Patrick Grant's Debenhams Collaboration Hammond & Co Archives

anthonymcgrath405 / 31/01/2014

Preview of the best of the best from the High Street for Spring 2014

As I sit here watching the rain lash against the window and see people’s umbrellas blowing inside out, a shudder runs down my spine with the thought of the dirty miserable and generally crap old weather we’ve had, for what seems to have been an eternity. As a result of this and as somewhat of an escape from, I thought, right, the shops are full of Spring product and trends. So let’s cheer ourselves up by having a look at what some of our favourite brands on the high Street have on offer for us and what we can wear once the weather, finally, takes a turn for the better.

Not particularly known for their use of colour, look who’s got a Spring in their step this season, none other then Marks & Spencer, no less.

A brand who seem to be putting more and more emphasis of their menswear season after season, and it’s really showing, is Next. Showing how to put off the Floral trend for the more reserved male out there.

Spring can be unpredictable, weather wise, at the best of time, but Banana Republic cater for those layering moments which you need to prepare for every eventuality.

Next up a brand and an image who are HOT right now, River Island, if this floral ensemble doesn’t put you in the Spring mood and warm you up then nothing will. I maybe would wear from head to toe Floral but this image just shows what a big trend this flowery delight will be this season.

A man who’s well and truly making his mark at Debenhams is Patrick Grant with his Hammond & Co range for the brand. He’s totally bringing his design flavour to Debenhams and not diluting it at all. Offering excellent quality and cut at great prices, keep it up sir !

Errr a brand that we totally need to keep an eye on is New Look, their suiting range for Spring is sublime, mature, contemporary and sharp. Next time your lady asks you to come shopping with you where to go.

Adding a little seasonal colour to our life’s is TOPMAN, always highly directional ditch those pinstripes and shades of grey and embrace coloured suiting for Spring.

Showing us that the Floral trend needn’t be restricted to casual attire, H&M once again show us how it can be done in a more formal setting.

anthonymcgrath405 / 10/12/2013

Have you made your Christmas Present list yet ? Ideal gift ideas for YOU!

You know us men are a selfless lot, we’re all too busy thinking of what we’re going to buy our loved one, that we all to often overlook what WE want for Christmas. We at Clothes Make the Man are all to aware of this problem and can sympathise with our good readers and so we thought we’d let you take a few moments break for a little US time, yeah think about what we might want sat under the Tress come Christmas Morn. So here’s a selection to wet your appetite –

These lil lovelies caught our eye or should that be ear, they are Bang & Olufsen Play headphones from MRPORTER.COM, deliver exceptionally clear, authentic audio. The soft leather memory foam earpads and lightweight support ensure you’ll be able to listen to your longest albums in comfort, while the lead can be plugged into either side and features an in-line remote control and microphone for flexible use on the move. Ohh Santa you better not forget.

Ohhh the weather outside might well be frightful but inside this Parka jacket by Banana Republic you certainly will be feeling delightful. Totally versatile and completely practical this Parka will keep you good whatever the weather throws at you this Yule.

Simple put this jeans are blinking fantastic, by Albam and a classic in every shape of the word plus a real wardrobe essential, each pair is crafted from a custom woven 13oz Vintage Rope Dyed Indigo Japanese denim, in a new factory in the north of England. When you receive your jeans they are a beautiful deep blue colour, untouched by fades and washes so you can make them your own as you wear them. The denim now has a chain stitched hem that gives an original finish that echoes back to the ways of old.

This brilliantly traditional Gentleman’s umbrella contrasts a navy canopy with a light brown wooden handle and a silver metallic engraved logo tab, by the equally brilliant Patrick Grant for Debenhams for his GREAT Hammond & Co range.

Celebrating its thirtieth birthday this very year, Swatch have created some incredibly iconic watches during this time including this great design classic, interestedly called, “Twice again”. Most people at some point have had a swatch and now’s the time to do it again.

Orson & Welles stock the best in original film posters from the 1950’s to 1980’s. Prices range from £100 for the 1954 re-release classic Port of Wickedness “She ruled, a queen over gold-mad love-hungry men…” to £5000 for the Star Wars non-Oscar version of the UK Quad Style C film poster – a key item for any serious Star Wars collector.

Hats, gloves, scarves combos are always a winner, but make sure you be specific in what your after or you can end up with novelty-tastic example. This set from Paul Smith will have you looking dapper no matter if your dressing down for a festive tipple or smartening up your act for an in-laws meet up.

Switch by Native Union is a truly GENIUS product, a Portable Bluetooth speaker, Professional conference call device and Mobile phone charger ! Its currently the way the Clothes-Make-the-Man office are listen to their music. Its wireless technology allows you to enjoy your music , movies and games. SWITCH is powered by three speakers, ensuring optimal sound quality whatever your music taste and take calls from over 30 feet away from your Bluetooth device, all the while looking pretty damn cool.

anthonymcgrath405 / 21/06/2013

A Gentleman and a Scholar, Patrick Grant

The subject of today’s LC:M textual conversation has incredibly, his fingers in MANY pies, in fact the hardest thing about this entire interview is where do you start when discussed the sickeningly talented Patrick Grant. Do you begin with E.Tautz, one of the brands he is Creative Director of, that he showed earlier this week during London Collections: Men or the other one, the Savile Row institution that is Norton & Sons. Or his many collaborations, a truly inspired partnership with Barbour for Autumn 13, which we’ll discuss later in the season or his venture, Hammond & Co, joining the expanding ranks of the Designers Portfolio at High Street retailer Debenhams. Not to mention his blossoming media career as a judge on the BBC TV show the Great British sewing Bee ????

Surprisingly though, Grant doesn’t come from a particularly Design background, or even creative, some might say. He has a Bachelors degree in Materials Science & Engineering, sorry what, from Leeds University and Universite d’Orleans and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Oxford. He lived and worked in five countries and in a number of different industries before the desire to follow a career in Menswear possessed him. Craftsmanship and a passion for old British brands lead him to Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons which he took over in 2005. Then in 2009 Patrick re-launched the historic British sporting and military tailoring house of E. Tautz as a men’s ready to wear collection.

He won the British Fashion Council’s Menswear Designer of the Year award in December 2010 for his work on E. Tautz. In 2012 he won the BFC’s Fashion Forward award and was shortlisted for Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards and International Designer of the Year at the WGSN Global Fashion Awards.

If fact why don’t I shut up and let Mr Grant tell you about Supermodels flashing at him or the Davids all coming over for a Dinner party and well…. I’ll let him tell you. Enjoy.

If you could collaborate with one brand who would it be and why ?

One of the great British carmakers, either Bentley or Rolls Royce. They’re a pretty rare blend of engineering excellence, craftsmanship, heritage and beautiful design.

Favourite hotel in the world ?

Lafayette House New York. A beautiful little brownstone, lovely old slightly rickety furniture, wonky floors, few but great staff, no reception or restaurant or gym or doorman. Feels like home.

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

Sleep less, do more (do everything). When you get to 40 everything will start to creak.

In your words, describe the SS14 collection ?

Opulant, lengthy, shawly; the three ages of Edwardianism (the first one, the Teds, and the Peacock Revolution), central asian mens clothes, The Life of Birds. The Kandura.

What is you most memorable moment ?

Winning the Menswear Designer of the Year award at the BFA’s.

What track would always get you on the dance floor ? Blackout Crew – Put A Donk On It?

Who would do you ideal diner guests and why ?

David Ogilvy, David Niven, David Walliams, (anyone called David it seems).

Irreverent humorous Englishmen.

What piece of clothing best describes you ?

A well worn hiking boot.

What piece of style advise do you live by ?

To paraphrase Hemingway ‘Everyone has his own style, and there should be no rules about how style should function.’

What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe ?

A handmade grey flannel suit