Designasuit

Take your pick of the best events up and down the country this month…. In Leeds: 16th May 2010 - The Affordable Vintage Fair @ Leeds University Student Union (The Riley Smith Hall, LS2 9JT) This is the vintage fair for those on a budget, with a range of vintage pieces being sold at 75% less high street vintage prices. 29th-30th May 2010 - St Gemma’s Vintage Weekend @ St Gemma’s Hospice (329 Harrogate Road, LS17 6QD) Browse the clothing, accessories, books, jewellery, artwork, and much more on sale at 20 stalls. Then why not visit their retro café for tea/coffee and a cupcake! 29 May – 30 May 2010 - The Great Wetherby Racecourse Antiques Fair @ Wetherby Racecourse, 9am- 5pm (Wetherby Racecourse, LS22 5EJ) For those who enjoy their antiques, the Wetherby Racecourse Antiques Fair is the place to be, and you never know, you could pick up something that could make you a fortune! Commercial Break: Check out www.designasuit.co.uk for tailor made suits online. In Manchester: 16th May 2010 - Highly anticipated Maharishi Pop Up Store returns (Triangle Shopping Centre, M4 3TR) Get your hands on discounted menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, canvasses and toys from the brand best known for its distinctive military inspired prints. 25th May 2010 – An audience with Sarah Curran, CEO of mywardrobe.com (Sanctum Soho Hotel, W1B 5NF) Thinking of starting your own business in retail? This is sure to be an informative and inspiring event, not to be missed. 22nd May 2010 – Leos Quartet, noon-3pm (The Trafford Centre, M17 8AA) Enjoy 4 hours of music from the Royal Northern Music College educated quartet, who are now listed by ‘Inspired Music’ as being the first choice quartet Commercial Break: Check out www.designasuit.co.uk to design a bespoke suit online. In Liverpool: 21st May – 30th August 2010 – Picasso Peace & Freedom Exhibition (The Tate Liverpool Albert Dock, L3 4BB) A different look at Picasso as his post war work is explored. At £10 a ticket this is a bargain day out for the art lovers out there. 29th May 2010 – Aintree Track Day, 9am-5pm (Melling Road, Aintree, L9 5AS) Watch around 80 cars take to the track to be fully tested to their limit! Hot and cold food available all day. 29th – 30th May 2010 – HUB Festival Summer Jam 2010, 11am-6pm (Otterspool Park, L17 5AL) Skating, break dancing, beat boxing and festival music is sure to be an exciting and high-energy day out, worth a look! Commercial Break: Check out www.designasuit.co.uk for tailor made suits online. In London: 23rd April – 11th May - London International Documentary Film Festival (Barbican, EC2Y 8DS) Seven films showing at the Barbican, that promise to be “exciting, challenging and inspiring” – why not watch something inspiring this month? 12th-16th May 2010 – Royal Windsor Horse Show (Windsor Castle, SL4 1NJ) Horse-jumping competitions, horse displays and other equestrian competitions at the Royal residance, a fine day out! 18th-20th May 2010 – London Wine Festival (Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL) Wine tasting….perfect! Commercial Break: Check out www.designasuit.co.uk to design a bespoke suit online. In Birmingham: 19th April – 15th May 2010 – International Dance Festival (Birmingham Hippodrome, B5 4TB) A fantastic family day out, the event includes free outdoor events for children and families. 23rd, 28th and 29th May 2010 – J Fashion Show (One Victoria Square, B1 1BD) The fashion show that combines fashion from the big designers, the high street, and local designers for an amazing and inspiring show. 27th-29th May – Welsh National Opera Summer Tour (Birmingham Hippodrome, B5 4TB) This Cardiff based opera company are only visiting Birmingham in the UK this year, and its not to be missed with performances of Puccini’s La bohème and Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades. By Lianne Carolan for the Designasuit Media Network

Enter the Promotional code COGGLESFAN before 12 p.m. GMT at coggles.com and you can get 20% off your entire order.

On brands:

Acne
Aertex
Ames Bros
APC
Ash
Belstaff
Blackdice
Bolongaro Trevor
Cheap Monday
Comme Des Garcons
D&G
Diesel
Diesel Black Gold
Dsquared
Edwin
Farhi By Nicole Farhi
Folk
Franklin & Marshall
Fred Perry Laurel
G-Star
Grenson
H By Hudson
Hard Eight
Holland Esquire
House Of The Gods
Humor
I Am Five
Ikitabi
J Lindeberg
King Krash
Lost Property
Ltd
Luminox
Lyle & Scott
M Tokyo Japan
Natural Selection
Nigel Cabourn
Nooka
Nudie
Oliver Spencer
One True Saxon
Our Legacy
Passarella Death Squad
Paul Smith - Accessories
Paul Smith - Jeans
Paul Smith - London
Paul Smith - PS
Paul Smith - Shoes
Penfield
Penguin
Peoples Market
Pretty Green
Priestley’s Vintage
PRPS
Raf Simons X Fred Perry
Red Dot
Red Wing
Religion
Robe Di Kappa
Scotch And Soda
Shofolk
Sperry
Timberland Boot Co
TST
Tues Night Band Practice
Vivienne Westwood - Jewel
Vivienne Westwood - Man
Volta
We Are TukTuk
Woolen Mills By Woolrich
Wrath Arcane

and many more.

visit designasuit.co.uk online tailor and fashion blog for more like this.

When it comes to summer shoes, women have got it made; out comes the sunshine and with it, rows upon rows of beautiful sandals and dainty flats. Add to this already stunning array of shoes, the ultimate collection of sizzling summer stilettos and the collection is complete. Men on the other hand, aren’t so lucky.
Summer shoes is pretty much a no-go area for men; whichever style they go for, there’s always going to be an objection from the females in the camp; sandals are a definite no-no as they have been forever tainted by the very English connection with gleaming white socks, it’s too hot for trainers, flip-flops aren’t suitable for all occasions and as for espadrilles………well, who on earth can pull them off?!
While I understand that espadrilles could potentially look quite cool on an ultra chic male model docking a small rowing boat on the shores of St Tropez, I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to cut the style mustard at a trendy urban nightspot. I’m all for wearing flip-flops for ambling around in the daytime but what happens when the sun sets and it’s time for a night on the tiles; when it comes to formal summer shoes, I’m afraid there’s only one answer and that is: winter shoes.
Browsing through rails of summery shoes fills me with utter joy; however, I can’t help but feel sorry for men, who really have a very limited choice. This is confirmed by the comparison between my summer shoe collection and my boyfriend’s; I’m no shoe fiend but I have at least six, maybe seven pairs of flat sandals alone, while my poor boyfriend’s wardrobe holds but one lowly pair of Havaianas.
I think it’s time for a summer shoe revolution; who knows, in the years to come I may find my sandals being squeezed out of the wardrobe by the new, ultimate must-have male summer shoe.

By Georgie Hughes for The Designasuit Media Network

April is fully upon us, bringing muggy weather, random downpours and a hint of sun. Although dressing well in a hot climate isn’t always easy, there’s numerous helpful guides online, meaning you’ll look charming whatever the temperature.

But for those in England, with our intemperate sunshine and storms (both likely in the same day), summer dressing can be awkward.

Starting with the basics, footwear in summer will unavoidably see men everywhere sporting flipflops. There is only one acceptable place for flipflops. It is the beach, preferably white-sanded and blue-sea-lapped. It is not Topshop in Manchester. A better choice is a simple lace up or slip on canvas sneaker in navy or white. Check out Urban Outfitters for these. Wear barefooted for summer, then in cooler autumn weather you can pop on some zany socks and make like your Uncle ‘I’m Crazy, Me!’ Francis.

Working upwards, I won’t pretend that shorts aren’t practical. But that is all. Three-quarter length cargo/shorts/trousers (what are they?) are unflattering, unappealing and, if you have the quintessential English leg (pasty and a bit scrawny) only appear as parachutes around a matchstick. Many men will just bite the bullet and wear dark denim from April to September, despite rapid cases of overheating. Because of England’s mood-swing of a weather system, a lightweight pair of trousers, in tan or beige colour, work well in protecting the pins but keeping you cool. Plus you can roll up the cuffs and look artfully playful, without regressing into ’short trousers’ territory. The Jill Sanders range for Uniqlo has a good selection.

A white tshirt and shirt in summer is essential: a classic look whilst keeping you cool. I’d recommend splashing out a bit more and getting something with 100% natural fibres. The fit will be a bit looser and the breathable fabric will deter excessive perspiration. Try American Apparel for their organic cotton crew necks. Linen shirts are something of a luxury, being a beautiful fabric that also creases woefully and can turn a regular bearded man into a Jesus look-a-like. Some good advice for any pure linen items is a hot wash and hot tumble dry, which is meant to decrease (no pun intended) its creasing qualities. Be careful not to shrink your shirt, however.

With occasional showers, blizzards and gales that are a feature of an English summer, a lightweight jumper is also necessary. Again, go for something with natural fibres and with lightweight wools (such as cashmere) to keep your body temperature regulated. Good oldM&S is excellent for staple buys. Another style take would be a thick, bundled winter-weight jumper to replace the jumper + coat combo. On larger chaps, a heavily patterned jumper would look handsome; on smaller men, a heavily textured one.

The summer coat (which you would hope would be a paradox in itself) is a conundrum. Invest in a well fitted, lightweight, light-coloured trench coat. The trench coat is always, always stylish – think private eye, think smoking under a lamppost – and a lightweight one in summer looks great belted over either a tshirt or shirt and slim leg trousers, or slung over your arm. Muji has a great one here.

On a final note, whichever headwear you choose to protect your noggin, remember: no-one looks good in a baseball cap.

For The Designasuit Media Network by Elly Snare

I, like many others I’m sure, find myself jealously surveying people that have seemingly chucked on a basic white tee and a pair of well-fitting jeans and manage to look incredible. Of course, it helps if you’re lucky enough to have been born with ‘clothes horse’ genes, which guarantee a willowy frame that can pull almost anything off, but effortless style is also a definite skill. The catwalks are full of these willowy beauties and increasingly, designers are coupling extravagant one-off pieces with a celebration of the most accessible trends, including a range of plain coloured perfectly-fitted vests and t-shirts, basic nautical pieces, soft tailoring, subtle floral prints and of course, everyone’s staple item, a pair of jeans.

This Spring/Summer the shops are full of simple, feminine pieces in pastel and nude shades, following the catwalk shows at Paris, New York and London fashion weeks. Fashion this Spring is a far cry from the Bohemian luxe look championed by designers and chic celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Kate Moss back in the early noughties; gone are the bulky gladiator belts and heavy layers of knitwear; instead, in their place soft neutral shades, floaty fabrics, delicate lace and simple, pretty detailing.

The heavily structured power shoulder, so evident in the Autumn/Winter lookbooks has given way to the Spring staple: the feminine shoulder with pretty embroidery, shimmery beads and fragile lace detailing, while heavy duty military and biker trousers have been replaced by luxurious feeling harem trousers, chic summer dresses and simple, stylish skirts.

This Spring/Summer the designers and high street stores seem to have captured the laid-back, effortlessly cool vibe of California and combined it with the genteel appeal of the English summer and the cliché romantic ideal of running through meadows of wild flowers before sitting down to a glass of well-deserved homemade lemonade; add in a subtle pinch of military and nautical influence and the look is complete.  

The message this season is clear, it’s time to get back to basics and keep it simple; often the most straight-forward outfits are the most stylish, so make sure your chair/floor/wardrobe are covered in beautiful basics and essential pieces and be that effortless style icon everyone looks at so enviously.

In the fashion and retail worlds, models are usually chosen to make clothes look their best. Therefore, only the most slim and attractive people are recruited for the job.

However, designers and retailers are increasingly making moves to select models for ulterior motives.

The first occurrence I can remember that caused controversy at the time, was when Alexander McQueen chose double amputee Aimee Mullins to walk wearing one of his creations – as well as hand carved wooden prosthetic legs. Like many of McQueen’s artistic choices, this was clearly engineered to shock whilst also exploring the beauty of every silhouette – even if it doesn’t conform to contemporary society.

Designer Mark Fast caused a stir in recent years when he sent plus size models down the catwalk wearing his designs. As one of the few high fashion elite to mix “size zero” with “size normal”, his decision brought a great deal of media attention. Last year it was claimed that his bold choice even led to the departure of his stylist three days before the show. Although Fast claims he wanted to prove that all shapes and sizes are beautiful, you can’t overlook the fact that this controversial choice and the media attention it attracted would have been beneficial to him in the long run.

In a similar vein, high street retailer Debenhams has recently revealed a set of advertisements containing a diverse range of models each portraying a body type that isn’t usually considered “perfect” within the fashion industry. There’s a disabled model, a petite model and a plus sized model. It’s a bold move which shows how accepting Debenhams is of every type of person and certainly works to enhance the brand to be perceived as “everyone’s favourite department store”. However, doesn’t it seem a little forced?

Whether it be to shock, create a stir in the media or enhance brand reputation, by selecting a different breed of model, designers and retailers are generating a great deal of attention.

These kinds of steps are becoming more and more widespread and it’ll be interesting to see how the general perception of the perfect, slim and beautiful models of the past will be warped, reinvented or even discarded in the near future.

By Becca Caddy  for The Designasuit Media Network

for more visit www.designasuit.co.uk

‘Kick-Ass’ T-shirts available now from French Connection.

So, Avatar was good right? I mean, especially in 3D, talk about wow! But was I the only one who thought the whole phenomenon about how spectacular these visual effects were, left a somewhat noticeable hole in the film’s story line?
Don’t get me wrong, I lo-HU-ved Avatar, but what ever happened to a film just being a good film? James Cameron’s blockbusterhas certainly earned its place in the Movie Hall of Fame, but it seems there’s a new motion picture out this month that’s got tongues wagging, and it goes by the name Kick-Ass.

Call me biased, I am after all a self confessed comic lover, but Kick-Ass is a far cry from your typical comic-book film. This fast-paced, witty, dark comedy is set to be the film of the year, and although the story follows nerdy-teen turned super-hero Dave Lizewski, the real hero behind Kick-Ass is none other than British director- Matthew Vaughn.

Simply put, Vaughn is a genius. Where else are we going to see a film in which an eleven-year-old girl slices the legs off bad guys and says the C-word? Yes, I can hear the angry parents now- “Bad influence” and “Disgraceful” are the first complaints that come to mind. In fact I can see my Dad now, getting up and walking out of the theatre, shaking his head and muttering “disgusting” under his bre

ath. But come on people, man the-hell-up because Vaughn’s skills as a director ensure this film is most certainly not to be taken seriously.It’s about time a British director was the subject of such praise, with the major film awards recently being dominated by American directors. And with a budget of less than a third of Avatar’s, I think it’s clear to everyone that it is not the amount you spend on a movie that makes it any good.
So lets give our support to London-born director Mister Matthew Vaughn, and head over to www.frenchconnection.com where you can find a bunch of uber-cool tees bearing slogans from the film.

By Rosa Mackenzie for The Designasuit Media Network

for more visit www.designasuit.co.uk

The designasuit network tumblr page has finally come of age and we will now be moving our activity over to The Designasuit Blog. This means more freedom over content and more frequent posts, so its all good!

We will continue to occasionally update this tumblr but for all the latest check out designasuit.com

Cheers!

from denimblog:

The Swedish label, Cheap Monday, known for their sleek dark hued looks, has released their Fall/Winter 2010 collection at Swedish Fashion week last week. The collection will feature gray hued distressed skinny looks for both men and women. Check out some of the looks below:

for more visit www.designasuit.co.uk

Urban Outfitters europe just got in these great backpacks from O Hanlon Mill, amazing price at £28. The bag comes up quite wide at 45cm x 37cm x 14cm which doesn’t aid the overall appearance but it is spacious and great value, available here in two on trend colour ways.

for more visit www.designasuit.co.uk

Probably the best attempt thus far by A.P.C and K-way, working side by side to produce outerwear for the A.P.C collection, available from Tres Bien Shop now.

‘a short parka with hood, big pockets on the outside and elastic waist-band. Embroidered, old-school K-Way logo on the front pocket.’

for more visit www.designasuit.co.uk

Similar to the silhouettes and stylings we documented with the Humor pant and adjacent denim collection, Trousers London offer a forward thinking range of denim only in deep indigo. The line gives a more classic look to these ultra-modern engineered jeans. To view the rest of the collection or order online click here.

for more visit www.designasuit.co.uk