"Take a Gentleman's Day Off" - Mr. Darkwah

Photos by Tameka Alexandra Photography

We are coming up to the end of November and I'm sure you're just as tired as I am of having to get up and go to work. Why can't Christmas be sooner? So close and yet so very far. It feels that more and more, life has become intertwined with the buzz or, as cynics like to call it, the neurosis of the city. I think we all need a break. Let's take a gentleman's day off - in style.

The first thing you must take into account is your comfort. You don't want to be walking around and feeling as though you were on your way to the office or to a board meeting do you? It's all about putting your mind, body and soul at ease. J Shoes, in my opinion provide the perfect footwear for comfort and style combined! I can tell you that walking around in J Shoes is a similar feeling to walking around in your most comfortable padded socks. There is very little rubbing and they allow for maximum ease of movement. Style and comfort, unfortunately, don't often mix but in these shoes they do!

I find it rather odd that a day off for some consists of walking around in tracks all day and eating food we know should never touch the lips of a man who lives "Vogue". For Les Hommes de La Clique, our days off are not lazy and so-casual-it-hurts. We are sophisticated and aim to look suave whilst feeling comfortable. A tie never goes amiss on a casual day but it's all about the type. Now I promised that when I started writing, I wouldn't bore you with the "science of fashion" cuts and shapes and materials and so on but let me educate you in this area. You might just love me for it. The broader ties with a pointed tip, I find to be rather formal - very formal in fact. You then get the narrow ties, skinny ties and then sports ties. Sports ties are less formal as they are often woven and have a flat end - no tip, it's completely flat. I've found one tie that I'm in love with at the moment (I know this sounds odd to you but when you're as immersed in fashion as I am, a single item can become a season's obsession)! Gentlemen, I present to you my casual tie of the moment by Brian Clarke.

Now I am fully aware that not everyone will change their glasses according to their outfit but these glasses are worth altering an outfit for! My obsession with accessories has gone full circle and returned to glasses. There have been too many occasions in which I've seen a well-dressed man - casual or formal - and hated what he's accessorised with. Glasses are worse still. We men don't seem to understand the rules that work for women and spectacles apply to us also! I know you don't want to have to overanalyse all of these things so I've found a brand that tells you about the faces their items suit, Kirk Originals! (You can't say I'm not good to you with all this research I'm doing). With bold colours, flattering frames and the power to turn a bland outfit into a vibrant and chic get-up, there's no way you can leave these out of your wardrobe - regardless of whether you need glasses or not!

Just a few notes for your next Gentleman's Day Off...

Ciao Belissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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The Biker Boys Club

Jackets have the ability to make or break an outfit. They can either add to or even perfect the clean dare-devil look. That's why, right now, I'm in love with leather jackets! What usually comes to mind when you think of biker jackets? James Dean, Chachi from Happy Days, John Travolta (in his 'Grease' days of course)? I assure you Affordable biker jackets can now be found with more fitted, contemporary cuts in order to meet the needs of todays ostentatious bad boy. We must not turn our cheeks to the past trends as what was en vogue when our Mums and Dads were young, once again, becomes en vogue now. Fashion, my friends, is cyclical. The ability to re-invent past trends is what strengthens any young mans style.

Not only do I love the edge and attitude it brings , but also I enjoy seeing people adding their personal twist to a classic item. Whatever your preferences are you've got to add the conspicuous swagger. Whether it be wearing the biker jacket with a plain white tee paired up with distressed jeans and nike airforces , or adding the jacket to a indie-rock ensemble. The possibilities are endless! Invest in a quality leather biker jacket for a long-lasting staple item.
This look is not for the faint-hearted. Its for the night riders who are youthful at heart and ready to take a challenge and own a new trend.

Now all you need to do is cop yourself a sweet bike to top it off!


High End Biker Jackets……….

Gucci Quilted Leather Biker Jacket 

£2,910

Bottega Venetta Leather Biker Jacket 

£3,240

VS. High Street Biker Jackets

Black Leather Asymmetric Cut Jacket (shearling detailing)

Topman

£160

Dark Brown Leather Jacket With Fleece Collar

£70

The Choice is Yours ,
Jay.

Tribal Chic

A refreshing motif on the catwalks of the last few years, the Tribal trend has done nothing but gain momentum this upcoming season. The trend survives on print – it’s the alchemy, and this year it is more animated and eclectic than ever.

The trend weaved itself into many collections, such as Michael Kors, Sass & Bide, Donna Karan and Thakoon. Missoni’s Ready-to-Wear Collection 2012 is laidback, taking a more sensual approach on the trend by blending a contrast of bold and soft shades of cocoa, yellows, corals and greens with the freeness of fringing and ruffles, paired with gypsy jewels. For the braver hearts, breathe Hawaiian air with Suno Resort 2012, where flamboyant jungle motives were juxtaposed against more versatile dresses with ethnic details. Donna Karan’s feminity was not lost through the tribal motifs of her Spring Collection inspired by her travels of Haiti. Combining brash whites and warm pops of colour with a spectrum of blacks, browns and stone, her collection is fierce yet sophisticated.  Subtle tribal vibes were present at Sass & Bide, where bead encrusted tank tops and chic shorts stood out, and at Duro Olowu (a favourite of Mrs. Obama) through his use of mixed prints.

From left: Missoni, Suno, Donna Karan, Sass & Bide and Duro Olowu

The traditional vibrant graphic prints, fusion of warm hues and textural features has transformed; the greatest change this season being the presence of Ankara (wax prints from West Africa.) Christopher Bailey’s Burberry Prorsum Collection features a range of outerwear, dresses and skirts in a kaleidoscope of colour, some of which has already been sported by the likes of Anna Wintour, Kate Bosworth and Solange Knowles. I love the meticulous attention to detail – even the shoes are entwined with Ankara and beads.  Simonetta Ravizza gave the trend a 60’s edge for her Ready-to-Wear 2012 Collection: Ankara wedges, mini dresses, skirts, trousers and harem pants were all styled with flirty tousled hair. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t forget African designers such as Asibelua and Jewel by Lisa, where graphic Ankara was given a saturated look.

For those looking to style their little girls, ‘Native Belle Boutique’, a fusion childrenswear line is gorgeous for  all those ‘mini-me’s. All of the items are handmade in ethical, breathable fabrics such as linens, cottons and organdy’s. The Aurora Collection blends the Ankara subtly with the colour palette of this upcoming season – oranges, fuchsias, yellows, blues, rich reds and pastille hues.  They even have cute patchwork Ankara Teddy Bears, sure to be a Christmas favourite. www.nativebelleboutique.com

There it is, fashionistas! The tribal trend in all its glory. Be sure to look out for it in stores, on runways and in magazines - you saw it here first (and no doubt, will be seeing more of it)!

Remain en-vogue, 

Miss Croxford

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"Your luck is our charm" - Thomas Sabo Fortune Cookie

Thursday 27th October saw two new loves discovered by me. One, the Barclays Bike scheme (clearly the less important of the two) and the second, Thomas Sabo jewellery! The launch event for the the new line took place in the Thomas Sabo store on King's Road and was just as warm and enchanting as the jewellery. Luxury of the Orient was the theme for the new line and true to the theme, one honestly felt they were transported to a bar somewhere in Asia with the decor and fan-wielding women in kimonos in-store!

Adorable Luxury - The Panda is featured in different pieces from charms to pendants!

Unbeknownst to me, prior to the event of course, there was a lot of red around - being the colour of the rich and powerful in the Orient so I guess I fit right in with my red jacket. The night possessed a warm atmosphere with much conversation, champagne and laughs all round, I couldn't have asked for a better event to attend after being away from the event scene for so long!

 "I could not have asked for a better atmosphere than the one I met at the Thomas Sabo event!" - Mr. Darkwah

Looking at the pieces, it was no wonder to me that Thomas Sabo was being featured more and more in publication as well as worn by more celebrities. Sabo's charm bracelets are luxurious in an understated fashion and, in my opinion, the perfect gift for a loved one as they sum up one's emotions perfectly - be it young love, or that of the older kind. (Saying 'old' makes it sounds rather decrepit, no?)

Along with beautiful jewellery, I had the pleasure of mixing with beautiful and interesting people who only made the evening a more pleasurable one! From chats with fellow bloggers about the advances of the blogging world to finding out about each other's work and fawning over guests of the evening, Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing of Made In Chelsea (who, might I add, were very friendly and great to talk to), I cannot say that I have enjoyed myself more and liked the people as much as I did at the Thomas Sabo event!

Myself with Jamie, Spencer and Fraser - our guests for the evening

Many thanks to TASK PR and Thomas Sabo for being so warm and welcoming and a huge congratulations to the Thomas Sabo team on a successful event!

Be sure to look at images from the event courtesy of Karen Bengall!

Ciao Belissimi!
Mr. Darkwah