Serge DeNimes: Head To Toe

I overheard at London Collections how Oliver Proudlock is an exceptional businessman, how he smartly embraces those opportunities which push his brand forward. Since I last met him in December 2012, it would appear these comments are true. His urban fashion label, Serge DeNimes, has grown from strength to strength, and now holds a pop-up shop in one of London's iconic shopping districts, Carnaby Street.

The idea behind the pop-up is in the name. "What I wanted to create was a store where a guy can dress themselves head to toe," says Ollie. Serge DeNimes has collaborated with four other British and independent brands, each of which cater for a different level of an individual's outfit - Finlay & Co sunglasses, Love Brand & Co swim shorts and polo shirts, Marlborough World bags and accessories, and Oliver Sweeney footwear. Together, these five fashion labels offer Carnaby shoppers the opportunity to walk out of the pop-up with a complete and brand new outfit.

In keeping with the shop's concept, the brands are integrated with each other throughout the shop space, allowing customers to explore the brands collectively. "I didn't want it to feel like a pop up shop," says Ollie. "I didn't want every brand segregated." He explains he was very selective about the brands he chose to work with on this project, nonetheless they are those which he himself is fond of.

Among the products on sale at 40 Carnaby Street are Ollie's personal collaboration with Oliver Sweeney, including stylish chukka boots and hi-top trainers in black leather, blue suede, and leopard print aesthetics. Oliver Sweeney shoes are renowned for their formal designs, but Ollie hoped to produce a style more suited for streetwear.

Unlike some fashion collaborations, where the collaborative individual plays little role in the design efforts, Ollie was involved with the entire creative process. His biggest stamp on the collaboration is the animal print, inspired by Oliver Sweeney's zebra print chukka boots from the previous season.

This weekend, Serge DeNimes also featured at 'Cocoloco On The Beach' and the 'British Beach Polo Championships' in Sandbanks. The brand has additionally collaborated with up-and-coming musicians to promote new talent. Having gained rich media attention for his collaborations and sartorial ventures, Oliver Proudlock is transcending his Made In Chelsea fame to become a leading figure in the fashion industry. I look forward to seeing where he takes his brand next.

Richard Anderson Ltd, Savile Row

13 Savile Row is the home and headquarters of Richard Anderson Ltd, bespoke tailors led by Richard Anderson, Brian Lishak and Clive Gilkes. Opening its doors in 2001, it was the first new tailoring House on The Row for fifty years. Nonetheless, Richard and his team aspired to provide the same distinguished quality and service one would expect from the street that gave the world the suit. 

“I started at the age of seventeen, in 1982, at Huntsman, and Brian had been working around Savile Row for forty years. So although we were a new company on The Row, we had great experience in the field. I didn’t feel intimidated at all, I felt very excited and invigorated at the prospect. And I felt it was time to have a new tailor on Savile Row, who could maintain the quality of the old Houses.” – Richard Anderson

VIDEO: Menswear in British Culture

Since the introduction of the Savile Row suit in the early 19th Century, men’s fashion has held an important position in British culture, albeit one which is less-than-acknowledged by today's consumers. This three-minute feature serves as the principal report from my final-year major multimedia project, which explores the prominence of British menswear, its two-hundred-year history, and the changing attitudes to men's style.

This video features interviews with Dylan Jones, Editor-in-Chief of British GQ, and Hilary Rushford, Dean Street Society personal stylist. Extra content and additional interviews coming soon. Please feel free to post your thoughts.

À La Disposition Menswear

As featured in Pebble Zine, Issue 3

Often in fashion, there is a distinct divide between men's and women's styles, created by separate designers working on separate sexes. But for those designers who work with both, similarities in design are commonplace, when influences, ideas and materials are one in the same.

Charlie Foxtrot Vintage

How do two charming actresses with a love for vintage and playing Scrabble set up a successful and entertaining pop-up vintage business? With plenty of enthusiasm and cups of tea, apparently. Charity and Frances may not have a permanent location, yet they easily attract locals and customers wherever they set up shop.

You can currently find their pop-up at 147 Evelina Road, Nunhead, until this Sunday (27th January). But until then, do have a read of their of their interview below. You will find there is a lot more to these ladies than vintage.

Importance of a Well-Dressed Man

From my interview with Hilary Rushford

Speaking with Dean Street Society's Hilary Rushford, I asked for her thoughts on the importance of a well-dressed man. In her role as a personal stylist, Hilary aims to build confidence and happiness through the clothes her clients wear - it is as much about feeling good as looking good. And hence she understands that if a man dresses well, there is a positive change in attitude that can lead to new opportunities.

"I think it's important everyone dresses well. It's more important for some perhaps than for others. I completely validate that there are people who put on coveralls every day and go to dig the ditches in our streets, so we can drive better.

"But nonetheless, those men go home and take their wives on a date night. And I think it can be in those small ways, like showing your wife you respect her, by getting dressed up for date night.

"Or it can be that you work at a law firm, where they work with really high-end clients, and it does matter that you'll be able to walk into the meeting or courtroom looking like a million bucks, exuding confidence, looking like someone who is at the top of his game.

"We know it matters for politicians, that if you had a politician that was wearing ill-fitting, dated clothes, you would think he was a bit behind the times. And so we appreciate it and understand it in politics, but I think there are so many different career choices that it applies to as well."

Love From Hetty & Dave

Cashmere slugs and leather cuckoo clocks - such things may sound like an oddity to most. However for Zoe Larkins, these curious objects are commonplace in her day-to-day life.

Zoe is the creator and designer of 'Love From Hetty & Dave', a specialist accessories label offering hand-stitched leather jewellery, along with a few other quirky crafts. More often than not, you can find her working at the back of boutique-cum-workshop in Pokesdown, Bournemouth, stitching yet another brooch or customised collar.

"Crafting is all I do," Zoe tells me, as she sews. "I literally am always making, sewing, or knitting – just anything that involves being creative. I don't think I'd do anything else. It's my hobby and my work; it's my passion.

"The thought of not creating stuff is my worst nightmare. I work all day here, then I go home and do some more work, because I love it. And if I don't do any sewing or something for just a couple of days, I feel like something is missing."

Interview with Joshua Castro

During the next four months, Unlimited by JK shall serve as a platform for a multimedia feature, focusing on the rise of the British menswear industry. Dylan Jones, Chair of the 2012 Menswear Committee, described menswear as a "sleeping giant", but the relatively recent addition of 'London Collections: Men' to our fashion calendar suggests that the giant has finally awoken from its slumber.

My first interview was with Joshua Castro, store manager at Wolf & Badger. The Ledbury Road and Dover Street boutiques hold a wealth of fashions from independent designers, including menswear collections by Lou Dalton, Fox Hunt Menswear and Serge DeNimes. Having been familiar with the Wolf & Badger brand for some time, it seemed a good place to officially begin this journalistic venture. You can watch my interview teaser below.

Miss Patina interview

Miss Patina is one of those fashion labels which make me envy women. Beautiful and vintage-esque clothes adorned the rails at Miss Patina's sample sale on Dray Walk, Brick Lane, where the softness of the brand fell in contrast with the hustle and bustle outside the front door. I spoke with Miss Patina brand manager, Sarah Goodwin, to learn a little more about the up-and-coming London fashion label.

Interview with Saskia Lawson

Youth and talent - one could argue the two go hand-in-hand for a promising career.
My interviewee has both. Yet for someone so young in a competitive industry such as photography, I wondered if her limited experience would be a hindrance to her efforts. Then again, we all have to start somewhere.

(Photo courtesy of Saskia Lawson - www.saskialawson.com)

Surrey-based fashion and portraiture photographer Saskia Lawson openly advertises her young age of 18. She sees it as a useful selling point for her business, which she started out in September last year.

"Because I'm quite young, a lot of people notice me," Saskia tells me. "People get drawn to you, because they think, 'Wow, she's really young,' and it kind of makes you more interesting. They look at your stuff and think, 'Ooh, she's actually quite good'."

Pokesdown documentary [VIDEO]

Despite having lived in Bournemouth for a year already, I did not venture to nearby Pokesdown until September/October of last year. But since that first trip, I have come
to love the village for its vintage vibe, wonderful people, and - as I have said often - its genuine community spirit.

Roxanne Kapperud, Chair of the Pokesdown Community Forum, said those who visit Pokesdown "feel all the enthusiasm and the love that people have here for each other", and for me, this is entirely true. It is by far one of my favourite places in the world, and hence why this mini-documentary, filmed over the Jubilee weekend, is dedicated to the community that makes Bournemouth's Vintage Quarter so special.

Interview with The Effect [VIDEO]

The evening of Friday 3rd February, I saw up-and-coming band 'The Effect' headlining at the 100 Club on Oxford Street, London. After their gig, the guys were kind enough to offer me some interview time, which I have incorporated into a photo slideshow.

So a big thank you to The Effect for the interview, but especially to Thomas Deehan for inviting me to the gig. If, after watching the video, you have any further interest, do see the band's Facebook page for details about their album and upcoming gigs.

Kaotichandbag interview [VIDEO]

Coinciding with Pokesdown's festive celebration and late night shopping event this Thursday is the launch party of new vintage shop 'Kaotichandbag'. Aptly described as a "geek boutique", the shop will sell a variety of retro and sci-fi themed clothes, homewares, toys and accessories, from pocket-money fancies to upcycled designer jackets.

Last month, I interviewed co-owner of Kaotichandbag, Debbie Ward (pictured above), at the Tattoo Parlour Café. Debbie said she was really looking forward to opening the new shop and helping to promote Pokesdown as the vintage quarter of Bournemouth.

(Play the video below for the full Kaotichandbag interview!)