The Meeting of Two American Dreamers
“Tommy used to have my whole wall. but as it went in to production it shrank. It started with ten styles, twelve colours and all manner of different leather options. There wasn’t a brief. the styles just evolved out of our conversations. We looked at what Tommy does, he does preppy Americana and we explored what we liked and it reduced down to a brogue and a loafer. It was then about making preppy but adding the soul of rock and roll, a little bit rebellious. For example, the perforation on the toe is a really cool design process that mimics the signature plaid pattern of Tommy Hilfiger,” adds Esquivel as an interested, ever analytical eye is focussed in on one his experts applying the described touch to the toe of a brogue. His love of the craft is both obvious and infectious.
Having first roamed onto Hilfiger’s radar as a Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund finalist in 2009, Equivel was one of ten designers included in an “Americans in Paris” showcase sponsored by Vogue and Tommy Hilfiger 2011 and a friendship blossomed. They are two kindred spirits, each dedicated to their own craft within Americana. Whilst Tommy Hilfiger is a sartorial star bangled banner gently blowing outside the college of preppy, Esquivel’s carefully crafted shoes are inherently Californian, rebellious and a little rock ‘n roll. It makes for a happy marriage. “He adds a fresh take to timeless pieces. His designs use unique details that give classics an updated look,” Hilfiger declares of Esquivel. “Tommy calls it the twist. We’ve both been transforming the familiar into the exciting in our way for years but it’s been fun putting our heads together,” adds Esquivel. Every pair is hand-crafted by skilled workers, adding unique and distinctive elements to the styles whilst each is assigned a one-of-a-kind shoe number that’s hand-written on the shoe and its hangtag to make these objects of desire even more desirable. Ten weeks after our visit to the workshop and as their collaboration hits stores global wide, Tommy Hilfiger and George Esquivel sent through my own limited edition brogue.
Delighting in the duality of new and old, expected and unexpected, traditional and modern, the two complimentary world’s collide beautifully in a collaboration that sees two prepster staples re-imagined. With antiqued washed leathers, hand punched perforations and contrasting hues, both the humble brogue and loafer are elevated to new heights. The Tommy Hilfiger + Esquivel logo has been burned into the leather using a hot branding iron. Soles and heels are polished individually using layers of polishes and creams. The results are unique but elegant, whimsical yet sophisticated.

Beautiful Image
Treasured items… Kit Neale
Kit Neale and the buffalo stance
Nicomede Talavera SS14
Looking through the Andy Malone shot look book alongside my own detail shots once again and having inspected the quality of the garments first hand, it is remarkable that this is Nicomede Talavera’s first full collection. There’s no limit to how far this talent can go. As ever, his own Van clad feet are fixed firmly to the ground. “I’m looking to grow the label naturally, not to force it in the market before we’re ready. For this season, we’re hoping to secure two exclusive clothing stockists, one London based and one in Asia,” he declares. I’m in no doubt that he’ll do that and more.
Details… Miller’s Message
COMMON SS14
Throughout Let The Games Begin, Hedlund and Bakir balance their modern, sartorial elegance with sportswear fused and and technical focused elements. Muted minimalism is matched with vibrancy, simple lines with complex geometric shapes. Delve deeper into this season’s duality with the Patrick Lindblom shot look book (just previewed on Highsnobiety)…


Look book shot by Patrick Lindblom courtesy of Highsnobiety
———-
Ceramics
Oh ceramics! Smashing!
Indeed.
Although I have to say I’m a little surprised you are starting this column new themes in contemporary art column with ceramics.
Oh really?
Yes! I was expecting Internet stuff. Fluorescent GIFs and Vine videos. Slimy animations of gunge? Gradients!
No, none of that. Well, not for the moment anyway.
Okay. Let’s hear it then. What is so contemporary about ceramics?
Well, several artist…
Competition – Win A Selection of Racing Green Clothing!
Introduction Following the overwhelming success of our brand breakdown on Racing Green last year, we now have some exciting news for all our FashionBeans readers – we have a selection of items to giveaway in a competition this month! We…
Artist Designs Glow in the Dark Harry Potter Books with Pop-Up Illustrations
Art student Kincső Nagy designed an amazing glow in the dark version of the Harry Potter books, complete with interactive illustrations throughout. The Hungarian designer created simple covers for each book in the series, and the laser-cut illustrations come to life once the lights go out. Inside, readers will find illustrations that pop-up, fold out or open and close. The project was completed as part of her art degree. You can see details of the book below.
[via Behance]
If you enjoyed this post, the Sifter
highly recommends: