Veja Project Numero Deux

Veja created their brand based around ecological products that utilize the skills of existing trades in Brazil offering them fairtrade working cooperatives without compromising on style. Until now, its been all about footwear, but they now have a collection of luggage and the Acacia bag is now stocked in our online store.

Veja's ethos revolves around their dedication to fair trade cooperatives, and nothing changes here. The Acacia bag is named after the extract used to tan the leathers which is a natural, and non-polluting tannin. The lining and canvas are made from organic cotton grown by a cooperative of producers in the Northeastern region of Brazil, using a method that opposes and bans the use of chemicals of pesticides. These materials are then hand-crafted in an atelier that focuses on worker's rights into the great product we receive.

Countdown to Violence

Our collection from Nom de Guerre this year can be described as nothing more than refined, but its beautiful in its simplicity. Its great to see the boys have pushed their production back to Japan, this time utilising some great Japanese cottons and lovely brushed wool in their shirting, outerwear and legwear. The same influences are still ever present, a strong military aesthetic dominates the collection, but everything has taken a step back and let it be appreciated for what it is... no epaulettes or unnecessary detailing meaning the focus is purely on material and quality of production. The pieces, despite military references, will sit happily alongside anything else in your wardrobe. I must say, the chinos can only be described as the mutt's nuts of trousers; heavyweight, robust and classic fit. Hats off to the guys on this one, they've hit the nail on the head.

I've already sung the praises of Our Legacy numerous times both here and on our blog, and I'm not sure if its just the honeymoon period still being our first collection with them, but its like they knew exactly what was missing from my (very limited) wardrobe before I did. We just received a few more pieces (with a couple more to go) from them and they're bulking out what is set to be one of the collections of the season. A grey lambswool three pocket cardigan formed like a relaxed jacket, a brushed wool hunting shirt in red, grey and indigo and a fine gauge U Lap Neck sweater in olive fine Italian cotton. They'll be going live this week, so keep your eyes open for those.

A few problems with our website

Anybody who has tried to access our site over the past few days will no doubt have noticed that we have been bitten by the Bank Holiday Jinx! We have had some problems with our hosting over the weekend meaning that the website and our emails have been down, so firstly, we would like to apologize if anybody has had trouble with their purchases or with contacting us. We are working to get it resolved as quickly as we can so please just hold tight for a little while longer.

If you want to contact us before the issues are resolved, just call us on (+44) 0114 272 3482 and we can organise payments over the phone.

We will be open from 10.00 tomorrow morning. Otherwise, sign up to our newsletter for a discount code running until Friday.

Autumn Winter is looming

First things first, we have just added a new competition to our page. Sign up to our newsletter and be in with the chance of winning a Passarella Death Squad tee shirt of your choice! Its not too much to ask, and we've just taken a couple of styles hot off the press. Manufactured and screenprinted here in Blighty using organic Japanese cotton, there are few brands out there doing it better so get involved!

Now... we've had postmen rattling at our door every morning for the past week or so and the shop is starting to resemble a Rachel Whiteread exhibition. However, we're slowly starting to dismantle the piles, and we're getting more and more excited every time. So far, we've barely scratched the surface, but the first drops from Our Legacy, Libertine Libertine, YMC, Filippa K and Eastpak are looking great.

Its our first season with Our Legacy and so far, they've only teased us with four items, but boy have they hit the right buttons. Landing online this week will be their beautiful Waxed Cotton Parka, Round Neck Knit in Zinc, a Placket Button Down Shirt in charcoal grey and the infamous Great Sweat in a Black Reverse Twill. Plus, don't forget the interview with them in Issue 2 of Inventory Magazine.

As well as our first season with Our Legacy, fellow Scandinavians Libertine Libertine have joined us and is sure to be a big hit this Autumn Winter. With their trademark Howl shirt in Port Royal check and light black cord, as well as navy blue Count Chinos with harlequin patterned taping, their collections are free and effortless with a tight grasp on masculinity. With Libertine Libertine, it really is all in the details, just see for yourself.

Ideology veterans YMC have been with us since the start, and despite having a strong portfolio of products behind them, they're still blowing us away with their collections. We've taken a delivery of the updated Nylon Parka in Brown, a blue Bib Front Henley, Flannel Stripe shirts and a couple of scarves (Fairisle and Cable) so keep your eyes peeled on our online store this week for their arrival into cyber space.

Last but by no means least, we'll be adding Eastpak to our list of brands with a delivery of some reworks of their classic rucksacks and pieces from their heritage rusksack line.

Keep your eyes peeled next week for another Noel Edmund's style unveiling.

Ideology

A/W2010 additions

For anybody who doesn't follow our blog, here is a quick rundown of some additions we're making to our current brands list. We've got collections from modern classic-Swedish boys Our Legacy, Danish fisherman knits from SNS. Herning, an exclusive Made in England collection from one of our favourite up and coming brands SEH. Kelly, luggage from the every brilliant Ally Capellino and a collective we just couldn't resist, Libertine Libertine.

Our Legacy AW10

Acne Jeans

A look at the jeans we're stocking from Acne this season. Sticking to their classic cuts and some exciting washes from the twelve year old Acne archive, the collection of jeans showcases great Japanese denim and the fantastic detailing that has made Acne such a widely recognised and sought after brand.

Some new arrivals

Firstly, we have pretty much replenished our stock of A.P.C, Nom de Guerre, Acne, Filippa K and YMC. We're still waiting on a few bits and pieces but we'll be sure to keep you updated as soon as they arrive.  We also have the arrival of Cheap Monday in store (jeans, tees and button downs) and they're looking great.

We had a bit denim drop from A.P.C too, so as well as this season's chino, we're also carrying quite a few pairs of New Standard and New Cures but they're selling so quickly so if you're in the market for a pair, be quick!

There is also going to be a competition running to everybody on our newsletter over the nextcouple of weeks with the opportunity to win a cheeky discount code and a free copy of Inventory magazine so keep your eyes peeled over the next week or so and make sure you're on our mailing list!

Ideology voted in Esquire's top five menswear stores

Firstly, a very happy New Year to everybody and thank you to everybody that helped make 2009 so enjoyable.

Last year was good fun with a fair share of hard work to get to where we are today, but we see this only as the beginning. It was an extremely busy year for us with the launch of our new online store, the expansion of our brands and the organisation of a few new projects for the New Year here at our Sheffield HQ. We have enjoyed nothing more than building a clientele that share the same feelings as we do: the appreciation of stylish and quality crafted clothing. We plan to keep on acquiring brands that sit at the forefront of contemporary menswear, drawing from the past but constantly looking to the future and we hope you'll stay with us through 2010 and further.

Thank you everybody who got onto Twitter, and voted in Esquire's best independent menswear retailers. As such a young store, its a great way for us to start the new year, to be sitting in the five stores selected. We can't wait to continuously improve the store, our stock and our service.

We hope the snow hasn't halted anybody's fast start to the new year, but we're back in store and the sale is still running in store and online so grab a bargain whilst stocks last.

Regards

Max and Lee

Veja: organic sneakers

These guys feel that the era of good will and nice speeches is over and now is an era of action over intentions from which Veja has created a global chain that emphasizes solidarity and environment from the small producers in Brazil to the public.

Their organic sneakers are dropping in store on Friday 11th and will be online as soon as possible. Keep your eyes peeled. For now, kick back and enjoy a video that explains Veja's key principles.