Look of the Week

If you are anything like me, you will already have planned your work attire for Monday morning, on a Friday afternoon. (Black roll neck, grey trousers, black Chelsea boots and checked overcoat just in case you were wondering). This week, look of the week, illustrated by Stacey White, pays homage to such a gentleman. This is the second illustration that Stacey has kindly worked on for The Rakish Gent. Stacey recently graduated from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design in Visual Communication. She works with pencil to create the gorgeous illustrations that she does, usually on fashion, beauty and trends. 

This office friendly look, styled by me is centered on a beautiful dark navy suit from Reiss. The Lennox suit is crafted from pure wool and features padded shoulders, notch lapels, a jet pocket to the chest and double vent. It is the perfect suit for the office and a great choice to go from day to night. 

No suit would be complete without the rest. The white shirt is from Thomas Pink, who specialise in fantastic quality and contemporary style shirts for men and women. It has been teamed with a classic knitted tie from French label Charvet. I love the black leather briefcase from Dolce & Gabanna, which is available at Matches Fashion. It is timeless in it's simple and functional design. The double monk strap shoes have become a staple in the wardrobe of the modern man and these are a great pair from Lanvin, which as well as the Charvet tie, are available at Mr Porter. 

A big thank you to Stacey for another great illustration. You can find out more about her work at her website Stacey White Illustration. 

Best Dressed of the Week - Mr Dominic Cooper

Currently appearing on the Sky Atlantic 4 part drama, Fleming, actor Dominic Cooper is the best dressed of the week. I love how effortlessly suave the look is. The full on black makes it smart, but the addition of Jimmy Choo sneakers makes the whole look more carefree. The longer length jacket also adds a sense of nonchalance to the look. 

The Jimmy Choo Belgravia crocodile embossed leather high tops are available at Mr Porter. 

Image courtesy of Just Jared 

New article for Entouraaj Magazine

A  new article that I recently wrote for Entouraaj Magazine has now been published online. The article is a brand focus on an emerging label by British Asian designer Nick Singh. Nick has created some truly breathtaking jackets and the label is going from strength to strength. I would like to take this chance to personally thank Nick for the time and assistance that he provided to me in getting this article online. 

I would strongly recommend taking a look at the Entouraaj site which has a brand new design to support the content from a host of very talented writers. 

Head to the below link to read the article in full:

Nick Singh Design 

Custom Made Clothing from Martin De Tours Clothier

New York based brand, Martin De Tours specialises in creating custom made to measure suits. As part of a Kickstarter campaign, the label is looking to raise funds to launch the Spring/ Summer 2014 collection, and are offering bespoke suits at incredibly low prices. 

Operating since last September, the emerging brand combines sartorial advice, quality clothing, niche technology with low costs. Through its network of Style Valets, Martin de Tours deploys experienced consultants to select, design and measure the best garments for their clients. In October 2013, they were featured by Esquire Magazine. Style valets will meet with you in person, Skype with you or speak to you over the phone to discuss your specifications. All of your account details will be saved online, with your 22 measurements, so if you like a suit, you can order the same in a different fabric. The website has a range of suits on show, with the customise now option. This is bespoke menswear for the 21st century. 

With an already strong client base that spans from New York to Australia, the next stage of growth for the brand is the Kickstarter campaign, through which the brand offers product and service rewards ranging from hand written letters, to makeover packages including up to ten of its finest suits. All suits are 100% wool, and all shirts are 100% cotton, with a range of styles from traditional to contemporary. Orders are completed within 4 weeks with free international shipping. 

  

Heritage - Blue and grey plaid

Signature - Navy Herringbone 

Heritage - Brown and Purple Plaid

To find out more head to the Martin De Tours Clothier website. 

RI Cycle by River Island

For Spring/ Summer 2014, River Island have created a capsule collection for the modern cyclist. The new range fuses together the design ethos of the brand with all of the functionality needed for an active lifestyle, with the cyclist being the inspiration for this range. 

With this collection, the wearer can maintain a relaxed style which will allow you to ride your bike with ease. Water resistant zip pockets, thumb hole cuffs and ventilation slits ensure comfort and key details like reflective trims, curved hems and reinforced quilting run throughout the collection. The use of stretch fabrics offer extra mobility and waistbands have been augmented with loops to accommodate maps & locks. 

Here is a closer look at some of the collection: 

The RI Cycle collection will be available in select stores and online from March 2014. 

New article for Gent and Beauty

Way back in October last year, I contributed an article on options for gents attending a Winter wedding, for magazine Gent and Beauty. I am thrilled to announce that I will be working with this fantastic publication on a more regular basis, to provide grooms and male guests, guidance on all things wedding related. 

My latest article is a look at plaid and check suits and how they are a great, alternative option for grooms. It was inspired by the constantly cool Mr Pharrell Williams, who wore a check red suit to his wedding last year. Head to the link below to see the article in full:

Be Bold in plaid

Look of the Week

The search for the elegant night out look can come to an end. This weeks, Look of the Week shows us how to get the smart evening out look spot on. Smart and elegant outerwear with great tailored separates, worn with swag. Illustrated by the brilliant Clare Nield of Clare and the Bear, who has created some of the most stunning illustrations for The Rakish Gent (with this being one of my absolute favorites), this look has me itching to go shopping and organise a big night out. 

The look that Clare has illustrated, styled by me, is a full on navy look. The Crombie coat is a real investment piece that will serve you well through seasons and the years. This navy herringbone retro coat is a classic, made from a light, pure wool cloth which gives it a wonderful fluidity. Worn under the coat is a beautiful geometric print cotton shirt from Rake which looks great when paired with smart flat front trousers from Maison Martin Margiela (both items available from Matches Fashion) The leather tasseled loafers are from Asos Menswear, who have a brilliant selection of shoes for men. 

A huge thank you to Clare for her brilliant illustration. You can find out more about Clare and her work by following her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.  

Best Dressed of the Week - Mr Chiwetel Ejofor

Attending the BAFTA Awards on Sunday evening, actor Chiwetel Ejofor cut a dashing figure on the red carpet, which makes him the deserved recipient of the best dressed of the week accolade. 

Wearing a beautifully cut, navy shawl collar evening suit from contemporary label Mr Start, the slim black shoes and beard add an air of sophisticated nonchalance to the look. It was brilliant to see Chiwetel awarded the Best Actor prize at the awards, for his stunning performance in the brilliant 12 Years A Slave. 

Images courtesy of Mail Online 

New articles for Chasseur Magazine

Two new articles that I recently contributed to Chasseur Magazine are now online. Chasseur regularly feature new and exciting designers, and fantastic styling with inspirational photography. Links to both articles are below:

Pablo Erroz AW 14 Collection  

Self_Made by Gianfranco Villegas 

Lookbook - Common People Spring Summer 201

I was really impressed by the forthcoming Common People collection that I saw at LCM. Their current range for Spring/ Summer 2014 is equally strong. The look book images, snapped by acclaimed photographer Jonathan Daniel Pryce, capture the collection's essence of Scottish Summer holidays, inspired by Celtic art and 1970's field trips. 

  

  

Created buy Kestin Hare, former head of design at Nigel Cabourn, primary colours are used on strong outerwear pieces. Branding and Airtex linings are mixed with clean & contemporary silhouettes and technical details which give a fresh and clean look. 

   

Specially developed jacquards & prints, based on Celtic crosses and knots are complemented by the contrasting texture in a knitted tee or sweater and coated washed back cottons. 

  

Common People create premium clothing and footwear with a focus on quality, craftsmanship and local sourcing. This collection is unique and contemporary. Take a closer look at some of the pieces below:

The Barry Shirt features a specially developed, Celtic inspired shard print in grey & yellow tones. 100% cotton and slim fitting. 

The Danby is a classic crew neck sweater with a relaxed fit and raglan sleeve construction. 

Made in the UK, the Drymen jacket is constructed from navy textured cotton with matt nylon contrast upper body. 

Made in Manchester, the Grasmere trouser is cut from a heavy weight, pigment dyed navy Italian cotton/ linen which has been washed back to give a soft, subtle aged appearance. 

The Kendall jacket is constructed from a khaki colour coated cotton which has been washed back, revealing complementary colour tones around the seams, creating an aged effect. 

The Snowdonia baseball jacket is cut from high quality 100% cotton navy cloth with a subtle honeycomb texture and knitted ribbed collar and cuffs. 

  

Shop my picks of the range and a whole lot more at Common People