CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Words by Mia Riley

An area of Europe that is famed for beautiful architecture and innovative design, Scandinavian fashion has equally built quite the name for itself. With effortless style that reflects the elegant furniture design the region is so well known for. Copenhagen is in the forefront of this movement. You don’t even have to go in a store to see that everyone in Copenhagen knows how to dress.

If you find yourself in that slightly cold part of the world, these are the 4 stores you must visit.

Wood Wood

Address: Grønnegade 1, 1107 Copenhagen
Founded in Copenhagen Wood Wood is now stocked all over the world it’s even on Asos. There is no place like home though, so a trip to this store in it’s home city is definitely worth a visit, stocking some of Wood Wood’s gorgeous clothes along with some fabulous brands like Comme Des Garcons.

Won Hundred
Address: Østergade 52, 1100 Copenhagen
Founded in 2004 in Denmark this brand has an appreciation for simplicity and understated design. It’s now available all over the globe too, so if you don’t get a chance to visit the store you will still be able to get your hands on their traditional danish clothes with a modern twist. Think neat straight lines and muted colours.

Norse Store
Adress: Pilestræde 41, 1112 Copenhagen
A store that stocks a massive array of brands there is definitely going to be something that tickles your fancy. From A.P.C to Marni to Levi’s there is a massive variety of brands and designers to choose from. You Won’t be disappointed.

Henrik Vibskov
Krystalgade 6, 1172 København K,
A triple threat, a filmmaker, fashion designer and musician he is a multi talenteded Central St Martins graduated (graduated in 2001). His boutique is playful and creative housing his own collection as well as other cutting-edge designers like Comme.

One question I seem to be asked so often is, “Where can I get a great Wallet, which isn’t gonna cost the Earth?” In fact, only in the last few weeks 3 good friends have asked that very same question, two of which when I asked them what they currently had ? Revealed a tatty, shabby looking example, only to be told that I had bought them it for Christmas, many moons ago!

A brand that answers this stylish conundrum spot on is Troubadour, they use all-natural vegetable-tanned Italian leather for all its leather goods so that every piece looks better with age. After making a reputation for themselves in the luggage side of the industry they, following lots of requests, have decided to venture into the small leather goods, accessories market.

Launched after a long search for the perfect weekend bag that would see you seamlessly for any occasion from a business trip to weekend away with friends. Not beginning able to satisfy they needs, Samuel and Abel, the guys behind the brand, thought they would do it themselves.

So once again working on their brand ethos of offering smart Designs For Everyday Essentials. Troubadour’s philosophy of clean design, rooted in function and performance, have acted as an inspiration for a collection of belts and small leather goods that combines practicality and style. Clever technical construction produces streamlined silhouettes. Ingenious leather folding ensures slim yet capacious wallets.

Words by Charlie Britton

Recent years have seen the male grooming scene grow from strength so strength, with more and more men taking extra good care of themselves. From hair creams and beard oils to skin care and aftershaves, we all have one thing in common, a trip to the local barber shop.

Cut throat wet shaves to scissor cuts and skin fades, the barber shop is an undeniably British place of rest bite, comfort and relaxation. Here at Clothes-Make-The-Man, we’ve tried our fare share of barbershops across the land, so we’ve decided to give you the low down on some of the best barbers across the British isles, so you can remain doubt free in the search for optimum manliness.

Launched in 2012 in Edinburgh’s West End, Ruffians went from strength to strength, winning hairdressing awards right off the bat with their first store. Now in four locations across the UK, Ruffians is by far one of the cleanest and slickest barber shops to date. Whiskeys and coffees all round, Ruffians offers a tailored consultation, clean cut and even vacuum’s your neck to end on a high, hair free note.

Sheffield’s little gem, Savills barber shop definitely stands out from the crowd. Equipped with 9 highly skilled barbers and a vast apothecary of grooming aids, you wont regret making a trip to the oldest school barber shop in the country. The antique furnishings, reclaimed gear and traditional uniforms ensure you feel you’ve stepped back in time, although the services provided are nothing but modern and clean cut.

Hidden away on the streets of Angel, Gents of London provides an authentic service like no other. Traditional theme with a modern service, this old school London barber shop can tailor each cut to every client, ensuring nothing but pure satisfaction is produced from some of the best barbers in town. Mod haircuts to skin fades and scissor cuts, this barber shop can offer something for every gentleman, and we guarantee you’ll feel right at home.

On the sunny streets of Exeter, the original Sandyman Chop Shop sits not so quietly, attending to the needs of gentlemen and lads alike. The tatted’ up guys at the Sandyman Chop Shop don’t look like your usual traditional barbers, but fear not, these guys know a thing or two about cut throat razors. Unwind with a beer or a glass of rum, and let the guys at the Chop Shop do their thing.

Dublin’s man cave, Cut & Sew, which started as a 1 man pop up, is a barber shop with a serious amount of style. Situated in two locations across Dublin, Cut & Sew provides a slick service with a smile. The original Cut & Sew is located underneath an old school record store, so you can sit back with a drink and enjoy the music, or even browse the apparel that they have to offer while you wait.

So there you have it, a few favourites of ours across Britain, keeping the men of today clean, crisp and ready to go. As the saying goes, ‘You’re only as good as your last haircut‘, so we can rest easy here at Clothes-Make-The-Man knowing you have the tools to find a cut above the rest.

As a child growing up in the small Swedish town of Olofström, Martin Andersson was inspired by iconic British Fashion Magazines such as I-D and The Face, “I wanted to create the style and look I was seeing in British magazines, but couldn’t buy anything right in Sweden so began sketching my own designs”. Martin’s passion for both British style and fashion design was only heightened by attending the preigious Fashion College Central St Martin’s in London. Where after graduating he was snapped up by classic British brand Hackett London; whilst here Andersson launched his own signature line. The label was greeted with an extremely warm welcome by the Fashion community and media and continued to grow organically in a global market.

After a period at, another classic British brand, Aquascutum, Martin was offered a position which would blend his passion for British Fashion with his Swedish sensibilities and heritage as Head of Menswear Design at COS. The Swedish retailer who pride themselves on offering good quality, understated classics and wardrobe essentials at affordable prices. Since it’s launch in London in 2007 COS (Collection of Style) are now located in over 30 countries throughout Europe, North Amercia, The Middle East and Asia Pacific.

For Autumn Martin was inspired by the work of Berlin based artist Lev Khesin (see below), the emphasis on Khesin’s work is reflected in both the collection’s rich colour palette and layered silhouette.

Best piece of advise you’ve ever been given and by whom?
“ God is in the detail” by German-born architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, This wasn’t a piece of advice that was given to me directly but it is something which I have lived by throughout my career, to always pay attention to the finer details.

What track would always get you on the dance floor?
Good question, it would have to be “no one gets the prize” by Dianna Ross but it must be the 12 inch version.

What are you most excited about at the moment?
I am super excited to be travelling to New York this week for the opening of the Agnes Martin retrospective at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, COS is sponsoring the retrospective. Martin’s work is a continual source of inspiration for COS so it will be a memorable and honorable moment.

Best present you’ve ever received ?
I am obsessed by the book “The Hyena & Other Men” by Pieter Hugo and one year for my birthday I received a photographic print of one of the images taken from the book, it is one of my most treasured possessions.

If you could collaborate with one brand who would it be ?
I would ask Helmut Lang to come out of retirement and start designing again that way we could collaborate .

Favourite hotel in the world?
I once stayed in the Ammankila resort on the East coast of Bali; it was the most understated, serene place overlooking the sea, everything from the food to the service, it was simply paradise.

If you could live anywhere where would it be?
To be honest it would be London, it really is one of the greatest cities in the world. The infusion of different cultures and the juxtaposition between the old and new creates such an eclectic city.

If you could give your teenage self advice, what would it be?
I would have perhaps told myself to experiment with style more, have fun with it and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Who would your ideal dinner guests ?
If I had to choose a mix of people I would start with Donald Judd after visiting his house in New York I have so many questions that I would want to ask him, Franz Klien I would want to know how his first figurative paintings from the 40’s later provoked the abstract expression movement. Thirdly, Cormac McCarthy to pick at his literary brain and lastly to inject some fun ( and hula hopping) Grace Jones to provide some entertainment to finish the evening.

What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe?
A white shirt, it is one of the most versatile garments; it transcends age, dress sense and occasion.

What piece of style advice do you live by?
A very common one but very personal to me “less is more”.

Who is your style icon?
It’s not so much an icon but more an admiration for Colin Firth in “A Single Man” the sharp, sleek suiting really honors the craft of tailoring.

What’s your favourite piece of clothing?
I have a wool trench coat from our AW09 collection; it’s the first coat I reach for when the autumn chill comes. It’s a timeless piece which will always remain in my wardrobe.

COS Menswear Autumn 2016

By: Keanu Adorable

Dutch brand Scotch & Soda, invites us to take a journey across time and various locations for their Autumn Collection. Scotch & Soda referencing diverse locations that range from a small Norwegian village to the Highlands of Scotland. The collection was debuted during New York Fashion week earlier this year, and is now released in store and online.

Although Scotch & Soda has been around since the ‘80s as a menswear label, the Amsterdam based fashion brand made a new start in 2001, when three new owners joined their broad experience and shared love for making great garments. After Scotch & Soda was re-launched, new lines were gradually added, such as Maison Scotch for women, and Scotch Shrunk and Scotch R’Belle for kids. In late 2010, the first Scotch & Soda was launched by the name of BARFLY. Scotch’s youngest and most ambitious project is Amsterdams Blauw, a compact high profile denim collection.

A Nordic clash of old and new, the collection features military and outdoor gear, hi-tech sportswear, workwear, and smart/casual pieces. The pieces contain bold colours, patterns, and graphics that juxtapose rich hues, fair isles, and tartans.

With outerwear/knitwear at the collection’s core, varsity jackets, luxe sweatpants, dress shirts, cocktail blazers, and winter accessories give variation and depth. The collection utilises tweeds, wools, satins, velvets, and silks. Standout details from pieces are the mountaineering zips and clips, fringing, wind-proofing, and quilting.