I popped along to see “Mr Start“, who had its first presentation as part of The London Fashion Week, Men’s Fashion Day, held at 1 Aldwich.

“Mr Start was launched in 2008 on the back of the highly successful women’s Start boutique, which was started in 2002 with his wife Brix Smith Start. Philip sights Mr Start as his most satisfying achievement to date. Philip Start says “Mr Start is Modern and architectural and is the definition of Shoreditch Luxury”. For me this look is also a little roguish-Artful Dodger, edgy and self assured.

Philip tells me that he is a big fan of James Bond, and I can see a strong “license to kill”, element coming through too – shaken but definitely not stirred!

Esquire editor Jeremy Langmead looking his sartorial best, having just completed an interview with a well known american hiphop artiste for the gentleman’s mag. He had worn a blazer by his bespoke tailor Tom Sweeney for the occasion. Jeremy manages to effortlessly pull-off this gentleman’s summer classic of navy and white with those fabulous two-tone shoes, which are from Rupert Sanderson’s exclusive new men’s range.

I met up with Harald at GFW held at Earls court. Originally from Norway Harald is a menswear designer and recent graduate with a BA (Hons) in Fashion Studies at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth. He has already been awarded joint first Swarovski prize of 15,000 Euros at the 24th International Fashion and Photography Festival; Hyères, France 2009. Harald has also been invited to participate in other competitions and exhibitions in Paris, Los Angeles and Frankfurt. In addition, Andrea Panconesi, a member of the Jury and owner of Luisa Via Roma, a cutting edge fashion store in Florence has invited Harald to make a garment for production to be sold exclusively in his shop.

Samurai swords and cage fights? – all in a day’s work…

Bespoke fashion designer Aaron Ray Dowie has travelled his own path since graduating at Nottingham and Trent School of Art in 2006. When I tagged him at his South London home, he was designing a suit for Ricci Harnett to wear at the Cannes Film festival – where the actor’s latest movie Breath will be previewing. Aaron has also recently finished a sexy trench coat for Page Three stunner Keeley Hazel.

When he first works with a client like Ricci, Aaron starts off by asking about favourite movies, music, and what other men’s dress styles his client most admires. He will then sketch up some initial ideas based on their conversation and make a 3D representation.

Ricci has been really laid back about the whole process and allowed Aaron to do what ever he wanted to do – although he did ask to include some special features, such as his initials, within the finished design. So Aaron decided it would be a nice touch to embroider these through the end of each pocket – to reinforce them – using the same stitch as the suit fabric. This became a hidden detail which won’t be seen unless closely observed. In addition to this special touch, Aaron also uses knot tying techniques instead of button holes.
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I met Ron whilst he was out and about in Clerkenwell ordering his lunch. I loved the subtle muted tones and his layed approach to shirt wear. Ron is wearing vintage 50′s gingham and knitted woollen shirt.