Two brands for your consideration - Nicholas K and Helmet of the Will

[LA Guy]

I am constantly looking for hoodies, and sometimes find other stuff along the way.

Nicholas K has been around a while, but they really started catching my eye in FW06. The cuts are more generous (the brother is the model on the site, and he is not a small guy,) which means that at 5'11" and 152 lbs, I wear a small in many styles. I really like the muted pallette, including the washed out French terry hoodies in brighter colors that are made wearable by having a soft, garment washed treatment. Not really cheap (hoodies are $225+), but there are tons of details on the pieces. lots of zip off (or snap off) hoodies, snap button closers, etc... Peasant had some pieces, as does Caravan in NYC (www.shopcaravan.com) and NewDandyism (www.newdandyism.com). Great outerwear as well.

www.nicholask.com

I also really like Helmet of the Will hoodies ( www.helmetwill.com ) Active Endeavors (cough cough) carries their hoodies online, but Steven Alan and Uncle Otis have them as well (Otis has the best prices, even better than Active, at $180CDN). The hoodies are really well made, with great details like three piece hoods, and ribbed inserts on the hood (middle piece of hood is actually ribbed) and shoulder) as well at on the hem, side, and cuffs. Brand new brand started by an ex-Rogan designer. Brian tells me that he is getting the hoodies for fall.

 

[hermes]

i think nicholas k will be a big thing in a few years
the talent is there


on a side note, what's up with all these women designers using the last letter "K"; there's filippa k, daryl k and now nicholas k ......

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by hermes

i think nicholas k will be a big thing in a few years
the talent is there


on a side note, what's up with all these women designers using the last letter "K"; there's filippa k, daryl k and now nicholas k ......

Um, they coincidentally have last names starting with "K"? It's "Kunz" in the case of Nicholas K. I believe that it is "Kerrigan" in Daryl K. Not sure if Filippa K is a person or just a corporate construct.

 

[Brian SD]

Nicholas K makes some very unique pieces. Reminds of me of Engineered Garments but with a more European inspiration. I'm a fan of the Davis shirt in Mint.

 

[hermes]

i realize that their last names are with a letter "k" (it's knutsson for fillippa k, by the way, and she's a real person and a rather attractive swede if i recall her face correctly) but my point is that it's rather ironic that three women designers with last names starting with the letter "k" don't use their last name, but the letter "k" instead .....

anyway, it's just an off topic comment

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by hermes

i realize that their last names are with a letter "k" (it's knutsson for fillippa k, by the way, and she's a real person and a rather attractive swede if i recall her face correctly) but my point is that it's rather ironic that three women designers with last names starting with the letter "k" don't use their last name, but the letter "k" instead .....

anyway, it's just an off topic comment

Ah, smart guy

Moderation necessary?

 

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by Brian SD

Nicholas K makes some very unique pieces. Reminds of me of Engineered Garments but with a more European inspiration. I'm a fan of the Davis shirt in Mint.

Wow, that is a nice shirt, though if it fits like that on a guy built like that, it may be cut a bit loose for me. "EG with a more European inspiration" is basically my dream label.

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

Wow, that is a nice shirt, though if it fits like that on a guy built like that, it may be cut a bit loose for me. "EG with a more European inspiration" is basically my dream label.

Are you saying that you are not dark and brooding and muscley? Actually, you are my size, more or less - which means you'd need a small in most of their pieces.

 

[Rye GB]

When I hear "Helmet Of The Will" I keep thinking of "Purple Helmets"...why?.

Nicholas K gear looks good, nice details without looking contrived. I'm not a fan of EG, too fussy for me.

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by Rye GB

When I hear "Helmet Of The Will" I keep thinking of "Purple Helmets"...why?.

Nicholas K gear looks good, nice details without looking contrived. I'm not a fan of EG, too fussy for me.

Too easy... must... resist....

Yeah, I really like the Nicholas K stuff as well. Thought that you might like it, seeing as she uses a lot of the same details as you do (separable layered pieces for outerwear, for example) except in a different context.

Engineered Garments fussy? Really? I have the opposite reaction. The stuff is nearly all based on heritage workwear pieces, so all the details have some function. Well, different strokes.

As for the name "Helmet of the Will", I am not sure whether it is a play on the designer's name (Will) or a reference in Nietzche ("Helmet of the Will to Power").

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by hermes

i think nicholas k will be a big thing in a few years
the talent is there


on a side note, what's up with all these women designers using the last letter "K"; there's filippa k, daryl k and now nicholas k ......

Didn't Daryl K. close after the Pegasus Group bought them out?

 

[PeasantLLC]

we had the nicholas k shirt in mint--look carefully at the shirt, it is a zip-up then button-up piece--very, very cool.

 

[gdl203]

I really really like Nicholas K stuff. Especially, the outerwear is just fantastic. I picked up a Nicholas K Bronson jacket in fawn color at Odin in January during the sale (40% off so not too painful) and it is just awesome. Fit is great and the materials and hardware are extremely well chosen. They also make some beautiful cardigans. I am very happy with that purchase and I believe this brand will go far if they don't start messing up with quality.

here's their Spring catalog
http://www.nicholask.com/pdf/NicholasK_spr07_m.pdf

 

[sygyzy]

I normally love your suggestions LA Guy, but I am not feeling these right now. Maybe I'll grow to like them but first impressions are not great.

 

[jet]

Nicholas k is somewhat gimmicky to me and the construction isn't all that great, I feel it is a tad contrived contrary to what Rye said, then again I never agree with him anyway. The other I have no opinion of but I prefer filippa k and acne to Nick though I own no pieces from either.