CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Duchamp, the British luxury brand known for elegant tailoring is to return with a 2022 resort collection this summer, followed by an AW22 collection in September.

A new designer is at the helm; ex-Kent & Curwen Head of Design, and Gieves & Hawkes Design Director, Mark Frost, producing a launch collection evoking the lightness, joy and nostalgia of holidays. Floor tiles become shirts in a variety of styles, whilst lightweight summer ready linen and cotton poplin add an airiness throughout the range. Silhouettes and fabrication feels relaxed and ready to be lived in, tailoring is evolved and casually influenced, yet garments still utilise expert construction techniques and hand finishing to shift a focus toward comfort and versatility for the wearer. Luxury yarns are reflected playfully throughout knitwear and the inclusion of new products adds to the adaptability of the collection. This sense of approachability for the season brings a refined playfulness to the brand, in keeping with its history, whilst developing a consistent handwriting  that is recognisable as Duchamp.

High quality construction and quality fabrics also play a big part in the new Duchamp, which remains recognisable to its previous incarnation whilst effortlessly managing to be progressive.

Whilst categorically a British label, the brand is named after the French artist Marcel Duchamp and was launched in 1989 by Mitchell Jacobs, an Englishman then working as a buyer for Browns. It was originally based on a vast collection of vintage cufflinks that Jacobs had discovered in a Parisian market. The brand was born specialising at first in cufflinks, with Jacobs quoted as saying “Duchamp turned everyday objects into art and I turned everyday icons of men’s fashion into wearable art”, hence the name. The 2000s saw the brand grow to offer a full menswear collection, opening a 750 square foot flagship on Regency Street in 2006. In 2013, Duchamp began showing on schedule as part of the men’s shows at London Fashion Week.  

Mark Frost, said of the relaunch, “I’m very happy to have the opportunity to help Duchamp take its next steps and progress as a brand. I’m looking to create a contemporary wardrobe that appeals to a diverse customer base and builds on everything that has come before.”   

Tom Duncan, Brand Director for Duchamp, added, “The brand is well-known with a loyal customer base, and still has an incredible position within the luxury, casual market. With the investment that’s going into brand, product and quality it’s an exciting time to bring the brand back to market.”

As the Summer is approaching and the invites start arriving, weddings, parties, proms, even just meeting mates in a beer garden. We start to think about refreshing our wardrobe to accommodate these social outings.

After that long, bleak Winter our feet are crying out for our newness to show off in. A brand that may not automatically come to mind when you are thinking versatile trainers or sneaker, but most definitely need a little further investigation is Hugo Boss. Yes, the luxury German Fashion House ! For nearly 100 years now the brand has been dressing us men and making us look sharper than diamond headed drill ! But maybe something you haven’t looked to the brand for is their trainers.

My friend you need to rethink this, Hugo Boss have a pair of trainers to suit any occasion, taste, style or purpose and they really aren’t as expensive as you may at first think.

Like with any designer purchase it’s an investment purchase but you need to think what are you looking for in a new pair of sneakers.

The three pairs we have selected for this post, which I have to say we were spoilt for choice, have been chosen with the whole idea of versatility.

First up we have the BOSS athleisure saturn low profile mens grained leather trainers. We’ve gone for the Brown here to suit those occasions where you want a smart/casual vibe and now wanting to appear too overdressed. The scenario we are thinking here is with chinos and a semi formal shirt, ideal to see you through from work to after work drinks with colleagues.

Next up we have, BOSS athleisure ribeira tennis mens trainers. Here this trainer is perfect to be teamed with maybe a Navy or Black suit and a simple accompanying white shirt. Really simple but effective whether that be a summer wedding or dinner at a restaurant with your other half.

Last option we’ve gone for is the BOSS hugo retro inspired sock trainers icelin runn mens trainers. This is probably the most traditional style sneaker we’ve gone for here, but equally as versatile as either of the first two options. This classic Black trainer with contrasting red piping is brilliantly placed either in the gym or teamed with jeans for meeting mates.

With Father’s Day fast approaching give the good man the gift that keeps on giving with the WOLF+BJÖRN Beard Collection this Father’s Day.

WOLF+BJÖRN are an online store selling premium beard, skincare and shave solutions for men made in the UK. WOLF+BJÖRN focus on providing vegetarian-friendly products that are sulphate, paraben & cruelty-free and formulated with exceptional properties from quality natural ingredients.

From beard oil to beard balm, the WOLF+BJÖRN Beard Collection has everything Dad will need to master his beard grooming routine, with the choice of four unique signature scents he’s sure to love.

WOLF+BJÖRN knows every man is unique, and so are their beards; from short and patchy to long and bushy, the WOLF+BJÖRN Beard Collection is carefully formulated to help maintain beards of all lengths and types as unique as the men that grow them.

The Beard Collection is comprised of four high-quality products essential to a beard care routine:

• CLEANSE with beard wash that locks in moisture and replenishes natural balance

• CONDITION with beard oil that softens and nourishes, while reducing irritation.

• STYLE with beard balm that adds fullness and volume while providing moisture and hydration.

• CONTROL unruly beards or moustaches with wax that protects hair and provides a firm hold.

Each product in the range is available in four premium scents, so if Dad likes to mix it up, or keep to one signature scent no problem, WOLF+BJÖRN has it covered!

From the fresh and energetic Färsk, infused with peppermint, rosemary and sage, the dark and woody Lummig, with notes of bergamot & patchouli, the clean and spicy Väcka, a blend of citrus & black pepper, to the warm and calming Blom, a distinct blend of sandalwood & lavender. With WOLF+BJÖRN there’s a scent for everyone.

All WOLF+BJÖRN products are sulphate, paraben & cruelty-free, as well as being vegetarian-friendly and made in the UK.  The products within The Beard Collection contain high-quality ingredients such as argan oil, cocoa butter, avocado butter, and more that are specially formulated to nourish both beard hair and skin.

The appeal of purchasing luxury items is undeniable, and for many buyers, it is important to make the right decisions about what to buy. Considering that celebrities and social media stars have a significant impact on the world of luxury goods, it is important to recognise which items will remain as an investment for any buyer’s wardrobe.

Experts at Chrono24 have revealed a buyer’s guide for the most desired luxury items for anyone wanting to splurge or invest in luxury and designer goods while making sure their item lasts a considerable amount of time and is sustainable in terms of investment and wear.

Watches

Not only is a luxury watch an excellent way to express personal style, but it is also one of the most popular ways of making, at times, significant amounts of profit. Similar to buying luxury cars, a watch can see depreciation in value for a few years after purchase to then later regain and increase price value due to the demand for the premium item and its rarity. This is a big bonus for buyers when seeking out their next investment watch as they know more likely than not – they will see their money increase years down the line after selling.

Some of the most popular luxury watch brands to consider are Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer and Cartier – all of which provide watches that hold significant amounts of investment value as well as deliver tremendous craftsmanship.

Another benefit of possessing a luxury watch is the ability to create a family heirloom which can be passed through generations, building character and can give overwhelming sentimental value as years go on should the watch be cared for accurately.

Handbags

Handbags are forever a staple in any fashion lover’s wardrobe, but the quality of the item will hold all the power in terms of lasting a lifetime. When buying a luxury handbag, it can be challenging to know which designer or brand to go for as there are so many beautiful choices which is why it’s important to do some research and figure out which one represents your own ethical and personal values.

Some luxury handbag designers and brands to consider for purchase and will appreciate as time goes on are Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel. Although there are hundreds of other brands to choose from, these brands are most widely known for holding value. It is also important to note that vintage handbags have become increasingly popular in the last decade as many buyers like to own a bag which has a history or looks as if it has been worn for decades before.

Jewellery

Undoubtedly, jewellery will remain one of the most desirable luxury accessories and can hold tremendous value for many years, should you choose the right pieces. Not only can jewellery show class and style, but it can also be an effective way of telling a story which is why many buyers choose pieces they know will be passed down for generations.

Buying jewellery can seem challenging, but with such a wide variety of options in jewellery, such as earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets, the choices are endless.

Jewellery with diamonds or other impressive stones like emeralds or sapphires can be excellent investment pieces as the quality of a stone can make older pieces of jewellery look more vibrant and desirable.

The interest in selling jewellery has been on the increase for years and with worldwide searches to ‘sell jewellery’ on Google seeing a 114% increase over the past two months it is clear to see just how eager people are in this busy market.

Jewellery brands to consider are Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston.

Wallets or Purses

Investing in a solid top-quality wallet or purse is a solid option for any buyer. Everyone needs somewhere to hold their most essential items like bank cards, personal details and photos. They are also effortless to take care of, making them pay for themselves more often than not.

The interest in buying luxury purses has seen massive growth over the past decade as searches on google for ‘buy luxury purse’ have seen a 518% increase just this year alone. The term ‘buy luxury wallet’ had also seen an increase of 287% proving just how desirable the goods are.

In today’s day and age, wallets and purses come in many different forms; therefore, the only option of leather is no longer as many stores offer vegan faux leather or similar quality items, which can be perfect for those who may not want to own leather items.

Some designers and brands that produce high-quality wallets and purses are Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, Telfar, Nanuska and Alkeme Atelier.   

Trainers

Although trainers are a given in every buyer’s wardrobe, they can also be a very lucrative purchase. Many limited-edition trainers have increased in value due to the desire to own a very exclusive pair or from a one-time drop.

For example, back in 2020 iconic resale website StockX explored the appreciation of one of the most famous pairs of trainers in history – Jordan 1’s. The results showed that although Jordan 1’s mature in age, the consensus that the trainer retains and increases value overtime is a given. Not to mention the ‘Jordan 1 High Travis Scott’ trainers seeing an appreciation value increase of $1 per day since the release.

Even if buying a pair of trainers for the value increase isn’t the desired aim, many luxury brands sell trainers that last a considerable amount of time if looked after correctly, meaning there would be no need to keep repurchasing and therefore provide a lasting item that will be a staple for years to come.

Trainer brands to consider are Off-White X Nike, Adidas X Yeezy, Dior, Balenciaga, and Gucci.

Experts at Chrono24 commented:

“Buying and investing in luxury goods has dominated the fashion industry for decades, and with today’s generation wanting everything at the click of a button, it can be easy to make irrational and fast decisions when purchasing expensive pieces.

This guide gives a perfect example of which items would provide buyers to make the most out of their money and shows insight into which areas of luxury goods tend to increase in value. The guide also shows how incredible finding the perfect luxury item can be and helps to remain friendlier to the environment, create family heirlooms, and provide years of enjoyment.”

Mens tailoring has changes is such an understatement. Groovy styles of the 1960’s, a decade that took men’s wear to a whole new level, is back!  With the popularity of 007, most recently evident in the blockbuster hit, “No Time To Die”, men are rediscovering the groovy styles of the ORIGINAL James Bond era and the ability to play with colors, patterns and textures brought on by the British invasion.  

From tapered “pencil leg” suit pants (that hit ever so right at the ankle) to form fitting suit jackets that weren’t afraid to showcase the male physic, men are showing they are not afraid to play with bold and bright colors in sherbet and patterns that are out of this world!!  

Now, enter GRAYSCALE, the ultimate in men’s tailored, suiting that offers todays man an arsenal of dapper and bespoke pieces that will stand the test of time!  Pulling from inspirations that incorporates that 60’s and 70’s flare, designer BJ Gray brings to the fore bold and rich solids, contrasting prints and eye-catching patterns that are “far out” taking you to a whole other universe!  

Transcending time without looking costume-y, Grayscale presents sharp retro elegance that will easily have every eye in the room on you as you walk through the door or even the red carpet.  Though the collection is inspired by the 60s, it is clearly every bit modern with clean lines, precision cuts, eye catching silhouettes and prints/patterns that exude a confidence befitting Bond himself.  

Overcoats and trenches that step away from the safety zones of fashion and incorporate geometric prints, multicolor patch work and color blocking.  Jackets offer an array of styles utilizing velvets, Moire, double breasting, shawl collaring and peak lapels.  Trouser and shirt sets that blend houndstooth patterns with solids giving a never-before-seen contrast from the shirt bottom that continues through to the pants waistline.  Not only does this create a “look” but each can be worn separately and still make a statement!  So be it a night on the town, date night or walking the red carpet, you will for sure be the sharpest dressed man in the room!  Hollywood is paying attention as well as celebrities such as Neo, Daniel Kalua, Simu Liu, Snoop, Maluma and Derek Hough among others being fans of the brand.