Hey guys, how you all doing? I've been non-stop since returning from Paris last week, meaning last Sunday I needed to recharge my batteries. After spending last weekend doing bugger all, (which obviously meant no blog post) tonight I'm back with a big one that's certainly worth the wait. This post marks the first of many about my recent trip to Paris. I'll be featuring the cool characters I met along the way, some new in killer clothing and so much more. Basically, I've got a lot of great content coming so make sure to keep an eye out!
I've chosen this particular post to feature something which is very close to my heart and an integral part of my style. You've probably guessed it - it's jewellery. You should all know how much I love jewellery, and if you don't then just take a look through this blog and you'll quickly discover just how it has become very significant in my life.
So without telling you all again why I adore jewellery and where all my pieces are from, I thought I'd share a new brand with you instead. So, let's talk about Tant D'avenir Paris, quite possibly the coolest brand and collection I've ever laid eyes on. I've known of the Paris based brand for a while, but last week I finally got to see it in person.
I went to Paris two weeks ago to shoot Quentin Pontonnier, a jewellery designer by day - rock star by night. After we'd completed the shoot for Phix (which I'm also going to post about), I just had to visit his incredible jewellery shop. As you could probably guess I did treat myself, I couldn't resist one of his incredible pieces, I just had to take something home with me a memento of my first work trip to Paris!
Quentin's shop is like going back in time to when rock'n roll was king. Upon entering his workshop and studio you get to see all his unique creations housed in large, old, antique cabinets. Long leather studded chairs are placed in the middle of the room with a marble display table in the centre. Vintage patterned carpets have been thrown on the wooden floor and old records played in the background as cigarette smoke hung thick in the air. Quentin told me he didn't want his jewellery shop to conform to the strict, professional and sometimes intimidating style of what you find on the high street today, and as you can see by my description he's managed to not conform.
I picked up this beauty for my neck and I bloody love it, just look at the attention to detail, the work and the quality of the piece. Plus I also got myself a ring, I've always liked The Great Frog when buying (new) jewellery but after seeing Quentin's creations using old coins, traditional techniques and designs pulled from his own imagination, other jewellery just doesn't come close anymore!
Tant D'avernir Paris takes its inspiration from Roman and Greek mythology as well as a mix of Native American and of course a big dose of rock 'n roll. Quentin's love of columns also manifests itself in the brands logo. He chose the column because of its symbolic connection to power, strength, and classical antiquity. Quentin even has two columns tattooed on either side of his shoulders. Here's a picture I look of Quentin in his jewellery shop . . . and yes before you ask, that is in-fact his real gun!
I'd strongly recommend checking Quentin's jewellery out, if you want something custom made by the man himself, from the beautiful city of Paris, Tant D'avernir is the only place to go. To check out Quentin's killer brand, click below.
Tant D'avenir or if you happen to be passing: 📍 46 Rue Godefroy Cavaignac, 75011 Paris, France
Big shout to Quentin for showing me around the city and giving me a killer free t-shirt too!
Hey guys, I'm back and what a time I've had in America! I'm still a little jet lagged, still a little tired and the holiday blues have well and truly set in. This has been made even worse, as over the past few days I've been looking through and editing my favourite holiday snaps.
With that being said, I can't wait to start writing up my next few killer posts, which will feature some of the outfits I wore whilst away in the States. The first of which is this one, about my Mounir Ghazi Paris leather biker jacket. You will have most likely already spied this jacket on my Instagram feed, I wore it whilst shooting in Joshua Tree. Yes, that's where I filmed my super cool black and white lookbook video (which even I was proud of after a little editing).
This is my favourite jacket from the M.G.P collection, as I think it's the coolest biker I've ever seen, not to mention being lucky enough to wear it! The jacket looked amazing against the desert backdrop, it just looked so bloody cool! You know me, I love a leather biker but this one really is special!
Every detail from the chunky thick straps on each of the sleeves, to the quality of leather, it really is the biker jacket of my dreams! I had to go all out with my outfit, as I wanted the photographs to look as cool as possible. It was as you probably would expect, VERY hot shooting in the desert, daily temperatures surpassed 40 degrees, blame this for seeing my half naked torso! The leopard print shirt I wore is from Phix, the brand I work for in Manchester (which I'll talk about over here very soon). This shirt isn't available yet, but I'll keep you posted as to when it drops online.
Photograph by Michael Cooper
The photographs and film were both shot very early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day but I can tell you now, it was still pretty toasty strutting around the desert in a black leather jacket at 7AM! I took my inspiration from a series of photographs starring the man, the legend Mr. Keith Richards. The shoot took place in 1969 in Joshua Tree California, I absolutely love the images of Keith on this shoot, if you've never seen them I strongly recommend you check them out!
Joshua Tree is where I shot my photographs too as we were staying out there in the most amazing AirB&B! The area surrounding our little desert dwelling was the perfect backdrop to my film and the photographs, so I had to take advantage. I knew it would look good, but maybe not this good! I'm also so glad Mounir - the main man behind the jacket thought so too.
If you didn't catch my video on my Mounir Ghazi leather jacket you can check it out below. You can also read a closer description of the jacket and a little more on his full collection by reading a previous post of mine. Click here to check out my Mounir Ghazi Paris post.
If you're reading this now I've probably just touched down in Las Vegas! The plan, like the past few years is a California/Nevada Road Trip, this year with my family! Starting in Vegas, heading into the Mojave Desert then onto Palm Springs, hitting L.A then finally ending this epic journey in Santa Monica, before flying back from LAX. I've managed to hit the high street and grab a few last minute pieces for my trip to America. This isn't a massive haul by any mean's, however, I just thought I'd show you what I've picked up myself and been very kindly given for my time away!
Here are a few items I wanted to show you, as, well basically, I couldn't resist! I'm going to feature all these pieces individually across on my blog when I get back, but for now, here's what my upcoming posts will feature. Plus you're pretty much certain to see these pieces across on Instagram over the next few weeks as my plan is to shoot these killer pieces out to the desert, which by the way I'm very excited about!
I picked up my denim jeans in town Saturday morning but also had a back-up pair delivered just in case I couldn't find any to my liking! Thankfully I did come across some awesome jeans from All Saints. I really struggle when it comes to finding jet black skinny jeans, I've tried everywhere believe me! All Saints however, never let you down, you get a quality, well fitting jean which always look very cool on. I am also keeping my back-up pair from a brand called Brooklyn Denim which turned out to pretty bloody good for £35, stay tuned to see what they look like.
The other pieces include a killer snake print shirt from Reiss, a standout leopard print number from the brand I work for in Manchester, Phix. It's actually a sample shirt which you'll be happy to hear, we are putting into production later on this month. Next up, the leather jacket to end all leather jackets (which I've featured on my blog before) from the Parisian brand, Mounir Ghazi Paris. Last but not least we have the sexiest pair of boots I've ever seen by From The First, which I chat about in detail in this weeks YouTube video.
I've been super lucky to have visited America quite a lot over the past few years and I can't wait to get back out there! It really is one of my favourite places to visit in the entire world! See what I get up to by following me on Instagram @theunidentifiedrocker. As you can see I have a few killer collaborations going on with brands I know you'll love - so keep an eye out for more! I'll be taking the next two weeks off writing my blog but will be back the first Sunday in September to tell you all about my adventures while exploring California. Click the link below to view my YouTube featuring Mounir Ghazi Paris and From The First boots.
