"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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"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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"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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"It's not a 'thing', it's a way of life" - Mr. Darkwah

It's been a while since I last wrote and I apologise for that. I've been battling a serious bout of writer's block and finding new things out about myself and the way I perceive things. Recently, I've been thinking a lot about image and style. GaGa, Lagerfeld, Donatella, Madonna, Andre 3000 all have an image and a definitive style (in the case of GaGa, the style being "expect the unexpected"). Working as a stylist, I have to dress others and find out about them, what their style is and I have to put that forward every time they step out. Whether they are looking to brand themselves and become a 'staple image' or simply to find out about themselves and create a more consistent look - I must know what makes them up.

 

What I admire most about GaGa and Lagerfeld as well as the other famous names above is that they LIVE their style and are unafraid to become whatever character they create! It's who they are!

This brought me round to thinking about my own style. What is it that sets me apart and makes me who I am style-wise? I cannot deny that I am influenced greatly by a lot of people who dress in many different ways that could be described from "hippie" to "high-power fashionisto" but influences aside, what makes me up? I then began to realise that style was much more than what I wore - it was my whole being.

I look back at some of the outfits I've worn over the years - as a student when I thought it was 'cool' to wear my jeans low and trainers the size of baby elephants in the style of 'hipsters' and 'gangsta rappers' to the time I thought that the skinnier the jeans, the better the look (right until the point that simply walking was challenging the Titans because my jeans were so tight!) In this busy city, it's hard for us to take time out and think of these things, to think of the image you wish to portray of yourself outside of work when you're relaxing and being yourself; the image that you want that guy or girl who sits on the bus who you've been trying to talk to to see; the image you want to signify you. What is it?

I bet you never thought we would get this deep...

Well, my friend, that image you want to portray comes through in your style so be careful the image you're sending out. Too many times we fall victim to following a trend - what's in this season and how to wear it. That's all well and good but if you're blindly copying mannequins from Armani to Zara, you're never really going to understand what is and isn't you. I took a long, hard look at myself today and asked myself what my style was. Upon deciding, I started to live it. It's all about creating a solid image and making sure that you are one hundred percent comfortable with it.

So tell me, what is your style?

Just one of my musings...

Ciao Belissimi!

Mr. Darkwah

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"It seemed, for a while, that admiring beauty had become taboo!" - Mrs. Anne Isaacs to Mr. Darkwah

Skins. Misfits. Shameless. Summers of grungy, dark colours, obscured faces and 'bed hair'. This is what we have seen for the past 2 years in 'fashion'. People seemed to shun all previous ideas of beauty and move into what I like to call, for dramatic purposes of course, the darker realms of themselves and style. It was not until I was conversing with a friend of mine that I came to think of it as disdain or even hatred for admiring beauty. 

Once said, I started to realise that it was very true - there was a reluctance that had been growing over the past few years for admiring beauty. Why? In discussion, some seemed to think it was a result of feminism gaining a stronghold on females everywhere and resulting in them not wanting their looks commented upon. This therefore led our beloved females to dress in such a way that their beauty was obscured - hidden so as not to be taken for "beautiful" or "stunning" and more for what they have to offer in substance. 

Sounds very much like the beginnings of a psychology student's dissertation on the relationship between females and beauty, doesn't it?

Another set of acquaintances blames it on the ever-growing fear of being politically incorrect. What does political correctness have to do with beauty? If I'm perfectly honest with you (and I am, so don't begin to question that now) I feel this 'hype' around being politically correct is a load of old "hoo-ha"! (I didn't want to be vulgar so chose a colloquial term to express my opinion.) Why do we constantly feel the need to censor everything that comes out of our mouths in conversation to others for fear that we will offend someone else? More so, since when did telling someone that they are beautiful become a rude or offensive act?! Now, should a man comment on a young woman's beauty, however pure his intentions, he is regarded as a lecher for his comment - "Wow, she's very pretty isn't she?" - was lewd and derogatory. 

I do not believe that it was only one of the mentioned factors but both, in conjunction that have created this problem. In my opinion, everyone has gone just a little bit 'soft' in becoming so wrapped up in political correctness. I mean, one can't say what they want without giving several disclaimers in a sentence and putting everything into a hypothetical scenario. 

Let's try and move away from this, shall we? Beauty exists and so long as it does, there will be those who admire it. However, let us not focus solely on that. People have substance and we should aim to get to know them and how they think to be able to admire their minds as well as their looks. 

Ciao Belissimi! (Hopefully that didn't offend any of you... Haha!)

Mr. Darkwah 

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