Men’s fashion with Jing Zhang THE GOODS
Abid Rahman
Well hello … It might have gone a little unnoticed but dressing like a dandy has become rather mainstream of late. Pocket squares, bow-ties, coloured socks, oldworld hats and dressing “a bit different” are all the rage these days, so much so that one wonders what Beau Brummel would have made of the ubiquity of eccentric dress. Hackett has done rather well off the back of this trend and as ever it is among the finest purveyors of said attire, as evidenced by this look of
Warm ’n’ toasty It’s still quite nippy outside,
fine check navy jacket (HK$6,300), dog-print red
so the prospect of men demeaning themselves
crew-neck (HK$2,700), checked shirt (HK$1,600),
with shorts and T-shirts (and, worse, flip-flops) is still, thankfully, a while
purple velvet trousers (HK$2,400), navy check
away. If you’re looking for a snazzier jacket or overcoat for what remains
bow-tie (HK$840), green trilby (HK$700), navy
of the cold weather, take a look at Seven For All Mankind’s offerings –
silk pocket square (HK$560) and black umbrella
including this ribbed collar and sleeve jacket (above left; HK$4,380) and
(HK$1,400; all right); sadly the shoes are not available
this stylish and warm fleece-collared double-breasted overcoat (above
in Hong Kong. If you’re after that “touring dandy” look, we recommend this
right; HK$5,380). Seven For All Mankind is available from IFC Mall,
ensemble of Prince of Wales check overcoat (HK$10,500), mustard shawl collar jumper
Central, tel: 2722 9666.
(HK$2,500), check shirt in brown (HK$1,300), brown moleskin trousers (HK$2,100), flower pattern bow-tie (HK$840), tweed pocket square (HK$420) and tan leather gloves (HK$2,400; all above right); alas neither the bag or shoes are available in Hong Kong. Hackett is in Eton Tower, 8 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, tel: 3101 0008.
Patently obvious Christmas might be over, but the gala dinners and events are not done yet. Lunar New Year is fast approaching, which should be all the excuse you need to invest in a pair of
Strap happy It’s the second week of January, so you have, almost certainly, broken
evening-dress shoes from John Lobb. You
or given up on each and every one of your New Year’s resolutions by now. Never
can’t go wrong with a pair of black patent
mind, will power is overrated anyway – so cheer yourself up with some retail
leather Calisto shoes (left; HK$7,900) but if
therapy. We like the look of Longchamp’s 3D range of man bags, particularly
you really want to make an impression might we
this light brown leather top-handle number (below left;
recommend the ruby patent-leather Odessa slip-ons
HK$8,350) and the dark brown leather shoulder bag
(below; also HK$7,900)? John Lobb is at the
(below right; HK$6,550). Longchamp is at 30
Mandarin Oriental hotel, 5 Connaught
Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2736 7328.
BEHIND THE LABEL NAPPA DORI
Jeanette Wang
Who started it? A graduate of India’s National Institute of Fashion Technology in his native Delhi, Gautam Sinha’s first taste of product design was creating Christmas ornaments for an export house. That job, which lasted two years, planted the seeds of what has blossomed into Nappa Dori, Sinha’s handcrafted leather bags and accessories label, which he launched in December 2010. “Designing [Christmas ornaments] was fun but you always needed to change your design to suit clients’ needs,” says Sinha, 33, a finalist in the British Council’s 2011 Young Fashion Entrepreneur Awards. “In the end, you were creating something that was not truly a reflection of what you intended to do, which bothered me. Hence, I always dreamt of starting my own label.” Initially available only from a small store tucked away in Delhi’s quaint Hauz Khas Village shopping district, Nappa Dori made the leap online in October last year to cater to a growing international clientele. Why we love it: in an age of mass production and accessible luxury, it’s refreshing to see fine, monogram-free products from a fledgling
32
Road, Central, tel: 2537 2229.
label. Nappa Dori bags and accessories are hand cut and stitched together by master craftsmen using age-old techniques; a trunk takes almost 72 working hours to make and a laptop bag could take a complete day, says Sinha. “Some of the smaller items are the hardest to make, especially the ones which are made of harness leather.” What we’d pick: the laptop bag (right, top; US$217), adorned with vintage photos that capture something of the essence of Indian heritage, mysticism and nostalgia – think Paul Smith with a subcontinental touch – is the brand’s signature piece, says Sinha. We also love the Ikat satchel bag (right, below; US$210), which sports a classic silhouette, handwoven fabric and vegetable-dyed leather. And though they may not be as convenient as wheeled luggage, we just can’t resist the trunks (US$302 to US$418), which make us feel like we’re travelling back in time. Where can you get it? Nappa Dori is available at www.nappadori.com.
Post Magazine January 12, 2014