CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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I’ve got a Golden Ticket ! – Tumi’s AMAZING Competition to mark the launch of their new flagship store

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TUMI, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories has just opened its flagship store in London’s Regent Street, the centre of the city’s shopping district.  The 223 square metre store boasts state-of-the-art LED lighting and three distinct product touch-points are implemented into the floor plan: ground for travel cases, wall for men’s and women’s day bags, and special tables for small accessories. A monogramming station will provide on-the-spot product personalization. Clean, white platforms present a line-up of wheeled travel cases, reminiscent of a runway. A stainless steel rectangular counter within the travel area serves as a demonstration table to test products.

imageNow here’s the REALLY exciting part, to mark the launch of this illustrious flagship store, in a city known only to well to countless millions of tourists and Londoners alike. Tumi are launching one hell of a great social media competition to send two incredibly lucky winners on an incredible luxury trip of a lifetime!

On the morning of 1st May, five American Airlines flight attendants from their elite transatlantic service will hide five golden Tumi suitcases across the capital. To enter the competition, simply follow the movie clues which can be found on TumiGoldenTicket.com locate one of the golden cases, take a picture and post on social media featuring #TumiGoldenTicket. Each case found, photographed and posted will count, up to the maximum of five, so the more suitcases discovered the higher the chances of winning!

OK so what’s all the fuss about, tell us what the prize is ???? Well, only flipping travelling to Los Angeles with American Airlines in Business Class on their sleek new 777 offering a new level of comfort across the Atlantic. You will be sipping champagne and enjoying a gourmet dining experience before slipping into the newly designed lie-flat seats for a blissful night’s sleep. Landing in sunny California you will be whisked away to the 5 star ‘London West Hollywood’ hotel, a combination of the best in cosmopolitan chic and California cool and home to Gordon Ramsey’s über hip Boxwood Cafe! Situated in the heart of happening Hollywood, this is the perfect hub from which to explore the sites and sounds of the ‘city of dreams’, from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre to Universal Studios and The Getty Museum – and top it off with supper amongst the Hol- lywood celebrity glitterati at the Soho House Private Members Club courtesy of Tumi!

After three days, and once your glamour quota has reached its limit, American Airlines will fly you off in Business Class on their new A321 Transcontinental service to New York City, the home town of Tumi, and the hottest new hotel in Manhattan; ‘The Surrey’. Nestled opposite Central Park on the Upper East Side , this is a luxury home from home with views to die for and a majestic roof terrace on which to sip a Whisky Sour and observe the Big Apple light up at dusk! Fill 3 days with the finest art (you are staying opposite the Metropolitan Museum!), shopping, sightseeing and your nights on Broadway, cheering on the New York Yankees or enjoying dinner á deux at the coveted ‘chefs table’ at a Michelin starred restaurant courtesy of your hosts!

Then it’s time to leave behind the roar and bustle of the city and tuck yourself into the sanctuary of American Airlines First Class, enjoy a superb lunch and gaze over the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea as you fly to your final destination, the British Virgin Islands!!! and the luxury resort of Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Created by Laurance Rockefeller in 1964, this 500 acre garden paradise is situated along the crystal clear waters of a crescent-shaped bay, protected by a coral reef. This exclusive boutique resort is in an idyllic setting and features extensive water sports, a 47-foot luxury catamaran, nature trails, fitness centre, restaurants, bars and beach-front swimming pool overlooking the ocean. Elegant and sophisticated this is the perfect way to spend your second week, relaxing and being pampered on an all-inclusive island paradise! All flights, hotels, transfers, feature meals and the all-inclusive stay at Little Dix Bay, plus a generous spending allowance will be met by Tumi and its promotional partners!

*-Terms and conditions apply, so check out the website.

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Disgruntled Yoof – Ben Sherman X Matthew Miller – Dissaffected Generation Forever

imageMatthew Miller is on somewhat on a run of great Collaborations at the moment, this Stoke-on-Trent lad cut his teeth working on projects for Sportwear brand Umbro, Suiting Supremo Brioni, Oliver Sweeney and Timberland amongst others, either before or in the early stages of setting up on his own. More recently he and a whole host of bright young things, including Katie Eary and Christopher Raeburn worked exclusively with MRPORTER.com and Grenson on a brilliant footwear project. Vogue have labelled him, “One to Watch” and Selfridges picked up on him after only his second collection. For his latest partnership its the turn of Ben Sherman.

This time, Miller explores the notion of a ‘disafffected generation’ that forms an identity through rebellion and the pressure to conform. The collection focuses on  Matthew’s trademark of investigating traditional structures and subverting them with new fabrications. Classic elements, such as the Ben Sherman ‘House Check’  has been enlarged and applied as a new print for t-shirts, shirts and a jacket. The shirts and t-shirts have been dissected with a cross-fading ‘House Check’, whilst the others hold a ‘DGF’ chest badge, which sits like an emblem for the  ‘disaffected generation forever’. The enlarged print continues on to the light-weight jacket, which carries signature Ben Sherman details like the back locker-loop.

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True Blue – ‘True To The Blue’ – a celebration of the denim heritage of Tommy Hilfiger

imageWhen you think of the great U S of A  you can’t help but think of denim, to be quite honest the two are pretty much synonymous with one another and think of an American Fashion designer famous for his denim, surely Tommy Hilfiger, must spring to the forefront of your mind.

Now come April 17th, the brand are launching an exclusive collection named ‘True To The Blue’ – a celebration of the denim heritage of the brand. The collection, which features styles for both men and women, pays homage to pieces from Tommy’s early ranges which were sold in his first store People’s Place (see image) back in the early 70s, as well as drawing inspiration from key denim moments throughout the brand’s history.

imageAs part of this initiative the brand are also asking people to share a throwback images of a favourite denim looks they’ve worn on their social media feed(#throwbackdenim #HilfigerDenim). All posts will be aggregated and entered into a competition, and the fan who submits the best #ThrowbackDenim image will win an all-expenses paid trip for two to California. The contest will run from April 17 to May 9.

 TRUE TO THE BLUE KEY PIECES

 

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Harder, better, faster, stronger, err lighter – Nike Air Max Breathe Collection by Dominic Heron-Sturt

imageWhatever the weather, occasion or day there’s nothing that can quite compare to a pair of Nike’s famous footwear model the Air Max. With thirty years of building and improving the different generations most recognisable sports shoe , Nike have designed  a great new improved Air max Model to meet all your wanted needs.

imageThe Air Max Breathe Collection, draws inspiration from the on-the-go Brasilian lifestyle in which one might find themselves on the beach one minute and pounding pavement the next and consists
of three shoes, the Air Max 90, Air Max 1, and Air Max Light. Just the shoe to keep your feet cool from the humid heat with modern technology enhanced revolutionising your favourite sneaker design the Air Max Breathe collection is sure to answer all your individual summer footwear requirements.  The Air Max Breathe collection deconstructs iconic silhouettes, transforming classic sneakers into ultra-breathable, lightweight shoes. To produce the most breathable Air Max models to date, the shoes have been stripped right back to their core essentials—layers of reinforcement removed and heavy materials jettisoned. Advanced technology mesh is used to create pockets of space between the upper materials to allow for increased airflow.A perfect light weight trainer relevant for exhilarating jogs or too wear on those scorching hot summer days on holiday or here if we get a Summer this year, is the result. All three Pairs can be purchased on the Nike Website and at Nike Sportswear Retailers from the 1st Of May.
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Universal Appeal – “Workshop Denim” by Universal Works

imageIn the denim world, it is normally either about American or Japanese, and about trying to recreate a vintage look or capture an authentic feel. Universal Works however have approached things a little differently, sourcing vintage loom made 13oz denim from Portugal and making the jeans in the centre of England.

Universal Works, whose primary principle is to produce a well made, easy to wear and affordable collection for men who want contemporary clothes, but understand tradition and looking good without trying too hard.

imageBased around and understanding of classic working clothes, of the workshop and the office, but with a modern slant on fit and shape. The entire brand has the signature of the founder, David Keyte, throughout and shows his love of craft and a feeling that someone cared about making this piece of clothing.

Keyte’s says of his new denim dream, “We have decided to keep things simple; making a European Jean, from vintage narrow loomed denim, in two great fits that still take into account the needs of contemporary man, keeping them unwashed so you can make them your own, and selling them at the best possible price.”

Deliberately not branded on the outside, featuring unbranded rivets, a unique yet unassuming pocket shape and all finished with a ghost patch; Universal Works has created a range of good fitting, simple and honest garments, all made in England.

Are Your Jeans Handmade? from Universal Works on Vimeo.