CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/03/2013

Minimalism just got more interesting – Minimum

Minimum was established by entrepreneur Peder Tang, as a small shop in Denmark’s second city, but ever so trendy area, of Aarhus in 1997. Gaining more and more notoriety the brand soon evolved into a independent clothing brand, launching its first collection back in 1999. Later, in 2007, Minimum added a female line and today it’s an international clothing company. Well established and stocked in stores throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada.

The general vision behind the brand is that of Scandinavian coolness mixed with a metropolitan vibe which has lent to the brand’s appeal and popularity across all the territories its available in. The brand aims to give their customers high quality products and unique details at an affordable price. Their collections are characterised by an interesting mixture of materials, shapes and colours and should be seen as a contributor to the basic wardrobe, working perfectly with existing favourite pieces, while at the same time providing prominent items for special occasions.

For Spring 2013, Minimum have turned their inspiration to what is without a doubt one of Denmark’s most fascinating, colorful and happy places to be. Christiania, an abandoned military site in the very middle of copenhagen which proclaimed itself as a FREE self-governing utopian society when squatters took it over in 1971.

Ever since the controversial area and it’s 600, so called, “Christianitter”, which have become a symbol, loved by so many around the world and have established a strong synonym with freedom, love and easygoing bohemian lifestyle.

This Spring 2013 collection brings together the social and design boundaries that have been pushed and blurred, via Christiania and Minimum emulates this ethos.

Minimum Spring 2013 Menswear range

anthonymcgrath405 / 26/03/2013

Raindrops keep falling on my shoes – SWIMS

SWIMS take on a Loafer

April, famous for its inclement weather and of course those pesky lil showers that so often catch you out, is only days away, plus, almost as a bonus, this year winter’s hanging around like a Pepper Pig sticker stuck to your fridge door, doesn’t seem to be budging ! What we need is some sort of device that allows us not to be restricted to carrying around a pair of Wellington boots with us no matter where we go and in constant fear of ruining a great and beloved pair of formal shoes that cost us a pretty penny !?!

Fear not dear reader, our good friends in the Scandinavian region, yes up there, no further, have come across a solution to ease our poor stressed out minds. SWIMS, originally established in 2005 by Johan Ringdal in Norway. The re-launch of the classic galosh with a modern twist proved to be a big success and is now found in over 25 countries in more than 650 high end stores such as Neiman Marcus, Scoop and Brooks Brothers in the US, Isetan in Japan,Trunk, Harvey Nichols, Orlebar Brown in the UK and Merci, L’Eclaireur and Le Bon Marché in France. The SWIMS collection includes galoshes, jackets, loafers, shoes, umbrellas and bags – all based on classic, nostalgic styles made with modern and unexpected materials, don’t worry, paper isn’t one of them.

The SWIMS loafer is made of water resistant rubber with nylon upper and a molded foot bed offering complete support. Some models have the velvet flocking that gives that extra luxurious finish.

The SWIMS for John Lobb

The sole is non-marking with a ribbed pattern designed to maximize traction on slippery surfaces and the ventilation gills on the sides ensure great breathability and ultimate comfort. Unlike traditional loafers, water will not damage the SWIMS loafer making them the perfect all round shoe come rain or shine and the SWIMS loafer is machine washable up to 30 C°.

In fact, growing love of this ingenious solution is such, that designer brands as diverse as Giorgio Armani, John Lobb and Agi & Sam have all collaborated with SWIMS in their own very individual manner.

SWIMS for Armani

The product is best summed up by Mr Ringdal, himself;

“A stylish solution, embodying the essence of practicality: Wear your favorite shoes, slip on SWIMS when the weather is rough, slip’em off when you arrive at your destination. Enhanced comfort is assured and your shoes are guaranteed to stay shiny.”

SWIMS for Agi & Sam AW13 collection

anthonymcgrath405 / 25/03/2013

Scent of a Man – Kouros Limited Edition

Kouros really is an iconic scent from an iconic Fashion House in Yves Saint Laurent. It’s well documented that the sense of smell can invoke a strong presence of emotion in oneself and just smelling Kouros transports you to a different time and conjures up vivid memories.

Kouros translates from ancient Greek to mean Youth and I have to be honest smelling this fragrances transports me back to mine. The fragrance was first launches back in 1981 and is the most successful male fragrance for the house of Saint Laurent and still today is one of the world most popular fragrance due to its timeless appeal.

A legendary fragrance, the triumphal emblem of a living Greek god whose masculinity is sculptural, solid and powerful. The ever more sensual Kouros idol draws summer’s vital energy from the limited edition Eau de Toilette. Kouros reinvents itself in a bright expression bathed in the light and warmth of Greek shores (yes I do really need a holiday at the moment and like all of us a little bit of sun). KOUROS ENERGIZING EAU DE TOILETTE soars on essences of bergamot and lemon, enlivened by a breath of aldehydes and anise notes, like a summer breeze on sun-warmed skin, ahhhh. This limited edition scent has its sensual core in Egyptian geranium. Incense and Virginia cedar are fused with leather and Indoesian Patchouli to try and capture a real ode to masculinity, ROAR !

anthonymcgrath405 / 22/03/2013

A winning combination – Bradley Wiggins for Fred Perry

2012 was an amazing year for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons, both Mrs Mc and Mrs Beyonce Carter gave birth to beautiful children, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 60 years on the throne, the predicted end of the world didn’t happen, Francois Hollande was elected President of France, Manchester City won the Premiership (OK this didn’t make everyone happy), the two Biggest nations in the world elected leaders, one a returning (Barack Obama) and one new (Xi Jinping), a blog called Clothes-Make-the-man.com launched and a guy called Bradley Wiggins had a VERY good year. Not only did Wiggins win the Tour de France, he also picked up Gold at The Olympics Games and finished the year in the Guiness book of records and was knighted by the aforementioned Monarch.

Now, some might say Wiggo’s biggest achievement of last year was not given enough coverage and may have even gone unnoticed by a number of you. Well did you know that Sir Bradley Marc Wiggins collaborated with legendary casual wear brand Fred Perry ? For this collection he has followed a clear brief to create an authentic, non- technical range of off-cycle wear. The collection is not high-tech performance sportswear or track memorabilia, it is a single-minded collection that can be worn every day. British to the core with a typically clean, lean Fred Perry aesthetic refreshed with iconic cycling details such as extended hems and rear patch pockets.

The Spring 2013 Bradley Wiggins x Fred Perry collection is a collaboration that genuinely reflects Bradley’s personality. The understated but distinctly retro-Mod personality is epitomised by a ‘vintage’ palette inspired by colour cards from the Fred Perry archive. Wiggins’ passion for his country are reflected in the GB red, white and blue, particularly in multi-stripe trims and tipping.

Key pieces include the zip neck short sleeve cycling shirt, a more sporty panelled cycling shirt, a vintage track jacket that harks back to the days of Reg Harris and Tommy Simpson and a stretch twill city short and a drop hem Harrington.

anthonymcgrath405 / 20/03/2013

Something to shout about – Ben Sherman & Teenage Cancer Trust

There is no disputing the fact that Teenage Cancer Trust not only do an amazing job but also is such a worthwhile cause to get behind and support. Which is just what the subject brand of today’s post have just gone and blinking done !!! Ben Sherman in conjunction with the amazing celebrated music photographer, Janette Beckman, have produced 5 different t-shirts to celebrate their 50th anniversary and 5 decade of music and style.

Janette started out photographing the emerging Punk scene of the 1970s, and later moved from her native London to New York to continue her documentation of the various music led movements of the times. In the years since, she has shot album covers for some of the biggest names in music, photographed film stars and captured iconic images, contributing to some of the most influential magazines across music and fashion.

This unique collaboration introduces a collection of five limited edition t-shirts featuring a selection of archival images, some instantly recognisable whilst others are lesser-known works. Continuing our association with the Teenage Cancer Trust, Janette Beckman and Ben Sherman are happy to be donating 25% from the sale of every t-shirt to this noble cause.

Now this isn’t the only project Ben Sherman and Teenage Cancer trust are working on at the minute, this very week, there are a series of concerts being held at none other then the Royal Albert Hall and curated by none other then Mr Noel Gallagher !!!!! (deserved winner of NME’s God Like Genius Award). Noel recently said of his association with TCT;

“Teenage Cancer Trust do a brilliant job, and I’ve always been more than pleased to lend my support over the years. It’s an honour to have the task of putting together the bills for next year’s series of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.”