Swatch Irony - The Best Bang For Buck In Watches - In My Opinion

Swatch Irony - The Best Bang For Buck In Watches - In My Opinion

I love Swatches. I love Swatch as a company. But for a while there I lost touch with the brand until I discovered Swatch Irony. They are so slim and easy to wear and for the money, the best bang for buck watch I know of. As we head towards Christmas and many of us are tightening our belts and at the same time, for myself anyway, not wanting to look too showy in that department, I have been wearing them in favour of my other watches - you know which kind I am referring to. But what is more, at around $240.00 AUD they are at a price point that I no longer worry about where I left it or if it is insured. I will still run around like crazy looking for it if I lose it, but it won't take up as much of my mental space. If you are looking for a watch you can knock around with which is exceptionally elegant and practical, consider a Swatch for Christmas either for yourself or for you loved on. You can buy them here.
Nicholas Atgemis
CUSTOM MADE FRENCH LINEN SHEETS

CUSTOM MADE FRENCH LINEN SHEETS

The new French linen sheet service has just been uploaded too. We are working with Ginger Dream to offer our customers custom made sheets embroidered with your own details - we just need to know what you want on your sheets when you check out. The maxium size of embroidery is approximately 20 x 15cm. 
Nicholas Atgemis
Crazy Rich Australians

Crazy Rich Australians

Yesterday I was moving stuff around my studio when I saw an old copy of GQ magazine and I only keep the copies where we are mentioned. I opened it up and I found this article which was on the two friends from school who started a computer software company that's been so successful that nobody can make a decision in our fair country now without asking them their opinion. Energy, finance, technology, science, government debt, covid - they seem to be the go to guys with all the answers. In fact, I feel sorry for them. I could not think of anything worse than having to shoulder all that responsibility and field calls from every journalist looking for a quip. I just hope they have built themselves some zen room in their houses that shuts out absolutely every sound and visual with a sentinel on the outside just so that nobody can get to them for meditation time.
Nicholas Atgemis
Could The Kevin Durant Shoe KD13 Be The Next Air Jordan?

Could The Kevin Durant Shoe KD13 Be The Next Air Jordan?

All this leads me to telling you about the Kevin Durant KD13 shoe I was shown the other day by a friend. They seemed to be a wonderful segue from the Jordan range, a really charming shoe that I hope has a strong life. And I hope that Nike pushes other lines of their shoes, especially in basketball, to experiment with new distinctive materials that have no reference to the Jordan. There is something about buying into a new story that is always exciting. The good thing about Nike is that they are probably already ten steps ahead and have thought this out themselves. I was so impressed with the company after watching the Tinker Hatfield episode on the exceptional series ABSTRACT on Netflix.
Nicholas Atgemis
First Off The Bench

First Off The Bench

This wonderful cushion came to life this morning after the first cut yesterday afternoon. Featuring a cheetah in the jungle, it is an excellent piece of work and we will only be able to complete two cushions in this fabric. It has been reversed with Scottish cashmere in a complimentary spliced panel of grey and yellow. I would say there is nothing quite like it in the world, and I am going to spend the afternoon searching the web to see if I am wrong. Don't miss the new printed velvets. 
Nicholas Atgemis
A New Shape I Will Work On - Jumbo Jumbo

A New Shape I Will Work On - Jumbo Jumbo

Only John Lennon could really pull it off the way he did but it doesn't mean someone else couldn't have a nudge. I will begin working on this pattern this week. It's a jumbo jumbo butterfly. I mean, it's huge! But it has panache and a certain appeal if one is going for a completely unique way to do penguin. Keep an eye out.
Nicholas Atgemis
New Printed Velvets Coming

New Printed Velvets Coming

Unfortunately I won't be getting to handle any of the silk before it departs Europe this year so increasingly I am relying on contacts in Italy and the UK to touch and feel it for me before it gets sent. Accordingly, until it reaches the Studio it's really hard to tell what it's best use will be. Cushions, most likely, for the most recent printed velvets, but if it's possible, they will become bow ties and eye shades too. It really all depends on the size of the repeat. 

We are still having set backs on many of the new lines we were working on. Our boardshorts are not due in until November now but at the same time, we have at least taken possession of all of our Johnston's of Elgin order and the bulk of our Begg X Co stock. 

Keep an eye our next week for this beautiful printed velvet which will, fingers crossed, be coming in with four other designs which are perhaps not as enticing but equally as brilliant.

Nicholas Atgemis
Oh The Places You Won't Go - One Of The Best Memes Of 2020

Oh The Places You Won't Go - One Of The Best Memes Of 2020

If you happened to see this on our Instagram (@lenoeudpapillon ) earlier this year, you will now probably see it as even more poignant considering they are saying at the moment that our borders probably won't be open until late 2021. What a year! What a year! And this meme must go down as one of 2020's best.
Nicholas Atgemis
Ginger Dream French Linen Sheets

Ginger Dream French Linen Sheets

One of the ladies that was taught how to cut eye shades last week in the Studio said in passing to me that she had her own brand of sheets in Australia which piqued my interest because one thing I really do love it a comfortable be with great sheets. Finding good French linen sheets in Sydney is difficult. They are either not pure linen, often a linen cotton mix, or they are not French, or they are not in the colour you want them (cream or white is my preference). So it was very refreshing to know that her company, Ginger Dream, not only had them in stock, but that she could custom finish them with embroidery. I didn't miss the chance to get her to custom make some for me and I highly recommend having a look at her Instagram on @GingerDream.AU . The resulting sheets were great quality, pure linen and finished an embroidery that hopefully means they will never get lost at the laundromat. 
Nicholas Atgemis
Carlo Riva Silk Shirting And A Light Caramel Suit By The Bespoke Corner

Carlo Riva Silk Shirting And A Light Caramel Suit By The Bespoke Corner

As it comes into summer I highly recommend not giving into Covid (as I have done for most of this year) and dressing like a slob. I have tried of recent to lift my game on the weekends to make use of all that time and resources that I have spent on writing about menswear and tailoring. Specifically last weekend I dusted off a light caramel wide notched lapel suit by The Bespoke Corner which was made using Sterling Cloth's serge wool. I love a good suit and it really does make a difference with how people respond to you. It's uplifting. And frankly, anything which brings a bit more energy and positivity to a room right now is a good thing.
Nicholas Atgemis
Some Comic Relief Is In Order

Some Comic Relief Is In Order

I have been watching events around the world unfold and I am going to have to try my best to stop picking up my phone or iPad because it just seems like everywhere you look there's nothing particularly wonderful happening. North Korea is flexing it's muscles, an Oompa Loompa is running the United States and Australia is raising so much debt we will soon need one of those debt clocks in our financial district to remind ourselves just how much this is all costing us.

I have always found that one thing that really takes your mind of it is very good comedy. The Farelly brothers have made some of my favourite comedies - Dumb And Dumber, Hall Pass, There's Something About Mary - these were my go to movies when I just wanted to be entertained and switch off from the world. They are up there with my favourite comedy of all time, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and my other favourite comedy, Some Like It Hot.

Nicholas Atgemis
To Our American Customers

To Our American Customers

There are a few things I have come to love about your country. I will tell you what they are. Bruce Springsteen. That's for sure. You may as well start working out where you are going to put his statue in Washington DC from now. Secondly, your Star Spangled Banner, because the defence of Fort Henry shows the true grit and spirit of your country when it unites for one cause. Thirdly, Marvin Gaye - because he sings it in a way that touches you in a way only angels could.
Nicholas Atgemis