Posts tagged style

Olympus has had a penchant over recent years for releasing achingly beautiful, if somewhat flawed cameras, designed to appeal to those for whom the method and tools for shooting pictures need to be every bit as stunning as the photographs that they aim to produce. With the recent release of the Olympus PEN E-P3, it seems as though they might have finally given photographers a tool that is desirable, usable and without too many compromises of form over function. Although superficially similar to its predecessors, the E-P1 and E-P2, the improvements to the package are significant: a vastly snappier autofocus; a screen that is bright, sharp and usable in direct sunlight, and a built-in flash that obviates the need for a standalone unit when venturing out to shoot more discreetly. This camera still isn’t flawless, but it’s far less dogged by the compromises and disappointments that riddled its beautiful, although flawed predecessors. The price may still be premium, but the justification for valuing beauty just became a lot more acceptable. P.V.

Olympus has had a penchant over recent years for releasing achingly beautiful, if somewhat flawed cameras, designed to appeal to those for whom the method and tools for shooting pictures need to be every bit as stunning as the photographs that they aim to produce. With the recent release of the Olympus PEN E-P3, it seems as though they might have finally given photographers a tool that is desirable, usable and without too many compromises of form over function.

Although superficially similar to its predecessors, the E-P1 and E-P2, the improvements to the package are significant: a vastly snappier autofocus; a screen that is bright, sharp and usable in direct sunlight, and a built-in flash that obviates the need for a standalone unit when venturing out to shoot more discreetly. This camera still isn’t flawless, but it’s far less dogged by the compromises and disappointments that riddled its beautiful, although flawed predecessors. The price may still be premium, but the justification for valuing beauty just became a lot more acceptable.

P.V.

Berg & Berg’s box-tipped knitted silk ties are, for lack of better words, spectacular. Although not nearly as common as more traditional pointed ties, they are still very much a beautiful and elegant way of adding interest, and perhaps more importantly, texture to an outfit. The collection may be somewhat limited in number, but cover all the bases that one may typically need or desire, whether it be polka dots against a navy, royal or cornflower blue background, assorted pastel solids or a thoughtful collection of coloured stripes. My particular favourites are both largely cornflower - one dotted, one striped - both exquisite. This humble company was founded two years ago by Karin & Mathias, a husband and wife team who have made it their mission to resource and craft refined accessories, using great materials across classical lines. It sounds so simple and their product line looks so enticing that it makes you forget that behind every pattern and design, there were a hundred thoughts and conversations, all with the singular purpose of making the world dress a little better. If the world can spare €60 per tie, they may very well succeed. P.V.

Berg & Berg’s box-tipped knitted silk ties are, for lack of better words, spectacular. Although not nearly as common as more traditional pointed ties, they are still very much a beautiful and elegant way of adding interest, and perhaps more importantly, texture to an outfit.

The collection may be somewhat limited in number, but cover all the bases that one may typically need or desire, whether it be polka dots against a navy, royal or cornflower blue background, assorted pastel solids or a thoughtful collection of coloured stripes. My particular favourites are both largely cornflower - one dotted, one striped - both exquisite.

This humble company was founded two years ago by Karin & Mathias, a husband and wife team who have made it their mission to resource and craft refined accessories, using great materials across classical lines. It sounds so simple and their product line looks so enticing that it makes you forget that behind every pattern and design, there were a hundred thoughts and conversations, all with the singular purpose of making the world dress a little better. If the world can spare €60 per tie, they may very well succeed.

P.V.

eBook readers have been around for many years, with Sony having pioneered the early marketplace advances, but there have always been drawbacks. The first hurdle was price - many of the early eBook readers cost well in excess of £300, and had poor responsiveness, bad industrial design and user interfaces and software that made it difficult to obtain and navigate content easily. Several generations later and I think that Amazon has finally started to make the experience largely effortless with their latest offering, the Kindle 3. The price for the 3G edition is an eminently affordable £149, whilst the WiFi only model is an even more tempting £109. Being an avid reader, I had previously lambasted eBook readers for a number of reasons, but as the technology has become thinner, lighter, cheaper and more portable, I’m finally seeing reasons to open my pocketbook and make a purchase. With acres of classics freely available in the public domain, I could browse, download and read some wonderful novels without having to worry about library fines or waiting for a book to be delivered. I’m still not certain that an eBook reader can fully turn me away from a trusty hardback, but for some purposes, I think it would make an excellent companion device, particularly for the frequent traveller. P.V.

eBook readers have been around for many years, with Sony having pioneered the early marketplace advances, but there have always been drawbacks. The first hurdle was price - many of the early eBook readers cost well in excess of £300, and had poor responsiveness, bad industrial design and user interfaces and software that made it difficult to obtain and navigate content easily.

Several generations later and I think that Amazon has finally started to make the experience largely effortless with their latest offering, the Kindle 3. The price for the 3G edition is an eminently affordable £149, whilst the WiFi only model is an even more tempting £109. Being an avid reader, I had previously lambasted eBook readers for a number of reasons, but as the technology has become thinner, lighter, cheaper and more portable, I’m finally seeing reasons to open my pocketbook and make a purchase. With acres of classics freely available in the public domain, I could browse, download and read some wonderful novels without having to worry about library fines or waiting for a book to be delivered.

I’m still not certain that an eBook reader can fully turn me away from a trusty hardback, but for some purposes, I think it would make an excellent companion device, particularly for the frequent traveller.

P.V.

The Panasonic Lumix LX5 could very well be the most stunning compact camera I’ve ever seen; beautifully proportioned with full manual controls to make it appealing to even the most demanding of photographers, yet pocketable enough to always have with you. P.V.

The Panasonic Lumix LX5 could very well be the most stunning compact camera I’ve ever seen; beautifully proportioned with full manual controls to make it appealing to even the most demanding of photographers, yet pocketable enough to always have with you.

P.V.

Quite possibly the single most beautiful boat shoe that I’ve ever come across. Smart, clean, shapely and with the right amount of texture and colour to maintain a viewer’s interest without appearing too fussy - an elegant choice. P.V.

Quite possibly the single most beautiful boat shoe that I’ve ever come across. Smart, clean, shapely and with the right amount of texture and colour to maintain a viewer’s interest without appearing too fussy - an elegant choice.

P.V.