London-based TMB Artmetal, makers of “provenance” items fashioned from actual bits of automotive, aeronautic, locomotive and maritime icons whose Spitfire sculpture we wrote about a few months back, has come out with limited edition cufflinks made from the Prince of Wales’ prized 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Volante. TMB has created 200 pairs of the links in two designs, formed from the original aluminum engine pistons which were removed when the Prince recently converted the car, a 21st birthday present from the Queen, to run on biofuel.
Each design finished with 18ct gold comes in a limited edition of 100 pairs. One edition is an exact, miniature sculpture of the DB6 Volante, whilst the other replicates the car’s iconic wheel spinners – the quick-release fixing that secures the Aston’s wheels. Each pair comes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and is priced at £995 or about $1,600, with all profits going to the royal’s youth charity, The Prince’s Trust. Charles has been on an eco-kick of late, and has also converted his Jaguars, Audi and Range Rovers to run on 100 per cent biodiesel.
It was a hallmark of the international sporting set in the grand old days that a gentleman always brought along a handsome pair of field glasses in a fitted leather case when attending race meetings, horse shows, steeplechases and the like. Ditto while on safari, conducting military campaigns and observing regattas. Often they were of solid brass and wrapped in saddle leather, a worthy accessory to the morning coat, silk topper, or club blazer. Now the famed French house of Hermès has revived the habit with a stylish new set of binoculars. Wrapped in Hermès’ signature saddle leather, with a handstitched leather carrying strap, they’re priced at about $2,500.
Though it’s not an official collaboration, to our trained eye the binoculars themselves appear to be Leica’s compact, super-sharp Ultravid model from their sports optics collection (Hermès owns a stake in the famed German camera-maker). Whether attending cricket at Lords, polo at Windsor, Wimbledon, the regattas at Henley and Cowes, or especially Royal Ascot, these are essential kit. Remember the words of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux (1856 – 1929) on Ascot: “The best horses in the world and the prettiest women are seen on the Royal Heath. We racing men go to see the horses, non-racing men such as Lord Curzon go to look at the women.” We of course do both.
© Copyright 2010 Duncan Quinn. All Rights Reserved.
Parfumier Creed of Paris, founded in 1760, has decided to offer an extremely limited quantity of a bespoke cologne created for King Edward VIII in 1936 to the well-heeled public. Dubbed Windsor, the exclusive scent is made from ingredients grown in the British Empire, and can be seen as a sort of olfactory tour of the colonies Edward once ruled. Of course old Ed abdicated his throne that same year in order to marry a girl called Wallis Simpson and subsequently became the Duke of Windsor. He was of course a man of impeccable taste and that’s reflected in the fragrance.
As subtly elegant as his suits and ties, its top notes are British gin, Jamaican lime and a touch of Scottish highland pine; the middle note the variety of Nuits de Young roses now known as the “Duke of Windsor”; and the bottom notes Bahamian orange, Canadian cedar and a dab of Australian eucalyptus. Windsor is presented in a shatterproof 1.7 oz. leather-wrapped bottle numbered by laser and signed by sixth-generation master perfumer Olivier Creed. Only 320 bottles will be available in the U.S. for $400.
© Copyright 2010 Duncan Quinn. All Rights Reserved.
DQ’s new Miami digs were rockin’ on Friday night when Birmingham’s The Twang, who opened Glastonbury in front of 500,000 people, played a one-off show for the DQ faithful in the amazing space dedicated to gentlemanly pursuits. The glamorous gig put the finishing touch on the limited edition pop-up pad which features a killer collection of vintage Ducatis, including a 450 Desmo from the 70’s, a 350 Desmo, built in 1969 and a 1985 F1 prototype. Select models are for sale, should you wish to pick up a bike as stylish as your DQ suit.
Also on hand are a 1962 Maserati, full-size croquet pitch, bespoke lounge with Dormeuil fabrics, Ruby motorcycle helmet installation, Hendrick’s Gin cocktails and more. Things got off to an auspicious start when world-famous shoe designer Christian Louboutin, who has his own op-up shop down the block, was our first customer, coming in to buy an outfit for his own opening before we’d even officially cut the ribbon. The Miami shop will be open until Dec. 12th, then once a month for dinners and tastings and otherwise by appointment. Check out some of the great press we’ve gotten here and here.
4040 NE 2nd Ave., The Moore Building, #102, Miami FL 33137. Email miami@duncanquinn.com to be added to the mailing list for updates and event details.
On December 1 DQ will open a 6,000-sq.-ft. Limited Edition pop-up store in Miami’s Design District to coincide with Design Miami. More than 20,000 collectors flock to the District for the fair, known as the pre-eminent forum for the presentation of limited edition and collectible design. You can bet they’ve never seen anything as dashing DQ’s damned stylish monument to gentlemanly pursuits however. Hell, no one has.
The pop-up shop will feature the full line of DQ ready-to-wear starring our killer new fall collection and gangster chic ties, as well as limited edition croquet shirts and t-shirts exclusive to the venue. Hendrick’s Gin cocktails will flow like water, women will swoon, and hijinks will ensue on the full-size indoor croquet pitch. We’ve got a rendering above to tide you over ‘till the big day, when we’ll reveal further details. Meanwhile book your flight and look sharp about it.
4040 NE 2nd Ave., The Moore Building, #102, Miami FL 33137. Email miami@duncanquinn.com to be added to the mailing list for updates and event details.
To go along with DQ’s killer new looks for fall we have a collection of silk neckties bearing gangster chic motifs, perfect for the gentleman, the rogue and the gentleman rogue. We were bored by the basic skull and crossbones which is about as edgy these days as soda water; this is much stronger stuff. A lot of DQ’s inspiration comes from the long and well-recorded history of the criminal fraternity frequenting Savile Row for their sharp suits and other attire. Think Mona Lisa, A Long Good Friday, Gangster Number One, and in particular for this new tie collection, Eastern Promises.
The sharp lads over at UrbanDaddy were quick to pick up on the natty new neckwear. Here’s how they just described them in their feature:
“Chances are, when you think Russian prisoners, you think…Savile Row neckwear. Or, if you didn’t, you will now: dandy suitmonger Duncan Quinn just came out with a line of ties inspired by the insanely complicated ink jobs that hardened criminals undergo in the gulag (think Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises). Consider it a subtle, elegant middle finger to whoever’s making you wear a tie.” Spot on as usual. The goods, made of 100% silk handwoven in England, cut, stitched and finished by hand in New York City, are now available in our stores and online here.
A cache of cool and classic Bond items have cropped up in Christie’s London’s Vintage Film Posters and Entertainment Memorabilia sale on Nov. 24. Highlights include some key items from 1974’s The Man With the Golden Gun, such as a two-piece black silk evening suit made for Roger Moore (above) for the film, offered at £3,000 - £5,000 with a corresponding movie still and letter of provenance. Also from that film are the arch villain Scaramanga’s custom triggers for the golden gun itself, made in the form of cufflinks which he unscrewed to assemble the lethal weapon, our choice pick estimated at £2,000 - £3,000.
Also on offer are a pair of black leather of Salvatore Ferragamo dress shoes worn by Moore in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, signed on the inside in gold ink along with a jocular note from the actor, for £800 - £1,200; and a jaunty trilby worn by David Niven in the 007 spoof Casino Royale in 1967, for £1,800 - £2,200. On a more modern note we have the Tom Ford aviator sunglasses sported by Daniel Craig in last year’s Quantum of Solace, £1,000 - £1,500, as well as a poker table chair and barstool graced by Mr. Craig’s derriere in 2006’s Casino Royale, estimated at £1,000 - £1,500. Personally we’re holding out for his Aston Martin.
DQ’s fall inspiration comes from a misspent youth and his perennial love for the gentleman, the rogue and the gentleman rogue. Cat burglars with honor from when a ‘fair cop’ was a ‘fair cop’ and shooters were nigh on unheard of in the polite criminal fraternity. Think Thomas Crown. Think Simon Dermott. And think Nikolai. So we bring for our gentleman rogue a reflection of the times with a new fall collection of totally classic understated suits made from the finest English worsted, woven in Huddersfield and Leeds by one of Duncan’s friends.
Bulletproof, proper English tackle this, that will keep you crisp and warm, with a twinkle in your eye and a bounce in your step. Classic chalkstripes, sharkskins, mohairs and a little cashmere and lightweight stuff here and there for the softies among you, in black, charcoal and gunmetal. We’ve also slightly tweaked our silhouette to be still so easily recognizable to the aficionado, but a little more subtle to boot. Paired with beautiful cotton shirts and our new ties which are set to be the talk of the town with deep basic colors accented with our cheeky gangster chic motifs, we’ll eat our new hats if they don’t turn the heads you’re looking to turn.
Storied London luxury goods firm Asprey, holders of the Royal Warrant, are best known for their pricey baubles these days, but they also make a range of aristocratic, classic polo kit for people who actually play the sport and don’t just embroider their clothing with it. Asprey fields its own polo team, which won the prestigious Queen Mother’s Centenary Tournament 15 goal trophy at the Guards Polo Club this year, and also sponsors the Prince of Wales Trophy at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club - so the kit has been field-tested by Prince Chuck himself.
While their polo gear has been available at the firm’s dedicated shop at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo club, it is now available to order online for enthusiasts in the colonies. The full range is on offer, including their leather and suede saddles (£700), Italian leather polo boots (£800) and stylish bridle leather polo holdall (£800), along with the requisite bridles, whips, mallets, helmets and more. In addition Asprey offers a bespoke trophy making service, so you can establish your own tournament and present the winner with an appropriately plummy prize. Polo in the Catskills, anyone?
As games amenable to gentlemen go, croquet has few rivals - unfettered by the sartorial restraints imposed by more vigorous activities, while eminently suitable for en-suite cocktail sipping. So it’s high time this elegant pastime had a shirt to call its own. We hereby present to you the DQ Croquet Shirt in classic 100% piqué cotton, embroidered with our signature Fleur de Lys. Stylish and insouciant, understated yet with a hint of the iron fist beneath the velvet glove, it’s perfect accompanied by a fierce Pimms Cup in said fist, a mallet in the other and a glint in the eye. Of course should you also wish to sport the gorgeous garment while engaging in a chukker of polo or set of tennis, we will not protest.
Available to order from our stores in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York as well as by phone or online, the DQ Croquet Shirt comes in several damn-your-eyes combinations of white and custom piece dyed DQ fuchsia and blue, with custom dyed buttons and contrasting trim. All are available in DQ slim fit from size XS (small enough for the ladies) up to XXL. And you’ll want secure yours in time to dazzle the competition on the indoor croquet pitch in our forthcoming Miami Limited Editions pop-up store - but more on that later.
