I recently visited the OKI-NI team to talk about 2012, Spring collections and the new brands that they would be buying for this now cult online store. We also talked about our own favourites within the collections, and yes, both James and Olly from the team were particularly dapper, dressed in OKI-NI brands as you’d expect.
Fortunately, our meeting also coincided with a press day OKI-NI were holding, for guests to preview some of the lines OKI-NI are selecting for 2012.
OKI-NI, which James explains simply means ‘with consideration’ in the Osaka (a Japanese city) dialect. This makes sense, particularly if you remember that OKI-NI initially started out solely by producing exclusive collaborations with major brands to feature on its site.
The team is incredibly knowledgeable about the brands that they sell and their enthusiasm for the products really came through and in turn encouraged me to look at the more avant-garde, ‘underground’ brands I might not normally choose to wear myself.
SS12 – C.P. Company and Stone Island will arrive at OKI-NI
One of the problems of working in the fashion industry is that inevitably we tend to bring our own prejudices to a brand, sometimes not ‘giving something a chance’ because of a negative preconception we previously had about the brand, for whatever reason.
Being honest, C.P. Company and Stone Island were two brands that until a few days ago, I would have said I wouldn’t wear. I held the same prejudices towards these brands as some still do (incredibly foolishly) towards Burberry – to me they were a bit ‘football hooligan’ even though the Italian parent company’s ad campaigns for both brands have always been incredibly slick and stylish. But as we all know, how brands are worn in an ad-campaign and in ‘real life’ are two different things completely. Anyway.
Glancing around the showroom though and with a fresh pair of eyes, the new C.P. Company collection is incredibly smart. It’s all technical fabrics (no big logos on sleeves this time), linens, metallic finishes and just generally interesting fabrics – and I don’t use the word ‘interesting’ in the sense of the pretentious fashion journalist – I’m talking about ‘interesting’ in the way that they make you want to pick the garment up and wonder what it actually is made from. So, I will be buying a C.P. jacket from OKI-NI in Spring next year, which one, I don’t know yet.
C.P. Company at the OKI-NI press event. Please note that not all models shown will necessarily be available for purchase at OKI-NI. The event was used to showcase forthcoming brands, one of which will be C.P. Company.
A close up of an SS12 C.P. Company jacket I particularly liked.
Importantly, all of the range is entirely made in Italy (as is Stone Island) which deserves a cheer in itself.
As for ‘Stone Island’…
Again, another surprising brand for me. Yes, there are still the problematic jeans with the big logo on the back, (which OKI-NI will not be taking) but again to me, this is clearly a brand whose forte is outerwear. And check out this bad-boy below.
This was the surprise 'standout' Stone Island jacket for me. Definitely needs to be put on the 'watch list'.
Woolrich Woolen Mills
This was the final surprise for me. It wasn’t that I previously disliked the brand at all, it was just one I had been aware of in passing, not really paying it much attention amongst the current crop of other heritage brands like Filson, which are all equally as ‘authentic’ as each other. There is only so much ‘authenticity’ one can have in their wardrobe before your style is no longer authentic. So, it’s about choosing personal favourites between brands, and usually, for most gents that will come down to the brand heritage that resonates with them the most. We all secretly want to be explorers, mountaineers, Arctic adventurers, dirt-track bikers – so we choose the brand that plays to this fantasy. I don’t know where I am going with this… Well, anyway, Woolrich and Woolrich Woolen Mills (the Italian ‘fashion’ counterpart range) fall into these categories, I’m not sure which, but yes, the stuff has an incredible ‘handle’ to it – well made, well stitched, good fabrication – yadder, yadder – but worth investigating if you are not so familiar with the brand. In SS12 there are some really nice African – Kenyan, I think – print shirts (probably most British people might describe them as a Hawaiian shirt) which also are worth keeping your eyes open for. The bags of course are also a nice option.
Yeah, it's a Woolrich man-bag, you know you want one.
Overall, a great visit with the OKI-NI team, they have some big surprises in store for SS12 (which unfortunately I can’t reveal yet) and the newly opened store in Esher, Surrey is also well worth a visit, check it out.
If you’re a classic OKI-NI guy, don’t forget that they’ve been writing for us, providing a great insight into the labels and collections they respect, and who to watch out for.
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