Written by Craig Landale in Essentials on the 18th June 2020

How’s the rain dodging going chaps? After one of the driest May’s on record we’re on target for one of the wettest Junes. But hey, we’re mostly indoors, so who’s complaining!? As usual I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground and have some great new drops to show you this month. We have jewellery inspired by Norse Mythology and footwear that Jenson Button has put his name to, among others. So, following on from my May roundup, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite products and releases for the month of June 2020 – enjoy.

Allbirds Underwear 

The 4-year old sustainable footwear and accessories brand from San Francisco are expanding into underwear. The new underwear collection is made from Allbirds’s proprietary super yarn Trino, a magic blend of responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fibres, ZQ-certified Merino wool and a pinch of elastane. The waistband has been crafted from bio-nylon and rPET. The unique Trino recipe, which was originally developed for Allbirds’s sock line, has been refined and repurposed to create naturally premium underwear with the perfect fit. The silky-smooth TENCEL Lyocell in Allbirds’s Tree material offers a cooling and breathable effect, while the superfine Merino Wool is soft against the skin and moisture-wicking. Design-wise, the underwear collection features the brand’s signature “right amount of nothing” aesthetic, void of unnecessary details, and offers the unrivalled comfort credentials the brand has become known for. 

allbirds.co.uk

Paul Smith x Globe-Trotter Attache Case 

Continuing the immensely successful partnership between Globe-Trotter and Paul Smith, the latest addition to the collection arrives in the form of a 14” Mini Attache Case. The 14” Mini Attaché Case is the ideal briefcase to take with you across town for business meetings and on your daily commute. Available with a comfortable webbing shoulder strap, the Mini Attaché is designed for professionals in mind and can hold portable electronic devices and documents up to A4 size that you need for your day-to-day business needs. Featuring a classic black vulcanised fibreboard, the luggage is complemented by eight multi-coloured corners inspired by the Paul Smith ‘Signature Stripe’ each one a different shade; navy, taupe, lime yellow, sage, burnt orange, peacock, burgundy and bright red. In true Paul Smith character, the quintessential luggage collection epitomises the quirky, eclectic nature of British style without compromising on the original designs or heritage. 

globe-trotter.com

Aurum by Guðbjörg Men’s Jewellery 

For the very first time, this season sees leading Icelandic jeweller Aurum by Guðbjörg launch a standalone collection of men’s jewellery – named Griðungur. Having recently celebrated the brand’s 20th anniversary, designer, goldsmith and co-founder Guðbjörg Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, wanted to create a new range inspired by Norse Mythology, drawing on the belief that Iceland is protected by four great guardians who are known as the four landvættir or ‘land wights’. The four landvættir are regarded as the protectors of the four quarters of Iceland: the dragon (Dreki) in the east, the eagle (Gammur) in the north, the bull (Griðungur) in the west and the giant (Bergrisi) in the south. All Aurum’s jewellery is handcrafted at their atelier in Reykjavik by Guðbjörg and her team, the home of their flagship boutique. Each touch point of the brand, from the factories, to the materials, to the unique packaging, is firmly grounded in ethical and sustainable practices. 

aurum.is

Acqua di Parma SS20 Home Collection 

A collection of candles and diffusers full of stimulating compositions based on typical moments of Italian living. Luce di Colonia, Buongiorno, La Casa sul Lago, Caffè in Piazza, Oh, L’amore, and now two new Acqua di Parma creations: Aperitivo in Terrazza and Profumi dell’Orto. A large terrace and friends to chat and relax with after a long day, sipping your favourite aperitif. The freedom to give in to a joyful custom, which recalls the natural elegance of Italian living. The perfect fragrance with which to create a widespread sparkling atmosphere in the rooms of your home: in the living room, outdoors, the dining room, and to greet guests in the most authentic Italian style. Right from the very first scents, you savour the freshness of the Spritz, the most popular of Italian drinks. A light, exciting effect with the sunlit citric aromas of lime, blood orange and grapefruit. The right bitter touch of gentian, together with the warm spicy tones of cinnamon. A perfume that gives off the well-being of a unique convivial moment. 

acquadiparma.com

L'OCCITANE Cade Men's Skincare 

When it comes to buying skincare products, fragrances or toiletries, most men will agree that more than anything else, they want it to be simple and fast. They want clean and natural formulas that cater to their specific needs. They want straightforward, intuitive products – or multi-purpose solutions that do two jobs at once. They also want products that fit in with their lifestyle, such as small sizes they can take with them when they travel or go to the gym. That's why many of these Cade products are available in two sizes: one for the bathroom, and one for on the go! Also known as prickly juniper, cade grows as a shrub or tree. It's incredibly resilient and able to withstand difficult conditions such as droughts, cold temperatures and poor soil conditions. Its distinctive scent has woody, smoky and earthy notes, while its essential oil is known to contain protective and soothing compounds. 

uk.loccitane.com

Duke + Dexter x Jenson Button 

A celebration of speed, racing pedigree and the incredible culture behind one of the most dangerous sports in the world, this collection is an eclectic collection of some of the brand’s favourite styles, with special touches inspired by one of Britain’s most acclaimed drivers. Together they’ve developed a series of exclusive patches and custom prints, all with features that relate to Jenson's career – from the memorable number 22 that adorned his cars, to the ever present Union Jack and even some of the parts that made his machines tick. They’ve been handmade right here in England too. From the tarmac to the sand, Jenson has taken the racing world head on. Duke + Dexter have even used the debut of his race in the Mexican desert at the Baja 1000, the world’s most dangerous race, as the backdrop to drop the chequered flag on this collaboration. 

dukeanddexter.com

CQP Otium Sneakers 

CQP was founded in 2013 in Sweden by Adam Lewenhaupt. Their sneakers intersect casual and formal and combine the craftsmanship often found in good-year welted shoes with the timeless qualities of classic sneakers, to create perfect hybrids. The silhouettes of CQP are as sleek as they are comfortable; produced by hand in Portugal by meticulously sourced materials. The company ethos focuses on design, quality and comfort, rather than following the latest trends. The new Otium release is the brand’s low top sneaker with asymmetric panels for a sporty, relaxed and sleek look. With no unnecessary padding and high-quality materials throughout this is a modern classic. 

c-qp.com

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport 

Designed to improve performance though music, and launched during a time where most exercise is performed outside, Bang & Olufsen takes its first venture into sports with the announcement of the Beoplay E8 Sport. they combine Bang & Olufsen’s renowned sound performance and craftmanship with design details and product features required by professional athletes and casual runners, who harness the power of music to achieve the goals they set their minds on. No longer forced to sacrifice aesthetics for utility, they stand out by bringing world class audio and design to a set of sports earphones that don’t compromise on performance. The earphones are housed in a compact wireless charging case that uses materials influenced from the sports industry, such as rubber and textured silicone, with strong and corrosion resistant anodised aluminium that has been their trademark for more than 50 years. 

bang-olufsen.com

We feature Allbirds Underwear, Paul Smith x Globe-Trotter Attache Case, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport and CQP Otium Sneakers in June 2020’s Coolest Stuff.