"Looks like REISS will be making its way into my wardrobe!" - Mr. Darkwah

For those of you who read La Clique regularly, you will know that I am not one to write about press days. I find that recently, in order to get a freebie, anyone will attend and write about any press day and that is not how I work. You will also know that I never write to slate therefore keeping my blog squeaky clean and positive - how I like my life. In this case, however, I find myself writing about a press day because I absolutely adored everything I saw!

REISS, established by David Reiss in 1971 started out providing businesswear for men in and around London. In its expansion, it took on womenswear and became an international brand. I must say, though the styling was always impeccable and the clothes of good quality, I could never really see myself donning an outfit from there. Maybe the odd sweater or pair of trousers but nothing beyond that. I saw REISS as a 'staple' for my wardrobe and thus was indifferent to them.

Their most recent press day changed my mind completely! Never have I walked into a room and wanted everything (well, barring Lanvin's A/W 09/10 and Gucci's S/S 11 collections)! You could have likened my amazement, "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" to that of a Herbal Essences advert. All of a sudden, REISS had life! Bags were bolder and looked like they belonged in the clutches of the meanest fashionistas around from New York to Tokyo! (Not to mention in my wardrobe!)

The women's collection was bold in accessories and shoes. The new accessories designer managed to breathe an edgy life force into the brand whilst maintaing the lady-like REISS woman. (Lady-like being used loosely as now she was more of a Glamazon than a lady who lunched!) Evening-wear was bursting with life with sequin detailing and gowns that could make the clumsiest of women look as though she was floating into the room!

Having started as a menswear brand that dealt mainly in businesswear, I expected a relatively boring collection from men, and thus an anticlimax. I was wrong (thank God!) What I walked into was the perfect fusion of masculine style with softer feminine undertones. With a pastel colour palette contrasted with structured tailoring and brought together with the most beautifully printed pocket squares, the menswear collection blew me away!

"See what I mean about the pocket squares?"

"Give me a soft turtleneck and I'm SOLD!"

If you don't know what you're doing and who you're wearing for Autumn/Winter this year, I strongly recommend you make REISS a part of your wardrobe! Just giving you the heads-up!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah
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"Thank you Kirk Originals!" - Mr. Darkwah

"I got them!" 

Isaac StJames, myself and Charles Ampadu in our Kirk Originals lenses!

As I'm sure you've noticed, that with the lack of posts to do with them, I have been out of the events circuit for a while but let me assure you, I'm back and loving it! Last Thursday saw me making my return to being (somewhat) a social butterfly at Kirk Originals' Award Win Party at their Conduit Street store. The event saw singer, Sophie Hiller perform a few of her own singles and covers of popular hits both past and present.

Simple and yet so stylish!

Kirk Originals never fails when it comes to style!

Songstress Sophie Hiller in action

Typical of an event overseen by TASK PR, I felt completely at home and enjoyed myself thoroughly! I even had my first cider (being known as a man who drinks only water or vodka)! The atmosphere was homely and light - the best type to welcome me back from my 'reclusive' nature of last season. I loved it!

The whole place was buzzing with bloggers, stylists and all-round fashionistas!

Looking at the style of Kirk Originals' new range, I realised why they are so loved amongst all age-groups. The brand, despite being around for 20 years still manages to produce innovative, exciting and yet wearable designs that suit all kinds of people! Upon walking into the store, I set my sights on one pair of glasses - the white Chip glasses from the kinetics range. This may sound like Dutch to you but I've been obsessed with those glasses since the "Gentleman's Day Off" post in which they were featured!

Hats off to Kirk Originals for winning Fashion Frame Practice of The Year and hats off to Task PR for another well-put-together event! I hope to attend many more!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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"Let Me Dispel The Myth"

Wouldn't you want to be here?

It seems people get the idea that as bloggers, we live these luxurious lives. All they seem to think we do is party with celebrities, review collections and gain recognition for our opinions. When really, it's a little more complex but let me not bore you with the details of a blogger's life (though it does consist a lot of partying, being outspoken and spotted for your quirky style). I want to let you in on a little secret - a blogger's dream job!

Sebastian Murat a.k.a The Human Sub

This June, Sebastian Murat a.k.a The Human Sub will attempt to free-dive 703 feet just off La Cote D'Azur and Maurice Lacroix is sponsoring this expedition! Where do bloggers come in, you ask? Well in order to cover this event, Lacroix is looking from bloggers in English, Chinese, German and Russian as well as a pool boy and personal assistant. The team will be flown out to a luxury villa and represent their language audience worldwide - now do you see why it's a dream?!

Not to mention, each person selected for the team gets a stunning Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Watch!

I have entered myself in this competition and would absolutely love to go! My reasoning not just that "I need a break" but that I would bring a plethora of skills to the table - not to mention my love of all things en-vogue and daring!

For more information on the feat visit http://www.the-french-job.com/videos.php?show=4f9846b62799e and vote for me! 

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"Where Real Style Goes"

Paris, Moscow, New York, Tokyo and London - fashion capitals known for their pristine, prim and proper fashionistas and 'nistos. No doubt, if you decided to walk down London's Sloane Street, or Paris' Champs Elysees (not to mention anywhere in the other fashion capitals listed) you would be wowed by the beautiful understated luxury of rich fabrics, luscious furs and of course, drawn to the beautiful red soles of our high-power fashionistas.

That's all well and good but in all honesty, it does get rather boring. You find that more and more you can predict how people will be dressed because fashion is global and fashion capital have an image to uphold. Sadly, this image is slowly becoming the same image - no variation whatsoever. As a stylist, I seek the oddities in fashion and look to highlight their beauty and individual nature. Granted, beauty is subjective and so something I appreciate, you may think is garbage - I nevertheless aim to find the most fabulously outlandish styles and bring them to the fore!

For every prince, there is a pauper (or ten) and so for every Louboutin-donning fashionista, there is a Saucony-wearing, Skateboard-riding style icon! Want to know where to find them?

Unlike Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and New York, you needn't go to one specific area of London to find these people. All you need to do is walk. I found myself stopping constantly as I walked the streets of Ladbroke Grove because someone's sneakers caught my eye. In Brixton, I couldn't help but ask people where they got their studded jackets and their creepers because they were so cool! I can't say I've felt underdressed in my life but I most definitely felt un-stylish next to this lot! My eyes were opened to a new movement. They say the Devil makes work for idle hands but here the results were solely heavenly! Upon asking about the jackets, I was told "I was bored and decided to stud my jacket. Got the studs off e-bay..." Clearly, I'd interrupted the flow of this young man's day but I felt it was well worth it!

Too often we are obsessed with brands and how much something costs. I found, looking at the style around me, that a lot of it was homemade! That wasn't all, though. Looking at the way skaters, "indie" kids and "hipsters" dressed, I realised, though little effort may have gone into it, the results were similar to those of editorials for VIBE magazine featuring Run DMC and the styling of characters like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Jazzy Jeff! Surely they couldn't know about all this? The styling, the brands, the painstaking effort to create a look that would sit well on the cover of a magazine and yet remain accessible to the masses? I thought they didn't but they did!

The fact is, we don't need to be in the most expensive neighbourhoods or be in the most expensive clothes to be stylish. It's not what you wear but how you wear it. So if you're looking for real style - look to Brixton Market, Ladbroke Grove and its surrounding skateparks, Brick Lane and the night scene of Soho!

That's where real fashion goes!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!
Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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What Are You Carrying?

In Shakespeare's "Advice to the young" it was said "The apparel oft maketh the man" and this is true - each of us dresses to portray an image and even if we don't mean to, we know that being the guy in the straight-cut jeans (a waist size too big), printed t-shirt, striped hoodie, New Balance sneakers and mismatched satchel means we're the new guy in town or more commonly (in American TV stereotype, that is) the nerd. 

What Shakespeare did not say, possibly because they weren't a part of the 'standard' outfit was that "The accessories too, speak of oneself". Yes, guys and dolls, we have all looked after our outfits - being careful not to team palazzo pants with oversized and baggy shirts as they would completely hide a figure but what we have neglected (for too long in my opinion) is our accessories. A simple all-black ensemble can be brought to life with the right purse/man-bag. 

After benig stopped by a few fashion students for the sheepskin and mink man-purses (yes they do exist) that I had been holding, I quickly realised that in a city where fashion is at the fore and (unfortunately) people's styles begin to look very similar, people turn to the smaller details in the outfit for fashion joy. So now, I pose the question to you. "What are YOU carrying?"

The most interesting 'carriables' I've seen recently are a product of Fashion Student turned Uber-Designer Kzeniya Oudenot. Graduating Central St Martin's, Kzeniya worked in events and designed costumes and sets. Working for Alexander McQueen, Royal Opera House and Scottish Ballet to name a few, Kzeniya soon found that her love was in creating leather accessories and so started on creating her statement leather pieces.

Upon seeing her work, I found myself wanting one for myself! (She only does womens' pieces so that's saying something!) It was no surprise I found myself feeling this way as once her complete work was viewed, it was seen in the hands of Jennifer Lopez, Fergie and featured in many-a-fashion Bible (Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and then some!) I don't think there's anything more chic and edgy than this right now in purses! It's exciting and so fashion-forward - I simply love it! (A word to the designer, please make men's accessories!)

If you're looking to carry one of Kzeniya's pieces, look no further than Selfridges (and look nowhere else) - they bought her whole first collection!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"You needn't be unstylish when looking for comfort!" - Mr. Darkwah

If you remember, a while ago I wrote about taking a day off to see the sites and relax - break the monotony of a the London rat race. I've been having a lot of those days recently and with the Easter break and bank holiday, I may as well have been going backwards!

J. Shoes was one of the brands featured in the accompanying shoot for their unrivalled comfort and beauty. I've just received some information on their new A/W collection and feel I must share it! The shoes and the shoot are everything you want from your shoes. You needn't be unstylish when looking for comfort and you needn't be impractical or completely avant-garde when looking for style!

Here's a little behind the scenes footage from J. Shoes! Enjoy!

I hope you all had a great Easter!

Ciao Bellissimi!
Mr. Darkwah
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Like Candy!

There is always the worry that going to an established designer that your accessories will cost you an arm and a leg. It's said that beauty is pain but I like to think that's only the case in your first pair of Louboutins. You needn't break the bank to look good and besides, this Spring/Summer is all about bringing about that youthful London edge. Colours are in all areas of the spectrum - from understated pastels right the way through to neon brights!

Thomas Sabo has recently released Candy Collectables, a line built to keep you looking chic without the heart-stopping price tag! I can already hear people mumbling to themselves "There's got to be a catch" and "It's probably some mass-produced item that bears no sense of personality". Shame on you if you thought that! This range is tailored to YOU!

Step 1:

Choose Your Colour

With a range of colours that take you from flirtatious baby pink right the way through to bold and beautiful purple, you can be sure that your bracelet reflects you!

Step 2:

Choose Your Charm

You have the widest range to choose from when it comes to picking your charms as Thomas Sabo offers charms that reflect every mood, character and fashion preference! Don't go for one! Aim to have them all! Collect your charms and mix and match them as and when you please. There is nothing beter than being in control and having fun and Candy Collectables gives you both!

 

Get collecting! 

I know I've started!

Ciao Bellissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

News Update!

La Clique is changing!


Thanks for all the support from all of our readers and the different brands, PR companies and great people that we have met along the way. We are truly glad to have met, partied with and worked with all of you! 


There is an air of change in the air though... Much like that electricity in the air as we move into Spring from Winter, La Clique's roots are being set and we want to grow to do bigger and better things. Don't worry, we will still be here and operating this page BUT we are moving to more of a magazine format so you now can expect when to hear from us and know for sure that all your fashion news arrives in one, glamorous package!


There will be a new site as well but in due course. For now, enjoy La Clique!




Ciao Bellissimi!
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93'94

"Clean, Edgy and Chic - it's MATH!" - Mr. Darkwah

So there was only one show I really and truly loved this season - MATH Collective showcased beautiful British materials and an understanding of the modern woman to look good but effortlessly.

"Thanks dude! I really wanted it to just be simple and something that any woman could wear!" says designer Shahzad Mohayudin as I congratulate him on a beautiful collection. It was so very refreshing speaking to someone who I could tell was completely in love with what they did and aimed to keep learning and improving as they went on in their work. 

Looking at the collection, I could see all different types of woman in the garments. From the high-power Pigalle-wearing business woman to the teacher donning her sneakers in the peak time rush to get to school and change into something more fitting. It was a breath of fresh air to have seen a collection that embraced every type of woman in both the look of the clothing but also the styling. (I didn't mention sneakers for kicks - some models were actually in sneakers!) That too spoke to me. A designer who is willing to put his or her works which are beautiful and have clearly had a lot of work go into them with a pair of sneakers is not on an ego trip at all - they just want to get the work out there and get a response. 

Shaz - as he is known more commonly - made me feel as though I had known him for years and had it not been for the fact that there was a crowd of people waiting to congratulate him on his work, I can assure you, I would have stayed and spoken to him for much longer!

There have been too many seasons of try-hard extravagance, over-the-top 'innovation' and desperate attention-seeking styling so a show this pristine and clothes this beautiful were a welcome breath of fresh air, I just wish that they had been shown in London Fashion Week's runway space. It needed that clinical feel and Freemason's hall, as beautiful a venue as it was, could not do any justice to this collection - yes, that's how strongly I feel about MATH Collective's' show!

Once more, congratulations Shaz! I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations!


Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!


Ciao Bellissimi!


Mr. Darkwah
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"Don’t give up on Polanksi, or the cast" - Hector J-S

Carnage

Dir – Roman Polanksi

Starring – John C Reilly, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz

At some point or other in every life, you find yourself trapped in a terrible, awkward or boring situation, as you’re too polite to leave. It’s natural. Someone’s boring aunt, or at a bad party: if you’re unlucky enough on a long flight to have a verbose neighbour my heart goes out to you. But there is no way – No WAY - that it would take me 80 minutes to leave such a situation. Yet I, and everyone in the cinema, was forced to endure this farce. And pay to do so. 


You see this is one of those films when everyone’s stuck in a room together, and the prolonged exposure leads gradually and subtly to tension and aggression, finally over the limit into something drastic and rash. Pushing people to psychological breaking points does make for good cinema, and it has been done well – The Shining, Lakeview Terrace or Changing Lanes works better as an example. But this film never quite makes it to that level of madness that we, as savage spectators, really want to see. The recurring theme in the other films I’ve mentioned, however, is attempted homicide, but by the end of this film you’ll be wishing the characters would just get on with it and at least strangle each other, not just throw up and drink grumpily. Let me summarise before I go on, lest I fail to draw a conclusion. This is not a good film. And that breaks my heart, because I never want Polanski to stop being good (as a director, not a person – never forget that he pleaded guilty for kiddy fiddling), but it just isn’t. It starts so promisingly, with subtle hints at oafish rage (in the reliably hilarious John C Reilly) and dark undertones of sadistic genius (Christoph Waltz, who reminds you of just how damn evil he can be) pointing to the carefully planned character arcs that will lead to the titular ‘Carnage’ we’re all waiting for. But it never comes, and the whole thing deflates bitterly. It’s depressing watching such a talented pair as Jodie and Kate being so boring, but there is no enjoyment to be drawn from watching a film that manages effortlessly to be tedious and unbearable at the same time.


Don’t give up on Polanksi, or the cast. And I’m sure that the Yasmina Reza play which this is based on is terrific, but the translation is flawed at best. The film, funny in parts and occasionally promising, disappoints. 
I’m just going to stick this on at the end. Take the 10 pounds you’ve saved by not seeing carnage, get on amazon and buy a copy of the Norwegian monster movie Troll Hunter. Would that Hollywood could make such funny, scary and completely engrossing movies reliably.

TIL NEXT SEASON

There is only one place you need to be this Saturday! Mr. Darkwah is hosting the ultimate send-off party for London Fashion Week so don't miss it!

The night will feature giveaways from clothing lines yet to be revealed and so much more! 

Add yourself to the list here: Til Next Season

Dress Code: Smart and Sexy - we're going VOGUE!

See you there, beauties!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!

La Clique

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"The New Man"

Here is the video from the shoot featured in LadyM Presents styled by Mr. Darkwah

We would like to thank

A Suit That Fits

BlueCollarSmart

Terry-James Lynch Bow-Ties

Videographer:

Evie Scarlett Ward

Photographer:

Tameka Alexandra

Style and Make-up Team:

Nuno Miguel

Jayson Kwame

Tia Robson

Jaylea

News Update!

Mr. Darkwah writes for Lady M Presents!
"The New Man is unafraid to be daring and different!"
Gents, let's live in COLOUR!

http://www.ladympresents.co.uk/guest-blog-menswear-the-new-man/

For images from the shoot see Les Images

Louboutins, Gucci, Vogue! The race to London Fashion Week is on!

With  London Fashion Week hot on our heels, it is only right that we acknowledge and focus on the trend-setters in Young British Mens Fashion. This blog post shall herald a fashion designer, praise a model who epitomises the designer's message, and exalt the best-dressed youthful icon of our time. Are you ready for the Gospel according to Jay?

The designers are clearly the risk-takers and pioneers in this love triangle. They deliver to the consumers what is en-vogue, taking into account the needs of customers whilst adding edge and vibrance to every item of clothing.It's a hard life being a designer - having to give the critics something to talk about whilst remaining accessible enough for the masses and chic enough for the fashionistas. Fashion Week is the ultimate test of s designer's ability to adapt and evolve beyond their last collection and call it schaden freude, but I love watching them work!

William Richard Green, one of four designers with work being showcased at 'Selfridges' Bright Young Things, is definitely making a name for himself. With the use of his Saville Row expertise, he has a line that can be labelled as masculine, playful and daring -  everything a mans style should be! He is credited for his high-end casual menswear and his beautiful amalgam of different out-of-fashion factors that influenced his range. He stated his inspirations for 2012 were 'millwall football hooligans and British military apparel' showing a mixture of power, fun and youth. Mr Green will be one of the many designers participating in the Fashion East Installations on Wednesday 22nd February 2012. Be sure to check his work out!

Having modelled clothing for William Richard Green, Fred Perry and Ozwald Boateng, it is clear Dudley O'Shaugnessy is what the designers want. His defined cheekbones, part-time boxer physique and signature smouldering look embody the empowered, confident and nonchalant young man that we all see in fashion today. He is the man that can try new things, balance large amounts of work, and not crumble under pressure or in the spotlight as we see from his acting stints to his boxing practice. Mr O'Shaugnessy was also featured in Rihanna's dark and lusty video for her record 'We Found Love' in Autumn 2011, and is someone whose pout we will almost certainly be seeing a lot more of!

Not only has he been named GQ's best dressed Man in the UK, he has won many awards and created hits in music by use of his sheer passion and drive. It goes without saying, Tinie Tempah is able to balance individual style and still channel the image the designers and stylists who work with him want to portray. He is someone who is diverse in the music game , and is able to use his choice of attire as a canvas to express this. Bravo Tinie Tempah!

Stay Stylish Always, 

Jay

Casual Days

I assure you there will be days when you will have to take time off work or school , for personal reasons or just to give yourself a well deserved break. And it is not convenient if your wardrobe is simply filled with formal suits for the office, so here is a guide to help select your causal ensembles.

First , we must acknowledge the things we want to achieve with the look and the things that are just unacceptable:

Where are we going with this?

Ultimately, when picking attire we must consider where we are going. Style is all about dressing with the destination or occasion in mind and being unique whilst doing so. If you are on a break, but still likely to attend a few meetings now and then, it would be smart to go easy on how laid-back you aim to look. This may mean giving up on your colourful and extravagant t-shirts and hoodies for the time-being. We do not want to look like couch potatoes. Not even on our worst days. And another thing, weekends are no excuse to give up on style! Look good - always.

'Whatever the weather' is a misleading statement:

London weather may be unpredictable but this doesn't justify hiding under hideous layers of fleece and baggy sweaters. You're travelling around London - NOT going to the Arctic. There are ways tolook good and still be protected from the cold. There are however, a few items that you should have let go of a while ago. Some things just should not be worn in this day and age and there are many things that just are not appropriate for the current weather.

Your outfit must reflect you. A giraffe wouldn't be caught dead in zebra print, so remember to wear the items that work with who you are and are geared towards who you want to be.

What to wear, what to wear , what to wear:

There is no need to over-do it during the weekend, so opt for pastelles, khakis and earthy tones. These colours are ideal in adding warmth to your look. Consider some slim fit trousers in these colours , to sharpen the weekend look. These suede khaki nike blazers in particular , are great for the season ahead!

Blue Is You:

The 'no jeans ban' has now been lifted! However, just because you can wear jeans doesn't mean you can wear ANY pair! Make sure you find jeans that suit your shape. Ugly patches and rips aren't wanted - who wants to look like a homeless person?  Invest in a pair of classic Levi's. With them, you can never go wrong!

Yes , fisherman windbreakers and jackets are still en-vogue as they add a sense of British heritage to your casual look.

Double breasted jackets are not only for business environments. Team them with a button-down collar shirt and coloured sweater to ease the sharpness of this usually formal garment. 

Finally, I believe that as young men, we must come to terms with choosing lavish luggage. We cannot continue to ignore the fact we require a stylish home for our ipads , laptops , BlackBerries and iPhones. Say bye-bye to the days of scruffy company-provided laptop bags, and welcome a new era of bags to add to a flawless look. It is 2012, man-bags are not taboo - they are a must-do!

Look to totes for the ultimate luggage as they can contain everything and still maintain your chic!

Live Beautiful, Stay Vogue!

Jayson Kay