Whistle While You Work

Throughout my time at Code Le Vush I worked predominantly with the SS14 collection. This included organising editorial photoshoots. The collection is truly beautiful, with it’s silhouettes simultaneously mirroring the juxtaposition of London’s natural beauty and municipal strength. By twinning this with contrasting landscapes for the two photoshoots, I think the collection is able to speak for itself. 

I was also able to attend Pure London 34. The trade show was an incredible success, for them and for us. The catwalk showcased some amazing new designers, and the Drappers team gave a great insight into SS14 trends to look out for, using some pieces from Code Le Vush’s collection. 

Our space looked chic and managed to pull in the stockists, adding to a successful weekend for the brand. 

Summer in the City

It’s been a very busy summer. I moved to London at the beginning of it to start interning at Code Le Vush, an emerging luxury fashion designer. I love London and was so excited to be in the city for longer than a weekend break. I’m fortunate in that a family member of mine owns a beautiful flat on the South Bank, with incredible views over the expanse of urban jungle we call our capital city. So for me, accommodation was very much sorted. 

In my first week of work I attended the launch of Exalt Magazine. It’s an incredible publication with beautiful editorials from front to back, including big names such as Oliver Cheshire. The editor, Emma Breden, is a dream to be around, on both a professional and personal level and threw an awesome launch. I opted for a casual look, in all black with a light denim jacket over the top. Excuse the shameless selfie. 

Love Affur

  For decades fur has caused controversy in the fashion industry, leaving many people in the age old dilemma of ethics or style? However, in recent times animal rights activists have experienced a string of success, with rising public awareness, shops like Forever 21 promising to stop selling fur, and Kim Kardashian being flour-bombed. Although I don’t condone cruelty to animals, I have a bigger dilemma facing me. Forget protests, placards and throwing red paint. I don’t care for exposé documentaries or fur trading legislation. What I want to know is; Can I wear fur even though I’m a boy? 

  I love fur. I am completely obsessed with any girls who wear fur. To me, fur represents youth, class, elegance and a glamorous, carefree attitude. However, when fur garments are transferred to the opposite sex, it seems to convey less glamour and more seedy-transvestite-with-a-troubled-upbringing. The reasons behind this are unclear to me. Men have worn fur throughout history, from the caveman’s loincloth to King Henry VIII’s gown. It once represented wealth and success, with some prestigious graduation cloaks enjoying a fur lining. This is evident even without having to delve into the depths of history (my own headmaster wore a graduation gown with white rabbit trimming). So when did it suddenly turn? Why can I not enjoy this natural fabric as my ancestors once did?

  I have come to the conclusion that, nowadays, men do not wear fur because other men do not wear fur. There is a fear of standing out, or being categorised as gay. This connotation has only attached itself to fur because of it’s stronger presence in modern day womenswear than in menswear. It has somehow become socially unacceptable for men to wear it, and the longer this continues the worse the situation becomes. 

  I appreciate many fashion designers still use fur in their menswear collections. However, although this is praised on the catwalk, I wonder whether I can realistically wear fur on the high-street. Can I, a male 21 year old student in Manchester, really walk into Sainsbury’s to pick up some eggs wearing a vintage fox scarf? 

  I am serious. I want an answer. Not from left-wing hippies who obstruct the entrance to Selfridges with their sorrowful attempts to rally consumers. They can keep their annoyingly clear conscience. I want an answer from the everyday guy. Can a boy wear fur? Alternatively, as I am likely to disregard any unfavourable answer, I might just don a floor length mink coat and strut around town with confidence anyway, cigar in hand. Besides, I hear flour is a good look this year. 

You're Tacky And I Hate You

So this week's fashion theme in The Mancunion was 'tacky'. Here were my suggestions... 

Picture: viviennewestwood.co.uk

Tacky’s not an outfit, it’s a lifestyle. However, if you’re unable to fully dedicate yourself to the cause, this bag from Vivienne Westwood should just about cover it. The luscious mock crocodile effect in hospital-curtain pink just screams ‘all-money-no-taste’, topped off by the perspex amber glitter orb on the front. But don’t be fooled, this bag is not just about ultimate tacky style. The heart-shape body is just the right size to fit absolutely nothing inside it, while the handles ensure not even Katie Price could fit it over her arm. What’s not to like?... The £225 price tag.   

Picture: pauls-boutique.com

However, if you’re still desperate for that garish edge to your outfit but are on more of a student budget, this bag from Paul’s Boutique should fit the bill. At just £40 it retains the all important ‘tack’ through the similar heart-shape style. Although you’ll need to sacrifice Vivienne Westwood’s crocodile effect for the poor-man’s version of snake skin, the chunky gold chain strap will actually fit over your shoulder. Plus it brings an element of versatility, being grey on one side and green on the other. Who would have thought something so stylish could be so cheap- in every sense of the word? 

How to Dress for Uni; A Boys Guide

Written for and published in The Mancunion. 

  What we wear to university can say a lot about us. We all knew this in first year; we decided our outfits well in advance, allowed enough time to shower in the mornings and occasionally even ironed our clothes. I remember rigorously calculating the exact date I should shave which would result in the perfect amount of stubble on my first day. And when that first day came, I strutted into uni wearing my latest Topman purchase, leaving a trail of Lynx Africa behind me. Thank god those days have gone. However, it recently dawned on me that we should perhaps learn something from our naive, fresher selves; we may have upgraded our deodorant since then, but our effort to look presentable for uni has completely vanished. Either every boy at uni has found a girlfriend (or boyfriend) and therefore feels no need to try and impress anyone, or we’ve all just become incredibly lazy. This realisation has encouraged me to reach out to my fellow poorly-dressed students and offer my five pieces of advice:

1. Sportswear is for sport. Why do we feel the uncontrollable need to constantly wear tracksuit bottoms and hoodies? The only time this outfit is acceptable is if you genuinely are about to, or just have, taken part in physical activity (note: fighting for a seat on the Magic Bus does not constitute as physical activity). 
2. Putting a hat on is not a replacement for washing your hair. Yes, we all love the hipster woolen hat that barely fits our heads, but it is unacceptable to wear one throughout lectures, and especially seminars. A quick morning shower will alleviate the routine embarrassment which follows taking off your hat. 
3. Shoes complete an outfit. Now New Balance trainers have teamed up with Jack Wills they will inevitably become uncool. Therefore, every other boy in Manchester will be looking for new footwear. Vans are too common and your gym shoes are not an option (see number 1). How about actual shoes? Not trainers, but real leather shoes. Cow have a fantastic selection of vintage leather brogues and slippers. If that’s not your scene then try suede desert boots. You will instantly look smarter and your feet will most likely stay drier. 
4. Wear a watch. Although unlikely to improve your timekeeping, it will apply some sophistication to your outfit. Rotary is a good place to start, although Cassio will suffice if, like me, you’ve already spent your student loan on unnecessary holidays. Avoid a Rolex; you will get mugged. 
5. Get a decent uni bag. You may think an ASDA bag-for-life portrays anti-consumerism and a detachment from the materialistic world, but it actually portrays a poor supermarket choice with a touch of homelessness. Most people opt for a reliable rucksack, usually of the Herschel family. They are smart, stylish and practical, without making you look like your dad. If you want to pretend you’re studying Art instead of Engineering, Pop Boutique in the Northern Quarter usually have a fun range of vintage briefcases and satchels. 

  We are soon to be upstanding, well educated men of Britain. Perhaps it’s time we started to dress like them. I’m not suggesting we copy that one guy who dons a suit for lectures (usually an ill-fitting Matalan special), but perhaps re-adopt our first year efforts. After all, we are at uni to achieve a degree. Let’s start by achieving a decent wardrobe.