CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Country roads take me home – Stighlorgan, A contemporary Irish Brand

Stighlorgan (pronounced Still-organ) is a contemporary Irish accessories brand which is rather reflective of a lot of the native population from time and memorial to modern day. Basically, although based in London they still very much see themselves as Irish. Set up by a group of friends all hailing from in and around the area of Stighlorgan in Dublin or Baile Átha Cliath, the town on the river, to give the city its correct gaelic translation. The sea not only plays an important role to Dublin’s fair city but to the Stighlorgan brand itself. To celebrate the launch of their Summer 13 line, they relaunched a limited batch of their peat green Roban backpack and to give them a completely unique look and feel, they’ve been washed by the Irish sea off the coast of Dublin. The bags were soaked and ‘sea-washed’ in rough sea on the diving steps at Salthill, near Dún Laoghaire,  to give their signature Roban bag a new weathered look.

 

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We recently caught up with Christian , one of the founding nomadic members from the gallic creative collective and asked him what the thinking behind the brand was,

” In simple terms, to begin waving the flag for modern Irish fashion. The Irish have a very particular way of doing things and we’re all very proud of that. I see real value to sharing the small differences in the way the Irish dress -or the differences as we see them at Stighlorgan I could say. There are already a wide variety of English brands, American brands, Swedish, Italian, Japanese etc, I think its high-time someone began to talk about the Irish aesthetic. I believe that if presented correctly it holds some really interesting and fresh insights into ways that you can put together an outfit and in particular to Stighlorgan; the accessories you can wear.”

He went on to sum up the brand and how it came about, far more succinctly then I could, so I thought I’d save myself the bother,

“One of my older cousins in Dublin who I recently spoke to about Stighlorgan and the progress the brand was making, said to me that in the 90s he had a dream of creating an Internationally known contemporary Irish brand. I found it funny that he seemed to have had the same desire to create something Irish that could truly have international reach. We’re already selling in Europe, the US, Russia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. We’re getting closer to achieving that reach that me and my cousin dream of. In terms of the brand’s identity and future, we already have a really strong idea of what the Stighlorgan brand looks like. Each season we put together a collection that jumps ahead of the previous one -it’s an exciting feeling to better your previous season. We’ll keep up this momentum and keep evolving the brand. If we can create global recognition for an Irish aesthetic that’s very close to our hearts, we’d be very happy with that!” 

A selection of the Summer 13 range

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Bags of Likeability – Universal Works X Millican Collaboration

Screen Shot 2013-04-22 at 15.47.08Screen Shot 2013-04-22 at 15.47.08Screen Shot 2013-04-22 at 15.47.08It honestly is a rare occurrence when I’m able to say, watch this, it explains everything, but that is exactly what the below short film does. Two Great British Menswear brands have come together to produce a concise capsule bag collection, offering everything, any man, any bag he could possibly need. Universal Works, who 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. They have teamed up with Millican,  a brand that follows the path left by eco-adventurer and godfather of sustainable living, no not Tom Goode of the Good Life, God Rest his Soul, but Millican Dalton, who in turn produce a collection of organic canvas bags and accessories. Watch and Enjoy –

SS/13 Universal Works x Millican Collaboration from Millican on Vimeo.

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Minimalism just got more interesting – Minimum

Screen Shot 2013-03-19 at 16.09.24Minimum was established by entrepreneur Peder Tang, as a small shop in Denmark’s second city, but ever so trendy area, of Aarhus in 1997. Gaining more and more notoriety the brand soon evolved into a independent clothing brand, launching its first collection back in 1999. Later, in 2007, Minimum added a female line and today it’s an international clothing company. Well established and stocked in stores throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada.

The general vision behind the brand is that of Scandinavian coolness mixed with a metropolitan vibe which has lent to the brand’s appeal and popularity across all the territories its available in. The brand aims to give their customers high quality products and unique details at an affordable price. Their collections are characterised by an interesting mixture of materials, shapes and colours and should be seen as a contributor to the basic wardrobe, working perfectly with existing favourite pieces, while at the same time providing prominent items for special occasions.

For Spring 2013, Minimum have turned their inspiration to what is without a doubt one of Denmark’s most fascinating, colorful and happy places to be. Christiania, an abandoned military site in the very middle of copenhagen which proclaimed itself as a FREE self-governing utopian society when squatters took it over in 1971.

Ever since the controversial area and it’s 600, so called, “Christianitter”,  which have become a symbol, loved by so many around the world and have established a strong synonym with freedom, love and easygoing bohemian lifestyle.

This Spring 2013 collection brings together the social and design boundaries that have been pushed and blurred, via Christiania and Minimum emulates this ethos.

 

Minimum Spring 2013 Menswear range

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Form an orderly McQ for this range – McQ

image003McQ was founded by the late and great visionary of British Fashion and true genius, in the creative artistic sense, Lee (Alexander) McQueen  in 2005. The range finds inspiration in street culture and sub-cultures, offering individual pieces that fit perfectly into the modern wardrobe of not only die hard McQueen followers but can be adopted by any and every stylish individual. It follows the main signature of the house collection, including structured tailoring, the nipped-in waist and of course, tartan, these are all distilled into wearable pieces that are distinct and evoke a quiet confidence but always hold a little piece of McQueen DNA. McQ collections often reference uniform and the military, drawing inspiration from Britain’s rich heritage and often reflect the emotion and raw energy often exhibited in his signature collections and Fashion shows.  Traditional British techniques and fabrics are used in contemporary ways, creating pieces that are both functional and beautiful.

After Lee’s untimely death in 2010, Sarah Burton undertook the unenviable role of Creative Director of not only the main range but McQ as well, to which she has more then rose to the challenge and excelled. With particular reference to McQ she has offered collections of youthful, modern pieces that draw on the unique design archive of Alexander McQueen. Sitting in parallel to the mainline, that remain loyal to the brand’s house codes yet are designed to be worn every day.

For Spring 13 she offers a continuation from the more elevated AW12 McQ collection, the new season features soft, washed military pieces realised in shades of khaki and moss, alongside modern interpretations of classic street wear staples, like the military parka and the cotton drill military shirt.

The influence of luxe sportswear trend can be found throughout the collection, on everything from aertex jumpers and tracksuits to polo shirts. Almost as a juxtaposition, a make do and mend feel begins to emerge, with several pieces featuring sewn-on patches and several fabrications in one garment. Pieces feature ghosting detailing under lapels and of course the McQ tartan comes in camouflage colours, to tie in with the ubiquitous military undertone of the collection. That famous Gothic fingerprint of McQueen is evident in the insect and animal prints which appear on pieces.

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Super-ga Shoes – Oliver Spencer Per SUPERGA

Screen Shot 2013-03-04 at 18.18.20The 2750 Heritage, the shoe style Superga are best known for, isn’t looking to bad for being over 100 years old. Born in Turin, Italy in 1911, the shoe and also the brand have built up a loyal and stylish following, from Ryan Reynolds to Guy Ritchie  and Alexa Chung and the Olsen Twins have all been spotted sporting the vulcanised rubber soled footwear.

Screen Shot 2013-03-04 at 18.19.58Ohhh and its not just style conscious Hollywood A-listers that are getting in on the act. Last year to celebrate the brand’s centennial anniversary Henry Holland launched a collaboration of unique shoes that only the House of Holland could dream up. to keep that momentum a flowing the brand have worked with one of Clothes-Make-the-man‘s favourite designers for Spring 2013, Mr Oliver Spencer. The refined collection combines Oliver’s modern aesthetics with Superga’s timeless styles. Reflecting on the collaboration, Oliver Spencer commented:

“The concept behind the collaboration is to be something that is very clean with a feeling of luxury. I wanted to show the brand’s versatility through modern day inspirations. The shoes represent a bridge between sport and luxury.”

Screen Shot 2013-03-04 at 18.21.21Marking the first ever menswear collaboration from Superga, the Oliver Spencer per Superga collection combines colour blocking, brushed nubucks, premium shirting material and retro gum soles with a modern twist. Oliver’s play on textures and colour combinations creates a clean, minimalist look giving the iconic 2750 a deluxe makeover.

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