Simon Carter - Silver Jubilee collection

To celebrate his 25^th year anniversary this September, Simon Carter, known as “the King of Cufflinks”, has launched a Silver Jubilee collection for his men’s accessories.

Crystal Spitfires, propellers and jewelled framed mother of pearl Union Jacks take the form of cufflinks...........

....................whilst trendy silk pocket squares are in the traditional Union Jack colours.

His new label “West End”, designed for the younger man with a more directional edge to the designs and a more accessible price tag, celebrates with Union Jack paint effect tote bags in shades of grey, purple or the traditional colours. Inside you will find the signature Simon Carter comic strip lining – something to read if you get bored on your journey.

These can be found in his shirt and accessories only store in quirky Shepherd Market just off Piccaddilly or online at   

http://www.simoncarter.net/

Other designs by Simon Carter can be found on Amazon
 

New Ed Hardy Hearts & Daggers for Him

No more room for another tattoo on your body? Well extend them to your EDT fragrance bottle and check out Ed Hardy Hearts & Daggers for Him by Christian Audigier. looking good in vibrant colours with Ed hardy’s “Free Forever” tattoo.

The initial impression is fruity – top notes are of Anjou Pear, Basil and Martini accord, with the pear being the dominant of the three.
Once this has calmed down the middle (or heart) notes of pepper, rosemary and papaya appear bringing a herbal fragrance whilst the more masculine heavier woody base notes of Japanese Katsura wood, suede, patchouli and sandalwood linger in the background.

Even if you don’t have a tattoo you’ll like this bottle brightening up your bathroom.
The EDT 50ml can be purchased at the Perfume Shop for £35.50.
Plus at the moment they are offering a free gift of a Hearts & Daggers weekend bag with every Hearts & Daggers men’s fragrance 50ml or larger purchase
Visit www.theperfumeshop.com for more details.

Kirk Originals - the Turbo eyewear collection

If you want your eyewear to say you have the suaveness of James Bond shaken (not stirred) with a twist of Austin Powers’ mojo then go for the Turbo eyewear collection at Kirk Originals.

This is the Aston Martin range of the Kirk collections combining aluminium, wood and acetate to make a slick but truly groovy design.

Inspired by vintage car dashboards the wood used is the red padouk, blond bulnesia, black ebene and brown amourette. This dash of wood adds depth and gives a strong look to the aluminium temple arms creating a classic retro look.

The fronts come in a choice of classic solid black, crystal clear and semi transparent brown.

The styles are the square fronted and high bridge Bobcat (shown here with a crystal front and black ebene sides); the half framed Phantom; the softer square fronted Demon and the slightly rounded Tornado (shown here with a brown front and brown amourette sides).

To be an “international man of mystery” set off for their  Flagship store: 6 Conduit Street, W1S 1XE, 020 7499 0060,
Website: www.kirkoriginals.com

Stitch the London menswear tradeshow looks at Vision

The 4th and final key category at the Stitch menswear trade show was:
VISION – A showcase of emerging international talent in menswear.

Satyenkumar
Graduating from Central St. Martins in 2001, Satyen Kumar worked for 4 seasons on the mainline collection at Versace in Milan before deciding to go it alone in 2006.

The foundation of his brand aesthetic is the modern hybrid for eccentric English playboys with a combination of tailored casual wear fused with tuxedo style dressing. The trousers are slim and tailored with a casual twist created by a double row of elasticised jogging style hems, whilst jackets are panelled at the front with contrasting fabric.
Some of the designs have an almost jockey like style with red satin, purple and petrol blue jogging style tailored pants, white shirt with red and blue geometric sections and a two toned petrol blue shirt.
This designer is not afraid of colour with his flashy patterned suit in oranges/yellows/reds and blues matched with a pale green diaphanous long sleeved t-shirt.

Definitely living up to the eccentric English playboy name.

Satyenkumar helps to boost national economy and ensure quality and attention to detail by only ever manufacturing garments in the UK, and sources 90% of materials from British suppliers.
Stockists include www.oki-ni.com

Stitch, the London menswear trade show looks at Energy

The 3rd key category showing at Stitch was:

ENERGY – Authentic brands inspired by sport, music and performance.

And what better brand eptimosing Energy than The Saints Sinphony.

In 2007, brothers Scott and Troy Thompson’s passion for rock and roll sparked the idea of creating a tee –shirt clothing brand inspired by music. They have 3 collections : The Immortals, In Chains and The 27 Club. All their t-shirts are heavily embellished with prints and crystals front and back in distressed pre shrunk cotton. Colours are faded and washed out blacks, dark browns, dark blues, whites, purple and red.

Their newest line “the 27 club” was launched on Scott’s 27^th birthday and is a memorial to all the legendary musicians who died at the age of 27 – the more famous being Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. All tees are embellished with the number 27.

The “In Chains” collection was inspired by their own jewellery line with large Swarovski crystals making rosary designs on the front with printed religious images on the back.

The “Immortals” was made to relive the days when rock stars lived like nothing could kill them, showing compositions including images of skulls and skeletons

The brothers have also put thought in the construction of the t-shirt – shortening the length slightly to show off the belt and jeans pockets, tightening the garment at the chest and arms to prevent the baggy look and using finer and softer cotton.

And for all you rock & roll softies, they even make long sleeved thermal tees!!

And if you still don’t have enough bling, try out their motorcycle inspired jewellery line of rosaries, pendants, belts and buckles.

Mainly sold in USA, Japan and Canada, they have an online shop on www.thesaintssinphony.com

A portion of every shirt they sell goes to music inspired charities.

Stitch, the London menswear trade show looks at Edge

The 2nd key category showing at Stich was:

EDGE – Innovative brands that deliver classic or contemporary style.

Here the label Bolongaro Trevor stand stood out with its Victorian memorabilia amongst the clothing.

Original founders of All Saints, Kait Bolongaro and Stuart Trevor moved on to create this vintage inspired label. The collection includes leather jackets treated with aniline dye to create soft supple leather - One with fine corduroy side panels and a zip embellished front to create texture. (helmet optional)

Other jackets in poplin are a twist on the union jack design in the traditional red, white and blue or a more modern red, pale denim and dark blue demin.

Splashes of acid yellows, deep pink and greens brighten up the main collection of shirts and dark gothic t-shirts with afterlife and death inspired prints.

Knitwear is super fine cotton – one black style decorated with safety pins around the neckline.

Bolongaro Trevor has their own retail store in Broadwick Street off Carnaby Street.

Stitch the London menswear trade show looks at Denim

Stitch held the only dedicated menswear trade show in the UK, bringing together an eclectic mix of designers (new and established) under one roof. This year Stitch divided the brands in to 4 key categories:

The first category being DENIM- Jeans brands and those in tune with the spirit of denim.

One of the brands showing denim targeting the fashion conscious man was the British label Full Circle

Launched in 1996 this menswear label offers an extensive ready to wear collection. In 2000 denim was introduced focussing on washes, fabrics and fits. Trousers include the drop crotch look with bulky side pockets and faded denims. Shirts include the classic denim, checks ranging from the bold and large buffalo in red or blue to the more tonal tartan in muted blues and greys.

Not forgetting the hand sketched illustrations of cheetahs, zebras,panthers and monkeys on t-shirts to bring humour when wearing your serious denims.

Ranging from casual to smart, Full Circle is now well established and can be seen in Selfridges, Fenwick, House of Fraser and ASOS.com

Liam Gallagher's label Pretty Green at Stitch

Liam Gallagher's menswear label Pretty Green reflects his own sense of style. Every design is subject to his final approval.

His autumn/winter 2010 collection was displayed at the menswear only trade show Stitch held at Old Billingsgate Market, London.

The label includes 2 collections, the more tailored black label and the more casual green label.

For the black label :Shirts are either granddad style or narrow button down collars, the signature pattern is paisley with the words “pretty” and “green” incorporated in to the design, colours include greens and purples. The jackets are lined with a monochrome paisley pattern. Polo shirt are light weight and T-shirts have tone on tone pretty green logos

The Green label is more colourful with contrasting logos on t-shirts.

The signature colour for the logo is black and green; sometimes the green appears in minute detailing if another colour is used such as in the stitching or a tiny decorative button on one cuff.

More subtle logos can be seen engraved on a few of the coats’ buttons.

Pretty Green have collaborated with Clarkes for a desert boot range in four colours: black, brown. stone and their signature green.

If you like how Liam dresses then you'll love Pretty Green

Stitch - London’s Dedicated Menswear Trade Show

Stitch held the only dedicated menswear trade show in the UK, bringing together an eclectic mix of designers (new and established) under one roof. The venue was the historical Old Billingsgate Market , the dates 30June and 1 July. Here buyers and press are able to catch a glimpse on upcoming trends.

One new label to look out for is E One Six London.

This new label specialises in luxury shirts with their first collection inspired by the lifestyle of modern man on the move – designed to take him from the office to the bar to home. Smart enough to sharpen up a suit yet relaxed enough to look great with jeans and chinos.

Colours are crisp whites and soft blues and pinks. Designs include plain fronts with striped backs.

The fabric and shirt are produced in a single European factory thus reducing carbon footprint and ensuring quality consistency. At least 35 separate parts go in to constructing one shirt, taking a skilled worker 80 minutes to make a shirt from start to finish.

Each piece is stamped with their logo which refers to the bygone era of the East London Dockers.