CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 29/08/2014

I can see clearly now the SUN has gone – Transitions

You now how it is, its still sunny and bright but you don’t want to appear a dick by wearing your sunglassees you don’t wanna have to keep on swapping over from regular glasses to sunglasses and back again, well by Gove, I think I’ve found the answer to your problems.

Transitions Optical, the world leader in pioneering light- adaptive lens technology and is the market leader in the advancement of photochromic lens technology, with over 100 worldwide researchers focused on the innovation of new technology. Transitions have developed over 4,500 different photochromic dyes, and over 115 US patents and 330 worldwide patents protect the technology. Transitions Optical goes beyond traditional vision correction by offering superior technology that surpasses clear prescription lenses and outperforms traditional sunwear. The lenses adapt their tint to changing light conditions, wherever you are.

For Autumn they have collaborated with Eyewear specialists, Eye Respect, where all their frames are designed by hand in England and manufactured by hand in Italy. The brand was born out of a desire to pay homage to the long and distinguished histories of English and Italian culture, and the effortless combination of style, standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail that are inherent in both cultures.

The partnership is announced as Transitions unveils a great new colour to add to its Signature lens offering, Graphite Green. A green sunglasses colour had been originally developed in the 1950’s because research showed that the human eyes do not respond equally to all colours in the visual spectrum. Based on this insight, Transitions Optical and Essilor International jointly developed the new grey-green colour using a unique patented colour science technology to provide an enhanced colour and contrast experience. The new colour is a contemporary addition to Transitions Optical’s family of coloured light-adaptive lenses.

anthonymcgrath405 / 28/08/2014

Good, Honest, Hard Working Denim – Blue Collar Worker

BLUE COLLAR WORKER is a brand established by an experienced team of British denim experts as a reaction to being sick and tired of the seemingly endless conveyer belt of over-styled European and West Coast American jeans brands, that lack a sense of authenticity. The team decided to launch a small, dedicated, functional, workwear inspired jeans range, with subtle twists in terms of detailing and cut to give a distinct, contemporary, “British” flavour.

All garment details are engineered to function as intended – pure focused jeans wear that will stand the test of time. Raw denim products (unwashed) will wear over time to evolve into a truly unique item, and a great “wardrobe favourite”.

This season the brand has used the finest quality, ring-spun denims, referencing traditional workwear pieces and ‘archive’ influences from the 1930’s – 50’s, products are given that all important twist, whilst, never losing sight of their true utilitarian nature. And sees the introduction of a limited edition line of jeans in top grade 14oz Japanese selvedge denim. Each pair of jeans are individually numbered and with a nod to working times gone by hold beautiful copper “snuff box which doubles up as a handy coin case. This premium range is limited to 150 pairs per style.

Microsoft Word – Blue Collar Worker Press Release AW14

For keeping the cold at bay the collection also includes proofed cotton coats, denim over-shirts, checked work shirts and an expanded range of indigo jersey wear.

As always focus is given to each garment ensuring it not only functions in the workplace but to its overt attention to detail is paid to its construction and internal finishing.

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/08/2014

The Buyer’s Guide to Autumn 2014 – Stacey Smith – MatchesFashion.com

You may not have heard of the subject of today’s Buyer’s Guide and there is a good chance that you’ve not visited one of its stores. But, it can only be described as a pocket rocket powerhouse for Style, which has a fiercely loyal customer base and is why MATCHESFASHION.COM has over the last decade become an authority on both contemporary and international menswear. It’s menswear buyer, Stacey Smith, started her career in the Retail Fashion industry working at the likes of Nicole Farhi and Paul Smith. She joined the retailer in 2002 and has spent the last decade establishing MATCHES as a real key player. Smith not only picked up hot British designers Jonathan Saunders and Rake in their first seasons, but has also introduced the coolest international labels, such as Carven, AMI and Michael Bastian to their menswear offering. MATCHESFASHION.COM’s rostrum of more than 100 carefully chosen brands is now a curated edit of international super-brands, young British designers, cult labels, sartorial legends and contemporary classics.

The Portfolio of the MATCHES lifestyle brand now boasts 11 stores and an international website, that ships to over 195 countries across the globe. However, its beginnings are far more humble, when, back in 1987, Tom and Ruth Chapman opened the first Matches store in Wimbledon Village, London. Since then MATCHES have worked with a plethora of names including Max Mara, Burberry and Diane Von Furstenberg on exclusive projects.

Mens Health consider it, “Shop here for the one luxury purchase you make this season.” and the Telegraph Magazine called it,“An elegant and easy-to- navigate site with a good selection from familiar names such as Paul Smith and Polo Ralph Lauren, as well as less widely available and interesting labels including Carven. A special mention for Matches’ excellent selection of eveningwear, if you have occasion to smarten up this season.”

So let’s see Stacey’s top buys for the season ahead;

STACEY’S TOP TEN PICKS FOR AUTUMN 2014

1) Y3 TRAINER
2) RAF SIMONS /STERLING RUBY BOMBER
3) SAINT LAURENT RUC SACK
4) VALEXTRA DOCUMENT HOLDER
5) BALENCIAGA OVERCOAT
6) APC SWEATSHIRT
7) MASTERCRAFT DENIM JEANS
8) HAIDER ACKERMANN TROUSERS
9) CHRISTOPHER KANE JUMPER
10) LANVIN BOOTS

anthonymcgrath405 / 26/08/2014

This will make you HAPPY ! – The new unisex Fragrance from Comme des Garçon & Pharrell

Now before we start I have to address a little matter regarding my household and a certain, undeniably talented Mr Williams. Recently the McG family returned from their Summer jaunt, where we were, what can only be described as tortured, by a certain track that the aforementioned Mr Williams, wrote, sung and produced. The track in question, of course, ‘HAPPY’, my son is obsessed with this song, whenever we got into the car, first thing in the morning, before he went to bed, ‘APPY, APPY, APPY’ incessantly. Upon our return, we soon discovered, it wasn’t just ‘APPY’ that was our son’s track du jour, but he had developed a liking for all things Pharrell, (just to note social services, we haven’t introduced, any of the mature material from Williams’ NERD period) , his collaborations with French robotic house duo Daft Punk, being particular favourites. The only solace I can take from this is from the wise beyond her years and patience of a Saint, Mrs Mc, who pointed out, “It could be so much worse, it have have been something like Barbie Girl.”

Anyway, enough of my rant and back to target to today’s subject matter. Pharrell Williams has been rather busy of late, recently picked up his 7th Grammy Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for his #1 hit single “appy”, sorry “Happy” from the animated film Despicable Me 2. Plus this year has seen him collaboration with both Adidas and Uniqlo on Clothing ranges. But for Autumn 2014 we see him diversify into another market, that being, Fragrances. This time round, he has chosen to work with cutting edge Fashion, fragrance and lifestyle house, Comme des Garçon.

G I R L by Pharrell Williams offers a woody scent of high-quality and complex construction, inspired by his Album of the same name, he manages to translate into liquid form his heady and infectious mix of music into scent format. Ingredients include, Neroli, Lavender, Iris, Styrax Cedarwood and Vetiver to offer to truly unisex fragrance equally appealing to men’s as women, a but like his music, you could say.

anthonymcgrath405 / 22/08/2014

Scarlett of Soho – Don’t worry it isn’t some 18th Century House of ill repute

Although the name Scarlett of Soho conjurers up images of dim lit drinking dens and ladies of the night, nothing could be further from the actuality of this stylish, contemporary and incredibly convenient optical brand.

The brand pays homage to 18th century British eyewear innovator Edward Scarlett, a Royal Optician who revolutionised eyewear culture in his time. At his Soho store, on Dean Street, he popularised the usage of temples on frames for ease of wear and comfort, creating functional, fashionable eyewear. Inspired by his legacy, Scarlett of Soho represents timelessly classic yet modern eyewear, crafted with the finer details in mind. Its debut collection features 32 Unisex models, lovingly designed optical styles from a baseline of 9 fundamental designs inspired by generations of makers and crafters. The frames are hand finished using the highest quality Italian Mazuchelli acetate, undergoing a staggering 16-stage production process. The brand also offers a unique complimentary Home Try-On service, allowing customers to easily pick four frames to try over five days, with free shipping both ways. A great additional touch is each frame is inscribed with a thought provoking quote, for example ‘Embody Grace’, ‘Soldier On’ and ‘Designs Matters’, just for that lil added extra.

STACEY’S TOP TEN PICKS FOR AUTUMN 2014

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