This is the first part of our sunglasses special. Oliver Goldsmith is an English brand created in 1926 which saw its heyday in the 60s. At the time, it was represented by the actresses Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.

In 2005, Clara Goldsmith, the founder’s granddaughter relaunched the brand using her grandfather’s artistic heritage. Around 30 models were re-released. And this new era came with new icons: Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Jude Law, Jessica Simpson and Gwyneth Paltrow all posed for Oliver Goldsmith.

And this year, the arrival of designer Brian McGinn (an Irishman? Yes sir!) aims to bring new styles whilst using the know-how and hand crafted 100% British style.

My favourite: the “Carl”, with its large acetate aviator frame. These are distinctly retro sunglasses available in tortoiseshell, black, transparent and green!

On sale at ESPLE, 40 rue Saint Sulpice Paris 6 (see the discount voucher below) and for non-Parisians from Men a la Mode (€198). Discover the rest of the collection on the Oliver Goldsmith site.

Ok, I’ve made my mind up: this spring I’m changing my trainers! My favourite Stan Smiths don’t look so hot anymore: the leather is scratched everywhere and the toe is about to give up the ghost. -More cheap
manufacturing. Ok, ok, I’ve had them for about 2 and a half years, and I’ve not exactly treated them kindly either…

Despite this minor setback, I still like the brand with the 3 stripes. So I started my research there. As I suggest in my article on cheap clothes on our French sister site, I went to YOOX to see end-of-line stuff and new styles.

In the the former category I found these high-top “Pro-model” in black with snakeskin print. Unfortunately, I can completely forget about them; there aren’t any in my size! But there might be
some styles that you like in your size…

Operation “spring trainers”: part 1. To be continued.

€59 from YOOX

Here are 2 new brands that I haven’t mentioned for a long time: Pull-in and Stereo Panda. Here’s some news concerning both of them: they’re launching a co-branded line of underwear. You can see the unique elements of both brands in these styles available in cotton and lycra.

They’re available from the Pull-in concept stores in Paris, Hossegor, Aix en Provence and New York (see list of dealers). You’ll also find them in Stereo Panda partner stores like Citadium. They cost €35 for the black cotton style and €45 for the white lycra. -I’d like to see them close up to examine the quality though, as €35/45 seems a
little expensive…

And we’re back to boots with a style from Narrative. This young brand was created in 2006, and draws inspiration from the “british” style, with hand-made Italian products. These leather boots are quite classic: a timeless elegance, with their long, rounded toe and their zip fastener. These go just as well with jeans as with a suit.

€198 from Rush Collection

Here’s a slightly more fun model, Five & Sex from Mi Zeppe. It’s made of leather and is studded with brass stars. The inner lining is made of turquoise and yellow cotton!

€189 from Men Attitude

Sticking with the 80’s theme, here is the new spring-summer 2007 collection from Stereo Panda. Blue, pink, yellow, red, as usual more bright colours! The panda is again shown on this “Biker” available in black, grey and lavender.

€25 on Stereo Panda

This is a little nod to MensSana who thought that the leather bracelet wasn’t expensive enough Here’s a very beautiful ring, in yellow or white gold, set with a 9.3-carat black spinel (a gemstone used in jewellery). The rings in the XL Collection are individually made in the Sigomonta, workshops, in Budapest. Outstanding, aren’t they?

€1540 on La Boutique des Joailliers

Have you seen Tom Ford’s latest sunglasses collection? It’s really great stuff. I love the retro style! Like the above style with the large squarish frames and the silver T for Tom on the hinges. And they’re quite tempting in spite of the price, because they’re the sort of timeless shades you can carry off from one summer to the next! They’re starting to appear in certain stores. However, beware, the distribution is fairly selective!
You can definitely find them in Paris at “Regard du Marais by I…, 16 Rue Vieille du Temple (Paris 4)
” and “Marc Le Bihan Opticien“. If not, have a look on their site and have a look around your area…

$335 on Eyegoodies

The next episode in the “how to choose a laptop bag” series. In the first episode I mentioned Acme Made’s Slim Pack). Here is another relatively luxury style from Zegari. It’s made of leather, a classic style with a novel twist given by the contrasting stripes. On a practical note, it’s got a special laptop compartment and many inside pockets to put your phone, mp3 player, sunglasses, papers, car keys, your spanner, cat litter tray… Watch this space for the next episode in the series!

$325 from Zegari

How bloody retro am I at the moment? If I had a little less self control I would skive off work to lounge on the sofa and watch good old Rocky. If only to see the fabulous Mister T.! What a look ! No one has managed to top the king of bling… And as for the A-Team van, I still dream about it

$20 from 80stees