Homme Mode à Paris – Paris Menswear Show Review AW14

Bonjour my petit pois ! We have the last of out previews from the European Style Capitals for this season, well for next season but let’s not confuse matters. This time as though it needed an introduction, of course, the city of lurve, Paris.

First, for our delectation is one of the oldest Fashion Houses and hottest tickets for all Paris Menswear Shows, Louis Vuitton, under the style direction of  uber talented Brit Kim Jones. Jones has shown he’s not only come along way since his collaborations as a young Designer with the like of TOPMAN and sports brand Umbro, but has finely tuned his talents to produce some of the most sublime collections in recent years from the house of Vuitton. For Autumn/Winter 14 the trend driven show wasn’t as obviously as past seasons, opting for letting the Clothes do the talking, but was loosely inspired by Kim’s trip to the Atacama Desert of South America.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

On to one of the busiest men of the Paris Men’s shows Kris Van Assche, with the first of his two presentations of the week, up first is his own signature collection. Here we shown a totally wearable and rather commercial range from Van Assche, offering us colour, patterns in herringbone and eye catching dizzy dots.

Kris Van Assche

Kris Van Assche

Then with a hop, skip and literal jump over to the second of Monsieur Van Assche’s collections, told you he was busy, in Dior Homme. Where if we were in any doubt as to his Dotty tendencies, they were confirmed here. We were offered them in Suits, shirts, shoes, ties, honestly you name it, it was covered in dots, but please don’t be put off, he managed to pull this off, to quote Mr Kenny Everett, it was all done in the best possible taste !

Dior Homme

Dior Homme

Now then, Ami’s, Alexandre Mattiussi continues his assault on being the favourite label of choice among the style press and it isn’t surprising as to why. He’s proving to be a Jedi Master in the art of producing collections that have that simply, unassuming, stylish charm about them, but all the time screaming, your life won’t be complete without me in it !

Ami

Ami

Into the final straights, we have a name who over the past couple of seasons has been making a lot of the right noises while showing in Milan, but for this season has made the move to Paris. Turkish born, Umit Benan, each season, selects a character to base his collection around. In the past, we have seen such inspiration as the taxi drivers of his home Capital Istanbul, or Vintage Rockers or even Investment Banker. However, this season we looked to, Jackie Robinson, who? The first African Amercian Baseball Star. So the presentation had a very 1940’s feel to it from the political references to the lack of freedom Robinson had to put up way at this time.

Umit Benan

Umit Benan

And so to the final of our designers, we started with a Brit designing for a French Fashion house and we finish with a British Designer showing in Paris. No less then Sir Paul Smith,  who relaxed his silhouettes this season and drew inspiration for his collection from one could say, another iconic figure, in Jim Morrison. So no surprises when I tell you there was a distinct ROCK feeling to Smith’s show.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Make it a Fairytale of New York – Great gift Ideas for the lady you love

728x90_CMTM_BannerWith literally a week to go, please tell me you have, bought the lady in your life a great gift ? A gift that will ensure good will to all men, particularly you, rather then your aforementioned partner spouting, “You scumbag, you maggot” at you while throwing an Imperial Leather gift set at your head !

Guys, we will never learn, it seems to be something pre-programmed into our brain, to leave things to the last minute or even miss the big date altogether and then have to patch things up, which costs us, pretty much, double the expense. Lets get our skates on and click through on some of the suggestions below which in turn will make our males existence a whole lot easier for the next couple of months.

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An understated and elegant addition to any lady’s lingerie collection, Stella McCartney’s Clara Whispering robe in Dark Ink Blue is designed with a chic satin finish and subtle lace detailing. A timeless style that will be treasured for seasons to come and as you will be for purchasing her this gem.

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The Effie Satchel by Mulberry is a relaxed take on a classic satchel design, with beautifully soft leather giving a gently slouching shape. It has an across body strap and subtly embossed tree signature. If red is too bold …you know your woman then go for grey or black…

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Now just cos its for the ladies we’re suggesting gift for doesn’t mean we can’t include gift that per chance we might like ourselves, basically a gift thats as much for you as her. Made to make you stop and listen – the Ruark R7 brings the radiogram up to date with retro-modern lines and lush audio output. Beneath the vintage sensibilities, there’s everything today’s audiophile would expect, including DAB, FM and internet radio as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, CD playback and intuitive digital controls.

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If the love of your life is after something a little more unique then look no further then the vintage selection on farfetch.com, we fund this amazing vintage Gold metal oval brooch from Chanel featuring a logo detail to the top and a rear pin fastening.

 

Screen Shot 2013-12-17 at 22.54.16The very glamourous L’Wren Scott Collection exclusively for Banana Republic combines sexy silhouettes with modern polish. Every piece is decadently glamorous and ready to celebrate the holiday season. A classic pencil skirt with a unique blend of texture and shine and a real favourite with Mrs Mc and is just one of the winning pieces from this range. Show your lady you can buy her a present she can be proud to say he brought me this.

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As we’ve mentioned technology gifts aren’t just exclusive property of men and with this stylish i-Pad case in the signature Swirl printed leather with Purple suede lining and Black leather trims embossed with the Paul Smith signature plus optional stand feature, you are undoubtedly onto a winner my friend.

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No not a bright floral dress, but glamourous, practical and yes a lil sexist all at the same time, what can this be, I hear you ask. Well, its a kitchen apron by MSGM exclusively for yoox.com. Yes, your lady can look ravishing while serving you your turkey, please ensure, she has a sense of humour aswell.

Screen Shot 2013-12-18 at 22.50.22Yes we know Stella McCartney again, but we couldn’t resist these days of the week underwear and we guarantee your lady will feel the same.

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Just look on with a smug rye smile, at the delight and surprise on your better halves face as she unwraps these killer heels from Kurt Geiger, followed by her smothering you with kisses of gratitude.

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Your lady will be able to catch every special moment with this stylish Diana F+ Lomography camera capturing dreamy lo-fi photos. Take 120 film shots with utter decadence with this Gold and rather festive Edition.

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

728x90_CMTM_BannerYou 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 –

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

 

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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.

Twice Again RRP £44.50

 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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They’ll warm the cockles of your heart – 6 of the best Cable Knit sweaters

Ahhh the nights are drawing in and its getting harder and harder to get up in mornings, Winter’s on its way and if your to believe the reports of those pesky weathermen and women, Sian Lloyd I’m talking about you its gonna get mighty cold in the coming weeks (and months). Now the style of knitwear for this season is none of this fine gauge light weight nonsense, Ohhh no. Its as though the Fashion houses around the world have been looking into their meteorological crystal balls and can see Winter 2013 is one for good and heavy old fashion Jumpers !

So we at Clothes Make the Man have searched far and wide for some of the best example of THE knitwear for the season, the knitwear in question being, the ‘Aran Jumper’ otherwise known as the ‘Cable knit Sweater’. Now there is an incredibly interesting, if not macabre, story behind this type of garment. Many moons ago the fishermen of the Aran Island, off the coast of Galway, Eire would get their good lady wives and mothers to knit them, fine sturdy jumpers to keep them warm and protect against those savage Atlantic conditions. Now the ladies would knit for their men folk jumpers but would add in intrinsic cable patterns onto them. So heres the interesting bit, every family who lived on the three main Islands which make up the Aran Islands, Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer would all alter their patterns, almost like having a family coat of arms. So if one of the fishermen were wash overboard, basically his body could be identified by the jumper, or more importantly, the pattern on his Aran Jumper, told you it was macabre !

So with thought still engrained on your minds check out 6 of the best examples, our finest retailers have to offer –

 

No Winter chills are gonna get past this bad boy from Reiss

No Winter chills are gonna get past this bad boy from Reiss

Keeping it nice and simple , this fine example with go with pretty much anything. It by Remus Uomo from House of Fraser

Keeping it nice and simple , this fine example with go will pretty much anything. Its by Remus Uomo from House of Fraser

 

Colour my life, there's no chance of going missing in the snow if you're wearing this knit by Paul Smith from MRPORTER.com

Colour my life, there’s no chance of going missing in the snow if you’re wearing this knit by Paul Smith from MRPORTER.com

Well you can't get more authentic then an actual Aran Sweater which is produced on the Aran Islands themselves. This is by Inis Meain for galvinformen.com

Well you can’t get more authentic then an actual Aran Sweater which is produced on the Aran Islands themselves. This is by Inis Meain for galvinformen.com

 

This is a great example of a cable knit from high Street favourite Burton.

This is a great example of a cable knit from high Street favourite Burton.

Channel your inner country gent in this wonderful Polo Ralph Lauren jumper

Channel your inner country gent in this wonderful Polo Ralph Lauren jumper from Matchesfashion.com

 

 

 

 

 

The picture you see is no portrait of me – Portrait, The new Fragrance by Paul Smith

PS_PORTRAIT_FOR_MEN_PACKSHOTPaul Smith is a true global designer, not only is he one of the world’s most well known Fashion designers, but he has stores in countless countries spanning the globe. More than a decade after the launch of his first signature fragrance, this season sees the launch of Paul Smith’s latest fragrance – Portrait For Men and Portrait For Women.

Inspired by his love of travel and a true passion for photography, as anyone who follows him via social media, will know. This fragrance is the result of a two-year collaboration between Smith and new generation perfumer Barnabé Fillion. Barnabé painstakingly constructed the two fragrances based on his lengthy discussions with Paul, concerning the pair’s shared love of travel and interest in the ability of certain scents to evoke powerful memories. “Trying to capture his personality and life in a scent was challenging but Paul was always full of ideas and material that I could then translate to fragrance. The most important thing, was that both fragrances had authenticity – a sense of truth.” As he so eloquently puts it.

The result is an evocative snapshot of the designer’s travels, memories, passions and inspirations in the shape of two sophisticated and multi-faceted fragrances bursting with originality, authenticity and Paul Smith’s original signature style.

Although the mens and womens fragrances are totally different they are connected by no less than four key notes – bergamot, cardamon, myrrh and tea (black tea in the case of Portrait For Women and Green Tea in Portrait For Men). The tea note, key to both fragrances, is especially important to the designer, who associates the rich aroma of Black Tea with visits to Indian markets and the distinctive smell of Green Tea with Japan – a country he’s visited nearly 100 times. Along with the other notes (the wild rose one at the heart of Portrait For Women was inspired by Paul’s memories of his uncle’s garden in Nottingham) they combine to take the wearer on an olfactory journey into the world of Paul Smith.