One to watch Archives - Page 18 of 19

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/02/2013

Be proud of your smalls – Hamilton & Hare

The dilemma for a everyday men of what underwear to put on is pretty much a very simple one, the brands on offer to him, now thats a different kettle of fish although. But the design of the aforementioned undergarments are simple;

1) Briefs or a variation on it

2) Y-fronts or a varition on it

3) Trunk style or a varition on it

4) The Boxer Short……

Until now the Boxer Short was a humble simple design, that was until Olivia Francis while at work at the huge Global Creative Agency M&C Saatchi stumbled upon the notion that there seems to be a gap in mens underwear, sorry couldn’t resist that one. Now I know what you’re thinking, a WOMAN ! What does SHE know about MENS underwear. Well, despite not being able to wear them herself, but with an all important female perspective on the matter, she is adamant about the importance of men’s underwear and is really passionate about bringing inspiration and new thinking to the category. Olivia felt no-one was thinking about underwear as something you really wanted to buy but only as a functional, replacement piece of clothing. She set out with a new approach to treat underwear as outerwear, to consider it an important part of an outfit and treat it with the respect and attention it truly deserves.

Hamilton & Hare introduces a range of slimline tailored boxer shorts that combine Savile Row tailoring and attention to detail previously not seen in the industry. From the mother of pearl buttons to the slimming cut, these are underwear to be seen and seen in.

The boxers are unique in their slimline tailored cut, sized by trouser waist size for a more accurate fit. Working with an experienced Savile Row tailor, a menswear designer, who formally working with Raf Simons: Hamilton & Hare have produced a seriously comfortable pair of boxers that sit perfectly under an outfit but look equally sharp in their own right.

anthonymcgrath405 / 19/02/2013

Pearls of Wisdom – RI Masterclasses

Inbetween launching and showing during London Fashion Week, the new Rhianna range for River Island. These crafty little retailers have another launch which caught my eye nearly as much as the Bajen beauty, the RI Masterclasses the first of which is with that Master of Style, wit and long term friend of Clothes Make the Man, the debonair Mr Dan Ruckwood. Like River Island, Dan is a busy man when not being papted for Street Style websites the world over for his Sartorial flair, he’s also Style Director of Mens Health UK. Rather, then me procrastinate any further, let me leave you in the good man’s hands and have a listen to the style gems Dan has for you. Ohhh one last thing, keep your eyes peeled for future Masterclasses that promise to draw on the knowledge of experts to give the modern man ‘hot tips’ for grooming, music, and even mixology !!!!

anthonymcgrath405 / 14/02/2013

The great Benchmark – Bench

Mancunian brand Bench, is one of those brands that when mentioned, people have a tendency to utter, “ahh yeah, Bench, I remember Bench”, its a casualwear label that people tend to hold in esteem and with fondness. So when I got an email asking me if I want to take a little jaunt up to the wonderful city of Manchester to take a look at Bench’s new concept store ? I thought, “ahh yeah, Bench, I remember Bench”.

Images of the NQ BENCH Concept Store

So off I went up to SUNNY Manchester, OK it was pouring down but I hate to be predictable, off into an area called The Northern Quarter, which I remember as Oldham Street, famed nowadays for its gritty realism, I prefer to recall it for Afflecks Palace and Dry Bar, but hey each to their own. Nestled on the corner parallel to where Eastern Block records USED to be, is the BENCH Concept Store. I have to be honest I was completely bowled over by the store, but more the thinking behind it. Nick Barber, Head of Design, explained to me, that the launch of the NQ (Northern Quarter) concept store seeks to give something back to the city and community that nurtured and gave life to Bench, almost 25 years ago !!! (just to make you feel old).

The store will tie in with the Self Made campaign, championing the cultural innovators and launched through www.benchselfmade.com, the campaign offers successful applicants an opportunity to showcase and further their creative skills with prize funding and exposure through the Bench brandbook, website and social media channels. Serving as a basis to house and present the exceptional talents of the competition winners.

As well as being a place to see first hand the talent rising up through the help of the campaign, exclusive product previously unavailable in the UK will feature in store along with a range of limited edition lines and collaboration products. The store will also provide a multi-purpose, gallery style space. The basement gallery will serve as a busy hub for Manchester’s creative minds, of which there are plenty by the way, to meet and mingle. The basement will also provide a platform for emerging young talent to showcase their ideas and skills with live music, performance, artist workshops, photography, film screenings and exhibitions.

Nick, then took me through the collection for this coming season, which took its inspiration on a nostalgic look at the 90’s, rather apt as I spent much of the earlier 90’s hanging out in drinking dens and somewhat trendy clothes shops, just a stones throw away. The range sees a return to street wear, combining influences from urban tribes and music culture, for which Manchester is renowned as a mecca for. Bench is a branch, that has evolved and developed over its near 25 years, had its ups and downs and at times lost sight of its roots but its definitely one which is well worth revisiting.

Examples from the Bench SS13 Collection

anthonymcgrath405 / 01/02/2013

Nearly the weekend – Alternative Apparel at YoungThread.com

It’s Friday, its been a killer of a week that seems to have gone on for an eternity and the weather is promised to be LES MISERABLES wherever you are, OK maybe not in the Southern Hemisphere, but its gonna crappy here ! Batten down the hatches snuggle up to the one you love and put on some comfy clothing for the Mother of all relaxing weekends.

Now if your somewhat lacking in the STYLISH comfy clothing department, let me point you in the direction of Alternative Apparel. This is a US brand that, what can I say, that just get it. They know their customers want clothes that aren’t just about looking good, but feeling good. Clothes that are perfectly worn in —clothes for a casual, truly comfortable lifestyle.

They pride themselves on the vintage-soft feel of their fabrics and flawless fits to their one-of-a-kind washes and hand-detailed designs. But not only that, they take their social responsibility and commitment to the community and eco-craftsmanship seriously and without compromise.

As they say themselves;

“At the end of the day, we feel good about what we do. We’re excited about the future and we’re making clothes that are going to be with us all the way—not just because we’re attached to them, but because we know that comfort will always be in style”.

AMEN, have a good weekend 😉

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anthonymcgrath405 / 29/11/2012

Staying true to its Roots – Lyle & Scott

Normally the one to watch section of the blog is reserved for young, up and coming brands, however today we’ve made an exemption to the rule as Lyle & Scott almost feel like a new brand as they have so much coming up over the next couple of months. But before we move forward, we can’t miss out the rich history of this brand which stretches back to 1874 when it was founded with a loan of £800 from an Edinburgh based investment company and £500 from a local corn merchant by Messers William Lyle and Walter Scott in the Scottish town of Hawick. Lyle & Scott have, as the Headline reads, stayed true to its roots and still today draws on its over 130 year archive that includes designs by Christian Dior and Michael Kors.

However, is wan’t until 1960 that the Eagle finally landed and started to be used by the brand as their iconic logo and round about this time they started to establish themselves as key players in the world of Golf apparel. During the 1970’s & 80’s their bright and patterned knitwear became synonymous with the golfing world and the Celebrities of the day. It was common place for such stars as Sean Connery, Greg Norman or Comedian Ronnie Corbett, who would be sat in his arm chair telling us of a funny thing happening to him on his way into work, to be seen wearing the unmistakable knits.

Like with every good brand it had a period in the 90’s where it took, what can only be called a sabbatical from the style scene but like a phoenix from the ashes of the new millennium came out fighting with a re-branded new look and feel which was followed by the launch of Lyle & Scott Vintage. Like in the 80’s the retro aesthetic look of Lyle & Scott became a hit again with the likes of The Arctic monkeys, Kasabian, Dermot O’Leary, Steve Jones and the cast of Skins.

For AW12 the Heritage collection takes a trip along the great British coastline, using inspiration from the traditional Naval and Maritime dress code to create a sophisticated and stylish winter wardrobe. The key piece of the collection that embodies the design ethos perfectly is a Melton wool pea coat in navy, a real time-honoured classic. Of course, the knitwear offering is at the core of the collection with a shawl collar Submariner sweater in 100% heavy gauge merino wool. Another knitwear highlight includes a crew neck pullover, available in a range of colours and made in Scotland from 100% lambswool, providing a simple but timeless winter indulgence. Cords complete the Heritage look, capturing the nautical dress code of the season in navy or burgundy.

Now with British designer Caroline Massey taking at the helm watch this space for another new and always interesting turn in the next chapter of Lyle & Scott

LyleandScott.com

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