CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 11/09/2014

WHISTLES down the wind – the Launch of Whistles Menswear

Whistles has long been a go to and firm favourite with style conscious females consumers, well now it’s out turn lads ! The brand’s debut men’s collection for autumn 2014 built on the foundations of contemporary design and modern utility is here. The long wait is finally over for a Whistles menswear range to rival the inspiring and intelligent reputation of our female counterparts, delivering the building blocks of an edited wardrobe, refined to be both accessible and timeless, with an emphasis on newness guaranteed to keep you returning each season for wearable directional looks.

The launch collection balances classic outerwear with high-end knits, versatile tailoring and accessories highlighting, not only everything a modern man could possible need but, the relevance of updating well-loved, familiar pieces with a functional modern edge. Overcoats emerge oversized, and signature bikers are reworked, as we know from Friday’s Post, in black shearling. Trousers tick off both tapered volume and slimmed-down silhouettes. And shirting explores smartened-up staples, ranging from crisp Oxfords to check flannels and textured overshirts.

Jersey feels smart and unfussy. Cashmere upgrades the tracksuit, taking lounge sportswear to a more luxury level. Chunky hand-knitted sweaters sit alongside roll-necks in relaxed mohair blends, or smart fine gauge wools, to define the season’s knitwear. While denim is stripped-back to the essentials, emerging raw and slim with subtle detailing.

Jane Shepherdson, Chief Executive at Whistles, explained to us the concept behind the launch the collection which positions itself firmly in the dynamic men’s contemporary market, making Whistles a new destination for us, the discerning male customer focusing on quality, creativity and yet anonymous style.

“At Whistles we value the power of understatement and believe that sharpness, quality and function are what really resonate today. Menswear is built around a tightly edited core of familiar pieces, so making it feel relevant comes down to perfecting the details and subtly updating them. If the simple things don’t look brilliant, how can you expect customers to fall for the more standout pieces?”

anthonymcgrath405 / 09/09/2014

It sure ain’t gonna be all Test tubes & Lab Coats with Camper Lab

Following the recent appointment of Romain Kremer as Creative Director to the Spanish Footwear brand, Camper, its just unveiled its newest retail experience worldwide with their CamperLab stores.

An experimental platform where new concepts are introduced, the CamperLab stores represent the essence of Kremer’s vision and are a window into a new era at Camper.

Comprised of 8 key existing locations including London, Paris, New York and Berlin, the CamperLab establishes the tone for Camper shops worldwide.

The Lab also features a more definitive choice of the new proposal edited by Kremer himself along with icons revisited, introducing a redefinition of Camper’s aesthetic directed towards a more contemporary and youthful audience.

In conjunction with the Lab stores Camper has also launched two new social media platforms. The content and news feeding these platforms will be directly connected to the latest at CamperLab helping to introduce its new attitude and facilitate a dialogue with a new and wider following.

anthonymcgrath405 / 08/09/2014

It’s all about the Aramis – Aramis Adventurer

Aramis as a scent celebrates its golden anniversary this year, 50 years ago it burst on the scene with a splash of handsome energy as one of the first luxury fragrance and skin care lines for men. It was the first-ever men’s scent to be sold in department stores and was immediately classified as a masterpiece. Fifty years later, Aramis remains a timeless classic representing individuality and sophistication. To mark this milestone the brand are launched an exclusive limited edition exclusive to Harrods later this year.

But, Aramis Adventurer is a new scent for the new generation of Aramis gentlemen, Aramis 2.0, one could say. Still, of course, sophisticated yet sporty. Well travelled, athletic, strong and secure. He is active – pushing the boundaries and taking chances while looking sharp, feeling confident and emulating young sophistication, sounds like you ?

This is a unique blend of uplifting freshness, mysterious aromatics and seductive wood aromas.The fragrance opens with a unique blend of freshness led by crisp citron and exquisite bergamot, while a burst of black pepper introduces a modern spicy sense. The aromatic heart is a charismatic fusion of geranium, lavender and absinthe, reinforcing the fragrance’s charm. The modern elegance of rich patchouli and cedarwood is softened with salted marine sea moss notes.

anthonymcgrath405 / 05/09/2014

Ask the experts – Top Autumn buys

It’s all good and well, me spouting on about how great this is or how wonderful that is, but sometimes you need to hear from the proverbial horse’s mouth. So as Autumn is pretty much upon us, no point in denying its onset any longer, we seek the counsel of 5 of our favourite brands, creative genii to offer us their favourite piece from Autumn 2014.

For today’s post, our learned panel consists of – Frances Walker, Jigsaw Menswear Design Director, who chose this beautiful Prince of Wales Check Suit, saying, “Jigsaws Prince of Wales suit is a great buy, a heritage fabric that never dates produced by esteemed UK mill Abraham Moon known for their unsurpassed quality. This 100% wool suit comes with an unstructured jacket giving the shoulder a more natural line making the jacket perfect as both formal attire and more casual cardigan style in line with the seasons norm core trend.”

Next up we have Michael Anderson, Vice President, Men’s Product and Design, Banana Republic, “My must have for the season is our super luxe slim knit jogger pant in grey. Worn with a soft unconstructed blazer, waffle crew neck sweater and our suede sneakers is both easy comfort and cool. Its a great alternative when you want to give denim a rest but still want to look pulled together.”

Alex Field, Head of Menswear Design for Reiss has selected, “My essential piece for AW14 is the Sanders shearling aviator jacket. It’s incredibly versatile thanks to its peerless ability to combine luxury with comfort while feeling just at home as part of a casual outfit as it does as part of a formal outfit.”

Up next is Gordon Richardson, Creative Director of TOPMAN, who has gone with, “My absolute must have would have to be a drop shouldered textured coat.”

Last but by no means least, we have a new kid on the menswear block, but this brand is one you will be hearing an awful lot more of over the coming, weeks, months, years. Whistles is about to launch it’s menswear offering, more about that later, but we asked their CEO, Jane Shepherdson to select their fave piece and it was, “The biker jacket is an iconic, timeless piece, that adds a harder, tougher edge to sophisticated minimalism. This jacket is a piece you can keep for years and the leather only gets better.”

anthonymcgrath405 / 04/09/2014

Another example of how great British High Street Style is ! – Baartmans & Siegel X River Island

Morning loyal readers, as many of you will know, design duo, Baartmans & Siegel or Wouter and Amber as they are known by their Mothers, are becoming not only regular subjects of high praise here at Clothes-Make-the-Man, but they have been making real positive ground as part of London Collections:Men.

Synonymous with an impressive attention to detail matched with unwavering masculinity, Baartmans and Siegel, are renowned for their use of interactive texture and razor sharp tailoring. Self described modern-traditionalists, Wouter Baartmans and Amber Siegel’s work focuses on beautiful fabrics that seduce and shapes that are accessible yet distinctive.

They are the latest subject of River Island’s inspired, Design Forum, the inspiration for this 12 piece collection centres on a strong masculine protagonist, drawing dark cinematic elements from the dystopian works of Phillip K. Dick and the stark synthesizer noir of Director Michael Mann. Outerwear and tailoring are among the hero pieces in the range, including a structured double breasted blazer in a high quality wool mix fabrication and a versatile goose down puffa with reverse feature. Slick accessories and statement footwear accent the collection. Complete with a petrol-effect snow boots, a further reference to a signature style of the designers.

The duo said of this partnership, “When working on the concept for the collection we felt it was important for us to carry through our identity of indulgent masculinity with our signature fabrics and refined classic silhouettes. River Island’s responsiveness and huge industry network has allowed us to maintain our high level of craftsmanship which has been most refreshing. We have also been able to explore new technical aspects that we have wished to create for some time, which has been key in helping to create an accessible wardrobe with effortless style.”

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