2010.08.25 UNDER Fashion, New Releases
SS11 Lookbook
Thank you Blossom for another incredible shoot.
2010.08.07 UNDER New Releases, Uncategorized
Spring.Summer 2011 Selects
Bloss- once again, you were incredible!
2010.08.06 UNDER Press
Details Magazine // The Skinny Collar
Featured shirt is the Short Point in Micro Gingham. Details Magazine, September 2010
2010.05.26 UNDER Press
LimitedHype // The British Invasion
LIMITEDHYPE, May 19, 2010.
Thanks LH for the interview. Click image to read it.
Nylon for Guys // Brit Pack
Nylon for Guys, May 2010.
British menswear line Bespoken has crossed the pond. Pull up your socks. By Benjamin Leszcz. Photographed by Blossom Berkofsky.
It’s dark, and New York’s Soho Grand hotel is buzzing when I order a Hendrick’s and tonic. ”Beautiful drink, man! Love Hendrick’s, right?” says James Fayed, who’s sitting across from me in a leather club chair, as are Paulo & Carlos Goncalves, and Fayed’s brothers Sam and Liam. His endorsement, delivered in the Queen’s English, makes me think I may just be the kind of man the five-piece have in mind when designing Bespoken, their line of classically tailored menswear.
The gentlemen could use a drink. Just a few hours ago, they presented their fall 2010 collection at the Hosfelft gallery, a skylit loft space in Manhattan, narrowly escaping the blizzard that paralyzed the city the day before, among other obstacles. ”At 10 this morning, we still didn’t have shoes for the show,” says Liam. ”They were stuck in customs.” Adds Sam: “I almost had to put one of the models in my jeans!” Fortunately, Sam kept his pants on, and the clothes that went down the runway included a shrunken, corduroy tobacco suit topped off with a Belmondo fedora, a buffalo-plaid blazer paired with herringbone trousers and suspenders, tab-collar dress shirts with geometric prints, and accessories such as the requisite skinny tartan ties but not-so-requisite men’s brooches. It was ’60s mod meets ’30s Americana, which makes sense considering the British designers now split their time between New York & Los Angeles.
Bespoken was born on London’s Jermyn Street (which is to fine shirts what Savile Row is to fine suits) three years ago while the Fayed brothers worked at their family business of Turnbull & Asser. ”Turnbull is a 125-year old company. I wouldn’t want to change anything,” says James. ”Bespoken began as what can’t be done there; we’re a little edgier.” Bespoken is more likely catering to the sons of Turnbull regulars, a generation that knows a slim-fitting dress shirt when it sees one but which still appreciates old-school suiting. After all, the line is manufactured in Turnbull’s factory. The name Bespoken says Paulo, who handles the brand’s marketing, “is not to be taken literally. It’s more of a philosophy; it’s about the details and the level of quality. Even though are clothes are ready-to-wear, we treat them as though they were bespoke pieces.” Sam adds, “part of the education process with customers is explaining why a shirt is $200. It’s because it’s gone through the hands of 16 people and 36 operations. You have about 200 years of experience making that one shirt.”
Bespoken is most definitely a family affair. ”Working with brothers is exactly what you’d imagine it would be like,” says Sam. The guys nod jovially in agreement. ”The head-butting is serious, but we feed off all the energy it creates,” adds James. ”It works.” Cheers to that.
Swipelife // Fall.Winter 2010
Bespoken could possibly give the other Fall 2010 labels a run for its money in the “coolest” category. Click on image to read full article.
Visual Tales // SS10 Feature
Classic Blazer (Navy), Tab Collar Shirt (Grey Linen), Skinny Silk Tie (Grey w/ Red Detail). Visual Tales, December 2009. Photographer; Michael Brager, Model: Marc Herron/Adam