URBAN BLUE Detox Clay Mask by LAB SERIES for Men

imageAir Pollution is on the rise, fact, and a part of urban living is, you are much more susceptible to and the effects of Air pollution. Over 50 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a percentage that is expected to increase to 66 percent by 2050. But we need to remember for all the disadvantages of City living its also packed with perks – culture, art, restaurants and diversity, just to name a few. But life’s all about balance and at the same time all the big city benefits, urban environments can wreak havoc on your skin.

This week see the launch of a new product, URBAN BLUE Detox Clay Mask, by those clever folk at LAB SERIES. We can’t forget that our skin needs a good detox every now and then.

What this new product does is to help detoxify skin from surface toxins and excess oil. The powerful and absorbing mask boasts a blend of clays, charcoal and other high performance ingredients. Each helps to decongest and unclog pores, reduce their appearance and absorb surface shine. Pores are instantly and deeply cleansed, removing any hardened sebum, dry skin cells, dirt, debris, toxins, and environmental pollutants. Skin is detoxed and left looking healthy, clean, and shine free.

LONDON COLLECTIONS MEN – HIGHLIGHTS – SPRING/SUMMER 2017

imageWords by Anthony McGrath, Keanu Adorable & Nikita Agapovaite

The men’s Fashion industry, or it could be argued the whole Fashion Industry, is in a state of flux, fact, we have brands, Burberry, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger etc doing away with prior viewing of their collections and moving to a see it purchase it platform. Then you have other houses, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada etc remaining with a more traditional approach. Throw into the mix the matter of many international Fashion labels merging their shows, in the past brands have shown their collections separately, menswear in January and June while their womenswear in February and September. However, Tom Ford, Burberry, Gucci etc have taken the step to start to show their collections together during the Womenswear Fashion Week. As Business of Fashion , only reported last week theat#Menswear is Dead. What’s Next? Surely this can’t true ? Surely !
As we entered the Ninth London Collections Men, London’s Evening Standard reports, “Predictions by Euromonitor show that by 2019, global sales of menswear will pass £3 billion and the industry is growing faster than womenswear”. And nothing could seem further from the harbingering of doom as we saw Internationally recognised designers such as Paul Smith and Neil Barrett throw parties to welcome in LC:M.

Katie Eary

Katie Eary

We kicked off proceeding in great style with Gordon Richardson and his TOPMAN team showcasing their strongest collection for seasons, celebrating a homage to Great British Seaside towns and as almost to representation the unpredictability of the Great British Weather we saw cropped puffa and Bomber jackets. Later, on the last day of LC:M Katie Eary, seconded TOPMAN’s appreciation the British coastline with a thoroughly nautical setting, offering us a fishy tale in the shape of dressing gowns, matching shirt and shorts combos and jackets all in a highly fetching fish print reminiscent of Pierre Cardin. And it that wasn’t enough of Great British coastal tales for you, Barbour celebrated its North Eastern roots by showing key pieces from its Original North Sea Outfitters collection and iconic Heritage range. The brand also previewed their Autumn16 collaboration collection that takes some of the most iconic pieces in Barbour’s 120-year old archive and reimagines them in six statement jacket styles that will be exclusive to Selfridges.

Moving a little further afield was Universal Works‘ celebration of of the Cuban rebels and Havana locals, a mix of military and workwear style, trousers with smart jackets, four pocket and point collar shirts and oversized pleated trousers. Like an episode of Wish you were here, we ventured over to Oliver Spencer, who had created a collection with a distinct 1950’s Mediterranean influence. Inspired by his favourite house, Casa Malaparte on the Island of Capri, Italy. A house famed for its imposing modern Italian architecture.

Sibling

Sibling

As if taunting us about needing a holiday YMC‘s offering for Spring/Summer 17 was true to form, entitled ‘Okoro’, celebrates the cross-pollination of cultural artifacts between Britain and Africa. The influx of African art that permeated British culture in the late 60s through to the early 80s.
Off on our travels again for SIBLING who took LC:M to present their Collection, inspired by the poolside life of Miami and California. The silhouettes are influenced by beach and sportswear; featuring palm prints, hand drawn doodled shapes and vibrant colours.

YMC

Now if it wasn’t British brands being inspired by far off exotic locations, it was equally exotic designers being inspired by their adopted home of the UK or more specifically, London. Nasir Mazhar‘s collection was influenced by the culture and counter-culture that make up the urban fabric of London. The The Turkish-Cypriot designer continues to make clothes inspired by technical sportswear and to experiment with interesting colour palettes on various materials such as shiny nylon, tracksuits, fur and crochet. Whereas, both Xander Zhou and Ximon Lee channelled their inner Punk. The latter using denim, leather and even transparent plastic was fashioned into angular cut shirts, jackets and uneven smocks to give each piece a unique story. Zhou on the other hand re-emphasized the London-based designer’s affinity for capturing the essence of tribal youths.
But one of the biggest trends during LC:M surely had to be the showcasing of Womenswear during a Menswear show. We had Astrid Andersen debuting her womenswear project and then Agi & Sam followed by Nasir Mazhar. Then came Casely-Hayford premiering their Female offering, Christopher Reaburn and Matthew Miller(see below). As almost a backlash against other Fashion Powerhouses who have decided to merge their menswear into their womenswear shows. Or could it have possibly been a subliminal message, trying to tell us they WANT to follow suit and merge the Fashion weeks into one ULTRA London Fashion Week in Sept and February????

Astrid

AgiSamNasir 2

Joe Charlie

Christopher Raeburn

Matthew Miller

TEXTUAL CONVERSATION WITH GRAEME GAUGHAN OF TOURNE DE TRANSMISSION

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Behind the scenes photography by Harry Bradbury

Tourne de transmission [TDT] started life in late 2013 as a t-shirt label and an outlet for the ideas, inspiration and experience of its Creative director & Founder Graeme Gaughan who used hand sourced vintage images and classic newspaper designs to create a range of unisex, premium quality graphic t-shirts. TDT has now evolved into a full contemporary collection which also includes, bags, accessories and footwear.

Gaughan, leads the slightly schizophrenic existence of, by day or from 9 to 5, or there abouts, he is the co-Owner Director at the London-based public relations agency SANE Communications then balances the responsibilities and enjoyment of TDT, by night.

Rotating transmission is the literal translation of Tourne de Transmission: an analogy for the idea of combining visuals, textures and words with the result of generating a message.

TDT’s evolution has rather successfully, taken further steps into researching the culture clash between east and western clothing and as a result the brand is now stocked in some the worlds leading cutting edge fashion stores and has garnered a fan base of stylish A-list actors and music industry stars.

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Who would be your Ideal dinner parties guests ?

It would need to be a bit of a guy night with steaks and shit….… Ozzie Osborne, Patrick Swayze (as Bodie from Point Break mode), Nas, Kurt Cobain, Sammy, Frank and Dean (Rat pack), Bowie (obvs) John Cleese, John Candy, Will Ferrel, Douglas Barder…. tough to nail down to a few really…

Who is your style icon ?

My wife… I get a lot inspiration from her.

What style mantra do you dress by ?

Black is the foundation…

imageIf your house was on fire what would you save ?

My family obviously… and my hard drive as it has all our memories on it…

What is your favourite piece of clothing ?

Differs a lot from week to week… right now an Our Legacy worker jacket I have…

If you had one day to live what is your biggest regret ?

Not flying a spitfire… I am a bit of a plane nut. Or skydiving… I love the idea of getting as close to natural flight as possible… but it scares the shite out of me.

What track always gets you on the dance floor ?

Coming up by Wings.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given ?

Go with your gut, learn from mistakes… And presumption is the mother of all fuck ups…

If you could collaborate with one brand, who would it be ?

Perhaps something out of the fashion realm completely. Maybe… Louis Poulsen… The danish light brand.

What piece of clothing should Everyman have in his wardrobe ?

A good dramatic overcoat…

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PREVIEW OF TOURNE DE TRANSMISSION SPRING/SUMMER 2017

TOURNE 3tOURNE 1Tourne 4TOURNE 3For the recent Spring/Summer 2017 Tourne de Transmission show during LC:M, we had exclusive behind the scene access before the show. Where we caught up with Graeme, who told us;

What’s your inspiration for your Autumn/Winter collection ?

Mostly a conversation I had with NYC based Artist Chris Dorland.  We started discussing working together and one of the themes we talked at length about was taking the idea that a lot of big billboards (including fashion mega brand billboard adverts) were made on huge coated canvas waterproof sheets (before a lot of digital ones ) and once finished with are discarded. Aid Charities are then collecting all these old billboard ad’s and then using them for shelters & tents for refugee camps and towns etc …. we both were drawn to this overt irony that these ads that are created to entice us to spend on “stuff” were being used for essentially the most important of human functions… shelter…

I then took this notion further by pushing this theory across into the clothes by taking silhouettes and fabrics out of their normal context and flipping them into new areas in fabrics they are not normally made in. And also making our own huge billboards and messing with the idea of ads to create our own message/commentary on these current state of things…

What are your favourite pieces  ?

I am most looking forward to a poncho, and how it works in the fabric that it would not normally be made in.. and seeing how a lot of the patchwork silhouettes we do are gona work with the new media we are creating via the billboards.

Father’s Day gift guide in association with M&S

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June 19th, yes that date’s marked in your diary but why, why ? It’s Father’s Day ! Yes you read that right folks, Father’s Day, the day when the hardest working member of the family, gets to relax, put his feet up and everyone runs round and looks after HIM for a change, no it’s Father’s Day not Mother’s Day.

Forget it at your peril, remember who will help you when it comes to DIY, who’ll be there to answer questions like, “Which is the earth wire ?” Or “Dad any chance you could take junior for a couple of hours” ? Don’t let it take you by surprise and don’t leave it til the last minute no one wants to settle for whatever they’ve got left at the service station, no one wants a day glo travel neck pillow, particularly not your Dad ! Get him something that says thank you for being there for me, all year round.

Remember, even the most alpha of males need a little pampering occasionally. So you can still look super diligent on the 19th when you pull the best present out of the bag for your old man and look confidently smug with yourself while the rest of the family can only look on with fake pleasure and make a guess at, How does he do it ? envy. Gift’s that will have your Pop wiping a tear from his eye and saying things like, “But son you shouldn’t have”and “So much thought must have gone in to that son”. Yes we’ve put in the hard work to assure you, he won’t be disappointed, by brining you a selection of some of the most sort after and desired gift ideas money can buy. Once again ourselves at Clothes-Make-the-Man and the wonderful Marks & Spencer to produce the ultimate in gifting for your beloved Pa.M&S Collection- Greatest Dad Dressing Gown- 6290- £29.50

Greatest Dad Dressing Gown by M&S – Not only is your dear old Dad one of the Greatest, but make him feel like a champion in this great Dressing gown.

Braun JamieYou could do alot worse than investing in any number of the great grooming gifts on offer by Braun from Shavers to Trimmers to Stylers. A new Study by them on What makes the perfect Dad…Revealed;

1.            Makes you feel special and loved – 58 percent

2.            Is hard working – 52 percent

3.            Helps with homework – 49 percent

4.            Is patient and kind – 49 percent

5.            Spends more time with family than mates – 47 percent

While Teaches you how to drive, came in at the bottom with 13 percent, Thank God.

 

imageBurras Jumper by Finisterre – Your Dad doesn’t have to be a hipster to fully appreciate this Breton inspired jumper by Finisterre. The surfers favourite brand have produced blinding lightweight knits for this ever unpredictable Spring we find ourselves in.

 

imageMens 2 in 1 Running Shorts by Ashmei – One for the Sportier of Fathers out there. These brilliant Merino wool shorts are perfect for your bag gym no matter what outdoor pursuit you are pursuing by this sterling British Luxury Sportswear brand.

Cine cardTalk about the gift that just keeps giving, Cinema chain Cineworld is offering a variety of gifting options this Father’s Day, with the perfect gift of a  gift card, or for that extra special movie lover give them the gift of cinema all year round with the Unlimited Gift Box.

 

imageMerino Wool Mountain Shirt by McNair – This heavyweight shirt, known in some quarters as the more contemporary ‘Shacket’, ie when it’s too cold just for a shirt and not warm enough for a jacket this transitional piece is perfect to see you through most of the year. Produced in Yorkshire using the finest Merino Wool, whether your up a mountain or out in the urban jungle this is a item you won’t ever regret purchasing.

 

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Tablet Sleeve in Herdwyck Tweed by Cherchbi – For the contemporary man about town, this water proof sleeve is compatible with all major tablet devices or can also be used for A5, large Moleskine Notebook or similar size documents and literature. The perfect balance of style and functionality.

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The Pantelligent Frying Pan – This heat-sensitive frying pan has sensors that help you cook your food, to ensure you get perfect results every time. So no more using the smoke alarm as a food timer.

imageWool/Silk Scarf by Anderson & Sheppard – This versatile spotted scarf is made from a combination of wool and silk and looks equally at home when teamed with jeans and sneakers as it is when seen on a more formal outing.

 

imageStag Doorstop by Johnstons of Elgin – What home can call itself complete without this amazing example of objets d’art produced by this fine example of Luxury British craftsmanship. Their woollen mill was established on the banks of the River Lossie over 200 years ago.

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Breakfast in bed set by M&S – who couldn’t resist this treat the perfect gift to help a loved one start the day, ground coffee, a cafetière and 2 mini jams, presented on a wooden tray.

LV Lamp

For the very height of Glamping what Father could resist this beauitful marriage of the latest technology and traditional savoir-faire. Edward Barber and Kay Osgerby worked with Louis Vuitton to produce the Bell lamp. A handcrafted frosted Murano glass ‘bell’ cordless and solar powered. All made to order

imageAs we said even the most Alpha of males needs a little pampering occasionally and what better way then with any of these great grooming gifts and gift sets and not so much as a wiff of Brut 55 or Hai Karate.

 

imageWoven Polo Shirt by John Smedley – With the weather as predictable as selecting the National Lottery Numbers, you need items of clothing that help regulate your body temperature. One of the many qualities of wool is, it cools you when you get too hot and keeps you warm when things take a decidedly colder approach, this excellent example by British Fashion institution John Smedley is a must have for any gift guide.

 

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Socks Gift Set with 3 Sipsmith Gin Miniatures by London Sock Co. – These bespoke brands have teamed up to offer a perfect gift for the dad who enjoys the finer things in life. This luxury 3 pair gift set is paired with 3 different Sipsmith miniatures. See who said Socks were boring ?!?

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It’s all in the Detail – Judy Blame for Jo Malone London

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The term artist is banded about all to easily in today’s celebrity obsessed society, with everyone from teen pop singers to two bit graphic T-Shirt producers proclaiming themselves as artistic entities.

Too few true artists ever got to see the merit and interest in their work and many ended their days without even knowing what an impression they had made to the cultural significance of society.

Unfortunately today we have few living legends, particularly in the world of Style and Fashion, many have passed away far too young, other succumbed to toxic vices or the harshness of age has deemed their relevance, irrelevant.

One such survivor and genuine stylish living legend, is Judy Blame, a name which may mean very little to you, but that I’m afraid is testament to the trash society we live in today, where a Kardashian turning up at a shop can evoke more media interest than the totality of that days news.

imageLondon based stylist, Artist, accessories designer, artistic consultant etc Judy Blame, began his career in the 1980s as a member of the late, great iconic photographer Ray Petri’s, Buffalo Boys collective. Blame quickly made a name for himself and started to contribute to publications such as i-D and the Face as well as working as an image-consultant for the likes of Neneh Cherry, Björk, Kylie Minogue, Massive Attack and Boy George on some of their most striking personas. Over the years he sort after creativity has seen him collaborate with various design houses including John Galliano while at Christian Dior, where he acted as creative consultant, Rei Kawakubo at Comme des Garçons, where Blame designs their range of male accessories, Gareth Pugh, Marc Jacobs and Kim Jones at Louis Vuitton.

imageTo mark the impact of his artistic contribution, later this month sees his first solo exhibition at London’s ICA, where Judy Blame – Never Again runs through to the 4th September.

The Medium Blame is renowned for is the customisation of garments and creating accessories, where he uses buttons and pins in the same way as some utilise Gold and diamonds. His latest collaboration brings his very British quirk to the queen of gift giving Jo Malone and her iconic gift boxes. Inspired by the London tradition of pearly kings and queens, each has its own pearly symbol and spirit. A heart for charity. An anchor for hope. A crown for royalty. And then there’s his post-punk pin. An unexpected keepsake made with typical Judy Blame irreverence.

Judy Blame for Jo Malone London Box are available with the purchase of two or more Jo Malone London products, exclusive to Selfridges and Jo Malone Outlet and www.jomalone.co.uk

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