CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Private White V.C. is a Great British is every way, shape and form. A true heritage range based on the on the everyday wardrobe of Private Jack White.  The VC part of the moniker is after the Victoria Cross which was awarded to Jack at the tender age of 20 for outstanding bravery under intense enemy fire during World War I. The clothing line has a subtle nod to Jack’s military legacy, with many items based on classic wartime pieces, updated with added functionality and detail for the modern man.

After returning from the killing fields of the Great War, he undertook an apprenticeship with a local outerwear factory, Cooper & Stollbrand, which is where to this very day his Great grandson, James Eden and his business partner Nick Ashley, yes as in Laura Ashley, his Mother, produce the collection inspired by the clothing White wore in his daily life, items he customised to suit his everyday activities .

All clothing is expertly constructed by hand in the Private White V.C. Factory in Manchester, where garments are designed and developed using only the finest regionally sourced fabrics, trims and materials.

Materials are sourced locally where possible with the majority of cloth being supplied from the mills in the surrounding area. These too have a wealth of history behind them.

Almost twelve months ago Eden pledged, quite publicly, that the brand were going to shy away from conventional retailing, embrace price transparency and staunchly continue to develop and grow their own factory nestled in the heart of Manchester. A bold declaration in the face of unprecedented levels of change and upheaval across technology, politics and consumer behaviour.

Since May 2018, the business is thriving and they have enjoyed record sales, shipped to over 50 countries and last month was their best-ever April (up almost 700% on the previous year).

This season the luxury brand have produced a collaborative collection they are very proud of. Crafted in their very own Manchester Factory by their highly skilled team this collection is created with fabric develop in partnership with Loro Piana, the universally revered cloth and cashmere specialist synonymous with luxury and unrivalled quality and performance. A match made in sartorial heaven. Each piece in the collection is a highly limited edition of 50.

There are moments in life that are filled with light, when everything seems possible. When letting yourself go as you step into nature is as easy as breathing. These magically moments have tried to be captured by the Blu Mediterraneo fragrances, each one inspired by the unique landscapes of the Italian Mediterranean – like Cipresso di Toscana. Acqua di Parma’s new fragrance embodies all the vitality of a walk in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, where the majestic Cypress tree, with its aromatic, balsamic, energy-giving scent, a tree so symbolic of the Tuscan landscape.

Today, there are cypress trees all over Tuscany: every street corner, every church, every garden, every hilltop, is graced by the presence of this centuries-old tree. Rolling hills bathed in sunlight, woods and farms, pretty villages scattered among the hilltops: this fragrance takes its inspiration from these landmark features that you may spot on a walk along the paths of Tuscany’s nature.

The fragrance opens with refreshing star anise and elemi, illuminated by sparkling notes of orange and petit grain. A vivaciousness that introduces an aromatic heart of sage and lavender, while woody balsamic base notes of cypress and pine evoke the silence of nature and a gratifying sense of wellbeing.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 18 months, you must know something about Kem Cetinay, whether it’s Love Island, presenting from behind the scenes of Dancing on Ice or This Morning to amassing over 2.7 million followers over his social media accounts right the way to his madcap adventure series with his partner in crime Chris Hughes. However, there is far more to Mr Cetinay than his TV persona. 

Not only is Kem is passionate about barbering and has launched a hit online series ‘Kem Cuts’, where he gives expert trims to some of the country’s most popular TV stars, including Philip Schofield, Who Dare’s Win’s Ant Middleton and Joel Dommett.

As an open book, he has been honest about his history of suffering with anxiety, and through his work with Childline he is proud to be named their first Mental Health Campaigner, working closely with the young people they support and plans to continue to open up the conversation around mental health through a school tour in 2019.

Now the latest chapter in his adventure sees him team up with one of the biggest success stories in retail of this generation. May sees Kem launch and exclusive collection with none other than High Street Giant, Primark. 

Fashion meets affordability with the Primark Man x Kem 16-piece collection. From bold patterned shirts and sunglasses to sliders and Kem’s signature short shorts, the prices range from just £2 – £9 offering great quality at a great price.

Speaking about the collection, Kem says, “I’m so excited to have the chance to work with Primark, I have been going into the stores with my family since I was a young boy so to join this family orientated brand is a dream come true.”

When you walk into a barbershop for the first time, a good barber will spend a little time working you out. What are you wearing, how old are you, how thick is your hair, what attitude do you have? All of these will help inform what sort of cut you might want. But you can help too.

1) It’s ok to say you want a cut like a certain actor, singer or celebrity. It helps the barber know what you’re going for and makes their life easier but …

2) Be realistic. We’d all like to look like Steve McQueen but few of us do. Thinning hair, head shape, curly or straight hair may make certain looks impossible. Also, once you’re out of your 20s, some cuts just look daft (they look daft in your 20s too, you can just get away with them better then).

3) Barbers gauge your style on your look. Wearing a business suit? You may want a more work-friendly cut. So it can be good to come dressed in what you wear most of the time. Tell your barber your job, your lifestyle, your hobbies and interests – it can help define what your hair should look like.

4) You should judge your barber too. If the shop is charging you for a decent haircut, the barber should not pull out clippers before scissors (unless you want certain, specific looks). You get what you pay for should work both ways.

5) Get your hair cut every four weeks for shorter hair, every five to six for longer hair.

6) Remember, no barber wants to send you out of the shop with a bad haircut – it will make you unlikely to come back, and worse for the barber, it’s a terrible advert for the shop. Tell your barber if you’re not happy

I’m sure you’ve heard people say that there’s no formula for a life well-lived but, actually, there is – at least when it comes to your health. On a physiological level, at least, the human body requires only a few essentials to stay in good shape!

The International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring is the leading accreditation authority for professional coaches. Here, one of their accredited coaches offers up 6 simple steps to health and success!

1. Adequate sleep and rest – a solid amount of sleep per night allows your body to rest and repair itself. Sleep deficiency is, sadly, very common and can lead to a number of health issues.

2. Natural diet and nutrition – although we’re surrounded by inexpensive junk and processed foods, keeping a balanced and wholesome diet is essential for giving our bodies the fuel it needs. And remember – good food doesn’t have to be expensive or hard to prepare.

3. Sunshine – our lifestyles are increasingly indoor-focused, and we’re missing out because of it. Get outside and give your skin some of that Vitamin D.

4. Peace of mind – stress is one of the biggest contributors to bad health – both mental and physical. Rearrange your schedule to give yourself more time to relax or try to find ways to calm your mind.

5. Plenty of water – water is essential to every cell and every function of our bodies, so make sure you’re drinking it often and in large quantities.

6. Adequate exercise – just 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise per day is all that’s needed to keep you trim and strong. Whether you walk, run, skip, or swim, it’s also great for your mental health!