CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Savile Row has always stood for something deeper than fashion. Precision. Restraint. Craft refined over time. Translating that level of integrity into fragrance is a challenge — but one that Icon Partnership has approached with a clear sense of purpose in the Savile Row Private Collection.

Created under the direction of David Strickley, CEO of Icon Partnership, this six-piece unisex fragrance range draws directly from the language of bespoke tailoring. Not as a marketing shortcut, but as a genuine framework — where materials, process and detail matter just as much as the finished result.

Launched just in time for Christmas, each fragrance is presented in a 100ml bottle, colour-coded to reflect its character and finished with textured packaging and understated gold script. The result feels considered and refined — exactly what you’d expect from something bearing the Savile Row name.

Rather than leaning on abstract storytelling, each scent in the collection takes inspiration from a tangible element of the tailoring process — fit, fabric, tools and creative expression.

Savila is the anchor. A tribute to Savile Row itself, it’s smoky, woody and assured. Nutmeg, saffron and incense set a deep, confident opening before jasmine and patchouli lead into a base of sandalwood, tobacco and amber woods. It wears like a well-cut jacket — structured, balanced and quietly authoritative.

Tela explores the movement of fabric. Floral but controlled, it combines amber and spice with lemon, apricot and pepper at the top, before settling into ylang ylang, freesia, vanilla and musks. Elegant, tactile and subtly expressive.

Sartoria focuses on fit and form — and it shows. This woody aromatic marine opens clean with lime and blackcurrant, sharpened by clary sage and geranium. Lavandin, juniper and pink pepper bring lift, while leather, amber woods, patchouli and cedarwood ground it firmly in classic menswear territory.

Bucula, inspired by the tailor’s button, balances utility and decoration. Dark cherry leads, layered with toasted almond, saffron and amber, softened by rose, osmanthus and apricot. Patchouli, vanilla and praline add depth without tipping into excess.

Creatia reflects the creative heart of Savile Row — the designers, cutters and innovators who push tradition forward. Smoky and intense, it blends pimento, ginger and saffron with birch tar, labdanum and cinnamon bark, finished with myrrh, suede, sandalwood and musks. Bold, but disciplined.

Acus takes the needle as its muse. Sharp citrus notes of bergamot and lemon cut cleanly at the top, before saffron, orange blossom and rose take hold. The dry down is rich and precise, with leather, benzoin, cedarwood, vanilla and labdanum.

Strickley’s influence is felt throughout. With over three decades in the fragrance industry — including senior roles at L’Oréal, Yves Saint Laurent and Estée Lauder — he has been instrumental in shaping some of the sector’s most recognisable brands. From Ralph Lauren and DKNY to Tommy Hilfiger, Paloma Picasso and Crème de la Mer, his track record is defined by longevity rather than hype.

Through Icon Partnership, founded in 2010, Strickley has continued to build and guide fragrance and grooming brands with a clear emphasis on credibility, storytelling and execution — qualities that underpin this launch.

Point to remember is,  The Savile Row Private Collection isn’t about reinventing fragrance — it’s about applying the same values that define great menswear: craft, restraint and intention. These are scents designed to be worn, lived with and understood over time, not rushed through a trend cycle.

For men who appreciate detail, heritage and thoughtful design, this is fragrance that makes sense — built with purpose, and finished properly, aha, just like you my friend !

There’s a particular frisson when high street accessibility collides with genuine artistry. This season, that intersection feels especially considered as River Island partners with London’s family-led art house Year Zero – a collaboration that blurs the line between gallery wall and wardrobe rail.

Year Zero has built its reputation on painstakingly hand-painted works across luxury garments, each piece imbued with the intimacy and irregular beauty that only human touch can provide. Their aesthetic is bold yet personal, expressive yet refined – a balancing act that has not gone unnoticed. Admirers have included cultural heavyweights such as Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Kylie Jenner and Pharrell Williams, each drawn to the house’s unapologetic creativity and commitment to individuality.

The partnership with River Island feels both natural and quietly disruptive. River Island has long understood the pulse of the British high street – agile, trend-aware, democratic. By inviting Year Zero into its creative orbit, the brand elevates the everyday, offering wearable canvases that speak to a more expressive consumer.

The collection itself is designed for self-definition. Elevated graphic tees carry the immediacy of hand-rendered art; sharply cut shirts feel considered rather than casual; flattering, well-structured bottoms ground the statement pieces with practicality. It is not costume. It is clothing with character.

What resonates most is the collection’s refusal to separate fine art from fashion. Instead, it proposes that personal style can be both accessible and artful – that a high street purchase can still feel singular. In an era of algorithmic dressing, this collaboration offers something more human: texture, narrative and a sense of authorship.

For those seeking to inject personality into their wardrobe without sacrificing polish, River Island x Year Zero arrives at precisely the right moment. Fashion, after all, has always been a form of self-portraiture. This time, the brushstrokes are visible.

There’s something reassuring about a brand that knows its own history. Timberland has looked back rather than sideways, re-releasing two archive jackets that neatly capture the label’s late-90s, early-2000s sweet spot: the Granite State Waterproof Rain Jacket (c. 2000) and the Welch Mountain Leather Puffer (c. 1997).

Both pieces form part of Timberland’s global campaign, Advice of an Icon, worn by Spike Lee and Skepta in head-to-toe looks anchored by the brand’s most recognisable calling card, the 6-inch Boot. It’s a smart move. These jackets don’t just complement the boot — they remind everyone why Timberland became culturally relevant in the first place.

Styled by globally respected stylist Miyako Bellizzi, the campaign leans heavily into authenticity. Bellizzi sourced the original archive garments, ensuring the reissues stay true to the silhouettes, proportions and attitude that made them icons first time around.

The Granite State Waterproof Rain Jacket is a direct nod to Timberland’s outdoor DNA. It delivers the same dependable waterproof protection as the original, but arrives refreshed in deep navy with jet-black contrast panelling. The colour blocking feels unmistakably late-90s, a period when performance outerwear began crossing over into everyday style — long before “gorpcore” became a hashtag.

Then there’s the Welch Mountain Leather Puffer, a standout piece that underscores Timberland’s craftsmanship credentials. Cut from soft Nappa sheepskin leather and properly insulated for warmth, it’s a reminder that Timberland has always understood how to balance rugged function with premium materials. More importantly, it shows how those values still resonate with today’s cultural innovators.

Both jackets will be available in limited quantities via timberland.com — and given the names attached and the nostalgia baked in, they’re unlikely to hang around for long. For anyone interested in the intersection of heritage, street culture and proper outerwear, this is Timberland doing what it does best.

It happens every year. January limps to a close, the promise of spring hovers just out of reach, and suddenly it’s February 13th. Cue the frantic dash past wilting roses, dented boxes of chocolates and whatever greeting cards survived the lunchtime rush.

But last-minute doesn’t have to mean last-resort. There are smarter, more thoughtful ways to mark Valentine’s Day than supermarket floristry and a Milk Tray grabbed in panic.

From considered hampers to pocket-sized love tokens, cultural subscriptions and gifts that go beyond the predictable, here’s a curated selection of Valentine’s ideas that feel personal, intentional and — crucially — still achievable when time isn’t on your side.

Luxury Hampers With a Personal Touch

Top Hampers understands that gifting well isn’t about excess — it’s about relevance. Their Valentine’s collections lean into personalisation, pairing indulgence with genuine thoughtfulness.

No One Measures Up Hamper

Designed for your favourite man, this is an easy win. Grooming essentials, indulgent chocolates, savoury treats, standout socks and a well-chosen tipple make this feel generous without being try-hard. Comforting, considered and quietly indulgent.

Reasons Why I Love You Gift Hamper

A softer, more sentimental option featuring bath salts, scented candles, bath roses, chocolate treats and fluffy house socks, all anchored by “reasons why I love you” cards. It’s unashamedly romantic — and sometimes that’s exactly the point.

The Perfect Pairing: Fizz and Romance Hamper

What elevates this couple’s hamper isn’t just the fizz and chocolates, but the interactive elements. Date Night Scratchcards and Love Language cards encourage connection rather than passive consumption — a thoughtful twist on the classic romantic night in.

All The Single Ladies Hamper

For the happily single — or happily undecided. Rosé, shower steamers, bath bombs, a daily planner, stress toy and a playful sense of humour make this a refreshingly self-aware Valentine’s option. Best enjoyed solo or shared with fellow singles.

Beautiful, Pocket-Sized Tokens of Love

For something quieter but no less meaningful, Driftwood Designs offers simple, beautifully made wooden keepsakes crafted in Devon from European birch wood.

The standout pieces are the interlocking wooden bird keyrings — designed to fit together when reunited and separate when shared. Practical, tactile and just the right side of sentimental, they work as a daily reminder rather than a one-day gesture.

Elsewhere in the collection, puffin heart hangings and a Leo Tolstoy quote decoration cater to those who prefer words alongside imagery. Small gifts, big emotional return.

A Grand Gesture, Courtesy of a Romance Icon

If you’re going to do flowers, do them properly.

The Dame Joan Collins Valentine’s Rose Bouquet with Vase, available from M&S, is unapologetically glamorous. Thirty-seven stems of red Naomi roses, white oriental lilies, fragrant freesia and gold eucalyptus make this a show-stopper — presented in a coordinating vase for immediate impact.

Effortless, dramatic and timeless. Exactly as Dame Joan would demand.

For the Fitness Fanatic

Not everyone wants chocolate and Champagne. For those who’d rather sweat than snack, TRiBOXKiNG by TBKFiT offers a genuinely different take on home fitness.

This compact triple-ball boxing system reacts unpredictably when struck, sharpening coordination, timing and reflexes while delivering a serious workout. No drilling required, thanks to a clever X-Clamp system, and portable enough to travel wherever training happens.

Practical, fun and refreshingly free of gimmicks.

Say It With Art: 365 Days of Culture

For a gift that lasts well beyond Valentine’s Day, a National Art Pass offers year-round cultural access at a sensible price point.

Free or discounted entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces, 50% off major exhibitions, plus savings in museum cafés and shops. Ideal for solo wandering or spontaneous days out together.

A quietly excellent gift for anyone who values experiences over objects.

Give the Gift of Grá

Meaningful jewellery doesn’t need to shout. The Grá Necklace from Fada Jewellery says everything with a single word.

“Grá” means love in Irish, and the piece reflects Fada’s wider ethos: modern Irish design rooted in identity, culture and confidence. Founded in 2021, the brand set out to offer affordable, contemporary Irish jewellery with real emotional resonance.

Life-proof, understated and deeply personal — this is a Valentine’s gift with lasting relevance.

Because leaving it late doesn’t mean lowering the bar.

Valentine’s Day is usually about indulgence. Chocolate, red wine, late nights and the sort of smiles that get a workout long after dessert has disappeared. But while romance might be good for the soul, dentists are quietly shaking their heads at some of the habits that come along for the ride.

Good oral health rarely features in conversations about attraction, yet it plays a bigger role than most care to admit. Confidence, presentation and personal care all start with the details—and few things undermine them faster than neglecting what’s happening behind the smile.

This Valentine’s Day, it may be time to call it quits on a few bad habits.

Brushing Harder Isn’t Brushing Better

There’s a lingering belief that scrubbing harder equals cleaner teeth. In reality, aggressive brushing wears down enamel and irritates gums, leading to sensitivity and recession over time. Dentists consistently recommend a gentle technique with a soft-bristled brush—effective, controlled and far more sustainable.

Think of it like tailoring: precision always beats force.

Skipping the Night-Time Brush

Falling into bed without brushing after a long evening out might feel harmless, but it’s one of the worst offenders. Overnight, bacteria thrive on leftover sugars and acids, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. That final brush before bed is non-negotiable—no matter how late the night runs.

Effortless style still requires discipline.

Relying on Mouthwash Alone

Mouthwash has its place, but it’s not a shortcut. Used on its own, it masks problems rather than solving them. Dentists advise treating it as a supporting act, not the headline—brushing and interdental cleaning remain the main event.

Much like fragrance, it should complement, not compensate.

Ignoring the Gums

Healthy teeth get the attention, but gums are often overlooked until something goes wrong. Bleeding gums aren’t normal—they’re an early warning sign. Regular flossing or interdental brushing helps prevent inflammation and keeps everything looking sharp where it counts.

Details matter, especially the unseen ones.

Too Much Sugar, Too Often

It’s not just about how much sugar you consume, but how frequently. Sipping sugary drinks or snacking throughout the day exposes teeth to constant acid attacks. Dentists suggest limiting sugary treats to mealtimes and giving your mouth time to recover.

Moderation, as ever, is the most attractive approach.

A well-kept smile isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, care and knowing when to drop habits that no longer serve you. This Valentine’s Day, consider it a quiet upgrade. After all, confidence looks better when it lasts.