CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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The IKEA of haircare – REF

REF-Grupp1Sweden, 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

 

 

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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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Pearls of Wisdom – RI Masterclasses

Inbetween launching and showing during London Fashion Week, the new Rhianna range for River Island. These crafty little retailers have another launch which caught my eye nearly as much as the Bajen beauty, the RI Masterclasses the first of which is with that Master of Style, wit and long term friend of Clothes Make the Man, the debonair Mr Dan Ruckwood. Like River Island, Dan is a busy man when not being papted for Street Style websites the world over for his Sartorial flair, he’s also Style Director of Mens Health UK. Rather, then me procrastinate any further, let me leave you in the good man’s hands and have a listen to the style gems Dan has for you. Ohhh one last thing, keep your eyes peeled for future Masterclasses that promise to draw on the knowledge of experts to give the modern man  ‘hot tips’ for grooming, music, and even mixology !!!!

 

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The Top 5 Style icons – A Barbour shared post

I don’t think its going to come as any shock revelation to say we are big fans of the British Heritage brand Barbour here at Clothes Make The Man, well guess what, they’re fans of us too. So much so they recently asked use to contribute to their blog who we saw as our top five style icon. Easy, says you, well not as easy as you may think as the label STYLE ICON is a term pinned to people all to easily and quickly in modern menswear today, in the same way that Genius is banded about in contemporary language. No sooner has a pop star, footballer or reality TV celeb employed the services of a decent Stylist who selects a suit for them from Savile Row, encourages them to go for a classic haircut that flatters their features and won over a couple of the weekly women’s mags in the “SACK THE STYLIST” features then they are being crown with the accolade of Style icon. If only it was truly that easy, what we are going to look at today is five TRUE style icons in every sense of the word. Men who have really left their foot print in the DNA of mens style and will be remembered for their sartorial splendour and dapper style for eons to come.

Screen Shot 2013-02-13 at 15.45.061)    David Beckham – He’s come a long way baby, this Leytonstone Eastender from humble beginnings, has transformed the world of style and no one has influenced the everyday man more in the style stakes and pushed him to experiment or even try, when it comes to an introduction to fashion and his wardrobe. From the moment Beckham made his professional football debut in 1992 for Manchester United, he was known equally for making headlines for what and how he was wearing, as the goals he was scoring. Barbers the world over watched Beckham with bated breath as they knew, if he changed his hairstyle so would legions of men, whether it was a change of colour or cut, if Beckham had it so would scores of blokes.

Additionally, clothing retailers fight furiously for a piece of Brand Beckham, from Armani, Dolce & Gabbana to Marks & Spencer and H&M, as they know his Midas touch is literally worth its weight in golden revenue.

Screen Shot 2013-02-13 at 15.47.142) James Dean – Not only an eternal Style and cultural icon but defined what it was to be a Rebel without a cause. The saying, “The brightest stars burn out the fastest,” must have had James Dean in mind. He was only alive for 24 short years but what a legacy he left behind, three films, which have gone on to become classics in every way possible, defined his career, East of Eden, Rebel without a Cause and Giant. Dean has been used a stylish reference point  for countless examples over the years including from Fonzie in the TV show Happy days to Morrisey in his Suedehead video. The words James Dean and icon are like hand and glove, they just go together.

To find out the who the other three STYLE ICONS are please click on the link –

http://barbour.com/blog/anthony-mcgrath-my-style-icons

 

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The great Benchmark – Bench

Mancunian brand Bench, is one of those brands that when mentioned, people have a tendency to utter, “ahh yeah, Bench, I remember Bench”, its a casualwear label that people tend to hold in esteem and with fondness. So when I got an email asking me if I want to take a little jaunt up to the wonderful city of Manchester to take a look at Bench’s new concept store ? I thought, “ahh yeah, Bench, I remember Bench”.

Images of the NQ BENCH Concept Store

Images of the NQ BENCH Concept Store

So off I went up to SUNNY Manchester, OK it was pouring down but I hate to be predictable, off into an area called The Northern Quarter, which I remember as Oldham Street, famed nowadays for its gritty realism, I prefer to recall it for Afflecks Palace and Dry Bar, but hey each to their own. Nestled on the corner parallel to where Eastern Block records USED to be, is the BENCH Concept Store. I have to be honest I was completely bowled over by the store, but more the thinking behind it. Nick Barber, Head of Design, explained to me, that the launch of the NQ (Northern Quarter) concept store seeks to give something back to the city and community that nurtured and gave life to Bench, almost 25 years ago !!! (just to make you feel old).

The store will tie in with the Self Made campaign, championing the cultural innovators and launched through www.benchselfmade.com, the campaign offers successful applicants an opportunity to showcase and further their creative skills with prize funding and exposure through the Bench brandbook, website and social media channels. Serving as a basis to house and present the exceptional talents of the competition winners.

As well as being a place to see first hand the talent rising up through the help of the campaign, exclusive product previously unavailable in the UK will feature in store along with a range of limited edition lines and collaboration products. The store will also provide a multi-purpose, gallery style space. The basement gallery will serve as a busy hub for Manchester’s creative minds, of which there are plenty by the way,  to meet and mingle. The basement will also provide a platform for emerging young talent to showcase their ideas and skills with live music, performance, artist workshops, photography, film screenings and exhibitions.

Nick, then took me through the collection for this coming season, which took its inspiration on a nostalgic look at the 90’s, rather apt as I spent much of the earlier 90’s hanging out in drinking dens and somewhat trendy clothes shops, just a stones throw away. The range sees a return to street wear, combining influences from urban tribes and music culture, for which Manchester is renowned as a mecca for. Bench is a branch, that has evolved and developed over its near 25 years, had its ups and downs and at times lost sight of its roots but its definitely one which is well worth revisiting.

Examples from the Bench SS13 Collection

Examples from the Bench SS13 Collection