(purple)

Nothing is stopping the movement of luxury into the online world. Where just years ago, luxury brands would almost flat out refuse the kind of coverage that the online media (including us) could offer, today they’re opening online shops to make it easier for the masses to get their hands on said products. The latest? Prada. “Starting July 1, the prada.com website is expanding its distribution network by launching the E-Store in Continental United States, one of the world’s most receptive markets for online purchasing, as well as Alaska and Puerto Rico. The region has long been strategic for the brand’s development and image.”

London’s The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art presents Siren City: Photographs of Naples beginning on June 30, 2010. The photographs, taken by Johnnie Shand Kydd, number at fifty and trace an eight year relationship between artist and city. Known for his portraits of artist friends (especially the YBA’s), Shand Kydd’s vision of Naples is nothing short of seduction. Inspired by the myth of Siren Parthenope, he works to find the “sexy” (if you’ll allow some simplistic reading) of the city to come forth.

Siren City: Photographs of Naples will run to September 12, 2010. The Estorick Collection is located at 39a Canonbury Sq, London, N1. A related book will also be available through Other Criteria.

This will be the first UK showing of the works.

Above (in detail): Boys retrieving ball from balcony, 2006, Silver gelatin print, 50 x 40 cm.

More scenes from Naples after the jump.

We bring you looks from the Margaret Howell’s Spring 2011 collection. Mixed looks of everyday ready goods make up the collection. A proper boy’s look if you will. Dig in and explore the looks. Let us know what you think in the comments.

More looks at the Margaret Howell Spring/Summer 2011 Presentation after the click.

Stemming from an exhibition at Fogg Art Museum from late 2006, the online exhibition UnderCover: Artists’ Sketchbooks unveils the artistic leanings and practices of several leading 19th and 20th-century painters. Included is John Singer Sargent, whose sketchbook includes drawings that would later find form in his murals for the Boston Public Library, and George Grosz, whose mid-century sketchbook investigates the Manhattan skyline.

Influence and obssession can both be drawn from the sketchbooks and the exhibit allows for easy access to these rare and fascinating materials. A good way to kill time at the office between World Cup matches.

Pages from John Singer Sargent’s sketchbook after the jump.

Monitaly, Yuketen’s brother brand, had this great looking piece at their stand. Despite the headline of this piece, we hesitate to call it camo because it’s actually a pattern of old-school fisherman in the usual camo colours. We’re sure that sentence didn’t make much sense, but take a leap to see the pattern up close for yourself. (Photography: Munos)

Yep, it’s another lightweight jacket. It’s still raining where we reside, so we’ll probably be looking at jackets until autumn arrives. Having seen this piece up close we can confirm that it’s ridiculously light, suitable for summer days – even those annoyingly wet, hot and muggy ones. And it’s sale season, so you can get this for 50% off (be warned: that still doesn’t make it cheap). [Alwaysnever]

Classics devotees, look away now. Cause, a new and exclusive addition to the brand list at Goodhood, have dared to update the Wallabee – and they’ve actually done a good job. We’ve personally never been crazy about the size of the sole on the original wallabee, so Cause’s trimming of the sole is right up our alley. And on a practicality note, the side zip makes them wearable on those long haul flights when you have to take your shoes off. (Goodhood)

Song remains the same, detailed images after the leap.

We’ve tried our best to stay away from navy outerwear this season, but here’s a piece we had to put up. Bomber jackets are always great spring wear, perfect for going over a shirt when the weather calls for light outerwear. As you’d expect from the brand currently out-APC’ing APC, it’s an understated piece that could slot into anyone’s wardrobe. And it’s on sale. (Coggles)

Take a leap, see those detailed images.

‘A short film about London Fashion, fine mens shoes and romance.’