Maison Kitsuné Opens Second Parisian Boutique

French label Maison Kitsuné opened their trendy café earlier this year, and now has their second Paris address on the renowned Rue Madame on the Rive Gauche. The new boutique is airy and light with a gentle ambiance generated by the use of beige and powder pink tones on both the walls and the floors.

The concept of the space is half living room and half boutique. These home-inspired elements make the boutique and welcoming space with a friendly atmosphere. As do all Maison Kitsuné spaces, the new boutique unites the worlds of music and fashion. 

With the opening of the new store came the debut of the Madame Capsule Collection which was specifically designed for the label's second boutique in Paris. The Capsule collection was created by Gildas Loaec and Masaya Kuroki, co-founders and creative directors. The collection includes an assortment of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags. The collection uses tones of powder pink and mid-grey which echo the pastel tones of the boutique. The collection is available exclusively at the 38 Rue Madame Store.

Images: Maison Kitsuné

Interview with Criquet Shirt Founders

It is always great to discover new brands and support small companies. Criquet Shirts is a company founded in Austin, TX that crafts golf shirts from organic fabrics. The inspiration is rooted to their all-boys school days in New York City where they were forced to wear collared shirts. On the quest to make the perfect, sustainable polo, Criquet Shirts was born by Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown.

I was able to ask the founders a few questions about their start and inspiration:


LTPG: Could you talk more about your coming together to form the brand? While architecture and creativity were 2 different interests, was business a common interest? 

 Criquet Shirts: Our biggest common interest has always been a similar taste and respect for classic style. We knew since a young age that we wanted to start a business together but needed to find that perfect venture. In the end, it was really our complimentary skill sets that made it work. I had business school and previous start-up experience, while Billy was trained in a design as an architect.

 LTPG: Is your preppy style influenced by your experience in Prep School in NYC or were there other factors, such as favorite vacation spots? 

 Criquet Shirts: We have both been greatly influenced by our fathers, dapper men that have always known how to dress up or down without effort. Our Dads spent most of their adult lives in suits, but on weekends, could look just as put together in their vintage Lactoses and short shorts. Our experience at Hotchkiss, which also happened to be both our fathers; alma mater, fine tuned this classic look, which we have carried on and reinterpreted throughout various stages in our lives.

 LTPG: What was your biggest motivating factor for sourcing organic cotton for use in your products? 

Criquet Shirts: We chose to use organic cotton in our products for several reasons, not least of all a desire to do things the right way. Organic cotton not only feels better and wears better, but is safer for the environment and people who work the fields. We look up to brands like Patagonia that have made it a mission to live by these standards. We ultimately hope to create a brand that could be considered Patagonia’s brother— the brother that prefers the golf course to the highest peaks and the bar stool to the bivouac.

 LTPG: Who is the quintessential “Criquet Shirt” man? 

 Criquet Shirts: The Criquet man is a man of style and substance, a man who walks 36 and operates on global time. He takes care of business. He is no stranger to high ideals and is ready for anything, from snakes and calamities to Kardashians. The Criquet man spends his days on the green, more for the camaraderie than competition. He mixes up mean cocktails with the grace of a wizened saloon owner and knocks back beers with heroic gusto. He appreciates the good things in life, especially a fine shirt. Simply put, the Criquet man gives a damn.

I was truly impressed with the quality of the fabrication of the shirts. The cotton is super soft and feels great against the skin. Additionally, the attention to detail was great from the stitching along the pocket and placket to the collar stays under the collar....truly a great golf shirt! The whimsical touches like the drink recommendation for sustainable living on the tag was a great addition as well.

Shop the full assortment of products at Criquet Shirts

Transitioning

It might still be summer by the books (until September 22) but a lot of us are getting anxious for fall and making the transition from summer wardrobing to fall wardrobing. With the weather still feeling quite like summer, it can be hard to make the transition.

Transitioning into fall can be easy by incorporating some fall patterns or colors while still utilizing summer staples. I paired this madras sport coat by Ralph Lauren with kelly green summer weight chinos. To add a little more of a transitional feel, I paired the look with a navy polo versus a summer white or brighter, orange polo for example.

Look is still bright and preppy, but screams neither summer nor fall. The look was easily accessorized with an equestrian inspired belt by Knot Belt Co and classic brown loafer.

How are you incorporating elements of fall wardrobing into your daily outfits?

Jack Spade Spring 2015 Presentation

Fashion week is underway in New York for spring collections. A favorite here at Life Through Preppy Glasses, Jack Spade, recently debuted their spring 2015 collection dubbed "urban utility."

This collection drawers inspiration from minimalist painter Josef Albers who was an expert in the way color and the use of color can lend itself to sophistication. Pattern and placement can create a whole that is greater than its part.

In addition, one can see the mix of sport and American sportswear. The streets of New York are filled with outfits that are centered around mixing street wear with work clothes, whether this be a blazer over a sweatshirt or paired with a track pant. This trend is continued in the Jack Spade spring 2015 collection, lending the name "urban utility."

Below are a selection of my favorite looks from the collection:

Photos: Jack Spade