CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

If your planning on being anyway where near the Brompton Road Area of Knightsbridge, London, over the coming days, MAKE SURE YOU HEAD DOWN TO HARVEY NICHOLS ! The emporium of everything of a Luxurious nature have team up with the providers of Trainer chic Fresh Laces. This unconventional pairing, but made in Sneaker heaven, have come together to offer customers the chance to snap up a pair of limited edition sneakers in its Knightsbridge flagship store. Influencers including Kanye West and Pharell Williams have assisted trainers in crossing over from sportswear into main stream fashion and Harvey Nichols is over the moon at the opportunity to delight sneakerheads with this brand new partnership.

Trainers aficionados, Fresh Laces was born out of the desire to create a sneaker and lifestyle platform where trainer enthusiasts gravitate to buy, sell and network with fellow sneakerheads. A key component of the Fresh Laces ethos is to understand and acknowledge the history of this style of footwear, identifying its movements, spotting emerging talent and setting the pace for future trends. Always one step ahead, Harvey Nichols is the first to team up with Fresh Laces to transform its men’s footwear offer into a sneakerhead haven.

Darren Skey, Head of Menswear at Harvey Nichols Says of this match up;

“Fresh Laces source limited edition kicks from around the world to cater for the growing sneakerhead community, who strive to possess the latest releases and the original classics or OG’s as they are known in the sneaker world from the early 90’s to present day. We are really excited to be teaming up with Fresh Laces to offer our customers something unique and different.”

The Fresh Laces Sneaker Spot will be the first of its kind in the UK and will host over a hundred exclusive Nike kicks such as the first Nike Air Yeezys, Patta Air Max 1s and Supreme Foamposites. These one-off styles will be replenished on a daily basis with more limited edition styles, providing true sneaker fans an opportunity to see and purchase rare and exclusive kicks. But remember once there gone there G O N E.

Aside from getting your 5 a day, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep, there are a few products out there that can help you get the best face you have ever had. So we sort the expert advice of TheBrotique.co.uk. The Brotique are passionate about locating interesting brands from around the world, bringing you the very best in independent products. From grooming to gadgets, literature to lifestyle, they handpick every product that graces their shelves, at their stand alone store in Queens Street, Edinburgh, which was lovingly refurbished to preserve elements of the 200-year old shop it was before, or their splendid online store. Their team has a diverse background ranging from fashion to technology. With a passion for design, detail and lasting quality, they selected the initial range of products from stuff that they themselves would want to buy.

They source things that aren’t generally available on the high street, gathering inspiration from around the world with a criteria that is pretty much unique to them. They thrive on innovation, and believe collaboration with local craftsmen and small businesses is always a good thing. Each product selected has its own story and values. Part of that is about seeking out products that are a little bit different. The essential thing that they screen for is style and substance, combined.

Whether it be oils, creams to tools of the trade, The Brotique have something to suit everyman and can help them get their game face on in 2015. So we tasked them to choose six of their favourite products that will up your facial ante.

Apothecary 87 Smooth Moving Shave Oil

Designed for the smooth moving man who wants to show off his face. This Apothecary 87 Shave Oil has been designed to be thick and great for moisturising harsh skin and softening your steel-like growth. Perfect to allow your razor to glide through your beard without breaking any blades.

The smell of this truly manly oil has been designed to relax you and leave you smelling as a man should.

Kent Luxury Shaving Set
Decided to go for a new look this year? This stunning Kent black and chrome shaving brush set combines a pure badger bristle shaving brush and matching razor. Housed in a stylish Kent presentation case this set offers the tools you need to achieve the most comfortable shave imaginable. Compatible with Gillette Mach 3 razor blades. Easy.

Scaramouche & Fandango Face Scrub
Exfoliating doesn’t have to be a sand blasting session. The small micro beads and prickly pear extract within the Scaramouche Face Scrub are gentle enough for everyday use. Remove grime, residue and evidence of the night before while leaving your face in tact.

Braw Beard Beard Wash
Braw Beard Wash has been specially formulated to clean even the mightiest of facial hair. Since facial hair is thicker than other body fuzz Braw Beard takes care of it the way it should. Watch out food and drink, you’ll be history soon enough.

Triumph & Disaster Gameface Moisturiser.

The Daddy of all in one moisturisers, meet Gameface by Kiwi brand Triumph & Disaster, the handy tool designed to serve and protect you against the elements. Specifically designed to be light on the skin and easily absorbed, it will leave your skin feeling hydrated and fresh. Engineered by infusing Jojoba extract, Horopito oil, Ponga fern (Cumungii) and Vitamin E, Gameface is nutrient rich and hydrating.

Basically, it’s a guy’s moisturiser that’s better than the girls’ ones.

Honest Skincare Beard Oil
When it comes to skincare, all natural can only be a good thing. This black pepper and lemon-grass beard oil will clean and condition your beard whilst promoting thick and healthy hair growth. With nourishing oils of Jojoba and Avocado, together with beautiful manly scents of Cedar wood, your face will be truly irresistible

Luke Day‘s resume reads like a wish list for any photographer, stylist or essentially any stylish creative, wanting to cut the mustard in the cut throat Fashion industry. His Editorial credits include Attitude, i-D, Dazed & Confused, V-Man, Arena Homme +, Wonderland, not to mention being the Fashion Director of UK GQ Style but countless GQ’s & GQ Style from around the world. His Sartorial Midas touch has been responsible for transporting numerous celebs from the Z-list of style right the way to the top of many a best dressed list. From film, music, sport and fashion if they are in need of a dapper pick me up, Luke get’s the call. Now the list of people who Day has answered the phone to, ranges from David Haye, Rhys Ifans, Joe Jonas, Levi’s, Sam Clafin, One Direction, Lyle & Scott, Max Irons, Belstaff, Channing Tatum, Paul Smith and of course he single handedly transformed the fortunes of some 5 piece, 4 piece currently 3 piece northern band called Take That when they decided to give it another go back in 2006.

In fact in 2008 he was named in The Times UK ‘Music’s Top 20 Star-makers’, citing the industry’s most powerful and in-demand players today. Luke was the only stylist included in this list which was topped by Lucien Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International, and Simon Cowell who ranked in at number 2. Stick that in your pipe, hey Louis Walsh !

Hot of the heels of another stellar London Collections:Men for Luke where he styled shows for James Long, TOPMAN Design, Hackett and Tiger of Sweden, we had the pleasure of catching up and having a breather with this talented and ever charming man.

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

Take more photographs. Always make time for friends. Take more holidays. You’re not here for a long time, you’re here for a good time.

How did you get into the industry, what was your big break ?

I called up Adrian Clark, who was Fashion Director at Attitude at the time. I asked him to do a month internship. Within that month he had already let me style a cover and I just kept turning up until they created a position for me. He really was my foot in the door and mentor. I owe him a lot.

Favourite Hotel in the world ?

I love lots of hotels, I’d live in one if I could! I had my 30th birthday in The Berkeley. It was a very long, fun night so I have a fondness for it.

What would be the name of your autobiography ?

Mother Knows Best

What’s your Favourite movie ever ?

A very difficult question. I always think the answer should be a film you can watch over and over again. I’m mad for rom-coms, I particularly like How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days

If you could Style anyone who would it be ?

Elvis Presley and One Direction.

What music are you listening to at the moment ?

New Madonna is the soundtrack to my year so far.

Best present you’ve ever received ?

I’m not so into presents, giving or receiving. I wear a piece of jewellery from a friend that passed away, that I cherish.

Who’s the most famous person’s number in your phone ?

My Take That guys I guess.

What are you most excited about at the moment ?

The next issue of GQ Style and the next season of Game of Thrones.

What track would always get you on the dance floor ?

Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross

Best piece of advise you’ve ever been given ?

‘Mark my word’ is a an often exclaimed term by a dear friend that often means to take his advice, generally about a person.

What piece of clothing best describes you?

That would change regularly but a white sock or speedo is pretty much my constant.

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

It’s more what I’ve regretted not buying.

What piece of style advise do you live by?

Trust your instincts and buy rather than procrastinate. Take risks, they can pay off or you can learn from them.

We start this season’s round up of all matters of a Sartorial nature in London and what better place to get the ball rolling than at an honest to goodness PUB QUIZ !!! OK with a rather stylish twist to it, in that it’s compare was Hacienda DJing Legend Mr Elliot Eastwick and it was organised by the Savile Row Tailoring trailblazers that are Cad & The Dandy, only in London.

TOPMAN DESIGN

Bright and breezy, otherwise known as flipping freezing, start to the day, but a warm reception was waiting at the TOPMAN Design show which was piled high with Northern Soul references, like being at a Wigan Pier Weekender. There was nods to The Bay City Rollers, Mark Boland right the way through to James Hunt and any show that finishes with Crazy Horses by The Osmonds is a winner in my books.

I was spoilt for choice on the first day of LC:M with a number of fave brands showing their wares but high points had to be David Keyte’s Universal Works, offering us a conceptual performance, which can go either way for me. But it didn’t disappoint, working on the principle upon which the brand is founded, the idea of Passing on, not in an deathly kinda way but how clothing can be passed on from being old to young and in doing so can be reinvented and reinvigorated.

One of my overall highlights of the entire schedule has to be the Barbour Presentation, which showcased the second season of their wonderful collaboration with the Japan company White Mountaineering, best summed

Barbour

up by the unique, Thank God, Mr Richard Gray, of The Sunday Times STYLE;

“I guess this collab is Tokyo cool meets Prince Charles or something like that. I spoke to Aiwaze San the designer of White Mountaineering, who told me the wax you see, which makes a Barbour jacket waterproof, was the Gortex of its day. And, in fact, it works as well as any new scientific development. Including Gortex. I look forward to the day the Royal Family wear White Mountaineering.“

Hackett

Then what a way to finish off the first day then to head over to one of London’s hidden architectural gems, No 2 Temple Place for a spot of dinner and to look at some exquisite attire by none other than Hackett, entitled, ‘Sheep, Shape and London Fashion’, this capsule collection paid homage to the prestigious longstanding textile mills of Britain. The 12 looks were an amalgamation of different checks and patterns in the finest British wools.

The second day started off with a great breathe of fresh air in the shape of the LC:M Exhibition, this never fails to impress me and I always fall head of heals for at least one brand this season my head couldn’t help being turned by the wonderful Gloverall and then the cashmere delights of ESK, this just has to be British craftsmanship at its best. And from one great example to another with Mr Nigel Calbourn who is never swayed by the short lived trends of Fashions but driven by inspirational stories of real people in history and vintage military, outdoor and work wear pieces.

Over then to Fraser Moss and YMC and once again I search the counsel of the ever wise Ms Sarah Gilfillan, contributor of this wonderful publication and founder of Sartorialab.co.uk ;

“I’ve always loved their simple understated look, and I particularly liked the clever layering and outerwear. The mixture of taloring with sportswear inspired pieces like the drawstring trousers takes me right back to the 90’s when they first started .I find their collections are minimal enough in design to appeal to the everyday man but they always have a subtle point of difference so they’re never boring. I have no doubt I’ll be buying many of these items with my clients next season and I can’t wait!”

Hardy Amies

Moving on to a brand which, to quote Messers Daft Punk and Williams, “Like a Phoenix from the ashes” WOW I can quite simply sum the Hardy Amies collection as, Beautiful clothes, where you find yourself wanting piece after piece.

Christopher Raeburn

Much like Mr Christopher Raeburn, who like Nigel Cabourn draws greatly on the great outdoors and nature in all its beauty for their inspiration and once again he does fail to impress. This season utilising Royal Navy rafts as his material of choice.

Belstaff

Now stay with me here, but I had my reservations when I headed towards an underground car park, not a million miles away from The House of Commons. Surely I must have taken a wrong turn, it wouldn’t have been the first time and this can hardly be classed as a glamorous setting for a stylish presentation for a brand like Belstaff ? Well, as I see Fashion Royalty like Ms Suzy Menkes, Mr Edward Enniful and Ms Caroline Rush spilling out of it, I can’t be wrong. Belstaff, took its inspiration from the ‘Ton-Up Boys’ of the 1950s. Heavily into their rock‘n’roll and motorcycles, these ‘greasers’ would rendezvous at cafés and attempt to ‘do a ton’ (exceed speeds of 100mph) on their custom-made bikes, both fearless and reckless in their stylish pursuit.

Casely-Hayford

Moving into the straits now we had a blinder of a show from Father and Son duo Joe and Charlie Casely-Hayford. Set to a sound track of Bjork and Bowie a tribe of Stylish Outsiders did the honours for u. Mixing Oranges and Pinks seamlessly with Blacks and Navy to create a riveting colour palette.

E.Tautz

Opening to a surmon by his Holiness Pope John Paul II isn’t the most obvious start to an E.Tautz show but give Patrick Grant his dues it certainly got the audience’s attention in what Grant called his most personal collection so far, for the Savile Row house. Every coat and piece of outerwear he sent out was one you lushes and craved for already, no brights or pastels for Grant this season only monochrome in his highly wearable colour spectrum.

Tom Ford

Now here’s the battle of the big boys of LC:M, the Texan and the Yorkshire lad, up first we have Tom Ford who showed us a much more causal side to him, which I have to say I’d really not expected to see which included jeans and trainers, I lie to you not ! Then we have Christopher Bailey in the Burberry Check corner, offering us Classical Bohemian in ponchos, florals and paisley, fresh off a hazy trip back in time to India.

Well, there you have it for another season next stop Milan, ding, ding !

We seem to have our first trend for 2015 already in ‘Spy Style’, this year we’ll see the release of such movies as, the questionable, Johnny Depp vehicle Mortdecai, later on, what looks from the cast and titbits we’ve seen AMAZING, James Bond’s Spectre. But, first up is the dashing, daring and what looks like a bloody good romp, Matthew Vaughn’s, Kingsman(see trailer above).

So what do all of these films have in common ? The suave, sophistication and general Dapper elegance of Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The British Spy network has been the source of countless iconic films over the decades, not just the undeniably stylish Bond Series, but Michael Caine’s, Harry Palmer, John Le Carrè’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, the wonderful The 39 Steps and of course who could forget Richard Burton as Alec Leamas in The Spy who came in from the Cold. Literally just a few examples, where the shadowy world of intelligence and counter intelligence have served as entertainment to whet our appetite.

The latest in this long line to join the ranks in the Spy movie genre is Kingsman, a film directed by Matthew Vaughn(Layer Cake, Kick Ass and X-Men:First Class) and hosting a stella cast including Messers, Colin Firth, Samuel L.Jackson, Mark Strong and Micheal Caine, but get ready for it, cameos by Elton John, David Beckman and Lady Freakin Gaga !

As part of the launch of this movie treat, and in somewhat of a first in cinema history an entire bespoke 60-piece collection designed in collaboration and exclusively with MrPORTER‘s Buying Director Toby Bateman, Matthew Vaughn and award-winning Costume Designer Arianne Phillips including suiting, outerwear, shirting, knitwear and accessories made from the best of British cloth and from the best of British craftsmanship. The range includes: Kingsman original tailoring; Kingsman by Bremont timepieces; Kingsman by Turnbull & Asser shirting and pyjamas; Kingsman by Cutler & Gross eyewear; Kingsman by George Cleverley shoes; Kingsman by Drake’s ties and pocket squares; Kingsman by Swaine Adeney Brigg umbrella and leather accessories; with additional product from partner brands including Mackintosh, Corgi, Deakin & Francis, Lock & Co Hatters, Conway Stewart and Smythson.