CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 18/03/2016

Ubud seems a long way from Camden – Lyme Terrace

When you’re bombarded on a daily basis by PR’s, brands and shysters trying to sell you their wares, it is hard to break through the barriers we put up. However, one such brand that did & I’m glad they did so are Lyme Terrace, named after the road they’re based in. A brand with a great back story, but equally with a product to back them up with.

Their business model, is centred around charity, full traceability and third party certification can be successful in todays market. They want to make fine-casual clothing with integrity, personality and longevity. All based around a coo on goal of, to create sustainable mens fine-casual wear; merging ethics and aesthetics.

Lyme Terrace are working on a long term initiative to have all their products British Made, but they their concept was born in a far more topical destination. Their inspiration came from the Balinese people themselves, whose love for life never compromises the beauty around them.

However they have chosen not to produce in the Far-East as a statement against ‘fast-fashion’ producing cheap clothing with little regard for the people a few steps back in the process; as long as prices are cheap and profits are high.

They strive to take the utmost care and accuracy in producing products, with supported stitching that is designed to last, making our threads a staple of your wardrobe for years to come.

They have paired the island’s long-standing relationship with bamboo – one of the most sustainable and versatile materials on the planet with a small amount of organic cotton, to create our soft & natural bamboo blends.

They chose Bamboo-Rayon for their tops for its’ truly unparalleled softness, if you think of it like Bamboo is to cotton what cashmere is to wool. You have to genuinely feel it to believe it. Bamboo’s moisture wicking properties and its’ organic nature, makes it perfect for people who suffer from eczema, dermatitis or sensitive skin.

Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Bali will know of its ancient culture and breathtaking landscapes, however, Bali’s remote rural communities have been forced into a poverty trap by man-made and natural disasters. This massive disparity is something Lyme Terrace see daily in their, new found, home from home and is something they are looking to improve.

Lyme Terrace promise it will never forget about its’ Balinese heritage and actively promotes and donates to charitable projects around the island. As the company grows so will their charitable function.

Currently they are partnered with Bali Children Foundation who provide educational pathways for disadvantaged Balinese children – a journey leading to growth and long-term sustainability.

Ohhh and go for the extra packaging, it least once, you won’t regret it.

anthonymcgrath405 / 17/03/2016

Washbag Wishlist – Clinique Post Shave Soother

Today we launch a new category to our Grooming section, that being our Washbag Wishlist, this will be where we ask leading figures in the grooming industry what is their must have, essential, can’t live without product. Yes, if stranded on a Desert island what one product would be on your Wishlist.

So to get the ball rolling we are starting with yours truly, yes who better, I hear you cry, or not as the case may be. I have to be honest, restricting me to selecting one product is sooooooo difficult and bordering on impossible but the product I have selected for today’s post, should be in every man’s bathroom cabinet. So the product in question, as you may have already guessed by the title of the post is, Clinique for Men’s Post-Shave Soother.

Now this is a product, I have been using for more years than I care to remember, to the point that I can’t even remember how I came across this Miracle product, but it was certainly before my Fashion years. I call it a miracle product and I don’t use that term lightly, but Miracle it very much is. The reason being, five years ago I was asked by a grooming company, who’s name shall remain secret, to protect the innocent, if I’d like to experience a traditional wet shave. Now, having never had a wet shave, I thought sod it, I should do this. So off I went for this EXPERIENCE.

OK, so the traditional delights of a wet shave and sure enough it was a very close shave, but maybe in more ways than one. Because as I left the establishment, my face started to itch, to the point that by the time I have arrived home the beard line of my aforementioned face and neck was a mass of aggravated hives. So much so the long suffering Mrs Mc asked, “What did he use to shave you, a broken glass bottle ?” The only thing that managed to calm my skin down and return to its natural Celtic pale tone, was Clinique’s Post Shave Soother, with an almost immediate effect.

So what exactly is Clinque’s Post Shave Soother and what does it do. Well, it relieves shaving irritation, leaving behind nothing more than a soothing, cool, tingly feeling and improved skin texture. Aloe is an active ingredient in it to soothe razor burn, relieve dryness, the appearance of redness and helps skin repair minor nicks and cuts. It’s nothing short of a breakthrough post-shave formula containing a combination of licorice and plant extracts that leave facial hair looking finer and softer. With continued use, shaving will be quicker and more comfortable as razor burn caused by daily friction is reduced. Additional ingredients provide exfoliation and anti-irritating benefits virtually eliminating bumps and ingrown hairs, as well as helping to encourage the healing of minor nicks and cuts. Plus it’s appropriate for all skin types.

anthonymcgrath405 / 15/03/2016

A Collaboration founded in ancient roots for a Modern traveller – Gieves & Hawkes X Orlebar Brown

In what has to be one of the most hotly anticipated collaborations for this season, we see Savile Row alnumi Gieves & Hawkes work with its Sackville Street neighbour Orlebar Brown. These two menswear colossi have drawn inspiration for their partnership from the pre-eminent Scottish explorer David Livingstone, yes, as in Dr Livingstone, I presume, Orlebar Brown has reimagined his meticulous hand-drawn maps onto a range of utilitarian clothing in an invigorating palette of navy, congo grey and limestone. Livingstone is one of the most popular national heroes of the late 19th century and owes his mythic status due to his pioneering expeditions and championing of multiple causes, from anti-slavery to social reform.

In fact a rather strange case of serendipity seems to entwine Dr Livingstone with the Savile Row Brand. When the public feared the worst for the explorer, Henry Morton Stanley was sent to find him by the New York Herald in 1871. Dressed in Hawkes & Co, Stanley found Livingstone alive and well, decked out in Gieves. Upon Livingstone’s death his body was returned to London to lay in repose at No.1 Savile Row – then the headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society – and since 1912 the home of Gieves & Hawkes. OMG !

The spirit of curiosity, exploration and discovery has been considered to provide practical functionality whilst remaining true to the precision and masculinity of Savile Row and these two brands.

The full ready-to-wear range includes a safari jacket, multi-pocket utility vest, cargo trousers, desert boots, along with T-shirts, swim shorts and, of course, because what expedition, whether that be to the Amalfi Coast or the Kalihari desertpith helmet.

anthonymcgrath405 / 14/03/2016

A Jean for all Seasons – Finisterre’s ‘Anatis’ Water Repellent Jeans

For us folk who live on these on these fair little Isles, unpredictable weather patterns and the uncertainty of what to wear is pretty much second nature. Nonetheless, it doesn’t make it any easier preparing for what the day ahead may have in store for you, particular in matters of a Sartorial nature.

With this in mind, Finisterre, the brand born out of answering the needs of hardy British surfers has for this season collaborated with Blackburn based, British denim specialists Cookson & Clegg to produce its first water repellent denim.

The brands first worked together last season on developing the Ovis merino wool blend jeans. For this season the two brands have brought together their collective expertise to continually push the boundaries of technical denim innovation by producing a product perfect for both the surfer and urban dweller alike. The new Anatis jeans feature a water repellent finish that not only mimics the way water rolls off a duck’s back without getting them wet, but are flurocarbon free and biodegradable. This finish wraps around textile fibres in a thin film that breaks surface tension, so that water droplets and mud simply run off rather than sinking in.

anthonymcgrath405 / 11/03/2016

Suits you Sir – Jasper Conran’s new Suiting range for Debenhams

Jasper Conran is a designer who needs no introduction, not only does he come from one of THE most creative and artistic dynasties in living memory, well he was hardly going to become a bin man, when his Mum is Author, Shirley Conran and his Father is Design Guru Terence Conran. But he has carved a name out in his own right as one of Britain’s most well known Fashion Designers.
Celebrating over 30 years of the brand, he has since diversified from womenswear into menswear, fragrance, home, crystal, tableware and a diffusion clothing and accessories line. Continuing to expand his role in the world of design, he was recently appointed Chairman of The Conran Shop.

Conran was one of the first designers to collaborate on a high street collection with the launch of his diffusion womenswear line J By Jasper Conran – part of the Designers At Debenhams portfolio back in 1996.

For Spring 16 as part of his J by Jasper range and just in time for the all important Prom and Wedding seasons, he has introduced a micro collection of fine tailored single breasted suits which have been manufactured utilising cloth from one of Italy’s oldest and most respected mills Lanificio di Tollegno.

The heritage of this historic mill is second to none, it was established in late 19th century as a family run business and is still in operation today, due to a steadfast attention to tradition and continuing focus on innovation.

The mill, founded by the Sella family, has long been regarded as the hallmark of finest fabric production. It is revered as the last wool mill of its kind to still spin their own yarn. This wealth of skill and experience made Lanificio di Tollegno a natural choice for this collection.

The suits are each finished to an exceptional standard all with tonal linings and Columbia stitching with a very subtle pin dot pocket detail.

Conran commented on his new collection, “They will take you from a smart everyday business look to a special occasion depending on how you style them and whether you chose a 2 or 3 piece suit. The design of your shirt and the addition of a tie or pocket square can transform your look”.

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