Nautica Spring 2009

The ever-stable menswear company Nautica has acquired a new design and creative director with Chris Cox. His long expousure in the industry spans with stints at Victorinox Swiss Army and before that working with Tommy Hilfiger. As for his first collection for Nautica it seems quite on track with what we would expect from this sailing inspired company.

With markets in retail suffering losses Mr.Cox has delivered a collection worth the investment with a line true to the Nautica standard. The line ranges from swimwear to more tailored suits and Hampton style relaxed pieces. More information on Nautica can be found at www.nautica.com

Oumlil Spring 2009

The menswear design house of Oumlil sent us a press book of their Spring 2009 looks and needless to say we are very impressed with what we saw as we flipped through their look book. Hisham Oumlil a designer who hails from Cassablanca Morocco and is a new addition to the menswear scene. Unlike other menswear designers who either have no concept of who their customer is or are playing it safe with repetitive collections Mr. Oumlil has a vision and a design direction which makes men look just plain sharp!

The Spring offering is a collection of metallic which is still a forceful trend and soft colored relaxed looks. There are a few nods to the 1980's ( a decade we grew up in)which brings us back to that shift in fashion when designers broke away from the 70's with better tailored pieces. We love his range of suits and they seem to be cut well with slight design changes which break them apart of more traditional suiting. As for his separates, they are playful and offer a limited color range, a smart decision in our opinion for a relatively new designer. Yet we find another menswear designer who is on a path to potential greatness. For more information on this emerging designer www.oumlil.com

Dooney & Bourke Spring 2009

Smart companies in the retail sector have seen what is going on regarding the global economy and have adjusted their lines to survive the tough times ahead. Dooney & Bourke has trimmed their offering for spring and is showcasing only the best for their customer. The classic alto bag is still in production and is one of the best sellers for the company. As well the company has reverted to a more classic logo for the bag line utilizing a script font which adds more class and sophistication than the more recognized "DB" logo on some of the bags. We did not see any experimental designs for the spring line which indicates to us that Dooney has their ear to the retail ground and is ready for whatever might come their way. For more information on the line please visit www.dooney.com

Fratelli Rossetti Spring 2009

The Fratelli Rossetti line for spring shows the vast expansion of their ladies shoe line with bags to match for the coming season. Stacked wood heels dominate the shoes and the variety is sure to accommodate ladies to fit different styles. A new concept also has been introduced regarding the finish of some pieces which is "high shine". The leather is polished to the point of having a patent leather look. We had inquired if the finish would retain it's look and the company stated it will. The Spring line is elegant, sexy and sophisticated and is sure to make a statement. For more information please visit www.fratellirossetti.com

Jane Marvel Wallets

It's quite obvious that everybody is tightening their wallet's in today's economy but if your looking for a new wallet Jane Marvel has the solution! Her new line of wallets retail for just $50.00 and they are built to withstand tough time either economic or personal. Made from laminated canvas the wallet has three separate compartments and zip around style, as well it's eco-friendly and it's water resistant. The final bonus is that there are twelve different prints to choose from, what more could a woman want! At $50.00 your prone to buy more than just one. For more information on Jane's entire collection www.janemarvel.com

Isabella Oliver Maternity

Motherhood can be a magical time for women but choosing clothing can be another issue all together. Isabella Oliver has solved this problem with a vast selection for mothers-to be. The line is stylish and price point practical. The line ranges from easy weekend looks to more stylish red carpet styles. This company has gone a few steps further regarding their customers with an advice section on their website. Let's face it being a mother to be is hard enough so it's nice to see that Isabella Oliver takes the guess work out of putting together a great look and it's the nicest line we have seen regarding maternity clothing. For more information on the line can be found at www.isabellaoliver.com

John Lobb 2009 Shoes

Quality and craftsmanship always reigns supreme at John Lobb and their 2009 line for men upholds the standard of delivering quality handmade shoes for the style conscious. Two new additions we saw where there leather sandals and their crocodile line which is made from real crocodile which has been acquired from Australia. The price point for the shoes are around $7,500.00 but according to John Lobb executives the skins are very rare and are of the highest quality, thusly demanding this price. Granted John Lobb might not be for everybody but for the very best in shoes this is the pinnacle of style. More information can be found at www.johnlobb.com