CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 28/02/2013

When is a White T-shirt not just a White T-Shirt ? The Selfridges ‘NO NOISE’ White T-shirt

The famous Selfridges Main Window

The answer to, When is a White T-shirt not just a White T-Shirt ? Well, basically when it’s a Selfridges exclusive Designer T-shirt as part of their ‘NO NOISE’ initiative. No Noise centres around the re-launch of its legendary Silence Room, first created by the store’s visionary founder, Harry Gordon Selfridge, Yes him of the hugely successful Sunday night drama on ITV, in 1909. The new Silence Room presents a fresh take on the original model but with the same purpose: providing an oasis of quiet for those eager to take uno momento to pause and switch off from the hard toil of retail therapy. Designed by renowned architect Alex Cochrane, famed for his work on amongst other projects Sotheby’s and Heathrow Airport. This serene space will be created to encourage a mental detox and visitors will be asked to leave shoes, mobile phones and 21st century distractions at the door, how very zen.

For anyone who hasn’t seen the period drama, Mr Selfridge, the aforementioned retail maverick was known for not only revolutionising the way we shopped but turned the experience from a necessity into very much a leisure pass time and experience within itself. In the purist spirit of No Noise, six leading international fashion brands(Dries van Noten, Jonathan Saunders, Raf Simons, Paul Smith, Marni and Hunter Gather) have created limited- edition men’s white t-shirts – each with unique design details, such as Dries van Noten’s season-defining camo print and a bold embossed ‘X’ on Raf Simons’ style, making them covetable collector’s items.

Dries van Noten

Marni

Hunter Gather

Paul Smith

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/02/2013

Be proud of your smalls – Hamilton & Hare

The dilemma for a everyday men of what underwear to put on is pretty much a very simple one, the brands on offer to him, now thats a different kettle of fish although. But the design of the aforementioned undergarments are simple;

1) Briefs or a variation on it

2) Y-fronts or a varition on it

3) Trunk style or a varition on it

4) The Boxer Short……

Until now the Boxer Short was a humble simple design, that was until Olivia Francis while at work at the huge Global Creative Agency M&C Saatchi stumbled upon the notion that there seems to be a gap in mens underwear, sorry couldn’t resist that one. Now I know what you’re thinking, a WOMAN ! What does SHE know about MENS underwear. Well, despite not being able to wear them herself, but with an all important female perspective on the matter, she is adamant about the importance of men’s underwear and is really passionate about bringing inspiration and new thinking to the category. Olivia felt no-one was thinking about underwear as something you really wanted to buy but only as a functional, replacement piece of clothing. She set out with a new approach to treat underwear as outerwear, to consider it an important part of an outfit and treat it with the respect and attention it truly deserves.

Hamilton & Hare introduces a range of slimline tailored boxer shorts that combine Savile Row tailoring and attention to detail previously not seen in the industry. From the mother of pearl buttons to the slimming cut, these are underwear to be seen and seen in.

The boxers are unique in their slimline tailored cut, sized by trouser waist size for a more accurate fit. Working with an experienced Savile Row tailor, a menswear designer, who formally working with Raf Simons: Hamilton & Hare have produced a seriously comfortable pair of boxers that sit perfectly under an outfit but look equally sharp in their own right.

anthonymcgrath405 / 26/02/2013

Watch your cash – AskAnt

Morning Style Seekers, hope life is treating you as it should and you’re loving the one you love. It seems like ages since we’ve done an AskAnt and its rather nice that when I go out and about you good readers are actually starting to AskAnt personally your style conundrums and sartorial issues. So on to today’s subject matter and lets see what it throws at us. Well it came in the form of an email from an avid follower of the blog, Ed Morris, who wrote;

" I hope you can help me I have some spare cash, 
left over from Christmas and my birthday and I 
wanted to buy a watch with it. I'm after a chronograph 
style watch that looks a lot more expensive then 
the £200-250 mark I have to spend on it. Can you HELP !!!!!"

OK then Ed, watches are a subject close to me heart and although I feel you get what you pay for with a watch my Dad had a watch for literally years and because he cared for it, he looked after the watch and the watch looked after him. As always with matters of an AskAnt nature I’ve throughly sourced the market, not like a market stall, I’m not gonna often you anything shnide, and of course I’ve kept within your budget, so lets see what we have to offer you. First up;

So a few facts about the Rotary Aquaspeed V Link. Well it’s all in the design with original distinctive bracelet straps; this is what reaffirms Aquaspeed as a real sport inspired collection. This quartz movement chronograph comes with a rotating divers bezel, is waterproof and also comes with a lifetime guarantee. Now you literally can’t say fairer then that, a lifetime guarantee.

This lil number by, what is probably your girlfriend’s favourite designer, Marc by Marc Jacobs. This chic sports watch comes with a black silicone strap, a matte black dial with gun-hued accents and is water resistant to 5 ATM. Addirionally, Fossil make this watch on behalf of Marc Jacobs, in fact Fossil produce watches for everyone from Armani, Burberry and DKNY. Since 1984 it has grown from a small watch business to and international brand with over 400 stores worldwide, so it knows a thing or two about watches.

Now then, SEIKO invented the quartz chronograph back in 1983. This particular model has Hardlex Glass and is Water Resistant to 100m.

Now then, SEIKO, not only a market leader in this field as they invented the quartz chronograph back in 1983, but have been creating and repairing watches since 1891. This particular model not only looks the business it has Hardlex Glass and is Water Resistant to 100m.

So Ed, all that is left for me to do is to tell you, the choice is yours ??? Do let us know what your decision was and join us again soon for another style clinic.

If you have any stylistic problems, events to go to that you don’t know what to wear etc. Whatever, you query no problem is too big nor small, please just email askant@ymail.com and we’ll happily give you informed, knowledgable common sense advice.

anthonymcgrath405 / 25/02/2013

The IKEA of haircare – REF

Sweden, the country that gave us the Volvo, meatballs, Britt Ekland, of course the flat pack phenomena that is Ikea and who could forget Abba. Well as a way of apologising for Abba’s drunken Karaoke classic Dancing Queen, the Swedes are now giving us REF for Men, a simple, fuss-free, high-quality haircare.

REF promises a comprehensive collection of essentials for every type of hair possible, which makes choosing the right products easy with a number reference system that means you can’t go wrong. Pick the right product and codes and ta dah !
Perfect hair every time.

Using the simple REFerence system(see what they did there), consumers can assess each product on four key criteria; Hold, Shine, Volume and Care on a scale of 0-5. The salon formula range is designed to help consumers and salon professionals identify the most suitable products for their hair type in a reliable, no nonsense way.

Key ingredients in the product range include;

Tamanu Oil is a vital component in REF products, thanks to its’ natural ability to improve firmness and smoothness. This aromatic nut oil, originally from the South Pacific, ensures damaged scalps are healed and hair remains healthy.

Silk Proteins are an integral ingredient in many REF products. The structural protein found in silk, discovered to strengthen and restore hair back to health, improves elasticity and coats hair to prevent splitting. As a result hair becomes stronger, shinier and easier to manage.

The range is formulated to meet the demands of male consumers looking for convenience as well as quality. The simple, masculine scent reflects the up to date ethos of the REF brand, creating products that are both aesthetically pleasing and able to perform to a high level, just like those pesky Swedes.

hairtec.com

anthonymcgrath405 / 20/02/2013

Back in the Summer of 71 – Reiss 1971

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Reiss originally launched the range 1971 back in Autumn 2009, aiming to attract a more contemporary, youthful audience, willing to push the boundaries and adding a new dimension to the Reiss customer. So why 1971 ? Well, of course this marks the date that David Reiss founded the brand. No matter, the brand were at the time of 1971’s launch and still today VERY insistent that the collection is not retro, in any way- but rather fashion-forward. They see the customer as modern, current, self assured and confident as the range likes to celebrate iconic men, but in turn gives the customer the chance to be the character.

Reiss, pride themselves on always evolving and moving things forward, never sitting still. And so, wanted to re-invigorate 1971 and create a minimal, sharper spirit which is reflected in the product offering. The brand want 1971 to encapsulate this ideal of youth, sharp and clean whilst remaining true to the Reiss brand values. They worked with the Mantra of SOULFUL, COOL, CREATIVE & EXCITING… and used these words as the foundation blocks for this collection in creating a new identity for 1971.

As part of this re-birth they have also introduced an iconic bishop (Chess piece, not a mitre etc) logo featuring on menswear casual shirts, trousers, shorts, knitwear, cottons and tees. This reflects the location of the first Reiss Store, which of course opened its doors in 1971, in Bishopsgate, London, ‘Where Shoreditich Meets the City’.

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