‘Untitled’ is the innovative new menswear project initiated by online retailer asos.com. Developed from the idea that limited edition products captivate men, ‘Untitled’ invites experts in denim, vinyl, trainers, sunglasses and new designers, to collate, and then offer to asos.com, a series of rare, hard to find or limited edition products for sale. The project propels menswear forward on asos.com and highlights some of the current creativity in men’s fashion and lifestyle products.
Denim expert Neil Christopher was eager to offer his services to asos.com. As a denim addict, Christopher has traveled America sourcing denim for hip stores in New York and Japan. Having worked for denim giants Boxfresh, Carhartt, North Sails and Levi’s he now develops garments for radical denim brand Kato. For ‘Untitled’ Christopher has had Kato products designed especially for the collection and all offered signed, numbered and in small quantities.
Limited edition sunglasses always cause limited edition envy, so asos.com invited expert Fraser Laing to offer his vision for the project. Archiv, Laing’s company was set up in 1997 to sell exclusive vintage eyewear. As Laing explains, “Since then there have been two main rules in pursuit of that goal. One; always keep eyewear which is emblematic of Arckiv’s style, and two; never sell anything which isn’t well designed or well made.” For the ‘Untitled’ project Laing has selected contemporary limited edition styles along with vintage frames such as the 5317, which was worn by iconic jazz musician Herbie Hancock in1986.
Rare vinyl has become something of style status symbol and vinyl authority Jim Henderson threw his support behind the ‘Untitled’ idea. Owner of the world’s largest independent record store Amoeba, Henderson offers music lovers every kind of music from the top 40, to the best in underground rock, hip-hop, soul, electronic, new and classic jazz, from his stores in San Francisco and Hollywood. “As with our amoeba stores and amoeba.com,” explains Jim Henderson, “asos represents a local and global culture with style, drawing from, but not flaunting its expertise. This particular project is introducing its users to new concepts and ideas, bringing an awareness of others who strive for expertise in their fields.” Amoeba’s leading vinyl-buying expert, Rick Frystak, selected the records for the project, choosing rare vinyl albums from multiple eras, genres and styles.
London based fashion writer and author of ‘Modern Menswear’, Hywel Davies approached new international menswear designers, and commissioned them to design limited edition garments especially for the ‘Untitled’ project. Swedish Patrik Soderstam, a graduate from Central Saint Martins, who describes himself as a clothes maker and multi-talent, has designed 5 different limited edition graphic t-shirts which are both bold and dynamic. Berlin based Carola Euler offers a grey pleat front sweatshirt combining her utilitarian design approach for this project. Another Berlin designer, Frank Leder has handmade wool scarves and combined his obsession with historical Germany but applying vintage enamel badges. London based Jean-Pierre Braganza contrasts with expertly cut patterns that emphasise the human figure and offer unexpected detailing- he’s low crotch, slim leg black wool trousers with leather panel detail. Deryck Walker completes the group with his new take on the white shirt, utilising his intricate pattern cutting and attention to detail.
On-line trainer store Crooked Tongues have been selling hard to find trainers since 2000, and were enlisted to attract all trainer geeks. Highlights of their selection include the Adidas 35th Superstar, which was the culmination of the celebrations surrounding 35 years of the Shelltoe. As Charlie Morgan from Crooked Tongue explains “It’s an iconic design that’s timeless and needs little introduction, but as the final release of 35, only a tiny run was released to friends of Adidas. The materials and packaging are incredible, and while few pieces maintain their original appeal, these are still something of a benchmark in how you present a premium, rare release.”
Asos.com is going to radical measures to offer directional and exclusive products for their customers. The project confirms asos.com menswear as a trend setting and opinion-forming brand, offering exciting and cool products to their style savvy shoppers. The Untitled collections launch on 16th October, but act quickly, as product is, of course, strictly limited edition.
For further information, images and samples please contact:
Rob Davies 020 7756 1027 robd@asos.com
Abi Oke 020 7756 1023 abio@asos.com
Finally, Martin Ksohoh has relented and produced authentic Red Monkey Company denim shorts for the Spring/Summer 2009 Collection. Apparently the shorts will be available in the stores late this year.
Pringle of scotland collection – Menswear autumn/winter 2008
BOSS Black
BOSS Selection
BOSS Orange
BOSS Green
HUGO
Mad Madge, whose latest single is in support of Barack Obama, isn’t the only one injecting politics in to pop music. Vivienne Westwood is tossing her hat into the ring too: “I’ve written a political song about the legalized, 42-day detention of suspected terrorists,” said the designer at the London launch of her compilation CD at Selfridges on Monday. “I never listen to the radio, but I had to recently to see who’s out there to sing it. I didn’t like any of them! So it looks like I’ll have to. I’m not a singer really, but I’ll do something.” Westwood’s CD “Catwalk Breakdown,” a selection of favorite tracks by everyone from Tchaikovsky, The New York Dolls and Luca Mainardi, is on sale this week in Selfridges’ in-house concept store the Wonder Room. Maybe she can get Johnny Rotten on backing vocals.
Maison Martin Margiela 20th anniversary exhibition 
Urban lifestyle brand Carrot Clothing can trace its roots back to 1999, a tumultuous time for the brand founder’s native Serbia. In a noble effort to uplift lagging spirits and voice personal concerns about freedom, he began printing t-shirts featuring unmuted anti-war messages for family and friends.
Trousers London is a London-based premium men’s jeanswear label. The brand was launched in early 2008 by a team of four creatives whose training and professional experience span the fields of design, architecture, advertising and business. This multi-disciplinary background helped fuse into being the brand these visionaries had so boldly imagined.
Cole Haan, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc., today announced Maria Sharapova as a lead collaborator and the face of Cole Haan Sporting, a new collection for Spring 2009, rooted in sport and remixed with fashion.
SNEAK PEAK: atmos x K-Swiss Fall 2008 Check out the new collaboration between atmos and K-Swiss. This 6 shoe collection is set to debut on Sept 18, 2008 at Atmos Harlem as well as Sak’s Fifth Avenue with Atmos Tokyo set to debut on Sept 28, 2008. There are only 300 pairs globally and will be split between Japan and USA. K-Swiss will be hosting an event in both Toyko and Harlem to launch the collection on Sept 18. Invite attached. Featured shoes include: atmos Classic Los – $100.00 US: Crocodile embossed leather with pearlized leather stripes and lining in metallic shades of silver and gold with D-ring lacing. atmos Classic Luxury Edition Boot Jewel – $150.00 US: Crocodile embossed leather with pearlized back pull strap and lining in metallic shades of silver and gold, D-ring lacing, and snake pearlized leather stripes with crystals. atmos Si-18 Bristel High – $120 US: Gull Gray leather and medieval blue suede high top with gold accents and D-ring lacing. atmos Si-18 Rannell – $120 US: Gull Gray leather and fiery red suede running inspired style with gold accents and D-ring lacing.
The Crooks & Castles brand gets Kitmeout’s vote as the best up-and-coming brand at “The Magic” 2008. The Crooks & Castles brand has come a long way in the past few years and now deserves respect and recognition for innovative and stylish collections. With 4 seasonal collection per year, Crooks & Castles has proven to be an acountable brand. Every collection has a variety of items from the strong graphic Tees, to selvage Denims, classic americana jackets and NewEras. Every season is spiced up with special products and collabos. Hat’s off to the guys!