It’s in the Blood – Bodileys

 

imageYou don’t have to be a shoe Aficionado to know Northampton has long been the home of the world’s top shoemakers. In fact even today, their football team is called “The Cobblers”.

Whilst we’ve been witness to the sad demise of UK manufacturing and the likes of Crockett & Jones, John Lobb have turned into truly international brands and Church’s having been acquired by Prada, one could say this is a sign of the times.

imageHowever, there are still pockets of resistance, one such being Bodileys. Located in the heart of this region, it was founded in 1919 and gained its reputation in the 1970s as one of the most reliable representatives of the best handmade English shoes worldwide.

Bodileys is, still, now hand making shoes in Northamptonshire using traditional craftsmanship and centuries old techniques.

imageSarah Dudley, fourth generation of the Bodiley’s business, is spear leading the development of export sales worldwide and marketing the Bodileys brand and established as a direct to consumer luxury e-commerce brand from www.bodileys.com.

Over the last four generations, Bodileys’ distinguishing trade mark has been its unfaltering commitment to provide great customer service. Today, Bodileys is expanding its commitment to its clients by going back to its roots and recreating a range of the highest quality shoes.

imageSarah says of her venture, “This is a true labour of love for me and making shoes has always been a key part of my family’s identity: my grandparents and great-grandparents on both sides were shoe manufacturers. As Northampton’s other oldest brands have embarked on successful corporate expansion drives, I have been heartbroken to see Bodileys become increasingly overlooked. I am making it my life’s work to bring Bodileys firmly into the 21st century as the last remaining traditional Northampton shoe brand that is still truly independent and family run.”

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Who is he ? – Luke 1977

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The Luke in question is Luke Roper, who set up the brand in 2001 in the West Midlands in humble beginnings. From an early age Roper had always designed key, statement pieces for his friends. This lead him to the bright lights of London Town to study at the renowned fashion college, Central St Martins. Here he honed his skills and was able to focus his raw talent and develop this into launching his own creative forward thinking menswear brand.

Luke’s inspiration for ‘Luke’ is, he sees it as a, “practical interpretation on contemporary menswear and has all the components of the modern lad, a gentleman, a working class hero and a bit of a rogue. Luke’s ethos is to put a fashionable twist on any men’s garment but without overdesigning to retain a cool masculine look”.
img_0161It’s always stayed true to its original vision, in keeping a masculine takes on fashion; teamed with ensuring quality. For this Autumn, Luke have experimented with fibres and textiles and their Trends include British Goodland, which interprets gingham and camo prints in their own unique manner. Engineered in Motion, which explores technical fabrics such as Indigo rich super flex denim with stretch allows for easy movement. Plus, with the recent release of, the Noel Clarke, movie, ‘Brotherhood’ Luke have teamed up with avant-garde sculpture Chris Mytton and the costume designer of the films, to create a limited edition capsule collection for the film, after their involvement with the past two films Kidulthood and Adulthood.

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5 Watch Brands To Watch This Autumn

Words by Beth Pembroke

With the summer slowly drawing to a close there are certain changes that need to be made in terms of your accessories and your wardrobe. It’s now time to move away from the thin, dainty pieces and move towards thick, more statement likes accessories and clothing. Similar to clothing, watches can also be seen to have seasons, which will be based on technicality, appearance and of course what type of watch it is. Just to give you little guidance we have come up with 5 men’s watch brands to watch this autumn!

img_0164Daniel Wellington

We start our selection with none other than Daniel Wellington. Wellington is known as a fashion timepiece rather than one that provides technical brilliance, but with their simplistic appearance and timeless design, Wellington is perfectly suited to autumn. Whether you are looking to introduce a leather or NATO strap with your timepiece, your able to add a degree of customisation, not available with other watches. In a time whether watches are becoming more and more technical, Wellington is helping watches come back to the age of simplicity with their stunning and timeless aesthetics.

img_0165U-Boat Watches

U-Boat are a leading example of statement pieces in the jewellery. They can often be overlooked especially as they provide such a unique and orthodox appearance compared to traditional watches. Timepiece enthusiasts will appreciate the design and technical aspects of U-Boat watches, especially as they provide an Italian design married with Swiss movement. Their use of materials highlight the techniques used in order to create such illustrious timepieces, where they have included materials such as carbon, bronze, titanium and silver. If you’re truly looking for a statement piece, U-Boat watches are exactly what you need.

img_0166Bulova

Bulova are one of the leading timepiece manufacturers, providing excellent quality since 1875. The brands remain’s a focal point in the watch world, setting barriers since ‘America ran on Bulova time’. Similar to the brand U-Boat, Bulova use innovation and materials different from other brands in order to keep their designs contemporary compared to the rest.

img_016788 Rue Du Rhone

Many people are unaware that the 88 Rue Du Rhone brand has close connections with the one and only Raymond Weil. Elie et Pierre Bernheim, who are grandchildren of the famous watchmaker Raymond Weil, branched off to create a beautiful, yet sophisticated brand, staying true to Swiss brilliance and innovation. Coincidentally, this is what Raymond Weil also stood for, however 88 Rue Du Rhone arrives at an accessible and obtainable price compared to Weil.

img_0168Aviator

Aviator watches are completely based around aviation and the art of flying. Their designs are based on old aviator planes, but have recaptured them within a timepiece. Not only do they provide an exclusive appearance, but they provide one of the most reliable and accurate forms of measuring time. Pilots initially used pocket watches in order to measure their performances, splitting their concentration, however as technology began to become further and further advances, pocket watches moved to wristwatches. This helped establish the Aviator brand, proving to pioneers in the timepiece world and highlighting their reliability. With true class, history, tradition and aesthetically pleasing designs, Aviator maybe perfect for you.

 

B good to yourself – B.Men an Ethical Premium grooming range from a surprising source

img_0169We all know the sales of men’s grooming products show no signs of slowing down and with celebrities like David Beckham, Orlando Bloom and Gerard Butler championing skincare ranges specifically designed for men the demand and interest for these grooming ranges is just going to increase.

Now a range that seems to be bucking this trend for celebrity endorsements and is striping back the packaging, bumf etc is coming from a surprising source. B.Men offers a premium experience at a mainstream price. It’s a collection of premium skincare, created by industry experts to help men find the products that are right for them, clearing away any clutter and confusion, providing guidance and inspiration. B. offers efficacy in an accessible way. But from where ???? Well, none other than the High Street retailer, get ready for it, Superdrug.

Dave Cooke, Superdrug head of own brand, comments on the range, “B. Men products contain active ingredients with a high street price tag and include ingredients such as Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E that helps moisturise and protect skin from everyday shaving and transitional seasonal weather that can also affect sensitive skin”

Plus if that wasn’t enough to convince you, B. products are not tested on animals and all carry the leaping bunny symbol of Cruelty Free International (formerly BUAV) and the range is suitable for vegans and vegetarians as all products have been dermatologically approved and are paraben-free.

The range carries such hero products as the 8-in-1 Post Shave Balm, a product which is a clinically proven 12-hour moisturiser that smoothes, protects, energises, control shine and blemishes and can also help calm shaving irritation. The B. Men Anti-Ageing Cream.With SPF15 and Coenzyme Q10 antioxidant protection, this anti-ageing cream helps defend skin against UVA & UVB rays, moisturises and firms skin, while also targeting fine lines and wrinkles for younger looking skin.

Essentially Converse – Converse Essentials Range

img_0184Yep lets face the inevitable, it’s getting colder, the days are getting shorter and the clothes are going on.   Warm days leading into warm light evening are a thing of the past, for now people, let’s not get depressed, they will be back. But like we said, it is getting cold, so it definitely means we need to cover up.

If only one of our favourite, reliable brand would launch a range of essential pieces, you know easy to throw on hoodies, track pants, long sleeved T-shirts. Sorry, what do you mean they have !

img_0182Let us introduce you to The Converse Essentials collection, a range of timeless staples, designed to wear better with time. To provide unmatched comfort, with each detail being obsessed upon to cater to a lifestyle of maximum movement and mobility.

Obviously with Converse there is anod to their iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers, the Converse Essentials collection not only looks better with age and wear, but becomes even softer with each wear, I know enough to make you weep. Each piece includes fabric that fades naturally with long-term wear, durable stitching and a managed shrinkage fit that remains the same throughout its lifespan.

The new collection including a tee, crewneck, pant and pull-over hoodie. The pre-washed material allows for minimal shrinking with men’s pieces cut for a modern fit allowing for maximum movement and layering all crafted to be both stylish and flattering.

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