As the footwear equivalent of a BIG MAC from a MICHELIN-star chef, this week CONVERSE launches a hand-made sports shoe in collaboration with RYUSAKU HIRUMA, a.k.a SAK, a very friendly Japanese gentleman who lives and works as a traditional shoemaker in Florence. He makes all his shoes totally by himself; he’s a manic perfectionist who can’t stand mistakes or flaws, not by himself let alone by an intern or assistant. “Indeed, quite a few shoes end up in the garbage bin,” he said a few weeks ago during a visit to his studio in Florence. The two styles he has made for CONVERSE, the ONE STAR 74 and the JACK PURCELL, do look really nice, and come packed in equally nice wrapping paper and handmade cardboard box, also produced by SAK. The shoemaker confessed that all this hasn’t left him with much time to enjoy his hobby: race cycling in the Tuscan hills.
THE DAILY RECOMMENDATIONS
A NEW HAND-MADE SPORTS SHOE
NINE JULY, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN
(Photographs by JOHN VERDE for FANTASTIC MAN; click on the picture above for more images of the shoes and a portrait of Mr. SAK. The limited-edition shoes go for €499 a pair and can be obtained at 14 OZ (Berlin), DOVER STREET MARKET (London), L'ECLAIREUR (Paris), DENHAM (Amsterdam), CONCEPTS (Cambridge), BLENDS (CA), SAKS FIFTH AVENUE (NY), CONVERSE SPECIALTY STORE (Boston) at at CANVAS (Malibu).)
THE MAGAZINE
THE MAGAZINE
N° 14
AUTUMN & WINTER 2011
The new, 14th issue of FANTASTIC MAN features the phenomenal fashion designer Mr. RAF SIMONS on the cover. Photographed at his home in Antwerp, RAF is seen wearing select pieces by RAF SIMONS and JIL SANDER – both brands he designs for. Other interesting men profiled in this issue include: the fabulous magician Mr. DAVID COPPERFIELD, the interior-decorator extraordinaire Mr. RICKY CLIFTON and the hailed London-based chef Mr. YOTAM OTTOLENGHI. Furthermore, FANTASTIC MAN explores new grounds in CHINA through a 37-page fashion reportage inspired by the stylistic characteristics of the men of Beijing. The remainder of the 268-page issue is full of absorbing stories, photographs of some gloriously useless PAPERWEIGHTS, style investigations, tips and tricks for the upcoming Autumn and Winter seasons, and a delightful new format in which we have conducted insightful conversations with three gentlemen of note: KIM JONES, DIRK SCHÖNBERGER and JOHNNY MARR, the famed guitarist of THE SMITHS. This new section is aptly titled ‘THE CONVERSATIONS’. Order now
FANTASTIC EVENTS
A REVISIT OF FABULOUS EVENINGS HOSTED BY FANTASTIC MAN
Periodically, FANTASTIC MAN hosts a marvellous dinner, proper cocktail or a full-out rumbling party. Please find below a small selection of past events that took place at rather exquisite locations around the globe.
An Intimate Cocktail, New York 2011 Disco Dance Party, New York 2011 The Super Show, Berlin 2010 The Super Show, London 2010 Absolut Fantastic, London 2009 No Labels, Stockholm 2009 Fantastic Man Fragnance Launch, Paris 2009 Fantastic Man No. 8 Dinner, London 2008 The Gentleman’s Jeans Launch, Paris 2008 Fantastic Man No. 2, NYC 2005 Fantastic Man No. 2, Paris 2005
NEWSLETTER, TWITTER & FACEBOOK
KEEP IN-TOUCH WITH THE GOINGS ON AT FANTASTIC MAN
CONTACT
AMSTERDAM HEADQUARTERS:
Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 21
1017 RP Amsterdam
The Netherlands
+31 20 320 9032
LONDON OFFICE:
1 Tavistock Chambers
40 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2SE
United Kingdom
+44 207 242 8802
THE SHOP
THE SHOP
CURRENT & BACK ISSUES
FANTASTIC MAN may be purchased conveniently online. Most recent issue No. 14, for Fall and Winter 2011, features Mr. RAF SIMONS on the cover. A number of back issues are also available, including issues No. 13, No. 12, No. 10, No. 9 and No. 6. All orders are handled by Bruil & van de Staaij and can be delivered worldwide. Order now
SUBSCRIPTIONS
SIMPLY THE BEST WAY TO OBTAIN FANTASTIC MAN
Subscriptions are available worldwide. A one year subscription of two issues will be €20 for Europe, $22 for the USA and $32 for the rest of the world (airmail). Please visit our subscription service BRUIL & VAN DE STAAIJ to get your subscription on-line, or e-mail to info@bruil.info for more information. For subscriptions in the USA, please visit EXPRESSMAG.
UNDERWEAR
Underwear is generally worn beneath another layer of garments and thus aptly called ‘underwear’. These delicious mesh numbers, seen above on three particularly athletic chaps, are the result of a collaboration between THE WHITE BRIEFS and FANTASTIC MAN. Made from lovely organic cotton the briefs, vest and T-shirt, are available to order from The White Briefs, and are available to purchase in shops round the globe. Whether they are received as presents, or bought for one’s self, they are to be worn – in any case – with utter joy. Order now
SHOPPING TIPS
The fourth edition of THE GENTLEWOMAN features fascinating conversations with women who are masters of their respective crafts, like actress Olivia Williams, author Jennifer Egan, fashion recruitment mogul Floriane de Saint Pierre, CEO Apollonia Poilâne, jewellery designer Gaia Repossi and actress Sofie Gråbøl. On a different note, the BUTT 2012 calendar features 47 hot guys, 3 particularly handsome statues and one suggestive helmet photographed by twelve BUTT friends such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Alasdair McLellan and David Benjamin Sherry. Furthermore, after a two-year hiatus, BUTT 29 is here. The extra thick, double issue is spread out over 144 pink pages. This issue of BUTT is a gay guy's A-to-Z of hot and fascinating homos.
(All orders are handled by our distributor Bruil & van de Staaij, or Vrolijk.nu)
COMMENTS
World Man About Town:
Like the final product a lot, especially the detail of the star in the lace.
Paul Prossen:
I like it a lot, unfortunately though, the country where they’re made is not on the list of the places where you can obtain them. Bliss.
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