Kapok

flawless classic design - lip legend collection

Lip type 10 "La croix du sud" (the Southern Cross)

Lip produced the watches on board of the famous 4-engine plane Late300 (also called "La croix du sud" - the Southern Cross) piloted by Jean Mermoz. Jean Mermoz was a French aviator, viewed as a hero by many in both Argentina and his native France, where many schools bear his name. He was the first aviator to fly from Europe to the Pacific Ocean (from Paris to Santiago de Chile) in 1929. He moved to Argentina when he flew a lot of dangerous routes with his friend Antonie de Saint-Exupery (the writer of The Little Prince)

On December 7, 1936 he turned back shortly after take-off to report a troublesome engine on his Latécoère 300 "Croix du Sud" ("Southern Cross"). After learning that he would have to wait for another one to be prepared, he took off again in the same plane after a quick repair, concerned that he would be late in delivering the mail. (His last words before boarding the plane were "Quick, let's not waste time anymore."). Four hours later, the radio station received a short message, where Mermoz reported that he had to cut the power on the aft starboard engine. The message was interrupted abruptly. No further messages were received, and neither the Laté 300 nor the crew were ever recovered. It is assumed that the engine they had tried to repair lost its propeller midflight, causing the plane to lose its tail and crash instantly. 

This accident happened on December 7th, 1936. Mermoz was preparing his 24th crossing of the South Atlantic. At 800 km from Dakar, he unfortunately crashed. The lip watch on board of the plane indicates 10.40.

The type 10 watch was then released as a tribute to this aviation hero. The watch is inspired by the original watch (type 10) aboard this plane.

The type 10 watch (in all-black or black & white version) is available on the kapok webshop.

Charles de Gaulle watch

This watch is a major innovation for the lip brand. The company launched the first electronic watch in 1952, called "Electronic" (it was not electric because of the presence of a diode). The first model was worn by Charles de Gaulle. The Charles de Gaulle watch has a particularly significant place in French history, elaborated to mark the end of WW2.

It was  subsequently given to French president Charles de Gaulle, British prime minister Winston Churchill, and US president Eisenhower and in 1994 to President Bill Clinton to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

This watch has then be dubbed by many admirers "the presidents' watch", and it has been reissued by Lip in 2009.

Nanushka - a pale swinging Summer

We just received the new pre-fall collection of Hungarian designer at kapok. Whilst focusing on functionality, it is modern technique and high quality fabrics that make each Nanushka piece individual.  Nanushka is playful, and carefree with a distinct design edge in mind. Architectural cuts and striking detail are key features of the label. 

From off-shoulder cardigan to cowl dress, chic to formal, the outfits can simply fit in any occasion. The Summer and Pre-fall 09 collection are now exclusively available in Hong Kong at Kapok and on our webshop for worldwide deliveries: www.ka-pok.com

Void Watches - Architectural design on your wrist

VOID - In astronomy, voids are the empty spaces between filaments, the largest-scale structures in the Universe, that contain very few, or no, galaxies. Voids typically have a diameter of 40 to 500 million light years.

VOID Watches is a new, independent boutique watch brand launched in 2008 as the single vision of Swedish designer David Ericsson. VOID Watches has a unique take on watch design using simple yet expressive shapes, giving his watches an almost architectural expression. Just like a great building is designed to fit its environment, all VOID Watches are made to sit perfectly on your wrist.

First out from VOID Watches is the V.01 with it's delicately proportioned half glass, half stainless steel front that could represent the duality of life; like the yin and yang, the past and future, love and hate, right or wrong. There is always an intriguing force within these contrasts and since the decisions you make are often related to time, the V.01 serves as a reminder, that even if the world is not black and white, there will always be choices to make.

The design draws heavily on the scandinavian design tradition using simple geometries and materials often found in architechture. The solid stainless steel case comes in four different colors/surfaces, the watch has a mineral glass crystal and the strap is made of genuine leather. The inverted LCD-display set in its stainless steel frame in combination with the traditional leather strap creates an elegant contrast between old and new, giving a hint of the past and at the same time being very contemporary.

The functions are in line with the design - simple. The V.01 tells you what time and what day it is, the rest is up to you, and they are now available in Kapok, and web shop: www.ka-pok.com

Dosh - Wallet as Art

 

Dosh was founded in 2007 by Henri Spaile and Mark Armstrong. As directors of the Blue Sky design studio, Mark and Henri have created a wide range of award winning products including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch, digital cameras for Olympus and mobile phones for Philips. 

Designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia, Dosh wallets are made from a combination of polymer materials including Desmopan. This durable patented material allows Dosh wallets to be used in environments where most other wallets would perish - this gives Dosh a truly “go-anywhere” edge. Desmopan has been described as the new leather - a sturdy, slick and sexy material built for the modern age. Round corners and streamlined form to fit easily into pockets and reduces uncomfortable bulging.

No animals, humans or rivers are hurt in the production of Dosh wallets, and all of the materials in a Dosh wallet are recyclable at the end of the wallets life.

The innovative card slots provide safe and secure storage for up to 6 cards. This system is designed for easy access and return of the cards back into the slots. Stainless steel centre clips provides safe storage of bank notes and receipts, and allow for easy access. Small and compact, it has been designed to fit comfortably in the pocket without sacrificing storage space.

“Inspired by the world around us” in the words of Henri Spaile – one of the brains behind the design of the wallets, the shadows range comes in tonal black, vivid white and deep velvet red aka oil, gist and hearts whilst the street range reflects the hues of the urban landscape; a range of 9 colourways from the edgy “electric”, the vivid “atlantis” to the eye candy of “cookies and cream”. Each dosh wallet comes with its own collectable flavour card that tells the story of the colour.

 

Dosh card holders and wallet are now available in Kapok and webshop: www.ka-pok.com

Discovering French workwear - Bleu de Paname

Paname is a nostalgic French slang for the city of Paris. "Bleu de paname" (blue from Paname) is a very new brand initiated in 2008 and offering a modern interpretation of French workwear classics.

The designers ambition is to present their knowledge of their cultural hertage but also to showcase the attention to detail and love of quality, with all production based in Paris. Following a hybrid logic of creation, it is a textile range mixing functional and aesthetic : the revisiting of the work uniform with a contemporary vision.

From the working class to the military, factory to the war industry, inspiration is drawn from the heritage of uniform in the past century. The first collection introduces a serie of reinterpretation of several French uniforms, such as the "veste de bougnat" (inn-keeper jacket), "chemise d'infirmier" (ward shirt), "chemise de soudeur" (welder shirt).

They also bring back the very classic "carrot-cut" for their jeans - featuring pocket lining made of dead-stock tent from the French Army in the 50's.

Developed and manufactured in France, the first collection was launched mid-March, 2009. Whereas we have been introduced to americana and US workwear very thoroughly in recent seasons, it is very refreshing to resdicover European workwear.

Bleu de Paname is now available in Kapok and webshop exclusively: www.ka-pok.com

Traditional Handcraft from Downeast Maine - Quoddy Trail Moccassin Co.

The Shorey family has been making moccasins for generations, beginning with Harry Smith Shorey, a handsewer for L.L. Bean in the early 1900s, who also ran his own craftsman and repair shop in Burlington-Lowell. Today, they continue his fine tradition on the Quoddy Trail. In Downeast Maine, near the shores of the Passamaquoddy Bay, they make traditional moccasin styles using the same time-honored techniques and quality materials.

Each process is done by hand — cutting, skiving, stitching, and handsewing. All of Quoddy's styles have in common a one-piece vamp, which wraps around the entire foot. This is handsewn to the "tip" with locked stitches to ensure comfort and durability, the two most important benefits of moccasin construction. All styles, soled or unsoled, have full leather sock liners (not just half) and heel padding for added comfort and cushioning.

While leather properties vary slightly with every hide, each pair demonstrates Quoddy's philosophy: attention to detail and no shortcuts.

2 style of Quoddy Trail Grizzly boots with Chrome or Crepe wrap, are now available in Kapok and new webshop, www.ka-pok.com

Barbisio (since 1862) - probably the best hats in the world

 

Red brick chimneys along the river Cervo creating the skyline of an industrial territory that has found the key to its success in water, the Biellese. Here amongst old factories- some might even be considered examples of industrial archaeology - you will find the Barbisio factory, hat makers since1862.

Always a symbol of style, Barbisio hats have been worn by the international who is who throughout the 20th century. The factory has gathered together the children and grandchildren of hat makers able to shape felt - softened and made resistant by means of steam, heat and water - or weave straw to create headwear able to meet the practical and aesthetic needs of all.

Hats, indeed, are part of our history; worn by intellectuals, peasants, ciergymen, artisans, nobles, artists, by all walks of life, though worn in drfferent ways, for practical reasons of protection but also because it signals belonging, identity, personality.

To shield yourself from a powerful sun, or if you just want to look the part, a selection of  Barbisio straw hats are now available in Kapok and on our webshop: www.ka-pok.com

The Art of Love - Isabelle Rivoire-Grange

 

"I like anything, as long as it is good"

Isabelle Rivoire Grange is a free-lance graphic designer and art director in the fashion and luxury industry, working with companies such as Kenzo, Issey Miyake, Cacharel.

Since 2007, she has developped her own brand, IRG, starting with panties and illustrated notebooks, available in select stores and department stores in Paris.

These basic, sensual and meaningful objects are designed in an ironic, fairy-like and sometimes provocative tone.
 
They are 100% made in France, with LOVE !

After panties and notebooks she now designs printed silk scarves. They can now be purchased at the Kapok store on St. Francis Yard or in our new webshop: ka-pok.com

Eau de Cologne reinvented - by Astier de Villatte

The new born perfume

For Astier de Villatte, Francoise Caron, one of the top perfumers at Takasago, author of worldwide fragrance sensations, such as “L’eau d’orange verte” for Hermes and Giorgio Armani “Gio” developed three colognes of pure delight, exclusive and luscious, that can be worn at all times without getting dull or annoying other people.

   

Eau de Cologne

This fresh splash will instantly wake up any sleeping beauty. A morning shock-wave both stylish and straightforward. A flare of verbena, aromatic effusions of lavender, rosemary, basil; the lift of a fleeting floral note. And a trace of benzoin to secure a lasting freshness.

Eau Chic

A genuine Francoise Caron original, under its tame exterior lies and explosive character. A subtle balance of white flowers (Ylang Ylang, sensitive rose, mysterious tuberose) and nervous, fresh intersity from rosemary, thyme, petitgrain citronnier, and lavender.

Astier de Villatte fragrances can now be purchase at the Kapok store on St. Francis Yard, or in our new webshop : www.ka-pok.com

Saint James - 120 Years of French Classic Knitwear

 

The Saint-James Company has been established in Lower Normandy since 1889 where the company originally spun and dyed local wool. Its fame is based upon a cult item of clothing “the genuine pure new knitted woolen Breton seaman’s sweater”. Originally intended for deep sea fishermen, then adopted by known seafarers, and amateur yachtsmen.

French garlic merchants or “marchand d’ail” traveled to England to sell their produce wearing a “chandail” or sweater. The real Fisherman’s sweater was a long garment, very close fitting, designed to protect a sailor’s back and keep the body warm. Highly practical and very easy to put on as a result of the buttons on the side.

Several variants appeared: colours like red, white as well as stripped, but it should be remembered that, in the Navy, the single coloured sweater was reserved for officers, and the stripped variety for sailors. In the French Navy, young recruits wear a stripped tee-shirt during their three month on board training period.

Originally reserved for professional purposes, the Fisherman’s sweater and tee-shirt have now become, like jeans, a 20th century fashionable clothing item. Rooted in our common heritage, this mythical sweater and tee-shirt are worn by both fishermen or weekend sailors, at sea, and in town. It is a real symbol of escape to distant horizons.