BASIC MATTER 20: BROWN BROGUES AND VEJA

I’m flying over down south next month to attend a conference which happens to be my dad’s hometown and I cannot wait to rummage his shoe closet for vintage brogues and moccasins. Like me, he has never been a fan of anything too tacky which has developed into my personal style. He is the type who wouldn’t spend more than $100 on a pair of brogues on me but will be more than willing to spend more than $500 on a pair of lace-ups on himself. I remember dad would always tell me that shoes are always a part of evolution into being well dressed.

(Photo taken from Mister Mort)

To add flare with the brown brogues, match it with the perfect organic leather bag dyed in acacia extract from the North-East of Brazil. For five years now, the bags from Veja has worked in Brazil on an innovative and progressive project creating new agricultural channels and raising crafting standards whilst respecting both the environment and human rights. Not bad huh! Even the lining and canvas are made from organic cotton grown by a co-operative of producers also from the same province.


Like a crisp white shirt paired with raw blue jeans and the perfect bag, the classics is where it's really at.

BAG HIM! OOPATHAM RATANASUPA

There is something less masculine about a man carrying a bag – NOT TRUE!

I bring my laptop, mobile phone, wallet, house and office keys, my digital camera, my lined and plain moleskine for some random doodling and notes everyday and just where am I supposed to equip all these? There’s only so much capacity my skinny Viktors can offer.



Never underestimate the value of a good tote! Two months ago, I met Oopatham Ratanasupa, a Thai national who is currently based in Paris taking his masters in Urban Design at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d' Architecture Paris La Villette carrying a nice black canvas tote with really nice leather straps. the bag was perfect for just about anything and can be used beyond the 9-5. Basically the type that you could just throw your stuff in and you’re good to go.



(It also never hurts when they’ve got just as much style to match. Oopatham and his bag collection - envy!)

Oopatham (Ome)also founded BKKER, an independent retail shop in Bangkok and is a professor at Silpakorn University in Thailand.

EARLY CHRISTMAS SANTA LIST

I have not had a moment to myself. I see photos of bags throughout the day. I babble them to myself internally a few lines at a time, and they disappear into the closet, under my humble bed and inside my shoebox. I think many of them will hide from me forever, but I'm hopeful a few will make it into my list.

Here are five bags on my Christmas Santa list:

Mulberry Small Clipper duffel bag, $1395

Billy Kirk No. 166 Overnight Travel bag, $320

J.Crew Artisan's duffel bag, $495

Lambertson Truex Hughes duffel bag, $615

and a Sandstorm Canvas and cowhide weekender, $350

I miss the mall the most, as when I do have a few minutes to hastily window shop, I feel obligated to reward myself with something. I can already foresee the danger of burning the candle at both ends, as I'm also not getting much sleep since my knee injury. I'm not sure where I'm getting energy through the day---sheer determination and adrenaline, I suppose, as I know there is no other option but to keep constantly moving.

STREET CHIC

Similar to what I wore yesterday (Image from lovedistortion/styledumonde)

Red shorts and Gingham, an equal opportunity exploiter (Image from Trendycrew)

Pink socks, oxford lace-ups and that man bag – totally Drool worthy! (Image from Trendycrew)

Cutoff shorts, white slip-ons and nautical pullover and a bike – effortless! (Image from Trendycrew)

The devil wears Prada represents where we are now. looking at fashion is another way of looking at where the culture is headed. It is so important, I cant emphasize it enough. I cant wait to see where it goes. The future is now.

(All Images from : lovedistortion/styledumonde and trendycrew, Barcelona)