Carven out quite an impression – Carven Fragrances

Screen Shot 2015-01-18 at 16.33.55Back in 1957, Madame Carven, of the legendary Fashion House, decided to create a fragrance worthy of her husband Philippe Mallet. The first and as-yet unequalled “VÉTIVER” became an icon for future generations. For Madame Carven, a Fragrance is more than a mere accessory in a man’s wardrobe, it’s part of his signature, his life.

Vetiver is a plant with multiple roots anchored deep in the ground. They absorb and restitute many aromatic agents that make it a treasure for the perfume industry. It develops a note that is warm and woody but also green, of very distinctive character. Vetiver is essentially native to India, Indonesia and Reunion Island. Its roots are distilled to extract a precious essential oil.

Like the House’s resurrected Clothing collections under the strict and visionary direction of Guillaume Henry, for a new audience, but with the same passion for olfactive heritage Carven fragrances this year has given VÉTIVER a new look and energy, without touching the original formula in any way.

It opens on a vibrant aromatic citrus note, brimming with Grapefruit, Bergamot and Lemongrass. Its heart is full with Lavender, Orange Blossom and Geranium that picks up the pace with base notes of sensuous Nutmeg softened by Benzoin, Sandalwood and Cedar with, underlying it all, the glory of Vetiver.

Madame Carven, once said,“Everything I love is green”, and as homage to this statement Guillaume Henry, Creative Director, responded with covering the scent’s bottle in a intense, magnetic neon green lacquer.

However, Vetiver isn’t the only male scent the French Fashion house have produced catering for the needs of their male consumer. Who they see as a man who loves fashion, but who never take himself too seriously; young men with a slightly off-beat spirit, cultivated and urban, seemingly classic but charmingly bad boy at heart.

And so Carven fragrances have created a buzz again with the launch of their new scent: CARVEN POUR HOMME.

The Perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian, defined this fragrance as, “A fragrance that embodies Paris chic as revisited by Guillaume Henry for Carven”.

If Paris chic could be summed up in a scent, it would be that of CARVEN POUR HOMME, a racy and elegant essence, a devil may care attitude. A fragrance with woody, spicy, aromatic notes in the Carven tradition of men’s fragrances, yet with a burst of modernity.

As a counterpart for its older more sophisticated brother, CARVEN POUR HOMME is dressed in a glass bottle dressed in black lacquer as shiny as a pair of patent leather shoes

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These Boots are most certainly made for walking – Redwing’s Foreman Chukka boots

imageLong gone is the perception of boots as being just the preserve of casual wear and strictly to be worn with denim as a workwear kinda look. A good solid pair of boots are far more of a better friend to you than you might just think, they are far more versatile then to be kept as strictly part of your winter wardrobe and cast to the back of your closet as the days get longer, brighter and warmer. There’s something rather comforting, masculine and really quite rule breaking when you team a great pair of boots with a formal suit, whether with or without a tie.

The perfect footwear and big enough to fill the boots required for any occasion are the Foreman Chukkas, which combine a simple leather boot upper with Red Wing’s durable neoprene cushion sole. The Foreman Chukka is a lightweight shoe that takes its timeless chukka design and attaches it to the iconic Redwing comfortable neoprene outsole. The neoprene outsole was designed to provide traction and long-wearing support for workers who spend hours on their feet and move between various terrain. This versatile sole is an ideal partner for the stylish and enduring chukka boot. All along the blue-collar backbone of America one contingency of workers who took a strong liking to Red Wing’s Chukka style were factory floor managers, also known as Foremen. The Foreman Chukka is availabe in two leathers; Briar Oil Slick and Black Harness.

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Take it easy on yourself – ABOUT Loungewear

imageAn underwear and Loungewear brand isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Lithuania, in fact thermal underwear under lots of layers of clothes is probably more accurate. But ABOUT has been producing top grade underwear for over 45 years. ABOUT pride themselves on their Baltic heritage and being an innovative underwear brand that, creates for everyone who sees beauty in function and comfort in cuts & materials. This wellness-motivated product range is designed to smart customers and combines the latest technological possibilities and the sense of zeitgeist in design trends.

Their latest innovative range all share healing and sensitive properties including;
· Natural properties of AloeVera
· Moisturizing and soothing properties typical of aloe plant
· Which helps remove and absorb body moisture
· Suitable for sensitive skin
· Hygienic

imageThis fabric for this range was specially made for the ABOUT Trend collection and enriched with /AloeVera/, which is known for its anti-irritation and antibacterial qualities. Garments enriched with this finishing are noted for their moisturizing and soothing properties typical of the aloe plant.

This range is perfect in keeping with ABOUT’s brand ethos which excel in ensuring everyday use and specific needs in wearing underwear – their products are designed with a function in mind. All the time with the modern combination of comfortable to move, functional style and innovative qualities of their products.

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Ask the Experts – Top Spring Buys

It’s that time of the year again, we can, hopefully, pack away the parkas, heavy duty knitwear and start to think about more light weight clothing. OK shorts and a tee might seem a long way off just yet, but we can definitely lighten up on those layers and start to get into a Spring frame of mind. With this very much at the forefront of our thinking at the moment we thought we’d ask some of the leading creative minds from of our leading Style retailer names, just what they saw as Musthave purchases over the coming weeks and months.

imageJohn Mooney , Menswear Design Director, of Asos. “I’ve picked the smart-tux track pant from look 16, we’re seeing far more versatility in our styles these days…. Sports styles mixed with tailored pieces and vice versa…. The whole jogger/ sweatpants phenomenon continues to gain pace, most of our guys have left the basics behind now and are trading up for more formal and synthetic versions… for us when a trend is ‘hot’ it’s key to chase the hell out of it and provide as many permutations as possible…. It works both ways, we provide choice and the customer comes to us because he [and sometime ‘she’ too] knows we’ll have a fantastic selection. These joggers are great though…. The fact they’re woven, that they work well with smarter shirts and tailoring but can also be dressed down with cool longline tees and classic sneakers.”

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imageFrances Walker, JIGSAW Menswear’s  Design Director “Jigsaw’s proofed Prince of Wales Check Mac is the perfect wardrobe addition. Timeless, classic and totally on trend, it looks great over a suit; you look immediately ready for business, but it’s also perfect with jeans or casuals. The small grey check on this piece makes it perfect for town or country, and being lightweight it is a travel must-have.”

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imageNext up we have Michael Anderson, Vice President, Men’s Product and Design, Banana Republic,“My favorite piece from Spring is our indigo garment dyed leather Moto jacket in slim fit. It’s a great new take on the iconic American leather jacket. The leather has an amazing character to it because of the washing. It is super soft and looks great worn with joggers and a simple white Banana Republic tee.”

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image Alex Field, Head of Menswear Design for Reiss“One of my favourite pieces from our SS15 collection is the luggage collaboration that we have produced in partnership with Steamline. I’m always out of the office visiting factories and researching, so our new range of trunks are the perfect travelling companion for me. Lightweight yet robust enough to carry everything I need, the luggage’s black colourway offers stylish subtlety, while the chrome trims and rivets offer an eye-catching, contemporary finish.”

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imageFinally we have Whistles CEO, Jane Shepherdson, “The standout piece from the SS15 collection has to be the linen mix suit, the fabric composition makes it smart enough to wear for a wedding but pop a t-shirt and some trainers on and it will suddenly takes an a more casual aesthetic.”

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Somewhere only we know – John Lewis Menswear

imageThe Department Store John Lewis is probably better known for their excellent Christmas tear jerking Adverting campaigns rather than as a Menswear Destination. But over recent seasons they’ve been working really rather hard to change this perception, back in February 2013 the retailer launched it’s Family brand KIN, designed to appeal to those thirty plus men who appreciate quality, clean-cut tailoring at a competitive price. The collection was John Lewis’ most contemporary own brand formalwear offering. Since then the brand and its Menswear offering has moved on a great deal.

imageFor Spring 2015,  its once again upping it’s menswear fashion credentials, adding to its existing portfolio through expanding its contemporary branded offering and  new exclusive additions to its menswear portfolio. This includes, LAUNDRYMAN by Barbour, inspired by Barbour’s heritage in industrial work wear, the Laundryman capsule brings together shirts, chinos, hoodies and tees, all with a heavily laundered finish and an on-trend distressed look. For this season, Barbour Laundryman will be exclusively available from John Lewis stores.

Plus, Bellerose which offers premium clothing for the entire family with authentic brand values. From military parkas to leather brogues and tees, the collection creates a casual and unique allure with strong references to the army and work wear.

Additional, to these two exclusive collections, the department store have invested in some interesting imageniche Scandinavian Brands like RAINS and Wood Wood. These collections are influenced by street wear and have a strong focus on detail that brings a twist to classic menswear items. Then to complement these brands John Lewis is also supporting fledgling T-shirt brands Dedicated, Supreme Being and Secret Store & Pear Shaped Apparel.

Lastly, having just shown during the recent LC:M, the retailer welcomes Soulland,  A brand with real design principles and an aesthetics with its origins in Scandinavian artisanship combined with a contemporary feel that aims to push menswear forward in all the right directions.

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