Super Super Fashion Troopers - LFW

Tue, 09/10/2007 - 7:23pm

Super Super the show of the week I was most looking forward to during London Fashion week September 07. Why? My styling and photography students at London College of Fashion (Anna Trevelyn amongst others see photo) had re introduced me to the 90s revival via Super Super magazine 2 years ago and I would get to see it in the real and what’s different about the 90s this time around.

Relieved to learn again a couple of years ago that there was an alternative night club boom(and people were dressing up!!) with the likes of Boom Box and Family.I was beginning to get worried about the kids I had taught before all this ,seeming to be into Posh and Kylie devoid of any irony .What happened to alternative and irony, come the beginning of the millennium? I think it all went a bit on snooze. Observing that this next generation didn’t take celebrity worship to seriously and were self assured, playful and aware they could be there own celebrities very much thanks to my space and the self digital image revolution, bring it on kids lets see what ya got!!!!

Super Super showed in the Vauxhall Fashion Scout venue care of Blow Pr on the Wednesday evening. It had been a full on fun fas day with our Marian and Selene. Champers and reflexology in the back of a black cab curtsey of Scholl and with feet back in tact dancing while waiting for the start of Fashion East show to Diana Ross – Upside Down, teaching passers by my dance to the lyrics moves... You know the entire usual exhausting stuff darling!

So I head over to meet one of my long term bezzy friends Fiona Cartlledge (Fiona & Luke Jewellery) very apt going with her to this show as she was a major player in the early nineties party scene and owner of the legendary shop that was Sign of the Times. (One of my coolest Stockist in the day) Selling Street Fashion before it was called Street. When Topshop was full of dark safe colours and commercial fashion design was all about not taking risk with colour and pattern and cheap labour. Ohhh what a great place for an independent designer with attitude that was. Similarly to Super Super it was the power of the creative collective that ruled and got us Sign of the Timers noticed. Back on track girl getting all rosy about the past there arrhhh.

So Fiona was at the front of the show queue and I did the FUK blogger would like to feature card and it wasn’t working. The Super queue! Never had seen anything like it for a fashion show, so long. I was told would get in but needed to join the queue. So now I get back up front because that queue isn’t going anywhere and managed to get rescued by a lovely Pr from blow. Straight into free drinks, no seats and a video projection of Namalee all feeling very a la clubby. The next day I was told 1000 people were turned away for the after show party!!

The Super show starts over an hour late. Compared by Jodie Harsh what feast for kitsch eyes and a smasher she was. (Damn my camera just ran out of battery, right at the start of the show)She made me feel all bet lynch cosy,looked after and all was going to be fine with Jody at the helm. Super Showed five designers Komakino, Thomas Sels, Kling by Kling, Elliot Atkinson and tunnel Technique. and six performances by No Bra , The O , Namalee- Ms Super Super, Niyi, Black Peter
And Sub Universe.

The – O anorther Super performer was all about a length of red fabric and pair of white knickers worn by singer number one, singing an old Chinese song. Then singer number two attached to the first came out with a silver glitter face and sung a Barry white style song. One of my ex styling students Justine Josephs a talent (just styled the Kokon to zai look book) warned me that this may get messy. As at performances in the past they have been known to use blood guts and flour. I suddenly went all 38 once I had heard this and felt protective over my 1940s vintage dress. After moments of oh no what’s going to happen ? and spotting big padded bags full of something under his red fabric. Stay down that end of the catwalk mate then to our delight we were all showered with an explosion of multicoloured giant pieces of glitter. Sensory hysteria, I loved it. The catwalk sparkled ready for the rest of the designers and performers to shine on down it.

The Super designers showed a mix of oh just ran this up in my bedroom, aren’t I mad me designs to well made out there edgy pieces. Particularly liked Kling by Kling reminding me of body maps use of jersey a kind of playwear look. Black, white and grey graphic coulr mix. Also loved Tunnel Technique worn by Namalee and her two backing singers in her performance singing songs Namazonia and Go Girl. The dresses were like puffy patch work cocktail dresses. Mixed fabrics brightly coloured neon and primary polka dots mixed with patterned fleece and super hero duvets. The dresses were styled with patterned tights worn with doc martin style boots / high tops and Mohican big hair with neon hair bits. Would love to see more than three pieces from this designer... Namalee’s performance reminded me of bannarama (early days), bow wow wow, Madonna (early days) and a bit of all the other late 80s early 90s girl bands I cant remember the names of at the moment. Adored the little fella that joined Namalee in his cartoon t-shirt dress/ nighty with a silver cooking pan on his head banging it with a drum stick, very bubbles from Ab fab. Only in London.

Anorther Super performer also adding to the girl power explosion “No Bra” with her wildly long hair and coat worn with literally no bra singing F**k her do her, F**k him do him. I was transfixed by her. Need to find out more about this lady. Fiona told me she had supported Berth Ditto last week.

Noticed most of the clothes shown generally had a baby grow jersey easy feeling, unisex and baggy. Really like that there not playing the over body conscious card to much. The audience on the other hand wore short short 80s trash dresses and one girl looked smashing in a black cabaret style leotard bowler and great eye make up. However it unnerved me a bit as it reminded me of the Silver Jubilee street party in 1977 when one of our neighbours came out in similar get up after a few to many drinks and we all thought oh that’s what she get up to in the bedroom and when your 8 you just don’t wanna hear or think about that sort of stuff..

Super Super didn’t disappoint in creating the energy London needs to continue alternative scenes. Loved the combination of performance and designers as it gave the show any edgier feel compared to most other shows at LFW. More Superness next season please. Thanks, I was 23 again for an hour and was impressed by my updated fashion past that was the 90s and now nu rave. Although I have a hunch we will be calling it nu grave next season as this lot move fast. Go Super Super.

Casablanca - Amine Bendricuich and Morocco's underground fashion scene

Fri, 13/07/2007 - 2:33pm

‘Play it again Sam,’

Oddly enough Humphrey Bogart never went to Casablanca. They filmed the whole damn thing in LA and pretended they were in Casa. Fifty odd years later and you still won’t see many white faces here.

Amine Bendricuich

Casablanca may be the biggest city in Morocco but its not for tourists, they all schlep off to Marrakech or Fes for some of that medieval market magic or up to Tangier looking for a sniff of the old school sleaze that made it the home of William Burroughs who remodeled the city into Interzone in the classic Naked Lunch.

Today Casablanca is one of the biggest cities in Africa- a noisy messy sprawl of seething life, stink and noise.

In Casablanca music is the law. Its everywhere, get in the taxi and the driver will speak at a thousand miles an hour in French and crank up the radio blasting out the Chaabi- a pop form of all Moroccan music’s mashed together. He grins and batters his hands on the steering wheel; this is upbeat music, the sound of the city that crackles with its own energy.
Casa is a music city, it oozes the stuff. Every taxi, every street corner is buzzing with electric noise.

There is a nascent hip-hop scene and, curiously, a death metal scene.

Its also very modern.

There is a fashion scene here of sorts.

On the street the main look is sports casual- lots of football shirts whilst the girls wear their clothes tight. There are also some people pushing the margins...

Amine Bendricuich...

(His myspace is www.myspace.com/stounamine )

...Is a whiz kid. Everywhere I go round the city I see him, at every gig at every event.

He has his own distinctive look as well, a new millennium Moroccan; Amine is a real cool kid who has his finger on the pulse in Casablanca. If there is a fashion scene here he’s going to know!

‘The fashion scene in Morocco... well, I think that's a little bit early to speak about a fashion scene here, because it's really the first beginning of it’s creation and development. Moroccan people wear a very large panel of clothes, people are still very influenced by the occident, or completely the opposite- I mean they wear traditional djellabas, or caftans, or gandouras, which is become more rare. Concerning the street fashion, we have it now since 4 or 5 years ago. It began with festival " le boulevard des jeunes musiciens" which gave to the youth a free space of free expression in music, art, and fashion. But its still a young street fashion scene, which needs to grow up, with the Moroccan people who have their own sense of style, but they need to personalize it more, because now, it's a kind of Moroccan copy of European style, but fortunately that there is more and more exceptions, that encourage people to dare to be different.’

This is cool. There is nothing worse than the Macdonaldsisation of the world’s culture, When I was in Istanbul it was great to see the girls making the headscarves all colourful and in their own style. In Morocco Anime is a walking talking example of updating your own culture. His own personal style is highly individual, hip and very Moroccan. He is a man with a mission.

‘I want to make the Moroccan people look MORE'ROCKIN,‘ he laughs, adding, ‘because I believe that we have a big creative potential here, all we need is to dare more, cuz as I told you, and as you seen, we have a big Moroccan musical scene, and fashion and music are very related to each, but till now, our singers and musicians, who are supposed to be precursors in street fashion, are just satisfied with European like looks expect for some artists like Haoussa or Zwm. So I’m trying to give that new urban scene some products and designs which can make them have their own local style.‘

It’s an interesting balance but one that he seems to be pulling off. Amine is a man of the world. His mix n match approach is reflected in his outlook.

‘I got a scientific baccalaureate, and then I started my fashion studies in Tunisia for 3 years. I’ve been in Paris a few times, and then I went back to Tunisia to finish my studies. When I get my diploma, I was invited to Germany, to participate to the CPD " Collection Premiere Düsseldorf ", I sold some of my stuff in a concept store there, but I stopped, cuz I didn't have the money to continue producing clothes, and the demand became greater than my capacities, so I retuned to Morocco, because I think that it's easier to be a success in Morocco, and then get exported to foreign countries. It’s also a way to show Europeans that we can make great things around here, and we're not producing human bombs as people think over there! and that we're very creative, and they have to support this creativity, because if the occident is the present, we are the future.’

Its this forward looking thinking that is typical of so many of the people that I meet in Casablanca. This idea of finding their own way in an overcrowded fashion scene.

‘You have to know one thing which is: my clothes are Moroccan because I am Moroccan, creativity is international, for example: when Gaultier used the British kilt, nobody said that he's British or he's making traditional British clothes, but everybody said that it's Gaultier style. So for me the most important thing in clothes is to have a space where I can put my lines and structures, which are more important than the clothes. I’m just trying to have my personal touch, and to preserve my universe, and always try to make my clothes useful, in the sense that. There is always a message or a concept on ‘em that can participate in making things better.‘

Go to Amine’s website and give him some support- he’s smart and hip and we need to make these connections in this fucked up world!

John Robb

Girl on a (Scooter) Motorbike – Start of LFW

Tue, 18/09/2007 - 2:39pm

“It’s just like a film”! My favourite feeling and dream. Has to have a whole heap of reality in there somewhere and maybe that’s why I love this mad world that is FASH!

LFW What to wear? The sun was beaming down, mmmm let’s think the smarty sixties type printed cotton dress, belted, long sleeved with a bit of ruffle, knee length bought from Beyond Retro £12. And to set of the clash nicely a pink spotted cardigan from a charity shop in Old street £1.99. Wore the outfit the night befor to the Serpentine Pavilion opening, knew it worked and who would notice anyway ? Love a bit of spot on spot combo. (Photo in Marian’s blog.)

Marvellous Marian had organised The Bar Italia Scooter club to scoot us around the shows on the first day of London Fashion Week. AMAZING! We gathered at Marians 9am for a breakie selection: bacon butties, tea, coffee and strawberries all in the mix. Had a little pre ride banter with the Bar Italia Scooter Boys chatting about their vintage threads and the “scooter boy” look. Great dressers very sharp.

And so to ride, Fay Presto wowed us with her customised rhinestone helmets never mind Rhinestone Cowboy were talking Rhinestone Scooter Girls ( Karen Marian and Selene )S/S 2008 . Its gonna be everywhere!

We all zoomed off through the sleepy Saturday morning streets of West London to our first show of the season Gavin Douglas. Suddenly as riding on the back of the scoot, I got one of my glam film feelings “Girl on a Motor bike” then smiled to myself and said more like “Girl on a Scooter” girlfriend! Hilary Alexander appreciated the look too and shouted “Way To go “outside Harrods loading bay the show venue.

The Gavin Douglas catwalk was a smasher, very up couldn’t keep my shoulders from dancing to the fab 80s music, likes of Cameo. First impressions of show part 80s cocktail bling mix with Marylyn Monroe with a hint of Mary J and a dash of Five Star. Lots of Glam dresses with bodice tops, bubble skirts (not with my legs) nothing to do the dishes in but who would want to if you had a wardrobe full of his glam pieces. Great styling from Karen Binns messy Marylyn/ Mary J dirty blonde wedge hair and chunky gold giant charm jewellery. Over all a great look that could well easily translate over to doing it vintage! Although you would have to do some customising to get the look updated by applying big clusters of bling and better make it chunky. So get busy finding those 80s cocktail frocks you got a lot of cocktails to sip next season Girlfriends.

Tummy Transformer

Fed up with slipping into your bikini only to have to look down on that familiar old bulge that separates your two-piece? So this Summer you really want to get a flat tummy, but can't stomach the thought of endless sessions at the gym or surgery? Enter Tummy Tuck by Rodial (£100 at Beyond Beauty), a renowned body care brand that combines the best of nature and science to sculpt, firm, tone AND tan - now that's what we call multi-talented!

Tummy Tuck is a non-invasive alternative to liposuction and abdominoplasty that offers instant tightening to the mid-section. The formula is infused with micro fibres - natural proteins that condense cells. Applied topically and daily, Tummy Tuck penetrates the fat and provides immediate firming to this troublesome body zone.

In addition to the instant gratification that the micro-fibres provide, this powerful abdominal treatment utilises the most advanced technology to increase the body's fat burning metabolism for a longer-term flattening effect. Packed with fig extract, an ingredient proven to break down fat cells, Tummy Tuck can reduce the abdominal area by 1" in just eight weeks. In addition memory enhancing peptides stimulate a cell reaction, similar to the body's natural response to exercising, that motivates the body to burn fat while redefining and contouring the abdominal area and waistline. Sounds too good to be true? Try it and look forward to the tightest tummy on the beach this Summer.

Would you pay £36 for legs like these?

Introducing the Fit Flop. It's a flip flop, with a gym built-in, as seen in Grazia magazine. Half sexy streamlining, half muscle toning trainer, the Fit Flop is already being touted as this Summer's must-have sandal. Every step you take in the Fit Flop helps tone and trim your legs. These revolutionary sandals were developed by expert biomechanists Dr David Cook and Darren James at the Center for Human Performance at LSBU. Fit Flops load your leg muscles more while you're walking in them, so you get a workout while you walk! They've just arrived at Beyond Beauty and demand is high so order yours now, before they sell out! Fit Flops come in black or red colour options in sizes 4-8, priced at £36.

Tummy Transformer
Buy Rodial Tummy Tuck online now at our Beauty Shop. Fed up with slipping into your bikini only to have to look down on that familiar old bulge that separates your two-piece? So this Summer you really want to get a flat tummy, but can't stomach the thought of endless sessions at the gym or surgery? Enter Tummy Tuck by Rodial (£100 at Beyond Beauty), a renowned body care brand that combines the best of nature and science to sculpt, firm, tone AND tan - now that's what we call multi-talented! Tummy Tuck is a non-invasive alternative to liposuction and abdominoplasty that offers instant tightening to the mid-section. The formula is infused with micro fibres - natural proteins that condense cells. Applied topically and daily, Tummy Tuck penetrates the fat and provides immediate firming to this troublesome body zone. In addition to the instant gratification that the micro-fibres provide, this powerful abdominal treatment utilises the most advanced technology to increase the body's fat burning metabolism for a longer-term flattening effect. Packed with fig extract, an ingredient proven to break down fat cells, Tummy Tuck can reduce the abdominal area by 1" in just eight weeks. In addition memory enhancing peptides stimulate a cell reaction, similar to the body's natural response to exercising, that motivates the body to burn fat while redefining and contouring the abdominal area and waistline. Sounds too good to be true? Try it and look forward to the tightest tummy on the beach this Summer.

French Fancy

French history is full of the romantic notions of decadence and charm, notions which are still popular today. Following in the footsteps of Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette and the floral collection from Alexander McQueen this Spring, the new fragrance from Rancé brings a touch of refined elegance into our lives. The fragrance 'Eugénie' is not strictly 'new' however. It was originally created over one hundred years ago for Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, and has been revived by the Rancé family. The fragrance reflects the grace and elegance of its namesake. It is fresh and floral, containing notes of lily-of-the-valley, bergamot and vanilla. Similarly, the classic bottle and luxurious packaging take you back to the spirit of Imperial France. Although 'Eugénie' has a subtle and soft essence, don't underestimate its intensely feminine charm. If history is anything to go by it can help you capture the heart of the most powerful of men! Available now at La Foret, on the Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols London.

China in Your Hands

For many people Chinese medicine has traditionally been viewed as a credible and effective alternative to the prescribed chemical formulations that us Europeans have become so reliant on to combat our everyday ailments. Its problem in this country however, is that it is seen as expensive and perhaps a little inaccessible. Sen is a Hong Kong-based brand that aims to make Chinese-style therapies easy and available to a wider audience, empowering its customers to deal with health issues themselves in an informed and holistic way. Its Chinese herbal formulae contain concentrated extract of multiple medicinal herbs that have been fine tuned through usage over hundreds of years in some cases. The medicines come in convenient tablet form and are designed to tackle every day health problems such as appetite suppression, sleep disorders, stress, joint pain and indigestion. And while these formulations are in common use in China, they are still relatively unknown in the West. Aromatics have played a large role in Chinese therapies since about 2700BC and there are now literally thousands of plants whose aromas are considered beneficial to the body in one way or another. Sen makes use of this centuries-old knowledge in the creation of its body care range, combining the highest quality, all-natural essential oils and herbal extracts to deliver formulations that aim to complement its ingested remedies. And of course, Chinese medicine can be used to deliver effective skincare solutions that take in this understanding of therapeutic plant qualities, so Sen also offers a comprehensive line that includes everything from lip care to anti-ageing formulae. At the new Sen boutique on the Fourth Floor at the London store you'll also find a range of traditional Chinese and herbal teas, all with specific health-giving qualities, plus a Liquid Health Bar where teas and herbal smoothies are served for an instant health 'kick' on the spot.

Bare Essentials

Every now and again a brand comes along that changes the way we perceive a particular type of product. And skincare is such an over-populated, over-hyped beauty category that it can often be hard to see the wood for the trees. But Nude, a new brand to Harvey Nichols this Summer, stands tall above the crowd with an enticing combination of super-stylish packaging and a purist, chemical-free ethos. The collection is based on the principle of working with the skin's own biology using ingredients that the body can actually recognise. Pre and probiotics strengthen the skin's natural defences, helping to reduce premature ageing, inflammation and dehydration; peptides, phytoactives and bioactives target the causes and signs of ageing; while antioxidants defend against environmental aggressors. The natural components of the formulae help nourish the skin with fatty acids and hydrate it with water and probiotic cultures and herbal extracts optimise these processes. Nude has really put some thought into the impact of the consumables on the environment. The beautiful looking, edgeless boxes with a tactile, pebble-like appeal are entirely recyclable and even the bottles within contain 40% recycled plastic. The aim is to make the entire packaging set fully biodegradable within the next few years. There's a full range of face and body products within the collection including scrubs, cleansers and lip treatments, so that if you so desire and you like the company's worthy principles you can make your whole beauty routine go Nude. Nude is available at Harvey Nichols London now and at Manchester from August, from £18.

Make-up Masterclass

Make-up Masterclass
shu uemura is known for innovative and creative make-up and skincare products. Their eyelash curlers alone seem to be the favourites of every beauty buff on the planet, and few counters in store excite and thrill us quite so much as the technicolour offerings at shu. However, such pioneering make-up can seem slightly daunting to those of us who don't have our own beauty NVQ. No need to panic - shu uemura's chief make-up artist, Kakuyasu Uchiide, is visiting Harvey Nichols London to share his artistic experience and offer individual advice on colours and application techniques. Uchiide is Shu Uemura's right-hand man, having worked for him for over twenty years. Considering he has created the make-up for Oscar de le Renta and Jean Paul Gaultier fashion shows amongst others, there are probably few better people to learn the top techniques from. Kakuyasu Uchiide will be at the shu uemura counter on the Ground Floor at the London store on 18th, 19th and 20th October from 10am - 7pm. Places are limited, so to secure your place at this special event please call the counter on 0207 235 2375. A booking fee of £50 applies, which is fully redeemable against shu uemura purchases made on the day. Better yet, each customer will receive a luxury shu uemura goody bag worth £50, so you'll walk away fully equipped to recreate your make-over appearance at home.

Let's Make Up

Red, sumptuous lips are a key trend this season - we think Dita Von Teese may have something to do with it (we can't take our eyes off hers). Unfortunately the need for our lipstick to remain perfect and in place is just as key, so Harvey Nichols are introducing a revolutionary new lip colour collection from Laura Mercier. The new re-formulated lip colours give a lightweight comfort the minute it touches your lips. Quick release colour gives complete and lasting coverage with a modern sheen. The lipsticks include a lip complex that is so smart it is able to moisturise, anti-age, anti-oxidise and plump your lips all at the same time, whilst boosting the performance of the crème lip colour and enhancing you lips appearance. Lips are also protected from the elements and dehydration is abated as the all singing, all dancing lip colour cares for your lips like skincare. Better yet, when you press your lips together (or against someone else's!), the exclusive Laura Mercier Lip Complex is revived and releases a micro-burst of illuminating emollients giving the lips a just applied look. Application remains fresh and flawless throughout the day. Laura Mercier is exclusively offering the first 500 Harvey Nichols customers to visit one of the counters a tailor made 'Lip Service'. We will zone in on your lip area, create the look of your choice and you will leave with a mini, purse sized Pink Champagne lipstick. Dash to your nearest counter whilst stocks last to create your perfect pout! Laura Mercier is available at Harvey Nichols London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Please print out this page to ensure you can enjoy this offer.

Supermoisture

Dry skin craves moisture, so what better way to treat it than with a foundation that actually improves skin's moisturisation? At Clinique, everything they know about skincare is infused into a foundation and with new Supermoisture Makeup, super-intense humectants are combined with a lightweight, modern crème-gel formula to provide intense hydration and impart a radiant, healthy glow. It's an ideal solution for dry to combination skinned women. It's water, sweat and humidity resistant, allergy tested and 100% fragrance free. Available in ten refreshing, lightweight shades - for the fairest to the darkest complexions - and packaged in a clear tube for easy shade recognition and portability, Clinique Supmoisture Makeup is available at the Clinique counter at Harvey Nichols stores in London, Leeds, Edinburgh and Manchester. Plus, exclusively at Harvey Nichols when you purchase any two foundation products receive your free* white leather makeup bag (above right). *Offer available from 28 September 2007. One makeup bag per client, while stocks last.

Memo To Self

Memo is a fragrance and home collection created in the heart of Paris by Claire Molloy. Inspired by her travels and her Spanish origins, the scents and products are based on the exotic, vibrant and warm. 'Les Echappees' is a range of four fragrances for women, Lalibela, Siwa, Sundance and Inlé. They are all based on three key values; spontaneous partying, thirst for travelling and an ability for dreaming, that come together to delight and stir the imagination. The home collection includes scented candles, room sprays and bath products. With vibrant candles such as 'Lost in Mykonos', a blend of Wild Mint and Ouzo and 'Marrakech Kiss', a White Tea and Jasmine Rain scent, the Memo candles perfectly capture the spirit of their origin. From Ibiza to Moscow, Hawaii to St Tropez, you can either choose the fragrances that will remind you of journeys you have already made, or whisk yourself away to locations you have never been to. Scents are also available in home sprays and sachets so that you can completely immerse yourself in them. Memo's bath line takes its scent from Zen in Zanzibar - a delicious blend of palm tree and lemon verbena. These natural products are both reviving and relaxing. Our favourite has to be the Body Smooth and Dry Oil which soothes and softens the skin, enveloping it in a refreshing fragrant mist. Memo is available exclusively at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge now, and at the Dublin, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds stores from mid November. Memo fragrances are £75. Memo scented candles are £29.50 each, or available in selections of three for £49. Bath products are from £19.50.

The Smell of Money

Bond No.9 have single-handedly put the city of New York on the fragrance map, with a whole profusion of scents inspired by its varied districts. Their latest men's scent takes its cue from that suited-and-booted downtown district where big bucks have been won and lost before most people have had their morning muffin. Appropriately enough Wall Street (£139.50 for 100ml) is a rich scent featuring notes of warm leather and musk, but with a fresh edge inspired by the salty sea breezes that blow into lower Manhattan from the Hudson and East rivers. It's luxurious and energetic - a perfect power aroma for those budding Gordon Geckos amongst you.

Shower, Shave and Spa

Men's skincare regimes are getting more comprehensive by the minute, and rightly so. Afterall, although men's skin has a different biophysical structure to women's (it is more oily, thicker and warmer), it is still subject to the negative effects of ageing and the environment. Regular shaving does nothing to help the cause. ESPA have stepped up to the challenge by creating a slick new skincare range for men. The ESPA Men collection encompasses nine advanced products that cover your entire regime, from shaving to moisturisation. The range includes: Facial Foam - invigorating cleansing wash Skin Polish - exfoliating skin refiner Shave Mud - smooth shave mud and purifying mud Post Shave - soothing tea tree gel Skin Tonic - herbal spafresh spritzer Hydrator - essential protective moisturiser Skin Balancer - 24 hour balancing complex Brightener - instant revitalising serum Clay Mask - instant revitalising soothing mask To discover the range and get guidance on how to use them to maximum effect, visit the ESPA counter instore. One of the ESPA team will provide you with a complimentary skincare consultation and if that doesn't feel like quite enough pampering or attention, you can always book the new Men's Purifying Facial, Shoulder and Scalp Massage. A calming and cleansing treatment in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. ESPA Men is available at Harvey Nichols in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Leeds.

Grey Matters

Jacket £995 Burberry Prorsum

Jacket £1290 & trousers £375 Lanvin.

Jacket £670 Dolce & Gabbana

The newest neutral this season is actually an old favourite with the boys and one that can be worn with almost any other colour of the rainbow. But for Autumn many designers chose to work grey from head right through to toe. Grey doesn't have to be just boring old grey - it can be a plethora of different shades, from charcoal through to palest dove via battleship and marl, with texture and finish an important factor.

At Burberry Prorsum military detailing gives a wool jacket a vintage airforce feel with epaulettes and bellow pockets, while at Lanvin, sharkskin-hued tailoring is kept casual with soft shoulders and sporty styling.

Dolce & Gabbana's neat sports bomber is shiny and futuristic in quilted steely satin. Now are you ready to go grey?

The Luxe Factor

Jacket £2765 Bottega Veneta.

Jacket £690 Dolce & Gabbana

Jacket £2150 Burberry Prorsum

Fashion is turning up the luxury dial for Autumn, right up to number eleven! Sumptuous worked leather is key here, but so are reptile-skin textures, elaborately patterned fabrics and sheeny pieces in precious metal colours.

Bottega Veneta menswear arrives at Harvey Nichols for the first time bringing with it a rich mustard leather bomber, quilted to give an almost animal skin effect. BV Designer Thomas Maier knows how to do luxury and wearability in the right measures and so too does Burberry's golden boy Christopher Bailey who adds a sumptuous touch to military and work-a-day styles. He too quilts a leather jacket for a billionaire biker look.

Dries Van Noten, fashion's pattern king, prints his shirts with rococo golden swirls reminiscent of Gianni Versace in his luxe-loving heyday while Dolce & Gabbana's eveningwear is like shimmering liquid metal.

Rayban black 'Wayfarer' sunglasses

Rayban black 'Wayfarer' sunglasses £91

2007 saw the re-release of the original Wayfarer, that timeless 1950s style that never seems to go out of fashion. These unisex shades, seen on the likes of cool dudes Johnny Borrell (to match girlfriend Kirsten Dunst) and Jude Law, are a sure-fire hit come rain or shine.

Dries Van Noten patent shoes

Dries Van Noten patent shoes £250

Patent leather is Autumn/Winter's favourite finish. The smart, shiny surfaces of Dries van Noten's leather slip-ons will take you comfortably through from day to evening and on again to day (if you have the stamina for that). Wear them with anything from jeans to a DJ, or both.

Mulberry 'Antony' cross-body bag

Mulberry 'Antony' cross-body bag £195

'Manbag' fans ahoy - this small, leather cross-body bag by Mulberry is ideal for carrying those manly essentials (think lip balm and spot concealer). Crucially, it has an adjustable strap to fit across your sizeable pecs (or your sizeable stomach!)

Alexander McQueen skull print tie

Alexander McQueen skull print tie £60

McQueen's iconic skull print can now be worn on dressier occasions with this ultra smart tie, available in black, blue or silver. Alternatively, as a subtle act of rebellion, wear it to that important meeting at work and hypnotise your colleagues with that demonic print.

Dolce Gabbana bronze belt

Dolce & Gabbana bronze belt £140

If you like your logos, you'll love Dolce & Gabbana's latest offering in the belt department. In alternating sections of copper and aluminium finished metal, the big 'D' and the big 'G' on the buckle of this luxe-leather one will leave no-one in any doubt as to your favourite fashion house.

Thomas Wylde 'To Die For' clutch

Thomas Wylde 'To Die For' clutch £1050

Few of us can afford the Damien Hirst jewel-encrusted skull currently on display at a London art gallery, so it was most thoughtful of Thomas Wylde to design this clutch with a smaller and far less expensive version as its centrepiece. Its divine olive shade with metallic finish, exclusive to Harvey Nichols, is enough to make all your friends go green with envy.

Lanvin pearl and satin twist necklace

Lanvin pearl and satin twist necklace £220

This delicate necklace from Lanvin adds a new twist to the twin-set and pearls look. It comes in silver or black ribbon, but our favourite has to be purple - so on-trend for Autumn. Pair it with a slinky 1940's evening dress and pout, a lá Keira Knightley in 'Atonement'

Pauric Sweeney large patent bag

Pauric Sweeney large patent bag £635

This naughty but nice bag combines a hot patent exterior with a sensibly roomy interior. The mock razor-blade keychain and silver buckles make this the ultimate bag for pulling off the new punk look, seen on catwalks from Burberry Prorsum to Giles.

Yves Saint Laurent large buckle belt

Yves Saint Laurent large buckle belt £200

It looks as though we'll be wearing belts with everything this season - on top of dresses, chunky knit cardigans and coats. The perfect excuse, as if you needed it, to invest in a rather fabulous one. This black leather Yves Saint Laurent belt is classic enough to work with your entire Winter wardrobe, and wide enough to cinch in your waist for definition where it really matters.

Jonathan Kelsey 'Ace' shoes

Jonathan Kelsey 'Ace' shoes £350

With a background working at Jimmy Choo, Cacharel and Gina, it is no surprise that Jonathan Kelsey's own label collection is bursting with must have shoes. The sharp and sexy 'Ace' peep toes are a clever combination of 1920's-inspired design with a modern Kelsey twist - those killer point heels are softened by the sweet little buckles.

Diamonds and Pearls

Since 1987, Bertolucci watches have been synonymous with timeless glamour and refined luxury. They combine beautiful Italian design and sophisticated Swiss watchmaking - from the native countries of Remo Bertolucci and his wife respectively. The range of watches draw inspiration from the beautiful background of the Italian Riviera. Subtle shapes and shades mirror the surrounding views - smooth surfaces are reminiscent of pebbles on the shore; colours of pearl and pastel blues are like the inside of shells. Bertolucci watches are now available to buy at our London store where you can select your favourite with the help of our Personal Shopping team (not an easy decision, they are all so exceptional). In addition to this, Bertolucci have a bespoke design service where a watch can be designed exclusively for you or as a gift for someone special. Once you have selected your desired design of watch, you can personalise it by choosing the type of precious metal or stones used in its manufacture. This service is unique and it is guaranteed that your watch will be a one off, as Bertolucci will not replicate a special order that has been made for anyone else. Think of it as a piece of couture for your wrist. The prices of the watches start from around £1000 and are available from Personal Shopping at the London store.

Billionaire-wear

What do you get when you put together one of the world's most prolific, in-demand music producers, his manager and Japan's hippest street-wear designer? Two new labels that's what - Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. The brainchild of Pharrell Williams (he of the Neptunes and N.E.R.D.) this collaboration with his favourite designer Nigo (founder of A Bathing Ape) has success written large all over it. BBC, as it's commonly known and its little brother Ice Cream both focus on luxe sportswear in limited editions with high-quality production. The designs are colourful, graphic and possess a unique sense of humour. Styles include T-shirts, polos, sweats, knits and denim, plus trainers - so all you billionaire boys out there will be well-shod as well as well-dressed. Only a few stores worldwide have got either label (including a UK exclusive at Harvey Nichols London) so you'd better be quick when the new collection arrives later this month... Sweatshirt (above left) £160, hat (above right) £85 and shorts (above right) £175.