27
May
CULT Fashion: The Summer Lookbook
Menswear images from the past week giving style inspiration.
26
May
CULT Fashion: Selfridges & Attitude Magazines Great British Bang Fashion Show
It wasn’t only the early onslaught of summer at the 5th Annual Selfridges and Attitude magazines Great British bang Fashion Show that had the crowd hot and bothered!
The event, part of Selfridges ‘Big British Bang’; an all-encompassing celebration and creative homage to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics and just in time for the holiday season was a men’s catwalk presentation to showcase the hottest new styles in underwear and swimwear for guys. In 80 degree heat the venue reached near sauna like conditions which did little to deter the eager anticipation of the men and women who packed the rows. The lux card invites made for handy impromptu fans and complimentary Smirnoff Ices delivered by uniformed waiters (poor guys!) kept the crowd hydrated.
The excitable emcee who had just come from backstage informed the crowd that they were in for a real treat, and then introduced the opening act: girl group Fanfair. Fresh off their support gig touring with mega boyband The Wanted, the girls performed a medley of their songs providing an up-tempo start to the main event.
Without further ado, no sooner had Fanfair left the stage than the lights dipped and the fashion show began. A bevy of buff male models including Rihanna’s recent video boy toy (and rumoured paramour) Dudley O’Shaughnessy, strutted their honed physiques down the catwalk clad in underwear and swimwear from top brands that included Bjorn Borg, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Aussiebum, Vilebrequin and more. The show ended fittingly with a boxer short clad model walking out an adorable British bull dog to a thunder of applause, and no doubt left many of the male attendees vowing to get back into the gym post haste!
The show was followed with a party and shopping event in Selfridges underwear and swimwear department. Customers could pose for photographs with the models whilst shopping the latest styles straight from the catwalk. Factor in the spray tans courtesy of Fake Bake, skincare advice from Bare Escentuals, goody bags and copies of the latest issue of Attitude and a DJ who entertained the crowd whilst more drinks were handed out; this was an event that people will be talking about for some time!
Find out more about Selfridges ‘Great British Bang’ at;
http://style.selfridges.com/whats-hot/big-british-bang
Ian Michael Turner
22
May
The cultured man walks Fourth & Main, the new menswear line for those with classical taste
It can be said there are two barometers for what makes the modern cultured man: his cultural knowledge and aptitude, and an understated yet fashionable sense of style. Fourth & Main, the new London based clothing and contemporary lifestyle brand formed by Nikhil Adwalpalkar and James Wright, is the ultimate archetype for that man and comprises a capsule menswear collection partnered with a bi-annual arts and culture publication: The Fourth & Main Journal.
The brand is inspired by all things London, and everything for which what is arguably the world’s greatest city is renowned to represent. Fourth & Main’s debut menswear collection celebrates London’s unique creative culture, and channels the ‘youthful exuberance of the people who populate it and the infinite styles they display’. It is a retro brand in the sense that its main inspiration is taken from British fashion’s illustrious heritage. It draws upon the traditional understated elegance and versatility of the British male wardrobe and its classicality, meaning that a piece from Fourth & Main will not date.
The SS12 Collection is focused upon casual wear and consists of day-to-day staples, which include unlined tailored linen jackets, chore coats, club collar shirts, tailored shorts & slim chinos with side button fastening, lightweight merino knitwear and swimwear. Every attention is paid to fit and detail ensuring the highest quality and that every item in the collection is an investment piece that you can wear for years to come. In essence, these are classic clothes for the man who wants to look good, but is unfussy and has simple tastes. The clothes harken back to a cleaner age when men new how to dress well.
Alongside their brand, Fourth & Main produce The Fourth & Main Journal, released in both print and digital form. Many fashion brands are trying their hand at content creation in the ever increasingly competitive clothing market, yet few get is as right as Fourth & Main.
Echoing the brand ethos, the bi-annual Journal has been exclusively devised, created, written and photographed by a small pool culled from London’s wealth of upcoming young artistic talents. With The Fourth & Main Journal, London’s next generation of writers, artists and creatives have been provided with a platform from which to be heard. Subject matter varies to cover the entire spectrum – be it political, cultural, personal and so on – and the first edition in its 125-page glory features a diverse discourse that includes talks with young actors including Captain America’s rising star, an exploration into the future of British film, and also looks at rising musicians and artists on the scene, such as photographer Alex Prager whose wonderfully Hitchcockian photographs are showcased. All of this is interspersed with editorial images of Fourth & Main’s menswear collection that leaves you yearning of starring in your very own The Talented Mr Ripley.
Whilst viewable online, The Fourth & Main Journal is a literal must worth for any man’s bookcase or coffee table, as is their clothing for your wardrobe.
Ian Michael Turner
You’ll find Fourth & Main at 17 Newburgh Street, London W1F 7RZ (just off Carnaby St); or you can view their collection here.
View the Fourth & Main short film The Dreamers here:
Article written by me and published originally on www.theupcoming.co.uk
19
May
KATE MOSS x TERRY RICHARDSON FOR HARPER’S BAZAAR
The lovely Kate Moss poses, once again, behind Terry Richardson’s lens - this time for Harper’s BAZAAR’s June/July issue. Moss poses on the beaches of Jamaica sporting the latest from Alexander McQueen, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Calvin Klein amongst others. Ol’ girls still got it!
via wetheurban18
May
CULT Fashion: The Lookbook
Menswear images from the past week giving style inspiration.
Meet Jack Spade: iconic American purveyor of the ‘it’ bag for men
Jack Spade has landed on British shores. The menswear brand has become something of a US fashion institution since its launch in New York City in 1997 and has chosen London to open its very first European store.
Jack Spade was the brainchild of Andy Spade and his wife who, as you may have already guessed, is none other than handbag doyenne Kate Spade. They wanted to design and create bags for men that were neither too precious nor too boring, that were well-crafted and built to stand the test of time; that were utilitarian, but still stylish. The original bags were sold, believe it or not, in a hardware store. However, in 1999, the first Jack Spade store opened its doors on Greene Street in NYC’s SoHo and a range of products such as trench coats were added to the line to complement the bags. 
The concept behind Jack Spade rang true and the brand soon became a favourite, both amongst the uptown Manhattan and Hamptons set and downtowners and Brooklynites alike. Nary a fashionable shoulder is seen these days that is not sporting a bag featuring the iconic and discreet, square Jack Spade logo tab. 
The London store is, given the label’s birthplace, aptly located in London’s Soho at 83 Brewer Street. London’s fashionable blades can now shop Jack Spade’s all-American wares in the store’s almost hyper-masculine environment, which reflects the brand’s overall aesthetic. 
Alongside the iconic waxed canvas messenger bags and backpacks are sturdy totes and weekenders, all of which come in a startling array of colour and material variations that leave one spoilt for choice. The shop also carries the full Jack Spade complement of products. This includes outerwear and clothing, wallets, ties, small leather goods, pocket squares, laptop, iPad and phone, amongst other diverse items. In essence, Jack Spade is the one-stop shop for men who want to look good and to have well-made, understated and stylish clothing and accessories.
Click here to check out the rest of the collection.
Ian Michael Turner
This article written by myself originally appeared on www.theupcoming.co.uk
http://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2012/05/18/meet-jack-spade-iconic-american-purveyor-of-the-it-bag-for-men/
16
May
CULT List: House of Bordello at Club Plastic, Milano.
CULT Icon: James Franco/James Dean
(Source: james---franco)
via benjamingodfre15
May
CULT Fashion: Introducing Forgotten Future; For the rebel with a cause.
It is rare that one stumbles across a fashion brand that so perfectly encapsulates what you have been looking for, for what seems like your entire life. Trawling the high street, surfing online, I often find myself at a loss when searching for that perfect brand that suits my particular style aesthetic to a T.
Put it this way, I have passed 30, not saying by how far, and struggle to find age appropriate attire that still has the right amount of what I term the ‘downtown’ effect. I like edgy. In terms of practicality I often find myself veering towards preppy with a twist. The heady days of my rock ‘n’ roll 20’s in New York City are behind me and as I mature as a person, my wardrobe must reflect this.
This I’m sure, is the post 20’s case scenario for legions of men out there and if you are looking to maintain that ‘downtown’ cool when dressing, but also looking to grow up, or even a younger man who is looking to update and refine his wardrobe. Stateside guys have designers such as John Varvatos catering to their every need, but for those in the UK what are the choices? Allow me to present you with your answer: Forgotten Future.
This UK based brand ticks ALL the right boxes. Forgotten Future was founded in 2009 by Central Saint Martin’s graduate Richard Dawson who, as with many of his alum, has gone on from what is arguably fashion’s most famous breeding ground to become a cult designer whom there is no doubt has a long and illustrious career ahead of him.
We need look no further than Dawson’s past collections inspiration points to realise that in him we may have found our new fashion God. Forgotten Futures debut AW10 collection was inspired by the No-Wave music scene of late 70’s NYC, the SS11 collection was inspired by post war utility and vintage sportswear and AW11 was again inspired by vintage and also Perry Ogden’s ‘Pony Kids’ book. You can see what I am saying!
The forthcoming AW12 Collection is entitled ‘Gutter of Fortune’, this alone is enough to make one fall in love, and is possibly one of the truest slogans you could ever come across! AW12 is an eclectic mix of black, red, blue, white and tan sportswear inspired clothing with a brilliant 90’s post raver feel. The lookbook model as shown here is the epitome of a stylish rascal, a neo Madchester lad in his Forgotten Future attire.
The use of panelling helps lends to each item an air of individuality whilst the red and blue add a healthy splash of colour that is not too much. Forgotten Future ticks all the right boxes, it has style and substance, looks obviously well-made and is not to outré, but through the clever use of colour, some quirky prints and the sure to be iconic slogan ‘Gutter of Fortune’ emblazoned on sweaters and tees, still conveys a healthy level of rebellion and non-conformity. From the slick workwear jackets, to the sturdy looking perfectly shaped t-shirts, and some of the most amazing trousers you will ever see, this collection is a must have for grown up insurrectionist and young style revolutionaries alike.
Now, where is my credit card…
Forgotten Future is stocked at Beyond The Valley in London and on ASOS.com and Oki-Ni.com.
Visit http://www.forgottenfuture.co.uk/mainpage.html to find out more
Ian Michael Turner
CULT Want: SKINGRAFT Skirt Short
14
May
CULT Fashion: Man Bags
Men’s bags. Leather, the bigger the better.
13
May
CULT Fashion: The Weekly Lookbook
Menswear styles, images and looks currently giving me inspiration.
12
May
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
2,364 plays
Azealia Banks | JUMANJI
One of the Hip-Hop industries newest gems, Azealia Banks, has released another track today - “Jumanji”. Expected to land on her 1991 EP, the song is pretty much what you’d expect [amazing], with exquisite production by Hudson Mohawke. Check it out (above)!
08
May
For fans of Christian Blanken, here is an exclusive look at the forthcoming MAN SS13 Collection, to debut this June at London Collections:Men.
via blankenchristian07
May
CULT Want: Gucci City Collection
The City Collection, a sport-inspired line of accessories designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini has been designed with today’s smart and active urban cosmopolitans in mind..
The bold collection includes a colorful series of bags including a tote and holdall, all featuring the unmistakable London skyline.
Gucci also presents a slick high-top, whose introduction they have dubbed: “A new expression of the luxurious on-the-go style for which the House is known, the City Collection also features a comfortable, colorful high-top sneaker”
Images: Gucci.com
