CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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The Cornerstone of your Grooming Routine – Cornerstone grooming range

imageYou know that feeling, why didn’t I think of that ?  Well with Cornerstone this is a perfect case in hand. The concept of it is simple yet brilliant. Basically, entrepreneur Oliver Bridge launched Cornerstone in June this year, having raised £175,000 from a group of angel investors and teamed up with leading packaging designers, dermatologists and web developers to bring the idea to life. Cornerstone was born out of Oliver’s personal frustrations with the discomfort and expensive nature of wet shaving – he felt that combining quality products with modern technology would be a powerful way to disrupt the men’s shaving market.

The range offers a flexible, regular delivery of its razors and shaving products right to your home. It’s a simple, more convenient way for men to shave. The journey begins at cornerstone.co.uk where customers are asked two questions:

(i) How often do you shave?

(ii) Which products from the Cornerstone range would you like in your box?

imageCornerstone uses these answers to suggest a regular delivery schedule tailored to the customer’s personal shaving routine. Before each scheduled delivery, the customer receives an email to alert them of their upcoming delivery, giving them the chance to change their product selection or the delivery schedule of their Cornerstone box, as well as allowing them to cancel or pause their plan at any time if they’re not ready for their next set of products. This way, customers avoid build-ups of the products that they use less often, and are never committed – they can cancel or change their plan whenever they need to – giving control and flexibility.

The range consists of Pre-Shave Face Scrub – blended with volcanic sand and cedarwood to help release ingrowing hairs, reduce shaving spots, unblock pores and lift dead skin cells. Shave Gel – blended with ginger and eucalyptus, protecting and rehydrating skin to help reduce shaving irritation. Razor Blades + Aluminium Razor Handle – sharp, durable razors mounted on a lightweight alloy aluminium razor handle. Each razor has five blades, an aloe vera moisturising strip and a flexbile head for precision and control. Post-Shave Balm – blended with mint and honey to cool, refresh and moisturise skin after shaving. The Cornerstone range was developed in partnership with expert dermatologists and manufactured in the UK. The razor handle was designed in London and produced in the UK, and the razor blades are manufactured in Germany.

imageOne of the great attentions to detail I love about this range is if you refer a friend to Cornerstone they’ll send you a razor handle personalised with your initials as a thank you !!!

Talking of which Cornerstone have are offering an engraved shave set to one of our amazing readers and each entrant a runner-up prize of a £10 Cornerstone gift coupon (once the winner has been announced!). Is this something you’d be up for? I bloody well think so !!!! All you have to do is sign up to our Instagram account @ClothesMakeMan between now and midnight (GMT) on Sunday 27th July. Its that simple !

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Thomas Harvey, Aquascutum – Textual Conversation

 

Thomas Harvey, Aquascutum

Thomas Harvey, Aquascutum

Aquascutum is a brand with an enviable heritage and renown for its understated elegance. A cornerstone of the British fashion industry for over 160 years. Playing an intrinsic role in the history of waterproof garments, the Aquascutum brand has been lauded for fine craftsmanship, designer fabrics, and attention to detail in their pursuit of being the pinnacle of style.

The brand’s evolution began in 1853, John Emary, owner of a tailor shop in Regent Street, invented a revolutionary waterproof cloth. The cloth proved to be such a success that the company was aptly renamed Aquascutum – ‘aqua’ meaning water and ‘scutum’, which translates as ‘shield’ in Latin. Talking of Shields, Aquascutum supplied trench coats (hence the name) to our boys during both World Wars.

Now it wasn’t long before the chic and sophisticated nature of this protective piece of clothing caught the eye of many a Hollywood star and starlet, Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren parading their Aquascutum raincoats to great effect.

So with a history that encompasses clothing the likes of the Queen Mother, Winston Churchill and Humphrey Bogart, the stalwart legacy of Aquascutum continues to influence its fashion collections today

Enough about the History of the brand, we wanna know what’s going on now in the 21st Century. Well, for Autumn we see an iconic Ad campaign(see images below) Shot by renowned fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan and featuring award winning British actor Damian Lewis, yes, aka Nick Brody !!!and enigmatic British supermodel Eliza Cummings. McLellan photographs the couple in elegant black and white portraits under the atmospheric iron arches of Macclesfield bridge on London’s Regent’s Canal. The romantic and cinematic environment captures the two in intimate stolen moments.

The gentleman in charge of helming the contemporary and creative output of this historic house has a resume that covers diverse brands including Marc Jacobs, Duckie Brown, Reiss plus of course Aquacutum, the house is in safe and protective hands with Thomas Harvey. So lets learn a little more about this man.

The Flagship Menswear Store on London's, Jermyn Street

The Flagship Menswear Store on London’s, Jermyn Street

If you could only wear the clothes of one brand for the rest of your life who would it be ?

If I was to be restricted to buying from just one place, I would go bespoke and use Richie Charlton, who cuts the suits I currently wear when I’m not wearing Aquascutum. The key to building a good wardrobe is buying staple pieces from different brands, as depending on which category you’re shopping for, your go-to brand should change.

If you only had one day to live what would be your biggest regret ?

I try not to live my life with regrets, if there’s something I want to do then I generally try to find a way to make it happen.

What inspires you ?

People, travelling – we try to design clothes at Aquascutum for real people so we always ask ourselves when designing whether your average gentleman on the street would feel comfortable in what we offer.

What would be the one thing you would rescue if your house was on fire ?

My Grandfather’s war medals and uniform

Who is your style icon ?

Douglas Hayward – he’s the person I looked up to in the early stages of my career and helped dress many inspirational people over the years

What style advice do you live by ?

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be comfortable in your own appearance, where you can, buy quality staples pieces over fast fashion items that won’t last.

If you could collaborate with one brand who would it be?

We collaborated with Anthony Gormley and Esquire to create an electroplated suit in 2009 when I was at the brand previously. It would be interesting to do more projects like this, where the boundaries of art and fashion collide. I also really admire Andreas Gursky’s work – I like his photography and it would be interesting to see what influence or twist he could give on Aquascutum

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

Travel more, see the world when young and do as much as you can to gain as much vaired experience as possible.

What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe ?

A well cut navy suit dressed up or down, it works for all occasions.

Tell us what your favourite hotel in the world is ?

Blackberry Farm in Tennessee – I spent last New Year’s here. It’s the perfect place to forget about the world – from time to time I like to get out of London, and immerse myself in country life.

What piece of clothing would you relegate to Room 101 ?

Club check baseball caps!

PREVIEW OF THE AUTUMN AD CAMPAIGN

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Sunsational – Tried & Tested Suncreams by Amanda Lewis

What is going on with the weather? One minute you’re putting a hoodie on to keep warm, the next putting up an umbrella to keep off the lashing rain and then; finally the suns out and you feel the burn!

You’ll be needing to stock up on some serious sun protection if you’re jetting off on your summer holidays and even if in the UK be prepared.

For those of you who want to come back with a statement tan – Piz Buin -Tan and protect
Tan accelerating spray SPF 30 is the one for you. Sprays on, leaves great shine, smells good and no white streaks. Nuff said !PB_TanProtect_Oil_Spray_SPF30

 

 

For those of you who are more sun sensitive NIVEA SUN Pure and sensitive sun lotion SPF 50 is good, but apply before you go out as it can make you look pale till it is absorbed, only saying !Screen Shot 2014-07-13 at 22.37.51

This really worked, Marks and Spencer – Formula High Protection Sun Lotion SPF30 200ml, it’s made especially for M&S by an Australian company and you can tell- those Aussies know good sun sense and price wise its great value. Plus it was recently nominated as a Best Buy by Which? Magazine.Sun Care Formula SPF 30 Sun Lotion

For those into water sports … this had the best water resistance and with the high factor means you can stay out longer. Garnier – Ambre Solaire Clear protect +SPF 50 is a transparent body protection spray, which is non greasy and leaves zero white marks and is very water resistant.Screen Shot 2014-07-13 at 22.20.47

Now, to be honest we should treat our faces differently and FACE facts – wear a sun protector daily.

We really like LAB series BB cream with spf 30+. Slap on like a moisturiser, its gives you great skin protection and made the skin look – well, better.Screen Shot 2014-07-13 at 22.45.19

Dr Sebagh-Sun City Protection SPF 30 is aimed at the urban guy, and is at the ricer end of the market but offers great protection from suns rays and pollution. Screen Shot 2014-07-13 at 22.49.10

Finally, this is always in CMTM sun defences. It is great for protecting your more delicate bits, like around the eyes, nose and forehead. It never stings – and it stays put, however hot and bothered you get- Clarins sun stick – 30+. Essentially a product we can’t say enough good things about !!!!Screen Shot 2014-07-13 at 22.11.13

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All done in the best possible taste – BAARTMANS AND SIEGEL

Baartmans & Siegel SS15

Baartmans & Siegel SS15

Wouter Baartmans and Amber Siegel, the London based Dutch British combo, are certainly  making their presence known in the men’s fashion universe. Their names aren’t household ones at the moment, but no doubt over the coming few years that will most definitely change.

The duo met while at avant-garde fashion house, Viktor & Rolf, and were united in their belief of beautiful craftsmanship and imaginative design.  Their style has quickly evolved and matured and tge duo describe their look as, “Classic elegance with modern masculinity.”

imageimageimageimageAlready they have brought their unique take on menswear to successful collaborations with the likes of Penfield and Grenson. But moving into Autumn and 2015 get ready for the onslaught, with projects planned with the likes of River Island, Kickers and the subject of today’s post. Nixon, the contemporary watch brand have teamed up with this dynamic duo for their first folly into London Fashion. Since their humble beginnings in southern California, Nixon is now distributed in over 90 countries, boasts a team of some of the leading talents in Skate, Surf and Snow and a product range grown to include clothing, accessories and custom audio products.

Proud to focus on the items that aren’t noticed first, Nixon’s collections are filled with innovative and contemporary designs. Working to make the small things as good as can be, “so when you wear it, you feel like you’ve got a leg up on the rest of the world.” A statement the brand has abided by for the past fifteen years.

Baartmans & Siegel SS15

Baartmans & Siegel SS15

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Still Fresh after 25 years – The Boxfresh 25 Collection

image25 years, a Silver anniversary is something to shout about and make a fuss over and to celebrate this landmark event, one of the UK’s best loved streetwear brands, Boxfresh will launch a limited edition, capsule collection entitled ‘25’.

The brand began life with a market stall in Camden, North London in 1989 with a range of contemporary graphics printed onto vintage t-shirts. These garments were picked up quickly and became a staple amongst music artists and creative talent across the capital.

imageThe collections that celebrates this monumental year will include 12 pieces of apparel and four footwear styles featuring the ‘QUARTER’ graphic on all t-shirts and sweats and as a label inside each product. The graphic represents not only a quarter of a century but also highlights Boxfresh’s US sport and street inspirations. When Boxfresh originally began, it was a store in London which sold exclusive American brands such as Carhartt and Penfield. ‘25’ celebrates this early heritage but brings a European sophistication to it.

In this collection, Boxfresh has also explored new areas in cut. Fits are are looser and oversized with longer length tees and shirts with extended tails and sweats, using super heavy weight loopback fabric. There are jackets with technical qualities and reflective 3M is featured throughout the pieces.

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