Sunday, November 17, 2013

WINTER TREND GUIDE


Bracelet Trends
Bracelet Trends
2013 seems to be the year where men are becoming more open to the idea of using bracelets. According to Toby Bateman, Buying Director at Mr Porter, sales of men’s bracelets are surging, whilst The Times also reported a rise in men’s jewellery sales during 2012.
With all this in mind, for the average man who is interested in exploring the world of wrist wear, what are the key styles available this year?
Metal bracelets – specifically ID bracelets – probably represent the most masculine wrist wear option, largely due to their military connotations.
Nautical trend bracelets The nautical aesthetic has cemented itself within the very core of menswear, so it comes as no surprise that this influence has recently been applied to jewellery. A perennial trend each and every spring/summer, investing in a nautical-themed bracelet therefore offers longevity and is the perfect finishing touch to any maritime or Riviera-inspired outfit.
Beaded bracelets When researching this article and gathering images from recent street style photography, it seems one bracelet style is currently head and shoulders above the rest, in terms of popularity: the beaded bracelet.
From ethnic-inspired wooden beads to high-end crystal/ebony versions to statement plastic styles, the range of designs currently on offer is vast and provides something for every personal taste.
Leather & woven bracelets Men are already accustomed to wearing leather on their wrists in the form of watch straps, so a leather bracelet is perhaps not such a big leap and may be slightly more appealing, especially for those taking their first tentative steps into the world of jewellery.
The woven bracelet is another style that is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and they are often found in leather.

Colour Guide for Autumn/Winter 2013
Few colours or shades communicate luxury quite like camel. Unlike the eponymous cigarettes, the Colour Guide for Autumn/Winter 2013hue has a timeless, classic air that instantly lifts any look you integrate it into. Striking yet versatile, it’s traditionally associated with strong, powerful outerwear; a bond that is set to be reinforced this season.
Let us show you how to effortlessly integrate camel into your wardrobe, taking inspiration from the high fashion runways and breaking down the two key considerations for autumn/winter 2013 tailoring and, of course, outerwear…
Camel: On The Runways
Camel was prevalent at all the global fashion weeks as major design houses continued to make the colour a focal point of their collections. Top picks came from industry giants Burberry, Balenciaga and Prada.
Burberry applied the hue to traditional outerwear in the form of both single- and double-breasted overcoats, along with an on trend duffle, with Christopher Bailey also choosing to incorporate a camel crew neck jumper, which combined with black tailoring and a striking red coat to great effect.
Prada chose to go down the outerwear route too – a long overcoat and cropped bomber were particular highlights – whilst Balenciaga went for a statement approach by putting together full tonal camel/beige ensembles.
Key Consideration: Outerwear
Camel has almost become synonymous with outerwear, and it has already advocated by the international designers as the shade for both double- and single-breasted overcoats this year. The versatile nature of the hue enables it to combine effortlessly with your existing wardrobe, making it a fantastic alternative to the typical grey, navy or black versions that dominate the seasonal offering.
It’s difficult to get it wrong with a solid camel. Do this by keeping the cut slim and the lines clean for a sophisticated, sharp upgrade to any look, be it smart or casual. Pair with a navy suit or a jeans and jumper combination – the piece transcends formality with ease.
An alternative outerwear option that is currently experiencing a surge in popularity is the duffle. A timeless and practical addition to any capsule wardrobe, the duffle, much like the overcoat, can be worn both casually and formally if you get the cut and style right. For more information on how to wear the duffle coat in a contemporary way, make sure you check out our recent article on the subject.
Other silhouettes to consider in camel this year include on trend bombers, rugged worker coats and classic field jackets – all of which look superb when paired with earth tones and shades of burgundy or navy.
HOW TO DRESS
The Camel Overcoat
Here are some ideas how to get into a camel skin in a right way:
· Dress the camel coat down with simple wardrobe basics for a stylish, off-duty look that reinforces the versatile nature of this timeless piece.
· Keep the colour palette as rich as the coat by pairing with a burgundy crew neck and some classic indigo jeans. Burgundy, navy and camel all complement each other beautifully and are autumnally on point.
· Layering an Oxford shirt under the jumper helps create depth, especially when left untucked, with the hem and tails peaking out below the waistline.
· Complete this casual get-up with some modern, minimal trainers and finish with flair by popping a pocket square in the coat’s breast pocket.
Casual Camel
· Invest in some camel chinos. Bring a touch of contemporary chic to your everyday looks, try dressing them down with some of-the-moment running trainers and a washed colour tee.
· A chunky shawl neck cardigan is a timeless piece that can be used as a makeshift piece of outerwear during autumn. Not only that, it juxtaposes nicely against the more modern, on trend elements within the outfit below – providing the perfect blend of classic and contemporary.

BLACK magic | uber-chic outfits

Add a dash of black magic to your wardrobe with the help of these uber-chic outfits. The stunning block print motifs are featured on stylish skinnies, capris and gorgeous cocktail dresses on an all-black colour palette. Wear these voguish attires on the next corporate dinner, a special night out with your beloved or a get together with friends – and dazzle everyone away!

• Hair & make-up: Wajid Khan
• Designer: Aamir Baig
• Coordination & photography: Yasser Sadiq
• Model: Faryal Khan

BLACK magic

Monday, March 4, 2013

Levis Strauss & Co.


About Levi Strauss & Co.

Our style may be as fresh as tomorrow, but we go way back — to 1853.

Since its introduction in 1986, the Dockers® brand has been perfecting khakis — and the essential goods to go with them — for men and women all over the world.
But the Dockers® brand is proud to be part of Levi Strauss & Co., a business with a history that goes back even farther to Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis creating the first blue jean in 1853. Throughout our long history we’ve inspired change in the marketplace, the workplace and the world. Levi Strauss & Co. is dedicated to making authentic products in a way that also gives back to the community and supports the people who produce our clothes.

Our Values

  • Empathy

    Walking in Other People’s Shoes
    Empathy begins with paying close attention to the world around us. We listen and respond to the needs of our customers, employees and other stakeholders.
  • Integrity

    Doing the Right Thing
    Integrity means doing right by our employees, brands, company and society as a whole. Ethical conduct and social responsibility characterize our way of doing business.
  • Originality

    Being Authentic and Innovative
    The pioneering spirit that started in 1873 with the very first pair of blue jeans still permeates all aspects of our business. Through innovative products and practices, we break the mold.
  • Courage

    Standing Up for What We Believe
    It takes courage to be great. Courage is the willingness to tell the truth and to challenge hierarchy, accepted practice and conventional wisdom. It means standing by our convictions and acting on our beliefs.


    Social Responsibility

    Social Responsibility

    We take a lot of pride in our products - and how we make them.

    Our company is committed to building sustainability into every aspect of how we operate.
    That’s why Levi Strauss & Co. commissioned a lifecycle study of a pair of Dockers Original Khakis to study the full environmental impact of our pants.
    What did we learn? Some of the biggest impacts occur in two places we don’t control – the cotton fields and your hands after they leave our shelves. So we’re working to promote sustainably grown Better Cotton and sharing tips to help you change your laundry habits: wash less, wash in cold, line dry when you can, and donate unused clothing so it can be used again. We’re also partnering with our factories to use less energy and water in the production process, and reducing the environmental impacts of shipping our clothes.
  • The people who make your clothes

    In 1991, Levi Strauss & Co. published our Terms of Engagement, protecting the rights of the workers who make your clothes. This groundbreaking document also ensures safe, healthy and human working conditions. We’ve long been an industry leader in worker rights and continue our efforts to improve apparel workers’ lives, both in and out of the factory.
  • Giving back in our communities

    In 1854, a year after starting his company, founder Levi Strauss donated to a local orphanage. In that spirit, our employees have been giving back to the communities where we operate for more than 150 years. Their involvement strengthens communities from San Francisco to Singapore, and their volunteer efforts help local organizations. We encourage employees to support charitable organizations with their time, talent and money by offering them paid time off to volunteer.
    Social Responsibility is deeply embedded into our products, our culture and our business

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Windsor Tie Knot

The Windsor Knot is a thick, wide and triangular tie knot that projects confidence. It would therefore be your knot of choice for presentations, job interviews, courtroom appearances etc. It is best suited for spread collar shirts and it's actually quite easy to do.
While just about everyone can use this tie knot to tie his tie, it looks especially well on men with longer necks as its wide form shortens the perceived height of the neck a little bit.
To tie the Windsor Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:


1) Start with the wide end ("W") of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end ("N") on the left.

2) Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.

3) Bring the wide end up through the loop between the collar and your tie.

4) Then bring the wide end back down.

5) Pull the wide end underneath the narrow end and to the right, back through the loop and to the right again so that the wide end is inside out.

6) Bring the wide end across the front from right to left.

7) Then pull the wide end up through the loop again.

8) Bring the wide end down through the knot in front.

9) And -- using both hands -- tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.
Congratulations, you did it! You see, it is not rocket science after all. Simply keep practicing the Windsor Knot a few more times until you can tie this necktie knot within less than two minutes.