The Details: Louis Vuitton's Leather Coat

A great leather coat is always a hot commodity. Needless to say we'll easily agree anything Louis Vuitton is spectacular.
Last season I was all about this mountaineering-inspired backpack - perhaps because I liked its sense of purpose (there's a lot to be said for practical fashion). So it's no coincidence that everything remained so right about Vuitton's Spring 2014 presentation. 

For starters everyone was going somewhere. Each look meant business. Each outfit resonated - for all the right reasons. Inspired by the iconic retro-American road trip, it became natural to follow a progression along Route 66. I could go on and on (and on...) about the impeccable tailoring, metallic lace-ups, tan bags etc etc - but I won't. It's simple. I just love the back panel of this leather coat - and not just because it reminds me of a Mid-West line dance. What really got me was its history. The iconic 'V' first featured on Gaston Louis Vuitton's personal attaché from 1901. That's right, this leather coat is the ultimate heritage-inspired flashback, and that's worth mentioning. 

To discover more Louis Vuitton click here. Watch the entire show below.

Essential Tools: Hermès Ulysse Leather Notebook

I think we can agree that anything Hermès is worth writing about. I mean luxury is always worth writing about, non?

But let's contextualize. At this stage I'd say it's best to re-cap how Hermès effortlessly evokes feelings escapism and endless travel. Voyages of the imagination - remember how much you loved riding a bike on Lake Como? - That's right dear reader, a lot. On some rare occasions pure escapism can actually meet good old practicalities. This is such an occasion. 

The point is Hermès makes an exceptional notebook, the Ulysse (available in two sizes). So exceptional you'll force yourself to use your very best cursive (and even that won't be good enough). My Ulysse notebook came in Gold Taurillon Clemence leather and unsurprisingly is beyond perfection. The suppleness and grain of the leather is unlike any other. The whole thing just makes you want to write something noteworthy, no, Hermès-worthy.

*For more information and to purchase, vist the Hermès e-boutique by clicking here.

Leathery Love: Alexander Wang

I'd say leather pants have come a long way since Ross wore a pair on an episode of Friends. That is to say, I hope so.
Over the past few seasons we have seen a progressive rise in leather trouser-power. There was Acne, Bottega Venetta, Hermès (swoon), and of course Versace (didn't Donatella basically invent them?). But in terms of RLM (Real Life Menswear), the leather trouser thing is akin to seeing a wild Javan Rhino - essentially it's rare.

Unlike most people I know, I continue to credit Kanye West with a few great things: 1. writing The College Dropout - easily one of the best hip hop albums ever; 2. forcing Kim Kardashian to refrain from wearing bandage dresses; and 3. wearing leather pants day-in day-out for almost a year. I don't know if Kanye perpetuated the trend per se, but I will say his continued efforts in the leather-pants-department demonstrates their wearability to real men - so that's something.

Bearing all of the above in mind, a shopping excursion late last year had me trying on my very first pair of leather pants by Alexander Wang. Although originally intended for women, the fit was perfect (something I never argue with) - the feeling was mutual. To break-it down, the black stretch jersey provides comfort while the soft panels of lambs leather give fantastic structure. So maybe I should be grateful to the pioneering efforts of Ross Geller after all. Not for getting it right or wrong, but for planting the leather-pants seed in my sartorial sub-conscience. 

Alexander Atkins, wearing Alexander Wang leather pants and a Dries van Noten sweater, photographed by Sabrina Reddy in New York City.




*Wearing T by Alexander Wang leather pants, Dries van Noten sweatshirt and cashmere beanie by Rick Owens.