Peacocks and power-dressers: Men at LFW

I couldn’t help but notice that there seem to be more male visitors at London Fashion Week this season too. A far cry from the dowdy image of the typical British male, every man ShopCurious saw was distinctively dressed and demonstrated a uniqueness of style.

Some were especially ‘chi-chi’  - like Daniel (I hope no one tried to hang their coat on his earrings). And a black and white colour scheme seemed to be popular with younger men.

While Grey Fox, a blogger specializing in fashion for the older man, looked smartly stylish in a country style tweed jacket, teamed up with jeans and brogues.

Are you?

Funk, fashion and pheasant for groovy guys

A belated Happy New Year!

Christmas has flown by and the past week has been a blur of catching up. On a Sunday night in early January, I fully intended to be sitting quietly at home in front of the television. In fact, I would have been watching the first episode of Mr Selfridge, if I hadn’t been invited to Harvey Nichols for an event to celebrate the launch of LondonCollections: Men. The party was held in the 5^th floor café, where curiously creative canapés courtesy of Salon in Brixton Market included crispy fried pheasant and Welsh Rarebit with pickled walnut (yum!)

Guests at the event exuded a cool, offbeat vibe and dressed with a smart-casual quirkiness, like Boy Meets Fashion blogger, Jai’me Jan.

Harvey Nick’s new Fashion Director, Paula Reed, buzzed around, overseeing the proceedings. Amongst the international fashion glitterati, was male supermodel, David Gandy. I squeezed my arm around his waist, and can confirm that his body is just as taut as it looks in the photos.

I later saw him chatting to Men’s Health Style Editor, Dan Rookwood… With so many fit men under one roof, I’m already enjoying this week of men’s fashion.

The highlight of the evening was a special performance by Kindness to preview 1205’s Autumn/Winter 2013 collection. The band members modelled 1205’s forthcoming clothing range, as they wowed the audience with an impromptu jam (see below) in their distinctive contemporary funk style.

Adam Bainbridge showed off his fabulous mane of tousled locks (see top and below), 

whilst the band’s talented drummer rocked an enormous afro. Seems like big hair is getting bigger.

ShopCurious looks forward to more uniquely British men’s fashion and style over the coming week.

Do you?

Birdland...

Birds are everywhere – all over the world. But some are more exotic than others…

I was entranced by a curiously colourful bird I saw in San Francisco. If you’re curious to find out what it was, read our latest post in The Dabbler.

Meantime, I’ve noticed that parrots and parakeets are popping up all over the place on fashion, jewellery and home accessories. Find out more in our latest Curious Trends post.

And if you’re looking for some arty parrot inspired accessories of your own, do check out these vintage style upcycled jewel brooches at ShopCurious.

Will you?

007's retro sartorial style

If you’re curious to know more about the legend that is James Bond, do pop along to the new exhibition at the Barbican. Fifty Years of James Bond Style is a must for lovers of retro fashion, illustration, technology and set design. 

As well as major fashion houses, the work of many specialist costume designers is showcased.Original costumes by the likes of Lindy Hemming are on display at the show - along with footage of illustrious cast members performing daredevil acts in their jaw-dropping outfits. You'll see Beatrice ‘Bumble’ Dawson’s creations for Pussy Galore, including the famous golden waistcoat, which tantalized Bond with its glow. And guess who these items of swimwear belonged to...

 

Did you know that Sean Connery’s first suit followed the late Savile Row tailor Anthony Sinclair’s line, which became known as the Conduit Cut? The tailor’s clientele included army men, who favoured a cavalry style – slim trousers, plus a jacket with a high arm hole and 'hacking cut.' It was Terence Young, the director of ‘Dr No’, who first introduced Connery to Sinclair.

By the way, if you’re looking for some sartorially retro style, how about these OR WOT! braces at ShopCurious – they’re produced by the oldest braces manufacturer in the world, who, of course, are responsible for James Bond’s braces.

The exhibition also features Richard Chopping’s illustrations for the dust jackets of Fleming’s James Bond novels, plus sketches and promotional artwork for the 007 films. Oh, and there are plenty of geeky gadgets and espionage paraphernalia too. That’s if you don’t get waylaid at the Martini bar…

Will You?