Friday 30 March 2012

Weekend Reading... It's Nice That and Fantastic Man

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With Susie continuing to rack up airmiles with a trip to Hong Kong, I too have decided to escape the capital for the weekend to visit EJ in Manchester. As I hurtle northwards in Branson's Pendolino, my journey in the quiet coach will be livened up with two of my favourite publications, the eighth issue of It's Nice That and the eagerly awaited Spring/Summer issue of the ever hard to put down Fantastic Man. Both dropped in stores with bold blue covers as unusually blue skies hover above London and both provide a great reason to sit out in the sunshine for a good read. In its eighth issue It's Nice That interviews offers a broad exploration of Space (there's a definite lack of it sat on this train) and is packed with features on architect John Pawson, art double act John Wood and Paul Harrison, design legend Paula Scher and art collective Slavs and Tatars. The fifteenth issue of Fantastic Man celebrates all manner of gentleman and vacation fashion whilst offering fine reads and discussions including an investigation into the noble sport of race walking, chic fashion stories and general chitchat. There will be no utterances of "Are we nearly there yet?" with such fine companions to occupy my attention.

Thursday 29 March 2012

Mohsin Ali x Globe-Trotter

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As previously noted, for his sophomore collection, emerging talent Mohsin Ali researched industrial designers and architects such as Zaha Hadid, Otto Wagner, Charles Eames, Le Corbusier and there approach to design. From the line drawings and sketches of Hadid which inspired the lines of the shirts and jersey to the way Wagner, Eames and Le Corbusier mixed fabrications and techniques across their products. Taking all of this and more into account, Ali approached this collection with his belief in a very clean aesthetic, the mixing of fabrication and the use of innovation. The season also showcased an exciting collaboration with luxury luggage brand Globe-Trotter, whereby the blossoming design talent created (with the help of Globe-Trotter's master craftsmen) three different cases with a design finish that complimented SS12 perfectly. In the tumultuous seas of spurious, pointless and head scratchily strange collaborations this was a coming together that made complete sense. As the cases arrive in store, we couldn't resist taking another longing look at them and snapped up the opportunity to catch up with Ali.

Now, Globe-Trotter cases have been used over the last one hundred years by an enviable client list. From Captain Robert Falcon Scott travelling with Globe-Trotter on the infamous Antarctic expedition in 1912 to Sir Winston Churchill using a Globe-Trotter Dispatch Case during his position as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1924, H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II opting for Globe-Trotter for her honeymoon luggage in 1947 (and continues use her cases to this day) to Sir Edmund Hilary ascended to first base camp with Globe-Trotter during his conquest of Everest in 1953, it is truly special and instantly recognisable luggage. Hand made in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire using original manufacturing methods, each case is uniquely constructed from vulcanised fibreboard whilst handles are produced by the leather team who also form the iconic Globe-Trotter corners over a period of five days. Here, Ali builds on this experience to create a limited edition range of super luxe luggage for a modern gentleman. Each case has been intricately laser etched to produce a subtle patterned effect, and is completed with a unique leather shoulder strap. These key features set the Mohsin Ali suitcases apart from the Globe-Trotter core collection. Mohsin Ali hand picked a subtle range of colours of Elephant Grey, Ivory and Navy, creating timeless classics to covet for years to come.

"From a young age I've always loved structured cases especially the briefcase, for me it is a very underrated accessory. Now, Gary Bott the Creative Director is someone I've known for a while and always respected him within the Industry, we constantly would meet and talk about what we may or may not be able to do together. I'm constantly questioning manufacture and process to what is possible and what extreme something can be pushed to before it becomes impossible, from this the collaboration was born. The starting point was what can and can't be done, this took a while after which it just came together! told the case and it's dimensions couldn't be changed so it came down to the appliance.

I had to be true to my aesthetic but also what I was doing for SS12 with the Men's collection and somehow forming a relationship between the two, there was a pattern that was being laser cut into one of the jackets and after numerous trials we came up with laser engraving it onto the cases, but that wasn't enough I needed another angle. The "FUNCTION' angle, I had a beautiful handmade case with this great engraving......what was it missing? I remember Gary telling me the designer had developed a Handmade leather strap and I knew this would be the finishing touch, especially on the small 13" inch Case as without it it looked feminine..." 
Mohsin Ali on the collaboration

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Mohsin Ali's aesthetic is clean and contemporary, and his label lives by three rules; form, fabric and function. This ethos is similar to that of Globe-Trotter, whose suitcases are handmade using Victorian machinery in a process that has remained unchanged in the in exactly the one hundred and fifteen year history. If you like the above, you'll be pleased to hear that this successful collaboration will continue on to AW13. "I've worked on new colours and patterns again relating to Mohsin Ali AW13. Also being quite a purist when it comes to certain things I've done a 12" inch record box this season!"

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Picks from Loewe's archive

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France has Hermès and Louis Vuitton, Belgium has Delvaux and Spain has Loewe. All are luxury leather brands that have become well crafted institutions in their own lands whilst attracting the aspirational glances of us all. Last week, myself and Susie were invited to experience Loewe in its birthplace of Madrid after toasting the opening of its newly renovated store on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona and having been one of the first to experience the multimedia experience that is Galleria Loewe. Over a period of thirty six hours we explored the Flamenco heart of the House, looked back on its origins, evolution and learned about its hopes for the future. In the coming week or so we will post a number of features (including an epic on its artisanal workshop) but for the opening piece we wanted to introduce you to Loewe before sharing a few of the items that caught our eye from their well stocked archive.

Before we talk about its unique napa as soft as velvet or its artisans that are so skilled they can make super-soft unlined bags where the interior is as perfect as the exterior, the first real question when faced with the "Hermes of Spain" is, and this something that has stumped me before, is how to say it? The answer is “low-ay-ve.” With that out of the way, we can continue. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest purveyors of luxury leather goods in the world. From its beginnings in a tiny workshop in Madrid in 1846 to its global standing today, Loewe has carefully stitched its reputation on the passion and skill with leather that has been handed down from generation to generation. Conceived in a narrow back street, a group of leather artisans struggled to meet demand for tobacco pouches, coin purses, boxes, bags and cigar cases. In 1872, Enrique Loewe Roessberg forges his expertise in leather with that of these local craftsmen, with such success that by the 1890s, aristocrats are finding their way to another small street, calle del Príncipe, and the first shop to bear the Loewe name above the door. Inside, everything is made-to-order, custom created to the whims and fancies of the ladies and gentleman of the court.

In 1905, as wedding fever griped the Spanish capital, the new King and Queen, Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia - the latter the niece of Britain's Queen Victoria – granted Loewe the honour of the official title of “Supplier to the Royal Court”. For ladies, a handbag in iguana, crocodile or snake from the firm, now helmed by the founder's son, Enrique Loewe Hilton, it become the ultimate symbol of elegance and refinement. Throughout the “roaring twenties”, the smart set flocked to Loewe stores in both Madrid and Barcelona for dainty handbags for the ladies and, for the discerning gentlemen, vanity cases stocked with the necessities for shaving, fashioned out of silver. Long before the Flamenco or Amazono were even conceived, Loewe produced all manner of trinkets of luxury, from travel trunks in all sizes, embossed photograph albums in which to record lazy days spent at San Sebastián and Santander to tobacco music boxes. It is this era of luxury that interests me most today. Below are a selection of items from Loewe's archive that captured my imagination...

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A wooden tobacco music box in pressed leather decorated in an intricate gold leaf border.

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A religious gift presented to King Alfonso XIII

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Two stunning card holders.

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A time before our reliance on google maps... a map case with the original map and compass inside.

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A document holder from 1955.

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A travel case concerned with offering everything a gentleman could ever need.
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Marking down the days Loewe style.

The above selection might feel as though they are artefacts of forgotten time but production of Loewe's handmade goods has changed very little since the Spanish company's first store opened in 1846. The only real difference is that the House has evolved from offering just small leather goods to crafting all manner of accessories, ready to wear, made to measure and even perfumes. Today, Loewe represents the very best of Spanish luxury with over one hundred and sixty stores worldwide. Inside its recently renovated store (designed by Peter Marino) on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona I was drawn to a shrine of made to measure menswear. What more could a man need?

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Dressing each morning would be so much more fun with one of these at my disposal.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Treasured Items... Luke Edward Hall

Have you ever borrowed an item and fallen for its charms? Menswear design student Luke Edward Hall explored a good friend's wardrobe and encountered an old school blazer that could have been tailored for him. It was love at first wear. A case of Forbidden love. Whilst still in his possession, the blazer has become one of his cherished items. Here's his tale of sartorial abduction...

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Luke Edward Hall and the appropriated blazer

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"One of my most treasured and loved pieces of clothing is a blazer that doesn't in fact strictly belong to me. It's my very dear friend Rowena's old school blazer, which I discovered a few years ago whilst living with her and her colossal wardrobe. I think I came upon it one day, wore it out, and then immediately commandeered it for life. It was not designed to be a fashionable garment, and I love it even more for this - it's a bit boxy, a bit bulky and a little rough around the edges, but it fits me perfectly, and feels comforting when I spy it in the wardrobe. Oh, and ring out the bells, it was made in England. It features a large double-headed eagle and an ancient Cornish motto on the chest pocket, which is quite wonderful. (The motto Franc ha leal eto ge means 'Frank and loyal thou art' - a great compliment to anybody, I feel.) I like clothes that look as if they might have a story behind them - a bit of character, a little bit of magic perhaps, and this blazer conjures up all sorts of imagery in my head. It makes me think of dusty libraries that have ladders to reach the high shelves, cold, rainy days and the smell of old buildings. Clothes don't have to be old to be interesting, but they really do need to have character. 


I usually wear a pin on the pocket or lapel too - at the moment it's a pewter fox, but catch me on another day and it could be a swan. I do hope that I won't have to give this blazer back anytime soon (my most sincere apologies, Rowena) - it's a real winner, and I'm yet to find another jacket that fits so well!" 
Luke Edward Hall
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Monday 26 March 2012

Details... Bleached Florals

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A Sunday of sunshine was the perfect day to wear the latest highlight of the current b Store x Liberty collaboration, the bleached floral print buffalo shirt with contrasting nude floral design on the collar (and breast pocket).

Wednesday 21 March 2012

In discussion with Christopher O'Brien

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Over the last few months we've enjoyed watching Christopher O'Brien emerge from the esteemed Central Saint Martins MA Menswear Design course and make his crinkled mark on London Fashion Week. Having recently enjoyed a coffee filled Sunday morning with the design talent at his home/studio in East London, we couldn't resist continuing the discussion by sharing a few nuggets with you...

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What is the best piece of style advice you have ever received, given or heard?
Just be yourself, if your not comfortable in what you are wearing then there's no point.

Tell us about your most stylish moment or memory.
I think what I think is stylish changes all the time, I thought the clothes that I wore to my interview when I was nineteen for St Martins were really stylish, now I look back and cringe. Having a meeting with Giorgio Armani when I interned there was pretty stylish, the team had been designing this collection for three to four months and then he came in and changed it all in about two minutes. I found that pretty stylish.

Tell us about the most stylish man you've ever known
I think its really hard to define "style". You may just be a rich guy that can afford a wardrobe of Jil and Dries but I don't necessarily think that makes you stylish. I think it is more about doing what you can on your budget and carrying yourself well.

Each season the same few (designers) are talked about. Who do you think deserves a little more love, old and/or new and why?
Jens Laugesen probably the best designer I ever have come into contact with. Hopefully he will do something again soon.

If you could go back in time and experience any fashion moment, what would it be?
Alexander McQueen's SS/1999 show, the one where the dress got painted by the robots, that is what made me want to do fashion. I would have loved to be at that moment.

Is there a neglected item of clothing or accessory that you'd like to see more men wear?
Caps with fans, they've got to make a comeback soon.
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Tuesday 20 March 2012

Sampling House of Billiam

Over the last few weeks I've been hearing enthused whispers around House of Billiam growing increasingly louder. From its fruitful with Soulland to its celebration of Dover Street Market's Ginza opening more people are discovering and ultimately falling for its well crafted charms. Over the weekend, thanks to a sample sale with Percival and 3939, I did too.

Since its inception in 2009, East London based label has quietly gone about its business of reimagining iconic streetwear shapes through the use of classic British and high quality fabrics. From gentrifying the hoodie through cut, fabric and method of sale to perfecting their own Perfecto, creative director and founder Thomas Bird and designer Rav Matharu have built a devoted following by specialising in allowing each customer to pick and choose every element to create a made to measure garment that reflects both their principles and approach to fashion in addition to the personal choices of each client. A House of Billiam piece is a collaboration between the fashion house and client, be that directly or through its growing number of stockists. Now, given that I first encountered their garments at a sample sale, I had to rely on another's design whims. Fortunately, the well stocked rails offered an abundance of options and it only took a few minutes before I unearthed a biker jacket that combined Harris Tweed with a soft brown nappa. It was an irresistible combination... 

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House of Billiam's MB Biker in Harris Tweed and Nappa leather worn over Breton by Le Minor and with trousers by b Store, Sir Coxsone 2.0 by Mr Hare and glasses by Bruno Chaussignand

Against butter soft nappa leather, the tweed is the star of the show. For such a burly and utilitarian fabric, Harris Tweed evokes a great deal of romantically nostalgic feelings. Therefore, given the design duo's adoration of fabric, it should come as little surprise that House of Billiam were drawn to it. The reason for this common heart stirring is that the tweed is still woven by pedal-powered looms in the homes of Scottish sheep herders on the outermost fringe of the British Isles, just as it has been since 1846. Over the decades, the process has of course evolved but it has always remained true to the basic principles which are enshrined, uniquely, in the Act. Today, Harris Tweed is the only handwoven fabric produced in commercial quantities. The relationship between the mill and the weaver is central to the production of Harris Tweed and I count myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to watch this great fabric take shape before my excited eyes. One of the factors that make this fabric so special to me is that its relationship with the setting in which it is made. The fabric and landscape are entwined. The myriad of Harris Tweed patterns are inspired by the ever changing landscape. Looking back over the images I shot during my time in Harris and Lewis I could not resist sharing a few with you all over again alongside my latest shot of this Champagne of fabrics...

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Jacket details alongside memories from Harris and Lewis

Harris Tweed once hung in every British wardrobe but with the rise of throwaway fashion all of that sadly spiralled down. However, thanks to House of Billiam my wardrobe has something quite special hanging in it. If ever there was a time to wrap ourselves up in this beautiful, sustainable, ethnic British cloth it is now.

Sunday 18 March 2012

Treasured Items... Mine

Last summer we continued our pursuit of sharing wardrobe tales with the unveiling of the Treasured Items feature. Now, at the time we refrained from using the term 'new' to describe this series because it was in fact appropriated from the second issue of b magazine. In a feature entitled Wardrobe Stories the likes of Harris Elliot, Charlotte Mann, Tim Blanks and Lulu Roper-Caldbeck all revealed their most treasured sartorial possessions and told the story behind them. Cherished items included a Christopher Nemeth jacket, an APC dress, a Junya Watanabe Hawaiian shirt and a Camilla Staerk clutch. It was a pleasure to read these wardrobe tales and it is something we wanted to regularly replicate here. Thankfully, instead of consulting his lawyer, b magazine's very own Dal Chodha agreed to kick start our series and it has since (hopefully) helped remind us that there's more to menswear blogging than the goings on at the latest fashion week, tradeshow or store product drop. Over the last nine months we've heard from SEH Kelly's Paul Vincent, Mr Hare, This Is Naive's Tommy, One Nine Zero Six's Dean Webster, Andrew Bunney and many others. It was only until recently that I remembered that I had not shared my own. I wonder if you can guess.
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The menswear blogger secures an infatuation....

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From the moment I first met up with Mr. Hare in February 2009 to marvel at the beauty of his debut collection, 'Purest Form' in person I was imagining my feet in his leather creations. One pair in particular was a recurrent fixture in my style daydream fantasies. The Orwell Stingray were the pair of shoes that made me look at footwear differently.  An apron Derby shoe in patent leather with stingray built on a Blake construction. It was lust at first sight. “When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfucker in the room. Accept no substitutes.” This sentence uttered by Ordell Robbie in ‘Jackie Brown’ was the only sentence that came into Mr Hare's head every time he looked at the Orwell and I can certainly see why. He declared that the "Orwell is an apron derby that has all the attitude of 60s Kray run London and the joie de vivre of Sammy Davis Jnr. I just received the Stingray version which is sick." After wearing them for two and a half years, my feet always feel as though they a ready to dance around town in a bygone era. They have helped set the shoe bar ridiculously high and I've since built my shoe collection around them. I still daydream about them even when they are on my feet. That's love.
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Thursday 15 March 2012

In discussion with Satyenkumar Patel

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Over the coming few weeks we'll take a long admiring look Satyenkumar's AW12 collection, Portrait, but today, we just want to share a few stolen snippets of thought from the seasoned design talent. Here, we help continue the dialogue around men's fashion and style on a Thursday evening by stoking the embers of discussion with a quick sit down with Satyen.
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What is the best piece of style advice you have ever received, given or heard?
During my MA day at CSM... "You don't need to scream to be heard" Professor Louise Wilson OBE

Tell us about your most stylish moment or memory.
Purchasing a pair of High Top Lanvin boots from the store opening in Savile Row, though they have seen better days.

Each season the same few (designers) are talked about. Who do you think deserves a little more love, old and/or new and why?
Satyenkumar, need I say more?

Is there a neglected item of clothing or accessory that you'd like to see more men wear?
Cravats.

If you could go back in time and experience any fashion moment, what would it be?
Gianni Versace, Miami days!

What does the word masculinity mean to you?
Image, Presence, Stature, Poise.
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Details... Intricate knit

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I often myself drawn to (and ultimately stroking) Baartmans and Siegel's knits but this intricate example for AW12 is something quite special.
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Wednesday 14 March 2012

Baartmans & Siegel AW12

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The moment we excitedly showcased the degree collections of the Dutch/English design halves that make up Baartmans and Siegel we knew we had discovered a couple of gems. Self described as modern-traditionalists, Wouter Baartmans and Amber Siegel’s work focuses on beautiful fabrics that seduce, and shapes that are accessible yet distinctive. The duo first met whilst at Viktor & Rolf, and were united in their belief of beautiful craftsmanship and imaginative design. The resulting label launched for SS11, instantly became one to watch, recognisable by the pairs use of interactive texture and sharp tailoring. It is a dynamic, luxury menswear label, that believes in creating interactive, innovative garments, and is currently shaping the landscape of contemporary menswear in the capital and beyond. As part of the strong Vauxhall Fashion Scout lineup on the final Menswear Day, the design duo took a confident step (clad in the fruits of their collaboration with Grenson) forward and offered a collection that should set the tone for their measured rise whilst leaving us hankering for our favourite pick of Britain's best loved chocolate box.

Now, the design duo tend to start at more of a thematic start point, with a character created and established in popular culture, for example the Jules Verne SS11 collection and most recently the Blade Runner inspired Deckard collection for AW11. For AW12, Baartmans and Siegel delve into iconic masculinity for inspiration with a distinct retro nostalgic feel. Continuing with their interest in popular culture from the last century, this season sees the pair focus their refined menswear eye on the late 1970’s British Menswear and cinema. Focusing on the iconic Cadbury's Milk-Tray man, his sartorial style and air of mystery provides a sense of playful indulgence, romance and adventure to the collection. Now if you're unfamiliar with the character we happily point you in the direction of the following YouTube clip. From 1968 to 2003, in a series of nineteen adverts and with the original strap line of All because the lady loves Milk Tray, the familiar box of chocolates were advertised by this rough, tough James Bond–style action man who goes through hell and high water to surreptitiously deliver the chocolates to a peckish lady. Utilising these landscapes of land, sea and the sky offers design references to ensure form and function are considered throughout. Before we take a look at the collection itself, Amber Siegel introduces and shares their visual references...

"We wanted to look at an iconic figure that had a nostalgic retro feeling- that wasn't James bond- but yet had the feeling of that sensibility and nature. The Milk Tray man was a character that was instantaneously recognisable- yet shrouded with mystery and so we wanted to build, update and evolve this character that was assumed rather than known.

We began by looking at masculine characteristics of fashion from the year the adverts were released 1968 - turtle necks, trouser silhouettes, suit jacket cuts- combining retro and modern sportswear- and skiwear-looking at these elements and then expanding adding modern functionality and versatility- amplified and refined luxury- luring and tactile fabrications. The colour pallets were very literal- sky, sea and land inspired- slates, metal,teal,murky ocean tones, electric Prussian blues Cadbury purple and Yves Klein blues. The whole collection was designed to feel indulgent, luxurious, relevant and iconically masculine in a European suave aesthetic."
Amber Siegel on being drawn to the Milk Tray Man for AW12

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MRTW AW 2012-13 MOOD BOARDS
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"Our mood boards provided a touchstone to connect with the character we were reviving - throughout the season - the confident adventurer shrouded in anonymity and appeal. Our mood boards looked at collecting visual references of texture, character, colour,  silhouette - creating a context, grounding and a projected functional landscape- which we could then translate to a livable reality. Communist ad campaign posters, leather flecked with acrylic snow-like texture- 1930's ski holiday posters, spy thriller movie scenes, retro early graphic sci-fi landscapes, imploding atom bomb science prints, unitary geometric forms, linear op art and industrial metal cold reflective tones."
Amber Siegel on the moodboards for AW12


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To help us see through the studio door and offer a real tease in to what AW12 had in store, I snapped away at Baarmans and Siegel's series of AW12 mood boards of image collages and fabric swatches.

Both instantaneously recognisable yet shrouded with mystery, Baartmans and Siegel build, update and evolve the character of the Milk Tray man and dress him accordingly in a wardrobe of lux tailored sportswear. "Instead of creating a fragment or snippet of an aesthetic and character, we now look to provide a fully rounded 360 degree view of an exploration - a story and personality that can be injected and applied to relevant, contemporary masculine landscapes" Siegel remarks as she takes a sip of tea in her studio before continuing, "we look to create collections that are not just representative of a moment in or minds- but more of a holistic projection of inclusive expression." Encompassing thematic qualities, the silhouette remains contemporary with the use of the brand’s modern fit combined with luxurious fabrications. Fabrics and cuts are selected and created to ensure effortless ease of wear. Knitwear is offered in rich pure Scottish Johnstons cashmeres whilst hand knitted British wool jumpers and mohair laced accessories add an artisan quality.

Outerwear progresses with the introduction of directional Puffa coats offered with Merino Lamb shearling collars and arctic fox fur trims providing a protective and comforting quality, whilst the reversible style adds versatility to the range. Casual wear is approached with a contemporary edge with the introduction of the first print collaboration with Scandinavian artist Jan Jacob Hakson depicting the protagonist spy character with a European feeling. Finishing touches include horn hand-polished and diluted mist colour bakelite buttons whilst tie-dyed calf leather trims balance the designs with opulent and modern touches Aquatic adventures provide the foundation for the colour palette with deep blues, rich slate greys, powder snow ash tones and the ‘Cadbury’ purple feature throughout. Tonal shades create a multi-layered interchangeable collection allowing flexibility to each piece for the wearer.

Accessories are key and the newly created in-house design logo jacquard is utilised across scarves adding an optic 1970’s quality in the new three shade motif. Atom print scarves in silk jacquard and cashmere incorporate the symbolic relationship of the masculine natural landscape with the adventure and fantasy of science fiction. The collaboration with Grenson footwear continues for Autumn Winter with two styles of shoes to reflect the dual sides of the masculine ‘Milk Tray’ figure. Slate grey patent monk shoes with contrast black soles and gold hardware sit alongside the midnight ankle boots in black pony and navy calf leather with patent nose evokes a streamlined and classic appeal.

Now, I've teased and talked long enough. It is time to present Baartmans and Siegel's Milk Tray Man collection and we have a visual feast for you. Gorge yourself on the selection box of lookbook and campaign imagery mixed with a few of our own detail shots... 

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"We are pleased to say that we are now one of the newest recruits of the prestigious Venture programme of the Center for Fashion Enterprise. We have been through each stage of development with them so it is gratifying to be awarded the Venture level. Also, Whilst about to jet off with the BFC for London Showrooms NYC, we are currently concentrating on the new Spring/Summer 13 season-preparing for the new format of London Fashion Week Menswear in June- which looks set to be a new and interesting dialogue of modern menswear. As always, we will be incorporating creative collaborations, and evolving/developing irresistible luxury elements for the collection."
Amber Siegel on the neat future

With Milk Tray Man, Baartmans and Siegel compound the core aesthetic of the brand brand, setting the tone for our future seasons, whilst retaining the key elements which were inherent from the very inception of our brand. While their collections grow, including accessories, knitwear, casual wear, outerwear and formal wear - the pair are more insular in their refinement than ever. Instead of creating a fragment or snippet of an aesthetic and character, they now look to provide a fully formed view of an exploration - a story and personality that can be injected and applied to relevant, contemporary masculine landscapes. I, for one, am looking to exploring these sartorial landscapes with Baartmans and Siegel and whilst watching this emerging brand continue to blossom.

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