http://www.gentlemanscorner.com Ask another question Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:52:24 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We are wearing more rings, bracelets, chains and fancy cufflinks than ever before. Jeweller Stephen Webster is the man who knows why. Stephen Webster is late for his interview with Gentleman’s Corner. I’m already sitting in his elegantly dishevelled office above Garrard’s on the corner of Grafton and Albemarle Streets, as ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/hot-metal-worker.html We recently caught up with Cathal McAteer, founder of Folk, and quizzed him about his influences. Here's what he had to say about where it all comes from for Folk. 'We try and do our own stuff, we don't tend to buy a lot of old garments and replicate them - ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/craft-on-the-net-catch-up-folk-on-influence.html A longstanding civil war in menswear has been between the fashion forward folks and the lovers of classics. For the most part, Scandinavian brands tend to veer towards the latter, but there are a few fighting for the other side. One such designer is Henrik Vibskov, a man who only ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/craft-on-the-net-henrik-vibskov.html In my last post celebrating Bill Amberg I concentrated on craft – his use of bridle leather throughout the bags and the structure that gives them, as well as the most recent innovation of using oak bark-tanned leather that grows colour-rich and characterful almost as you watch it. This post, rather ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/gloves-at-bill-amberg.html Fans of sartoria will be well aware of the benefits of oak bark-tanned leather. Its denseness of fibre and yet ability to be moulded make it perfect for the soles of men’s shoes. But because it is hidden beneath the shoe, and because it is often painted, few appreciate how ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/bill-amberg-using-oak-tanning-for-something-else.html While streetwear is a lifelong obsession for some, for many it acts as a springboard to a more refined clothing range. The latest brand which has risen from streetwear is French label Commune De Paris 1871. Named after a French government that ruled briefly in 1871 (hailed as the first assumption ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/craft-on-the-net-commune-de-paris-1871.html In a previous blog I extolled the virtues of Valenki, moulded Russian felt boots. Mine have served me exceedingly well this winter, particularly as the snow flurries of London melted to slush. The felt provides superb traction, and is also the soling material of choice for many fly fishermen and ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/the-mysterious-magazine-shoe.html I recently took the plunge and bought my first pair of hand-painted shoes on an Italian last at Lodger. Due to the beautiful, deep patina, I assumed that a neutral polish would be the best choice. To keep the painstaking efforts into painting the shoes visible to the world, right? Wrong. ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/the-danger-of-neutrality.html It has been a little while since I delved into the history of footwear and you may think that it is an odd time of year to be doing so with flip flops. Well, it was the sight of a man in short trousers and flip flops hopping through six ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/flip-flops-a-history.html “All of our jackets and trousers are sold separately, even if they match,” points out Clive Derby, owner of new menswear brand, RAKE. In these few words Derby is summing up not just his brand’s ethos but also the direction of men’s tailoring today. Suits are being split up and ... http://www.gentlemanscorner.com/2010/03/rake-thirty-little-pieces.html