AnOther presents an elegant London Single Document satchel from Alfred Dunhill as our latest Object of Desire, beautifully reimagined by illustrator and longstanding AnOther contributor Tom Baxter...
Alfred Dunhill has always been committed to defining British men’s style, creating the very finest male luxury goods - from elegant menswear and handcrafted leather goods to iconic accessories. An appreciation of classic design and attention to detail are combined with modern functionality and contemporary style, which can be traced back to brand’s founder and his unrelenting belief in maintaining a company which is always relevant to its customer and his needs.
Nearly 120 years after its beginning, the company continues to expand and develop, yet never loses sight of its rich heritage. The brand’s “London” range of luxury luggage and accessories, crafted at their London factory and newly launched this season, is an apt demonstration of this. Part of the Tradition line, it retains the details and design cues of the earlier Tradition products, such as the hand stitching and hand staining of the leather, but simultaneously responds to contemporary requirements for softer, lighter pieces. Consequently, all aspects of design and construction have been re-evaluated by the designteam; a more malleable vegtan calfskin, for example, replaces British bridle leather, while brass detailing is now nickel plated so as to prevent discolouration.
"The idea was to pay homage to the attention to detail and craftsmanship that became the cornerstone of Alfred Dunhill's life and work"
Here, AnOther presents an elegant London Single Document satchel as our latest Object of Desire, beautifully reimagined by illustrator and AnOther contributor Tom Baxter. Baxter's interpretation sees the satchel as the centre point of a Dunhill crest with key allusions to the brand's past and present, from the pipes and clocks to the architectural details inspired by Bourdon House.
Baxter's approach, like the object and brand it represents, successfully contrasts the old with the new; he explains, "My work for AnOther is a blend of traditional pen and ink practice with an archaic edge that's juxtaposed with contemporary flair in subject matter and theme." And this, of course, is no coincidence: "The idea was to pay homage to the attention to detail and craftsmanship that became the cornerstone of Alfred Dunhill's life and work. I was inspired by Dunhill's detailing, neo-classical Victorian architecture and ex-libris prints. Dunhill have been a brand synonymous with luxury and quality for nearly 130 years, never cutting corners in their pursuit for perfection – and they still manage to improve and evolve even in today's climate of disposable produce."
Text by Daisy Woodward
