Brand watch: Spring Court
In 1936, Parisian tennis fan Georges Grimmeisen invented a revolutionary canvas shoe geared to comfort and durability. In 1952, holes for ventilation were added along the sole and a design classic was (re)born, worn by players such as Ilie Nastase. It was just as cool off the courts: Serge Gainsbourg was a fan, as was John Lennon, who wore them on the zebra crossing on the cover of Abbey Road. He and Yoko Ono got married in matching pairs. Today, Spring Court is overseen by Georges’ nephew, with headquarters at its old factory in Belleville, Paris. The brand has sold more than 25 million pairs of tennis shoes – its G2 style, £60, is pretty much as it’s always been, in breathable canvas with a vulcanised rubber sole and those characteristic holes (themandonstore.com).
Rain, rain, go away
Sweden’s 100-year-old manufacturer of waterproofs, Didriksons, has introduced a new Galon design. Made with welded seams, it is waterproof to the nth degree and is available as a hooded parka, £120, collared coat, £120, and jacket, £95. It’s lightweight enough for autumn, and you can stick woollens underneath as the weather gets cooler (didriksons.com).
Double vision
California eyewear brand Oliver Peoples has collaborated with New York designers Public School on a new range of sunglasses influenced by the early Nineties club scene. There’s a choice of three finishes – matt black, shiny black and a neutral grey – and they will set you back a designer £328 a pair (oliverpeoples.com).
5 reasons why we love... Mini John Cooper Works hatchback
1. It’s the fastest Mini to date … 2. … a 231bhp, 2-litre engine gets you to 60mph in 6.3 seconds. 3. The interior has a characterful, retro sporty feel and the seats are firm and really supportive. 4. There are loads of technical gizmos, such as high-beam assistant and active cruise control. 5. Put it in sport mode and Mini has given it a satisfying, crackly sports-car sound (£23,050; mini.co.uk).
Mantalk
“An artist can approve of hedonism, but he can’t be a hedonist himself.” David Hockney