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

X

"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

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