CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Louis Vuitton x Fragment Design Collaboration Harrods Pop Up

by Keanu Adorable

Louis Vuitton will present an exclusive preview of their collaboration with Japanese creative Hiroshi Fujiwara’s acclaimed label Fragment Design, with a pop-up boutique located inside Harrod’s department store in London.

Centred around on a fictional band, Louis V and The Fragments the collaboration reflects their stage wardrobe and merchandise.“Hiroshi is an influencer in the trust sense of the work – he is a true icon of mine,” said Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director Kim Jones. “With this collaboration, I wanted to do something quite unexpected, something perhaps more youthful than we usually do.” The two first met over twenty years ago and, with this collaboration, their shared passions for pop culture, graphic motifs, sportswear history and the icons of menswear design merge, uniting references from Paris to Tokyo.

The collection revolves around varsity items, and fresh bold embroideries and prints. An F for Fragment patch and motif decorate outerwear and knitwear. Accessories are playful; Boy Scout patches, rainbow metallic pins and varsity patches that draw on icons from the Louis Vuitton archive. Headwear encompasses a ranger hat and, in a nod to the eccentric styles of the 1980’s Paris-Tokyo beret. The pop-up at Harrods will offer a variety of items from the collection including leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, as well as exclusive items offered only in the pop-up.

 

The pop-up will be located on the lower ground floor in Harrod’s department store and unveiled to the public on April 27th for three weeks.

Take a look at the collection online at Louis Vuitton’s website uk.louisvuitton.com

 

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It’s good to Talk – The Lions Barber Collective

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 years old and it is estimated that in the U.K. 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with a mental health illness at some point in their lives plus, in 2014, 74% of all suicide victims in the UK were male. In light of these terrifying statistics , the younger members of the British Royal Family, particularly Prince Harry’s recent comments have attracted praise from mental health experts after his interview with the Daily Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in which he revealed how he sought counselling after coming close to a mental breakdown following the death of his mother.

Somebody who is determined to make a difference and do something positive about this problem is Tom Chapman, an inspirational barber who has set up his own men’s mental health awareness and suicide prevention movement, named The Lions Barber Collective.

Tom’s Lions Barber Collective is turning barbershops into safe spaces for men using the opportunity of a regular haircut to start conversations about mental health. The group is having an enormous impact with men who traditional mental health services can struggle to reach.

Tom organises a professionally run training programme, which is teaching barbers to ‘recognise, talk, listen and advise’ clients and works with the Samaritans charity – signposting the services they offer to clients in need.

In recognition of the impact the group is making, Tom has just been awarded a ‘Point of Light’ Award by Prime Minister Theresa May. This award recognises outstanding individual volunteers, who are making a change in their community.

Recent research suggests that barbers are in a very unique position to help men in their battle with depression. A survey commissioned by the Lions Barber Collective and The Bluebeards Revenge male grooming brand revealed that more than half of the men in Britain now feel more comfortable discussing sensitive mental health issues such as depression with their barbers/hairdressers than their doctors.
So please remember lads it’s good to talk and let’s encourage one and other to do so.

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Global Essence – Acqua Di Parma new Colonias

Acqua di Parma is quite literally finding inspiration in its travels. The pleasure of travelling, of taking the time to savour the environment you find yourself in and to experience the spirit of a place, is unique. It’s Colonia collection explores other worlds and traditions and with each new departure is a discovery. A sensory journey in search of the most rare and original essences, of ingredients that tell the story of an atmosphere, a vision of beauty, a way of life. The result is a collection of sophisticated and evocative fragrances. Ingredient Collection. Essentially a travel diary of aromas, always open to new discoveries and fascinating combinations.

So far Colonia traces its map along the route, from its trip to the Middle East, Colonia captures the sensory opulence of Agarwood oil, giving life to the mysterious and sensual notes of Colonia Oud. Then along the Silk Road, where the personality of Colonia joins the refined sensuality of ambergris to create Colonia Ambra.

For its latest incantations the brand has looked both near and far for its inspiration. Firstly, we have the Colonia Mirra, which through the deserts and mountains a slow and tireless crossing, from Muscat, where the streets and windows are dotted with small coloured lanterns where incense and myrrh unleash their vibrant aromas. Through the kingdom of Saba, to Jordan and the mythical road of the Wise Men. To then reach the Mediterranean until arriving in Rome, where the highly prized resins were in great demand, burnt during religious ceremonies. A long journey on the Via Sacra of perfumes which Colonia Mirra was born.

Colonia Ebano is sourced much closer to its spiritual home in the artisan workshops of the Milanese master cabinetmakers. Where for centuries the art of cabinetmaking has been cultivated at its highest levels. First there is the scent of beeswax with which the cabinetmaker caresses the wood until it gleams. In the subtle and penetrating aromas of ebony and other precious woods that are skilfully inlaid with each other. This scent is a faceted, sumptuous fragrance, but at the same time fresh and luminous.

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Two Brands that have Matching Values – AMI’s EXCLUSIVE Range for MATCHESFASHION.com

Jeez it’s all about exclusivity this week and Luxury retailers or e-tailers working uniquely with Aspirational brands. Today its the turn of Bricks and Clicks retailer MATCHESFASHION.COM  who have collaborated exclusively on a capsule collection with Parisian label AMI. This is the third in a series of digital exclusives designed to showcase the best in global menswear.

The French uber stylish and highly coveted brand was founded by its artistic director Alexandre Mattiussi, AMI has emerged as a cornerstone of French contemporary menswear in recent years. The label specialises in casual, chic pieces that absolutely epitomises easy Parisian dressing. For this collection Mattiussi has designed ten pieces that resonate with this aesthetic, whilst taking inspiration from the ever popular trends of sport and streetwear.

The range, of course, focuses on updated versions of AMI classics including a soft cotton trench coat, V-neck knits and the brand’s signature pleated trousers in unique colourways and fabrications. Additional to this, we see t-shirts, striped shirts and knitwear featuring the ‘AMI de Coeur’ signature. The colour palette is kept light and Summer fresh in white, cream, biege and sky blue to complete everything your contemporary wardrobe might need.

Mattiussi has said of the partnership range, “I didn’t want to feel like the styles when put together were too overthought: for me it always has to look casual, effortless, spontaneous. Like the guy walking in the strettthat has something really chic and cool about him. It’s that ‘something’ I’m looking to capture when I design”.

THE AMI X MATCHESFASHION.COM EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION

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‘DÉRIVES IN LONDON’ – ETUDES UNVEILS A CAPSULE COLLECTION EXCLUSIVE TO HARVEY NICHOLS

Iconic British Luxury Retailer Harvey Nichols, plays host to an exclusive pop-up from creative group Études in its Project 109 on the Lower Ground floor of its London Flagship emporium.
The undeniably super cool brand Études represents a global experience of visual culture. Established in 2012 and based between Paris and New York, the brand operates across platforms ranging from menswear to publishing, at once reflecting and engaging the contemporary landscape through diverse but distinct content. Guiding this hybrid practice is a strong emphasis on experimentation and collaboration, the group’s collective vision translated through a fluid merging of reference, method and medium.

For five weeks, the space will showcase an exclusively designed T-Shirt and Tote bag from their latest ‘Dérives In’ series; alongside a curated edit of the Spring/Summer 2017 collection.
The pop-up at Harvey Nichols, marks the latest in a series of installations from the collective, whose ‘Dérives In’ range includes: New York, Seoul, Tokyo and Los Angeles. The exclusive T-Shirts and Tote bag will sit alongside the main Sprin/Summer 2017 collection, which is the tenth collection from the creative.