Our latest SS14 delivery from Barena is now available in the shop and online

Fueguia handcrafts a range of scented candles using organic wax and luxury fragrances

Our latest delivery from Common Projects is now available in the shop and online

Our first delivery from their SS14 collection 'Radiant Flux' is now available in the shop and online

Launched earlier this month, Monocle’s first fashion collection is tailored for travellers. With a focus on comfort and versatility, the aim of the collection is to fill a gap in the wardrobe of those who habitually find themselves in a variety of climates and seasons. The unstructured tailoring and soft jersey pieces are comfortable for on-the-go wear, in-flight or on foot. With simple shirts, tops and mix-and-match tailoring, designer Daniela Diletto has created a capsule wardrobe in classic colours that make for easy layering, and easy packing.

We caught up with Daniela to discuss the collection's design and production, her life outside of work, and what's next for Monocle Voyage.

Trunk: Can you tell us a little about the concept behind Monocle Voyage? 

Daniela Diletto: Monocle Voyage embodies the essence behind Monocle. Tyler's [Tyler Brûlé, Editor-in-Chief of Monocle] perpetually on-the-go lifestyle is at the root of my inspiration. It has resulted in a ready-to-wear collection featuring classic essentials and a minimal colour range, designed for the well-travelled gentleman who is always looking for high standards of comfort and functionality. We chose to launch our first production with experts based in Italy and Japan. High quality textiles and manufacturing are the essential ingredients of Monocle Voyage.

The collection is designed to work in Montréal in January and Sydney at the height of summer. Our Travel Blazer for instance, made by leading Padova-based tailoring manufacturer, is made with exclusively-developed "four season" weight cotton twill featuring a customised treatment, ensuring the fabric evolves its aspect the more you wear it.

T: Where do you find design inspiration?

DD: Everything that lasts in time fascinates me and inspires me; a piece of furniture, a typeface, a fragrance, a watch, whiskey, a movie. When it comes to design I often think of past and contemporary style icons who are authentic and distinguished because of their work, lifestyle and passions, for instance "The King of Cool".

I'm also a passionate observer of traditional menswear, my main influences are classic American for functionality, traditional English for craftsmanship and Italian style. Other important inspirational elements are the tradition of functionality in certain garments/accessories and materials, such as highly developed quality fabrics.

T: What are you currently working on?

DD: Monocle Voyage is looking always for new destinations. Now that the foundation stands we will lay out new colour scales, materials and styles, work out proper looks insisting on functionality, and explore new climate challenges by creating a sophisticated and distinguished Monocle Voyage imprint.

T: Where do you call home?

DD: I'm Italian, raised in Germany and live and work between Paris and New York. I call home where I eat well, where food plays a primary role in tradition and culture, and that's Italy.

I have spent many years in Milan which is often described as an unattractive city because it’s part of the "triangolo industriale", which stands for the industrialised area in the North-West of Italy including Turin, Milan and Genoa. It's an area of strong immigration from other italian regions - mainly central and south - since the 60s, that's why the authentic regional cuisine is endless in Milan.

There are many places I love, one of those I usually choose for my sunday lunch is Giacomo in Via Sottocorno, opened in 1958 by Tuscan Giacomo Bulleri. This place is special because it makes me feel like I'm at home.

- Daniela Diletto. Photograph by Elina Kechicheva.

T: Where is your favourite travel destination?

DD: Tokyo, Japan. Another cultural reference that plays an important role in my life and has affected my sensibilities. One beautiful experience I had was at a secret dining club called Yakumo Saryo in the residential neighbourhood of Meguro. It's an old-school Japanese villa with private dining rooms. Delicious food, beautiful interior, amazing crockery (which is also one of my passions) this place throws you back in time. I wish I could describe all the sensations this country gives me in a haiku, ha!

T: What are your 5 essential items for travel?

DD: My lambswool Corgi knitwear, my Oliver Peoples x Maison Kitsuné sunglasses, my Smythson sketch book & Kaweco fountain pen, my men's Burberry light overcoat, my Felisi weekend bag.

A warm thank you to Daniela from everyone at Trunk for taking the time to talk to us. For more from behind the scenes at Trunk, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Founded in 2009 by designer William Kroll, Tender Co. produces a collection of handcrafted clothing primarily inspired by antique workwear of the Great British Steam Age. This inspiration translates into clothing made with obsessive attention to detail and an unsurpassed level of durability.

The collection is made entirely in England, using the highest quality fabrics, many of which have been designed and woven specially for Tender. Shirts are cut from English-woven selvage calico, while heavy 17oz Japanese selvage denim and 18oz English cotton twill are used for jackets and jeans. Tender also specialises in natural, traditional dyeing techniques – dip dyeing garments by hand in natural woad, wattle and chlorophyll.

- To celebrate the opening of our Accessories shop Trunk LABS, William designed a special coffee set for us, glazed using a combination of natural cobalt and manganese salts to give a rich speckled colour.

With the success of the menswear collection, Tender soon branched out into all manner of crafts, and now produces a range of beautiful accessories and homewares, each handmade in Britain from the finest materials, using traditional folk craft techniques. Tender's ceramics are thrown by hand in a one-man pottery in the South of England from red clay dug in Stoke. Tender also produces mouth-blown glassware, solid cast brass goods and even toy bears made from English lambskin.

Baracuta was founded in the late 19th Century in Manchester – at that time the raincoat manufacture capital of the world – originally producing rainwear for the likes of Burberry and Aquascutum. In 1937 the company began producing a jacket named the G9, which over the next few decades would become an icon of British style. Better known by its nickname, the 'Harrington' jacket, the G9 has been adopted by almost every youth subculture from Mod to Punk, and famously worn by everyone from Elvis and Frank Sinatra to Steve McQueen and the Clash.

Baracuta is now under the stewardship of WP Lavori in Corso, an Italian company that has been one of the most influential and highly regarded forces in the menswear industry over the last 30 years. One of WP's greatest success stories is Woolrich, an iconic American outdoors brand that has made the difficult transition from domestic American sportswear supplier to international 'heritage' menswear brand. Key to this success was WP's creation of Woolrich Woolen Mills, a premium line originally designed by Daiki Suzuki (of Engineered Garments fame), which helped to bring the Woolrich story to the attention of a new, fashion-conscious customer base.

WP has employed a similar tactic with Baracuta, creating Baracuta Blue Label under the creative control of Kenichi 'Kenny' Kusano, the former creative director of Japanese institution Beams+. During his tenure at Beams+, Kenny helped to popularise "The good-old American styles" in Japan, updating the iconic Ivy, preppy and American trad looks for the mainstream Japanese market. The brand found international success from 2010, when Trunk became its first stockist outside of Japan, introducing Beams+ to a western audience. As someone with a detailed understanding and appreciation of American and British style, Kenny is ideally placed to return Baracuta to its rightful position as a British icon.

With Baracuta now in in stock at Trunk, we caught up with Kenny to chat about his latest project.

Trunk: Can you tell us a little about Baracuta Blue Label?

Kenny Kusano: I approached this project by looking at the history of Baracuta and I realized it was a great British brand - the emphasis for Baracuta is and always has been function over fashion. In this project I used many fabrics that are traditionally used by the British army such as herringbone cotton and poplin. Most important was the emphasis on its functionality and ease of wear. Baracuta is for everyday use and should be fun to wear – from Hollywood to Carnaby Street, through to sport (golf) and rock music, and from British culture to Americana, Baracuta is the original.

- Kenichi 'Kenny' Kusano.

T: What is the story of the SS14 collection?

KK: This collection is about ‘The Story of the Seaside’. This season I designed by imagining wearing Baracuta by the seaside - using the colours from yacht sails, international flags (2-3 colours) and military olive. For fabrics I used water repellent material ‘3X DRY’ from Schoeller, and Irish linens. I tried to use functional materials which are normally used in active sportswear for town wear. Irish linen has an elegant character with a hint of natural material. On the other hand, I used ripstop cotton – a fabric traditionally used by the British army – for the military olive version.

I am suggesting summer marine style by coordinating with the olive colour. I like to match Baracuta with white bottoms such as a pair of white shorts or a pair of white trousers. On top it will look good with polo shirts which are getting popular again. For shoes I’d wear a pair of Converse All-star white sneakers.

T: Where do you find design inspiration each season?

KK: I get inspiration from everything I see. I like to absorb many things in a neutral state of mind.

T: Do you have a favourite destination for travel? Would you mind recommending a few local spots to visit?

KK: London always inspires me. It’s the city I can feel the link between now and the past when culture and fashion were lots closer.

San Francisco is my current favourite city. This city always makes me think about quality of life. La Vie, Green Apple Books and Caffe Trieste are my favourites in San Francisco. All these places were introduced to me by local friends. The crab dishes in a Vietnamese style at La Vie are very unique. Green Apple Books opens until late at night. Caffe Trieste is full of locals and the cappuccino and café latte are great.

T: What are your 5 essential items for travel?

KK: Fragrance – this is one of the items that I can use to bring myself back no matter where I am. A cigar is my companion for a relaxing time. Pencil and memo pad – I like to jot down the things I see and feel on my trip. Jogging shoes, to help reduce jet–lag. Spray for my throat – I have weak throat so I like to use it when my throat gets uncomfortable.

A warm thank you to Kenny from all of us at Trunk for taking the time to talk to us. For more from behind the scenes at Trunk, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Our SS14 delivery from Junya Watanabe is now available in the shop and online

Graf chopsticks and brass products are as decorative as they are functional.

Camoshita United Arrows is the work of designer Yasuto Kamoshita, a founding member and creative director of United Arrows, one of Japan's foremost fashion retailers. The line evolved from Kamoshita-san's desire to create a brand that reflects his personal notion of the Japanese way of getting dressed - fostering a relaxed, lived-in look that combines elements of Ivy League style and European tailoring with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

The brand has maintained a relatively low profile since its founding in 2007, finding its way onto the rails of a select few shops in Europe and North America, including Barneys in New York and here at Trunk Clothiers in London. However, Camoshita has recently begun to garner greater recognition here in the West, and last year was awarded the Pitti Immagine Uomo Award 2013 for its SS14 collection – a remarkable achievement considering the calibre of brands exhibiting at Pitti.

The latest collection has now arrived at Trunk, and it certainly lives up to the acclaim it received at Pitti. Lightweight, relaxed tailoring is complemented by casual sportswear, all with a distinct mid-century aesthetic. What truly sets the collection apart is its use of luxurious, uncommon fabrics. From a linen/silk blend madras, to seersuckers in cotton and wool, and an incredibly soft terrycloth knitted from a blend of polyester and bamboo rayon, every piece in the collection has a unique feel. Despite some formal detailing, the collection is designed to be worn in an unassuming, casual way. Here, the wool seersucker suit is paired with a simple polo shirt from Drumohr and a pair of suede sneakers from Common Projects.

The SS14 collection from Camoshita United Arrows is now available at Trunk

FARMERS' by Welsh Lavender Ltd. is a collaboration between Nancy Durham, owner of a small lavender farm in rural Wales, and Helen Lowe, a leading artisan in the development of cosmetic creams. All FARMERS' products are handmade by Helen in her North Wales studio using lavender oil distilled on Nancy's farm, complemented by a range of natural, beneficial ingredients.

The products have proved to be a huge hit at Trunk, with customers returning time and again to stock up on hand cream, or buy a set of miniatures as a gift. Nancy visits London regularly and always pops by for a chat, so we thought it was high time we sat down to find out a little more about the business and Nancy's farm. As ever, we also asked for a few travel tips, and with a background in international journalism, Nancy was a great source of ideas.

Trunk: Can you tell us a little about FARMERS' – your products and the philosophy behind the brand?

Nancy Durham: Our products are inspired by the labours of Welsh hill farmers, our neighbours on the rainy windswept hillsides of mid Wales. This is sheep country but we wanted to see if something different might thrive here so in 2003 we decided to plant 2,000 lavender plants. Today we have around 12,000 lavenders and are considering growing other herbs.

In our exposed location we are up against the elements day in and day out and I liked the idea of developing body creams that would stand up to all weather and all occasions. Our creams and balms – all handmade in Wales – provide tangible benefits quickly. We value the stylish simplicity of our labels and the clean, soft feel of our London–made aluminium jars.

Our philosophy is like our tractor logo: authentic, well made, and utilitarian.

- Nancy Durham. Photo by Mats Klingberg

T: What are you currently working on?

ND: FARMERS' SCRUB is set to launch in late spring. It is robust yet gentle and leaves your face, elbows or toes - any part of your body in need of a little polish - feeling soft. Minuscule walnut and almond particles deep clean while lavender, geranium and frankincense oils encourage moisture retention.

With winter coming to an end, we are tidying up the gardens and lavender fields and spring cleaning the out buildings, generally getting ready to welcome all the visitors who come to see how we manage to grow lavender in this sometimes inhospitable climate. Visitors are welcome to roam the fields, take in the lavender distillation process and swim in our pond. I grew up swimming in ponds, lakes and rivers in Canada. Over here this activity is regarded as rather exotic and these days it’s called 'wild swimming'!

We’re also very excited to be building a FARMERS’ shop. We scoured Wales for nice pieces of old wood in need of a new home so our store is being made with wood from a former schoolhouse in South Wales and floorboards from an old Swansea house. Its shelves will be stocked with our creams and balms of course, along with other locally made products. 

T: Where do you call home?

ND: Home is right here on our farm, Cefnperfedd Uchaf. There is much debate over the meaning of Cefnperfedd, so we have taken some poetic license with the Welsh language and settled on "in the midst of the highest ridge" as this aptly describes our situation at 1100 feet with stunning views in all directions. Uchaf means upper.

My favourite restaurant is right here on the farm when my husband, the philosopher Bill Newton-Smith, is cooking which is most nights.

T: Where is your favourite travel destination?

ND: My life as a journalist took me across Europe, China, Africa and the Middle East. I worked in every corner of the Balkans where I fell in love with a dish called Ajvar made with tomatoes, peppers, garlic and olive oil. Serbs, Croats and Albanians all make it with their own twist and with flair. These days my destinations are small, smart towns in the UK and the cities of London, New York, Toronto and sometimes Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz make the best felt slippers in the world and I would be lost on my travels without one of the pairs I've picked up at Tumar Art Salon in Bishkek.

London is a city for constant discovery. My association with Trunk has drawn me to Chiltern Street which I adore. It is fun watching it develop anew and it's an exemplary street for shop windows that pull you inside. Chiltern has gone from quiet to rocking in a very short space of time. When I was a student I did lots of waitressing and bartending and this past year I have done a few stints at the new Monocle Café in Chiltern [Nancy is also a regular on Monocle 24 Radio] and loved the way a tray and an apron transported me back to my teenage years. The success of this neighbourhood is testament to the vitality and imagination of its shopkeepers.

My partnership with Ace Hotel's Shoreditch location has lured me to the east end of London reacquainting me with places like the Columbia Road flower market and the narrow streets of Shoreditch. I relish the tiny shops, some the size of a closet with shopkeepers smiling, welcoming and selling! If I find myself in London on a weekend I head for a Morty & Bob's grilled cheese at Netil Market.

T: What are your 5 essential items for travel?

ND: 1. A good book.

2. A notebook and a variety of pencils and pens. I am fussy about my pens, pencils and paper.

3. A map of the city and countryside, wherever I will be.

4. I use our own products so I always carry a set of FARMERS' creams and balms plus a few to give away.

5. Portable radio, iPhone, iPad and laptop.

A warm thank you to Nancy from all of us at Trunk for taking the time to chat. For more from behind the scenes at Trunk, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Our SS14 selection from Engineered Garments is now available in the shop and online

Our SS14 selection from Aspesi is now available online

With the launch of our accessories shop Trunk LABS last year, we also introduced a new brand to the West that had never before been sold outside of Japan. Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu is a bag maker with an uncommon, longstanding dedication to a set of principles that, in recent years, have become buzzwords – tradition, craftsmanship and quality. For Ichizawa however, these principles are no trend. The company has remained a family enterprise for four generations, making and selling canvas bags in Kyoto for more than one hundred years.

Each bag that leaves Ichizawa’s Kyoto workshop is made by an expert artisan working in tandem with an apprentice, who must gain at least seven years’ experience before being allowed to sew their first bag together. This level of dedication to quality and craft permeates every aspect of the business, making an Ichizawa Hanpu bag one of the most luxurious accessories in the world, despite its utilitarian origins and aesthetic.

Trunk remains the sole, exclusive stockist of Ichizawa outside of Japan. This spring we have expanded our range, introducing new models and colours to our selection of tote bags, and offering a rucksack for the first time.

Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu products are not available to purchase online. please contact us to enquire about making a purchase.

– Two Tone Tote. Available in Natural/Navy.

– Tote Bag. Available in Off White, Grey, Olive, Dark Brown, Blue Grey, Navy, Black.

– Tool Bag. Available in Yellow, Navy, Grey.

– Rucksack. Available in Olive, Grey.

– Zip Bag. Available in Beige, Olive, Black.

Have a look at our latest brand focus on Ichizawa Hanpu over on the blog

Our SS14 delivery is now available in the shop and online

Last week Trunk Clothiers played host to our first made–to–measure trunk show with Caruso. The event took place over three days, with an opening introduction evening followed by two days of fittings for custom tailored jackets and suits. During the opening event we were joined by Caruso's President and CEO Umberto Angeloni, who delivered an in–depth introduction to the made–to–measure process over an evening of culatello, parmigiano cheese and red sparkling wine, typical delicacies of Caruso's native Parma.

Over the following two days, Caruso's tailor was available for appointments, taking measurements from a steady stream of eager customers and guiding them through the creative process of ordering a custom tailored piece. With a dizzying array of fabrics available and numerous decisions to be made regarding detailing and finish, the process can be a little daunting. However, with over 60 years tailoring experience, Caruso is able to provide the expertise required to create clothing tailored to a customer's precise needs. Caruso's unique range of fabrics has something to suit every climate and requirement, and we are also able to offer a selection of fabrics from Caruso's current seasonal collection, for those seeking something a little more limited. Once the fabric is chosen, almost any detail may be customised, from the pocket configuration and buttons to the lining. Various levels of finish may also be chosen. For example, a customer may choose to have the buttonholes hand stitched – an intricate process that takes around twenty minutes per buttonhole, resulting in an exceptionally fine finish.

The resulting garment, delivered in around four weeks, will offer a quality of fit unattainable in ready–to–wear clothing, precisely cut to the wearer's body. The extensive choice of fabrics, detailing and finishes also allows the customer to create their ideal tailored garment – whether it be the perfect travel jacket, a coat with just the right pockets and lining, or a suit that neatly bestrides the smart/casual divide, cut from a rare Italian fabric.

We aim to make the Caruso trunk show a regular event, with the next show planned for September. For more information about made–to–measure at Trunk, please contact us.

For more from behind the scenes at Trunk, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Comme des Garçons Homme is the Japanese menswear mainline from CDG. Designed by Junya Watanabe, the label is created primarily for the Japanese market, and limited to a select few retailers worldwide. The line has a more sober and restrained aesthetic than Junya's better–known eponymous label, yet is designed with the same obsessive attention to detail and constructed to the highest standards of craftsmanship.

Not to be confused with Comme des Garçons Homme Plus – the main menswear line designed by CDG founder Rei Kawakubo – which has a highly directional deconstructed aesthetic, CDG Homme cultivates a wearable, unassuming yet well–dressed look founded on the pillars of men's sportswear: casual tailoring paired with weatherproof outerwear, crisp shirts and great knitwear. With our full selection from the well–received SS14 collection now available in our shops and online, we put together a few simple looks to highlight the collection's wearability and clean, informal aesthetic.

Sun Buddies is a new eyewear line from Sweden based fashion brand and retailer Très Bien