It’s not every day one slips on a bejewelled Oscar de la Renta number, but today wasn’t just any day. Boutique 1, my aforementioned stockist extraordinaire, hosted a party to celebrate the Fin’s launch in the UAE in their totally lavish JBR shop. The full Fin’s range was gloriously displayed in the centre of the menswear department, with their proud designer sitting amongst them having her photo taken. There were so many members of press and even a few new Fin’s fans, scooping up the first of the B1 Fin’s stock. I can’t wait to see all the press that this has generated, and hope the photos aren’t too morbs.
There is nothing more wonderful than spending an afternoon looking great and talking about yourself while everyone tells you how wonderful your shoes are. What an amazing final day before I jet off back to the gloom of London town. Not only has Fin’s really struck a chord with the peeps in Dubai, the shoes positively glimmer in the Arabian sunshine, and the reaction I have had over here is a reminder that all this hard work is totes worth it. Thank you so much to everyone for having me, particularly Sophie and Polly, and the team at the Residence at the Royal Mirage; I can’t wait to come back. xx
So today was the Princes’ Cup Polo. Fin’s was one of the many esteemed sponsors of the event, which feels incredibly grown-up. With our name in lights (see yesterday) and our ad firmly printed in the brochure, we set off to the Habtoor Polo Grounds armed with a mountain of shoes and set up our display – right in the middle of the whole event, ready to distract all comers from the polo.
There must be something in the sand here, as the boys seemed to gravitate as if spellbound towards the Fin’s tables. Unable to control themselves, they ordered 10 pairs at a time: fraught with indecision, they simply bought them all. All my UK customers should take note: henceforth I would prefer all orders to be frenzied and hysterical, not placed with your customary English reserve.
As well as picking up a gaggle of giggling new Fin’s fans, there were some loyal feet there, sporting pairs old and new, worn and pristine. Here’s me with uber-dish Ed Harris sporting his Reggie Leather Loafers in Torquay Tan
And both Masters of Ceremonies of the whole day were sporting Fin’s to match their Polo shirts, Tom in his Portofino Yellow George’s and Ed in his Rio Reds.
What a cracking day out had by all. Fin’s will definitely be flying the flag at next year’s event. Thanks so much to everyone for wearing your Fin’s with pride, buying your Fin’s with excitement, and fanning Fin through the heat of the day!
Last night I joined a gang of expats for dinner at a Thai restaurant called Mango Tree. I have seen the one in London and never really even thought of dining there, but the one over here seems to be something of a hotspot. And talk about a vista: a really cracking fountain extravaganza exploded from the man-made lake below accompanied by some belly-dancing beats. Leaping up with my Blackberry to capture the magic on camera while everyone else sat non-plussed, the display was then followed by a soothing spray of cooling fountain-fresh water brought by the breeze. Sadly the taste and aroma of the spritz was more Chessington World of Adventures than Club 55. The boys around the table not already wearing their Fin’s were thrilled with the revelations of the new Fin’s Middle East website.
It doesn’t get much more exciting than seeing your own name up in lights. Well, this is the closest I’ve come yet. As we went to the Dubai Polo Club to do a recce for tomorrow’s Fin’s event at the Princes’ Cup, they were testing out the big screen, and what should pop up but the Middle East’s new favourite shoe brand. Major.
Hopefully tomorrow will see the pillars of Emirate society squabbling over the Rio Reds and Mustique Greens, backs turned from the chukkas, mallets, ponies, etc. Until then, a nap before dinner at Zuma tonight beckons.
The Fin’s launch in the Middle East has been something of a planetary alignment. The cosmos started moving when I received the call from litch the coolest shop in the Emirates, Boutique 1, wanting to place an order for Spring Summer 2010. An introduction to Sophie, the sensational creature who would become my Fin’s Girl on the Ground, and an invitation to co-host the Prince’s Cup Polo sealed the deal that a Middle East Finvasion was meant to be.
And so it is that I am sitting in the wonderment that is my suite in the Residence at the One&Only Royal Mirage keeping a diary of my first official business trip to Dubai.
DAY ONE:
Poolside acclimatisation in the morning complete, it’s off to an afternoon of meetings at Boutique 1. Having heard that it’s the only place to be stocked, I thought it prudent to check it out, and it didn’t disappoint. Wowee, what a concept store – a huge, multi-layered bonanza of treats from all the best designers and creators ever. Fin’s will be in very fine company.
A meeting with Louise, the fabulous head honcho of press etc. there, to discuss the official Fin’s press launch in-store on Sunday. See above photo of me, a good point well made I hope you’ll agree. Really excited about that, apparently all the best press from the best publications will be there with bells on.
Then a meeting with the big cheese of the Boutique 1 website, a statuesque German beauty called Julia. Newly launched this week, it is setting the standard for online shopping, and I’m so excited that Fin’s is going to be a big part of the project, as well, of course, as having our own Fin’s Middle East site.
I was (obvio) too young to get all a-quiver when Colin Firth emerged from the fountain in Pride & Prejudice all those years ago. By all accounts, it was something of a seminal moment for gal pals the globe over. But, apparently I should prepare myself to properly fall in love with Colin Firth in his role in A Single Man. Not just him, but his house, his car, his wardrobe, his cocktails, his specs, the lot. It’s no wonder, as Tom Ford, the icon indiscriminately adored by all creatures great and small, has directed his debut film with all the flair and perfectionism that he applied to those infamous bikini waxes back in the Gucci days. Anyway, the long and short of it is that I’m really looking forward to being escorted to the Electric Cinema to check out A Single Man, and if any single men want to book a sofa with a bottle of wine this weekend, let me know.
Men’s style bloggers are pretty much the most tricky to please. They spend their days foraging through the fashion world, from Bond Street to High Street; there is nothing they don’t know about their craft. It was therefore with great pride that we saw that Fin’s has secured the approval of Simon Crompton at Permanent Style.
One of our favourite things about menswear is the sometimes obsessive eye to detail: the cut, quality, how and where products are manufactured, the list goes on… Permanent Style captures this perfectly.
For example, a recent post on ties:
“This post is about getting your tie to stand upright in the collar, arching out from the neck to create a flattering curve. The three tips are: keep it at the top of the collar band, tighten it horizontally and make sure it remains central.”
Check out our entry on Permanent Style and lots more fascinating entries and tips here.
Over at Fin’s HQ, we like to think that we can be relied upon to create timelessly chic shoes for our loyal Fin’s fans across the globe. Not for us the flitting fads, it’s about defining the needs of our customer and gradually developing a range of shoes that will cater for his every need. Having said that, we should all have a look at what the creatures at Men’s Fashion Week are wearing as they dash with panache between shows. Fine, some of the ensembles may be a little on the zany side at times, but theirs are ideas that will gradually saturate through to the mainstream, so let’s at least try and stay ahead.
Here are a couple of my favourite looks from the streets of Paris and Milan:
Roll up your trousers to reveal a flash of tartan, pull up your Fair Isle socks and tie up your Timberland/Brogue Hybrids for ultimate Lumberjack Chic:
A tapered army stride paired with leather booties. Military Smurf is so hot right now:
Sarcasm aside, we were slightly taken by this woven leather belt. Maybe best applied beneath the coat, but some inspiration for a possible accessories line.
And this grey pashmina is classic and practical, and the girls will flock to steal it.
Now that the festivities have ceased, the harsh reality of January has dawned and the climate prevents us from wearing anything remotely glamorous, our threshold for hysteria has decreased significantly. So you can imagine the wild squeals of excitement when this photo landed in our inbox at Fin’s HQ.
Olly Murs was by far the sexiest contestant on the last X Factor, and his choice of footwear obviously reflects that. The Fin’s rubber soles are also totally suitable for his dance moves. Also, note the double thumbs up – a clear sign of an Essex lad enjoying his new kicks. To get the look, click here!
We have a huge crush on model and soon-to-be major movie star Flee B-B, but always find ourselves looking old and frumps standing next to her. That aside, we are thrilled to have her as one of our Fin’s Style Heart Throb contributors. She has chosen King of Cool, John Travolta.
Why John Travolta?
Uma Thurman and him in Pulp fiction- that dancing scene. I just want to be her to be with him.
Any particular look that inspires?
The early Mickey Rourke and John Travolta were kind of from the same ilk- they had that effortless cool. The dimple in the chin, the deep smooth voice, the turned up collar and that very important Grease Lightning quiff.
Despite the now middle aged paunch- he still maintains that effortless and unfazed cool and that is why he is my ultimate style heart throb.
