CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

WORDS BY DANIEL RAMSDALE-HARRIS

Founded by Stephane Ashpool, and what originally began as a humble store front, Pigalle is a French streetwear brand, named after the former red-light district in Paris, that has gone to achieve a global consumer base since opening their doors in 2008through their quite brilliant ready to wear designs, fashion shows and truly authentic story.

Fun Fact: Ashpool’s mother was a major influence in the brand getting off the ground, with herself being an esteemed producer of fashion shows and still working at the brands Flagship store today.

The Parisian label wrestles with both race, class and gentrification to combat social restrictions in the French capital. This brand culture was epitomised when Ashpool, held his latest show in the remote nineteenth arrondissement, which is usually a 45–minute ride from the city centre. This demonstrated Pigalle’s approach in fostering a dialogue around the racial divides in Paris, as white people tend to live in the center of the city, pushing immigrants on to the outskirts

Too add, Stephane Ashpool himself describes Pigalle’s sprit as a “Mixity”. This has seen Pigalle create a strong relationship with cultures such as bohemianism and basketball, relationships which have seen global praise from A-listers such as Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. The brand’s culture has also attracted strong acknowledgement from Bruno Pavlosky, Chanel’s president of fashion, who is now in fact Ashpool’s mentor. The result of Pigalle’s positioning within the fashion industry has seen a mass blend of super fans who run across the fashion spectrum, from streetwear fanatics to high fashion lovers.

The growth of the brand has also brought a host of high-profile collaborations with worldwide companies, particularly within sport and most noticeably 2 with NIKE and with EA Sport’s NBA 2K video game. Through this partnership, Pigalle and NIKE have created two Air Force 1 Silhouettes, renditions of countless basketball sneaker models and a whole outerwear collection incorporating basketball DNA. Perhaps more importantly however, Pigalle have used their collaborations with Nike to give back to the youth of their community, creating colourful basketball courts located right across from their flagship store. Further cementing the brand’s outlook as a hub for the youth of Pigalle. Authenticity and Community at its finest

I recently visited the Pigalle store myself and I have to say it really is the heart of the community, with basketball being played in their courts directly opposite and Stephane’s mum still working in the store. If there’s any example of a brand executing a strong emotional and loyal relationship with their consumers, look no further than the job that Pigalle have done. Interestingly, the brand does not have their own transactional website and are not stocked elsewhere worldwide, defining their approach for a tight nick and loyal community.

I strongly believe that Pigalle will go from strength to strength, and that stems from the emotional connection of their story and values that so many can relate too. However, to reach new commercial heights and an even wider audience, their brand must become more accessible.

Showering or washing is something we do, or should do everyday. Let’s face it Showering is a key part of a man’s daily regime, but until now, men have had to compromise when it comes to the product they use in the bathroom.  Experts in men’s skincare, Bulldog’s new line of environmentally conscious and vegan-friendly shower gels care about their impact on the world. They pride themselves on only using gentle, naturally derived cleansers, natural fragrances and bottles made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.  What’s more, these shower gels come in an oversize 500ml and 1L bottles to cut down on the amount of packaging per wash.Original Shower Gel

Featuring our signature scent with top notes of bergamot, lemon and lime and base notes of cedarleaf and juniper, this non-drying shower gel will gently cleanse your skin so that you are ready to face whatever the day throws at you.

Lemon & Bergamot Shower Gel

The light and refreshing explosion of citrus will give you the perfect morning pick-me-up whatever the weather is doing outside. This sunny shower gel has been formulated to cleanse your skin.Peppermint & Eucalyptus Shower Gel

Minty and invigorating, this is the ultimate post-gym shower gel. This refreshing treat is not at all drying yet will leave you feeling as clean as a whistle. Pop one of these in your gym bag and keep it in your bathroom after a sweaty commute home from work.Vetiver & Black Pepper Shower Gel

Warm, earthy and comforting, this spicy shower gel will cleanse your skin after a long day. We recommend using this before a hot date or a big night out for a soapy pre-event boost.

Well an awful lot if you care to look around, Charlie Brown and his Peanut friends do seem to be everywhere at the moment. The Peanuts gang, of course including Charlie Brown and not forgetting the effortlessly cool Snoopy, have seen an exhibition in their honour, just come to a close at Somerset House, London, which was to rave reviews, had people queuing out the door and set social Media on fire.

Additionally, iconic watch brand TIMEX re-released their classic and still much in demand Welton Vintage Snoopy watch, which pays homage to Charles Schulz’s globally renowned and much-loved comic creation, mr Joe Cool, himself Snoopy. 

Now if that wasn’t enough, following on from the exclusive collaboration between the genius Garbstore and the USA-based label in 2018 to celebrate the stores 10th anniversary, TSPTR – an acronym for Truth, Symmetry, Pleasure, Taste and Recognition – specialise in sportswear inspired by vintage ‘60’s and ‘70’s American surf culture and collegiate style.

TSPTR introduces an anaesthesia to a Pre-Apocalyptic world, where our youth are discontented, disillusioned and disorientated with the state of their nation. 

Now available at the brilliant Notting Hill concept store Garbstore, it arrives as a collection of sweatshirts and tees emblazoned with Peanuts characters Snoopy, Charlie Brown and, of course, Woodstock, now if these don’t make you smile nothing will.

When you think of Sweden, what comes to mind ? Volvos, ABBA, IKEA, or more trend driven brands like Acne, J Lindberg, Tiger. Either way its indisputable this Scandinavian nation has been responsible for countless iconic brands and design led products for generations. 

One maybe not as well known but equally iconic and has been loved for generations, used for decades and won hearts all over the world with its timeless design is Fjällräven and their Nordic design classic the Kånken backpack. 

Kånken started life in 1978 as a practical solution to a pressing problem. Back troubles were increasing among Swedish children. Fjällräven founder, Åke Nordin, decided to find a solution. And that solution was Kånken – a simple backpack with space for two A4 binders and a pencil case that made carrying school gear more comfortable. Over the years Kånken has become more colourful (there are now more than 50 colour combinations), and more varied, with different sizes and materials (including Re-Kånken, made from recycled plastic bottles); but the basic shape and effortless simplicity hasn’t changed. That, along with its history, has helped catapult it to global success.

It’s now more than just a backpack. It’s an extension of the wearer’s personality. It’s photographed, graphically recreated in social media and used as a styling accessory. So when it was protected by Svensk Form (The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design) as a piece of art, part of Swedish cultural history, Fjällräven thought it would celebrate.

It commissioned two Swedish artists, Cecilia Heikkilä and Erik Olovsson, to design unique prints representing their personal connections to nature combined with a touch of Kånken playfulness.

Cecilia is a graphic designer who, among other things, writes and illustrates children’s books and Erik is known for working within the fields of product, furniture and graphic design. 

In addition, Fjällräven is expanding its support of good causes with the launch of the Arctic Fox Initiative, a collaboration between Fjällräven and its customers. By donat- ing a percentage of the proceeds from sales of Kånken Art, Fjällräven will support cause that work to protect our environment and/or inspire more people to spend time in nature.

“Kånken has been used as a canvas by many of our fans for years,” explains Henrik Andersson, head of innovation and design at Fjällräven. ”Inspired by this, we decided to launch Kånken editions with original art from some of our favourite creatives. It adds a nice expression to the Kånken packs and we’re happy connecting them to the Arctic Fox Initiative.”

You may or are about be made aware of the #IAMNOTAFRAID campaign by Men’s care brand Harry’s, who have launched a unique partnership with Premiership and England footballer Harry Kane on a campaign that embraces difference, integrity, hard work and determination. 

Harry’s and Harry Kane go further than the shared name. It’s about shared values.  In 2017, Harry’s published ‘The Masculinity Report’ and found that British men most aspired to core values such as reliability and dependability, and gained the greatest sense of wellbeing from satisfying work and committed relationships. Many see Kane as the  embodiment of these values.

Because despite being not too shabby at football, Kane’s not afraid to be himself; to step up when necessary and to ask for help when he needs it.  Harry’s, want to promote these characteristics and see Kane as being made of different, more genuine stuff and shatters the industry stereotype.

Both Harrys share the commitment to amplifying the conversation around men’s mental health, they care about charitable initiatives and making a positive impact on the lives of men. As part of that effort, as a brand they set aside a percentage of their sales, for charitable organisations.