Joe McCoy denim western shirt: One I finished with earlier

 

While we're on the subject of denim shirts (see yesterday), I'd been meaning to show you this Joe McCoy western shirt I got a few weeks ago. Amazingly well-washed Japanese denim, based on the Wrangler shirt, gorgeous, too small for me, sadly now sold.

Visvim four corners shirt: Covered

Visvim's version of the denim western shirt, with the 'four corner' shoulder detail (the other two corners are on the arms) is avalailable this year in a one-wash finish.

Visvim ballistic colour bloc: be seen

The backpack above is perhaps the least offensive colourway of the new Visvim backpack collection. This time around any hints of traditional twists and tribal hints have been pushed aside for sheer, in your face, colour shock. While this might be advisable for being seen on those dangerous urban streets, it makes for a god awful offering.

Visvim Scriptura: these will take some getting used to

 

Another footwear offering from Visvim and it's evident that Hiroki Nakamura is getting a bit fed up with white Vibram soles. The Scriptura is a vintage-looking hiker with a battered leather upper made from some endangered species no doubt, and features a grey Vibram sole. The best bit is the heel cap.

Visvim Virgil: the penny drops

 

You've probably all worked out why Hiroki Nakamura named his boots Virgils but I can sometimes be a bit slow on the uptake and therefore I've only just worked it out.

They are named after USAAF Captain Virgil Hilts, Steve McQueen's character in The Great Escape and they are a reinterpretation of the boots he wore in the film. These were standard issue for the US military in the 1940s and were constructed from a 'reverse cowhide,' which meant that the shiny bit was on the inside.

Japanese doll maker and replica specialist Toys McCoy has created a pair which are most likely even more of a faithful reproduction than the originals they are based on. Obviously trying to find a pair is going to end up a mission in itself. Easier to source are the Buzz Ricksons version, which also look the part.

But we all know the only pair of Virgils to have are Visvim's.

Oh, and if you know of any other reason Virgils are thus named, I'd love to hear it.

Visvim

Visvim

Visvim

Buzz Ricksons

Toys McCoy

Visvim SS12: the way they wear it

Visvim's 2012 collection is being drip-fed to us once more, and when it's all released you could look like one of these chaps.

Take a good look, because unless you win the lottery this evening you're unlikely to ever see this many pieces of Visvim on one person ever, with the price of this stuff. Alternatively go down your high street and put yourself a similar outfit together at a fraction of the price seeing as everyone seems to be having a go at ripping it off.

I think this shoot could be from Sense magazine. I could be wrong.

Visvim Virgil Cantor Folk: new

My first thought when I saw End's email featuring these Visvim Virgil Cantor Folk was: "what can I sell to get them?" I then wondered if the combined sale of my Virgil KNGR and Armiger would raise the cash.

And therein lies the problem. It actually crossed my mind to sell two perfectly good pairs of boots, even if the KNGR are still a little tight, to get these. And then I thought: "When will it ever end?" Followed by: "They don't look as good anyway."

But they still look nice. Available, fittingly, from End.

Visvim SS12: Eastern promise

No, this isn't the same old shite that Visvim pedals out year after year while managing to double the price, because Hiroki has come home. So it's slightly different shite at double the price.

So the theme is Japanese, which means Japanesey patterns, shirts which look like shrunken karate robe, and flips flops with massive great elevated wooden soles.

And a Japanese photoshoot from Sense magazine. At least they didn't have to go far this time.

PS: Visvim fans who might be new readers should note that while I mention the word 'shite' I use the term loosely and am a fan myself. So much in fact that by the end of the season I might even be swanning around in a karate robe.

Visvim Grizzly boots: tough

The Grizzly is one of the most anticipated releases in the Visvim inventory. It is the Visvim version of the Yuketen Maine Guide boot and as a fan of both brands, I would say that on this occassion Yuketen got there first. This, however is arguably a more interesting offering, if only for the trademark heel stabilizer and jungle-boot-esque canvas or denim side panels.

PS: To whoever got the pair of these that came up on Yoox for, like, five minutes, I salute you. 

 

Visvim ss12: Back to the roots

Hiroki Nakamura seems to have packed up his Navajo tent and headed back home for this season's Visvim collection, which apparently takes its inspiration from Japanese culture, right down to the wooden flip flops. Vibram sole, I'm guessing.