NEW ARRIVAL - FORNARINA

Fornarina presents the first pieces from its Autumn/Winter collection 2008. Create a unique look with these stylishly sleek garments; fitted and flattering stripes, retro-cool batwing tops teamed with Fornarina denim; bootcut, skinny or flared.

KI

NEW ARRIVAL - PAUL SMITH WOMEN'S SHOES

The brand new shoe collection from Paul Smith has now started to arrive. The famous swirl stripe is now joined by an antique finish.

Classic styles with a twist consist of the Stanwyck antique tall boot, the Sunflower pump and the elegant Annette shoeboot.

You’ll need to hurry as this exclusive range has limited stock available.

NUDIE HAS LANDED

The first wave of the new collection from Nudie has now landed, showcasing the “naked truth” about denim.

The signature orange stitching is prevalent throughout their diverse mix of jeans. Nudie presents a huge variety of different washes, from clean blue rinses, faded denim washes, and raw denim, in a wide range of fits; skinny, slim, bootcut and straight leg are available. Team these jeans with the organic cotton t-shirts, in a variety of warm colours, with quirky reverse-printed designs.

All the best shapes are now in stock too, including Average Joe, Regular Alf, Slim Jim, Straight Sven, Even Steven.

KI

THE REASON BEING…

The Reason Being…I have heard some excuses in my time. Like when Sir Alex Ferguson blamed the colour of the Man Utd kit on the 3-0 defeat to Southampton back in 96’. Or when a speeding motorist recently told Northumbrian Police that aliens were chasing him and therefore had to accelerate beyond the speed limit.

But, Amy Winehouse’s spokesman trying to use “admin work” as the reason why the singer collapsed after signing autographs outside her house yesterday, is so bad, it’s all most great. He went onto say that doctors were unsure why she collapsed but are running further tests and may possibly keep Winehouse in overnight at The London Clinic. I’m no doctor, but as a betting man, I would love to place a cheeky fiver on the real reason she flaked out.

The 24-year-old has recently had her wealth estimated at £10 Million by The Sunday Times newspaper's Rich List. She is due to perform for Nelson Mandela later this month in Hyde Park. My advice Amy, have a chat with Nelson about wisdom, honour and how a 24-year-old should spend her cash. Oh and drink plenty of water.

AW

OUT OF DIESEL

Diesel:U:Music Radio has ceased broadcasting after 26 days of transmission, 24 hours a day.

The station, which amassed over 1 million listeners online, was certainly a hot spot for new music. The artists who graced the stations output included: Klaxons, Busy P, Bang Gang, Joe Goddard from Hot Chip, Simian Mobile Disco, Noah and the Whale, White Williams, Radio Clit, Diplo, Dragonette, Black Ghosts, Four Tet, and New Young Pony Club.

Andy Griffiths, Diesel Head of Communications, said: “Diesel:U:Music Radio has been a truly rewarding experience for everyone whose been involved with it. In the past month, the station has given a great platform for the best in new musical talent and fostered a community who value creativity, passion, a truly DIY spirit and of course great music!”

For those of you who now regret not changing the frequency to check out what those crazy kids at Diesel were doing, fear not my rigid friends. D:U:M radio will be back in the Autumn. If that’s too much of a wait, you can download the archived streams in July at http://www.diesel-u-music.com/

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NICOLE FARHI WINS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Nicole Farhi has been awarded the lifetime achievement prize at the First Women Awards 2008.
The ceremony, which recognises women who are ‘trailblazers and pioneers’ in business, described the designer as an “extraordinary entrepreneur” whose "outlook and brand are the antithesis of the throwaway culture", Drapers reports.

Farhi, who was originally a sculptor, invaded the fashion world in the early 70’s when she co-founded French Connection. Ten years later, she launched Nicole Farhi.

In 1994 Nicole Farhi's flagship Bond Street store was launched which features her now reputable ‘Nicole's Restaurant’ in the basement.

1998 and 1999 saw the unveiling of the Farhi Home Collection followed by a flagship store opening in New York.

It’s true to say that Nichole Farhi has pioneered the way forward on many occasions in the fashion world fusing Mediterranean and British styles at her base in London.

And, we’ve been fans for ages.

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EMILY AND FIN - ARE NOW BACK IN STOCK!

Emily and Fin's 50’s inspired dresses are now back in stock.


Emily Whittle and Ffion Armour-Brown, the designers behind Emily and Fin, share an interest in all things vintage, quirky and cool, Emily and Fin were also inspired by travels to faraway corners of the globe. They soon began making their own one-off pieces by playing with pretty prints, vibrant colours and flattering silhouettes to create must have wearable designs.

COGGLES.COM - T-SHIRTS REVIEWED

T-shirts are the uniform of a man’s summer, we have over 300 styles from around the world including:

Franklin & Marshall - Famous American ‘College’ t-shirts.

Ames Bros - Hand drawn designs for music’s elite.

Vivienne Westwood - Iconic prints from British rebel designer.

St Lenny - legends of the Australian grunge underground.

Junk Food - The ‘IT’ t-shirt from vintage America.

Religion - Leading the modern day punk movement.

PAUL SMITH ACCESSORIES - UNMISTAKABLE ENGLISHNESS

Paul Smith accessories reflect the character of Paul and his designs, an unmistakable Englishness augmented by the unexpected. A swirl designed Paul Smith product is an iconic fashion purchase and his accessories come in all shapes and sizes including wallets, cufflinks, socks, holdalls, belts, dressing gowns, ties, beach towels…you get the picture!

COGGLES.COM TRAINER REVIEW

Trainers:Hand crafted Japanese imports by ‘TST’ from the esteemed cult footwear designer ‘Seishi Tanaka’, to Paul Smith’s classic trainers with a mix of British and Japanese influences.

Fluro:Still riding high for summer 08 ‘fluro’ influences are going back to the 80’s with New Balance, Paul Smith and K-Swiss.

Deck Shoes:Following the rehabilitation of moccasins and brogues, deck shoes are having a renaissance this summer. Classics include YMC and Lost Souls.

DIESEL U:MUSIC RADIO

What is it about the summer that sparks off a love affair between fashion and music?

Diesel have now taken to the airwaves with Diesel:U:Music Radio. D-U-M radio now broadcasting on 87.7 FM from The Amersham Arms in New Cross, was launched this week. The big boys of fashion are hoping to support the work of cutting edge musicians across the British Isles. Some people say that starting your own radio station is as bold as hanging your balls over a balcony. But D-U-M radio seems to be a sweet investment as bands like The Klaxons sign up to play live gigs to attract listeners to the stations headquarters.

Andy Griffiths, Diesel's head of communications, said: “Diesel-U-Music Radio covers everything we really value - music, community, DIY spirit and new ideas. It's about smart, creative people, whether they're established artists or bedroom DJs, and it's going to make amazing radio."
Well I have to admit Andy it is pretty good so far. Amazing takes time though.

AW

NEW ARRIVAL - BLACK DICE INDUSTRIES

The new Black Dice watches have landed. They are the latest in luxury vintage styling from pure digital to chrome analog watches. Inspiration and ambition define every Black Dice design.

FORNARINA AND THE PONIES

The New Young Pony Club will be Dancing in France with Fornarina on May 12th. The electronic wizards will DJ in Paris’ Carrousel Du Louvre for the latest edition of the Fornarina Urban Beauty Show 6.0 – The Call of Dreams. It seems the sleek designers are flying the British New Wave/Electronic flag with Simian Mobile Disco adding beats of their own during the launch.

The evening is set to be a mixture of Art, Fashion and Noise. For the New Young Pony Club, this venue highlights the versatility of the five-piece band who have recently supported the charitable project Crisis Consequence. The Ponies along with Paul Weller, Supergrass, The Enemy, Graham Coxon, and Dirty Pretty Things, compiled a single to help the homeless get off the streets. If anyone deserves a night out in Paris, The New Young Ponies do.

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MERC MUSIC FESTIVAL

It seems the music world has latched onto the Merc movement, and I’m not talking cars here. The British Retro brand have recently confirmed that the ‘Plain White T’s’ will be launching the Merc Music Fest on May 9th, at their store in Carnaby Street.

The Grammy nominated Plain White T’s from across the Atlantic, renown for their #1 single ‘Hey There Delilah’, have done no bad thing making friends with the London fashion boys.

Slapping a Merc jacket across your chest is becoming a healthy habit for bands including The Hoosiers, Kaiser Chiefs, The Enemy, Razorlight and even Greenday. (But we won’t go on about that.)

The 2008 Merc Music Series is set be a sequence of fortnightly gigs that will cost the spectator absolutely nothing. Bands such The Troubadours, The Sigma and The Foxes have all signed up for the late May and June slots.

It looks like London’s about to get Louder.

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NEW ARRIVAL - PAIGE PREMIUM DENIM

Paige Adams-Geller has been the designer jeans industry’s secret weapon for almost a decade, being the ‘fit model’ for almost every A-list premium denim jeans label. Her long and successful reign as the celebrity jeans industry’s most sought after fit model was, perhaps surprisingly, due to her curvy, not-too-thin figure, which it appeared; more accurately represented that of normal female consumers.

Far from being a ‘dumb blonde’, Paige was an A-grade student, raised in rural Alaska, who graduated from school two years early. She puts her demand as a model for womens designer jeans as much down to her brains as to her body and in particular, her ability to communicate well. “I think the reason I had a lot of success is because I wasn’t just a person that stood there as a hanger while other people made suggestions” says Paige “I like people to know I have a brain, so I became very vocal as a fit model for designer jeans. I learnt the technical as well as the creative side of the premium denim jeans business… to see how I could make my hips look smaller, my legs longer, butt higher if I place pockets in certain places”. The difference between fit modelling and catwalking, she says is simple “It’s about having an eye for detail and design and not being afraid to speak out about it.”

Paige now channels all her knowledge and experience of fabric and fit into her own label Paige jeans, based in Los Angeles, the home of premium denim jeans with her Paige Premium Denim styles named after the streets of LA.

NEW ARRIVAL - PAUL & JOE SISTER SHOES

A fresh shoe line from the darling of the left bank, Paul and Joe Sister has been a runaway success for the brand. Continuing the design characteristic of the mainline, Paul & Joe Sister have just added their simple Art Nouveau influenced summer footwear.

PETE'S RELEASED EARLY OR ARE THERE JUST LESS DRUGS OUTSIDE PRISON?

The world kicked back a lot flipping softer.

With a packet of fags, and a cheeky smile, Peter’s been released before time. How does he do it? Mr Doherty is to be let off his 14-week sentence after serving just 29 days of his stretch. That’s not even a month. (Unless it’s February in a leap year smart arse.)

Since going inside Doherty has had to cancel numerous gigs but as things stand, Glastonbury is very much on the cards for the lead singer.

Found guilty of continuously breaching his probation, Doherty was sent to Wormwood Scrubs to clean his act up. Despite rumours of heroine reaching the artist whilst behind bars, it has to be now or never for the troubled Doherty to kick his habit. Let’s hope he repays the lenient justice system with some more epic tunes and a shot at redemption.

Best of Luck Pete.

AW

NEW ARRIVAL - EMILY AND FIN

Emily and Fin's vintage, quirky and cool dresses are now back in stock.

Emily Whittle and Ffion Armour-Brown, the designers behind Emily and Fin, met in London while Emily was studying at Central St Martins and Fin was Manager at an independent boutique in Soho.

Sharing an interest in all things vintage, quirky and cool, Emily and Fin were also inspired by travels to faraway corners of the globe. They soon began making their own one-off pieces by playing with pretty prints, vibrant colours and flattering silhouettes to create must have wearable designs.

In discovering their passion for creating beautiful clothes, and encouraged by their friends, they produced their first collection which was quickly snapped up.

The ethos of Emily and Fin combines simplicity with individuality.

NEW ARRIVAL - MELISSA SHOES

Melissa - the original ‘Jelly’, born in 1972 in Brazil are an inspiration through innovation transforming plastic spheres into objects of desire with an authentic sculpture. Collaborations include designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Karim Rashid and Judy Blame, who is best known for her work within Louis Vuitton’s team and Vivienne Westwood ‘The Queen of British Fashion’.

With these shoes Melissa breaks through the boundaries between art, fashion and design to create a combination of bright colours, versatile style and comfortable design injected with a sweet bubblegum scent making them absolutely candylicious! It reminds us of everyone’s best childhood moments. From sexy stiletto’s and comfortable flats Melissa has styled and glamorized jelly shoes, and has brought us chic comfortable footwear with an abundance of character.

NEW ARRIVAL - ADIDAS ORIGINALS EYEWEAR

The sunshine must be on it's way because finally our new collection of men's and women's Adidas Original eyewear has arrived. Adidas eyewear are famous for their contemporary 70’s shapes.

PAUL & JOE & PIERRE

Paul & Joe will pay the avant-garde fashion designer Pierre Cardin, the ultimate compliment this spring/summer. Sophie Albou, creative director and founder of Paul & Joe has a deep-rooted appreciation for Cardin’s style and story and so a collaboration between the two companies has emerged: Paul & Joe for Pierre Cardin.

A representative for Paul and Joe told the Vogue website: “It is a natural progression that following Sophie Albou's homage to Pierre Cardin, an exclusive collaboration between the two houses was born. For each individual piece, Albou takes time to become impregnated with their story and inspirational sources of the designer, as well as the life of the archive pieces and that of the women who once wore them."

The collection itself which encompass ten looks per season will echo the unique flair of Cardin’s work coupled with Paul & Joe finesse.

A seven-year contract has been signed by both design houses to mark the seriousness of this appreciation.

Expect results.

The Paul and Joe collection now available at coggles.com


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SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY

A cold wintry March has seen a new fragrance from Paul Smith launched, cleverly called: ‘Sunshine.’

The fragrances, which are available for both men and women, will hopefully lighten our senses numbed by the cold air blowing in from Pluto.

Fair play to Mr Smith, he is trying his best to fend off the British weather with his creative streak. The women’s fragrance has been described as ‘opening on a sparkling citrus accord-lime, bergamot, and pink grapefruit. Jasmine and tiare give to the fragrance a radiant floral smell, enhanced by the exotic and peppery side of ginger flower. White peony and Bulgarian rose add an elegant and feminine rosy touch.’ - Nice!

The men fragrance’s is slightly different but also sounds like a Jamie Oliver dish: ‘flashy coriander leaves, sunny grapefruit and fusing black pepper. Coriander seeds and nutmeg reveal the masculine character of the fragrance. The coloured star fruit adds an original twist full of rhythm and optimism.’

And look at that, I think the rain has stopped.

All the Paul Smith collections are available at http://www.coggles.com/

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THE WORLD GETS SMALLER

Pioneering photographer Naoki Honjo is currently exhibiting his “Small Planet” display at the Paul Smith “Space” gallery in Japan.

The gallery was initially setup to showcase a diverse line up of European artists, photographers, illustrators and product designers for the Japanese people. The newest recruit to the space was born in 1978 and since graduating in media art, has been stamping his authority in the digital world with his unique method. Naoki Honjo takes aerial photos of real life situations and then distorts them to look like artificial miniature models. Believe me, it’s hard to describe. At first glance you think you’re looking at a photograph of a model. But then it hits home that what you’re actually looking at is reality.

The Japanese have hailed the digital artist as a pioneer awarding him the New Photographer Encouraging Prize by Fuji Photo Salon and Epson Colour. After seeing some of the artists work, Paul Smith brought Honjo to London to discuss an exhibition.

Honjo’s perspective of London and Tokyo sees familiar landmarks altered to demand a double take from human eye.Seriously, this stuff is cool, but very, very odd.

Paul Smith new collections can be found at coggles.com

NEW BALANCE - 80’S RETRO REVIVAL

The team at New Balance are dipping the clutch this summer bringing the 420 trainers back to the frontline. After watching bands like The Twang and The Pigeon Detectives strolling around in the 410 range, the company are expecting celebs from across the board to be fashioning the soon to be launched 420’s.

The re-issued, early 80’s running shoes will be introduced in the vintage suede/mesh combo and 4 classic track and field colourways, including the original blue/grey. New Balance were one of the first to capitalise on the road-running obsession in the 80’s feeding the jogging public with the 420 trainers.

2008 will see the brand unveiling their ‘classic range.’ Another player in this 80’s retro revival is the 1300. The designers have added colour and flair to the original in order to bring the shoe into the 21st Century.

The New Balance collection is now available from coggles.com

2K BY GINGHAM - TAKING THE ORGANIC ROUTE.

Graphic giants of the fashion world, 2K, are changing their course slightly this summer.A new range of organic t-shirts are to be released in 2008 as well as trucker caps made in Los Angeles.

John Amis from 2K by Gingham said: “We are admittedly a little behind on the organic scene, but have answered the call and are printing select art on organic t-shirts. We continue to produce a custom t-shirt body made entirely in the U.S. We are constantly trying to improve upon the fit and feel, it’s never ending.”

The brand is also planning to work with fewer artists this year to hone in on a leaner menu of graphic designs. Amis said: “As we see from our wholesale site, the range of artists and designs is extensive and ‘artistically overwhelming’ as some would politely comment. Therefore, it may be an opportune year to make subtle adjustments to our line up with a little artful belt tightening.

We look forward to a colourful summer.

The 2k tshirt collection can be found at coggles.com

DANIEL DAY-LEWIS - WE CARRY ON PLAYING

This month saw Daniel Day-Lewis collect a well-earned BAFTA and Oscar for best actor in the epic film “There will be blood.” Nailing the role of Daniel Plainview, a dedicated oil prospector, Day-Lewis picked up his third BAFTA award and his second Oscar.

Fashioning a Paul Smith Bespoke suit that had been commissioned especially for him from Westbourne House, Daniel Day-Lewis gave a speech so beautiful that it could have been mistaken for an epilogue in itself. “In Greenwich Park, Blackheath, the streets of Deptford, Lewisham, New Cross, the bombsites on the Isle of Dogs, the wharfs and shadowy lane ways of the southeast London Docks, the terraces of Millwall Football Ground, those are the playgrounds of my early life. We carry on playing and we need playmates. Or otherwise we’re just playing with ourselves.”

Day-Lewis is one of many actors who do justice to the elegance of Paul Smith. But, stealing the show at the British Academy Film Awards with his genuine humility and cultured flair, the team at Paul Smith are very proud of the London-born actor…and rightfully so.

All the Paul Smith collections are available from coggles.com

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD OPUS - WESTWOOD THE REVOLUTIONARY

An insight into the enigma that is Vivienne Westwood is now in print. The Vivienne Westwood Opus was launched this month revealing a deeper understanding of her designs, her passions and her manifesto. Teaming up with Kraken Opus, the groundbreaking fashion designer aims to encourage all intellectuals to fight propaganda.

2005 saw Westwood collaborate fashion with international politics as she designed t-shirts with ‘Leonard Peltier is Innocent’ across the front to challenge the Government’s policy on detaining people without trial.

Quoting the dystopian writer Aldous Huxley, Westwood is continuing her anti-propaganda theme in the new book, which is available to the public worldwide.

Vivienne Westwood’s philosophy resonates like a Che Guevara rallying call. She said: “I make the great claim for my manifesto, that it penetrates to the root of the human predicament and offers the underlying solution. We have a choice: to become more cultivated, and therefore more human; - or by not choosing, to be the destructive and self-destroying animal, the victim of our own cleverness (To be or not to be).

Only 900 copies of the book will be published but glimpses of the manifesto can be found on her website. Each Edition is priced £1400

www.coggles.com

I wouldn’t mess with this woman.

FISCHER WAS THE GREATEST CHESS PLAYER WHO EVER LIVED.

One of the icons of the 20th Century Robert James Fischer, former world champion in chess, is dead. He is considered to be one of the most gifted chess players of all time and, despite his prolonged absence from competitive play, is still among the best known of all chess players.Fischer became World Chess Champion in Reykjavík Iceland in 1972.

Fischer became the US chess champion at only 14, the youngest in history. He became world champion after a victory over Spassky in 1972 following one of the most famous duels in chess. Fischer renounced the title in 1975 and played publicly only once against Spassky in Yugoslavia following his win.

Bobby Fischer became the world's youngest grandmaster in chess in 1959 at the age of 15. Icelandic grandmaster Fridrik Ólafsson said that there was no doubt that Fischer was the greatest chess player who ever lived.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD BOOTS - DILEMMA, COLLECT OR WEAR?

Congratulations to Dame Vivienne Westwood who recently picked up the top honours at the British Fashion Awards. In recognition of her revolutionary approach to fashion she received the Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design award.

It’s that time of year when Vivienne Westwood starts shipping her new boots for autumn. It’s what every avid fan and collector wait for all season. But it's a dilemma, do you collect them or wear them, I suggest that if you asked Vivienne she would say 'wear them darling!'.

The styles to arrive so far are the ‘Elevated’ knee high boot in black patent leather with concealed platform sole, the ‘Granny’ boot in a soft, stone, wrap around leather and elephant grey buckles and the ‘Baroque’ Shoes with a lace up front. These are some of my most favourite items.

Vivienne Westwood's shoes available from coggles.com

D.I.E. - 'BETTER DEAD THAN BURIED!'

D.I.E. or Denim Is Everything takes you on a walk to the darker side of things, where everything isn’t quite as it seems to be. Beneath the bright colours lurks a sea of horror movie, 1950’s Zombies, punk rock inspired design finishes and graphics.

Reynald Gautier and Marcus Martinez formed D.I.E in 2004. D.I.E was born from their common preferences for comic books, horror films, and music by bands such as The Guana Batz, The Meteors, in addition to the their most influential interest and concrete fascination: skateboarding. The latter helped them form a sense of independence and life philosophy, which was instrumental in the creation of D.I.E.

D.I.E or Denim Is Everything, is not as its name may suggest, a puritan denim brand. It is however, a way of thinking, a lifestyle taking its inspiration from life interests, friendships, experiences, memories and family from both Reys’ and Marcus’ lives past and present. In the collection denim may be dead but as they say it’s ‘better dead, than buried!’

The 'Denim Is Everything' collection is available from coggles.com