This is a Mans World. Or so we're told.

Working predominantly with women's fashion and being a girl - respectively, I take a half hearted backseat when it comes to menswear. It's difficult sometimes to get oh-so-excited when I see new men's shirts, ties, cufflinks or least of all; trainers. 

-- Shudder --

This may be because I am extremely hedonistic, and selfish in the respect that when it comes to researching into menswear I find the most exciting part glancing at their faces rather than their attire. (Proven by the fact Viet and I had a quick 5 minute google of Jamie Dornan today. Needless to say it wasn't for his spectacular outfit choices - although kudos because the man has style.)

Anyway, Oki-Ni is different. It's fresh (seven years translates to more like 7 months in this industry), its cool and it's not trying to shove fashion in anyones face i.e. its boy friendly.

It stocks classic labels such as McQueen, Fred Perry, Adidas, Maison Martin Margiela, Jil Sander, Levis, and Nike but also nurtures "New Faces of Menswear" such as up and coming designers like Mr Hare, Lou Dalton, Christopher Shannon, Karoline Kling, Odeur and Martine Rose. So far so good.

                                                          

It's also recently launched it's "archive" which is dedicated to promoting and celebrating brand history. The whole company has nudged me in the right direction to realise how important menswear is becoming. Long gone are the days it was fine for men to grab a tee from Topman that every other Tom, DICK and Harry owned.  Get your man online. http://www.oki-ni.com/

You will not regret it.

Oh, and they're pretty big music fans. Selling vinyls (YEES), cds, audio equipment, apparel and what not.

check it.

Here are some old school pictures of Maison Martin Margiela and Fred Perry. Not the people. The bits and bobs...no not even the clothes. Just clarifying.

" It [MMM] just seemed so anti-fashion in a way, and wasn't taking itself too seriously like a lot of the bigger brands that people were into towards the end of the 90s. For me, less is more."  - 'C'

'C'


 
-------------- FRED PERRY (below)
 

The Face's first issue which featured Terry Hall from The Specials wearing a black b-neck Fred Perry knit.