Shoe Crush: Valentim by Armando Cabral

I have a strong sense of what works for me and what I am happy with. I can’t quite explain it but I know when I have a product in the flesh that looks and feels right. Every so often though a product comes along that blows me away. Something that I was not necessarily looking for, but, that becomes an obsession. The latest is the Valentim, by model and designer Armando Cabral

Armando hated it when Kalaf outsmarted him.

But when Armano turned it up a notch… Ahh yeeeah!

You may recognise Armando from his many advertising campaigns, particularly J. Crew and GQ. The man himself hails from Lisbon, Portugal and has a real passion for quality, crafted products stemming from his mother’s influence as a tailor. And it shows in his collection. You also get the sense of travel with several shoes reflecting several influences from around the globe, all executed with Cabral’s own style.

Papel Buffalo Woven Shoe in Leather and Canvas

Hula Calf Skin Leather Espadrille & Verela Calf Skin Leather Sandal

Tombali Deer Leather Brogue and Caio Buffalo Leather Derby Shoe

Fernando Burnished Suede and Coated Twill Sneakers

High Shine Chelsea Boot

High Shine Derby Shoe in Burgundy Leather

The shoe that caught my eye was the Valentim. Available in a highly polished, burgundy leather and a slightly distressed brown suede this tasseled loafer oozes craftsmanship and style. The detail that particularly caught my eye was the contours of the toe cap. He has captured this just right in my opinion. Not too squared and rectangular and not to a clown-esque point either. This elevates the shoe immensely in the most subtle of ways. If that makes sense! Basically the discerning eye will recognise the quality, it won’t mash up your toes and it will suit both formal and casual attire with relative ease.

High Shine Burgundy Leather Valentim Shoe

Distressed Suede Valentim Shoe

Gorgeous Detailing And Craftsmanship

Already on his 5th collection and having expanded into a Womenswear line there seems to be no stopping Armando’s rise as a reputable shoe maker with an excellent eye for detail. Understandably nervous at his initial launch, the shoe line was snapped up by the likes of Dover Street Market and is now available at Mr Porter. Please don’t buy up all the size 7‘s. I’m saving hard for these!

Style Edit: Fringe Tongue Shoe

I appreciate a good shoe. For a good shoe can add a whole new dynamic to an outfit. a good shoe can define an outfit, becoming the focal piece or crowning glory.

A mans shoe definitely says a lot about a him. His style of shoe, the level of detail, the shape can all indicate their likes or dislikes, their attitude to fashion, their identity, all without saying a word.

In this post I put forward my shoe obsession of late: the fringe tongue shoe. Seen more on loafers and driving shoes in the past this is now a detail I have seen more frequently to add a new aesthetic to more traditional shoes and features on my current lust list in the form of Church’s Shanghai shoe.

Wooyoungmi x Alfred Sargent Fringe Detail Boot

Grenson Lawrence Fringe Shoes

Car Shoe Fringe Tongue Driving Shoe

Prada Multi Colour Saddle Shoe

My Beloved Church’s Shanghai Shoe

Barbanera Fringe Detail Shoe

ASOS Monk Strap with Fringe Detail Shoe

Roland Sturlini Suede Fringe Loafer

What do you think? Which is your favourite?

New Fragrance: Gucci Made to Measure

Sitting astride the majority of the high fashion industry players Gucci, having dressed the best for over 9 decades now, know a thing or two about making a man look his best. Beyond his best even! The fashion house are certainly not afraid to embrace luxuriant materials expertly tailoring and manipulating them to achieve unmatched finishes. But now it seems, Not content with having you look your best, Gucci ‘seam’ingly wish to have you smell your best with heir new signature fragrance – Made To Measure.

Straight out the box – Which I ripped slightly!

The bottle is every bit as striking as their bespoke couture, weighty denoting quality and expense. It continues in the same vein as Gucci Première, and Gucci sport with the Gucci signature Horsebit icon a feature on the bottle cap in an opulent brushed gold signifying a regal status.

Majestic brushed gold metal

The fragrance itself is gorgeous with exotic overtones such as Sri Lankan nutmeg and Indonesian patchouli which apparently has become a staple element in all Gucci scents. It has been put together well much like the bespoke suiting the brand are legendary for. It works with the warmth of the skin to enhance the fragrance further. It complements a whole range of looks too. From smart to smart casual to effortlessly cool. It can be both formal and sartorial as well as street style-esque

Elevates your sartorial style

Now I am by no means. A cologne expert but I know what I like and this is right up there with Gucci Guilty for me. It’s become the fragrance of my 2013 summer and is already attached to several memorable occasions. It gets a 33 Boroughs 2 thumbs up!

Fragrance of the summer?