CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Textual Conversations – Helena Christensen

imagePhotographer, Mother, Creative Director, Chesse lover, Actor, philanthropist, former Miss Denmark, errrr perfume bottle collector, ohhh yeah and iconic, original, Super-est Supermodel. Helena Christensen burst onto the Fashion scene and into our life’s, and hearts, back in 1989 when she was discovered by photographer Friedemann Hauss, who instinctively knew that Helena was a ‘natural’ in terms of modeling ability. She has gone on to appear in campaigns for brands as diverse as Revlon, Chanel, Victoria’s Secret, Versace, Agent Provocateur, Prada, Hermes, Valentino, and Debenhams amongst many.

Many accolades, labels and musings have been made about Ms Christensen over the years including designer, Gianni Versace who once described her as having, “the most beautiful body in the world.” And Frank DeCaro of The New York Times cited Christensen, along with Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer as “The Magnificent Seven”. DeCaro reflected, “Known by their first names to legions of fans, they are the legends of the modern catwalk, the girl next door pretty underneath all the paint

Speaking in her inimitable and grand understated way about her famous catwalk figure, Helena claims; “I have a bit here and a bit there. Or as we say in Denmark, something to the courtyard and something to the street.”

We caught up with the timeless, AGELESS beauty, where I managed to hold it together long enough to get her to answer the following questions.

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Best piece of advise you’ve ever been given and by whom?

Anything Piet Hein, the Danish philosopher has written in his little books of wisdom is the best advice ever.

What track would always get you on the dance floor ?

Anything by Depeche Mode

What are you most excited about at the moment ?

The ocean up in the north of Denmark, where little sand islands form in the water late afternoon and I go out there and lay on a towel and look up in the sky and ponder.

Helena and a couple of gal-pals including Alek Wek and Miranda Kerr

Helena and a couple of gal-pals including Alek Wek and Miranda Kerr

What music are you listening to at the moment ?

Right now Chet Baker, but also really digging the Weeknd, Future Island, Stina Nordenstam, Oh Land and still come out songs by Banks and Steelz.

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

Tsumori Chisato, because ther are no limits to the fantastical prints, colours and designs in her collections and this is where most other brands get scared.

Helena in the iconic Agent Provocateur campaign

Helena in the iconic Agent Provocateur campaign

If you could live anywhere where would it be ?

I love living in NYC and I love spending time in my birth town of Copenhagen, but I would love to try to live half a year in the following places: Sydney, New Orleans, Venice, Reykjavik, Tokyo…

Favourite hotel in the world ?

Colombe d’Or in Saint Paul des Vences.

A girl gang, most of us would like to join

A girl gang, most of us would like to join

If you could give your teenage self advice, what would it be ?

Appreciate all you have at any given moment and be excited for all that is yet to come.

Favourite photographer you’ve worked with ?

I have enjoyed working with so many amazing and inspiring photographers but I had a very special friendship with Herb Ritts and Peter Lindbergh and Irving Penn justblew my mind away.

Who would do you ideal diner guests ?

JF Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Francoise Sagan, Leonardo da Vinci, Piet Hein, Hilma af Klint, Picasso, Chagall, Charles Darwen, my boyfriend Paul and my son Mingus. This would be a very very very cool ensemble for an interesting dinner. Maybe throw in a wonderful chef as well…

imageWhat piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe ?

A big soft wool sweater and a pair of long woolen socks.

What piece of clothing would you relegate to Room 101?

On some days my phone and computer… it would be utterly wonderful to exist without. But on most days probably not, so let go with slugs and mosquitos and every dictator that has ever existed. Slimy irritating and pure evil.

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Fitness isn’t just about the body – FIT Grooming range

imageOne thing every man should always remember is, his skin is the first thing somebody notices about him. Not his eyes, nose, voice or hair, but his skin,  so take good care of yours with FIT Skincare. This premium range of high-tech, natural grooming solutions is formulated specifically for men and the individual needs of their skin – delivering high performance skin and hair care. This is achieved by combining advanced formulated technologies and cutting edge active ingredients.
18 months in development, the team behind FIT Moisturising Ultra Serum, joins the line up and is formulated to treat and care for all types of male skin. FIT serums and ultra serums combine multi-benefit active ingredients with natural biological and marine extracts, vitamins and minerals. Complimentary, easy to use, quickly absorbed and non greasy are all key components in FIT products, plus they contain no harsh preservatives, parabens or SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) and are formulated and manufactured in the UK.
The active ingreidents and essentially the power behind the range, is OXY-FIT-10, a unique oxygen delivery system that boosts skin cell respiration to increase cell regeneration and ensures targeted delivery of nutrients for maximum benefits.

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The Best Bags about right now by Peter Jones

It’s slowly getting to that point where the mornings are getting darker, the commute is getting longer, and your old bag is becoming less and less stylish. Of course a bag’s soulful purpose is to carry Your possessions, from trash to treasure. However, we all want to look great in the process.  We present to you today a handful of the best bags about right now to carry you through Autumn.

This stylish tote by Givenchy is the menswear answer to its sister bag, the Antigona’ tote, ask your girlfriend.Maybe this isn’t the every bag, however if your after just adding to your already impressive bag collection the ‘Lucrezia’ definitely gives a lot of personality and can liven up any drab suit. The polka dot definitely give this bag a the extra edge and is guaranteed to turn some heads on the tube.

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At a completely opposite side of the price spectrum, nonetheless, still looking every bit as stylish, we have ZARA’s office back pack. This leather look back pack looks slick and manages to find the perfect balance between formal and cool.

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On the topic of back packs. Differentiating itself from the office back pack Paul Smith have of course made sure the bag has a lot more sustainability by being ‘crafted from black cotton-blend twill with leather trims’. Creating a sleek finish.

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If your a bit of a maverick and don’t want to conform to your traditional tote. Then you should Tote-ally (sorry) go for this Fendi Bug bag, designed by, of course, Karl Largafeild.

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Teal may not be your first point of call when looking for a new bag however the colour adds a bit more personality and POW to your everyday wear. Surprisingly Teal compliments more colours then you would of initially thought, with the crocodile effect creating a masculine edge, well done ASOS.

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Its common knowledge most women love a Mulberry bag, and finally, with this geometric camo print, us guys can finally jump on the band wagon too. This Canvas bag is ideal for the everyday. Allowing a lot of extra space for papers books and whatever other things you have crammed into your bag. The combination of blues and navy, with a sharp silhouette allow you to look smart and on trend in the process.

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Molto Bene – Fiorentini+Baker and Ducati

imageWell the flip flops are well and truly put away for another year, the desire for more sensible and, frankly, warmer footwear comes to mind and let’s face it you’re certainly not going to get cold wearing these bad boys.

The coming together of these two Italian brands, is the best thing since Pasta was mixed with bolognese sauce. Ducati, the epitome of sexy Italian motor cycle engineering for nearly 90 years and Fiorentini+Baker, founded in 2001 by British designer Deborah Baker in partnership with interior designer Paolo Fiorentini.

imageThis new collaborative range brings together the very best of the two brands, it presents seven models for men and women consisting of five pairs of boots of different heights and two pairs of sneakers. The collection displays a perfect union between the iconic styles for which the shoe brand has become synonymous, while further creating a classic motorcycle boot which is tough and enduring: the upper boot features the typical and classic bolster tip, combined with lateral buckles that ensure these boots are not only stylish but hard-wearing essential biking equipment.

Materials used for the collaboration are typical of the Fiorentini+Baker label, natural leathers, brushed and grease treated to highlight the traditional and artisan hand finishing techniques used by the brand. To craft the collection, Ducati opened its archives to the Fiorentini+Baker creative team, so that they could feel the story of the Italian motorcycle brand and inspire its own interpretation, resulting in a collection that combines the classic motorcycle design with the vintage feel that is at the very heart of the shoe brand.

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Ask the Experts – Top Autumn Buys

The weather mightn’t know what to do with itself at the moment, but one thing’s for sure, there’s certainly an Autumnal nip to the air and things are only going to get colder. Nevertheless, console youself in the fact that it’s the season to wrap up, layer up and spend some of your hard earned cash on some top quality premium High Street apparel. We are spoilt for choice whether that be from our own Great British brands or from further a field so we have consulted some of the finest leaders of these well respected retailers to tell us THEIR favourite, must have piece for the coming Autumn/Winter season.

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Jane Shepherdson, WHISTLES CEO

“If I had to pick my favourite piece from our autumn/winter 2015 menswear collection, it would be the camel textured Crombie. It’s made from a premium double faced wool , it retains warmth and is unlined making it the perfect coat to wear with layers. The Crombie is a classic , it transcends seasons so is a good wardrobe staple.”

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John Mooney , Menswear Design Director, Asos

“I’ve picked our ‘wool flannel panelled shirt’….. Yeah quite a mouthful.
To be honest I’ve selected the whole look…… the whole co-ords thing seems to be going from strength to strength and for what we thought would die-out as a high summer [poolside/ beach] trend still has gravitas in autumn and winter. Also I know grey is hardly a giant leap away from Black but, although we’ve enjoyed it all, black is becoming a touch dull….. So in ‘massive’ contrast I’ve gone for…… Grey. Ha!
The shirt is beautiful though, french fronted with mini collar, very versatile and yes would also work with those black jeans you;ve already got in your wardrobe… it’s also a nod towards the softer tones and textures we’re excited to see for s/s 16.”
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Frances Walker, Design Director, Jigsaw Menswear

“This is a characteristic tweed with a salt & pepper colouring style. Normal tweeds are woven from single yarns, but Thornproof tweed is made from 2-fold twisted yarns producing a durable and impenetrable cloth – hence “thorn-proof.

We work with Abraham Moon consistently and this dark grey/black mouline (salt and peppery) effect of the fabric feels very contemporary and so right for now. It feels like a twist on tradition to use the fabric for a contemporary fit on a double-breasted suit.

The suit is a half-canvas construction like all Jigsaw men’s suits, and crafted in Portugal with functioning cuffs, and detailing (pick stitch) inside and out, and real horn buttons. As a suit it can be worn together, but is also great as a separate trouser worn with our double-breasted textured black overcoat, our classic merino rib roll neck and our Sanders black shiny boots.”

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imageMartin Anderson, Head of Menswear Design, COS

“This is the coat we think every man should have in his wardrobe – a timeless classic, elegant and paired down essential. This season we are offering it in navy and this shade of light camel”.

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imageMichael Anderson, Vice President, Men’s Product and Design, Banana Republic

“Love our super soft blown lambs wool captains coat. Double breasted with a tailored feel, it’s a blazer that acts as an outerwear piece, a must have.”

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imageGordon Richardson, TOPMAN Creative Director

‘Selvedge denim can be really hard to find on the high-street but we now have a really strong collection in various washes. My favourite and pick for the season are this raw denim pair in our new shape for the season – the standard fit.’

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