Dani and Luigi

G Star Raw – Jeans You Won’t Want to Take Off

2012-01-19T02:14:00.000-08:00

When you find theperfect pair of jeans, you’ll want to live 24-7 in them, as Zac Efron did whenhe put on a pair of G Star jeans.

G Star Raw creates jeans to fall head over heels over. Andsome argue that to get the best out of your GStar jeans you should wash them as little as possible. In fact, quality GStar denim can become like a second skin thanks to their durability - and byresisting washing your G Star jeans too often you’ll create that much soughtafter distressed denim vibe.

G Star Raw – The ZacEfron Effect

Actor Zac Efron wore the same pair of G Star jeans for eightweeks straight. He was reported to be very serious about breaking in his pairof G Star jeans in order to get a dirty, worn look. By wearing G Star jeanswithout washing them, day-in day-out, it’s possible to get rid of that stiffquality new jeans can have, create the lived-in whiskers and creases at the frontof the pants, and still retain their quality and depth. Beautiful designerjeans like G Star should look like an easy and natural second skin.

Breaking in G StarJeans

Everyone knows that new jeans have to be broken in – and infact washing our clothes every week is something of an obsession. But when itcomes to G Star jeans or any designer brand, washing frequently can impact ontheir durability and life cycle. Zac took his G Star denim seriously when hewore them everywhere he went. He told the press: “I wore them all throughoutHigh School Musical 3… I even wore them hiking. You have to wear themeverywhere to get them right.”

The dirty, distressed look simply can’t be achieved withoutgenuine, authentic wear. Although you can buy stone washed or faded jeans tofit fashion, you can’t beat the real deal.

G Star for DenimDevotees

The actor has become something of a teen heart throb sinceHigh School Musical, and no doubt what Zac does, hordes of fans will follow.And there’s no doubt that the G Star clothing range has now attracted a wholenew fan base. But it seems Zac is trying to break away from his teenheart-throb image. The denim devotee’s most recent role was in the moregrown-up movie, Me and Orson Welles. And although he may not have had to don apair of G-Star jeans for the role, he seems to be more proud of the movie thanany of his teenage movies. He said to the press: “It's the first time I've everwatched a movie [that I'm in] and in the end I'm like 'OK! I didn't check mywatch once!”

When you do finally give in and wash your G Star jeans, turnthem inside out and keep them on a cool wash to help maintain the colour. Ifyou want a faded effect – opt for a hot wash of 60 degrees.

Time for a Revival of Classic Men’s Hats

2012-01-19T02:07:00.000-08:00

At one point Britishmen were iconic to the world when it came to styling and fashion. Not today. Isit time for a revival of classic men’s hats and tailored style?

When you think back to the 1930s, 40s and 50s and think oficonic British actors like Cary Grant, the words ‘dapper’ ‘elegant’ and‘gentleman’ spring to mind. Something about the era when mens hats were worn as an essential part oftheir wardrobe spoke volumes about the care, civility and character of thetimes. Today, for many men it seems fashion is all about jeans exposing theirpants, over-sized t-shirts or slack, shapeless sports clothes. But when a mandoes wear a hat, whether it is in the fashion pages of a magazine or walkingdown Oxford Street,it can create that ‘wow’ factor. Men’s hats speak volumes saying to the worldthis man is self assured, confident and aware of good styling. The way a manwears his hat expresses his character, status and attitude.

“Wither the welldressed gent?”

Perhaps it’s the clear and dramatic changes in men’s fashionin just a few generations, from debonair to dowdy that has triggered articlessuch as the one by MT Hughes on the Guardian’s Comment is Free website, on the‘sad decline of the tweed-clad gent’. He writes that not only do men’s hats andsharp tailoring need a revival but men’s fashion needs a drastic turnaroundafter “the horrific decline in male attire.” MT Hughes fear the well-dressedmale is close to extinction. Classic men’s hats have been replaced by ‘louts inLycra.’ Hughes believes men’s fashion,from their hats to their shoes, is indicative of an intellect, culture andsophistication. That wearing polyester and fleece on the streets of London is not suggestiveof a city housing the world’s oldest museums. “Let us hang our heads incollective shame,” he writes.

The Clothes Reflectthe Man

Hughes believes the fact men’s hats are not worn as part oftheir day-to-day lives says something more than the fact that the fashionstakes have fallen, but that society is ‘impoverished’. He believes tweed,linen and corduroy is the Holy Trinity of British style, but these garments arenow ridiculed by the youth, he laments: “Is there anyway to rekindle the flameof British élan?” Hughes goes on to say that the decline in men’s styling iseven expressed in the world of politics, criticising politicians for lookingmore like managers of Iceland.“Have none of these twerps read Shelley?” he asks. Hughes, we tip our hats toyou…

The History of Jewellery Design

2012-01-19T01:59:00.000-08:00

The first pieces ofjewellery ever worn by man are believed to from the Homo Sapiens in Africa, dating back to 75,000 years ago.

The history of jewellery is a long one. Rich in culture andinfluences from around the world, it been around for many years and enteredinto so many different eras including Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, theRenaissance, the Romanticism period, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Jewish jewelleryand Asian jewellery.

Established jewellery making was a big part of ancientEgyptian culture. More than 5,000 years ago, gold was the chosen metal in Egypt and thisis still reflected in their modern jewellery today. Gold was luxurious and rareand symbolised power in the community. Jewellery was so symbolic to theEgyptians that it was continued to be worn through death and into theafterlife.

Early Jewellery –Function and Design

It’s suggested that the very first jewellery designs derivedfrom the natural materials around us. This included materials such as animalbone, teeth, shells, carved stone and wood. It is believed that the first everpieces of jewellery were for functional purposes only and it wasn’t until laterthat they were used for adornments. There are theories that the very first gem stones were picked fromalluvial gravels and river beds.

Ancient Egyptused gold jewellery to represent wealth and social status, and soon religiousmeanings became relevant. Because of the Turkish influences found in Persianjewellery, it is strongly believed that there was a great deal of tradehappening between Europe and the Middle East.

Jewellery: Derivedfrom “Jouel”

The word “joule” was anglicised to create the word “jewel”and this is where the word “jewellery” derives from. One of the oldest forms ofbody adornment, jewellery is still used for the similar reasons today. Justlike the Egyptians, the way we accessorise ourselves can be a reflection of oursocial status, how affluent our families are, and our religious beliefs. But inthe modern day, the rings we wear on our finger can symbolise love, marriage,commitment while a bracelet or a pair of earrings or chamiliacharms can reveal insights into our personal lives or our sense ofstyle. Fashion can be defined by the way we dress ourselves and this includesevery single detail – from a top and skirt, to our footwear and outerwear, ourchoice of accessories, the way we wear our hair and the necklace and handbag tomatch – every feature matters. This is what modern jewellery has evolved intotoday.

Henley’s Clothing: men’s designer clothing success story secures expansion deal

2012-01-19T01:48:00.000-08:00

Henley’s, the men’s designer clothingbusiness, has doubled in size over the last two years – and they’ll be openingmore stores in the next 18 months thanks to a new £1m deal

Henley’sClothing has announced expansion plans including the opening of new retailstores over the next 18 months thanks to a £1 million deal with the Royal Bankof Scotland.

And theManchester-based men’s designer clothing company has announced that itsturnover has doubled in the last two years as the style of its fashion clothingcatches on in the UK.

Henley’s: an edgy impact on the highstreet

Men’s fashiongets better all the time and there are some top brands available. Mensfossil wallets add to a great outfit and many people now go for a men's Barbourquilted jacket to keep the cold off. Henley’swas founded in Manchester in 2000, and has grown in popularity ever since. Mengenerally like the label’s look because of its innovative and exciting design.

The company’sdesigns bring an edgy impact to the high street, and pay meticulous attentionto the fit, fabric and finish of their garments. They specialise in T-shirts, cargos,denim, knits, and hoodies and other jerseys. These clothes look fab with smartboots or simple cheap Converse.

Meanwhile,the fact Henley’s produces six short order runs a year means each article is arare piece of fashion – while every garment retains the company’s overalldistinctive look.

Expansion planned for Henley’s

Henley’s hasstealthily grown in the last seven years. In 2005 its turnover was £6.2 million– and its latest figures, reported in the Manchester Evening News, show thatthe figure has doubled to more than £14 million. The company reckons it willbreak through the £20 million barrier this year.

Because ofits success, Henley’s has been able to secure a working capital deal with theRoyal Bank of Scotland. The £1 million funding will allow Henley’s to investmoney in future expansion without going short of the cash needed for itsday-to-day business.

Rolex watches – a 20th century phenomenon

2012-01-18T09:03:00.001-08:00

It seemsextraordinary to think that such an everyday item as a wristwatch only becamecommonplace in the 20^th century, due partly to Rolex watches

The birth of thewristwatch

Up until World War I, wristwatches were considered an itemof ladies jewellery, and men used the pocket watch. One major revolution in the popularity of themen’s wristwatch was the vision of Hans Wilsdorf, a German living and workingin London, In1905 he took a risk on commissioning low-cost watch movements from aSwiss-based manufacturer, and placed them in quality cases. He then sold the composite watches tojewellers who in turn sold them as their own products. Wilsdorf’s marketing skills meant that hiscompany soon flourished, and the Rolex watch was born.

The Oyster

1926 saw the birth of the productwhich became synonymous with Rolex watches – the Oyster watch. Rolex watches already had the reputation ofbeing durable and keeping excellent time, but the Oyster had the addedadvantage of being watertight. There arevarious legends around the name – one is that it came to Wilsdorf over dinnerwhen he was having difficulty opening an oyster. Another is that it is due to its shape. A further theory is that it has to do withbeing a watertight pearl of a watch. Whatever its origin, the Oyster is still one of the most popular Rolexwatches today.

Wilsdorf the showman

On October 7^th, 1927,Mercedes Gleitze swam the channel whilst wearing an Oyster Rolex watch. Wilsdorf’sclaims that the Oyster was water-tight couldn’t have been proved in a moreimaginative and high profile way. Following the channel swim, Oyster Rolex watches were displayed in fishtanks in jewellery shops across the country, giving the brand an associationwith marine and sub-marine applications.

Time and Date

In 1956 the Oyster PerpetualDatejust was introduced onto the market, being the first Rolex watch to displaythe date as well as the time. This wasjust one of the many innovations in watch technology that Rolex made over theyears. These include the first watch tospell out the day of the week on the watch face, the first automatic windingmechanism, a deep-sea diving Rolex watch and a watch that allows the wearer totell the time in two different time zones.

A sporting chance

Rolex continued its association ofsporting events when in 1959 it sponsored the Daytona International Speedway 24hour endurance test. Rolex watches havebecome associated with many international sporting and arts events, and thecompany has Enterprise Awards for individuals making a difference within thefields of ecology, the environment, science, technology and culture. Check out http://www.thejewellerychannel.tv/ forsuperb Rolex and Ice watchesand much more.

Designerwear - Just One Click Away from Delivery

2012-01-18T08:58:00.000-08:00

As retailers accede to the demands of a nation full oflethargic shoppers, designerwear has never been easier to get hold of, withmost labels delivering items at the click of a mouse.

A quietly powerful revolution is upon us. It hasbeen upon us over the last ten years and has slowly pushed high street shoppingto the sidelines as it steadily becomes the new way that everyone - young andold – does their shopping. Fromthrow-away fashion to designerwear, home electrical items to appliances, andfrom gifts to groceries, the internet is a virtual alternative to the hasslesof shopping reality.

Over the years, retailers have found new ways to bow down tothe consumer's every want and need. Where busy mums used to take young babies and toddlers to thesupermarket, internet shopping has come as a more convenient replacement. Where car shoppers compared prices at everydealership in town, price comparison websites have eliminated thattrouble. And where top Going out dresses

were only available in rare boutique clothing stores, theinternet has made designerwear readily available for everyone.

The internet has changed designerwear and its targetaudience forever, making it available for anyone who has access to acomputer. Today, that includes mostpeople.

Designerwear and the Internet

Online retailing is growing ten times faster in the UK thanit is in the US, according to the industry body, Interactive Media in RetailGroup (IMRG). There is a commonmisconception that internet shoppers are bargain hunters - the reality is, in fact, quite the opposite. Internet shoppers know what they want andthis has opened a door of opportunity for designwear and retailers who sellhigh-end brands.

Internet shopping, serves, first and foremost, the purposeof convenience. Shoppers are happy topay for upgraded delivery service if it means that it is more convenient forthem, and consumers enjoy the anticipation of delivery for designerwear,expensive electrical items and luxury purchases.

Although there is a certain level of excitement related toonline shopping for designerwear, or otherwise, customers are not happy to waittoo long...

Designerwear – Why Wait?

Waiting more than a couple of days is something thatshoppers today, simply do not do. Waiting has become unacceptable in the retail world, and shops who offera shorter delivery period will prevail over those who offer longer deliveryperiods. Ten years ago, delivery ofdesignerwear or other purchases could take up to four weeks. Today, designerwear is delivered at a clickof a button, with customers wearing a “why wait?” mentality and retailersacceding to demands.