Lyle & Scott's New Archive Range

Often seen amongst young lads and gals on the street is Lyle & Scott's Vintage range of clothing which offers a slim fit and has edgy aesthetics. Their new range uses the same principles of design as the vintage range, focusing on indie and modernist principles. However, these new designs push the boundaries and really echo decades of styles from the company. I love the bold graphic approach to design and the use of colour combined with historic/modernist influence really makes this collection contemporary.

The Very Special, Specials!

Filmed at the Old Grey Whistle Test in October 1979, The Specials transformed the British music scene with their style and their sound..

"If you were 12 in 1979, the Specials were easy peasy lemon squeezy the greatest band on the planet. The sort of band you can't quite imagine not existing before. Of course, style over substance is any easy sell in the pop charts, and you have to assume that the vast majority of the millions of catalogue rude boy clones who cat walked the shithole of Britain’s high streets over the following few years were fashion victims of the lowest order (check Stereotypes or Do Nothing for the bands response). The difference being that, perfectly packaged as they were, the Specials were substance wrapped in checkerboard. Who else could mention the Irish Republican Army and the Ulster Defence Association in a dance track? It turns out I, and millions of others, nailed our colours to the right mast at the time, and try as I might I still can't find a single chink in the armour of The Specials legacy.

First, they looked fucking great. If you weren't there, Britain was transformed into a mail order version of The Wailin Wailers album cover almost overnight, though it probably didn't know it at the time. Before the birth of the woeful sports casual, the working class dressed up for the weekend and the easily attainable and striking evocation of mid 60's Jamaica was too irresistible for those who founds punks sartorial alienation just that bit too alienating." The Specials Website.

The Specials have also been celebrated by Fred Perry with a collection of clothing for The Specials 30th year anniversary. Both band, and companies message and style have become timeless. The clothing produced can be seen here.

Fred Perry Photos

I have found some great photos on Fred Perry's unofficial facebook page, sent in by people from all round the world. These clearly show the style and culture of the brand and their market. Some of these images inparticular show how the brand is worn by casuals, aswell as showing how the label is still taking influence from the 60's and the mod period.

Deck Shoes

The deck shoe is going to be big hit with men this summer, The classic look of a navy blue or brown deck shoe worn with a pair of rolled-up chino's or skinny jeans will be seen everywhere. I love these shoes and own a pair myself, because the style of them, it is perfect for looking smart and casual this summer, and they seem to go with anything! They look neat and stylish and could suit many people due to the colours available from the high street.

90's Preppy

Definitely a new trend that is coming through this year, I have found a great article on asos about this 90's preppy look which shows the full collection and video. It describes this style as being, "all about colour. Eye-popping Balearic brights are played off against soft pastels, symbolizing a culture clash between the White Isle's acid house clubs of the early '90s and the laid-back cool of modern-day old Ibiza Town". I have screen-grabbed these images from the asos article which I think strongly demonstrate the subtleties of this trend.

I'm absolutely in love with this style at the moment, and I am really excited these pastel colours and soft tones have stayed at the fore-front of men's fashion. I think the aspects of this trend which I like is the way the colours really represent a laid-back summer style, and when worn with subtle extras such as the neckerchief it works really well. I'm also glad the deck shoe is back in trend this summer, I hope to write about that shortly.

Templates for Visualizations

I have been drawing up templates that suggest what garments shapes I want to use in my final collection of clothing, I have produced 10 garments which are split into 5 casual pieces and 5 formal pieces. Here are a few examples of what I have been producing on illustrator..

Fred Perry Store, London.

My tutor at university went to London a couple of weeks ago and took these amazing photographs for me, which show Fred Perry's ultra cool HQ. The logo in the shop window is constructed from wood and can be seen to flow all the way back throughout the shop and into the desk. The construction of the logo reminds me of a wave or movement, and because it can be seen next to the red raincoat for instance, it seems to tie in with the nautical theme I am currently looking at. I think the photograph of the 6 images on the wall is a really intelligent way of showing your influences and market. Photo's such as Paul Weller showing the companies awareness of sub-cultures and the photograph of the woman's mod hairstyle alongside the image of Fred Perry during his tennis career really explain what the company is all about. When I present my collection at new designers, the idea of having photographs in picture frames to show the theme of my collection is something I really would like to do.

Architecture

Here are some photos that I have found on the internet over the last few weeks which are becoming very inspiring towards my design work. The way the architecture is photographed to capture shape and shadows is the main attraction to me. I feel that they method of photography shows a very modernist perspective and sharp edges and right-angles look brilliant in the light they are in.

Perry Anchors

I have never attempted creating a logo or using text whilst designing, but today i have tried to experiment with the Fred Perry logo, by giving it a unique twist. I have been looking at Royal navy badges, and other logo's linked to navigation and sailing a lot recently. I felt like I could try and incorporate the Fred Perry logo with something like an anchor, so that i could produc a fresh and original logo for the company, which would be used as a sewn on badge or attachment on to the piece of clothing. The images above are a few of my attempts.

The Business

The Business is a film I have been meaning to watch for the last year, and this weekend I finally had the chance to to. The film follows The rise and fall of a young cockney who moves to the Costa Del Sol and gets involved in drug smuggling, with 4 ex gangsters from Peckham, London . I have wanted to see the film for so long for 2 reasons; Firstly, Nick Love who produced the business has produced other films such as the football factory and the firm, which are two of my favourite films. Secondly, and more importantly, The Business is very influential to me because of the clothing worn throughout the film. It is set in the 80's and the rich drug dealers and business men involved wear brands like Sergio Tacchini, and Fila. The slick sport look makes the gangsters look rich, stylish and shows off the authority that they have. This is a trailor from the film below..