The Darker Side of Simon Spurr

Five years after introducing his eponymous luxury menswear label, New York-based designer
Simon Spurr will reveal a darker side to his personality with his autumn/winter 2011 collection….

This will mark the 3rd season of the SIMON SPURR luxury main line since separating from the
SPURR label, a re-positioned and widely distributed collection that’s centered on premium denim and modern sportswear.

While the SIMON SPURR range will continue to reflect Simon’s clean and contemporary aesthetic, the new autumn/winter 2011 collection is more conceptual—custom-made fabrics
and materials are juxtaposed against one another to create movement—and sets a more serious tone in a darker color palette.

“I think the majority of people know the collection for its tailoring, clean lines, luxurious fabrics and sophisticated look,” Spurr said. “And whilst this runs through the collection, the reduction of the color palette allows the viewer’s eye to focus more towards the fit, texture and proportion of the product.”

By restricting color and primarily using black, white and grey, the collection also achieves a definitive, more dramatic point of view. Oversized, hooded cashmere knits are paired with formal suiting, while graduated stripes in custom-made suits are contrasted with coated fabrics, laser-cut plonge leather and outerwear, including a black wool and cashmere top coat with leather sleeves and a fawn-colored shearling trench coat.

“There is still a reality to how these clothes can be worn—this is a signature consideration to the brand – but I have just pushed the boundaries of sartorialism slightly,” Spurr said.
With the exception of the denim, SIMON SPURR is produced exclusively in Italy.

Have a look at the entire collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Simon Spurr, Courtesy Starworks Group.

William Eustace by Nina Choi for Simon Spurr Fall Winter 2010

The Simon Spurr Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Designer Simon Spurr launched his eponymous Spring/Summer 2011 menswear collection SIMON SPURR on the runway of Exit Art during New York Fashion Week on September 12, 2010 at 11AM.

The SIMON SPURR Spring 2011 range references British dress codes from the manicured style of Savile Row to the dress regalia of the British cavalry.

Transitioning through an eclectic color palate of tan, raspberry, grey and black, the collection depicts the journey of a modern traveler.

Custom made suiting fabrics with engineered stripes are contrasted with dark, military-style washed leather jackets and fly weight nylon parkas.

The collection is stylishly punctuated with a new assortment of accessories including 60's inspired sunglasses, straw hats and hand-made umbrellas.

Simon Spurr introduces a men’s sunglasses collection called SIMON SPURR BY SELIMA for the Spring/Summer 2011 season along with a small range of private label hats with Selima.

These debuted at the show and will be available at select retail outlets across the country.

Click here for more images.

Photos Copyright Simon Spurr, Courtesy Starworks.

The World through the Glasses of Simon Spurr!

Luxury Menswear Brand Simon Spurr Launches Sunglasses Collection by Selima for Spring 2011

New York, NY (August 30, 2010) — Designer Simon Spurr will launch a men’s sunglasses collection called SIMON SPURR BY SELIMA for the Spring/Summer 2011 season. The new styles will debut on the runway of Simon’s upcoming fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 12, 2010 at 11AM.

Initially, the range will consist of 4 plastic frames (handmade in France) and 1 metal frame (handmade in Italy). Based on Simon’s strong point of view, the frames echo the SIMON SPURR brand's aesthetic, strength and confidence.

Inspired by some vintage 1960's frames that might have been worn by Paul Newman or Steve McQueen, the frames are decidedly elegant and modern. The style names of the frames include iconic men such as Carter, Cain, Charlie, Carlyle, and Alfie.

As a shopper, Simon has always had difficulty finding frames that had the perfect proportion to them.

Adding a sunglasses category to the growing SIMON SPURR brand portfolio was the next logical step. Most of the SIMON SPURR plastic frames are molded from translucent plastic in Grey, Navy and Military Green. There are also some signature solid black color ways that have tan colored arms.

All of the lens are technically approved and protect the eyes from UVA and UVB rays offering the best quality and protection for the wearer.

“Selima as a brand and as an individual exudes precision and elegance respectively. Her success and charismatic flair in the world of eyewear is unparalleled and to be honest, it felt like the perfect partnership.” – Simon Spurr

“Selima is drawn to simplicity elegance and craftsmanship. The brand Simon Spurr encompasses the excellence of all the qualities above and it doesn't hurt that he is so good looking either.” – Selima Salaun

In addition to sunglasses, SIMON SPURR is also making a small range of private label hats with Selima. These will also debut at the Spring 2011 show and will be available at select retail outlets across the country.

For several more images, click here.

Photos Copyright Simon Spurr, Courtesy Starworks.

Timo Weiland and Simon Spurr on Arcade 44

Meet Timo Weiland and Simon Spurr through the lens of Arcade 44 in an exciting video called New Order.

Arcade 44 is a “channelzine” that peers into the lives of individuals who shape pop culture.

Arcade 44 was fouded by Angela Craves, who hails from Leucadia California, and Fataah Dihaan from New York.

Other members include Matt Yu (Artistic Director) of Toronto and Michael Shick (Multimedia Consultant) from North Carolina.

Now, let’s turn our attention to Timo Weiland and Simon Spurr:

New Order // Simon Spurr + Timo Weiland from Arcade44.tv on Vimeo

Photo Arcade 44 team, Copyright Arcade 44.

Simon Spurr in the Hamptons

Okay, not to show my ignorance, but the first time I ever heard of the Hamptons was on the TV series Sex & the City.

Since then, I have learned that the Hamptons consist of several villages in and around the towns of Southampton and East Hampton on the eastern tip of Long Island.

Originally home to the Montaukets, East Hamptons was settled in 1648 by English Puritans, who had migrated to New England.

Southamptons was founded in 1640 by settlers who slowly moved in among the Shinnecock Indians.

Now, the Hamptons are a renown seaside resort, as well as a historical Summer Colony of affluent New Yorkers and others.

Unfortunately, I still have never made the trek there!

But now, there is a reason to go: the Simon Spurr Fall 2010 Men’s Preview and In-Store Trunk Show, hosted by designer Simon Spurr at Blue & Cream, 60 On The Circle, East Hampton, New York.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 17th, 6-8PM with complimentary cocktails by Svedka.

Photo Courtesy Starworks Group, Copyright Simon Spurr.

Simon Spurr: Bridging the Transatlantic Divide in Fall 2010

Simon Spurr once again bridges the Transatlantic divide by combining British bespoke tailoring with American hip into a sort of “relaxed sophistication.”

After much acclaim for previous collections, Simon Spurr recently debuted a new high-end tailored collection in New York.

When I asked Fashion PR director, Austin Smedstead, about what inspired Spurr’s collection, he responded with the following statement from Simon:

“My intention was to establish SIMON SPURR as a modern luxury menswear brand. I definitely drew upon my British roots and focused on precision tailoring loosely inspired by the 60/70’s Savile Row tailor, Tommy Nutter. I wanted to bring a British sensibility to American fashion week. I’m British, many of my reference points are British and that’s my look.”

Situated in Mayfair of central London, Savile Row is the “golden mile of tailoring” where the term bespoke tailoring is said to have originated. In contrast to ready-to-wear, bespoke tailoring refers to highly customized clothing, which is patterned and crafted for an individual.

Tommy Nutter (1943-1992) reinvented the Savile Row suit in the 1960’s, having opened his own shop on Savile Row in 1969. He modernized Savile Row with open windows and bold displays.

For more information on Simon Spurr, please refer to the following articles:

Spurred on by the Vintage Photos of Helmut Newton
Spurr on Spurring the Vintage Silhouette



Photo & slideshow Copyright Simon Spurr.

Spurred on by the Vintage Photos of Helmut Newton

Born in Berlin to a German-Jewish manufacturer of buttons and to an American mother, Helmut Newton (1929-2004) snapped his first pictures of interest at the age of twelve.

After fleeing Nazi Germany, Helmut set up a fashion photography studio in Melbourne, Australia, and later in Paris, soon emerging as an internationally renowned photographer.

For the Spring of 2010, Helmut Newton’s vintage photographs revisit us as they have spurred on English designer Simon Spurr, who brings to us a traditional silhouette with avant-garde cuts and enlivened colors that are reminiscent of the 1970’s ultra modernity.

The collection is a snapshot of confidence and relaxed sophistication for the modern man.

For more articles on Simon Spurr, read Spurr on Spurring the Vintage Silhouette.



Photo & slideshow 2009 s/s collection Copyright Spurr.