MVP of the week — Featuring New Amsterdam Surf Association

First up this week it’s over to contemporary Eurosurf brand New Amsterdam Surf Association, who have just dropped their AW24 collection. Hailing from (you guessed it) Amsterdam, New Amsterdam Surf Association is all about challenging the status quo when it comes to what you think of as surfwear. Dismantling that very LA image of palm trees and blue skies, the brand – founded by professional windsurfer Paul Zeper back in 2018 – creates pieces for the European city surfer. In their latest drop, that comes in the form of transitional pieces perfect for popping over a recently wetsuit-clad body and braving the chillier weather. Our picks from the collection would have to be the check overshirt with a big ol’ “A” stitched into the back, the bomber in a fresh sage green and that v-neck striped knit. That last one looks a bit like what Kurt Cobain would have worn if he spent some time ingesting funny brownies in the Dam. The full collection is available to shop here. 

Next up, it’s The North Face’s collaboration with London-based, British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer, Yinka Ilori MBE. Could it be said that this is the iconic outdoor clothing brand’s most playful capsule yet? We reckon so. By incorporating Yinka’s characteristically bold and colourful patterns into their classic gear, the collab even manages to say something about the different ways we can weather the storm — literally and figuratively. Rain jackets and puffers that would usually be relegated to more simple colourways feature out-there geometric patterns and sunshine-esque hues, while hoodies come emblazoned with multi-colored blossoms. It’s a marriage (or collab) made in heaven — one that builds off the Nigerian artist’s ethos of eternal optimism. And with London’s summer coming to an end and the rain rearing its ugly head, it’s very timely indeed… Hey, maybe rain isn’t ugly after all. You can shop the whole collab here. 

Still haven’t got your fashion fix? You’re in luck. Louis Vuitton just launched Fall, a Men’s Capsule Collection which riffs on the philosophy of their creative director, music mogul Pharrell Williams, and Park Seo-Bo, the late South Korean painter. As one might expect from a collection under Williams, this capsule collection has not just pops of colour – there’s a flared lime green suit we’ve got our eye on, in particular – but details which invite a second glance… A third one, even. LV letters are embroidered on black lambskin overshirts and sophisticated raw-blue denim suits while scarves take inspiration from paintings by Seo-Bo, who also collaborated with Louis Vuitton on the ArtyCapucines project in 2022. It’s elevated basics (and some) which are perfect for the transitional season — pieces which can take you traipsing round the city and on a weekend getaway. View the whole collection here. 

Another hot little FW24 collection comes from Farm Rio, where all the vibrancy of Brazilian culture meets must-have silhouettes for the cozy season. Think knitted slip dresses, oversized, robe-esque coats emblazoned with maximalist patterns, and tiered maxi skirts which would enliven even the greyest of London weather. It’s a celebration of colour – filled with the kinds of hues that normally get relegated to summer – and, above all, sustainability. Farm Rio, which has been on the scene since 1997, is B-corp certified, making donning one of their joyful numbers something of a cultural statement. It just so happens you’ll look lovely doing it, too. The full collection is available to shop here. 

Finally, it’s over to TOD’S, who’ve just launched a capsule collection with Indian designer Rahul Mishra. Part of TOD’S Factory project – where designers are invited to create pieces which play on what they make of TOD’S brand DNA – Rahul’s collection features his take on some of the brand’s most iconic silhouettes. The Di Bag, for example, has been hand embroidered using Kaarigar techniques — the result is an accessory which is both unique and does it bit to highlight the art of craftsmanship. Expect intricate floral, tiger and the Tree of Life motif embroideries as well as a whole load of crystals, beads and sequins. Have a peruse of the whole collection here.