Tom Ford reclaims his crown

When Colin McDowell visited Ravensbourne earlier this year to give us a talk on all things fashion, he commented on Tom Ford and how he had lost his power in the fashion industry and was no longer relevant, but is Ford ready to reclaim his fashion crown? Ford has recently opened his first store in Sloane St. but the designer hopes to have over a hundred stores open worldwide by the end of the year. Along with this Tom Ford has also launched a cosmetics line for men. The question is are men ready for cosmetics?

The collection will feature a facial cleanser,moisturiser,concealer,eye treatment, mud mask, and a bronzer. Ford has admitted he is partial to wearing makeup.. " People think i am always tan, but i wear bronzer every single day!" He also believes more men are wearing it than we think "I know so many guys-gay,straight,whatever-who steal a womens concealer and dab a little on when no one is looking."

The metrosexual trend has become more prominent in the last decade with poster boys such as David Beckham, using products and grooming themselves. I think its good for men to take care of themselves, a little moisturiser never hurt anyone. Personally I prefer the more rugged look and no one wants a boyfriend who takes longer putting their makeup on than them!

….EDIT- Just found out Tom Ford is 52 years old, he looks so good for his age! so maybe all men should be moisturising and wearing concealer after all..

The real style icons?

In the book Fashion Brands From Armani to Zara by Mark Tungate, he states that "men buy clothing not fashion' and believes that rather than paying attention to the catwalk, men are looking up to the male celebrity and sportsmen for style inspiration. A celebrity who men seem to see as a fashion icon is David Beckham, but now he has retired from football, who are men looking to for their style inspiration?  

Well apparently with the steady rise of street style and people creating fashion blogs, the new fashion icons are.. real men. The majority of famous men seen as style icons, are potentially being styled by other people whereas the new 'real icons' dress themselves and so they are representing their true original style. I think this is a refreshing take on style icons, I think it will encourage men to try new things and develop their own style rather than copying the new celeb style icon trend thats popular. Here's a few of the men considered real style icons, and i can definitely see why.

Justin O'Shea

Sam Lambert

Angelo Flaccavento

London Collections: Men

London Collections: Men will be an event between 16th-18th June this summer, showcasing the most prominent names in menswear, including international designers, Britains acclaimed designers and up and coming talent in fashion.  Dylan Jones, Chair of London collections: Men, announced in New York, that after years of showing in Milan renowned British brand Burberry will be moving their menswear show to London. Burberry will be showing on Tuesday 18th June, this is great news as it celebrates London as the city of menswear.

The event will showcase collections from our iconic British designers such as  Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders and Savile Row designers Richard James and E.Tautz.
The event will also be a platform for up and coming designers to showcase what they have to offer. The MAN show will take place on Sunday 16 June and is presented by Topman and Fashion East and will be showing work from three of London's emerging designers to watch!

Another iconic show will be a presentation from the tailors of Savile Row at Lord's Cricket Ground on the afternoon of Monday 17th. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London will also get involved with the antics by hosting a celebration of menswear in London on Tuesday 18th June, this will include a look at the history of menswear in the city and its heritage. What a week for London!