Written by Craig Landale in Essentials on the 29th October 2021

Happy Halloween readers! I hope you’re embracing the weather like myself. Autumn is my favourite season of the year. I just can’t get enough of the knitwear and outerwear materials and playing around with layering options. This month has been great for new AW21 drops too. There were too many to choose from, but I’ve done my best to narrow down the best. So, get yourself comfortable and take a peep at this month’s coolest drops.

New & Lingwood Autumn/Winter 2021 Collection 

New & Lingwood’s Autumn Winter 21 lookbook – titled the Art of Dressing, blends classic British style with a vibrant optimism and a practical emphasis on comfort and versatility. The Loungewear collection returns with signature dressing gowns, pyjamas and slippers in rich silks and velvets featuring intricately woven, printed and embroidered designs depicting exotic scenes inspired by nature. There’s also a continuation of the partnership with Ardmore Artists, with striking prints inspired by the artists’ travels to Kruger National Park in South Africa. This season, the brand has expanded their range of cashmere and fine wools throughout their collection to give an ever-greater choice to those seeking the highest quality British loungewear. 

As much of the world emerges from the worst of the pandemic, New & Lingwood’s relaxed tailoring collection sees the return of rich corduroy trousers and cosy lambswool sweaters rendered in bright hues that carry all the comfort of their loungewear but expressed for the outside world. Traditional checks and tartans are cut in clean and contemporary cuts and pulled together into a sophisticated and elegant style with understated shirts and bold flowing scarves. In the Art of Dressing, the brand captures a unique aesthetic, and the role clothing has to inject something extra: a flash of colour, a hint of whimsy, a soupçon of richness. Taken as a whole, this collection celebrates not only the art of dressing, but the quotidien pleasure of the process in today’s transitional world. 

newandlingwood.com

COCO-MATBIKE 

Joining the green movement and biking more sustainably is now just a pedal away thanks to COCO-MATBIKE’s iconic collection of 11 handcrafted wooden bikes and e-bikes, all of which are made with love using sustainable wood sourced from certified renewable forests. With a range of aesthetically beautiful models and a number of sizes to choose from (from children’s bikes to adult models), all the family can ride in style and comfort - wherever their travels take them, whether that be their daily commute, or enjoying the beautiful countryside on the weekend. Best of all, they will enjoy their cycling experience knowing they have chosen a bike that is as eco-friendly as it is beautiful. The COCO-MATBIKE was born in Athens, Greece after founder Paul Evmorfidis’ bicycle broke down whilst riding in The Alps. 

Determined to create a better solution, he spent endless hours researching and testing to create a range of robust, eco-friendly bikes that would withstand the test of time – without compromising the environment – and the COCO-MATBIKE was created in 2016. Each COCO-MATBIKE is hand-crafted in Greece using plantation-grown American Ash (Fraxus Americana) as wood extends the bike’s life cycle and each adult ash tree provides enough wood to make 50 bikes. The brand prides itself on being zero-emissions and carbon positive – for every bike that is purchased, they will plant a tree in the UK individually name-tagged on behalf of the new owner. The ergonomic design, compact, firm frame and premium parts create an effortless cycling experience and deliver a smooth ride across all road surfaces, making it highly versatile. The bikes can also be inscribed with the owner’s name for a personal touch and making it a great gift. 

coco-matbike.uk

Finisterre + Blundstone 

A relationship forged across the seas, between two brands with a shared history of making fit-for-purpose clothing and footwear. Cornish B Corp adventure brand Finisterre have partnered with iconic Tasmanian footwear manufacturer Blundstone on the design of limited-edition co-branded vegan boots. Established in 1870 and beloved by people living and working in wild and rugged landscapes, Blundstone boots have become infamous for transcending all seasons and terrain, taking wearers to the edge of the world in unfailing comfort and durability. Classically Blundstone in style but with a vegan twist, the new boots share all the qualities people have come to love, made with tough materials that are kind on the environment. 

Finisterre + Blundstone Embrace the Elements with Fully Certified Vegan Boots From the pull loop, to the upper, and the footbed to the sole. Blundstone has ensured that every material used is fully vegan verified, a critical outcome for Finisterre whose legacy is founded on challenging fabric use and construction. Lightweight and breathable, product features include a comfort-focused removeable footbed, durable outsole and water resistant microfibre upper with superior abrasion-proof qualities. Ready to roam over rock, road, sand and into the bush, to signal the collaboration, bespoke colours and a Finisterre logo are debossed onto each heel. 

finisterre.com

Citizen X STAR WARS 

Citizen has launched their new Ana-Digi Star Wars Collection, drawing inspiration from the vast Star Wars galaxy. The Star Wars Ana-Digi Collection was created to have a vintage appeal and authentic styling that pays homage to the original trilogy. Citizen originally introduced the ANA-DIGI TEMP model in the 1980s. This model was both popular in the local Japanese market as well as globally. As the name suggests, this watch combines both analogue and digital elements together in a unique design. The ANA-DIGI TEMP does more than just display the time, it is a multifunctional watch that also includes a Celsius temperature sensor. This popular model with its iconic, retro futuristic square shape was reissued in 2018 in collaboration with Beams. 

Citizen is now adding eight exciting new limited-edition models with designs inspired by popular Star Wars characters to the line-up. Elements from Star Wars characters including R2-D2, C-3PO, and Darth Vader are integrated into the mechanical-inspired design, which includes colours and motifs unique to each on the watch face, as well as the Star Wars logo and character illustrations engraved on the case back. Two models available now are the Rebel Pilot themed watch and the Trench Run themed watch. Both watches include dual time, an alarm, digital time, the temperature, and themed sub dials. The Rebel Alliance logo and the X-wing with Rebel inspired colours are featured on the Rebel Pilot-inspired model, and the X-wing and TIE fighter pilot are shown on the Trench Run inspired model. 

citizenwatch.com

Tag Heuer Announce Ryan Gosling as New Brand Ambassador 

From his brooding wheelman in Drive to his all-singing, all-dancing Oscar-nominated turn in La La Land, Ryan Gosling is an actor who defies easy categorisation. The attributes his roles do have in common: a willingness to be fearless, to constantly challenge himself and push what’s possible. Who better, then, to join luxury Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer as its effortless style and commitment to excellence are as central to the man as they are to the brand. And who better than the actor who could be seen as the heir apparent to the legendary Steve McQeen, two men for whom style and substance are one and the same, to drive the brand forward. But Gosling also represents something else: a new breed of masculinity that’s both sensitive and low-key, a confidence that is by definition effortless, much like the brand itself. 

His commitment to excellence even extended to his very first TAG Heuer ad handpicking the award-winning photographer Pari Dukovic and collaborating with him in every step of the creative process. The result: a campaign of vibrant visuals, inspired by Gosling’s own desire to shoot a campaign unlike any other, and one that marks yet another daring departure for the star. It’s no surprise, therefore, that Gosling’s performances have often drawn comparison to the late Steve McQueen, another leading man with a passion for motoring, stunts, and spectacle. And who, like Gosling, became a style icon as well as a movie star. The watches represent a showcase for the brand’s motor racing heritage, where elegance and fearlessness go hand in hand. As a committed motoring enthusiast, few would appreciate the dedication to clean lines and an obsession with readability more, with the collection representing the company’s purest and most elegant watch in the TAG Heuer portfolio. 

tagheuer.com

GOOD NEWS Autumn/Winter 2021 Collection 

Committed to producing conscious sneakers with a simple goal; To create a platform they can use to promote a healthy planet. Giving back, one step at a time. The new AW21 collection features no toxic solvents, heavy metals or dangerous substances, which reflects the brands commitment to ensure that their materials are environmentally and socially progressive as, 'When you're small you gotta fix what you can'. GOOD NEWS aims to raise awareness and challenge industry wastage by donating to those in need of shoes. With their incredible work for charities such as ‘Good Luck Shoes’ which has provided over 3000 pairs of functional shoes to migrants, ‘Dream Catchers’, ‘Ethiopia Medical Project’ and ‘United Shoe Recycle Company’ in which old residual stock and samples are donated and used to upcycle back into children’s playground surfaces. This season GOOD NEWS presents a collection that aims to bring joy, and positive change with standout Vintage Moroccan Raffias and Ombré’s that complement the tonal earthy palette of natural vegetable and plant dyes, while blown-up textured dogtooth prints shine through and gel the designs together. The collection also introduces grape leather (VEGEA), made from grape skins, stalks and seeds discarded during wine production that feature in a sleek new styles ‘Aster’ and ‘Roopa’ that are finished off with a treaded recycled EVA sole. 

goodnews.london

Percival and Ivy-style Illustrator Aaron Chang Join Forces 

Percival has joined forces with Korean-based illustrator Aaron Chang. Chang's ivy-style illustrations are featured across a capsule edit of Percival's classic embroidery and screen-printed styles. The illustrations focus on adventure centred around the three themes of sea, air, and land. Chang takes inspiration from his hometown of Busan, Korea, for the collection, as it is known for having incredible seas, sunsets, and nature. Known for combining a quintessentially British sense of understated style and rare, internationally sourced fabrics and materials. Signature styles include the Pea Coat, Wax Mac, Sheepskin Whitley and custom prints. Percival is six years old and still owned by its co-founder and head designer Chris Gove. By making in London, Percival is able to drop multiple short runs of product a year, keeping its offering fresh and varied. Percival recently provided garments for David Beckham's recent Holiday and designed trousers for the upcoming James Bond release 'No Time to Die'. 

percivalclo.com

Walsh British Made T-Shirts 

The end of 2020 saw a wide range of accessories introduced to Norman Walsh and this year sees no difference with a collection set to be just as vast. The start of the range has seen a new line of Walsh Printed T-Shirts dropped and to top it off, they are British Made. Made in England from 100% Ringspun Combed Cotton across four latest designs, these tops are sure to be a hot seller. Inspired from iconic products, two designs have been created to adorn the well-loved Lostock model. The ‘Fells Man’ T-Shirt pays tribute to the staple Walsh PB with this original fell running design, an iconic start to the Norman Walsh story. Finally, one from the archive - The Walsh Football T-Shirt features an iconic Walsh advert brought back to life from the 1960s. This year, Walsh are celebrating 60 years of British manufacturing, 60 years of British design and 60 years of British ownership. Walsh is proudly recognised as a traditional British manufacturer of sports footwear and an iconic British brand. Every shoe is individually handled by highly skilled and prideful artisans who personally ensure their finesse and craft is embodied within. 

normanwalshuk.com

KEEN Howser Hybrid Slipper 

For almost 20 years, KEEN, a values-led, independently owned outdoor and lifestyle brand, has produced market-leading footwear, globally acclaimed for its innovation, craftsmanship and durability. Fusing their outdoor heritage with progressive styling, for AW21 the brand proudly presents a stunning collection of sustainable lifestyle shoes, adhering to their “Consciously Created” approach by committing to choose materials that favour sustainability, do not disrupt the natural order, and do not harmfully impact the environment in their construction. For AW21 KEEN’s iconic hybrid, the Howser, returns in two new editions, winter ready and the perfect antidote to the season’s inclement and cold conditions. Designed to comfort your conscience as well as your foot, all models in the collection feature pesticide and chemical free Eco Anti Odour insoles which use a natural probiotic proven to be just effective as its chemical counterparts but with none of the downstream environmental impact. 

keenfootwear.com

New & Lingwood, COCO-MATBIKE, Finisterre + Blundstone, Citizen X STAR WARS, Tag Heuer + Ryan Gosling, GOOD NEWS, Percival X Aaron Chang, Walsh, and Keen