In 2004, Mr. ERIK SCHEDIN graduated from the BECKMANS COLLEGE OF DESIGN in Stockholm, Sweden, with an all-white sneaker without any unnecessary, fussy details. For years the shoes were only available in size 44, but now he has finally produced them in size 41-45. They can be found at DOVER STREET MARKET in London, or through ERIK’s web shop, where he also has a fine new tote bag on offer, plus some products that were not designed by ERIK but that are equally simple and desirable, such as a fine pair of boots by DANNER.
THE DAILY RECOMMENDATIONS
THE PERFECT WHITE SHOES
TWENTY MAY, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN
(Photograph by GERT JONKERS)
THE MAGAZINE
THE MAGAZINE
NEW ISSUE
N° 15
SPRING & SUMMER 2012
The 15th issue of FANTASTIC MAN features MATTHEW SLOTOVER, mastermind behind the FRIEZE art and magazine empire, on the cover. The charming Mr. SLOTOVER discusses the transformation of London’s contemporary art market, how music magazine NME was his bible growing up and, of course, the highly anticipated FRIEZE NEW YORK fair in May. Other remarkable gentleman profiled in this issue include: heroic Australian swimmer IAN THORPE, radical garden designer PIET OUDOLF, internet pioneer PERRY CHEN, champion of fashion TIM BLANKS and the great American menswear designer BILL ROBINSON. FANTASTIC MAN also ventured to the desert oasis of Palm Springs, California, to photograph 36-pages of fabulous summer fashions. The Modernist paradise perfectly suited for a modern vacation in a modern holiday wardrobe. The rest of the issue is composed of fine reads, an investigation into the noble sport of race walking, chic fashion stories, chitchat – we spoke with JEAN TOUITOU, OWEN JONES and NIGEL STOWE, of the Dover Street ARTS CLUB – and a bounty of helpful tips and proposals for the joyous spring and summer seasons.
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
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United Kingdom
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THE SHOP
THE SHOP
CURRENT & BACK ISSUES
FANTASTIC MAN may be purchased conveniently online. The new issue No. 15 will be available for sale soon. A number of back issues are also available, including issues No. 14, 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 €22 for Europe, $35 for the USA and $33 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
Issue five of THE GENTLEWOMAN boasts an array of brilliant and inventive women. Actress Tilda Swinton, singer Sinéad O’Connor, Internet pioneer Martha Lane Fox, tennis star Maria Sharapova and the legendary supermodel turned activist, Christy Turlington are among the courageous women interviewed about their remarkable lives and fascinating careers. 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:
I like their simplicity and the bag on the website is good too.
Lineage of Influence:
These are beautifully made and very comfy. The only thing I don’t like is the midsole.
They’re a good alternative to CP’s Achilles but for me the Achilles are better because the sole unit on them is a thing of absolute beauty. When it comes to really good white trainers though there are only two to choose from in my opinion: CP’s & these, nothing else comes close.
Trainer geek? Yes.
Paul:
Mmmm. Not so sure. Look like nurse shoes. I think Common Projects did the white shoe better.
jack:
I agree with Paul – they’re way too chunky. I would go for a pair of these any day – Please see link
jack:
sorry about that ridiculous link – they’re white lacoste’s
charlie:
Don’t you think it’s interesting, noble even, for a sneaker to be made by an individual rather than a brand?
jonathan:
so this fellow Erik makes these by hand or? if they are produced by others, where is it made?
jack:
Not if you’re making them chunky and ugly like that… If they’re beautiful shoes – then yes, I would prefer them to be hand-made, but these aren’t…
lineage of influence:
They’re not actually that chunky if you have them on your feet.
It’s just an illusion caused by the fact that the sole is so simple and without any stitching, they’re pretty much the same thickness as an Achilles sole, but like I said the Achilles is a nicer trainer (imo) although these are comfier.
Charles:
I like that they are produced by hand — what a wonderful luxury. But the perfect pair of white shoes for me would need to be leather and not in the trainer/sneaker family.
Style Salvage Steve:
For me they are perfect. I might be biased though because I’ve just interviewed Erik for my blog. my favourite quote is as follows…
“It always takes a very long time to develop the products which is kind of the whole idea. Everything has to be perfect and all products have to work together with the other ones. Nothing is added by coincidence and everything has been thought through a million times.”
Achieving simplicity is more difficult than something that is spectacular. I would add though that there is something spectacular in Erik’s simplicity.
Ria Kowalczyk:
excellent writing about decorating, it is actually useful for me. keep writing and happy blogging.