CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 15/10/2013

Galvin-ising Menswear – Galvin for Men, No nonsense Menswear

On our continuing quest to find great outlets for menswear on the world wide web, we came across this gem in Galvin for Men, an Irish based emporium with a no nonsense approach which is soooo refreshing. Their philosophy is simple, they believe in Quality products, Quality service and a Quality Platform on which to present on, what more could you ask for ?

They offer a real nicely curated buy of brands, supporting the specialist manufacturer while also offering some great global brands. They pride themselves on their balance between believing not only in great products and brands but also in reflecting fashion design and innovation. Of course you have the favourites of Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph lauren, Lyle & Scott Vintage, G-Star and Tommy Hilfiger, but also products and labels of artisan craftsmanship and exceptional quality such as Inis Meain Knitwear, Nudie Denim jeans and Red Wing Boots.

Their Store based in Mulligar, Co Westmeath, Eire offers a laid back and down to earth attitude, where the customers are relaxed when browsing and the staff try to ensure you a memorable shopping experience. They are on hand to offer assistance and sound advice, plus you’re safe in knowing that because they know their customer so well, their product knowledge is first class. This service and knowledge was something that was forefront when the e-commerce site launched in 2011.

anthonymcgrath405 / 14/10/2013

Ensure your trimmed, plucked & Groomed with the King of Shave Prostyle eGrooming Range

As I’m sure you all know King of Shaves is a range of innovative and performance shaving, skincare and styling products and since Will King(above), see what he did there, created the Original Shaving Oil in 1993, King of Shaves now sells a product every three seconds worldwide !!!

And now after eighteen months in development, King of Shaves are proud to announce Prostyle, their new design led, electrical grooming (eGrooming) range for men. The Prostyle range combines effortless form and effective function, all at pocket friendly prices. King of Shaves is the only male-centric brand to provide a total grooming solution, from shaving preparations and skincare, through high performance system razors to electrical grooming and styling products.

The Prostyle range comprises:

The Bodystyler: the total grooming and styling solution for all over your body. The range comes in a non-slip rubberised precision grip, ideal for shaving your chest, legs, back, shoulders, groin and underarms, if you so choose, but remember this is not for use on pretty lil faces. All the tools in the range are battery powered, shower proof design for wet or dry use whilst three snap-on trimming guides give ultimate control. Hypoallergenic stainless steel blades for sensitive skin.

The Precision Trimmer: helping keep your eyebrows under control and unwanted nose and ear hair at bay. Efficient snap-on bi-directional trimmer and guides for nose, ear and eyebrows whilst rotary trimmer removes unwanted nose and ear hair.

The Beard Styler: Ensure your facial stubble is trimmed to your required length and groomed to perfection. The trimming guide adjusts from 0.5mm to 15mm allowing you to accurately and con- sistently groom your beard. With up to 30 minutes from each charge you’ll have plenty of time to define your style wherever you are in the world.

The Multi Styler: the complete facial grooming kit with everything you need to maintain your style. Four interchangeable trimmer and shaver heads plus three different guides combined with the non-slip rubberised grip give you precise control over your style. With up to 45 minutes from each charge you’ll have all the time you need to define your look, ohh yeah.

anthonymcgrath405 / 11/10/2013

6 of the best underwear – Get them on your Christmas Present list now !

As someone so kindly pointed out to me today, Christmas is but only 75 days away and after years of disappointment when come the big day and you think you’re getting the lego Millennium Falcon and you get a Scooby Doo box set, actually happened, or Eagle Eyes Action Man and you get Cluedo, actually happened. Please heed these words of warning, be careful what you say at this time of year, never, I repeat, never say, “Ahhh I love……” as people take you at your word and literally think you LOVE Scooby or Cluedo, trust me.

Now, a tried and trusted Christmas present idea is always underwear, now I’m not talking a three pack of jockey tanga briefs here, but if you’re not careful and watch what you say, that’s exactly what could be waiting for your under the Christmas Tree. So as always Clothes Make the Man has done the research on your behalf to save you the hardship. Check this lot out.

Ralph Lauren pretty much does everything from Clothing, to homeward to fragrances and we have to be honest he does a pretty mean line in underwear to boot. Great fit and comfortable to match.

He had to be in there The King of Underwear, Calvin Klein. Synonymous with great underwear, its hard to beat CK and its no longer restricted to Black, White & Grey no more, think Pink, Purple and pretty much any other colour of pattern

Dolce & Gabbana aren’t just supreme in Italian Menwear, but what goes beneath the Clothes too. We’ve gone for Classic Marl Grey. But the D&G Boys offer a whole spectrum of colours, shapes and fits.

Not a personal favourite of Clothes-Make-the-Man but we can’t dispute the popularity of the Boxer Short. So if this is your underwear du jour, keep it simple and ALWAYS of good quality like these from Hanro

he wasn’t just a Champion of tennis, Bjorn Borg’s Underwear range has to win the title of the most colourful, although we’ve gone for a tamer option. This range lets you be as colourful as you want to go.

As the weather outside gets chillier the it super traditional with this lil number from Hertiage brand Wolsey.

anthonymcgrath405 / 10/10/2013

The Best of British Luck, Marks & Spencer Best of British range

Way back in January of this year, during London Collections:MEN, we had an invite to come along and have a look at a best of British range, yeah OK, be a bit of a break from the treadmill of show after show in the pouring, freezing rain. Yet this invite was from no fashion designer, or cutting edge East London label, no, but from a very bastion of Britishness a quintessential National Treasure, none other then MARKS & SPENCER ! Yep, you’re not mistaken and any of you more loyal readers will note what followed, was yours truly falling in love with a Marks & Spencer product range more then their Christmas Sandwich selection !

Even M&S had underestimated their pulling power, for as we turned up shaking off the excess of the wintery showers, so did Supermodels David Gandy & future face of the collection Oliver Cheshire. Fashion Director of the Sunday Times STYLE Richard Grey, Shortlist’s Style Director, Adrian Clark, British GQ’s Editor, Dylan Jones and a plethora of style press big shots.

The collection is a celebration of the best in British design and manufacture, using some of the industry’s best cloths, suppliers and age old knowledge to produce a collection which is completely contemporary all the whilst drawing on inspiration from stylistic British icons.

The Man behind this concept is Tony O’Connor(see below), the brand’s Head of Design for menswear, who joined the company in 2008 bringing with him a wealth of experience and a strong focus on design and brand clarity and who we caught up with to find out a little bit more about the collection and his good self.

In your words, describe the collection ?

The Best of British collection is an edit of timeless pieces – I would describe them as confident and masculine, constructed in contemporary shapes with an emphasis on traditional British craftsmanship and quality

What was the inspiration for it ?

The M&S archive in Leeds was a key reference point for the collection. We were able to look back at traditional British styles that M&S has made through the decades, and the craftsmanship that went into British made items, to produce an updated collection that not only shows an appreciation for the technical skill involved, but also has a timeless essence that remains relevant today

What are the key pieces in it

The double breasted suits and coats are a key stand out shape for the collection

If you could collaborate with one brand (Who you currently aren’t) who would it be and why ?

Quite honestly, it’s been really exciting working with the British suppliers for this collection, such as Cheshire Bespoke for suits and Cheaney’s for shoes

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

Start thinking about what you want to do as a career, explore it and do it! I got into art and photography at an early age, which was a useful start to my career

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

I got a taste for menswear, after getting a Saturday job at a clothing store in Newcastle. Working here helped me decide what to do creatively

What piece of clothing best describes you ?

The formal jacket and the pocket square

What piece of clothing would you relegate to Room 101 ?

Dungarees

What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe ?

A tuxedo for special occasions

What piece of style advise do you live by ?

Choose British made shoes

Who is your style icon ? Why ?

As young men, Hugh Hefner and Oliver Reed. They had a sexy masculine style.

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

Working on a collection born in Britain and with British suppliers has been a lifelong ambition of mine, so it would have to be this brand!

The Best of British collection hits Marks & Spencer Store and website from 10th October.

anthonymcgrath405 / 09/10/2013

I wanna do whatever Common People do – Common People

Common People is essentially Kestin Hare, who cut his creativity teeth as Head of Design for the master of Outerwear Nigel Cabourn. Throughout his time here he never lost sight or love of his home town of Edinburgh and so after fifteen years of working for other people, he decided to return to Scotland create his own label and raise a family in his home town of Edinburgh.

Hare wanted to create a menswear brand that fused his love of Vintage and quality menswear into something of his very own, manufactured in the UK and was affordable to people with a common interest in quality menswear and this was the birth of Common People.

Common People is designed for people with a common interest in premium clothing and footwear. Common People represents a movement back to provenance and focuses on premium quality, craftsmanship and local sourcing to create a contemporary product with identity.

For Autumn Kestin has drawn inspiration from some key vintage finds from the Prohibition era, which influence the collections key shapes and details. The signature CP workwear blazer reinvents itself in pinstriped wool with matching cinch back, railroad trousers. The brands classic Mackinaw and Norfolk jackets are fabricated in a knitted woven style ushering a new direction into traditional styles for this season.

The heritage elements of the collection are combined with technical nylons, which reflect a contrasted sportswear feel. The bonded mac stands out with its electric blue neoprene lining whilst the short technical parkas add a new feel to the brand and collection.

Further to this the brand recently opened a flagship store in Edinburgh, no surprises there. The store is located in the unique destination area of Stockbridge and is nestled between contemporary interior boutiques, barbers shops, and the best cocktail bars and delis. The store interior has a minimal luxe feel with bold industrial features including original lighting design by Hare constructed from reclaimed bed frames, and a beautiful salvaged stainless steel table. This merging of clean lines with vintage also mirrors the signature style of Common People – modern heritage.

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