As always, Martin Dingman is introducing some gorgeous new products for Spring 2009. Here are some of the highlights...

• The Keeneland "1936 Collection" is a line of leather accessories made of an elegant, equestrian saddle leather with a clean European cut edge stitching. The line comes in 3 colors: Chocolate, Palomino (a natural/nude leather color), and Persimmon (a nice orange). Thirteen pieces comprise the line: a Penny Loafer, Belt, Billfold, Business Card Case, Money Clip Wallet, Credit Card Case, Passport Cover, Travel Wallet, Checkbook Cover, Eyeglass Case, Pen Case, Portfolio, and a Shaving Kit. The Keeneland line will be available in November (yes, we recognize that is technically Fall).
  
• Our favorite piece from the Signature Stripe line (Dingman's collection handmade in Italy) is a "Rock Star" shoe & belt combination called the Bala Belt, and the Arlo Inlay shoe. We wish we had a photo (we'll work on it as fast as we can), but it's a vintage Cabretta Venetian leather with a genuine lizard inlay. It's probably the "fastest" piece we've ever seen from Martin Dingman, and we think it will appeal to the guy who wants to be noticed.
  
• The Arlo will also be introduced in a North American deerskin version, available in November.
  
• The Bob Shoe will be done in a "Baroque" pattern that should go over well with those that already like the casual Bob Shoe.
  
• And it wouldn't be Spring without a Spectator, which we have coming in a classic penny loafer.
  

We hate to start hyping products that won't be here for 6 months, especially when there is still Fall Limited Edition products that should be hitting the website in the next month, but anyone subscribing to these Alerts probably loves the brand and we want to keep you in the loop. 

Our Spring appointment in New York was filmed, and will be posted to the website in the next 10 days or so. That video will allow any of our customers to see what is coming, why Bill did it (our "sales person" for the appointment was Bill Thomas himself), and then pre-order items in the model, size, and color of their choosing.  

So here are some highlights of what's coming for Spring 2009...

• The growing-in-popularity-every-day Vintage Twills will have 4 Limited Edition colors for Spring: Stone, Pink, Summer Olive, an Marine
  
• The currently-best-selling-because-it's-hot-out Cotton Lightweight Poplins will be done in: Yellow, Blue, Green, and Coral
  
• The elegant and technologically advanced Driving Twill is being made up in a lighter weight fabric called the Driving Twill S in Khaki and Sand
  
• Pinpoint Seersucker is back, but on mostly cream grounds: Khaki/Cream, Navy/Cream, Red/Cream, and Navy/White
• Sun Drenched Twill is back in both trousers and the 5-Pocket Model. In regular pants, it will be done in Sandstone, Coral, Dune, Summer Red, Sky, Moss and Pewter
• Shell Cloth is a new, ultra-light sailing pant available in Khaki, Ivory, Camel, and Sage
  
• A sharp Cotton Linen trouser is coming in a Khaki Windowpane and a Navy Windowpane
  
• Kalamkari is a block-printed cotton textile made in India that is, by far, the boldest pant of the bunch. It's coming in a Khaki/Blue print and a Cream/Navy print
• The "Beach Comber" is also a new model -- kind of like a parachute pant -- and is coming in a Surfside Linen in Khaki
  
• Madras is the big story in shorts, with a Blue & Cream plaid, a Black & Blue plaid, and a Patchwork Madras in Pastel and Vintage
• Seersucker shorts will be done in classic stripes in 4 colors, but also some "Fancy Seersuckers" in a Khaki Check, Blue Check, Copper Plaid, and Lime Plaid
• Beach Cloth - a razor thin, ultra-soft corduroy-like fabric - will remind you of those old OP shorts from the late 70's and early 80's in colors like Dune, Driftwood, Lagoon, Key Lime, and Ocean
  
• Sport Shirts are coming in Gingham Seersucker (like this Spring), Poplin, Vintage Denim (our best-seller from Fall 2007), Broadcloth, Madras in 4 colors, a Cotton & Linen Workshirt, and University Stripes & University Checks which are also coming this Fall
• Some very soft T-shirts are coming for the Bills aficionado in a "Model 1 Tee" in 6 colors, and a "Retro Tee" in 4 colors
  

Believe it or not, this list represents about half of the overall selection of products for Spring 2009, and while we are buying many of them, pre-ordering them will be the one way you can ensure to get the model, style, size & color you want. More details about how to do that in a week or two...

Mulholland Brothers' "Urban Sport" line has finally arrived, and are they going to turn heads. The idea behind the line was to introduce bags designed to hold a lot of stuff, and to take a beating. In the words of the company's CEO, Jay Holland, the line features "a plethora of pockets and padding".

Each piece is made of a practically-bulletproof ballistic nylon (we are not claiming that it is actually bullet-proof!) with leather accents. Each bag features contrast stitching and contrast zippers in two colors: Cayenne or Lime.

The International Carry-on Trolley is probably the most interesting piece by pure serendipity. Designed to fit on international flights where carry-on sizes are usually smaller, it should not be surprising to anyone if U.S. carriers begin to shrink carry-on sizes too. With surcharges already being added for luggage, fuel, pets, meals, etc., the lighter you can travel, the heavier your Classic Billfold will remain.  

You can see the first 7 pieces of the Urban Sport line here.

Out with the old, in with the new. While we prepare the site for the introduction of the Luciano, Pietro, Berta Monk, and others, it's time to say a tearful goodbye to some oldies-but-goodies. A new set of shoes will be marked down on the site 30%, while a few more will be marked down 50%. 

Some of Toschi's best-sellers are making their curtain call, including:

Giorgio (was $570, now $399)

 

Stefano (was $585, now $410)

 

Stefano 1 (was $585, now $410)

 

Roberto (was $585, now $410)

 

Mirco (was $605, now $424)

 

Vento (was $530, now $371)

 

In addition, there are a couple of shoes that are marked down by color. The following shoes are marked down 30% off in the colors listed ONLY but orders must be taken over the phone. We can be reached at 877.547.2720. 

Onda (Camel, Chocolate Suede, Black Suede, Olive Suede)
Dollinger (Blonde Pebble, Honey Pebble w/ Red Sole, Honey Pebble)
Mach (Bone Nubuck, Black Suede, Chocolate Suede, Navy Nubuck, Red Nubuck, Yellow Nubuck)
Machster (Beachwood, Black Calf, Chocolate Suede)
SUV1 (Tan w/ Red Sole)