CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 18/05/2016

Leader of the Pack – the Gents Pack

I’m sure you, like me, have very little time in your day particularly for you time and although integral items of our wardrobe, what lies beneath the sleek and often professional exterior of the clothes we wear to impress does not always reflect what our under layers convey. Wholey socks, underwear that has seen best days, the list goes on. Gentlemen let me introduce you to The Gents Pack – a brand new men’s subscription box service, delivering sterling examples of underwear, socks and grooming products direct to your door every month. The Gents Pack is aiming to spruce up the modern man. The service also has its own online store and are working with an exclusive, handpicked range of luxury and boutique brands such as Andrew Christian, Gregg Homme, Pantherella, Pringle Black Label and Happy Socks. The luxury packages arrive in the middle of each month as a ‘perk up’ just intime for pay day drinks down the pub.

Developed by entrepreneur James T Fletcher – an underwear aficionado who subscribed to a service which lacked any experience and product diversity – The Gents Pack is a men’s subscription service and ecommerce platform providing the contemporary man with the musthave clothing, accessories and grooming essentials. The new discovery service works in a similar way to curated clothing companies, whereby you tell the service how big you want your package to be, by choosing from the three options: underwear, socks and grooming. You then tell the club your sizes and any preferences you might have such as underwear cut, sock style, or the type of grooming products you’re interested in trying – or, if you’re a bit more daring, tick “mixed” to get a real surprise every month, woop!!!!

In addition to being a well deserved and much needed personal treat every month, The Gents Pack makes a brilliant gift for the well-groomed man in your life – perfect for the upcoming Father’s Day.

anthonymcgrath405 / 17/05/2016

Johnny’s Chop Shop – follicle licking good

What happens when two highly creative entrepreneurs from the field of Beauty and Mens Grooming put their heads together ? Well, simply, Johnny’s Chop Shop is the answer. A real break-through barbershop and male grooming brand. It’s the creation of hairdressing and beauty entrepreneurs Steven Ross and Miles Dunkley, Ross the creator and owner of the Tommy Guns chain which is still thriving after 20 years in two of London’s most fashionable locations -Soho and Shoreditch, He designed and created the interior’s for all his stores including the new Johnny’s Chop Shop flagship in London and Dunkley, the man behind the creation of some of the high street’s most directional fashion-led brands – Superdry Beauty, RUSH Hair, Zoella Beauty and Tanya Burr Cosmetics.

First launched in 2014 with a flagship salon at Topman’s Oxford Circus store, the vision was to give fashion conscious men honest, slick styles with attitude to match. All within a setting which fuses 1950s and 1960s retro style and memorabilia with contemporary trend – combining traditional methods with directional techniques.

Following the brand’s success, this fuelled the opening of a standalone flagship store on Marshall Street, part of the iconic Carnaby Street, London. Followed by a debut collection of grooming products launching into Boots and independent barbers.

Key products within the range include TRIGGER HAPPY Texturising Spray, A gritty, texturising salt spray which provides a rough and ready surfer look. SOUL BALM Face Balm – Day or Night Formula. A skin conditioning face balm that soothes and moisturises thirsty skin, specially formulated with a mattifier to reduce shine. Also doubles as a tattoo moisturiser to bring out vibrant colours. And WILD CAT Hair Sculpting Clay which promises a strong hold with a matte finish. Delivering a dishevelled and structured look with some serious welly and contains Beeswax and Sage Leaf Extract to condition and protect, with stimulating Black Pepper plus all products are Paraben free.

To accompany the launch there will be a digitally-led campaign that taps into an audience of image conscious and social media savvy males. ‘Johnny’s Chop Shop TV’ (a go-to men’s YouTube channel).

anthonymcgrath405 / 16/05/2016

A Different approach to dressing – SØRENSEN

We are currently seeing seismic chances in the stylish world of Fashion, no surprise there, some might say, that is the nature of the beast, trends come in and out of ‘Fashion’. However, these elements have nothing to do with cut of your jeans, the the number of buttons on your tailoring or particular shades of colours. These are much more complexed, not only are we seeing changes to the Fashion week schedules (more about that at a later date), we are seeing brands having to embrace, if not begrudgingly, sustainability and ethical consumerism (lots more about that later). Plus a movement we are seeing far more of is gender neutral ranges everyone from Zara to Valentino are jumping on this stylish train, with some achieving success more than others. One such new brand who are doing this really rather well is SØRENSEN.

Their unique stance is based on a simple observation that most men, and a lot of women, too, are turned off by trends and the hype that surrounds them but want to ensure they look, and feel, their best. Created by Wayne Sørensen, formerly design director of Orlebar Brown, who was reluctant to offer yet another fashion collection. It was the work ethic of, an initial, six core archetypes (with more to follow) to offer an updated approach to style based around these six characters that then inspired the framework for a quieter more discrete approach to dressing.

These Archetypes are Driver, Engineer, Painter, Dancer, Officer and Butcher, the collection fuses manufacturing and styling references researched on historic workwear garments with personal items from Sørensen’s own archive, as well as key collaborative input from professionals currently working in each of the industries paid tribute to. Every piece has been designed to work with and into an existing wardrobe – connecting the owner to an uncomplicated way to dress.

anthonymcgrath405 / 13/05/2016

Sun’s Out Fun’s Out – Boardies

Have you sorted out your Summer holidays yet ? Is a party filled, late night, sleep by the pool sort of affair ? A chic city break hanging out at the poolside of the hippest of Hotels ? Or a sedate family gathering where your catching up on sleep while your offspring cause havoc at kids club ? Wherever your celebrating the hedonistic party spirit around the world, from LA pool parties in the Hollywood hills to full moon beach parties in Koh Samui and the all day clubs of Ibiza, we have the perfect attire that will see you seamlessly from pool to bar and back again. Boardies are designed for party goers who like to have fun and express their individuality.

Taking inspiration from the decade of Partying, the 90’s, with strong vibrant colours, playful abstract prints and references to the Ibiza party scene. Which is reflected in their philosophy to endorse and work with real people who do real things, for example the models in their Ibiza photoshoot all live in Ibiza, work (play) in Ibiza, as DJ’s, promotors or general party goers. Their exclusive hand drawn designs are printed on super quick dry quality fabrics for your comfort and style.

Boardies shorts come in 3 lengths; Shortie, Mid and Long in over 30 colours and prints and although based in London, the team, who have extensive fashion experience, pride themselves on pushing the boundaries of design innovation, quality and creativity, by travelling the world in search of cool designs and patterns.

anthonymcgrath405 / 12/05/2016

Washbag Wishlist – Dan Rookwood, MRPORTER.com

The dapper, and football obsessed, subject of today’s Washbag Wishlist, Dan Rookwood, has an enviable international resume, not only did he study at Cambridge University, where he won the prestigious Student Journalist of the Year. But his past titles include, Editor of Time Out Sydney, Columist for ES Managzine, Style Director of Mens Health UK where he co-wrote the Men’s Health book ‘Build a Cover Model Body’, having twice been a Men’s Health cover model and now he is well and truly an Englishman in New York as U.S. Editor of MRPORTER‘s weekly Journal. We asked Dan what his must have, can’t live without grooming product was, which his answer is;

“Whether stuck on a desert island or on a longhaul flight, or perhaps shaking off a heavy night or preparing to go out for one, the main thing that makes me feel refreshed and ready is brushing my teeth. I could be a bit OCD about this because I brush several times a day using this game-changing Foreo electric toothbrush. But assuming there’s no USB charger or indeed a dentist on my desert island, I’ll make my grooming essential an everlasting supply of Marvis Whitening Toothpaste. Minty fresh.”

Foreo has reworked its innovative ‘Issa’ toothbrush with this ‘Hybrid’ version. The addition of PBT polymer bristles helps brush away heavier plaque build-up without sacrificing the anti-bacterial appeal of the silicone fabrication. Gentle on teeth and gums, it has an adjustable eight-speed interface that allows for effective cleaning, while the pulsating stimulates blood flow to improve the health and appearance of gums.

Marvis’ toothpaste is packaged in an apothecary tube and made in Florence, Italy, where the brand has been a trusted favourite for generations. Designed specifically to freshen breath and whiten teeth, this cool mint-flavoured formula is just what you need for a mega-watt smile.

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