GQ writer and author of books such as Fashion: Australian & NZ Designers, Mitchell Oakley Smith has a new side project. His website ManStyle Daily is rapidly gaining a repuation for presenting a well edited destination for all things menswear.
His ‘Daily Hit’ today on ManStyle Daily is our favourite loafer, the Grenson Clifford – a great shoe coming into Spring.
On my recent trip to Europe I managed to make it to Spirano, a town just outside Milan to visit arguably the best sock makers in the world – Bresciani.
We spent the morning looking at all the amazing sock options, had a tour through the factory and placed an order. Owner Massimiliano (2nd generation Bresciani owner) and sales manager Clifford very kindly gave us the full treatment.
Sourcing only the very best raw materials they can get, socks are then made by the small team at their factory in Spirano. The fabrics used are all woven by Italian mills with the merino coming from Aust and NZ, cotton from Egypt, Himalayan cashmere (spun by Brunello Cucinelli) and silk from Asia.
15 quality controls in the production process ensure these guys produce something that is rivalled by few.
As well making socks for some of the highest quality brands in the world (I sneaked a photo of an Hermes batch), they produce and have distribution deals to sell both Brioni and Canali worldwide.
Socks are finished pressed by hand, on big aluminium ‘feet’.
I couldn’t resist including a pic of the amazing view from my plane window of the Swiss Alps as we flew from Amsterdam to Milan.
After promising for many months, we’re now very happy to announce that the Grenson Clifford has arrived at our Brisbane store.
Opinion is still divided about which colour works best. The easy option is just to take one of each.
They come in ‘burnt pine’ and ‘mushroom suede’.
Posted in Shoes
18 months ago when I was in NY I picked up a pair of PF Flyers from Freemans Sporting Club. I’d never seen the brand before, and after not too long I loved them so much that I wanted to stock them in our Cloakroom stores. After many emails and lots of chasing we now have 2 styles on offer in our Brisbane store, the ‘Number 5′ in white leather (suede), and ‘Sumfun’ in red.
The pair I bought are still in great nick and get worn at least once a week and thrown in the wash every couple of months to keep them nice and white. Unlike other white trainers I’ve had over the years the PFs don’t split where my toes bend.
The Latest drop of Grensons has arrived at our Brisbane store and one of the new styles in is the Tom.
The black version comes with a brown leather sole and contrast stitch (very easy to wear casually), while the dark suede ticks all my boxes for a shoe. Yesterday I wore it with a suit, and today jeans and a jacket.
Next week we expect the ‘Clifford’ loafer to arrive. These won’t last long, so get in quick. They’re coming in burnt pine and mushroom suede.
Our inhouse shoe expert Ben will be back on the brushes today for the first weekly shoeshine of 2011.
Drop in if your shoes need some love, or you just need an excuse to get out and stretch your legs.
9am–2pm at our Brisbane store—104 Edward St.
Posted in Shoes
Here’s a peak at some of the styles we’ll have in store from Feb.
There are some great shoes, so act fast to avoid missing out.
*We’ve waited a long time for these loafers, but it’s been worth it.
Posted in Shoes
Time flies, and we now have just 5 weeks to go at our Wintergarden concept store. One of the highlights has been setting Ben up for the special shoeshine service we offer every Thursday.
If you have a decent pair of shoes, and you’ve been neglecting them, drop in for the full treatment.
Posted in Shoes
Cloakroom Shoe Shine starts today at the Brisbane store and we’ll have Ben coming in every Thurs to give your shoes a comprehensive clean, polish, buff and condition.
Our express service is $12, and $15 for the full treatment with a special leather conditioner. If your short on time you can drop off any number of pairs for an overnight service.
Also we have a number of shoe products on hand for you to take home including polish, leather conditioner, laces, shoe trees and brushes.
*Seen here are the new Grenson Dylans in dark brown—our new favourite shoe
Posted in Shoes
