There’s a buzz around “proper” menswear in London – and even
the famous Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal has caught onto the trend.
Chivas has collaborated with Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant
of Norton & Sons on a collectible, limited-edition bottle of Scotch whisky.
The “Made for Gentlemen” gift box contains a bottle of Chivas 12yo and showcases
four silhouettes featuring a different style accessory associated with modern
gentlemen: a tie, a cufflink, a watch and a pocket square.
“The collaboration with Chivas Regal was a natural alliance
of artistry and shared vision,” says Patrick Grant. “The tailor’s obsession
with mastering complexity in achieving perfect balance in form and finish are
values also held dear by the Master Blender of Chivas Regal, Colin Scott.
Ultimately, we both strive to give our customers stand-out experiences and
luxury goods of lasting value.”
The launch is supported by a new Made for Gentlemen app,
which allows fans to create a personalised Facebook cover image, composed of
modern and luxurious men’s accessories. An introductory video for the limited
edition, featuring Patrick Grant explaining the craftsmanship behind bespoke
tailoring and its synergies with Chivas Regal, can also be seen at www.chivas.com/gents.
 |
| Chivas "Made for Gentlemen" gift box |
Norton & Sons dates back to 1821 – but now there’s a new
name in the luxury men’s accessories sector. This newly established brand to
watch is called FOGG London, and it’s available only online at www.fogglondon.com.
Tiago Henriques, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Lisbon, now
based in London, co-founded FOGG London with his wife Rita. Seeing a gap in the
market for handcrafted men’s accessories, they decided to name the brand after
Phileas Fogg, the late Victorian gentleman hero of Jules Verne’s novel “Around
The World in Eighty Days”.
“I wanted to start a company making things I like,” Tiago tells
me. “I’ve always been known for wearing braces, so men’s accessories seemed a
very natural area to move into. I’m also interested in the process of who and
how things are made; this is very important. I don’t sell just another tie – I know
the history and how the products are made. I want to let the user fall in love
with the products we offer and appreciate them as much as we do. A lot of hard
work goes into making them.”
FOGG London’s signature braces are made from pinstripe suit
material (super 110 weight fabric) with leather trims. A variety of other fabrics and
styles are available. The ties are made in Germany at a third-generation family manufacturer, continues Tiago, and are meticulously
machine-made from silk or knitted wool. Bow ties are also made in Germany. “We
shouldn’t just wear bow ties on a special occasion but as a normal tie,” he says.
The gloriously patterned socks are made in Italy at a
family-owned factory from either an 80% cotton/20% nylon blend or cashmere.
“The cashmere socks come up to the knee and give you a great feeling throughout
the day,” says Tiago.
As an online-only brand, FOGG London harnesses the full
force of the internet to communicate its brand story: Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr
and Pinterest. A selection of videos showcases the detailed, time-honoured processes
used to craft the products.
The arresting lifestyle visuals highlight the products in
everyday situations: a businessman is pictured with his son poring over a
children’s colouring book, while a tie is juxtaposed with a children’s toy.
Take a look at some FOGG London pictures here:
 |
| FOGG London braces |
 |
| FOGG London braces in the atelier |
 |
| FOGG London bow tie |
 |
| FOGG London socks - complete with a fox! |
