Home of Millican

 In order - Les the Cooler bag, James the Duffle bag, Keith the Writer's bag, Rob the Traveler bag, 

Ryan the Domepack, Peter the Doctor's washbag

I've been itching to post about Millican's latest offering for a couple of weeks now so here goes. The Millican story began not too long ago in 2008 when the now married couple of Jorrit & Nicky met while backpacking around in South America. Their friendship grew on their love for travel, discovery and design; the pair moved to Keswick in the Lake District, soon set up a HQ (the shed) and started to produce a range of organic bags and travel goods.

The brand took its name from the legendary outdoorsman and self-styled "Professor of Adventure" Millican Dalton. Dalton left his life in the city and moved up to the Lake District in the early 1900s, to be entirely self-sufficient and live off the land. His life and values rang true with the pair and the Millican brand was born.

For their latest shoot they didn't have to look far for a suitable location, the above shots were taken in an abandoned pencil factory in Keswick (home to the UK's first graphite pencil, first produced in 1832 none-the-less!), just down the road from their offices. The wannabe Urban Explorer in me is mentally bookmarking this place for a trip in the future. Every piece in the collection is made with functionality in mind; using organic canvases, recycled polyester, tanned leathers and locally sourced wools. Each bag has been named after local friends who live in the Lake District, as a little tribute to the area. That's a pretty nice touch isn't it?

For such a young brand Millican have a real sense of identity and direction, taking inspiration Dalton's alternative lifestyle and turning that into products fit for the modern day. I just wish I got to venture out in the countryside more.

For more information on the brand and their products visit Millican.

Have you entered the Urbanears Giveaway yet? It closes on 25th September.

Stone-Dri S/S & AW12

I popped all the way over to the other side of the office where I work to check out Stone-Dri's offerings for this year's Spring/Summer & Autumn/Winter seasons. The Manchester based menswear brand who specialise in outerwear have been making some nice pieces since their comeback last year. Stone-Dri were pretty big players in the menswear market back in the 1950s, specialising technical outerwear, usually in waterproof and protective fabrics.

Above are a few pieces that caught my eye, as always with menswear it's all in the detail. The green and olive tweed 3-pocket jacket was the standout, which is based on one of their original models. Both of this year's collections are on solid and functional pieces which can easily slot into any chap's wardrobe without making too much noise. Other than jackets there's cord shirts, contrast pocket t-shirts, buttoned sweatshirts and some nice heavy knits. All manufactured within the walls of Greater Manchester, winner.

Where it all began, with the Stone brothers

For more on the brand click here