It’s always exciting taking a pair of socks out on their first road test. Today I’m testing my new pair of pink Commes des Garcons.
First off, is the bedroom test:
Followed by the road test, on Poland Street, Soho. Accompanied by a pair of blue Prada loafers and black Acne jeans.
One of my favorite boutiques around London is Daniel Start. And why’s it one of my favorite – because of their exquisite selection of socks: Pantherella and Comme des Garcons. Of course, I already have a whole selection of Pantherellas, but I couldn’t resist buying a pair of pink Comme’s.
One of the questions I’m often asked is “when should I bin my socks?”. Most people have problems throwing away socks, and amass a drawer full of holy socks. And I have to admit I’m a prime offender when it comes to sock-hoarding. The only problem with hoarding holy socks is that in moments of weakness (i.e. when I’m running low on socks) I grab said holy socks, and end up wearing them . . . See my latest offending holy Pantherellas below. N.B. these are now safely in sock heaven ; – )
So, inspired by London Fashion Week, me and SockGirl decided to do our own impromtu fashion show / shoot on the streets of Mayfair last weekend. Sporting the upcoming SocksforSir.com range, SockGirl took on a novel approach to modeling socks – with the sock salute ; – )
I love socks and I love factories, so the chance to visit one of Britain’s last remaining sock factories (Pantherella’s in Leicester) was pretty awesome!
I had no idea what to expect when it came to what is involved in sock manufacturing, however my trip around Pantherella didn’t disappoint. The huge level of detail and care taken to produce each pair of socks is amazing – from quality testing the yarn (using rub tests – rubbing the yarn 10,000s of times to check durability) to hand-linking the toes, to ensure supreme quality and fit.
Whilst I was there, I filmed the factory tour and a number of interviews with various members of the Pantherella team – which I’ll be releasing over the next couple of weeks.
One of the big questions I wanted to know, was whether the Pantherella team (all 100 of them) wore Pantherella’s to work? Of course the answer (to the man) was yes, so I took a couple of photos as proof. David (Commercial Director) was seen sporting a pair of knee-length argyle numbers, whilst Dave (Factory manager) was spotted wearing a natty pair of Richard James!
What does every sock-loving guy get from his sockcessful g-friend for his birthday? Answer: socks (of course). So I was pleased to find x2 pairs of socks in my birthday stocking this year. Pair 1: a pair of grey cashmere spot / stripe mixed socks from Comme des Garcons. Pair 2: a pair of geometric green and blue socks from a Japanese brand called Ayame. A truly awesome combo.
So awesome, that I trialled my grey Comme’s whilst we doing some champagne indulgence in Epernay. So it’s a case of SPOTTED grey spot / stripe mixed socks AT hotel Villa Eugene on the Avenue du Champagne (a fine location to trial a fine pair of birthday socks!)
The Sock Man has finally made it to SXSW in Austin – Woohooo. SPOTTED, Pantherella pleasure socks @ the Austin convention centre. Sock Man’s about to enter a whole world of geek for the next 4 days. Question: do geeks do great socks?
SPOTTED a pair of blue Pantherella pleasure socks @ Terminal 5 Heathrow enroute to Austin, Texas – via Chicago. Blue Patherella’s = perfect travel sock: pure pleasure @ 30,000 feet ; – )
A glorious pair of my favorite pink Pantherella’s SPOTTED next to my laptop ACCOMPANIED by my equally glorious navy blue Prada loafers. Loafers loafing on my desk (in Soho – London).
Pink Patherella's and laptop
SPOTTED a glorious lemon pair of Pantherella’s on the train from London Paddington to Bristol. Sunny day + lemon socks = happiness ; – )
