One of the better bag makes we ran into at Pitti Uomo this week was Italy’s Silent People. The concept is a simple: take vintage jackets, preferably military, heritage outerwear, as well as leather bombers, and re-formulate them into satchels and bags. Designers and vintage collectors, Franco Armilla and Filippo Biancoli, enjoy the idea of the sharing history through the new forms.

The gallery (below) is filled with the details of their Silent People work. You’ll find a rucksack formed from an old Barbour jacket; a shearling lined farm coat converted into a satchel, as well as a U.S. pilot’s bomber jacket converted into an attache. We see vintage Woolrich in there as well. The designed are well considered and stay sustainable in all regards. At one point, Silent People was available in the U.S.A. We’re not clear on stocklists outside of Europe and Japan at this time.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

More look after the click.

Paris’ Bonastre previews their forthcoming Spring Summer 2012 collection of finely crafted leather bags for men. For the season, they’re sticking to the natural side of leather with treatments composed of oak bark and olive oil. Manufactured in Spain, the Bonastre collection looks wonderful. Find them at better boutiques including L’Éclaireur in Paris or Tomorrowland in Japan.

More looks after the click.

Ghurka’s origins begin in Connecticut (hello!) sometime around 1975 when designer, Marley Hodgson took his love for fine British leatherworks and applied it to belts and accessories. More than 30 years on, Ghurka continues in the fine tradition of its past with a very wide selection of leather bags. We take a look at items from Ghurka’s Original Leather offering, which is sure to catch the eye of many out there.

Now that it is a bit later to order online, you may consider visiting Ghurka’s NYC shop at The Sherry Netherland, 781 Fifth Avenue.

More look after the click.

Another little exclusive from the North Sea Crew. We had to bring you up close and personal with this one because it’s both navy and a satchel which means it has a head start against all the other bags. The great thing about this one is that it’s taken a classic style and made it less 1940s schoolboy. Not that there’s anything wrong with this look but it’s nice to see the ubiquitous kids carrier made a little smarter for the grown-ups. Of course, construction, materials and fixins’ all top notch quality, hitting stores soon.

Click for images

We have a look at some Bally offerings for Spring Summer 2012. A top notch collection, Bally really has a knack of making something special out of casualwear. Throwing in smarter pieces here and there, everything looks, well,  we’re hesitant to use the word ‘luxurious’ but that’s exactly what they managed to achieve.

The wider leg trousers are a bit of a hit as is their retrained use of colour. The label continues to bring out the leather and suede, as accessory experts first and foremost they know how to use hides to great effect. A job well done. (emm)

Click for more

I’m listening to the latest mix up on mnmlssg, by Ancient Methods. The sound of this music can only be described as modern techno: hard hitting, almost battering at times while remaining in full control both my ears but also the pace at which I write this post. It is not for the faint hearted, and very far from what many would consider casual listening. Try it. You may like it. Play it while you read the following post and I’ll get to the point at the end…

Richmond, VA’s Need Supply rolls through their 15 year projects with this final collaborative work with the boys of Jersey’s Billykirk (yes, they are brothers and their products predate this menswear blogging business). The schoolboy satchel is made from rich Horween leather (your favorite of course for many reasons); Chicago Latigo leather to be precise. Hardware wise, you’ll find a leather carry handle and a detachable shoulder strap as well as brass closures throughout. It is indeed a beautiful bag, well constructed from people we trust to bring us a solid, performing product, which we hope you hand down to your friends and maybe your kids.

This schooolboy bag is one that we would carry and wear without the need for a uniform in mind. It is a utilitarian item made to serve a purpose. The fact that it looks great is secondary. If you do buy this bag, you will purchase it for one of many reasons. You will study the photos below (and maybe even see it in person) to ensure that you find it up to your standards. We believe it will be.

But more importantly, you will not give a rat’s ass what the guy next to you thinks about this product. This is for you, not for the trainspotter in SOHO trying to discover the next new look is. You.

Like me and the Ancient Methods set I am listening to right now: you do not care if anyone approves because at the end of the day, shopping and music is personal. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks. It’s almost 2012.

Find this and many other goods  at Need Supply.

More looks after the click.

Here’s another look at the Middle Eastern rugs turned satchels from the A Kind of Guise collection – we featured them recently. As mentioned, they are cut from rugs and limited to 100 bags. Beautiful and simple designs for your day to day. SOTO Berlin has them in store and online.

More looks after the click.

Blue de Chauffe is the name given to the blue work jackets worn by french train conductors in the early 1900s. It went on to find itself on the back of factory workers and became general wear for anyone considered, yes, blue-collar. Well, all this feels a million miles from this smart collection of bags but the brand tell us it’s all about inspiration. Indeed, the line has a very utilitarian feel about it and whilst you may not use yours to carry your railroad workers hat, these are built to suit just about every modern task. Another brand walking that modern/classic line, their Spring Summer 2012 collection may be their best yet.

Click for more

Today, we head over to Europe for a taste of Italy through the eyes of Marco Ravanetti, the editor of one of our favorite sites, Men’s Reveire. We asked him to pick eight of his favorite items for the holidays; goods that could serve as gifts for just about anyone. We of course get a very discreet list what can only be seen as a very considered offering.

As Mr. Ravanetti tell us, “Yes, I do love gifts. A lot, although I don’t receive them very often. Due to this, eight, is a very tight number, therefore, I hope Jeff will allow me to cheat just a tiny bit.” Yes, sir, you can cheat.

Click for more looks at the eight gift selections from Italy’s Marco Ravanetti.

North Sea continue their march to accessory glory with another addition to the collection. A simple canvas holdall with a nautical feel (well, it’s trimmed with navy), they have enlisted the skills of a long established Belgian craftsman.

Using leather from English tannery Sedgwicks, everything is constructed by a small saddlery firm. As with all things from this label, expect sturdy, hard-wearing goodness with this carrier – those rubber handles mean business. More at North Sea.

Click for images