CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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WOOD – A source of Life, the new fragrance from DSquared

“FRAGRANCE IS A SENSORY EXPERIENCE THAT SAYS EVERYTHING

ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PERSONALITY.

IT IS THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND INTIMATE ELEMENT BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU RECOGNIZABLE AND DIFFERENT IN A NON-DESCRIPT WAY.

WE LOVE TO THINK ABOUT OUR NEW FRAGRANCE WOOD AS A SPECIAL ACCESSORY THAT IS PERSONAL AND DEFINES DSQUARED2 STYLE AND CHARACTER”,

DEAN AND DAN CATEN

WOOD the new fragrance from Canadian design duo, otherwise known as DSquared.  WOOD is a dual project designed around the characteristics of wood- strong and sturdy, with a complex structure that makes it unique and inimitable- creating two scents that define the contemporary DSquared Man and Woman. Someone who they see as sensual, confident in themselves and their personalities.

The male scent is a powerful, distinctive and masculine fragrance. Opening with the Mediterranean freshness of Bergamot from Calabria, Mandarin and lemon from Sicily and is enriched with elegant, sharp notes of ginger. Vibrant tones of violet leaf and cardamom contrast with the distinct sensuality of Ambrox. A modern and heady blend of white woods brings light to the deep elegance of Vetiver. 

Exclusively available at Harvey Nichols for the seasonal period and Nationwide in February.

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Where to travel this Halloween Half Term

Now that we are finally heading towards autumn, it’s time for fashion lovers to look at their swimwear collection and their fashion wardrobe and get ready for a refresh. But there’s an even more pressing need right now. Namely, getting away for a little bit too in the October half term for that small extra dose of sunshine.

Showing off new swimwear deserves a new destination to make the most of it, so the big question should be, where to go on holiday in October half term? Well, there are a few great choices to make the most of the sun and the sea. Let’s start with the closest destinations to the UK, as many of you won’t want to travel far in the short time you have.

The Greek Islands would be our first recommendations. Not only are they the warmest spots in Europe in October half term, but they are pretty affordable, and if you have little ones, they tend to be safe and geared toward holidays for everyone. They have some of the most beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters in Europe, and we recommend it as a place to show off your new fashion swimwear, get a great tan and relax for a week.
Next on our list would be Cyprus. While this is also a Greek island or at least half is, it is a little different than the others. It is very Southerly and much closer to Asia than the other Greek islands, making it warmer and drier than most other destinations. Another great thing is that the island is split between Greece and Turkey, so if you prefer the type of food you enjoy or the drinks, or you speak a little of one of these languages, you might fit right into one of the two spots all on the same island. Wherever you choose to go on the island, know that its coasts are vast and the chance to sunbathe and enjoy the water is always a big plus of this island.


Ifyou want to go somewhere a little bit out of the ordinary, a holiday destination growing in popularity is the Adriatic coast. Some of the former Yugoslav states like Croatia, Montenegro and Albania are still places many holidaymakers are sceptical about, but they really shouldn’t be. Slovenia, for example, shares a border will Italy and is a stone toss away from Venice. While many don’t image the Balkan nation as a holiday destination, its tiny coastline is excellent for those wanting to take a car into Trieste, the nearest Italian city, or go on a day trip to Venice. And then there is Croatia and the city of Dubrovnik. A place brought back into popularity recently for being recommended on many hidden gem travels lists and for even being the filming location for Game of Thrones. This spot is superb for getting the sun and for swimming in some of the most crystal-clear waters in Europe without any of the choppiness of the Mediterranean, thanks to it being among a cluster of islands that shield it from the higher tides. The only thing to note here is that the beaches are a little rockier, but you want to know where to go in October half term, and you like the idea of a boat trip out into deeper waters for a snorkelling trip perhaps, then making Dubrovnik your destination.
And finally, here is our more divisive recommendation. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. If you have the time to travel further, or you reside in the Western Hemisphere, this is a great destination. It’s superb for three reasons. One, it is consistently hot all year round. Two, it has some of the best beaches with almost no choppy seas thanks to it being inside a protective bay. And three, it’s in the Southern hemisphere, so it means that it’s warmer in the winter than the spring, making it the perfect autumn or winter retreat. If you are asking the question, where is hot in October half term, then here’s your answer. This is the ultimate destination for swimwear fashion lovers too. The beaches are chock full of people showing off the best fashion from Italy, Paris, Miami, New York and London. It’s known for its beach culture, and if you want a tan, some sun and a few cocktails, this is the absolute best destination
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Ask the Experts – The Brands for Autumn 2018

In the second of this season’s “Ask the experts” we sort the answer to the age old dilemma of “What brand are you most excited about for Autumn 2018?” below you we find the answers from a prestigious panel of menswear buying experts ranging from on-line e-trailers to traditional department stores to more niche boutique retailers, all eager to inform you of their desired brands for Autumn this year.

“I’m most excited by Portuguese Flannel. This brand consistently delivers the goods – fantastic check, classic plain flannel and chunky cord shirts and button through blazers.”

Pete Parry, Founder and owner – Steranko

 

” I am really excited about the debut footwear line from MR PORTER’s own label, Mr P. Introducing footwear was a natural step for the brand and I think this will be a significant moment for Mr P. as we approach our 1 year anniversary at the end of the year.

Customers can expect a range of styles that reflect Mr P.’s signature aesthetic and values – Easy pieces, smart details, and enduring styles – that will work in tandem with the mainline apparel. Think classic loafers, panelled sneakers and luxury Italian leather and suede.”

Olie Arnold, Style Director – MrPorter

 

“We are launching Karl Lagerfeld in selected stores and online this September which is an exciting addition to our portfolio. It has a great, strong logo that we hope our customers will love plus it’s a premium, contemporary brand with just enough ‘showmanship’ whilst still being really wearable. We will be offering lots of strong branded t-shirts but also amazing outerwear pieces for those who really want to splurge on something extra special.”

Simon Pickering, Buying and Merchandising Director House of Fraser

 

“I’m very excited about A Cold Wall. We’re stocking the brand for the first time this season and the whole collection has a strong contemporary aesthetic, from the urban accessories and jersey jumpers through to their outerwear offering, which includes a great PVC coat.”

Jack Cassidy, Buying Manager Men’s Designer / Formal / Contemporary – Selfridges

 

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I want it all & I want it NOW – Tommy Hilfiger’s new Fragrance

Tommy Hilfiger is one of the world’s most recognised premium designer lifestyle brands. Appealing to a new generation who embraces change with positivity, optimism and refreshing irreverent style always celebrating the power of now. With this in mind we see the launch of the new fragrance from the all American powerhouse. The new men’s and women’s eau de toilette is all about living life in the moment, not getting caught up on the past or worrying about the future, but the NOW.

For men, Tommy Now is a woody and spicy fragrance that fuses citrusy bergamot and zesty mandarin notes with geranium, ginger, cardamom and warm wood extracts for a modern masculine edge. The bottle cap features the brand’s signature red, white and blue stripes complemented by bright white lettering against the navy glass vintage-inspired bottle.

As part of the worldwide #WEARETOMMYNOW social media campaign to launch the fragrances, a community of influencers in the world of fashion, music and travel, will share what “Now” means to them through exclusive video content.

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The End of the High Street as we know it – End. New Flagship Store

We’ve all heard and to some extent witnessed the decline of the humble local high street, and in all honesty it isn’t just the local element who is suffering, there are empty units on the most aspirational of high streets in London, Manchester, Paris, New York, Moscow and Tokyo.

However, the reports of the death of the high street are greatly exaggerated and one such proud example of this is the launch of the London flagship of the high end fashion retailer END.

Known for its expertly curated edit of luxury fashion, emerging designers and exclusive sport and streetwear. Founded in 2005 END. has rapidly grown into an Omni-channel retailer. With 6,000,000 monthly visits to it’s website and 1.7 Social Media Followers; offering customers a unique shopping experience via concept stores, online platforms and iOs App for on-the-go updates.

The END. vision is to consistently adapt, sourcing products with provenance, innovation and exclusivity – brining the most immersive and diverse experience to its customers.

Taking residence in Soho, our new Flagship store has opened its doors at 59 Broadwick Street, London. Located in the heart of the capital, END. London is the third – and largest – of their spaces to date. Designed in partnership with Brinkworth, the concept remains true to that of their Glasgow and Newcastle stores, using premium material palette of marble, stainless steel, mirror and maple to create large, monolithic masculine environment.

Inside the 8,500 sq ft space, luxury designers, streetwear and contemporary fashion span across two floors, with a vast sneaker wall wrapping around the entire corner of a glazed façade. At first floor level, the main sneaker collection is housed alongside a grooming area and a launch space with digital screens to display product releases and promotions. Bringing the online experience to END. London, iPads are available for customers to shop at endclothing.com in store.