Mr "Marc" Hare had to date been known for his dressy smart shoes for dudes. But now the self-proclaimed "sneaker head" brings us his first proper "dress sneaker": the Vonnegut. He knows the turf better than anybody: before 2009, when he founded his own label, Hare worked as a consultant for brands from Nike to Dr. Martens. Like many New Balance/Cortez-loving chaps of a certain age, Hare has looked back to the post-Prefontaine era of the running shoe, for him the most romantic time in trainer history and design. But while the first Nike trainers were made with liquid rubber and a domestic waffle iron, this pure breed sneaker is made of Italian calfskin by Tuscan craftsmen.
oki-ni.com

Malcolm Mafara

Before Christopher Bailey there was Chris Bailey, and before Topman ruled the high street, there was Jigsaw Menswear. For many blokes now approaching their prime/40s, the name alone will cause a frisson of nostalgic excitement. Once upon a time, circa 1995, Jigsaw was the only "designer"-style British men's brand on the high street, with edgy designs and fancy fabrications. Almost 10 years after the men's line originally came to an end, it has now relaunched, with an all-new, if less overtly fashion-forward, collection of men's classics in stores and online this month. jigsaw-online.com

Malcolm Mafara

Last month, in Paris, the British Fashion Council officially announced the future of men's fashion shows in London. From June 15 -17 this year, and in every January and June thereafter, a new men-only fashion week will take place in the capital, featuring a roster selected by such luminaries as Tom Ford. The finer details were revealed at London Fashion Week last Wednesday by fellow London Collections panel member, and GQ editor, Dylan Jones. Savile Row tailors, heritage labels and the Brit brands who currently show their menswear overseas are all invited - suggesting that there may well be as much of an emphasis on the balance of trade and the power of tradition as there will be to new British designers.

Malcolm Mafara