CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Mr Porter and Friends – A series of exclusive collaborations

Following on from last year’s launch of a series of designer collaborations, created specifically for the internet e-tailing Colossus, Mr Porter, which included the likes of Paul Smith, YMC, Oliver Spencer and Orlebar Brown. This year sees the first in a new international crop of partnerships with Parisan designer Alexandre Mattuissi for the brand Ami. The Native New Yorker Alexander Wang, Tokyo’s Beams Plus and Antwerp’s finest Raf Simons.

Alexandre Mattuissi for Ami, has created a brand, which its fair to say, has become a destination for the Style Press and Retail Buyers alike. This range is essentially based on ‘les bords du Canal Saint Martin,’ or the area where the stylish Parisian crowd hangs out on summer nights. The 13 piece capsule collection consists of tailored blazers, jackets and trousers.

Ami EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Ami EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Alexander Wang‘s nine piece collection of t-shirts, sweats, varsity jackets, and leather bombers. He says of this collaboration,     “The exclusive collection for MR PORTER.COM includes some of my favourite styles from our ready-to-wear and T by Alexander Wang collections; these pieces are essentials in my everyday wardrobe. For this collaboration with MR PORTER, it felt right to make the selection really personal and effortless, by mixing ready-to-wear with T.”

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Alexander Wang EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Next up we have Beams Plus, hailing from the Uber Trendy Tokyo district of Harajuku, who from launching a menswear line in 1999 have grown to be a tour de force in their native Japan. This collaboration for Spring 2013 is based on the ‘Ivy Surf’ concept – collegiate meets the coast. The 6 piece capsule collection consists of polo’s, t-shirts, and shorts adorned with Japanese designer Palm Graphics’ signature palm surfer.

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Beams Plus EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Lastly, MrPorter.com and Raf Simons have come together to create an exclusive 13 piece floral inspired capsule collection for spring 2013. Hand-painted prints have transformed staples such as t-shirts and sweats, and formalwear including a blazer and white shirt, as well as hi top sneakers. Terry Betts, Senior Buyer of Mr Porter says of the collection,

“Raf’s use of colour and Kurt Cobain-inspired grunge florals combined to make his SS13 show one of our favourites.This exclusive project started from new, uniquely-painted watercolours which were transformed onto fabric and then used to create a 13-piece collection for MR PORTER. We are very excited to be collaborating with one of the most creative designers currently working in the industry.”

Raf Simons EXCLUSIVELY for Mr Porter

Raf Simons EXCLUSIVELY for Mr Porter

 

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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 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

Dries van Noten

Marni

Marni

Hunter Gather

Hunter Gather

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

 

 

 

 

 

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A Coat for all Seasons – COMPETITION TIME !!!

In past Autumn/Winter seasons there nearly always is A specific style of coat which will have been picked up on by the Designer Houses of Paris, Milan, London & New York and given an individual interoperation whether that be by Burberry, Saint Laurent, Tom Ford or Gucci which is turn is then translated by the High Street retailers, whether that be a Parka, Pea, Duffle, Car, Military, Over or Trench, but not so for this season, surprisingly, we are spoilt for choice in Winter 2012 as there are many different great styles of coat on all ends of the style spectrum.

The Donkey Jacket – More Stylish man than Bin man in this enduring favourite of the Englishman’s wardrobe, reworked through modern styling, fit and fabrication by Ben Sherman, but Paul Smith has also got on that Donkey tip.

 

This great example of an Overcoat is perfect for dressing up with a suit for work or is equally at home teamed with jeans or chinos and a knit for the weekend. There are many great overcoats on the market at the moment from the creator of the garment itself, Crombie, to a more designer option from Raf Simons to this choice from Moss Bros’s Ventuno 21 range.

 

Channel your inner spy this Winter and pretend to be on a mission behind the iron curtain. This example of a great Trench coat won me over for the pure and simple reason that it’s the coolest pac-a-mac around, by Burberry Brit @ my wardrobe.com. However, for some old school heritage luxury maybe look to Mackintosh or Hancock for a cool collars up Trench.

 

Not strictly a coat, but will sure as hell keep you warm throughout the Winter. This brilliant padded jacket from Self has a built in Ruck Sack in the back, just in case you run out of hands carrying all those Christmas presents and the price won’t break the bank either. Other highly commended options around come from Moncler, APC and Dolce & Gabbana.

 

The Pea Coat was cool long before Jack Nicholson made it an icon in One flew over the Cuckoos Nest. Gucci have done a number of interpretations of this classic for this season, but keep it simple as its a classic and if you treat it well it will do you proud. However, everyone from Gap, McQ, Marks & Spencer and once again Dolce & Gabbana have all done great translations of this menswear classic.

 

 

The whole Military trend has been around for a considerable length of time now in menswear and looks like its going nowhere soon. This coat is from Robbie Williams’ Farrell Range, showing singing isn’t the only thing he can score a top place at. Brands Unconditional, Wolsley and Marc by Marc Jacobs have all produced great coats using the Military look for inspiration.

 

If your thinking about investing in a Duffle Coat this Winter, keep it traditional. In 1954 the Gloverall family started to produce their own Duffle Coats in a factory behind St Pauls Cathedral London. Now Gloverall aren’t on their own in making great examples of a Duffle coats, Marks & Spencer, APC, Carven and Burton have all done so.

 

Now if you feel the cold, you certainly won’t in this amazing Byrd Parka from Woolrich, currently celebrating its 40th Birthday, doesn’t look to down does it ? Originally designed to protect workers from the frigid glacial temperatures, and since then, after slight modernizations in fit and style, continues to be a must-have for clientele both for its technical qualities (it maintains body heat to a temperature of -40°) and for the comfort that makes it perfect for city life. Woolrich aren’t the only provider of sterling Parkas NapaPijri, Barbour and Penfield are all in on the Parka act.

Now to celebrate the fortieth birthday of the Woolrich parka, one of you lucky readers will be all toastie warm this Winter, yes we are giving you the chance to win an incredible Byrd Parka, a 100% natural cotton fabric, naturally water repellent, breathable, and wind resistant thanks to the special spin and weave. It is padded with the highest quality goose feather down guaranteeing maximum warmth while keeping it light in weight.

All you need to do is follow us here at Clothes-make-the-man.com by –

1) Returning to our home page and in the subscribe to Clothes-make-the-man.com box on the left of your screen

2) Input your email address

3) An email from the blog will be sent to you and you MUST open and confirm that email.

OR follow us at Twitter @ Clothesmakethem OR Facebook @facebook.com/ClothesMakeTheMan

Do this by Sunday 2nd December and hey presto a few days later you will receive a gift from us to you. It’s that simple ! Good luck.