Greetings from Lisbon,
I hope you are all doing well. This has been a busy week with even more travel than usual, so as a little BTS tidbit, this weekly newsletter is now written about a week or two in advance with room for 1-2 pieces of content that emerge in the run-up to its publication. This way, you are all getting better-curated content, and my daytime responsibilities don’t suffer as much as they did in the past - because compiling all of these links, photos and editing videos takes time.
And because I do not want this to end up becoming another curation of factories, brands, and explainers that we have all read a dozen times before - because of herd mentality. There will also be a slightly more coordinated content cadence - so expect a new leather goods brand every Friday throughout June, a business/marketing fashion take mid-week, and another “HQ brand” (the full list remains a paid subscriber feature) every Tuesday. Leaving three days, including Saturday and Sunday, for Q&A and miscellaneous lists (think baby/children’s wear).
So until next week, stay cozy or cool, depending on where in the world you are
HQ Brands - Henderson
Henderson, the Italian shoemaker, was founded in 1932. Its focus is on semi-casual shoes, with the majority of the lineup being loafers. Its men’s and women’s shoes feature a Blake construction, and its sneakers are very comfort-oriented with full leather linings. In addition to dress shoes, you will find woven leathers, suede summer loafers, and boots in the winter here.
Shop women - Shop men - Watch the video
Suitsupply vs Corneliani
Meermin’s summer sale
ICYMI, Meermin’s sale started on May 21st, and I picked a range of suede and horsebit loafers for you this summer.
HQ brands - Pinel & Pinel
The brand is only 20 years old but made a splash debut with its trunks - the kind of trunks that made Louis Vuitton famous back in the day. Collaborations with Bang & Olufson, Champagne house Krug, and other brands gave it instant credibility among the initiated. Yes, it has a house pattern, because duh.
Italian leather belt makers
Leather 🤝 Italy - belts have somehow remained an SMB category that no conglomerate has acquired a brand in. That’s why have the pleasure of sampling from craftsmanship-led brands that do not adhere to the shareholder value maximization mantra.
Common Projects vs Kuio vs Oliver Cabell
Stridewise made a comparison that you should watch if you are in the market for any of these three brands.
DMs on TikTok and Instagram are open, so keep your questions coming