CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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I think I’m turning Japanese – John Smedley X Comme des Garçons

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To say British, heritage knitwear brand John Smedley have invented themselves, is a bit of an understatement, along the same lines as describing the Great Fire of London as a bit of a contained bonfire. In recent years its turned its image and fortunes round from being a traditional knitwear manufacturer to being a go to brand, showing as part of London Collections:Men and this latest venture only strengths their style credentials.

The much loved British luxury knitwear brand is built on over two hundred years of craftsmanship and quality, their second and ultra limited collaboration with pioneering Japanese super-brand, Comme Des Garçons for Autumn ’14.

Limited to just 40 pieces worldwide, so better be quick, acclaimed designer, Junya Watanabe, has reinterpreted John Smedley’s  iconic design, the Bobby pullover, creating a fusion of classic British style with typical Japanese innovation.

Woven into panels at John Smedley’s Lea Mills factory, believed to be the oldest in constant production in the world, the premium New Zealand merino wool is then sent to Japan to be hand embroidered and finished by Comme Des Garçons, themselves, leaving a slight detail of the raw seaming. Available in two colourways, charcoal and navy, each design has been embroidered with Junya Watanabe’s signature plaid Union Jack.

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Wanna join this Crew ? – Crew Clothing

IMG_1804Sick of the urban Rat race ? Long for the more relaxed country life ? No we’re not talking about retiring, but escaping once in a while to an rural retreat, you know rolling fields, the great outdoors, country walks and a roaring open fire waiting for you on your return. One brand who have the attire for this idyllic lifestyle down to a tee, is Crew Clothing.

Way back in 1993, a young man called Alastair Parker-Swift, was living an idyllic life – running a thriving windsurfing school during the summer in Salcombe, Devon and spending the winter months in France as part of the England freestyle ski team, you know as one does.

IMG_1802Now this was all good and well and you could argue, what is there to complain about, but Alastair had ambition and a great business mind an to indulge Alastair’s entrepreneurial spirit. Plus not being one to miss an opportunity, Alastair sourced some navy and white rugby shirts and using a local supplier created the original 93 patch rugby shirt, which was to go on to be synonymous with the brand. This first foray into the retail world proved an instant success with stock selling out within days, and after only 10 days of trading in Salcombe, Alastair decided to try and find premises in Cowes in time for the start of the annual yachting extravaganza of Cowes week.

Within the week the shop did in fact open in time for Cowes week and generated sales that exceeded all expectations, and the Crew Clothing Co. brand was born. In 1995 the first London store was opened on the New King’s Road and the first hand drawn catalogue was mailed to just 2000 customers. Today, celebrating it 21st Anniversary, there are over 60 stores across the UK and over 3.2 million catalogues mailed every year.

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During this time Crew Clothing has sponsored some of the most prestigious social & sporting events in the sporting calendar, as The Whitbread Round the World Race, the England Polo Team and Masters Tennis at the Albert Hall. They have been the official clothing supplier to the England Polo team for over 5 years, and provide all of the kit for National and International matches including The Cartier International Event – the pinnacle of the polo calendar.

Parker-Swift, himself describes the appeal of the brand as,
“Crew is a British lifestyle brand with a coastal heritage. We are passionate about dressing people in beautiful clothes in great colours with fastidious attention to detail.”

For Autumn 14 the range offers a a durable, outdoor inspired collection with a real balance between wearable pieces and enduring wardrobe classics that will not only get better with age but the more adventures you have while wearing them.

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This is a Sponsored Post.

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Anti-aging for your Hair ? Whatever next – Julien Farel Haircare

Screen Shot 2014-10-06 at 17.36.32After far too long and following the recently launch of ‘JF MEN’ – a whole floor dedicated to men’s grooming at Julien Farel’s Restore Salon & Spa at Loews Regency Hotel in New York City, Julien Farel brings his grooming, how can I put this,  savoir faire to the UK with his newly launched haircare range available exclusively at Selfridges and Selfridges.com

The New York City born, French-American Julien Farel Group is driving innovation in the beauty industry not only through its transformative products, but also through its unique services. Masters in hairdressing, aesthetics, dermatology, body treatments and fitness, the multi-disciplinary approach to beauty has a refined focus on Anti-Aging techniques and technology, delivering age-defying hair, face, skin and body.

With salons in New York, Miami and Cabo San Lucas, The Julien Farel Group also includes JF Gymnastique, a private studio offering a holistic fitness and wellness experience. In April 2014, Farel relocated the Madison Avenue Flagship Salon to the iconic Loews Regency Hotel on Park Avenue, unveiling a new 10,000-square-foot beauty flagship, complete with a full-service Anti-Aging salon, spa, fitness studio, and the brand new JF Men, a full service men’s grooming salon. Farel has also been the Official Stylist of the US Open Tennis Tournament since 2007, giving world-class tennis players an aesthetic – and psychological – edge.

Leading the Anti-Ageing haircare arena, NYC-based Luxury Hairstylist Julien Farel unveils his first-of-its-kind, cleanse-treat-condition formula Julien Farel Anti-Aging Haircare Restore – the answer to every man’s grooming needs.Hallelujah !
Julien has applied the science of skincare to haircare to deliver powerful ingredients deep into the follicle, scalp and hair for intense hydration, targeted repair and vital protection. The result is an optimal environment for healthy hair growth.

But, thats not it, RESTORE, has a couple of other tricks up its sleeve;

It lets you cut down time in the shower, by using RESTORE in place of your shampoo and conditioner twice a week.

Also, you cut down styling time by using RESTORE makes hair more manageable and easier to style.

Plus,  you cut down on the grooming products you buy, by using RESTORE as an alternative to shave cream and beard conditioner. The key RESTORE ingredient Hyaluronic Acid is the ultimate multitasker for scalp, face and hair !!!!!

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Actor James Norton’s M&S Style

Actor James Norton has been making quite a name for himself recently. Since embarking on a career in acting at the tender age of 5 in his local school’s adaptation of the Nativity, he’s gone on to achieve great reviews as the rather less angelic Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC’s Happy Valley, in films such as, the mesmerising Belle and the high octane, Ron Howard directed, James Hunt Biopic, RUSH, plus currently, as mystery solving man of the cloth, Sydney Chambers in ITV’s, Grantchester.

However, it’s not Norton’s acting abilities that concern us today, but his Sartorial merit in this short film from M&S.

 

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24 carot – Platinum by Calvin Klein

Screen Shot 2014-10-13 at 17.37.30Calvin Klein is a brand known for many things and other designer fashion houses would literally kill for an ounce of what they have, one could say if they could bottle it, but they already have several times over. Whether it be denim, underwear, fragrances etc Calvin Klein is legendary and shows no sign of slowing down or lessening its popularity.

For Winter this year they have teamed up with the retailer of ultimate luxury and bastion of everything aspirational, Harvey Nichols to stock this exclusive collection. It offers a new take on the classic and formal inspired by the pursuit of perfection. Simplicity and precision.

Platinum prides itself on natural luxury embodied in clean shapes with updated proportions, designed in rich fibers and yarns. Heroic and confident with architectural and studiously crafted looks. Hidden interior details offer a sense of concealed sophistication.


 Screen Shot 2014-10-13 at 17.37.01The collection offers a look that is elevated and tailored. Three and two-button jackets with soft constructions are paired with boat neck sweaters and tapered ankle cropped pants. For outerwear, a covetable camel wool/cashmere slim top coat, or a roomy, fleck-speckled pressed tweed balmacaan. A dark damson wool jacket over a black turtleneck sweater and black pants; or a Bordeaux iridescent weave nylon parka with neoprene trimmed hood, worn with a boat neck merino sweater and cropped black pants — both add graphic color to the season’s muted palette. Head-to-toe black styling, as in a quilted leather bomber jacket, turtleneck and flannel pant, presents a modern, city aesthetic. Alternatively, a pared down pale grey wool cashmere shaker sweater and flannel cropped pants introduces an element of ease.

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