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“New Yorkers love it when you spill your guts out there. Spill your guts at Wimbledon and they make you stop and clean it up.”
–Jimmy Connors
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Posted in accessories, apparel, British, fashion, tagged apparel, bespoke, best, British, classic, Drakes, English, fashion, London, maker, neckwear on February 7, 2009|
Founded in 1977, Drakes remains under the directorship of Michael Drake and Isabel Dickson, two of the original founders. The original collection comprised of mens’ scarvesand accessories, a range of English handmade ties and linen handkerchiefs quickly followed. Drakes are now the largest independent producer of handmade ties in England. Over the years Drakes has won many accolades for design and export achievement, including the Queens award for Export and the BKCEC award for UK British fashion exports.
Michael Drake’s original concept for the company style was that what ever was produced had to have a refined English look that would be endorsed by the best shops in Milan and Paris. The rationale was that if the two most discerning markets in the world were won over, satisfying the rest of the world would be relatively easy by comparison.
Having met Michael Drake, I can confidently state that the man is the real deal. He places his brand’s quality and reputation before all else.
Posted in apparel, British, designers, tartan, tagged 2009, apparel, bespoke, British, classic, English, Fall 2009, fashion, jacket, Paul Smith, RTW, runway, show, tartan, WWD on January 25, 2009|
Paul Smith always stands for color, pattern and cheek; but since so much of his tailored clothing this season was cut from conservative fabrics with gray or brown backgrounds, what was under the jacket became the statement maker. Sportswear came in corduroys, stonewashed black denim and lots of tartan, especially Black Watch. Foulard print scarves were layered for a bohemian effect.
Posted in accessories, apparel, British, designers, fashion, store, tagged Alfred Dunhill, apparel, British, classic, Dunhill, English, fashion, footwear, heritage, history, jacket, made, quality, store on January 23, 2009|
Kim Jones, Dunhill’s creative director, will put his vision of a modern Dunhill on the Paris menswear catwalk at the Maison de l’Architecture on Sunday. (Chris Moore/Karl Prouse)
It is England, 1914. Imagine Alfred Dunhill dashing along in his motor vehicle at a daring 12 miles an hour, his eyes flicking to his rose gold stopwatch, tooting his four-note horn, the entrepreneur in a leather coat with matching goggles. And all these magnificent pieces designed by himself.
The heritage of Dunhill is so broad and so British: from its beginnings with the birth of the car to creating luxury accessories for motorcycling, aviation and the oh-so-fashionable smokers in the Roaring Twenties.
“This is from the 1920s – from the collaboration with Japan,” says Kim Jones, 32, Dunhill’s creative director, who will put his vision of a modern Dunhill on the Paris menswear catwalk at the Maison de l’Architecture on Sunday.
Jones was referring to a dynamic and ergonomic range of travel bags in wood-grain leather. But it would be a stretch to guess that a pen case from the 1920s had been the inspiration. (more…)
Posted in accessories, British, fashion, tagged Bamford, Bamford & Sons, bespoke, best, British, classic, Daytona, English, Explorer, fashion, GMT, made, master, Milgauss, Rolex, submariner, watch, yacht on January 16, 2009|
THE CUSTOMISATION PROCESS
AT BAMFORD & SONS, WHAT STARTED OUT AS A BASIC BLACKENING PROCESS, HAS NOW BEEN ENHANCED BY A NUMBER OF ‘SECRET’ FORMULAE AND IS NOW PERFECTED AS A HIGHLY ADVANCED MILITARY GRADE COATING.
THE SCIENCE OF PVD OR ‘PHYSICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION’ IS HIGHLY TECHNICAL. THE RESULT IS A STUNNING, ALMOST’ DIAMOND HARD’ FLAWLESS COATING. FURTHER CUSTOMISATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF BESPOKE DIALS, LUMINESCENT INDICES AND CASE ENGRAVING.
THE COMBINATIONS OF DIAL COLOURS, LUMINOUS PAINT AND THE ABILITY TO HAVE UP TO 8 CHARACTERS OF YOUR OWN TEXT ON THE DIAL OF YOUR CUSTOMISED ROLEX, ENSURES THAT EACH FINISHED TIMEPIECE IS A HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE ONE OFF PIECE.