CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 20/03/2015

Join the Blackout – New Balance’s Blackout Squad

New Balance Football has officially launched its Blackout Squad competition in association with prodirectsoccer.com , offering amateur players around the UK the chance to become part of a select group to trial New Balance Football boots, just as the brand’s global professional player ambassadors do. The sign-up stage begining NOW and closing on 6th April 2015.

Inspired by the practice of pro-footballers trialling blacked out boots when testing new product, 60 competition winners will be the first members of public in the UK to get their hands on the highly sought-after New Balance boots.
To earn a place on the Blackout Squad applicants will be simply asked to share their views on everything New Balance Football through their social networks. Those chosen as part of the squad will receive new product drops throughout the 2015/16 season in the latest colourways before they hit the shelves.
New Balance’s squad of professional players is backing the scheme, encouraging amateur players around the UK to enter. New Balance sponsored player and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany added, “This is a really unique chance for players around the world who are passionate about football to be part of something very different. The competition is for players who believe they can stand out from the rest and are ready to become leaders amongst their teammates. I have never seen this sort of competition before where so many amateur players get the chance to trial boots before they are even on sale! It’s a fantastic opportunity and really is a ‘money can’t buy’ prize.”

anthonymcgrath405 / 17/03/2015

Ground Control to Major Tom – Tom Joule – Textual Conversation

Once upon a time in the Great British Countryside a man had a dream. The time was the late 1980’s, the man, is, Tom Joule and his dream was to establish a brand renowned for selling well made, colourful, country inspired, aspirational clothing for all the family.

Tom learnt his trade quickly, selling branded country life apparel at shows and events around Britain, his stall fast became the go-to destination for the discerning customers. In 1999, seeing a gap in the market for a design lead, country inspired, quality clothing brand, he began selling only Joules branded products.

Fast forward, the dream has become very much a reality with 97 Joules stores, with an established wholesale business (including partnerships with John Lewis, Selfridges and Next) a successful e-commerce site and a growing International following, Joules continues to be a firm favourite for families up and down the country and the company can still be found at Britain’s leading country shows and events.

Outside of work, Tom lives a somewhat envious life in the English countryside with his family. He has a small holding with chickens, sheep, horses, rabbits, cats and a vegetable garden. In his spare time, he likes to escape to the British coastline and can regularly be found with his family on the Norfolk coast or visiting local antiques and collectables yards. Joule is an avid rugby fan, having played until the age of 40 and is a keen golfer, not a bad life then, hey ?

If you had one day to live what would be your biggest regret?
Not spending every waking hour with my children.

What would be the one piece of clothing you would rescue from your home in the event of a fire?
An original Naval Peacoat.

What inspires you?
The coast, the countryside, New York and my Mum.

If you could only wear one brand for the rest of your life who would it be?
If cost was no object, Brunello Cucinelli – always classically up to date, wonderful fabrics, amazing cut and accessories to die for.

Who is your style icon?
Edward VIII. He was the epitome of style, wore great clothes, had individual flair and put a unique twist on classic pieces.

What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe?
The new Joules Rainier Waterproof Mac, a must-have for every man!

What piece of clothing would you relegate to Room 101?
Crocs.

What do you have to do after this conversation?
Review our Spring Summer 16 collection – there’s lots to look forward to!

What would you like to be doing after this conversation?
Flying to the West Coast of the USA to play Pebble Beach Golf Course.

Who would be your ideal diner guests?
The late Richard Attenborough; a humble man with an extraordinary life. Reginald D Hunter; for his incredible wit, so dry. Anne Hathaway; need I explain!?

If you could give your teenage-self advice, what would it be?
Don’t be frightened to ask.

Favourite hotel in the world?
Hullet House, Kowloon, Hong Kong (see below)

If you could collaborate with one brand who would it be ?
Triumph Motorcycles. Joules take tradition and bring a modern twist using the latest fabrics and detail to work with customers’ needs. I’d love to take a brief from the likes of Triumph and put my twist on a great jacket.

anthonymcgrath405 / 16/03/2015

Morphology – The appliance of science …to face preservation – Lab Series MAX LS Age-Less Power V lifting Cream by Amanda Lewis

OK we’ve told you all about LAB Series before, how they were the first male only skin care – premium range. But they keep coming up with such great products that we just gotta share them with you, honest.
Take the MAX LS Ageless Power V Lifting Cream – it’s been developed to improve and tone that definer of masculinity – the jawbone. This anti-ageing innovation is designed to fight gravity, no not in some Superhuman kinda way and this formula has an intuitive technology that targets areas that could be probe to sagging or in need of some tightening. (ok just the face guys; we haven’t tried it anywhere else.!!!)

It does all this and offers 5 high performance benefits

1) It boosts Moisture

2) Minimises the look of Wrinkles

3) Improves Skin’s look of firmness and elasticity

5) Lifts Skin’s Appearance

Ok the techy stuff, LS power has a five dimensional approach to redefine, result the face, and boost moisture, minimise the look of wrinkles, lift and tighten contours. How? By LS Power V technology and molecular age less complex, yup were none the wiser but it seemed to do the trick!

anthonymcgrath405 / 12/03/2015

Universal Works X Norman Walsh -the City Runner Project – A highly desirable footwear offering

We here at Clothes-Make-the-Man don’t make any bones about our love for British design, aestheitc and good round great craftsmanship. Two great advocates if this ethos are David Keyte’s Universal Works and Norman Walsh of, well, Walsh Trainers.

These two Great British brands have reworking and refining their archive Ensign running trainer, to create a sneaker for contemporary urban life.

Norman Walsh footwear, can boast that it is the only British owned sports trainer manufacturer that still makes the footwear entirely in the UK, in the same factory started by Norman Walsh in 1961. Norman Walsh originally produced footwear for track and field, road running, rugby and football and then later began producing shoes for fell running which they continue to manufacture to this day. Walsh Casuals is their contemporary range that takes directly from original archive models, using much of the same methods and technology used in the early years of production. For the City Runner, Universal Works constructed the upper in luxe-materials; leather, suede and pigskin linings, simplifying the design and adding a soft comfortable midsole to create a clean and luxurious take on the Walsh staple.

The three colourways were made for three of the cities that have become integral to their businesses and are a continual sources of inspiration. Black is for London, a more mature style referencing our recent presentation at London Collections: Men. Navy is for Tokyo, the awe-inspiring capital of Japan, known for indigo, a colour and integral to Universal Works design and thinking. The Stone/ Tan is for Paris and more specifically the stone of the classically Parisian Haussmann buildings.

anthonymcgrath405 / 11/03/2015

Top gift ideas for the Lady in your life, you can’t afford to forgot – Mother’s Day Gift guide

Please, please, please don’t make the same mistake as I’ve done, for some reason, even though I’m bombarded with TV Ad’s, Billiboards and I internet campaigns. The fact that it’s Mother’s Day THIS COMING SUNDAY, seems to have eluded me, for some unknown reason, I think I just can’t believe we are already half way through March !!!!!

Thank Gawd for Mrs Mc, who came home over the weekend to a panicked yours truly, only to be reassured, “I’ve bought the card and the presents are ordered. Have you sorted out the gift guide for the blog?”

So here we go guys, we never let you down, honest, this year’s undisputable best Mother’s Day gift guide known to man in 2015.

For the new Mum, with great Product names like Grumpy Cow and Knackered Cow, if your partner is celebrating Mother’s Day for the first time or generally Cowshed products are a must. Plus if your feeling partic flash how about a little trip to one of their spas ?

For the Country Mum, she doesn’t have to be Audrey Forbes-Hamilton to enjoy a bit of outdoors chic and it doesn’t get much better than this great Barbour X Liberty get up.

For the Foodie Mum, the name of this website is the mantra for this year’s Gift Guide, Dontbuyherflowers.com offers loads of original and well thougt through presents. So if Mum is a bit of a Gastro delight in the kitchen, give her a night off with this brill hamper which includes COOK vouchers and if you don’t know what COOK is you need to check it out.

For the Mum, who just loves presents, this is a great gift idea, Elizabeth Arden are offering a limited edition Preen tote bag with any two products purchased from their counters in department stores Nationwide.

For the Travelling Mother, no I don’t mean in a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding kinda way. I mean the kinda girl that enjoys the cultural experience travel can offer. This LUXE Travel companion set, available from Net-A-Porter.com offers guides to some of the world’s best shopping destinations.

For the traditional Mother, how’s about some of your finest bone China ? Ted Baker and Portmeirion have come together to produce the Rosie Lee collection. This puts the fine into dining and uses Ted’s signiture prints and is gilded in 22carat Gold.

For the note making Mother, well if there isn’t something some Mum’s love doing, it’s leaving notes, lil scribbles like, “You’re dinner’s in the bin.” “You treat this place like a Hotel.” And my personal favourite, “Can you not use a telephone anymore?” Just so you know your Mammy still loves you, make sure she can leave you those keepsake notes with a nice Parker pen that shows off her handwriting skills to there best.

For the Designer loving Momma, the Blossom Tote by Mulberry in Oak is finished in their signature Natural Leather, a beautifully soft and tactile leather that ages to become unique to its owner. A subtle embossed Mulberry tree is the only decoration this bag needs, well that and the smile on your mum’s face each and every time she uses it.

For the Stylish Momma, the Breton stripe sweater is an enduring fashion classic, and is a fine example from Jaeger. This comfortable and chic piece is crafted from the purest cashmere to a fitted, crew neck shape.

For the Momma who is far away, we can’t always get to be with our Mum’s on Mother’s Day but this individual and specially Personalised ‘Home is Where Mum is’ Map by Mapsinternational.co.uk is centred on your chosen postcode and is a brilliant way to create make a thoughtful, individual gift for your beloved mother this Mothers Day.

For the Tea loving Mammy, who does love a good cuppa and no better tea maker then your Mum. GettingPersonal.co.uk give your gifts a much much more individuality and that you’ve thought about your gift. This bone china tea set cleverly combines a teapot, teacup and saucer into one convenient set, or Personalise her own biscuit tin providing everything she’ll need for a really good cuppa!

For the Candle loving Mammy, you just can’t go wrong with this Betty Jackson Black Large purple agapanthus scented candle from Debenhams.

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