anthonymcgrath405 / 21/11/2013

Not your bag, this has to be – Mulberry X MR PORTER

In the words of that icon of pop Culture and Americana, Coca Cola, “Holidays are coming, holidays are coming”. And if your thinking about heading off for the Yuletide or you have to pay a trip to the Outlaws. I have just the bag or even bags for this very jaunt. That Bastion of stylish e-commercery MR PORTER has teamed up with a brand that epitomises everything suave about travel and of course luxury luggage, Mulberry. These two connoisseurs of elegance have worked together to create a five piece capsule collection, launching this very month. The collection consists of five classic Mulberry bags across four styles reworked in canvas rather than the traditional leather that Mulberry is known for. The Elkington briefcase comes in grey canvas, whilst the Brynmore dispatch style is available in black. The Clipper holdall comes in black and grey with a compact version also available in blue.

Sam Kershaw, Buyer for MR PORTER said of the collaboration, ‘We are delighted to be working with Mulberry as figureheads of British heritage leather craftsmanship and are delighted that they have produced a capsule collection reworking their classic designs in a new material. At MR PORTER we strive to give our customers something that they cannot buy anywhere else globally and are sure that they will love all five styles.’

anthonymcgrath405 / 20/11/2013

Taking the High Road – Johnstons of Elgin

Cashmere is luxurious, no arguments there, and it isn’t something that can be scrimped upon, its a product that if treated well will, literally, last you a lifetime, and in doing so will look after you and treat you well. But please don’t be under any preconception that if you pay £30-40 for a cashmere knit from a Supermarket, this will natural be the case.

Working with Cashmere is a real art and requires skilled craftsmen and women to create the optimum products that this fabric can produce. One such and noted house is nestled deep in the Scottish countryside, perched on the banks of the river Lossie, sits a majestic mill; one of the best kept secrets in Scottish textiles. Known the world-over as the experts in cashmere and fine woollens; Johnstons of Elgin has stood strong for over two centuries. This is a brand that searches far and wide to source only the finest and most luxurious fibres the world has to offer, and it is it’s extraordinary quality that gives its cashmere its enduring and unique appeal.

From dyeing to blending, carding to spinning, winding to weaving, knitting to scouring, milling to teaselling, cutting to folding; it all happens in their own mills on Scottish soil. Whether it’s a glove, scarf, jumper or cloth; every piece is made to last. From accessories to fabrics, their product defines luxury & quality.

For Winter 2013 the brand references British eccentricity and Scottish heritage. It offers a contemporary take, using heritage trims such as soft suede and tweed inserts for both style and practicality. The juxtaposition of contrasting fabrics in a single garment is a signature look for Johnstons of Elgin, who turned to their own archive to find fantastic 1970’s Glen checks and Houndstooth tweeds.

These outstanding principles are what attracted the Grand Dame of British Fashion, Dame Vivienne Westwood to collaborate with Johnstons. That shared passion for traditional production techniques and the preservation of skills already passed down through generations. The brand was approached as they epitomise Westwood’s ‘Quality over Quantity- buy less, choose well, make it last’ ethos.

anthonymcgrath405 / 13/11/2013

Setting up Camp in Selfridges – Camper Pop up

Where do they put it ? Is a question I often ask when I find myself in the Internationally renowned Temple of Consumerism, Selfridges. It literally seems to be like some sort of TARDIS which is able to squeeze in more and more interesting collaborations, brands, themes and what-have-you. Last week it was the AMAZING Louis Vuitton Townhouse, this week its the turn of Mallorcan Footwear and accessories brand Camper to exclusively showcase its Camper Together collections on its world leading men’s shoe floor.

The area will include Camper’s innovative and unexpected collaborations with Kvadrat, the Scandinavian upholstery manufacturer, Bernhard Willhelm, whose unconventional style developed the hugely popular Himalayan sneaker(see below), yes you read that correctly, and Romain Kremer’s conceptual hybrid shoe. These will sit beside Camper’s signature range of men’s shoes in Selfridges Oxford Street flagship store, one of the most recognisable department stores in the World. The history of the two retailers is almost parallel – Camper’s Spanish heritage begins in 1877 and Selfridges, (as fans of the popular ITV period drama will know) in 1909. Both established by pioneering fearless visionaries, Antonio Fluxa and Gordon Selfridge respectively.

anthonymcgrath405 / 12/11/2013

The Crown Joules – Joules

I first came across the brand Joules, whilst away with the Outlaws a couple of years ago in Padstow in Cornwall and was completely unaware that they even produced Menswear until a few years later when I attended aPress day for them and was completely bowled over to see their Mens Apparel. This is a family run business in EVERY sense of the word and there is some family, or friend, connection with pretty much everyone who works for Joules.This comes across so very clearly whenever you meet someone from the brand and they discuss it with such passion and understanding.

Joules was literally established in the fields of Great Britain or more specifically in Leicestershire and it today still has strong roots in the small rural town of Market Harborough, where the very first shop and head office are based. Following in his father’s footsteps, Tom Joule began selling country clobber at equestrian and country events across Britain, more than three decades ago. Quality was a foundation element in the formation of the brand and is never compromised and its promised that it will never be sacrificed for price. The feel of the fabric, the detail, linings and fit have all been given a huge amount of attention to deliver the best product. Bringing that countryside state of mind to the City.

For Winter 13, Joules have clearly takes inspiration from the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII and his iconic wardrobe; focusing on the traditional and regal styling of a British Heritage wardrobe whilst bringing them to life with an injection of rich and royal colours. Multi fabrication and reinforcement detailing on outerwear and brushed- wool shirting in over checks give this story the traditional country twist.

COMPETITION TIME

If you fancy channeling your inner Country Gent without looking out of place on the City streets, then now’s you chance, as we have teamed up with Joules to offer one lucky winner the chance to win the following key outfit from the Joules Winter 2013 Collection !!!! We are offering the Windsted French navy jacket, Whitfield Navy stripe shirt and the Stretton French navy Chinos and all you have to do is sign up to Clothes-Make-the-Man.com from now until midnight (GMT) on 1st November 2013, YES IT’S THAT EASY, I PROMISE

*PLEASE NOTE the above items are available in sizes 30, 32, 34, 36,38 or small-XXL

anthonymcgrath405 / 08/11/2013

Home is where the LV heart is – The new Louis Vuitton Townhouse at Selfridges

Well, its been quite a week for the French Fashion house, of Louis Vuitton, firstly they announce, former Balenciaga creative visionaire, Nicholas Ghesquière as Artistic Director of its women’s collections, with immediate effect. Ghesquière commented at the briefing: “Louis Vuitton has always incarnated for me the symbol of ultimate luxury, innovation and exploration. I am very honored of the mission that I am entrusted with, and proud to join the history of this great Maison. We share common values and a vision. I can’t wait to join the team. Together we will build the future of the brand while preserving its precious heritage.”

Now if that wasn’t enough, today, the gallic luxury uber-brand will inaugurate a new store, the Louis Vuitton Townhouse, located in the renowned department store, Selfridges. Built over 3 inter-connecting floors, the Townhouse follows a new architectural concept by the French-born and internationally acclaimed designer and former RCA student, Gwenaël Nicolas, whose past clients have included Issey Miyake and Lexus.

Through this unique space the brand promise their clientele a unique journey of surprise and discovery, a real dialogue between modernity and tradition inside the largest European department store-based destination. This is achieved by such features as the symbolic spiral structure which rises through the historical building. The ground floor will showcase the new collections of leather goods, accessories and travel items, with a dedicated and interactive digital platform of personalisation – a worldwide first for Louis Vuitton. Crafted glass art pieces become a striking background for the Vuitton leather collections including city bags, luggage and hard-sided pieces as well as the Maison’s iconic special orders and Mon Monogram.

Further into the store, a state-of-the-art circular elevator is revealed, which connects the upper floors. The short journey inside the elevator reveals a head-turning surprise as the glass structure gently spins inside a glass tube, following the movement of the spiral construction and offering an experience like no other. The amber brown patterns which are designed to evoking memories of sunset lights, are the prefect setting, for the first floor presents, for the first time the full Mens ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories collections presented by the in-house mens designer, Kim Jones, and is contrasted by strong patinated glass elements.

COMPETITION TIME

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