Seasons greetings from the Row

While passing back and forth down the "Row" over this past month I've been forced to stop in my tracks by some fabulous window displays from Savile Rows finest. Let's start at no. 1 with the brilliant Gieves and Hawkes window showcasing their eveningwear selection. The stand out electric blue dinner jacket is in a league of its own. I know we've seen burgundy and green velvet numbers the past few seasons but this colour is pretty special to say the least. To add I raise my flute to the Huntsman team who's party themed window is utter genius. Seasons greetings and be merry!

An unexpected surprise

Ok I have an admission. I religiously check the mail online show biz site first thing every morning and most evenings. Now this does nothing for my faint image of a manly persona I wish to portray but while I was browsing the site last Monday I had a pleasant surprise. While reading an article that Mr Jamie Redknapp wore the same outfit two days in a row on the Saturday and Sunday Sky live football ( slightly strange but surely there was a reason) I had noticed that the mail online actually quoted myself in one of my first articles. It was from a piece I did a couple of years ago for MFM on Redknapp's formal TV uniform. Ok so I wasn't asked to comment but I'll take it. Everyone's gotta start somewhere right?

How do you wear your Duchamp?

I got asked a couple of weeks ago to take part in a project with Duchamp where they had five fashion writers and bloggers pick out an outfit to be snapped in by the talented Jonathan Daniel-Pryce. I'm not overly confident in the cameras gaze as I'm no David Gandy but I have to say I really enjoyed the morning. So on to my choice and I went for a solid navy. I was eyeing up a grey check but my fellow writer Stephen Kelly had beat me to it, picking out a beautiful three piece in my desired shade. Oh well was happy with the navy peak. It did come with a waist coat but it was quite a high cut which I'm not a fan of so went two piece with a pink spread and picked out a burnt orange print tie with tie clip. In high sight should've gone with a puff or a fold with the hanks but went for a flared positioning. Regardless it injected a bit of va va voom into the ensemble, which translates into flair and eccentricity. Essentially what Duchamp is all about as a brand. 

Another participant in the project was a gent who I have serious beard envy over; Mr Chris Chasseaud. He always looks very debonair and for this shoot it was no different as he adorned a cobalt blue three piece. Really loved the choice of tie. Very daring but it works and that colour isn't the the easiest the combine with. I salute you Chris! 

 Also here is a picture of Mr Stephen Kelly who looks very sharp in that grey check three piece.

Anyway the name of the game is to get as many likes on the Duchamp Facebook page so if you like what you see with myself or any of the other guys please get pressing that "like" button.

Here is the link...

http://www.duchamplondon.com/marcs_blog/

My Adidas rant

Time to talk sneakers. Not saying I'm the biggest sneaker-head around but I do have a few Adidas in the locker (36 pairs to be exact- check my Instagram for reference @danielrhone). Now my problem with Adidas is apart from my undying loyalty to the three stripes which I can't pull away from (don't ask! I think I like the discipline of only being able to purchase from one brand like its a sort of game testing my sense of style choice within the available range). This is where the problem begins. I have a real issue with the lack of competition when going up against the modern tech sports profile of the Nike "Roshe" or "Flyknit". There's no denying especially that the "Roshe" is one of the best looking profiles around with its minimal detail and modern infusion but Adidas as rounded as their originals range is have had no credible answer. Unfortunately for the poor sales assistant working at Adidas no.6 store in Carnaby St she felt the full force of my rant as I picked up the "boost" and "adipure" as examples of Adidas poor competition as they've tried blending modern performance trainers into their originals umbrella. Bless her she didn't really understand but it did feel good to air my frustration! I hope the design boys in Berlin have something in the locker?? To be continued....

     Regardless of leaving empty-handed, the No.6 store is definitely worth a visit you sneaker heads.

                                           The Nike 'Roshe' - Damn you Nike!

                 

The Adidas 'Boost'. Performance runner moved over to the lifestyle range - poor effort I'm afraid

                       Even the Beck's can't make these work. Well ok maybe a little bit..

Meeting Mr Mark Powell

This past week I had the pleasure of meeting with a maverick tailoring hero of mine; Mr Mark Powell. I dropped by his Soho residency to interview him for MFM and had a good old chin wag where he gave his hearty, honest opinion on the industry and a few people in it without holding back! A fair bit of what Mark said will stay just between myself and him lets just say. Thats what I loved about chatting with Mark, he was straight up and told it how it is which is pretty refreshing within this sometimes false men's fashion bubble. He actually told me in no certain terms that a certain fellow who I did admire within the industry was a c... Umm well not a nice chap. Should of taken Mr Powell's word for it as yesterday I received a rather obnoxious, rude reply in an email from the man in question that clarified Mark's character reference! 

Won't say too much about the interview as it's going to be part of the debut digital version of www.mensfashionmagazine.co.uk/ which is due to launch on January 20th. I will of course keep you updated.

Unfortunately due to being too in grossed into what Mark was talking about I forgot to take any stylish snaps inside Marks showroom which was full of amazing pieces from his tailoring examples to his gorgeous bespoke shoe range. Check out these bad boys that Sir Bradley Has just picked up.

Mark is one of the sharpest tailors around. He is a rarity in the sense that he is a stylist with the skills and eye of a tailor and that's his appeal. His creative flair and style with tailoring nowse has got him a client book which has the names Weller, Bowie and Jagger to name only a few! On the day he was rocking a beautiful electric blue three piece with a rounded tab collar, knitted tie with tie pin. Accessoried with a dandy pocket watch and wearing a killer pair of frames I almost had a Wayne and Garth "I'm not worthy" moment! Luckily I kept it cool!

My made to measure beauty

Yesterday I took a little trip into the square mile to pick up my made to measure tab collar from the guys at Emmett. Have to say to anyone thinking of getting a shirt made up; do it! Great for keeping in the locker for that special occasion and won't cost you an arm and a leg ( made to measure shirts at Emmett start from £195) for which essentially is a luxury service. Anyway back to the tab, my inspiration Mr Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction. 007 himself Daniel Craig wore his Tom Ford tab well but no one can compete with the precise nature of Sam's tab.

For more information on the made to measure service Emmett provide check out their website www.emmettlondon.com/ or contact chris@emmett.co.uk

An evening down the Row

I spent last Thursday evening in the company of some seriously dapper chaps all in the aid of the Savile Row Association and Chivas Whiskey's partnership launch. The highlight of the evening was seeing my style guru Tom Stubbs perform a masterclass in sartorial styling. Using nine of the Row's finest dressing nine varying six foot pretty boys, Mr Stubbs came up with a presentation that combined traditional heritage with a modern infusion with a touch of Tom's witty humour. 

Along with Mr Stubbs in his Thom Sweeney,  Dave and Georgie were fitting it out for best dressed.

George brought the roll neck, David brought the three piece. Honours even.

Here's what I brought to the table that evening. Thought I'd go DB with some burgundy cords and my trusty Russell & Bromley "Chelsea" lace ups. Went with all the boys done up which a few people queried. Think its different to a two button single, yes contemporary fashion has broke a lot of age old dress rulings but when it comes to the DB I think it's best to go with what you feel. I did.

My morning at Peckham Rye

A few Thursdays ago I popped down Carnaby street to meet Martin Brighty and David Walker of Peckham Rye to have a chat about the brands amazing accessories and story. Boy did I get an education! Now I've always loved Peckham Ryes accessories from their perfect contemp 6cm width ties to distinctly shaped bow ties. But after a wonderful and insightful chat from Mr Walker I then found out that the brand was a 6th generation tailors! I was there on assignment for www.mensfashionmagazine.co.uk/ where there will be an upcoming article on the full story and showcasing their hand crafted silk delights. 

Back to the product and look at the super cool prints and patterns used on the ties. A lot of these are pulled from Peckham Ryes archive. Also to the note taking a back seat to all the silk masterpieces on display the boys have a very impressive collection of pins and bars. Everyone's on a bit of silver or gold these days with their formal ensemble and Peckham Rye have a great collection to choose from. I'm looking at getting a mother of pearl tie pin for an upcoming event and knowing they do a fantastic selection is very handy indeed.

I also didn't realise what an accomplished bespoke and made to measure service they had on the go. You want it the guys will make it! With real traditional tailoring and details which again a lot of it goes back to their heritage. I really did feel like a a kid in a candy shop! Look at the details on this jacket. Know a lot of tailors will offer you a few options but not like these guys. You can go as 1930 or as 2013 as you like!

What do you guys think about the shirt? According to David it's called the "spear" collar I would imagine represents those razor sharp collar points. Very Sonny from a Bronx tale! 

Also how cool is this picture bellow. The one on the left is a missile shell from the 2nd world war and the one on the right is from Afghanistan! The shop is a mini shrine to military memorabilia from as many years back as the first world war which ties in with the brands history. David was telling me how he sorted a gentleman out who was in the forces for a wedding tie. As the guy was serving in Afghanistan Martin and David kindly didn't want paying for the tie so the gent promised he'd bring them something back on his next return. He did and it was a shell that was used where he was stationed!

Taylor Morris Eyewear

I've had a ram packed September and in that month I managed to squeeze in a chat with Hugo Taylor and Charlie Morris who have just launched Taylor Morris eyewear. These guys aren't messing around literally from a sketch on a napkin in a bar to shop floor at Harvey Nichols, Hugo and Charlie have got this going in under eighteen months! 

Don't for one minute think that this operation has been hashed up any old how. No no no these guys are serious in terms of manufacturing quality and the aesthetics of the brand. Any way you can read all about the Chelsea boys impressive debut collection next week when my article piece on Taylor Morris goes live on www.mensfashionmagazine.co.uk/ . I have to say I was very fortunate to get a gorgeous tortoise shell pair called the "Brunel" from the guys and literally I wear them all the time! Starting to act like my current style idol Nick Hart!

Also forgot to add the boys also have a great ad campaign that has the super cool Charlie Casely-Hayford in it! Check the full range out on www.taylormorriseyewear.com

Penet or Genet? That is the question

Going to treat myself to a pair of Mr Hare's this Autumn though I'm in a pickle. Which style to go for? I've always been a fan of the Miller especially with the new scotch grain leather pair Mark has released this AW. But think I'm going to go for a statement slip on in the way of the Genet or the Mr Hare's take on the penny loafer, the Penet. Decisions..

Dan Evans: style icon??

Recently I've been getting stuck into Netflix. Been getting some serious stick about certain films I've never seen. Was coming up too often in conversation so had to be addressed. Anyway watched the 3.10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Bales character had a great western look I really want to tap into for winter. Check out my take on his look starting with the amazing Barbour x Norton & sons collab long length wax. Found a cool website for fedoras as I'm planning to up my headwear game this AW and picked out this brown beauty. Not too fancy either. Seen a cool J Brand faded denim jacket to under layer with also. Might also have to grow the grizzly gruff back for added effect!