CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 30/09/2014

Offering you an Alternative – Alternative Clothing

Alternative Apparel aren’t promising you the reinvention of the wheel or offering you the solution to the world debt, but instead this is a clothing brand that is best known for offering comfort, simplicity and its commitment to sustainability from its clothing. Founded in California in 1995, Alternative is a fashion lifestyle brand that tThrough innovative apparel design and involvement in purposeful causes, it aims to connect people, inspire creativity and catalyse change.

Creating clothes people want to wear every day, Alternative focuses on fabric innovation and partnering with likeminded individuals who aim to reshape the way we live, they are part of a growing movement of doers and disruptors connected through purpose, compelled by the future and grounded in social responsibility.

Developing custom fabrics from the yarn up to achieve their signature softness, Alternative pushes sustainable practice forward in all points of their process. Famous for its super-soft tees, sweats and fashion basics, Alternative creates wardrobe staples with modern silhouettes, balancing simplicity and style.

For more than a decade Alternative has gone to Peru to source the softest, most luxurious cotton in the world. This year they sought to deepen their relationships with their partners in Peru by getting to know artisans and those working to evolve the country’s rich cotton and textile traditions. They documented their experience in a series of “Made in Peru” films, providing consumers the opportunity to make the connection between the producer and product and inviting them to consider where our clothes come from. Alternative developed six new organic cotton fabrics from one single organic yarn for 100% organic cotton offerings.

anthonymcgrath405 / 29/09/2014

Step into the Nuit – Nuit d’Issey by Issey Miyake

Way back in 1994, some twenty years ago, a men’s fragrance burst onto the scene, which not only took it rock the industry, but has since become a real classic, in every sense of the word. L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme has become a hallmark of sophistication in the world of fragrances. It awakens the senses with its blend of citrus, precious woods and spices. The pure, energising, unmistakable scent is perfect for a modern, independent man.

Fast forward to 2014 and we see the launch of Nuit d’Issey inspired by the mysteries of the night, it’s an ode to wood, and evanescence of rich ingredients mingled with the opulence and potency of the night. The scent hits you with the bright top notes of zesty Citrus accords. Elegant masculine Bergamot blends with sharp grapefruit for an explosion of the scenes.

The fragrance then continues to take you on a mysterious trail where a health dose of leather, enhanced with spices and black pepper are laden down with wood and vetiver. The attraction of rich textured notes, black woods, patchouli and incense all combine with the sweetness of tonka bean.

With the strength of woods and the potency of sensual leathery notes underscore the intentionally very masculine character of Nuit d’Issey Issey.

anthonymcgrath405 / 25/09/2014

Taking a bite out of the Apple – 10th Anniversary of Marc Newson for G-Star

With the news of designer extraordinaire, Marc Newson’s appointment as Senior Vice President of Design at Apple, the industrial designer has also released the 10-year anniversary collection of G-Star by Marc Newson. First presented at the London Design Museum earlier this year, the capsule range features twelve limited edition leather jackets, signed by Newson, exclusive to luxury e-tailer oki-ni.com

In a world of one-off collaborations, denim specialist brand G-Star RAW and Australian industrial designer Marc Newson have reasonable cause for celebration. Since 2004, the G-Star by Marc Newson capsule collections have become renowned for their architectural constructions, distinct graphics, streetwear references, and premium fabrications. The 10-year Anniversary Collection is no exception, offering everything and more that fans have come to love from G-Star RAW by Marc Newson.

The collection highlight is the Reversible Tour Jacket. The changeable bomber jacket features a collection of patches that represent the decade’s worth of collaboration graphics. When turned from the silver bowling sateen, a black quilted side is revealed for a minimalist alternative. Newson said at the launch.

“The inspiration was simply to identify and focus on what we felt were the iconic motifs over the last ten years and to represent them visually in a single piece, which could itself become iconic within the context of our history.”

An exclusive version of the piece has been created for oki-ni.com. Produced in premium leather, though not reversible, the limited edition 12-piece run are each numbered, and signed by Newson.

The best of Japanese selvedge denim is also, as always, an essential part of the range. Cut to Newson’s take on the traditional 5-pocket jeans, the 5-Pocket Denim Slim, retains workwear inspiration with boxy back pockets and rivet-trimmed front pockets. Newson’s enduring fascination with uniform dressing is also apparent. Designed to be treated like your denim, without ironing or dry-cleaning, the Seven Day Suit features luxury wool pieces to suit every occasion.

Tees and sweats in premium cottons are identifiably G-Star by Marc Newson, with simple yet bold, varsity-inspired artwork. The collection is completed with the Dalm and Nuag prints, an abstracted take on traditional spots and stripes that add intriguing contrast to the cleaner graphics.

anthonymcgrath405 / 23/09/2014

6 of the Best – Bomber Jackets

This Autumn there isn’t really a key coat or jacket that stands out as a leading figure or star buy, instead we have a whole host of options to choose from, whether that be the traditional crombie style overcoat, the Parka, the trench, military inspired but alot of them are great for the depths of Winter. What about when its get a bit chilly or there starts to be a nip in the air ? In the Fashion Industry this is called a transitional piece, an item of clothing that can see you through those inbetween periods when the weather isn’t too hot, chance would a fair thing, or too cold. Today I have a great example for you the BOMBER JACKET, rocked and made famous by the likes of Steve McQueen in the Great Escape, JFK busted his with far more style then then successor George W and how could we forget Ryan Gosling in the great ‘Drive’. Take a look at these great examples.

You can’t go wrong with this example of a classic Jacket by Next

A great example of a bomber jacket that’ll see you through the coolest of Autumn days from Tommy Hilfiger at House of Fraser

A Classic British Jacket from a classic British Brand, Burberry Brit

I know Im not meant to have favourites but this is a killer of a jacket from Jigsaw Menswear

The original and still the best, the MA-1 from Alpha Industries, plus comes in a whole host of colours

To to finish off a brilliant interpretation of the Bomber Jacker from Kenzo, you can’t go wrongly

anthonymcgrath405 / 22/09/2014

Offering a feeling of all round wellbeing – The New Aveda Men’s Grooming Destination

After teasing us for some time with pop up barber shops within their Aveda Salon in Covent Garden, Aveda have finally and with much anticipation launched their new and exclusive Aveda Men’s Grooming Destination at their Lifestyle salon and Spa. Promising to offer the best in men’s grooming, all from the comfort of one chair, ahhhh I’m relaxing with just the thought of it. This new Men’s offering boasts an array of services immersed in a unique approach to holistic wellbeing, grounded at the heart of all things Aveda.

Set in a dedicated and now permanent, sorry, am I getting a little overexcited ? ‘Men Only’ space, comes an urban yet rustic ambience. Led by barbering expert Stelios Nicolaou, who boasts over 20 years of experience. While enjoying your retreat from the stresses and strains of urban living, you can enjoy bespoke grooming treatments, with everything from a traditional barber’s shave, invigorating scalp massage or just a simple cut and style on-the-go tidy up and yes no need to move from your chair, ahhhhhh.

Additional to all this, gentlemen, you can experience the awarding winning Aveda Men produce range, hero products include the Aveda Men Grooming clay, Dual action aftershave and Pure Formance Shampoo and Conditioner. Offering something for every man, from express 15 minute groomed-to-go options, to the full barbering and maintenance works and while there you can buy time to create your own tailored treatments. So either the next time you are visiting London take a little time out to visit this haven or if you are a London resident, what are you waiting for ?

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