CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Come Rain or Shine – The all weather coats of Emel and Aris

imageOK, I’ll say it, yes as a nationality the British are obsessed with the weather. Right it’s out there now, but of course why wouldn’t we ? I never thought I’d quote that genius of popular culture and academic heavyweight Ms Katy Perry but, from her seminal 2008 classic “Hot n Cold“, she captures the essential essence of the point we are trying to make, she claims, “you’re hot then you’re cold“. Yes the climate of these fair Isles means that for a hefty portion of the year we don’t know what the day holds for us weather wise and we’re not on our own, large swathes of countries aruexperience similar weather patterns to ourselves.

imageWith this mind, this was a problem that Rana Nakhal Solset, Founder of EMEL AND ARIS experienced. Describing herself as, “part Lebanese, part British, part Canadian, part French and part Norwegian. They’re all cultures I’m very comfortable with and I admire and understand in so many ways.”

EMEL AND ARIS, a new British Luxury wearable tech brand, aims to provide the style conscious world citizen with an answer to looking smart and keeping warm whatever the climate or continent. Her creation, the SMART COAT, for both for men and women offers beautifully tailored coats, which incorporate an intelligent heating technology.

imageThe revolutionary heating technology uses a lightweight, inert polymer instead of wires and produces FIR (far infrared) heat energy that is absorbed by the skin to heat the muscles and increase blood flow. The benefits of Far Infrared (FIR) therapy have long been recognised and recent research has validated the vast range of medical claims of FIR, including increased blood flow, pain relief and boosted immune system.

Initially, the collection will include a cotton trench and cashmere blend wrap coat for women and a cashmere blend overcoat and a cotton three-quarter length rain coat for men. The line is entirely made in Europe using the finest quality fabrics made in Italy by Ing. Loro Piana and treated with their patented Storm System to make them water repellent and wind proof.

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Dressing for a Luxury Holidaying Lifestyle – Dan Ward

imageDan Ward, has built a lifestyle brand around the ethos of, “Eternal Summer… It is always Summer somewhere in the world. Summer begins not as a season, but as a feeling. Summer is a state of mind. Unique and one of a kind, we design with ourselves in mind.”

Now, if that doesn’t put you in the mood for long Summer daze and lazing around with the sound of waves crashing gentle on the shore and the smell of fresh food slowing cooking in the background, nothing will.

imageHowever, Dan Ward, isn’t some wealthy trustafairan who launched a complete resort lifestyle range on a whim. He has built up an enviable CV, to back up the credentials of his range, with over 20 years of experience in the luxury industry, where he learned his trade as a multi-function marketing and design expert at prestigious heritage fashion houses, such as Hermès, Bally, Dunhill and Calvin Klein, before founding his own, eponymous brand in 2012. Through this extensive experience Dan has been able to finely tune his skills and has giving him the opportunity to know what his customer wants from a lifestyle brand of this nature.

Ever the globe-trotter, he does truly take an international perspective when it comes to designing his range, combining his take on British sartorial clothing and Italian excellence with invigorating design touches and inspirations from his beloved Japan, where he spent his youth and from where he acquired his unique sense for graphic, linear and refined looks that call for purity and sophistication.

imageIt of course goes without saying that premium quality and craftsmanship are of paramount importance, not only to the brand but to Ward himself. His collections are always constructed from the finest materials and make for the perfect fit, a natural conclusion when you discover he was a national champion swimmer himself. Therefore being best placed to satisfy the challenging demands of sportsmen. All of his swimwear boast characteristics including quick drying, exceptional breathability, shape retention and UV resistance to ensure customer satisfaction. The fruits of his labor are available the world over from obvious destinations in resorts like Nice, Miami, the Maldives, Bali and Thailand to the less so like Sanya, in mainland China, Toronto, Munich and Ward’s occupational base Florence. All, of course, stocked by the Creme de la Creme of retailers, Lane Crawford, Club Monaco, Luisa Via Roma, Saks 5th Avenue and online with the likes of MRPORTER.COM and MATCHESFASHION.COM.

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You got a Friend in me – Whistles X Buddy

imageSpring 2016 seems to be bringing together some absolute corkers of collaborations, we’ve already seen Gieves & Hawkes X Orlebar Brown and then this week we see the launch of Whistles X Buddy. For this season the Premium high Street brand has collaborated with Japanese brand Buddy on a limited edition accessory and footwear collection.

Whistles, we are all pretty much aware and familiar with their simple, design lead understated, popular style, but Buddy, probably not so. Founded in 2012, Buddy are built with the concept of “make happy”, to be your buddy. All products are made in Japan, with the promise of,  “we hope to see your smile“. The brand focuses on pared-back silhouettes and functional designs. Known for their impeccable craftsmanship, they draw inspiration from their love of dogs and their ‘make happy‘ mantra. This collaboration with Whistles is their first  in the UK and this exclusive collection combines premium Japanese manufacturing with contemporary British design.
The collection, designed for both men and women, includes smooth finish white leather sneakers, suede trainers, a leather coin wallet in grey, a navy leather bi-fold wallet, two canvas totes in mustard and navy, and a functional roll top back-pack in grey.

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Thom Browne’s School Days – Thom Browne & The Woolmark Company


American designer Thom Browne has been building up quite the reputation for himself over the last couple of years. He began his business with five suits and with a small by-appointment-only shop in 2001 and introduced his ready-to-wear collection in 2003. His traditionally based hand-made suits have evolved into collections recognised by museums around the world including the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Fashion Museum in Bath. Browne’s innovations in tailoring have been identified with impacting the paradigm of men’s and women’s fashion. His collections are available, literally across the globe not only through Thom Browne stores in New York, Tokyo and Seoul but at luxury designer stores, such as Barneys New York, Colette, Dover Street Market, Mr. Porter, Selfridges and United Arrows.


He was honoured by the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)Menswear Designer of the Year Award in 2006 and 2013, the GQ Designer of the Year in 2008 and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in 2012.

This season he has worked with the Woolmark Company on a series of short quirky films across digital and social media titled ‘The Thom Browne Laboratory.’ These highlight a new ‘Cool Wool’ which Browne uses in his collection this season. The initiative and its satire-style clips demonstrate how the properties of merino wool can work equally well in the warmer months as the cooler ones, presented through the faultless tailoring of the man himself.


Additional to this Browne will include a combination of ‘Cool Wool’ and Woolmark-certified suiting and knitwear pieces in his Summer 16 collection as well as a selection of wool accessories such as ties, scarves, bags and shoes.

Browne is the first US designer to use ‘Cool Wool’ certified garments in a commercially available collection, demonstrating the benefits of wearing the fibre in both warmer or cooler climates.

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Mr MAN – MR, the new haircare range from Jamie Stevens

imageJamie Stevens is no stranger to Clothes-Make-the-Man having in the past offered us advice on the latest hairstyles for that coming season and neither is he any stranger to being on our TV Screens, being a regular fixture on This Morning and the resident stylist for X Factor for four years. He is three-time winner of Men’s hairdresser of the year (and is exempt from winning the prize again) and in 2015 was entered into the British Hairdressing Awards hall of fame. He is the youngest ever nominee for Hairdresser of the Year, an award he has been nominated for four times.

His latest venture sees him launching an innovative new men’s haircare system, called MR designed to combat the challenges associated with hair thinning, whilst also being perfectly suitable for all men to keep hair strong and healthy. Three years in development, Stevens worked with some of the leading  scientists to develop MR. drawing on the most advanced science and industry innovations, to deliver targeted solutions.

As people age hair begins to thin – an inescapable fact, I’m afraid – which is a result of the active growth cycle slowing down so lost hairs are not replaced as quickly. However, this common complaint is still seen as a largely taboo subject despite findings from research showing the fact that 56% of young men (aged 18-24 years old) and 33% of ALL men have concerns and anxieties over it and, until now, there has been very little on the market to actively and effectively target this problem.

MR. is divided into three categories, Disguise, Thicken and Style, the line-up is a clearly defined range of 12 products, all containing a unique active complex designed specifically for this collection – System- PPXTM – proven to help promote thicker, hydrated and stronger hair.

Disguise contains two hero products, the MR. Hair Fibres and MR. Disguise Spray, both of which are designed to subtly, but effectively, mask areas of hair loss. The Spray adds colour to the scalp, to disguise thinning and receding areas and the Hair Fibres attach to existing hair, to make it look fuller and thicker. Results are truly unprecedented. The Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment within the Thicken category all create healthy strong, thick hair and the seven Style products incorporate formulas to help support the strength and structure of the hair.