“TOMMY X LEWIS is a-GO, GO, GO!”

It’s the dawn of a brand new day.

Different type of race day.

Same type of build-up.

… As my computer monitor buffers, I’m already getting the idea that Lewis Hamilton has been, subliminally, winding his way around the circuit of his life, all of his life, to this major, visionary moment….

… the destination, of which, is already a prize, now becoming a victory lap, of vêtements, if you will…

… which is apt, since, it is beneath the banner of his exceptional, other-worldly willpower and drive, that the boy-turned-man racer, Hamilton, launches his first collection, in collaboration with zeitgeist style-powerhouse, Tommy Hilfiger.

Paying homage to their “Icons of Tomorrow”, the “Tommy x Lewis” fashion line comprises a co-ed capsule range, which is raising the chequered flag of sartorial success, in no uncertain terms!

Yes, we know him as the prodigious driving genius, who, from his karting days, was set apart by an uncommon work ethic, but today demonstrates a new discipline in Lewis’s creative kitbag, which complements his well-developed, but lesser-known gifts in music and his holistic appreciation of the artistic.

As I speed-type, with cartoon-smoke coming through my fingertips, “Everybody’s looking forward to what comes up next” is piping through my speakers.. and, if the superfast stream of reactions is an indication, millions are, like me, joining the throng, to preview exactly what “next” is going to “be“.

Who cares if the feed keeps dropping in and out, like a fan, fainting, from being overwhelmed at meeting their long-time idol?!!!

What does it matter if this begets the necessity to minimize the resolution?!!!

The track blaring out at me that “it’s time to start the show…” could not be more right…

LET’S. DO. THIS. LEWIS!!!!

A sliver of floating runway, is set in a Shanghai harbour, adjacent to a bright-lights-big-city backdrop and flanked by a deep river of stillness as guests, comparatively, on the edge of their seats, are being treated to fierce, high-octane sport-luxe, with codes of crisp, colour-blocking and crop-topping…  Non-stop Iconic, stomping, in block-heels and stepping, in worker-boots, khaki parkas, pewter puffas, go-faster, F1 stripes, chromatic geometrics are team-mates with over-grown plaids, on models with plaits… overlaid by a palette of clean-lined, lightning white through midnight black and texturised by sweatshirts and sweater-vests, drenched in shimmering sequins…

No time for pitstops though, as proportions collude, from full-length coats, that effortlessly cloak, to a cutting-edge tux that, seemingly, carves the silhouette out of living space. They scream and holler “New-York-minute” elegance, for the fashion-conscious connoisseur-cum-global traveller!!

It’s full-on, new-pep, Preppy-for-the-People… irresistibly-twisted, Ivy-League-on-overload and, branded with the insignia of “H”, brings to mind that, for such a time as this, were Hilfiger and Hamilton destined to be one.

The finale walk, was the perfect reminder that this was no empty, celebrity-endorsed exercise but a bonafide collaboration… the result, of which, delivered on desirability for the masses and then some. It is achievable, believable design, filled with on-trend enthusiasm, yet fuelled by an energy of endurance, and, in a sloganized, tie-dyed top of his own, the root-message from Hamilton’s heart is clear.. “UNITY” is the new dress-code of the day.

… A garment that I should be proud to sport, any and every day…

 

 

©A_F_R_O_W2018-2019. All Rights Reserved.

 

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Click-through below, to peruse and purchase from the “Tommy X Lewis” capsule collection Now!

TOMMY X LEWIS (Tommy Hilfiger UK)

Social Media Links:-

@TommyHilfiger @LewisHamilton

#TommyxLewis #TommyNow #IconsOfTomorrow

 

 

 

IT’S ALL ABOUT ‘ME CLOTHING’!

There’s something relentlessly positive about urban streetwear label, ‘ME Clothing’!

Already on the fashion-forward radar of ‘Jones Bennett PR’, the leading-edge, boutique, public-relations agency, with an astute awareness of emerging creative talent, it was with great anticipation, that I awaited my chance to spread-the-word! Kindly passing the promotion-baton to yours truly, I inquisitively-embarked upon my dash-to-discover the origins of such boundless energy and ambition!

Maybe it was the series of ‘snapback’ caps, emblazoned with the sign of ‘Victory’, or perhaps, the signature-slogan of ‘I’m A Boss’, being announced via the visual loud-hailer of its upper-case, bold-type, upon primary-permeated sweatshirts… It could even have been the ladies’ ‘Varsity’ jackets, which yelled cheerleader-chic, in popping-candy-pink! To whichever garment my journey visited, I, most assuredly, called-off-the-search, once I’d found out more about Adam Benjamin, the entrepreneurial-brain and design-brawn, behind the brand!

Described by Jones Bennett PR as being motivated by manifesting a ‘feel-good factor’ of mutual creative appreciation, though the medium of fashion, and fuelled by the desire to offer a striking, urbanwear range, distinguishable by its dynamic design-presence, ‘ME Clothing’ was born. Impressive, for me, was the absolute clarity of vision with which Mr Benjamin pursued his objective, and, even moreso, that this has been directly reflected, in a brand-identity of cool, stealthy, simplicity. When added to the further artistic impact upon him of an ardent passion for music, the compounded outcome of highly-wearable, marketable, yet affordable, pieces was, and still is, entirely achieved.

A stand-out feature of the collection is its capsule nature, a perfect mirror to the succinct name. Substantially-quilted gilets, puff their chests proudly against practical silhouettes, available in both hooded and non-hooded options. Statement jumpers, are identifiable from-distance, with their glaring typography… tees, round-necked are efficiently-cut and, whether Christmas were nearly upon us, or not, I could sing a descant of praises over the ‘hero-piece’, varsity jackets, with their luxurious contrast-leather sleeves! Furthermore, as a stalwart for perpetuating the unique, I love the customisation-element, which acts as a ‘clothing-shuffle’, of sorts, facilitating creative ingenuity via upping-the-bandwidth of the easy, mix-match, neutral-toned palette! Such pleasing punctuations of personalized flair, worn in any combination, with one of the superb snapbacks and some boxfresh kicks, mean you’re good-to-go from pavement-to-première and back!

With the ability to span art-forms, it is no surprise, then, that over the three years since the launch in 2010, the label has attracted stars of the hip-hop/ r ‘n’ b genre, on both sides of ‘the pond’! The likes of U.K chart-toppers, such as ‘Chipmunk’ and ‘Wretch 32’ have been spotted sporting ME menswear, whilst heart-throb rapper, ‘Bow Wow’, has flown-the-flag for the brand, over in the U.S, in his one-off, customised jacket from the über-popular ‘Varsity’ collection. However, such household figures in sport as Florent Malouda, have also selected the brand as a ‘go-to’ designer-choice, and herein lies the tantalising twist-in-the-tale of ‘ME Clothing’. Not only is it amassing celebrity endorsement, but it is also capitalising upon a ‘mass-appeal’ momentum, which is quickly gathering pace within the scholastic-sport demographic! Once again, proving the less-is-more adage to be a design-winner, since bespoke jackets have been fabricated for the basketball and cheerleading teams of such esteemed institutions as Northampton and Westminster Universities, respectively.

Versatility, then, incorporated with a ‘warp-speed’ drive towards continued and discernable creative expression, are qualities which set, Adam Benjamin and his ‘ME Clothing’ label apart. He is a shining example of, both, enterprise and initiative, determinedly representing the head-turning vibrancy of the U.K’s urban-menswear scene. I found the brand replete with a stylistic spirit which is ‘100% ME‘ and after you’ve checked out the range, I think they’ll be a 100% ‘you’, too!

 www.iwearme.co.uk ~ www.store.iwearme.co.uk ~ @MECLOTHINGUK ~ SALE NOW ON WITH UP TO 50% OFF!

www.jonesbennettpublicrelations.com ~ @jonesbennettpr

©AFROW2013-2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

MARIA GRACHVOGEL DESIGNS LEAVE YOU FLOATING ON AIR…

Maria Grachvogel is an utter genius when it comes to stylistic superlatives of length and volume and today’s show more than lived up to her global reputation.

Blouses were soft, sleeveless and silver-grey, trousers flowed powerfully, yet gracefully as tidal waves, jumpsuits were elegantly figure-embracing, with  ‘v’, ‘square’, and draped-necks and dresses were maxi-lengthed, columns of grace…

Any departure from her well-loved repertoire incorporated asymetry, most notably in a dazzling dress, the colours of which seemed to have been boldly applied free-hand. The relaxed mood was also illustrated by a tie-front, cross-over jacket, as well as a wonderful, grey leather blouson, masterfully cut, in defiance of the its usually, less pliable properties.

Prints, though digital, had an artisanal touch, seeing steel-grey stripes merging with oak-browns, coffee-caramels saturated into chocolate-browns and pastel-peach to add a subtle drama. A stand-out motif had the appearance of veins from the underside of a leaf and appeared upon skirt and blouse separates, as well as being echoed upon both black-on-white and sheer versions of a floor-sweeping dress.

A glorious gown of the afore-mentioned chocolate brown/ grey variety with a stunning, fishtail train was the last swathe of garment to close a show which, from start to finish, exemplified the polish, poise and versatility typical of Miss Grachvogel’s distinguished design flair and artistry.

Simply put, it was a sublime crescendo to a spectacular last day…

©AFROW2013-2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED