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FOOD & DRINK

Selwyn House.

Selwyn House is the brainchild of woodworkers Sean Best and Ellie Smalls. From their workshop in rural Northamptonshire, they create handmade wooden tableware for the modern home with a minimal, modern-yet-rustic aesthetic, using exclusively British-grown timbers […]

STYLE

ONI Secret Denim.

To say that ONI Denim is a secretive company is an understatement. They don’t advertise. They don’t have a website to speak of. And they only have a handful of stockists, worldwide. What we do know is that, for years now, the brand has been producing jeans and jackets made from a fabric that boasts a unique character – a fabric they call Secret Denim […]

FOOD & DRINK

Skeppshult Pestle & Mortar.

Swedish company Skeppshult (pronounced “hep-salt”) has been making cast iron products by hand since 1906. Its contemporary square pestle and mortar has a robust simplicity of design, while the pestle’s walnut handle is incredibly tactile and easy to grip — perfect for pounding your dry pan-warmed peppercorns to make cacio e pepe […]

STYLE

Quoddy Blucher.

Quoddy shoes are among that elite category of handcrafted products that build a real relationship with their wearers, with each pair developing a patina unique to their owner. The Blucher: a shoe that combines the construction of a classic moccasin with a traditional blucher’s open lacing system, for a shape that cradles your foot in comfort and is easy to step into and take off […]

FOOD & DRINK

Classic Diner Mug.

Like so many classic designs, the mug was created to answer a military brief. During World War II, the U.S. Navy sent a call out for bids to supply coffee mugs. It had to be durable, heavy and, crucially, not tip over in stormy seas. On top of that, it had to keep your coffee hot for as long as possible. The winning design came from the Victor Insulation Company […]

STYLE

British Officer’s Shirt.

The traditional formal shirt is fast becoming a peripheral part of a man’s wardrobe. What you need today is versatility – something that can be worn with jeans, under a chore jacket, under a suit or even, dare I say it, with a tie. Enter Nigel Cabourn’s British Officer’s Shirt […] 

STYLE

Oily Jack.

Here at The Obsessive, we believe in buying the best you can, so you don’t have to buy again. This also requires a community of artisan craftspeople who can mend, restore and generally breathe new life into well-used items. And one name that comes up again and again is Oily Jack […] 

STYLE

Birkenstock.

Over the centuries, the company has built up a wealth of experience that it has passed down from one generation to the next. This is why Birkenstock are such a success, because it is rooted in its commitment to the art of making orthopedically inspired shoes […]

STYLE

Barbershop Aftershaves.

The Barbershop scent has been making a sustained return to popularity, not least because the products tend to be great value for money. They are subtle and smell soapy fresh, making them great dailies. I have literally emptied a bathroom cabinet to bring you a roundup of my favourite scents […]

FOOD & DRINK

Very Spicy Octopus Pasta.

Inspired by Italian chefs' speed and simplicity, I've transformed from a slow-cooking enthusiast to someone obsessed with fast, few-ingredient recipes. My growing collection of quality tinned fish is now often turned into quick, delicious pasta meals — proving that culinary magic can be found by embracing efficiency and minimalism […]

STYLE

Military Bags.

As regular readers will know, we have an obsession with luggage and bags. We love military kit too. These bags, used in training to store the parachute, are lightweight but super-tough, and they are enormous – a week's worth of clothes could easily be packed into one […]

MOTORS

The Real Deal.

DK Engineering isn’t just a company. It’s an extended family of passionate car people and one of the greatest automotive companies in the world. It’s also a perfect example of Considered Consumption, as they only deal in the very best, and you can trust them to do so […]

STYLE

Guayaberas Shirt.

Europeans – especially southern Europeans – generally manage to look good in the heat. But from what I’ve seen, Cubans take it to a whole new level. The Guayaberas shirt’s origin story causes much heated debate in Latino communities, but for the sake of this piece, we're sticking with the Cubans, as they are particularly fanatical about this garment […]

Botivo bottle yellow cap beside glass orange slice

FOOD & DRINK

Botivo.

Botivo is a non-alcoholic in the style of Italian aperitivo classics such as Campari and Aperol. Its makers have rather cleverly identified the hour when you’re most likely to reach for a restorative glass of wine or gin and tonic: branding this moment “The Yellow Hour” – no doubt to reflect the distinctive yellow wax that seals their bottle […]

L’Atelier du Vin Paul Smith chrome corkscrew closeup detail

DESIGN

L’Atelier du Vin.

The French do luxury better than anyone else. In fact, from afar, it looks like they’ve made luxury a way of life. This love of luxury and fine wine has led family-run French business L’Atelier du Vin to create the most beautiful tools for wine aficionados […]

Aperitivo Cicchetti Armatore Anchovies olives bread serving board

FOOD & DRINK

Aperitivo & Cicchetti.

In Italy aperitivo with cicchetti (chi-KET-tee) is served in bars called Bacari. In Spain, it’s tapas, usually served with a cold cervesa or a full-bodied Rioja in a bottega. In Margate’s old town, it’s a bar called The Little Swift. Wherever you choose to take your early evening drink or cocktail, it’s best to enjoy a tasty snack with it […]

STYLE

Johnstons of Elgin.

Johnstons of Elgin have been making products from cashmere for over 225 years. It takes time to make truly luxurious products, of course, and Johnstons of Elgin have an ethos of slow luxury, injecting craftsmanship, heritage and contemporary style into everything they make […]

STYLE

Baracuta G9 Jacket.

Where does this famous jacket get its name? The G stands for Golf and 9 is for a nine-hole course. When John and Isaac Miller (who made coats for Burberry) played golf, their long macs got in the way of their swing, so they set about designing a waterproof jacket that allowed for a full range of movement […]

Alcohol-free Cocktail Angostura Bitters glass orange slice

FOOD & DRINK

Dry January.

Wherever you stand on January’s cut-down-or-give-up spectrum, I have recently discovered a drink that feels tailor-made for this period of abstinence. It couldn’t be simpler in terms of its ingredients, but it tastes great and, weirdly, it actually tricks you into believing you’re enjoying a cocktail […]

Tom Ford Parfum Oud Wood

STYLE

Oud to Tom Ford.

I have an obsession with Tom Ford Parfum. Each scent is different and strong. There’s a scent for every mood and occasion. I find myself moving through the range as the seasons change. Dare I say it, these scents are all sexy, which is really Mr Ford’s true strength. Everything he makes is desirable […]

Amaretto Sour glass ice cube two cherries

FOOD & DRINK

Amaretto Sour.

It’s a fact of life that there’s always a bottle of Disaronno in the cupboard. Usually it was bought for an aunt or your mum one Christmas. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay there. A zesty love letter to the 1970s cocktail that dared to be different: sweet, sour and unapologetically almond-forward, the Amaretto Sour is having more than just a moment […]

Burberry Trench Coat famous chequer fabric label detail

STYLE

Burberry Trench Coat.

In 1900, Thomas Burberry was approached by the British War Office, who asked him to design a coat to replace the military's current heavy coats. It was this request lthat led him to create the famous gabardine trench coat […]

FOOD & DRINK

Margarita.

The Margarita is an absolute icon of a cocktail, blending tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. The true origin of this iconic drink remains shrouded in mystery, with multiple competing stories claiming credit for its creation. What we do know is that it’s a refreshing way to start an evening […]

london sock company six pack blue packaging open box multicoloured socks inside

STYLE

London Sock Company.

The London Sock Company is on a mission for men to “Walk Brighter”. Socks are such an important yet overlooked element of any wardrobe. Founded by Ryan and Dave, it sources only the best, proven, organic materials. Classic and understated, even their louder socks don’t shout […]

Manhattan cocktail tall glass cherry

FOOD & DRINK

Manhattan.

The classic Manhattan first appeared in print in 1882, as it was included in Harry Johnson’s Bartender’s Manual. As with all cocktails, its origins are questionable, but a good story attached to the Manhattan is that it was created in 1874 for Lady Randolph Churchill (Winston’s mum) at the Manhattan club […]

Gomi Paul Smith Powerbank alongside branded packaging box

DESIGN

Gomi x Paul Smith Powerbank.

Less is more, as legendary architect Mies van der Rohe claimed, and this statement is absolutely applicable to the Gomi Power Bank which is, in their words, 'handcrafted from waste’ […]

FOOD & DRINK

Old Fashioned.

This cocktail is a little devil of a drink. The “Old Fashioned” is arguably the simplest, most basic version of the whisky cocktail. Born during Prohibition, when bartenders masked rough-cut spirits with sugar and bitters, it transformed constraint into an enduring mixology icon […]

Six David Mellor Steak Knives Set Wooden Presentation Box

DESIGN

David Mellor Steak Knives.

Steak is one of those joyous, immensely satisfying meals. As with any indulgent occasion, a true Obsessive insists on the right tools and accessories for the job. David Mellor steak knives are anything but mediocre. Cast from a high-carbon stainless steel, the blades are highly rigid and strong. Most importantly, they can be very precisely ground, for the ultimate sharpness […]

Daiquiri Cocktail glass lime wedge black background

FOOD & DRINK

Daiquiri.

The popular origin theory credits the Daiquiri’s creation to an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox, along with a U.S. Navy medical officer who brought Cox’s recipe from Cuba to Washington, D.C. Needless to say, on arrival in the US, it was a huge hit […]

STYLE

Gucci 1953 Loafers.

The first time I encountered Gucci's iconic 1953 loafer was when I got my first job in advertising, at Y&R London. It was September 1989. Since then, I’ve developed my own obsession with these shoes. I have the set, both brown and black, in leather and suede. Both formally and casually, I think they look better with age as they patina nicely […]

Campari Soda orange wedge ice glass

FOOD & DRINK

Campari Soda.

The wonderful little Campari Soda glass bottle was designed in 1932 by Fortunado Depero to hold the first ever pre-mixed cocktail. Conceived by Davide Campari, son of the company’s founder, the drink offers the ultimate aperitivo experience at home [...]

Irvin Original Sheepskin Flying Jacket

STYLE

Irvin Sheepskin Flying Jacket.

The most iconic RAF flying jacket ever made, the Irvin is an iconic part of British culture and heritage. It's a symbol of the struggle and eventual success against all the odds. An amazing design, the jacket provides huge amount of warmth, comfort and most importantly for airmen—manoeuvrability […]

FOOD & DRINK

Mojito.

In the 1500s, Sir Francis Drake landed in Havana to relieve the city of its gold. Knowing that the local South American Indians had remedies for many diseases, a small party went ashore to Cuba. They returned with the ingredients for a medicine: aguarediente de cana, mint leaves and the juices from sugar cane and limes […]

STYLE

Persol 649 & 714SM.

In 1968, Steve McQueen strolled onto the set of “The Thomas Crown Affair” wearing his own pair of Persols. He was wearing 714s, the folding version of the 649. He went on to wear 714s in Bullet, Le Mans and even The Getaway. There was a reason McQueen wore these glasses: they were stylish but ultimately they fitted and worked perfectly. He liked function and style […]

FOOD & DRINK

Martini.

The drinks world has gone a little Martini-mad of late, applying the word ‘Martini' or the suffix ‘tini' to almost any concoction. The Obsessive always looks for the authentic original version, however, and the classic 1922 recipe feels right, with a gin-to-vermouth ratio of 2:1 and the simple addition of a lemon twist or olive […]

Ettinger 8oz Red Leather Bound Hip Flask

DESIGN

Ettinger London.

The Ettinger story is a very British one. With a rich history spanning 90 years, Ettinger London is one of the few remaining luxury leather goods companies still manufacturing in the UK. The company was founded by Gerry Ettinger in 1934 – and Gerry was quite a character and entrepreneur […]

FOOD & DRINK

Negroni.

The origin story or stories for this simple clever cocktail are, as usual, not to be taken too seriously. The fact is, who really cares who invented it? We’re just happy that someone did […]

FOOD & DRINK

Whiskey Glassware.

Like my grandfather, Whisky is a serious drink. It demands you take a moment to appreciate and respect it. Like smoking a fine cigar. Both demand a ritual and this is when you start to consider what vessel you’re drinking your carefully chosen whisky from […]

STYLE

People care. Planet care. Fair Share.

Born straight out of the soul of founder Dom Bridges, the Margate skincare company, formerly known as Haeckels, represents the the blueprint for a modern luxury brand with an emphasis on wellness, natural ingredients, recycling, giving, and investing into the community […]

MOTORS

Land Rover Defender OCTA.

The OCTA is a Defender on steroids, defining it’s own category of vehicle—that of extreme performance on and off road. It might be a beast of a motor but it’s also elegantly refined. We went to its official launch at The Kennels during Goodwood's Festival of Speed to find out more […]

STYLE

Alpha Industries MA-1 Flight Jacket.

The MA-1 was the first jacket I obsessed about when I was about eleven years old. All the Rude Boys in our area wore them with pride; they'd boast how theirs was an original, and would prove the authenticity of their jacket by regularly displaying the label tucked in the inside outer left pocket […]

DESIGN

Seiko 6139-6005 Pogue.

The entire design language of the Seiko 6139-6006 may scream space exploration, but it was only when a certain Colonel Pogue secreted the watch in the pocket of his spacesuit that it became stowaway on a rocket— and the legend was born […]

FOOD & DRINK

Boeuf Bourguignon-Homme.

One-pot cooking is apparently back in fashion, so you'll be "On-trend" with this British blokey interpretation of the French classic Boeuf Bourguignon. The recipe is really very simple, but does require a little planning. It'll provide enough for a large dinner party […]

STYLE

Lesca Lunetier.

We love France and believe the French do both luxury and the colour blue better than any other nation. Inspired by the frames of Corbusier, in 1964 Joël Lesca set out with a clear vision—to craft distinctively French glasses. The rest, as they say, is history […]

DESIGN

WESN Microblade.

The Microblade from WESN is the perfect daily pocket knife. Lightweight, tough, and paired with a durable steel that lasts a lifetime, it’s simple flat design means it’ll sit comfortably in any pocket […]

MOTORS

Bentley Contintenal GT.

Given the appeal, it’s no surprise that virtually every car manufacturer capable of building something desirable makes something you could call a GT. Today, however, there is one car that arguably stands at the top of this nebulous category […]

STYLE

Red Wing 875.

This boot is simply an icon of design, form and function. The name comes from the town of Red Wing, Minnesota, so called after an Native American chief–hence the feathered wing logo […]

FOOD & DRINK

Suntory Hibiki 17 Year Old Whisky.

When I asked fellow obsessive, Justin Hicklin, what would be the best whiskey or whisky to feature on the The Obsessive, he immediately demanded clarity on the brief. We decided on one that would come in at under £200 […]

STYLE

Ten Seiko tool watches to own.

As a follow up to our recent articles on Seiko tool watches, we’ve decided to compile a list of ten Seiko tool watches worthy of your attention. After all, the internet loves lists. We love lists. You love lists. So, here’s the list […]