Mens Style Blog

The stylish commencement of Mr. Gentry opens with a telling tale of hearty practice in mens style thinking. Mr. Gentry is the anonymous name used to bring style musings and insider observations from the working world of our industry to the outside net. Defined as being "the condition or rank of a gentleman", my interpretation is a classically style minded man with a urban interest of dress who pursues the Gentry Style. Mr. Gentry is not just about things being in the "Now", this is simply because by the time I have finished typing the word now its too late, now is already then.

Thursday 24 December 2009

Closed For The Holidays : Back On The 4th!



I must embrace the festive season, but shall return with prompt and informed style in the new year!

Wednesday 23 December 2009

Introducing : Martyn Bal





If a man is known by the company he keeps - and the companies that retain his services - then Martyn Bal deserves to be more widely recognised. Having completed an MA at London's Royal College of Art in 2000, the young designer was instantly recruited to assist Hedi Slimane at Dior Homme, helping to make the label arguably the most influential in early Noughties menswear. Bal followed that plum first job with stints as creative director and design consultant at Verri Uomo and Versace respectively before being hired by Burberry as menswear design director. (Burberry Prorsum autumn/winter 2007 was his last collection.)

Bal's constructivist (and unsurprisingly sharp) design ethic is tempered by a certain fluidity of movement and softening details such as raglan sleeves, which filter into his more relaxed spring/summer 2010 capsule collection, featuring lightweight trenches and leathers. His muse for S/S 2010 is musician Erik Hassle, a Swedish singer/songwriter who, although not widely recognised outside his Scandinavian homeland, has recently been signed by Island Records. (His single Pieces is out on 10 February 2010.) Promisingly, the campaign was shot at Knebworth House, which in the past has played host to - or rather been played by - the Rolling Stones.

www.martynbal.com











Monday 21 December 2009

Dinning Under the Divine







St Paul’s Cathedral has been garnering high praise of late, but not (at least as far as we’re aware) for anything liturgical. The object of this newfound adulation is the excellent restaurant in the crypt.

While i struggled slightly to find it (as you’re facing the main door, head left around the building to the discreet entrance), once inside the no-nonsense space you will be in excellent hands.
Its Christmas menu is thoughtfully presented – although a trad dinner of roast goose with bread sauce and Brussels takes the lead role, there are also excellent options such as braised shin of venison or pork belly (with possibly London’s best crackling) for those who have already overdosed on turkey, etc.

Puddings, such as gingerbread and honey ice sandwich, should not be missed. It’s anything but ostentatious: the ingredients have been lovingly selected, are well presented, and details like sides of “forgotten veg” (East Anglian rampart brussel sprouts & chantenay carrots) add extra interest. An excellent addition to east London dining. The Restaurant At St Paul’s,


www.restaurantatstpauls.co.uk

Friday 18 December 2009

Umbro Archive Inspired Collection




The on-pitch power house brand Umbro, has released a sportswear collection inspired by Football and English culture which is the amalgamation of over 85 years of referencing from the Umbro print archives, with style inspirations taken from sport, music and art. The collection offers retro graphic tees featuring prints influenced from the Mancunian music scene, vintage advertising and the ever famous classic tracksuit, depicted in a fun line of male joggers!


The collection is available now launched exclusively with House of Fraser.







Wednesday 16 December 2009

Smythson Lippiatt folder






Encased in luxurious dark brown Mara calf leather, inside and out, and housing leather pockets with nubuck lining, this Smythson Lippiatt folder will certainly look more sophisticated under your arm than that Ryman document wallet. It comes complete with one A4 pad of pale blue featherweight paper, a gilt pencil, and plain Kings correspondence cards and envelopes. £415


http://www.smythson.com

Monday 14 December 2009

Casting A Sunspel







Despite producing its wares in the same Derbyshire factory for the last 150 years, t-shirt and underwear specialist Sunspel – official supplier of James Bond’s very own undergarments no less – has taken the modernist view of making its entire collection available online via its new website, which for us ensures we are able to furnish our bottom draws with knitted delights!





Friday 11 December 2009

Nike Sportswear X Ben Drury Air Max Current





Nike Sportswear have released another killer collaboration - the Air Max Current sneaker created in partnership with  British designer, Ben Drury,who has worked extensively in the music industry, creating album artwork for the likes of Turin and Dizzee Rascal amongst others. Nike, a brand which has so many iconic products all under the mighty Swoosh, have taken the Air Max 90 and given it the updated treatment. 


With a colour combination of jet black and electric blue the details of Drury's Air Max 90 Current reflects his supposed dual inspiration of town and country. Featuring metal D-rings; bright urban light laces and technical fabrics guaranteed from Nike Sportswear, gives this shoe the desirability for...




The Nike Air Max Current will be available exclusively from Nike Sportswear at 1948 Store, Batemans Row, Shoreditch, London from today , 11th December, 2009.




Tuesday 8 December 2009

Transport Timepieces from TRIWA




Todays rat-race of brand messaging means having a unique way of supplying a product with a voice is always a tricky task, and requires a brand to strive for 'the next level' of consumer messaging.


Welcome then, to the simplistic genius of TRIWA - the Italian based watch maker who decided to showcase their sartorially correct and colourful timepieces through the transport system of Stockholm! The hand grips in all inner city buses have been replaced with pictures of their timepieces, showcasing a variety of styles in rainbow colours suiting any day of the week! 


This promotional exercise is of course utterly useless for actually telling the time, but perfectly frustrating enough to ensure you stop off at the nearest TRIWA retail outlet to buy one!


Luckily for us the range starts from £55 and are all available online from  http://www.triwa.com








Monday 7 December 2009

A French SixPack




A site full of parisian promise holds the key to a much needed gap filler in the jersey-wear, sweaters and t-shirt apparel market. Holding designs that separate them them from the everyday scope of apparel available out there right now, SixPack is an online store which spreads across many towns, countries and continents collecting and recruiting the best creatives to take part in design collaboration.


Take the 'General' t-shirt by Todd James for example, the internationally recognised artist flexes his military artistic passion through this tee (and 2 other designs) with a rich display of medals and a trusty sword, whilst graphic designer Kimou Meyer aka Grotesk from Sweden provides straight-up impact-full garments through simplistic witty font, seen below in the 'Always Remember To Thank' sweater.


The page space of sixpack.fr is extensive, with over 40 artists to choose from and surprisingly light on your wallet for the recessionary season - this means click on and spend! spend! spend!









Thursday 3 December 2009

Studio D'artisan Knows How To Chambray






High quaility chambray does seem to come and go each season from various brands, whom i believe to not know how to distinguish or define the word 'quality', especially when they are flogging some upscale Primark-esque shirt with little or no idea for what quaility craftmanship truly is!


Studio D'artisan however, have produced a fine specimen of Salvage cotton shirting, unquestionable in quality and dyed in an intense indigo wash, it gives me feelings of pleasure even when i see the £165 price tag! 


Made in japan, the land of Salvage, it has classic workman pockets, a hidden button down collar and a perfect detail of ye olde chain-stitching (a stitch with a series of loops that lay on the fabric forming a loose style line dating back to the 1800's) this makes for a Gentry Style must have which will provide you with an assured lifetime of style.


Priced £165  and available now from  -   www.superdenim.co.uk













Wednesday 2 December 2009

Hentsch Man Pop's Up!



Pop up stores seem to be a continued trend this season, and the latest temporary boutique to open is by menswear brand Hentsch Man, which is open now for business for one month only, located in the Princes Arcade off Jermyn Street London.


The brand started up with the aim of producing simple, elegant and wearable menswear, which  the perfect white shirt being their start base classic but soon diversified into everything from perfectly tailored trousers, quirky weekend bags and even authentic venetian slippers.

With brand values of simplicity and functionality we salute you Hentsch Man for making our choices easy with your simplistic no-compromise way about designing for the modern man.

The store will be open from 10am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday until December 23rd so get a skate on down to store now!


www.hentschman.com/


Monday 30 November 2009

Ben Sherman Arrive On Savile Row




Ben Sherman, a brand with a rich heritage firmly placed in Mod culture (my father having been a Mod wore their shirts proudly in his youth as a young twenty something Mod) has sadly never really found a connection with my personal style in any influential way, its not a brand i have followed or would look to delve into...until they arrived on Savile Row last month in a surprise move for a high street brand.


The store, located on the latter end of the 'Row' across from Kilgour and a stones throw from Abercrombie & Fitch (another, more unexpected high street name to enter the area a few years ago to a mass of controversy), is an impressive move for the brand with equally impressive interior credentials.


Taking a visit to the store i saw how the windows are simple yet inspired to stay within the confinements of true Savile Row 'trading standards' welcoming you inside to what feels like a private gentleman's club. The walls have concealed rails behind them holding stock of the new premium collection ready-to-wear tailoring, whilst the interior space houses the specially designed accessories and vast assortment of ties and shirting. Alongside these pieces sits the crucially important made-to-measure service offered with two blocks, forming the basis of the Ben Sherman Savile Row aesthetic. These are the Kings and Camden fits, epitomising the modern day mod; slim line, clean cut and ultra sharp with subtly precise detailing ranging from the specially designed linings to the Corozo nut buttons!


The range is a testament to a well thought about move into the area where Britans suiting heritage was formed and continues to be upheld today. Further more, the prices have certainly been a celver thinking point for the brand with accessibility being achieved on many levels; with the ready-to-wear suiting being offered at £350 - £550, and the made-to-measure service priced at £850 upwards - ready in only 4-6 weeks of taking your inner leg measurements!




http://www.bensherman.com/


http://www.benshermanpresents.com/savile-row/






Saturday 28 November 2009

Twit-Twoo Mr Gentry's Re-commencement on Twitter!


Mr Gentry has re-commenced on the social media network they call Twitter and shall be tweeting to the  masses each day with new posts and style news to the masses


Follow Style Gentry now at   http://twitter.com/StyleGentry

Friday 27 November 2009

FARAH Vintage Knitted Salvation!


The reputation of the chunky shawl-collared cardigan has undergone a remarkable rehabilitation in recent years. Having once typified naff Seventies style, as worn by David Starsky in Starsky & Hutch, everyone from designer cashmere brands to high street chains is selling a version this winter.
However, knitwear is a vital component to the winter wardrobe so what better way to wear a piece than to choose a brand which can provide you with not only style but a vast heritage to back it up? Well thats exactly what FARAH Vintage have managed to do in their AW09 offering. The go-to brand of casualwear are currently celebrating their 90th Anniversary year and have a perfect selection of chunky shawl-collared cardigans in their Aw09 range, providing us with a credible outlet for this opinion dividing style choice.
The 'Fairfax' Shawl cardigan (pictured above) is aptly priced at £90


Available now from http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk


www.farah.co.uk

Thursday 26 November 2009

Tom Ford "A Single Man" Movie




With Gay Drama, Tom Ford Makes Foray Into Film!


After decades in the world of runways and reams of fabric, Tom Ford will soon release his first work in the world of film. Entitled "A Single Man" and adapted from the British novel by Christopher Isherwood, it stars Colin Firth and Julian Moore and is a pure expression of his artistry and visually creative ability. We Love!




Click link for trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCxRO67gyk

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Heritage & Style from PENFIELD USA




Winter time is personally my favorite time for dressing, however it can be (for some) a double edged sward of style choice nightmare. On the one side it can be months of unkind-to-clothes weather, endless trek's on public transport where your freezing one minute and hitting early male-menopause sweats the next, to having 20 pairs of shoes, boots and trainers which never seem to quite work in the style 'vs' weather saga!


On the less sharper side, its the season of a more muted colour palette, simple layering pieces, a good brogue or winter suede boot and of course the choice of winter jackets; this season seeing the return of the classic camel coat and for the weekend a more relaxed statement contained in the "Puffa" jacket.


For this we require a brand which not only has more than 5 wearable styles in its collection, but has the all important heritage needed to back up a style classic. Mr Gentry readers I welcome you meet the brand known simply as Penfield.


Established in Massachusetts in 1975, Penfield have built a reputation for making the highest quality down-filled jackets, clearly designed to stand up-to the demands of not only the founding hard weather lands of New England's climate but the ever increasing unpredictable climate demands of England itself! Made with premium 80/20 goose down (80% down, 20% feather) and naturally breathable Teflon, these jackets go a long way to help ease the winter months of uncomfortable dressing.




Available from:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/
http://www.selfridges.com/






Monday 16 November 2009

The A-Z of fragrance

Luca Turin, has, with his wife and co-author Tina Sanchez, just published the paperback edition of his revered guide to perfume and aftershave. It’s not easy to explain why a book that basically just reviews hundreds of fragrances is so good, but believe me, it is.
Partly it’s because Turin and Sanchez have approached an apparently gruelling task in such a free-spirited and romantic way, and partly because it’s intriguing to look up their review of one’s own favorites.Needless to say the authors’ opinions aren’t ‘right’, anymore than a music critic’s opinion is ‘right’, but their extraordinary knowledge means that, at the very least, they explain a fragrance’s historical and olfactive context. Combined with the advice given in some essays at the front of the book about how to choose an aftershave this is both a practical guide and a charming flight of fancy.
Perfumes by Luca Turin and Tina Sanchez, £12.99 (www.perfumestheguide.com)

Thursday 12 November 2009

Y-3 Sporting Luxury

The Y-3 Sport Luxury line has just been launched in the UK as the perfect combination of luxury and sport. Exclusive for Men, the collection called 'Sport Luxury' develops elegant accessory silhouettes to go hand in hand with exclusive, sumptuous materials. The Sport Lux line consists of a variety of shapes, featuring men's handbags and a light new version of the Messenger. The range offers trims in firm and soft, smooth leather paired with slightly cracked leather or printed wool.


The collection will be stocked at Selfridges and the Y-3 Manchester store, as well as smaller stores across the UK.

Sunday 8 November 2009

Gucci Is App'in...

Gucci aren’t the most obvious brand to be launching an iphone app but that is what they have done, getting creative director Frida Giannini and Mark Ronson to collaborate on the content. Features include a virtual turntable which allows you to mix your existing tracks, a playlist picked out by Ronson, a digest of recommended bars and restaurants in 20 cities and updates on the limited-edition collection of the Gucci/Ronson trainer project. And it’s free as well.


Wednesday 4 November 2009

Danish Hide!

Despite all the inroads men’s fashion has made in recent years, a decent business-like day bag is still hard to come by. Danish bag makers Mismo recognised this fact, prompting co-founder Alexander Bach to create this canvas briefcase as an antidote to the ‘sexless and anonymous’ briefcases that permeate the workplace. Made with the same canvas used by Hermes and Louis Vuitton and full grain leather handles, there are separate compartments inside to handle your laptop, mobile and business cards.


Available from Tres Bien and Oki-Ni from mid-November


http://www.mismo.dk/

Friday 30 October 2009

Knightsbridge Revamp!





Gentry followers, a moment of your time please to tell you that Harrods newly redesigned and refurbished menswear department opens tomorrow (that’s Saturday 31st October) and to mark the occasion, the first 300 people to spend over £50 will go home with a complimentary goody bag including ample bits of goody-ness from the likes of Acqua di Parma and Bond No.9. There’ll also be some in-store exclusives on the day.


Tuesday 27 October 2009

BESPOKEN, Passion For The Details...



Gentry followers , only a few words are needed to introduce you to the wondrous world of British label Bespoken. By the name you would be forgiven to presume that the shirting they produce is bespoke, but in-fact it is ready to wear with a emphasis on high quality fabrics, classic British cuts and interesting detailing. The video below shows why its very much worth paying the £120 price tag for a crisp hand pressed shirt.


Available at Harrods http://www.harrods.com


Tuesday 20 October 2009

Lee Jeans Celebrate a 120 Years Under Their Belt!


This year Lee celebrate their 120th anniversary in the denim business with a collection based on some of the original pieces that made their name. With 120 years under their belts, they have plenty to draw upon for inspiration. For starters there's the Union all jacket, created when Henry David Lee's chauffeur complained that his clothes were getting dirty when fixing his car. Mr Lee's response was to attach a denim jacket to dungarees, creating the Union all.



Lee have gone back through their archives, including old adverts (see the main image) and trawled denim markets in the American midwest (yes, they actually exist) looking for early examples of Lee jeans. The new collection is based on the cut and fit of the denim that they found and will include jeans with a commemorative button and leather patch featuring the year Lee was founded, 1889, denim jackets and check shirts, all pictured in the gallery below.




The 120 collection is available now at http://www.lee.com




Monday 19 October 2009

All rise for the Snood!



Historically worn as a turban-cum-hood contraption by women in cold climates, the Snood has been enjoying something of a resurgence of late.
Fundamentally an all-in-one scarf, some of us will recall the popularity of the men’s snood back in the Eighties, but at least this is one Wham-era re-hash which doesn’t involve embarrassing body augmentations, sequins or neon embellishments. But with roots in the 7th century, the snood has been an (almost) viable accessory for an entire millennia, so who are we to scoff?
Highly practical, incredibly simple and surprisingly dapper, Burberry championed the trend in their Autumn/Winter 09 collection, producing chunky, thickset snoods in a range of understated shades including grey mélange, black, sand, Bordeaux and Burberry’s (once again acceptable) check.
If you’re ready to get involved, i recommend you try the super-soft cashmere/wool blend – once it’s on, it’s not coming off.
Available from £120 at http://www.burberry.com/



Tuesday 13 October 2009

Shiseido's ZEN Fragrance



It’s a bold step to name a fragrance after a 12th Century school of enlightenment, but Shiseido has never shied from a challenge. As well as being the oldest skincare company in the world (imagine trying to explain the virtues of moisturiser back in 1872), the Japanese outfit can also take credit for introducing the humble ice cream to a nation reared on Manju.
Zen may be the brand’s first scent for men, but with a number of iconic fragrance houses already under its wing (from Issey Miyake to Serge Lutens), it has an enviable talent base to call upon. Consequently this woody aromatic - created by Françoise Caron and Francis Kurkdjian - is able to blend the orthodox (bergamot, violet, patchouli) with the unconventional (Nashi pear, rhododendron) with admirable results.
It’s too early to say whether Zen lives up to the press release’s claim of containing “stress-relieving aromachological ingredients to liberate the modern man from his worries,” but i think it smells just great.
From £42 at Harrods

Friday 9 October 2009

Nike Sportswear Holiday Capsule with Cassette Playa & Parra




Nike Sportswear has partnered with design talents Cassette Playa of London and Parra of Amsterdam (a personal favorite of mine after meeting him once on a trip to the red lighted city) challenging them to create their own sports team, the result is the Rivalry capsule collection.


Starting with an updated Air Max with speckled sole, jet-black upper and wing-tipped colour laces, this is not a style statement which all should attempt to pull off lightly - myself included, but i adore this design link-up adding new dimensions on updated collaborations from Nike HQ.



The clothing collection provides a technical artist mix of design brilliance, yet with a poke-fun attitude (see the illustration of a runner in high heels!). Both designers are helped to keep true to the Nike master plan of serious sporting wear supplyed with Nike technical spec fabrics, so quality and performance are assured whatever you decide to in these garments!


Both designers have also produced graphic Tees available in a men's and women's cut, with a classic snapback baseball cap rounding off the collection; one from each designer.


The Cassette Playa TZ Dunk, the Cassette Playa and Parra Destroyer jackets and t-shirts all launch today in Europe. The Cassette Playa and Parra Stadium jackets launch October 30th, Another great collection which shall inspire us to get into sporting style.


Available from Nike Sportswear’s 1948 space, Batemans Row, Shoreditch, London.
Nikesportswear.com/1948