CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

To put it mildly Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is a busy man, not only is the phenomenally popular Sports panel Show ‘A League of their Own’, he shares with James Corden, Jamie Redknapp and Jack Whitehall back for season 10 early next year. While his new BBC series, ‘Special Forces-Ultimate Hell Week’, clue is in the name there, sees 29 of the UK’s fittest men and women pushed beyond their mental and physical limits by battle-hardened veterans from the world’s toughest special forces in the ultimate endurance challenge. Plus, we’re gonna see him team up with National Treasure Davina McCall for a new 21st Century take on a darts-based game show on Sky 1, called ‘One Hundred and Eighty’. Phew, and if that wasn’t enough, after being crowded King of the Jungle last year on the Australian version of ‘I’m a Celebrity get me out of here’, he has numerous TV commitments over there.

Yep there is no questioning that Freddie is no Idle man. If all that wasn’t time consuming enough, he also manages to design a range for Bricks and Clicks Menwear Retailer Jacamo. Now entering its 8th season, Flintoff is hoping that his collection performs as well as the Spring/Summer range which saw sales for it, up 15% on the year before, impressive.

As Freddie’s style has evolving over the years, the latest collection is a true reflection of his own wardrobe, incorporating wool and tweed blazers as well as a selection of chunky and fine knitwear.

Staying true to his simple approach to fashion, it also includes wardrobe favourites such as polo shirts, slim cut jeans and a versatile military inspired jacket.

The most stand-out piece is the 007 inspired slim cut classic black tuxedo, just in time for the October release of Spectre.

Freddie explained when we caught up with him, “Working on this range with Jacamo I’ve really realised how much of a positive impact dressing well can have on confidence. I’ve always liked to play it safe with fashion, but I think I got in the habit of sticking to what I know without being open to try out new things…even if it’s just a different colour.

“As much as I love dressing casual, there’s certain times in every man’s life when you should smarten up.” Good advice Mr Flintoff, we couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

If you could’ve invented anything, what would it be?

Anything? The wheel, the telephone, I’d like to invent time travel. So I could go back in time

Where would you go?

I’d go to prehistoric times, before people

What is your biggest regret?

The one thing I should have done, was I should have given my mum and dad two tickets to Buckingham Palace to see me get my MBE. But I only used one ticket. I just took my wife. I was a bit embarrassed by all of it.

What would be the one piece of clothing you would rescue from your home in the event of a fire?

Underpants. Otherwise I’d be naked outside waiting for the fire brigade! But I like jeans; I’d get some jeans.

But you only have one choice; don’t you have one favourite piece of clothing?

Well, you know what I’d probably rescue my England cap. Even though it’s not something you would wear but I’d rescue my England cap.

Who is your style icon?

I don’t really have a style icon. I look at people and think, “you’re smartly dressed”. But I quite like the way Will.I.Am dresses. Cause he wears what he wants, I think there’s a lot of sense in that. You dress to satisfy yourself.

Tell us something no one else knows about you ?

I like bacon, I also like Victoria Sponge. classic, cream and strawberries.

Can you tie a bowtie?

F: No, I don’t think I’ve ever worn a bowtie. Even if I go to a black-tie event I’d just wear a black tie. I’ve never really worn a bowtie.

What piece of style advice do you live by?

For me, it’s about feeling comfy in what you wear. Both as a fit and also when you’re going out, there’s nothing worse than going out thinking “I’m not sure about this outfit”

What piece of clothing should every man have in his wardrobe?

A blue jumper, a blue V-neck jumper. I like them. I like blue. It’s my favourite colour to wear. So blue V-neck jumper.

Have you ever bought a piece of clothing and regretted it?

I bought an Armani jacket. It was a fortune was well, it was shiny. My mate said it was nice. And I went out and he just ridiculed me all night. Never wore it again.

What are going to do after this conversation?

I’m going to jump in a car, to film ‘ A League of Their Own’

What do you wish you were doing after this conversation?

I wish I could go home. Just going home and spend the day with the family.

What piece of clothing best describes you?

My slippers. The old comfy, relaxed, lived in slippers.

Who would your ideal dinner guests be?

Elvis, I love Elvis. My mate Paddy, cause he’s my mate. Many people from music, Sinatra. Sachin Tendulkar as well.

Chivas Regal‘s annual ‘Made for Gentlemen’ co-creation series of limited editions with modern British craftspeople has been announced. In this latest instalment, Chivas 12 and Globe-Trotter have collaborated on a luxurious new range of designs that comprises three key pieces, including the perfect Steamer Trunk for collectors and aspiring 007’s alike!

A very special Steamer Trunk incorporating a mini bar and secret compartments. Proceeds of the first sale from 5th October (retailing at £12,000) will be donated to the Prince’s Trust and then the Globe-Trotter design, which incorporates materials key to Scotch whisky making, will be available for bespoke orders
The distinctive and vibrant Chivas 12 ‘Made for Gentlemen’ by Globe-Trotter limited edition gift tin will roll out to 60 markets worldwide, including Travel Retail
The new 20 inch Carry On Case is the first time Globe-Trotter has offered size and aesthetic and will neatly fit all aeroplane overhead compartments.

All three unique pieces, only available until the end of 2015, are passports to international contemporary style informed with traditional artisan skills.

Founded in 1897, by David Nelken in Saxony Germany, Globe-Trotter products are style icons adopted by discerning purveyors of traditional craftsmanship and a timeless aesthetic.

Globe-Trotter cases have been used over the last 117 years by an enviable client list. Captain Robert Falcon Scott travelled with Globe-Trotter on the infamous Antarctic expedition in 1912. Sir Winston Churchill used a Globe-Trotter Dispatch Case while he was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1924.

HM Queen Elizabeth II chose Globe-Trotter for her honeymoon luggage in 1947 (and continues to use her cases to this day). Sir Edmund Hilary ascended to first base camp with Globe-Trotter during his conquest of Everest in 1953.

Each case is uniquely constructed from vulcanised fibreboard; a special material invented in Britain during the 1850’s comprising multiple layers of bonded paper. Handles are produced by an expert leather team who also form the iconic Globe-Trotter corners over a period of five days on antique Victorian presses.

Renowned for handcrafting luxury suitcases and leather goods, Globe-Trotter has partnered with Chivas to design an exciting series of three collectibles for the whisky connoisseur and world traveller – the Chivas 12 ‘Made for Gentlemen’ by Globe-Trotter limited edition gift tin, a limited run of Chivas 12 ‘Made for Gentlemen’ by Globe-Trotter 20 inch Carry-on Cases and a Chivas 12 ‘Made for Gentlemen’ by Globe-Trotter Steamer Trunk.

The Chivas 12 ‘Made for Gentlemen’ by Globe-Trotter limited edition gift tin houses a bottle of Chivas 12 blended Scotch whisky and showcases a vibrant tale of international travel. Inspired by the tradition of applying stickers onto one’s luggage to proudly showcase destinations visited, bespoke luggage stickers were hand-drawn by the British illustrator Andrew Davidson to celebrate iconic cities and adorn the contemporary tin design.

A first from Globe-Trotter, the Chivas 12 ‘Made for Gentlemen’ Carry-On Case is a 20 inch trolley case that has been crafted to suit the needs of the busy modern gentleman on short haul business trips and city breaks. Created to be stowed in the flight cabin of all international airlines, the 20 inch trolley case features a customised lining that elegantly intertwines a never-seen-before Globe-Trotter archive design with the Chivas iconic signifier. The sturdy, burgundy, vulcanised fibreboard case also features wooden handles, brushed brass hardware and an internal leather plaque to mark the collaboration for posterity.

Presenting a beautifully crafted mini bar with mirrored back for serving Chivas Regal Scotch whisky, the steamer trunk features specially created compartments for shoes, a drawer to hold up to eight watches, leather covered hangers to hold pristine suits, all against the backdrop of a bespoke lining that marries the semiotics of both modern heritage brands. American white oak trimmed drawers have been handmade to honour the oak casks essential to Chivas Regal 12YO’s rich complexity and a hand engraved copper plaque made from a retired Scotch whisky still assures its authenticity.

If if you haven’t yet heard of New York Dynamic Design Duo Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, that will definitely soon change. One of the up-and-coming conspirators in the new wave of young irreverent American menswear designers, their brand Public School, blends high and low references from fashion, music, and art to create a point of view that is both unique and precisely detailed. Represent the convergence and restless energy of New York city in which they live and work. So much so last year they were appointment Creative Directors of the eponymous New York Super brand DKNY.

Growing up, both Chow and Osborne attended public school in New York City, which had a huge influence on their lives and individual take of style. This season they have collaborated with TUMI to create a six piece collection encompassing both brand philosophies of high-quality design that brings its customers functional superiority and technical innovation. Each travel piece will prominently feature the PUBLIC SCHOOL design aesthetic, including the monochromatic color scheme of which the label is known for.

The range includes a 21” carry-on and 24” check-in wheeled bag, travel satchel, backpack, day tote and dopp kit. The wheeled pieces are crafted from TUMI’s own Tegris material in Black Graphite with a laser-cut netting overlay, creating a weave pattern effect on the exterior of the cases. The overlay of materials is based on an architectural idea of mimicking the weave of a garment and applying it to manmade material. This pattern, featured throughout the collection, is infused into the hardware and luggage tags of the day bags and accessories, as well as the 2-D effect on the bottom of the travel satchel. Nylon and leather are incorporated into the day bags and dopp kit, while the tote, described by the PUBLIC SCHOOL duo as the ‘quintessential bag’ was designed in leather and suede. PUBLIC SCHOOL drew inspiration and energy from their hometown of New York City, and have injected it into the collaborative collection.

Each piece in the collection bears a “PUBLIC SCHOOL x TUMI” embossed story patch on the interior lining as well as a rubber tassel inspired by the key chains and “strings” that hung from the designers’ backpacks in high school.

Please forgive me if you think I’m going to use this post as an opportunity to lambast one of the finest examples of footwear, not just male footwear, ever created on God’s fine Earth. However, the upstanding and honest to goodness Brogue has been around now for some 200 years and although it doesn’t look its age and you have no intentions of trading them in, you may be wanting to find another alternative to add to your versatile shoe ensemble.

In answer to this cobbling dilemma, the excellent purveyor of fine footwear Grenson for this season are offering up with an outstanding substitution. The Grover, never to be mistaken for the popular furry blue Muppet who frequents Sesame Street. No this is an iconic style that is the popular shoe of choice with the dapper and stylish chaps of France, but strangely has never been in part of the Grenson collection before, or in fact caught on to any extent this side of the channel. Sometimes known as a Chasse in France or a Y-tip in Japan, see you do learn something new every single day, due to the signature detail of this design classic and a short hand sewn apron and toe seam. Grover is the boot version on a solid rubber commando sole and a chunky split welt, in country grain leather. Then we have the Percy, the traditional shoe version.

Is there no end to Patrick Grant’s main talents, ? He’s already enthralled us with his tailoring skills through his Norton & Son and E.Tautz Ranges, entertained us with his presenting skills on the Great British Sewing Bee and then blown the competition out of the water with his Hammond & Co range for High Street Retailer Debenhams. So what next then ?

Well he’s only gone and showed off a little more by extending the product categories of Hammond & Co to include a Grooming range and a Timepieces collection, and do you know what, their actually really rather blooming good.

Originally launched in Autumn 2013 Hammond & Co offers sartorial styling, sharp separates and luxury accessories for men with an inherent sense of style. Now the Hammond &Co watch collection takes inspiration from the opulent vintage and heritage military watches of the mid-20th century. Presented in a classic palette of navy, tan and black with well-worn finishes, dials are off-white. Smokey hues and printed markings soften designs giving a warm vintage feel.

The 25 piece collection builds on the popularity of the Hammond &Co brand with a luxurious yet affordable range from £100 to £140. Designer Patrick Grant says of his new brand extention, “In the words of William Shakespeare, ‘better three hours too soon than a minute too late’. At Hammond &Co we believe punctuality should be part of every gentlemans being. I also believe that he should turn up looking the part, so my first watch collection spans the formal to the sporting, practical and stylish whatever the occasion.”

Now then, Mr Grant is particularly well known for his dapper and well turned out appearance in every facet of his satorial being. So it comes as no surprise that he’s launching a grooming range for this forthcoming season. The fragrance is clean and crisp with a heart of cedarwood, citrus and botanicals. In Grant’s own words, “The Hammond & Co fragrance is fresh and crisp with woody, spice and citrus notes making it a perfect year round gentleman’s staple.”

The grooming collection includes; Eau De Toilette; Face & Body Scrub set £15; Wash Bag with Body Wash, Shave Gel and Face & Body Lotion £18; and a Travel Bag with Face & Body Lotion and Shave Gel. The Hammond & Co by Patrick Grant Fragrance collection is available in 50 Debenhams stores nationwide and online from 19th October 2015. Whereas the watch collection is available from September. All in times for those all important Present lists, notice I didn’t say the ‘C’ word, yet.

CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Textual Conversation – Freddie Flintoff

Everything a gentleman with a licence to kill may need – Chivas ‘Made for Gentlemen’ by Globe-Trotter collectibles

A better Class of Education – Public School X Tumi

Sick of your old faithful Brogues ? Grenson have the answer for you !

Many strings to his bow ? Hammond & Co launch Grooming & Watch ranges

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