22nd July 2010
Article by: Jacob Kamara
When Art and Fashion Collide
The boundaries between art and fashion can sometimes be a million miles apart, however in some cases, these very same boundaries can disappear entirely. Whilst the ‘Non-Fashpack’ are fumbling through immense bargain bins, overflowing with 100% polyester and stocking up on Asda (WalMart) ?2.99, stone wash denim bootlegs and marvelling over the practicality of an all-in-one shirt, jumper, tie combo. You know the kind.
At the same time as cash registers at cheap, mass-produced outlets are filling up on dirty coins, zealous fashionistas are expressing there personalities and avid inspirations the only way they know how: ‘artistic expression’ in fashion. I know that sounds a smidgen corny, however walking around your local superstore does make one consider whether getting dressed really is an art that some are, unfortunately, not gifted with…
I tend to live in my own little stratosphere in my head, where elves whiz around on glow in the dark clouds (actually chavs in supped up Vauxhall Nova’s) and damsels with lustrous tresses hang out of windows, yearning for prince charming to arrive on Pegasus (often known as a whore house). The idea of realism 24/7 is just too much for me. Us modern day populace live high-speed, often precarious lives, the lust for escapism is fundamental to survival. I don’t mean that in a literal sense, but being liberated in one aspect helps you deal with woe and general day to day crap in other aspects of life. Throughout the ages people have used fashion and image as a means of escapism; whether it be tribal, carnival wear or snappy dinner attire.
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21st July 2010
Article by: Duncan Copeland
Introduction
I write most of my grooming articles based on the fundamental principles of male grooming – skin care, shaving and the like – but occasionally I experience things within my own grooming regime that prompt ideas. Well…
I’ve recently started going to the gym again after about a year lay off, and I’ve stumbled upon something that I suspect many of you guys will have come across too. How on earth can I transfer my extensive ‘at home’ grooming regime (seriously, you should see how many products I have floating around my flat) into something that a) will fit in a modest sized wash bag, and b) will enable me to get in and out of the changing rooms in under an hour?
Lets assume that at the very least your regime consists of a shampoo, a styling product, a face wash, a moisturiser, a body wash, a deodorant and a fragrance – and you start to see where the problem arises. Because it’s not the ‘done’ thing to arrive at the gym with a suitcase on wheels I’ve spent the last 2 weeks compiling a compact, but still effective gym grooming wash bag without the any unnecessary baggage. Here are my findings…
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20th July 2010
Article by: Matthew Burt
George Lamb
The son of the great British actor Larry Lamb, the tv-presenter, DJ, and general all round stylish male, George Lamb is somewhat of a fashion inspiration for the man of today. His variety of style is quirky and unique, and this look as a whole is definitely one of my favourites.
His style ranges from rolled up chinos and espadrilles, to a three-piece suit and bow tie. He is an all round fashionista and creates an individual look which defines him as a person. He is clever with his style, in that he will follow a trend up to a certain point, but then add an accessory or a twist which gives him this quirkiness and individuality. Although he has gone grey relatively early in his life, this doesn’t mean it’s a setback, it’s more of an advantage, in that he can use that to help create his individual style. He may be controversial on his radio show, but is quite the opposite with his style. Confident and individual, George Lamb is definitely someone to seek style inspiration from. Here’s the George Lamb lookbook and style guide…
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19th July 2010
Article by: Matt Allinson
Introduction
With the last of the basic suit articles done and dusted I thought we should just go over a few of the accessories that can go with the new suits that you have just acquired. Now there’s nothing wrong with heading out to the office or restaurant in your grey, navy, black or plaid suit with your shirt and shoes of choice. In fact, in the right circumstances a truly stripped down, understated suit and shirt combination can look extremely modern, stylish and practical. But outside of a relaxed date or maybe informal work outing, those instances are few and far between.
So what are the options available for you then? Well, aside from the obvious arrangement of ties, there are plenty of accessories you can add to a suit to either dress it up/down or express your own sense of style and personality. The important thing is knowing when and where to wear them and the basic rules to follow.
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16th July 2010
Article by: Ashley Cover
NEWGEN At London Fashion Week
For many of us, the steady departure of summer as we move into Autumn months is a pretty depressing time. However, for those of us working within the fashion industry, or for those who would consider themselves avid followers of fashion, there is a ray of light that will follow us around until the 22nd September at least. That ray of light being? LONDON FASHION WEEK! Fashion Week is one of those ever so rare but beautiful events where history is made and the fashion world opens itself to be completely turned upside down within a twenty minute presentation. Menswear at London Fashion Week continues to go from strength to strength since they dedicated a whole day to showcase everything we need to know, see, feel and wish we owned.
Recently introduced to the Menswear day at London Fashion Week is NEWGEN MEN (sponsored by Topman). Formally known as MAN, NEWGEN is a scheme launched in September 2009 by The British Fashion Council (BFC) to find the elite of up and coming Menswear designers. Chosen by a panel boasting some of the most highly respected names in the industry from the likes of Topman, GQ, Esquire and Style.com, not to mention the BFC joint CEO (trust me, this is a very daunting crowd) these designers have truly earned their place on big stage. Those lucky enough to be picked are given full sponsorship, funding, business support as well as the opportunity to showcase their collections at London Fashion Week itself in either a full catwalk show, presentation, or an installation during the Menswear day.
The last London Fashion Week only saw four NEWGEN Menswear designers. Seven months on and its already been bumped up to ten! A clear indicator of the ever growing popularity and talent that Menswear is producing recently.
So without further a due, your ten finalists due to exhibit their Spring/Summer 2011 collections this Autumn are…
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16th July 2010
Article by: Matthew Burt
Omar Kashoura Clothing
Young talent is always emerging in the world of menswear, and Omar Kashoura is one of the most recent successes. With an Arabic and Leeds background, Omar settled in London in 1999. He achieved a first class at the London College of Fashion, and numerous prizes including the Best International Menswear Designer award in 2005. He initially worked in London based fashion house Preen, and then became a consultant at the label Unconditional. With more willingness to learn, Omar went to Central St. Martins school of art and design to complete his masters degree.
Since his masters degree, Omar has created his name into a recognisable brand that earned him the prestigious Deutsche Bank Pyramid Award in 2008. The brand has a progressive style, but it has the aim of influencing the way men dress. His vision is to influence men to dress is in the form of a modern gentleman. The clothing features sharp cuts and unique finishing with some of the features including looped shirt collars and jacket cuff fastenings. The brand is also widely known for its modern use of colour and its signature navy suit. Omar Kashoura Clothing has been presented to many countries around the world, including New York, Miami, Chicago, Paris and also the Arabian fashion world.
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15th July 2010
Article by: Matt Allinson
Introduction
So this week’s article will be the last Men’s Basics on Suits before we do another round up of what has been discussed before. Maybe I’ll throw in an extra one on ties, hats, shoes and other accessories, I don’t know. But first let’s make sure we’ve covered patterned suits. And by this I mean primarily the striped and plaid varieties.
Now, up until now we’ve been using the suit as the anchor for going wild with all kinds of suit and tie combinations. There were stripes, plaids, checks and loud colours everywhere. But when you’re wearing a suit that is based upon some kind of pattern it is important to remember a few basic rules. The first is to be mindful of the suit, so if you’ve got a plaid patterned suit on is it really wise to reach for that plaid shirt or tie? You don’t want people to go cross-eyed when they look at you right? If you’ve got a pattern on your suit then keep the shirt and the tie in solid colours.
Secondly, in regards to the shirt and tie keep them as simple as possible. You want to make them the anchor of the outfit allowing the suit to shine. Sticking with a white shirt and black tie is pretty much the fail-safe here.
And lastly, as always, keep the suit itself on the simple side, no excessive detailing, accessories or pockets. Always make sure it fits you properly, never get a patterned 3-piece suit and constantly wear it with confidence.
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14th July 2010
Article by: Paul Wells
Fantastic Man Piles On The Pounds
6 inches is an extremely relevant measurement for today’s gent. Not because of that well known stat, but because of one that, although largely ignored can have just as much influence on the male prowess; the waistline.
Why 6 Inches? Well the average sample size of clothing and the correlating waist measurements of most male models is 28/30″, in stark contrast the average UK male waistline measures in at a slightly more rotund 34/36″. I know ‘average’ is a thoroughly dirty word, but is one that best draws attention to the issue that the fashion industry seemingly ignores the bulging bellies of the masses – I have seen a shouty larger-lout style ad voiced by Jonny Vegas, that takes inspiration for it’s sales pitch straight from the terraces (the name of which escapes me, but I know you can buy hideously cheap looking polo shirts there), and there is the shop which I once considered to be an urban myth, before stumbling upon one branch in Oxford Street many years ago; High & Mighty. Other than that, you could be forgiven for thinking that fashion for the average gent has lost its way.
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13th July 2010
Article by: Luke Todd
Introduction
If there is one thing, one idiosyncratic quirk, that plagues the English populace more than any, it’s procrastination.
There is always somewhat of an angst when starting a new article; a wrangling in my stomach and in my head of which I know wasn’t left by Saturday night’s ill-advised kebab choice. It is so easy to be put up on a pedestal as an omnipresent of knowledge; acting as ubiquitous in all stand-points of style and genre as my current level of energy/ intoxication will allow. With any measure of pedestal comes the pressure and expectations that are, ironically, expected. Sometimes the only way to deal with them and avoid falling off your pedestal is to procrastinate. I mean look at me; already I am 125 words, 589 characters or 714 characters with spaces into this article and I haven’t even told you what to wear, covered a trend or style stolen an uninformed celebrity. Half of you don’t mind, half of you still haven’t even realised what I did there. Procrastination.
Lookbookdotnu.
LookBook.nu is the coined culture of fashion indulgence and inspiration. The invitation-only community is not too distant from a Wisteria Lane connotation; it screams “the cool kid’s lunch table.”
I’ve waded through countless denims, leathers, gilets, shoppers, checks, stripes (so on and so forth) to bring you my top Lookbook looks and looking at how you can get the FashionBeans lookbook-look alternative. If you comprende – you are a God amongst men.
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12th July 2010
Article by: Brad Palmer
Introduction
So, as many of you will know from my ranting on twitter, last weekend I donned by shorts, grabbed my RayBans, packed my camera and headed down to Weston-Super-Mare for a day of fashion, music, and celebrities at T4 on the Beach.
T4 in on the Beach, now in its 6th year at Weston-Super-Mare, attracts fashionable festival goers and celebrities alike from across the country to enjoy a day of (usually) sunny, sea side excitement. This year the line up included the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Ellie Goulding, The Saturdays, Kelis, Pixie Lott and JLS, not to mention a whole host of celebrities from the worlds of TV, Fashion and Dance.
Throughout the day we were on hand with our camera, snapping some of the best dressed acts, celebrities and attendees, all to give you guys some inspiration and advice on how you can rock some of this season’s best looks.
Now, although I had a great time, I have to admit that the male acts didn’t offer quite the same level of fashion as perhaps some of the female acts did. However, I have selected some of the more fashion conscious males of the day to show you guys how you can get some of their looks and rock the rest of this year’s festivals in style.
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