I couldn’t say it any other way – Miansai

imageNow I have to say I’m not big on Mens jewellery, I love a good watch and am lucky enough to possess a couple. I wear my wedding ring with pride and I cherish my late Father’s signet ring above my own life. Occasionally, I might wear a bracelet if I’m drawn to it, in a bit of a Magpie moment, now this is where Miansai came in.

Miansai, pronounced my-ahn-sigh, has a great back story to it, basically, founder, former Model, Michael Saiger was watching his girlfriend make a necklace one night, when things started to get a little too competitive. Picture the scene, Micheal:”What you doin ?” Girlfriend:”Making a necklace, leave me alone.”  Micheal: “That’s Horrible!” Girlfriend: “Well lets see you do better!?!” We’ve all been there, yes things get out of hand and it gets far too competitive.

Well, who’ve have known it Michael was right his resulting bracelet, an empty bullet case strung on a leather cord went down a storm at the University of Miami, where he was studying. Well that was 2008, since then Micheal has managed to turn his vision into a timeless and tasteful lifestyle brand that is sought after across the globe by style conscious men and women alike. With a healthy retail presence in over 36 countries, and the recent opening of its’ retail flagship in New York’s esteemed Soho neighbourhood.

The brand have invested in their own machinery and tools which allow them to produce on a consistent basis with care and craftsmanship. From drawing sketches to creating molds, melting metals and final assembly, every piece of jewelry the brand releases is conceptualised and created in-house. The brand has over 30 skilled craftsman and artisans on staff who are fixated on quality and perfection who work on their now established nautical aesthetic,

Icon by an Icon – Icon the new Fragrance by Alfred Dunhill

imageAlfred Dunhill is a luxury house that has seen many changed in its illustrious 122 year history, the latest being the launch of the new fragrance ICON. The signature masculine scent marks the beginning of a new and exciting era for dunhill’s fragrance category. Taking inspiration from the evocative world of British motoring design the fragrance is designed with a new generation of global consumers in mind. ICON is positioned to have an integrally refined style that reflects the dunhill ethos of a self-assured, sophisticated urban gentleman.

The driving force behind this, and many more smart and adventurous advances is John Ray, with his arrival in 2012 as Creative Director, Ray heralded a renewed sense of creativity for the heritage brand. Continuing the journey to refine the very essence of British men’s style it is John’s aim to let the world rediscover the house of Dunhill’s rich history of quality and quintessentially British take on masculine style. The ICON fragrance encapsulates this long-standing commitment to innovation. Through the use of iconic design and exceptional ingredients Dunhill have created a product that reflects the core brand values of Alfred Dunhill, a quintessential British pioneer, obsessed with detail and fanatical about quality, craftsmanship and original thinking.

ICON is an audacious, stylish scent. A future classic of the perfumer’s art, ICON has been conceptualised by Master Perfumer, Carlos Benaim. Ingredients gathered from the mythical travels of the dunhill man, a worldly sophisticated traveller, the smell exotic and distinctive. ICON opens with the ultimate blend of rare and expensive ingredients. Sleek top notes of Italian Bergamot and Neroli Absolute intertwine with a racy black pepper, fusing the mid-notes of cardamom and Lavender de Provence to add a unique twist of masculinity. At the base, revel in the beguiling warmth of smokey Oud wood, and an Oris-leather accord, alluring in depth blended with earthy Vetiver and a hint of oak moss melding, into an Iconic signature scent.

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Make sure your in the driving seat – The Driving shoe

image It may come as a surprise to you but Spring is here already and as the weather is getting warmer, hopefully, we start asking again: what shoes am I wearing today? Rather then automatically reaching for those heavy winter boots with a sensible sole and in a muted tone of black or brown if we are feeling adventurous.  No it’s starting, gradually to get warmer and so, are choice is ever expanding, trainers, not to the office, Oxfords, Yeah a little too formal, sandals, OK don’t push it. What about a driving shoe !

imageThe perfect solution for a casual or more formal outfit setting and options to fit any budget from luxury to watching the pennies. Originally, conceived in 1963 when the Italian Ministry of Industry and Trade awarded Gianni Mostile the patent for an absolutely innovative model of shoe, a moccasin with uppers perforated with rubber studs.

imageOver the years fans of this style of footwear have included John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Brad Pitt, David Beckhan and Kayne West. A brand who hit many of the key targets when looking for a pair of shoes of this nature are J Shoes. Established in 1996 in the heart of rural England. Inspired by the locality of traditional English shoemaking, the brand was created by two brothers who saw a need in the men’s fashion industry for good quality casual footwear. Since then the brand have evolved and continued to produce high quality products, never chasing trends but always loyal to the brands values of British heritage, traditional craftsmanship, modern design and independent style. With a big range of driving shoes, you will find the colour that matches your daily outfit, you will be satisfied and in a great summery mood, before you even know it.

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Hancock’s Half hour – Hancock X Converse

imageBritain can boast being responsible for many things, Fish & Chips, the Computer, the telephone, the light bulb, the Television the list literally goes on and on. But one which might not automatically spring to mind is Waterproof fabrics and yet how essentially to our lives, particularly at this time of year is it ? OK then, starter for ten, What was the name of the inventor of Waterproof Fabrics ????

The answer is Thomas Hancock, who was an English inventor who founded the British rubber industry. He trained as a cabinet-maker and in 1815 Hancock is recorded as being in partnership with his brother Walter in London as a coach-builder. Hancock’s interest in rubber seems to have originated from a desire to make waterproof fabrics to protect the passengers on his coaches.

Hancock experimented with rubber solutions and in 1825 patented a process of making artificial leather using rubber solution and a variety of fibres. His choice of solvents, coal oil and turpentine was probably influenced by Charles Macintosh’s 1823 patent. In the same year he began working with Macintosh to manufacture his “double textured” fabric. So on 21 November 1843, Hancock took out a patent for the vulcanisation of rubber using sulphur, 8 weeks before Charles Goodyear in the US (30 January 1844).image

Jump foward nearly two hundred years, give or take and Daniel Dunko, who previously owned Mackintosh, until he sold it to a Japanese firm in 2007, and was then looking for a new challenge to inspire him. Dunko in 2012, joined forces with Gary Bott, who he had worked with in turning the fortunes around on Mackintosh. Together they created the Hancock brand through historical research and discovery of a Personal Narrative written by Thomas Hancock in 1856.

In June 2012, Hancock launched to a global audience and international markets were opened with stockists including Barneys New York, Beams, United Arrows, Tomorrowland,La Rinascente and Mr Porter. Following this official launch, Hancock began discussions with Converse regarding a new partnership.

imageThe fruits of this labour,  are the all-new Converse Jack Purcell x Hancock Wetland sneaker. With a water-repellent galosh-inspired upper, the Shoe provides a sleek and stylish way to protect your feet from all-weather wear.

Built with weather protection in mind, the Converse Jack Purcell x Hancock Wetland sneaker’s upper is partially covered in Hancock’s signature Mastic Grey rubber to ensure water-repellence. With the added benefit of a dual layer vulcanized textile for added warmth, the weatherized sneaker is designed to brave the elements. The sneaker’s upper, inspired by Thomas Hancock’s original patent, also features a subtle zipper closure that allows for customizable wear.

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Alexander the DATE – Savage Beauty, The Alexander McQueen Exhibition at the V&A by Alice Whewell

imageThe widely anticipated Alexander McQueen:  Savage Beauty exhibition has returned home to London.  This major retrospective hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum in partnership with Swarovski celebrates the iconic GENIUS of (Lee) Alexander McQueen and honours the designer’s love of the animal world, ancestry and his exploration of tailoring traditional practices.

This vast V&A exhibition provides the prefect date location, treating viewers to an embellished journey through McQueen’s raw creativity in the London years, transporting you from the shockingly beautiful to the Romantic Naturalism.  Savage Beauty showcases McQueen’s signature silhouettes housed in stunning gothic sets in brooding blacks and golds, accented by his East London tones which can be heard as you pass through the space.

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Savage Beauty is a celebration of the most imaginative and talented designer of our time.  Lee was a genius and a try visionary who pushed boundaries, challenged and inspired’.

Sarah Burton, Creative Director Alexander McQueen.

The heart of the exhibition lies within the cabinet of Curiosities located in the double heighted gallery is home to an array of revolving accessories and 120 garments interspersed with catwalk footage from a rich collection archive.  This part of the exhibition has been expanded since the New York exhibition in the Met.  This space provides a complete sensory experiences showcasing McQueen’s passion for collaborative creations new design innovations, with the use of industrial machinery and holographic technologies. This is no girly night out, this offers something for everyone with a modicum of taste and is testament to McQueen’s genius status. This man was able to transcend the worlds of Art, Fashion, Design with ease and question the perception of beauty and what defines it so simply.

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The Collection at the V&A never fails to intrigue and inspire me.  The nation is privileged to have access to such a resource… it’s the sort of place I’d like to be shut in overnight’.

Alexander McQueen

For a spontaneous night at the museum, visit Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Victoria and Albert Museum, until August 2 2015.

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