AMI, THE PARISIAN COOL!

Since Mr Alexandre Mattiussi, below left, established his menswear label, Ami, in Paris in 2011, it has achieved an almost unprecedented degree of recognition in such a short space of time. Part of the secret behind the brand's swift success is that it focuses on clothes and accessories that are at once easy-going and elegant - and, above all, infinitely wearable. Instead of slavishly following trends or making outlandish statements, Mr Mattiussi's collections are built around everyday wardrobe essentials, albeit ones that are infused with a certain Parisian cool (something hard to define but instantly recognisable, particularly at the cafés and bars along the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin in summer). 

For this reason, fashionspam is delighted to announce that Ami is second in our series of capsule collections exclusive to MR PORTER this summer. Comprising 13 pieces, the collection includes the label's staple items of slim chinos and Breton tops, remixed in a colour palette of burgundy and azure blue, in addition to lightweight summer tailoring, a field jacket, a denim jacket and suede shoes. "I always design clothes with someone in mind," Mr Mattiussi says. "I just imagined a guy sitting on a café terrace in the summer taking a break with some friends. They are all pieces you can hopefully easily wear; timeless things that will last a long time." 

Check the gallery, below, to view and shop the collection, and look out for more exclusive capsule collections from brands MR PORTER stocks in the coming weeks. 

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'YEEZUS': IN THE MOST KANYE WEST WAY POSSIBLE!

Few days ago, Kanye West debuted a new song in the most Kanye West way possible: By projecting his giant head onto the sides of 66 different buildings around the world.

After unveiling “New Slaves” on Friday night in, Kanye West took to the Saturday Night Live stage and did it again, this time live and in the flesh. The rapper’s new album has been described as “dark”; on SNL, he yelled while dodging in and out of dark shadows (“Black Skinhead”), then delivered an equally intense rendition of “New Slaves” in front of a projection of his face in extreme close-up. “Dark” seems accurate so far. 

Rap-up is reporting that West’s new album will have a release date of June 18 and will be titled Yeezus—a name that may have originated with friend and frequent collaborator Kid Cudi back in 2011. West himself has yet to confirm any of this (though he did cryptically tweet the aforementioned date earlier this month, only to delete it later), but Kim Kardashian tweeted a picture of what appeared to be a copy of the new album, which included the name “Yeezus” on the cover. 

Check out his SNL performances below.

GIVE YOURSELF A TUNE-UP!

Life's incessant juggling act is rarely executed without the odd hitch. Where career opportunities flourish, relationships sometimes suffer. Similarly, when family becomes a priority, finances inevitably require more of your attention. In any such scenario, the ability to practice any kind of mental, physical or emotional maintenance tends to fall by the wayside. With this in mind, we've compiled the following simple pointers to help you regain the looks, vigour and vitality of youth without sacrificing any priorities.

Believe me, if someone was 'against' the idea of meditation, that was definitely me (because I knew I would get distracted, bored or whatsoever). However, today, after finding out about headspace (Website, iOS & Android app) I decided to give it a try (mainly because of their 'take 10' free lessons and because I had nothing better to do). There's no point in trying to explain my experience (the most amazing thing was that it actually worked), but the minute I finished the first lesson I decided to buy my monthly plan. Just give it a try, you have 10 free lessons and it takes about half a minute to create your account!

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STYLE ICON: MR CHET BAKER!

Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and vocalist. Baker earned much attention and critical praise through the 1950s, particularly for albums featuring his vocals (Chet Baker Sings, It Could Happen to You). Jazz historian David Gelly described the promise of Baker's early career as "James Dean, Sinatra, and Bix, rolled into one." His "well-publicized drug habit" also drove his notoriety and fame; Baker was in and out of jail regularly before enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1970s and '80s.

A person of great anomalies and contradictions. A trumpeter of virtuosity compared favourably to Mr Miles Davis, he was mainly self-taught and played almost entirely by ear. He took no interest in jazz older than bebop, yet when he chose to sing his style and repertoire were purely traditional. He was a depressive personality, but his music is lyrically sweet and melodic. He took drugs to devastating effects, yet played with a crystalline flawlessness. His style was famously laid-back, effortless and flowing, yet his moods were violently extreme. He reputedly rarely practiced and was considered lazy by other musicians, yet his complete recorded oeuvre consists of more than 200 albums in his short 58-year-old life.

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THE CLASSICS: DENIM JACKET!

The appeal of the denim jacket is greater than the sum of its parts. Sure, it's practical (lightweight yet rugged; warm but breathable) and is constructed from the iconic material originating from either 19th century Genoa or Nîmes (depending on which etymology you follow). But what gives the denim jacket its edge - and ensures it will always remain in our wardrobes - is its cultural associations. At its roots the denim jacket is straight from a Steinbeck novel: invented as utility wear, it speaks of the hard work and salt-of-the-earth honesty associated with the 19th- and early 20th-century US ranchers, railroad workers and gold rushers who wore them. A few decades later, advertisers would immortalise this essence in the Marlboro Man, a fictional Everyman character (who often sported a denim jacket) whose purpose was to rid filtered cigarettes of their "effeminate" image. In the second half of the 20th century, the denim jacket became indelibly associated with popular culture as it was adopted by artists, Beat intellectuals, rock stars, punks, bikers and hip-hop musicians. These days, designers produce denim jackets that remain true to their roots while having the level of quality and finishing that we have come to expect in our clothes. 

Check the gallery, below, to see a handful of men who have worn the denim jacket well, and read MR PORTER's tips for wearing one well, below. 

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