The Monday Mix-up

Loving the leggings

Black & gold

Recently, I was strolling along the Barbican in my home city of Plymouth. It’s a beautiful little area with a wide array of different people, stores, bars and eateries. Very, very picturesque. Made even more stunning thanks to a young lady also strolling along in a number not too dissimilar to this weeks Monday Mix-up. A confident arrangement of black, blue and white. Unfortunately I was in no position to ask for a picture, so I took some mental notes and here it is.

The Diesel dress is a corker and not too pricey, suitable for both summer and winter. Accompanied by a flipping gorgeous Ted Baker jacket which is a little bit more expensive, but well worth it. The heels from Office are a little different, they have that frayed edging which makes the look that little less formal. Knee high leggings seem to be everywhere and this cheap Asos option will do nicely. Finally is the bag and bracelet. The classy oval clutch from River Island is (I’m sure) the very same one our mystery Barbican lady was sporting. And the wide bangle from Accessorize is the perfect final ingredient to all-in-all, a very tasty look suitable for most occasions.

- George Harman

Friday, for him.

The bow tie is back

Roll up the jeans, show off your ankles.

A bit of geek chic this week, starting with a steal at the House of Fraser. This Van Heusen shirt is good quality, well fitted and cheap! 20 pounds for a shirt is a great price anywhere, especially if it’s a well branded item. The jacket from Uniqlo is lovely colour, soft shades of grey will usually compliment most other items and the Asos bow tie will perfectly finish your torso.

Carrot top jeans are gaining strides on the more popular skinny fitting jeans right now. Slightly more baggy around the crotch area, these Topman jeans should still fit nicely around the waist hence the use of braces. Swagger and swoon (to my surprise) is a fantastic accessory website and these braces will definitely add to your gorgeous yet nerdy persona. Thompson’s quality moccasins will draw attention to your feet, make sure to wear no socks or this outfit could well become a disaster. The idea is to look handsome and sophisticated, so I am afraid socks are a geeky downfall.

- George Harman

Beautiful Balenciaga

Positive and negative space

Linear colouring

Haute couture fashion giants Balenciaga, plus Paris Fashion Week equals a match made in heaven. Ultimate setting accompanied by ultimate style, Balenciaga’s new line for Autumn/ Winter 2010 is truly gorgeous. The range of colours used do not seem to centralize any theme or notion around the work, instead they boost the already prominent horizontal lines of the finery.

Negative and positive spacing is more of a prompt than a technique. It allows a maker to constantly review and assess decisions based around the rules great aesthetics require. Balenciaga’s latest work is a prime example of this.

A common misjudgement is that vertical lines deem you thinner, whereas horizontal lines widen the wearer. Clearly this not true. Nicoloas Ghesquiere (the creative director at Balenciaga) is building his own legacy season by season. Dubbed “truly original” by a mass of critics after his ready-to-wear collection in 2006, Ghesquire is consistently presenting new clothing directions for his audiences. Dior called Cristobal Balenciaga “the master of us all”… a massive title for a massive company, but with gorgeous garments like these, it’s easy to see why.

- George Harman

Suited and booted

Tom Ford

Tom Ford is a master of fashion. I admire his garments, his fragrances, his sunglasses and his latest film “A Single Man”. He is a truly fascinating character with an enormous amount of knowledge regarding the creative industry. Below is an interview for Time Magazine which i really enjoyed reading so i thought i would share it.
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You’re the kind of guy who always has a plan. You always ask, What’s your 10-year plan? So I’m going to ask you, Now that your menswear business is up and running, what’s your 10-year plan?
My 10-year plan now is very different from what my 10-year plan was 10 years ago. There’s a nice quote I came across a while ago that says, “Midlife is when you get to the top of a ladder only to realize you’ve had the ladder against the wrong wall.” Now, that probably happened to me a few years ago — meaning when I left Gucci.

A lot of what has driven my life was coming to not necessarily a midlife crisis, because I was very happy with everything that I had accomplished, but maybe a sort of midlife lack of fulfillment in certain ways, and it redirected my life — redirected my business life by making me understand that work wasn’t really about making money, getting ahead. You know, all the things that we’re taught as kids. But work should really be something that you love to do, and through this I realized all along I had been working because I liked to design things. I like the challenge of it. So I realized that.

Then I tried to think about how I can do this where I take away all the parts that I don’t like, such as waking up in the morning and having to read the review in the [International] Herald Tribune about whether the collection was good or bad. I hate all that stuff. I really hate it. I really like making the product. But believe it or not, I don’t like talking to journalists. I don’t like posing for pictures. I don’t like all the stuff that’s now around fashion. I still do it because it’s part of my business — you’ve got to communicate to the customer. Before I was driven by “Be successful, be successful, be successful.” It was a different kind of drive from what I feel now.

So my 10-year plan now is kind of spiritual. Now you’re really going to think I’ve lost my mind! My 10-year plan now is more focused on my personal relationships, my personal life, my family. It’s a different phase of my development. It’s focused on business too. It’s focused on things like making movies, which I’m not going to make any money doing, but it’s creatively something that excites me and fuels my mind. With relationship to my men’s business, I did what I did out of a real need, a niche in the market, something that I personally wanted. People always say to me, “Why don’t you do women’s clothes? You would make so much more money.” Well, that’s great, but I’m not sure I want to do that. I may do it. I’m creeping back slowly, and I have a few new products that I’m going to start working on in the next year.

In terms of menswear, why did you choose to go to the very high end, with the most formal kind of menswear?
Because again, I’m making things that I care about. I just really don’t care about certain types of clothes and, to be honest, certain types of customers who wear those types of clothes. I just don’t care. So I’m making clothes that interest me, which means the best detail, the best fabric, the best quality. I’m interested in dressing people who relate to that, understand that and appreciate that.

You know, a lot of people don’t actually see — they don’t see detail. And I’m just not interested in dressing those people. So by their nature, those clothes do tend to be expensive when they’re made with the most beautiful materials and in the most beautiful way. I wear formal clothes most of the time, but I will be broadening the collection. There will be things that are less formal, starting with skiwear. We’re opening a ski shop in St. Moritz, and I’m broadening the collection to include a lot more sportswear.

The way you talk about your business and your plans for Tom Ford in the future, opening in markets like Dubai and Russia, makes you sound more like a CEO than a designer. Do you think of yourself now as more of a CEO?
I do both. I mean I am the ceo and the president [along with co-founder and chairman De Sole], but I’m still totally and completely a designer. I fit every single thing on my own body. I was always a little bit like that. I don’t know if people really knew that. People would write occasionally about it, but I don’t think anyone really knew the extent to which I was involved in our business. I couldn’t just design in a vacuum. I’d have to think, “O.K., where’s this going to be sold? Who is going to buy it? What’s the market for it?” It all sort of happens together, at the same time, in my head.

- George Harman

The Monday Mix-up

Friday, for him.

Somewhat delayed post but as previously mentioned, computers sometimes seem to be my absolute enemy. This week sees my favourite jacket brand Barbour step up. Its a slightly cheaper and less classic jacket design from the British outfitters, beautiful olive and brown colour; a jacket fit for most occasions. Jones boot-makers make extremely durable and well fitting footwear, although usually more expensive, the boots will very rarely let you down. A mixture of blues finish the look with a cheap denim shirt from Topman, gorgeous trousers from Theory and a sailor style belt from Gant, reminiscent of the classic Jean-Paul Gaultier campaigns.

Now it was not until yesterday that it dawned on me, that brown ties cease to be regularly used. I have no idea why this is, but lets try and make it happen with this Swagger & Swoon number.

- George Harman

Vogue Nippon

Vogue Nippon April 2010

Vogue Nippon April 2010

Finally, my account is working! For some bizarre reason the posts have been delayed due to technical hitches.

Here we have a wonderful summery editorial from Japan’s Vogue Nippon. Blaise Reutersward’s photography perfectly capturing a snippet of what 2010’s summer should all be about. Although shot on the outskirts of Tokyo, this is a beautifully classic photo-shoot conveying brilliant British imagery. Swaying dresses and tops complimented by large shady sun hat, Marloes Horst pulls each look off with great feminine swagger. Each photo differs slightly from it’s predecessor, giving an array of possible looks for this summer. So cease the opportunity and really try to look this good outside, you will feel like a million yen!

- George Harman

The Monday Mix-up

By the night.

Chic and dark, fit for a delicious night out. The combination is solely for the purpose of after-hours viewing hence the blinding ankle sandals from gorgeous Gucci, which indecently are being sold as a part of net-a-porter.com’s effort for Haiti. Look amazing and help a good cause, great! I wanted to include a RI bag as I believe it to be the high-street retailer’s strongest area of commodities. Their website offers an incredible line of well-price bags, clutches and totes. Reiss is one of my favourite brands as a man and their female clothing also offers superb diversity and quality. The dress typifies this, with it’s soft colour combo and subtle use of studs. To finish is a pretty wrist watch from DKNY, quietly drawing attention to it’s slender formation. If you can throw together anything close to this fashion fusion, you will be in for a great night.

- George Harman

Nike have destroyed the jacket!

Seek and destroy

I absolutely love this jacket. Why? Because it encapsulates that foot-tapping, slick back gravitas of the fighting 50’s. It’s a jacket that can go with most of your wardrobe already, especially those ripped skinnys you may have been thinking about throwing away. Just chuck ‘em together and see what happens.

Depending on the price Nike decide is appropriate, “The Destroyer” is going straight into my collection and this is why-

You are going to look the business in this coat, you will win the state finals and you will definitely get the girl. Neato!

- George Harman

Friday, for him.

Comfortable, relaxed but still in the cool

I was going to dash together a seriously stylish and formal get-up for today’s “Friday, for him”. The only reason why I did not was because if my little trip to London on Tuesday taught me anything, it’s that sometimes comfortability is an important factor to remember. Hence the use of these lovely linen chinos from Full Circle, providing style and ease. The Vans are great, so great in fact I may just order some for myself. I’m really lovely the chukka boot style, it’s a must buy purely for their versatility; they go with everything.

A large collection of eclectic t-shirts is something most men should have. Black, brown, white etc. a well designed t-shirt always sets an outfit apart from the rest and this LRG tee is a perfect example. Finishing the look is a nifty, digitally printed Diesel scarf, a matching and classic belt from Diesel again and a sleek khaki coat from Uniqlo. Finally there is the Fred Perry barrel bag, to comfortably carry all your necessities, unlike me who happened to think a battered old suitcase would do the job. Until the masking tape holding it together starting to snap… never good.

- George Harman

The Monday Mix-up

Gorgeous and grungy!

The internet is a wonderful thing, until it breaks and frustrates you until no end. Hence why my Monday Mix-up is a little late. Anyway, this weeks outfit is a neat combo covering the rocker styling of Mr Lagerfeld and the classic Belstaff jacket design i love. Accompanied by a cheap and chic pair of relaxed platform heels from Schuh and the 603’s from Levis, the look is one suitable for most occasions. Although fairly basic, the combination is one of correct colour usage and well cut lines producing a sexy, grungy outcome.

Personally, I am gutted the t-shirt isn’t a mans because the print of Karl Lagerfeld’s is seriously cool. In fact, I put it to any one to find a cooler print than the eccentric fashion maestro himself. To finish the look, i thought i would pay homage to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland by adding a cute little madhatters watch pendant i found in Accessorize. The film is sure to insight a tonne of Alice-based editorials and soon enough, I will cover them with great pride. I am a very big Burton fan.

- George Harman

Friday, for him.

A good combination, day & night.

I would like to think Friday for him as a succinct guide for any man’s weekend. A weekly collection of quality clobber, from bags to rags, I will try my best to show the most exciting high-street purchases. Meaning, smooth style without the heart-stopping price tag – ideal. Above is the first instalment, a fusion of urban wear and classic tailoring. Something which All Saints seems to specialize in, even if their quality of clothing is decreasing. I wanted to give an array of options to any readers, so here are a few items ready for purchase from various outlets.

Soft tones of brown and grey mean a flexible outfit wearable at both night and day. The jacket is a must, if you don’t already own a quality blazer than go out right now and buy. Vintage Jaegar jackets are a sure bet for quality stitching, dye and fit – trust me these attributes in modern men’s clothing are rare. Topman clothing is notoriously dodgy, in it’s pricing and quality but this t-shirt is great. Lovely design and 100% organic cotton, win-win. A well made belt is priceless and this one is my own, i have had it for some time now and it’s still holding it’s shape nicely. Sounds a little pedantic but if you care about your look, then you will know where i am coming from. Swapping the whites and greys from the torso, moving down to the subtle cream on these Full Circle trousers, onto the Timberland classic boat shoes. Perfect for summer, perfect for sun. I love them. Do not trust the cheaper canvas type, you must buy good leather and forget socks, they look better without. The look is not revolutionary, it wont make you a superstar but you will look seriously trend aware, suave and ready for a sunny good day about the town or a great night on the tiles.

- George Harman

The Monday Mix-up

Simple, clean and colourful.

Showing you all of these wonderfully classy catwalk pieces is a treasure but “where can I buy them George?!” I hear you ask. Every week, my Monday afternoon will now be now devoted to answering this question. The Monday Mix-up is here to help; a light low-down on an outfit I feel essential for any budding fashionista’s wardrobe.

This week, a combination of vibrant colours, neutral greens and browns, perfect for those hot, sunny days in May. I tried to pull together this season’s emphasis on colour with more natural tones in order to frame the dress, which in my opinion is utterly gorgeous. More natural colours, such as the olive green used in YSL’s bag, are usually always paired with pastel pink, creams and browns. Here the bag and Jimmy Choo shoes act as support for the Tibi dress which demands attention. An interesting blend of vibrancy and nature with the classic aviators as it’s finishing touch.

- George Harman