducing a limited run collection with Irish whiskey makers Bushmills and Boston boutique Bodega. The wood material this time comes from genuine white oak Bushmills whiskey barrels, found in the factory in Northern Ireland. Crafted into Canby frames, through the mastered craft by Shwood, these frames look absolutely fly. Literally looks like it's been ripped off a tree. And to really turn it on, it comes packaged in a custom whiskey crate, including a fucking crow bar to open it up. Amazing.

HOLLOWAY EYEWEAR 2012

Australian eyewear brand Holloway have been making their set of wooden eyewear, mostly sunglasses, from used skateboard decks, grand pianos and old furniture (rather similar to Shwood). So it's not a new concept, but nonetheless it's still pretty cool, and the fact that it's sustainable makes it even more attractive. What I do like about Holloway's Brisbane-made products is the unique character each frame holds, stemming from the colour and texture of the wood, which is really nice. With quite a few styles to choose from, I think they could be in for a very cool summer. Wooden sunglasses are in. Check out their just-released introduction video for an insight behind the brand.

OUTLIER EXPERIMENT LIBERATED WOOL HOODIE

Here's a really nice hoodie for layering up on the chilly transition days as we lead up to spring. Made in New York City, Outlier release their Liberated Wool Hoodie, which encloses soft fleece with a near-waterproof lining and yarn-dyed four-way stretch wool. This unique layering ensures warmth and comfort, while keeping you pretty dry in wet weather too. Its structure is rather neat too, featuring a three panel hood with drawstring and hidden cord pulls, nylon-merino cuffs and raglan sleeve, all contributing to the hoodie's sharp look. It does however come at a price, but I do love it. Available in charcoal grey colourway, it's set to arrive later this month.

UNIQLO x UNDERCOVER S/S '12 MENSWEAR

This week, the full look preview for individual garments from Uniqlo's upcoming debut collection with Jun Takahashi's Undercover was unveiled, after being shown the family lookbook. As a collaboration project, it's hard not to compare it with Uniqlo's previous venture with Jil Sander for +J, but there's really little similarities at all. "UU" at first look plays more with colours and some more unconventional shaping perhaps, with some amusing shirt styles and bottoms to come out, all rather quirky and Japanese. The three items pictured have caught my attention most, including the hooded sweat with nice buttoned pockets and contrasting drawstring, set to be available in 9 summer colours. The cotton t-shirt looks to have a good shape and light feel with minimal stitching or branding, perhaps as one would expect with Uniqlo. And as for the biker jacket that has fronted the collection since it's initial announcement months back, I'm still not sure what it's made of, maybe synthetic leather and polyester sleeves, which I'll have to judge upon first hand viewing as and when the collection launches on March 16th. Price points are very good too at more than reasonable value. The wait is almost over.

NIKE x UNDERCOVER GYAKUSOU SPRING 2012

Undercover's Jun Takahashi continues his work with Nike for their collaboration project GYAKUSOU for the fourth season, and with its release only days away, we've been given a detailed look of the collection, topped off with this campaign video unveiled earlier today. I admire how the products reflect strongly on the actual beauty of running itself, the surroundings in which we do it and what the exercise represents through our lives. Of course, that combined with Nike's leading innovations results in a high performance, design-enhanced range.

For Spring 2012, womenswear is introduced for the first time and the video clearly distinguishes the varying cultures between running for each gender, taking on the concept of Yin & Yang, light and dark. Colour is always at the forefront of the collection and this season is no different with some stunning blends involved. The Helvetica print is slightly uninspiring, but it is overall another strong and outstanding set of running gear, soon to be available in retailers. As is the Undercover collab with Uniqlo remember, something I'm personally looking forward to a bit more.

ENGLAND 2012 HOME SHIRT TAILORED BY UMBRO

I've written on numerous occasions very highly of Umbro's recent gear, and the "Tailored by Umbro" England shirts are so on point. I'm always excited for the new release and today they dropped the 2012 Home kit. And it's a big one, as the nation's expectations are fully carried with it into the Euro championships this summer, despite the off-pitch madness surrounding the squad at the moment. Surely, Redknapp will take the role right? But that's all for another day.

The shirt comes in a clean two-toned design, inspired of course by St George. Completely cutting out the unnecessary and totally epitomising the concept of simplicity, it's a really beautiful shirt. Crafted to a slimmer and smarter fit, the technology is all there, ready for players and fans alike. The most interesting of new features is the one button fastener for the collar. Buttoned down it presents as a normal traditional football shirt with a slick red strip at the neck, but turned over, it reveals an intricate stripe in tonal red, based on St George's flag and the iconic 1966 Sir Alf Ramsey jacket.

For me, Umbro continue to impress, and it looks excellent. With all the hard work done on the designers' part, let's hope the players can follow suit. I sure hope so.

WÜLF WORK LEATHER WALLET

Holding value in sustainability and innovation, Canadian brand Wülf handcraft these beautiful wallets amongst other leather goods, all made in British Colombia, Vancouver. Each piece is laser cut and hand-stitched with heavy polyester to make simple, functional, quality wallets for holding cards and cash. Branded at the front, the tab holds notes or business cards with the main pocket serving for essential cards. It's very affordable too at just $50 CAD, or just over £30. Designed with a forward-thinking philosophy in mind, these wallets tick every purpose and is an excellent result of excellent values. Love it.

LONDON UNDERCOVER x CARHARTT FOLDED UMBRELLA

Released as part of Carhartt Work In Progress' S/S '12 collection, here is a collaboration with London-based umbrella specialists London Undercover. Making the most of the uprising popularity of camo this season, the folded umbrella comes in a full camouflage print, branded in contrasting white with Carhartt WIP's logo. The umbrella itself is a 6 panel lightweight model by LU, featuring an elegant wooden handle engraved with both teams' mark, finished with a simple cotton strap. As umbrellas go, this is a pretty sweet option, built with expertise and experience in top quality structure and material. It's available now for £30.

FULLSPOT O CLOCK WATCHES GOLD AND SILVER

New this season for the playful O Clock watches by Italian brand Fullspot is the Gold and Silver collection. I've liked the simple yet fun nature of these practical wristwatches with its vast range of interchangeable coloured straps. It works well to complete a funky, dynamic look with a stand-out minimalist piece of accessory. This new collection introduces gold and silver faces for fresh combinations, adding to their already growing family of choice, together with the Disney collection, Mirror collection and the also brand new N0W W1TH NUMB3RS collection.

DAVID BECKHAM BODYWEAR FOR H&M

Today finally saw the official release of the widely acknowledged underwear collaboration between H&M and David Beckham. The latter has been venturing in the fashion sector over recent years, most prominently with main sponsor adidas, but he has now put his name on quality mens' bodywear with the massive UK fashion retailer H&M.

The collection features quite a range of garments, everything from briefs and boxers to tees and long johns. Simply designed and coloured, they're not actually very exciting. But that's the thing, it's underwear after all, and I think it hits the right notes in terms of function and quality. The attention is focused on detail, comfort and fit, the essentials in our essentials. It's for this reason that this is a great debut collection, and with the brand's global reach (not to mention the collab partner's global name too), we will be enjoying it worldwide.

BRAUN BN0035 CHRONOGRAPH WATCH

Braun, German tech giants who are perhaps most well known for grooming kit and kitchenware, have actually been making timepieces since 1971. And this is the reissued BN0035 chronograph watch. It's beautifully crafted with minimal decoration, featuring a clean black leather strap, stainless steel casing and pure white face. Quality is there too as we'd expect, running with quartz chronograph movement and it's fitted with scratch resistant mineral glass. It looks very simple but holds a sophisticated and elegant presence, that would finish a sharp look brilliantly.

VICTATE WINTER '11 FLASH SALE

Back in December, British brand Victate brought us their winter collection, featuring some of the finest garments around, whilst expanding their range and growing as a line too. They've been hinting at it for a couple of weeks, but today their flash sale "Five Days of Fun" was announced to commence next week. Every piece, from the Mainline t-shirts to the Private Stock oxfords, will have a day of slashed prices, and it's a proper impressive slash too. As a close friend and loyal customer, even their original pricing reflects completely the effort, quality and care that is put into each item, so the sale is a bargain you just cannot miss. The intricate graphic tees and sweats, tailor-made oxford shirts and leather monogram card wallet will all be there, so be sure to check it out at victate.co.uk.

ROBERU LEATHER ZIP WALLET S/S '12

Japanese leather specialists Roberu have released their new Spring/Summer range, of course utilising their top quality leather material and craftsman know-how to the maximum. Here are the Zip Wallets arriving in six colours, all using original oil leather, which is sure to wear naturally and beautifully through everyday use. It's segmented inside to separate coins, notes and cards as you wish, and they are fitted with vintage slider zips from WALDES, to give a refined, stylish finish. The wallets are accompanied in the drop by other accessories including a card holder and pocketed half wallet. For sure, you can rely on Roberu for the finest in leather goodies, and this range doesn't disappoint. Check it out.

SLED HANDMADE LEATHER IPHONE BACKS

Released last month are these iPhone accessories from newly founded wood and leather craft specialists, Sled. All of their products are handmade, and the pictured product is the "Pack", a third of their iPhone back range. They're each meticulously crafted with hand-selected cowshed and birch wood, ready to replace the original back of the iPhone. Delivered with two magnetic screwdrivers and an online instructions video to help you out, it's the perfect accessory to leather up our iPhones, even providing us with a DIY feel. Not sure how protective these will be for the phone, but they certainly add some luxury and class to an already elegant device. They must wear beautifully too!

KITH RONNIE FIEG x PENDLETON VARSITY JACKETS

Ronnie Fieg drops another amazing collaboration range today, in the form of these incredibly cool varsity jackets with Pendleton, which has got everyone talking. Choosing four fabrics from Pendleton's selection, some beautifully crafted, stylish wool and leather jackets have been designed, featuring three wool body options and the slightly more expensive tan nubuck full body and sleeve piece. Varsity jackets have blown up and become a must-have item in recent times, but they've all been similarly formatted aesthetically, and this RF x Pendleton set boasts the unique timeless patterns and the highest of quality too to make sure it stands out well beyond the crowd.

Priced from $400, they're each limited to just 25 pieces and I believe went live just an hour or so ago. So head over to KITH and get yours now!

VICTATE WINTER '11

It's been a quiet few months for London's very own quality clothing brand Victate, but the team have been hard at work, that's for sure. They celebrate their two year anniversary with a bang, all set with their tailor-made garments, extending the line from what started back in late 2009 with t-shirts and hoodies. The drive and passion lives on, but their philosophy has matured beautifully (and at some speed too!) with quality and craftsmanship always on the up also.

The Winter '11 range features some exciting new ventures, but continues clear development of Victate's logo and the floral elements that were so successful in Summer. With a lovely new monogram pattern, young London-based artists to work with and a master craftsman on their side, the collection beams with excellence they might as well have made a tee with the word quality written across it. Aside from the Anniversary graphic and the re-released Certificate, one illustration stands out amongst others for me. It's a hand-drawn autumn floral that is superb, one I was lucky enough to have got printed as a bespoke sweatshirt. The detail is extraordinary and together with the comfortable cotton fleece crew neck, it makes for an amazing piece of winterwear.

I could write a fucking book on each item to be honest, so it's best to just check them out yourself. Winter '11 is completed with a monogram hood, embroidered sweater, oxford shirts and a leather cardholder. I got to see the collection first hand at their pre-release event yesterday, held at Robot Bunny in Whiteleys, and it just screams hard work, (occasionally obsessive) attention to detail and the finest quality. It's certainly the most impressive drop the brand has produced since its inception. It's set for launch on their online store at midnight today. I urge you to support and I'm already looking forward to what 2012 holds for Edd and the gang.