Monday 23 December 2013

Art Comes First @ Liberty Fairs, New York & Las Vegas


NY // JANUARY 21-23 2014
 545 & 548 W. 22ND STREET
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
9AM-6PM
THURSDAY 9AM-2PM

LV // FEBRUARY 17-19 2014 
SANDS EXPO | VENETIAN
MONDAY 1PM-6PM
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY 9AM-6PM

Sunday 22 December 2013

ACF Presents Avec Ces Freres @ Pitti

Men’s fashions projected into the future in a new, special project at the Fortezza da Basso, produced with L’Uomo Vogue and GQ Italia 



Il progetto
Back to top At the forthcoming edition of Pitti Uomo (Florence, 7-10 January 2014), in cooperation with Fondazione Pitti Discovery, L’Uomo Vogue and GQ Italia will present THE LATEST FASHION BUZZ, a new project featuring some of the most talented and promising international designers of men’s fashion.

“THE LATEST FASHION BUZZ”, says Agostino Poletto, deputy general manager of Pitti Immagine, “aims at offering support and visibility to prêt-à-porter and accessory designers who work on a new concept of modern in both the formal and sophisticated informal keys. Together with GQ Italia and L’Uomo Vogue we have done intensive scouting and made very careful selections. The designers invited to accept this challenge are not only new names, but also already established designers with a very personal approach to experimentation. It is to them that we want to offer the ideal platform for presenting their unique looks to the top buyers, the press and the international fashion system which, season after season, gather in Florence for the Pitti Uomo fair. One of our several missions has long been that of promoting young talents on the international stage through special projects and events. And this new program fits perfectly into this context, flanking projects such as the Who is On Next? Uomo competition that we produce with AltaRoma and L’Uomo Vogue, or the special area Super Talents, in Milan, curated by Vogue Talents during our Super showcase”.

The collections – carefully selected key items – will be presented in the Sala Ottagonale, a strategic location at the Fortezza da Basso, with an innovative and striking layout that will reflect the project’s dual spirit: new formal and edgy informal.

Source: http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate/fairs/uomo/specials/LatestFashionBuzz.html

Friday 6 December 2013

PONY X ART COMES FIRST

Fusing satorialism with street influences


PONY - Product Of New York and Art Comes First come together under their passion for infusing potent vintage cues with the freshest contemporary street styles.

Their debut collection revolves around two footwear choices, one of which shouldn’t come as a surprise when thinking of Sam & Shaka’s (the creative duo behind A.C.F.) home turf.
The Linebacker is anything but forgotten among brits, who’ve risen this model to a legendary status back in the 80’s when the American football frenzy was at an all-time high. The classic model was reinvented by ACF for a new generation by employing a deconstructed silhouette, crafted using a breathable summer-fitting mesh that collides with genuine tonal leather. Staple design cues, like the knobbly sole and the lace flap, are attentively preserved yet beautifully re-tailored.

The whole capsule collection, which also boosts two Vintage Slamdunks, two basketball inspired jerseys, two tees and two bandanas, maintains a potent Ying Yang theme all throughout by constantly bringing forward contrasting yet complementary pieces. 
Clean executions in the two fundamental colors - black & white - are decked up with the famous Art comes first artwork, embodied by the two most used tools of the collective: the hand with a scissors tattoo. One of the new entries at Pitti, just in time for their introduction on the Italian retail scene, PONY will unveil the collection alongside a unique project: an ACF workshop installation which will occupy their booth at the winter edition of the tradeshow. 

“Craft & style are our main focus of inspiration when we create. We respect traditions but we move forward, be it on the streets or anywhere else” – Sam & Shaka

http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate/fairs/uomo/news/2013/pony.html


Monday 25 November 2013

Norwegian Rain x COAL by ACF Pop Up Store at Harvey Nichols,


Norwegian Rain x COAL by ACF Pop Up Store at Harvey Nichols, London from the 26th of November, 2013.

Be there or be sqare :)

Products and individuals from
Art Comes First
Eton Shirts
Lotho France
Norwegian Rain
Superduper Hats
T-Michael
+
Sketch book by Kalaf Angelo & ACF

Friday 22 November 2013

Norwegian Rain x COAL by ACF Pop Up Store at Harvey Nichols





Norwegian Rain x COAL by ACF Pop Up Store at Harvey Nichols, London from the 26th of November, 2013.

Be there or be sqare :)

Products and individuals from
Art Comes First
Eton Shirts
Lotho France
Norwegian Rain
Superduper Hats
T-Michael
+
Sketch book by Kalaf Angelo & ACF

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Wednesday 6 November 2013

My Style: Sam Lambert


 
Angola-born Sam Lambert is the co-founder of the creative duo and collective Art Comes First. Lambert has also designed for Saville Row’s Oswald Boateng and for Spencer Hart.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Comfort can never be an enemy of style. If you are uncomfortable it means that you are wearing the wrong items.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Sartor, alchemy, progression.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Overthinking it. It should be fun, only then it will come easier.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes, I do. It’s very important and disciplinary. In my line of business, it’s the only way for me to do the best I can — by looking up to someone. Liam Maher from Denham is my mentor.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

It has to be flannel and open weave wool. I love natural fibers with character, and these bad boys make good tailoring pieces.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

There are many, but I think the one I can’t stand is the wide tie over a casual soft collar shirt. Also, having more than double breaks on the suit pants and wearing sport socks with a suit.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

A best-dressed man doesn’t have a city. He travels with his style from Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, and Stockholm all the way to South Africa.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

None of the above. I have to say, like they say in Sweden, I am ‘Lagom’. Not too much, not too little. Just Mr Lambert.

Q: What are the rules in the way you dress?

It comes down to one thing: discipline. It’s the number one thing behind my style. This translates to grey scale being a colour palette, and trousers and shoes playing an important part in terms of the silhouette. Everything has to be proportional, nothing is oversized. Keep it tidy is the motto.

Q: Celebrities and style…

They need to do better research when it comes to style. It doesn’t take a few months or a lot of money when it comes to building one’s style; it takes a lifetime and knowledge.

Q: Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

I can never have enough hats.

Q: A man should always look like…

He is going to meet the love of his life. Because first impressions matter.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

I learned everything I know about style from my siblings. They always knew how to have fun with clothes. I grew up with three brothers and six sisters — you can imagine the style wars!

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

I prepare them the night before and I always start from the inside — like selecting my shirt, tie and hat. Then the rest will be influenced by those three items.

Q: What is your biggest regret?

Wearing baggy jogging bottoms in my hip hop days.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

1. Do not mix more than three colours. 2. Classic style is a win, going over the top is not stylish. 3. Proportions are key, regardless of whether you are tall or short.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I always visit vintage stores and flea markets in every city I travel to. It tells me how stylish the people from there are.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Fake leather.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

Well, a lot of my friends in the industry are very stylish, but I have yet to meet the most stylish person.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

The fit of their outfit. So my eyes go straight to the shoulders of the garment.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

When you switch off an old black and white television, that flat line in the middle of the black screen.

Q: Which new designers do you admire and why?

I don’t follow any designers, since most of the stuff I wear I design them myself or they are vintage. But if I have to mention any new designers I support, I have to say Cottweiler in London. These kids got the know how when it comes to tailored sportswear, and the themes of the collections are always well-researched.

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

His white shirts, this is a must have.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

My white shirts, my leather jackets, and my made-to-measure suits from Café Costume in Belgium.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

I would have to say Dries Van Noten. His fabric development and cuts are really interesting.

Q: Who would you like to recommend for “My Style”?

Mr Liam Maher from Denham, the jeans maker.

Q: The best words of advice you have ever heard?

“Work hard and you will get what you deserve.” — My mom, Ms Fueki Paulina

Source:
Photo: D. Pattinson