Collecting a Quantum of Solace

     As soon as pictures began to release around the filming of QoS, collectors worldwide began to make assumptions around Bond goodies that would be offered.  Would there be toys this time around?  Would Master Replicas create anything from the film?  What clothing lines fueled Bond's style for this romp?

     Unfortunately, it seems more questions than answers have presented themselves when venturing into this rat hole...Bits from Corgi's line of toys leaked out complete with pictures fueling assumptions around robust offerings in this category only to be potentially dashed by the news of Corgi's sale and purchase.  The transition around the sale could delay the premiere of these items or worse scrub them altogether.  Master Replica/Corgi's outing in the offering of 1:1 Bond gadgets have proven an exciting initiative but fans and collectors alike panicked around the thought of "what else"?  Would there be anything else besides a golden gun, breather, and wrist dart gun?  Rest assured I believe there will be some surprises out of this group that will delight us all.

     Since this forum contains a significant amount of "lifestyle" collectors the discussion in this realm has been passionate, to say the least.  From Turnbull and Asser, to Brioni, to Dunhill, to finally Tom Ford...we eventually received news that indeed Tom Ford was the primary designer on QoS.  Naturally being in the marketing game I tried to chat up Natalie Rawlings, head of PR for Tom Ford, to let her know that a LOUD and influential base of suit wearers who happened to be Bond fans were eager to know specifics around what they provided to the production.  I received a VERY cordial reply back from Natalie assuring me that she would find out every lick of information and get back to me promptly.  Seconds, minutes, hours...aw hell, it was weeks before I nudged Natalie again with my request.  The deafening answer of silence and no reply reminded me of similar dead ends before Casino Royale premiered.  An acquaintance in the same industry as I mentioned that they may be maintaining MUM until closer to the film release date as per some licensee agreements.  This was the same for Lucasfilm and Paramount licensees so perhaps EON is making sure their ‘partners' release details at the pre-designed time and through appropriate channels.  My problem is we want to find out what style of clothing he wears NOW lest we be three seasons behind in our search.  Very difficult.  For example a discussion of Bond's black jacket(s) have been a source of frustration for our best detectives frustration but it is just a matter of time before the source of these is discovered.  However,  will we be in the dead of winter when we discover the brand of this SPRING jacket?  The only ‘wearable' companies that have volunteered their SPECIFIC influence on the production have been Omega and Sunspel.  Even Oliver Peoples have not formally raised their hand.

     So, all this discussion of who made what and when is it being provided, etc... have pushed me to return to the day of "Bond Film X On a Budget".  That's right folks, within two weeks time I will be releasing "Quantum of Solace on a Budget".  This is less about an effort to acquire Bond clothing for less and more about acquiring the type of clothing from the new film because we JUST CAN'T WAIT.  This time I want it to be a community effort.  Although I will impart my search for ‘comparable clothing" as seen in the stills, if YOU have found a good representation of any articles of clothing or accessories PLEASE PM me.  I have all the confidence in the world of our "lifestyle" detectives and their ability to eventually find the RIGHT items by the RIGHT brands but in the meantime alternatives might provide us a quantum of solace.

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