What Caught Their Eye: Christian Lawlor, Owner of Kempt
After a brief hiatus, I’m thrilled to announce that my guest edit series, called What Caught Their Eye, is back!
Every other week or so, I’ll have a guest editor on here, sharing 5 things that they recommend to my audience. In the past, I’ve had artists, executives, writers, and more from a variety of disciplines and this year’s selection has just as exciting of a line-up.
This week we have Christian Lawlor, the founder and owner of menswear brand Kempt.
Christian Lawlor, Owner of Kempt
Hi, I'm Christian Lawlor from Dublin Ireland, and I've been working in the menswear industry for over 20 years. In late 2021, I started a small menswear brand called Kempt. We basically do slow fashion to the highest standards we can. It's been an amazing couple of years, watching the brand grow and finding a following and customers right around the globe.
Follow Christian: Here
Follow Kempt: Here
What Caught Christian’s Eye
Portobello Diary from Smythson of Bond Street
Back in the late noughties, I remember reading an article in Vanity Fair about the late journalist Dominick Dunne. He had just passed away. I remember the article mentioning how he always wore shirts from Turnbull & Asser in many different Crayola hues. It also mentioned how he always used notebooks from Smythson of Bond Street, and how loads of them were found in his desk. I was fascinated how someone had these levels of standards in their life and how they would only use the best. I had to find out more and bought my first Smythson in 2010.
Buy: Here
Bertha's Revenge Gin
There are many great gin producers in Ireland. I stumbled, however, upon this one a while back. As gin is really the only spirit I drink, I like to drink a good one. The real classic cocktails, with the minimum of ingredients, such as a Martini, need to be made with the best. Apart from being a really great tasting gin, it's made by two guys in the south of Ireland, who seem to be having as much fun running their brand as I am with Kempt.
Buy: Here
LAMY Pens
I’ve used a Montblanc rollerball for almost 25 years and I think they are great, but there is something about a Lamy airport shop that I cannot pass without stopping to have a look. The selection of colour is amazing and the prices are really good, too. I recently bought a bright yellow fountain pen in Munich airport and it writes beautifully. I love it.
Buy: Here
Kempt White O.C.B.D Shirt
Biased, but I wear a Kempt white Oxford shirt at least three or four times a week. Navy or natural chinos, grey flannels, washed denim, dark denim...for me, a crisp white Oxford goes with everything. We have ours made in Portugal in a factory who is now in their third generation of shirt making. It's a really great shirt.
Buy: Here
RIEDEL Nick & Nora Glasses
I love glassware. For me a really beautiful glass gives off a sense of occasion. A really well made Martini will taste great in any Martini glass, but now and again I'll order one and it will arrive in a Nick & Nora. It might sound crazy, but for me, it tastes a little more special.
Buy: Here