Welcome to Ape to Gentleman’s Top 10 of the Month feature. We have curated the top trends, insights and advice to help you live your best life.
In this instalment, we’ve handpicked 10 essential topics covering everything from the world’s leading private members’ supercar club to what’s ahead in the world of tech. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a wardrobe overhaul, eager to enhance your grooming routine, or simply looking for the best and latest releases, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s explore how to make January your most stylish, successful and satisfying month yet.
Carl Friedrik Carry-on X
Invest in luggage for the year ahead. The Carl Friedrik Carry-on X case is a great place to start. Hard-wearing, practical, stylish. It is exactly what you want to be pushing around the terminal.
The integrated hardshell front pocket is a work of genius and allows for easy access to a laptop or travel documents on the go. The case features an aluminium frame with lock closure, seamless Hinamoto 360-degree spinner wheels and an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell.
Plenty of internal capacity and compression make for a case that’ll last the long haul.
Shop now at Carl Friedrik
Somewhere Good
We’ve seen a striking oversized scarf doing the rounds of late, and we’ve managed to track it down to the fledgling brand Somewhere Good. The scarf, which offers a welcome punch of colour in yellow (also available in grey marl), is part of a first drop that features geometric graphic tees, socks and a tote.
The extra-large signature scarf is crafted in England from 100% Italian superfine Merino wool (SustainaWOOL Green-Certified) and features a tonal logo.
A brand to keep an eye on.
Shop now at Somewhere Good
Auto Vivendi
In 2024, Auto Vivendi celebrated 20 years as the world’s leading private members’ supercar club. Based in London but operating nationwide, the club gives members access to a curated collection worth £8 million. The collection features supercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, and more, with 20-25 new models added each year.
In addition to access, the club organises exclusive, invitation-only events ranging from track days at renowned circuits to supercar tours across some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. Those looking to go faster in 2025 need look no further.
See more at Auto Vivendi
A Real Pain
Plenty of great films are dropping in the first month of the year, including Babygirl, The Brutalist and A Complete Unknown, but aside from the awards fodder, we’re keen to see what Kieran Culkin has been up to post-Roman Roy.
A Real Pain sees cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Culkin) on buddy comedy-drama duties as they travel to Poland to honour their late grandmother.
A.P.C x Barbour
The collaborations aren’t stopping in 2025. Announced in late December and shipping this month, it’s A.P.C’s maiden collaboration with Barbour.
Leading with a cropped version of Barbour’s classic Spey fishing jacket (complete with a Stoney-style collab patch adorning the arm), the unisex collection also features a tartan A.P.C logo tee and crew-neck sweater and a Barbour take on A.P.C’s classic denim work jackets.
Available on both respective brands’ Japanese websites, you might need to pull some strings to cop it.
See more at japan.barbour.com
The Australian Open
This year will be a good one for getting into tennis. Those with a passing interest will have noticed that the household names of recent decades are all but gone, which means the arena is open to new challengers.
First up this month will be The Australian Open, with last year’s winners Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka the favourites. Potential appearances from Nick Kyrgios and Leyton Hewitt’s teenage son, Cruz, add further Aussie intrigue, with an Andy Murray-coached Novak Djokovic always in the mix.
See more at ausopen.com
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
Loads of the tech you’ll hear about for the rest of the year will be previewed this month at The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The meeting of consumer tech minds is a place for global electronics giants to tease announcements and dates, with Nvidia’s Jensen Huang on keynote duties.
Predictions suggest AI, robotics and smart rings will be a major focus, with the usual sprinkling of new TVs and gaming equipment. LG’s transparent OLED T television was a standout from last year, and you’d hope the heads have something even cooler in mind for 2025.
See more at ces.tech
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
If you’re unfamiliar with Uncle Nearest, it’s worth reading up on. Founded by entrepreneur Fawn Weaver as an ode to master distiller Nearest Green, the formerly enslaved first master distiller at Jack Daniel’s (basically taught JD how to do it), Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing whiskey in U.S history and the best-selling black-founded and led spirit of all time.
Smooth and moreish, with plenty of vanilla and cinnamon spice, the 1884 Small Batch is a welcome bourbon upgrade for your drinks cabinet.
Shop now at Master of Malt
Treehouse Hotel, Manchester
Teased and poised for a while now, Treehouse Hotel’s Manchester location on Deansgate should open in 2025. The hotel will have 224 guest rooms, a rooftop with panoramic views, two restaurants and multiple event spaces, making it one of the more intriguing hotel openings of the year.
Most promising is the brand’s Avengers-style assembly of local hospitality talent. Sam Grainger and Mary-Ellen McTague oversee the restaurants, while Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (aka The Unabombers) curate the top floor.
See more at treehousehotels.com/manchester
Corridor
Brooklyn-based brand Corridor offers the easy, thoughtful casual clothes we want to wear as winter turns to spring in 2025.
A great selection of custom twill flannel shirts, chunky mohair jumpers and heavy twill workwear-inspired trousers sit alongside daring patterns that make great statement pieces.
The brand’s Opus cardigan could easily be dressed with a sharp leather boot and pleated trousers if you plan to smarten up for parties.
Shop now at Corridor
