Written by Craig Landale in Essentials on the 20th January 2022

Happy New Year to you all. The first month of the year has nearly already passed us by, and it has been a very cold one. I’ve seen some interesting Spring/Summer 2022 drops hit my inbox recently, so I’m very excited for the spring season ahead. But for now, with winter in full flow, I’ve picked out some of the top drops I've come across from the last month. So, put the kettle on and have read chaps.

WoodWatch Cactus Vegan Watch Straps 

WoodWatch is one of the first watch brands in the world to introduce Vegan Cactus Leather watch straps, a material that is strongly believed to be able to replace regular leather. After testing many different organic materials, they finally chose cactus leather since it is biodegradable, aesthetically pleasing, soft, durable, and lasts for a long time; next to being manufactured in the most cruelty-free and environment-friendly way possible. To top it all off, they will plant a tree for every product sold to have an even better impact on the environment. WoodWatch currently offers 4 different cactus leather strap designs for multiple watch collections. Just like all their other straps, this one includes a quick-release mechanism that makes it very easy to switch between your favourites. No need to get a new watch, you can easily change the appearance of your watch with a new strap. 

woodwatch.com

David Gandy Wellwear Heritage Henley 

David Gandy Wellwear has introduced a new everyday essential, the Heritage Henley. Originally worn as an undergarment in the nineteenth-century due to its comfort and ease of wear, the Henley was later adapted as sportswear, by rowers specifically, for its increased ventilation from the placket and lack of collar. Traditionally designed with three buttons, the brand have reimagined the Henley to add a fourth for a more laid-back versatile look. Made from 100% organic cotton waffle, the Heritage Henley offers a durable fabrication with natural thermal properties, providing warmth and insulation. Breathable and highly absorbent to keep you naturally comfortable, the design features one of their signature technical treatments - Wellwear Breathe - inhibiting the growth of odour producing bacteria to create an antibacterial and anti-odour material. The Heritage Henley combines fashion, function and feeling, with endless styling options to take care of you anywhere. 

davidgandywellwear.com

SAYE Goes Completely Vegan 

SAYE was born three years ago with a mission in mind, to make trendy and sustainable sneakers that help you ease the change towards a more conscious lifestyle. Back then they were focused on finding the best materials available on the market. Since their priority was to use quality materials and the plastic free vegan options were not available at that time, they started producing Modelo 89 with leather, rather than choosing vegan (which would be made from 100% plastic), as back then alternative vegan options were scarce. Over the years however, they've been able to test new, groundbreaking materials that have fueled their desire to use sustainable vegan products. They work with several suppliers in order to offer a vegan bio-based collection, creating super innovative products like the M’89 Vegan Cactus or the M’89 Vegan Mango. And now, they're at a stage where they can say goodbye to leather products completely and start a new journey as a 100% vegan company. 

sayebrand.com

Acqua di Parma X Poltrona Frau Car Diffuser 

Acqua di Parma, together with Poltrona Frau present the Lucky Charm Special Edition Car Diffuser. A faithful travel companion, reassuring, pleasant, and a source of wellbeing, the brand new Car Diffuser is dressed in an exclusive Pelle Frau amaranth red, a new addition to the three colourways presented in April 2021. Designed to spread fragrance and joy, this colourful design object will bring luck to all your days. The diffuser can be filled with nine fragrances from the range; Luce di Colonia, Buongiorno, La Casa sul Lago, Oh l’Amore, Aperitivo in Terrazza and Profumi dell’Orto from the ‘Italian Moments’ collection and Arancia di Capri, Fico di Amalfi & Mirto di Panarea from the Blu Mediterraneo collection. 

acquadiparma.com 

Neil Barrett X Penfield 

American outdoor brand Penfield has collaborated with the British designer Neil Barrett, launching a limited collection of outerwear that’s ‘built for travel’. The Neil Barrett signature minimalist aesthetic compliments Penfield’s outdoor authenticity to create a beautifully crafted collection of functional puffer jackets that utilise technical nylon qualities and fabric mixes, to infuse design with functionality. Lightweight, waterproof, technical jackets mix exaggerated silhouettes, bi-colour, luxury eco-shearing and high gloss trims all finished with Neil Barrett’s signature Thunderbolt Enamel Badge. There are three styles priced between £540 and £775; a Padded Nylon Bomber with Detachable Hood in Black, a Padded Nylon and Shearling Puffer Jacket in Black Military, and a Padded Nylon Bomber Jacket in Black. 

penfield.com

Christopher Ræburn ST95

Celebrated sportswear brand ST95 makes a welcome return with its first new collection in more than two decades. ST95 was formed in the mid-1990s, using the technical insights Massimo Osti made his own with Stone Island and C.P. Company. It lay dormant for most of the last 20 years, forging a cult reputation amongst collectors and enthusiasts. The design and development for the new generation of ST95 is led by award-winning British designer Christopher Ræburn, based at the RÆBURN Lab in East London. The new collection combines progressive design with responsible design, while keeping the lineage of the brand at its core. In an initial drop, ST95 returns with a range of outerwear that boasts military and utilitarian design elements made for the modern-day, using 100% recycled materials. ST95 launches this week with limited stock landing in hand-picked UK retailers such as Hip Store, Tessuti, Wellgosh and Yards. 

yardsstore.com

Rains SS22 

Rains' SS22 collection brings new silhouettes and colours to rainwear with light outerwear and transitional layers including the new Padded Nylon concept, bags and accessories - as well as considered refinements to collection mainstays. Spring's rejuvenation is also seen in the brand, with new a logo and logomark, and a more accessible and optimistic brand expression. Additionally, Rains continues to explore designs that go beyond wet weather. The season's palette offers familiar and long-lasting colours with occasional organic pop. Neutral tone-on-tone looks arrive through the pairing of Cement and Fossil. Metallic Mist gives designs a refined bronze sparkle, while River leans into indigo, adding warmth. A new sorbet orange lifts colourways across bags, accessories, and apparel. They also introduce Nylon, arriving with a matte finish and luxe reverse-side PU coating. The fabric appears across the collection and extends the brand's waterproof fabric palette beyond PU. SS22 also sees the launch of Scuba, Rains' double knitted neoprene inspired fabric with PU coating. Scuba is mainly used on bags and delivers a finish that is soft and smooth with stretch. 

rains.com

WoodWatch Cactus Vegan Watch Straps, Neil Barrett X Penfield, Christopher Ræburn ST95, and Rains SS22 are featured in January 2022’s Coolest Stuff.