June 27, 2012

ON KEEPING IT SHORT

I got the chance to interview one of the best dressed men in the industry not because he wears his own collection, but he manages to dress in a way that is comfortably interesting and effortlessly chic.

Have you ever pulled on a pair of beach shorts that made you look twenty pounds heavier - the kind that balloons out from the back as if you're wearing bloomers from the 30s?

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(Oliver Tomalin, founder of Love Brand & Co. Photo by The Fashion Ache)


Oliver Tomalin, founder of Love Brand & Co., shares why looking good at the beach with the right pair of shorts is the only key to standing out in a sea of tacky board shorts.

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(Oliver Tomalin, founder of Love Brand & Co.)

Tell me about your personal style.

Classic, colourful and cool. (I wish, that’s what I hope people would say about
my style, sadly they would probably say, ‘quite normal really’.

Someone well dressed as you, what would we find a lot in your closet?

Summer stuff. Lots of Love Brand’s (Trunks), linen shirts and espadrilles.

Sounds like a perfect summer uniform! Among linen shirts, espadrilles and shorts, what is the one item of clothing in your wardrobe that best represents you?

Difficult question…lets go with the espadrilles. Originally from France, like me,
much better in the sun than in the rain, very like me and my mood, and smelly
after a while, hopefully not so like me and they are timeless, not to say I am
timeless but I think my wardrobe is. I like to limit my wardrobe to essentials
that I love and that I know I will still love in 10, 20, 30 years time…and have
them in as many colours as possible.

What things would there be in your bag?

I don’t generally carry a bag with me but if I did, it would have a camera and
an ipod in it, I love music and taking photos. And an idock, I want one of
those.

Growing up in France, what do you love most it?

I didn’t grow up in France. My families origins and my name is from France. I
was born in Hong Kong and when I was young I lived in New Zealand and
Japan and the Middle East. I loved the opportunity to travel and see a bit of
the world. I love to travel, I think one of my favorite places in the world to be is
in an airplane seat, everything I love is happening or going to happen soon.
Movies, Food, Wine, Shopping and then a sunny place, hopefully.

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(Oliver in Thailand)

What inspired you to launch Love Brand & Co.?

Lots of companies retro-fit social responsibility, it was important to me to start
a company that places socially responsibility at its core. So instead of selling
lots of product, scratching heads and picking a charity to give a donation to, I
start with the charity and the product, together, before I have even made a
prototype. This is what I call bisociation or concept blending. The product
becomes a vehicle for raising active awareness for the charity as well as
donations and in turn the charitable cause too enriches our products. For
example with my first concept “Trunks for Trunks” - swimming trunks for
endangered Asian elephants, I designed our men’s trunks with elephant tusk
shaped aglets for the drawstring ends, this is a special detail that symbolizes
the cause the product is in aid of.

When I was deciding on the Love Brand Bisociation of the men’s classic
swimwear collection, I chose elephants not because I was an elephant
enthusiast as such at the time, it was because I read an article about the
Elephant Parade in London, the charity Elephant Family really inspired me
and it just clicked – ‘Trunks for Trunks’ It’s fun, it makes sense, it’s
memorable. Also I wanted to use the elephant as the identity of Love Brand &
Co. as a label, so it made sense to start by supporting the animal we use in
motif form. In terms of company ethic also, we like to share a similar nature to
elephants, never forgetting, iconic and (hopefully) big but friendly! It is only
since starting all this, I have truly fallen in love with elephants and could
perhaps consider myself an enthusiast.

Your brand was a huge success in the UK, India, Spain, Maldives,
Mauritius and Bahamas. Any plans expanding in Asia?


We have launched this year with relatively niche distribution channels,
starting in a few of the worlds best resort hotels and boutiques. Next year
we want to bring Love Brand & Co. to the high street more selling at the
worlds top department stores, including in Asia. The big dream is also to
one day open a series of stand alone concept boutiques, again this would
be amazing to do somewhere in Asia.

What was your inspiration for this season’s collection?

This season’s Trunks for Trunks collection is classic in style with some
nautical stripes and pastel blocks, the prints are also classic or simply good
fun, like the Lady birds or Cherries. But even these brighter and bolder prints
derive from vintage French originals. All our prints are limited editions also
and can be checked out at lovebrand.com

Who would you want to see wearing Love Brand and Co.?

To be honest, every time I see someone wearing Love Brand’s it gives me the
same absolutely amazing feeling.

June 18, 2012

MISSING GRANDPA

Mi abuelito has always been a sharp dresser. Growing up, I have seen him in his Bespoke suits paired with perfectly folded pocket squares, fine silk ties, and a collection of brogues, cap toes and monk straps in black, brown and tan enough to make any man envious.

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(Here’s a photo of mi abuelito, Fabian Alvarez Bucoy Sr. with the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter taken during the 1984 summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He was an official judge (Weightlifting). And oh, check out that pocket square!)

June 15, 2012

A GUIDE TO MEN’S SWIMWEAR

Shopping for men’s swimwear is a bit of a minefield. And with so much on offer, it’s better to know what you want before you start looking. Here’s a great little list of styles and lengths you might want to check out.

SPEEDOS

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(Speedo Endurance 6.5 Mens Briefs)


Once upon a time, Speedos meant just one thing – as tight and as small as you can get. Most men are usually a bit self-conscious at the thought of donning a pair of Speedos, but the truth is that there’s a whole range of options available – from the classic brief to the mid-length and longer style. If you’ve been working out this summer, it might be time to give them a go.

BERMUDAS

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(Goodsouls Mens Retro Swim Shorts )

These have never gone out of fashion. If you don’t want to bare all just yet, Bermuda shorts look great when teamed with a classic white V-neck. And they’re just the thing for lazing around poolside and not looking out of place. If you’ve got shorter legs, you may want to go for a slightly shorter pair, giving your legs the illusion of length. Bermuda shorts will also help you pull off the trendy surfer look in a flash.

BAGGIES

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(Original Penguin Mens Resort Swim Shorts)

Baggie swimwear looks great, especially if you want to show off your torso. The great thing about baggy trunks is that the amount of fabric really helps to disguise a slimmer frame. As opposed to briefs or smaller trunks, baggy shorts can add real bulk to your build.

BOLDS

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(Original Penguin Mens Striped Swim Shorts)

If you’re after a statement piece and really want to be noticed, there are plenty of swimming trunks available in bright colours and edgy patterns. Prints also took a starring role on the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk collections, with designers showcasing an eye-catching range of heritage prints. High street patterns range from comic book mashups to newspaper headlines and graffiti tags – a sure-fire way to attract some poolside attention.

BRIGHTS

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(Goodsouls Mens Swimshorts)

Alternatively, sitting between the classic muted colours and funky patterns, are many ranges of men’s swimwear in bright and edgy, yet unobtrusive colours. If you want to stand out (for all the right reasons!) why not pick something in pale pink, magenta or even baby blue? These colours will be a perfect match for your bronzed summer glow, and really help you on your way to getting that summer feeling.

June 14, 2012

ST. TROPEZ AND THAT PERFECT BAñADORES

I am nowhere near St. Tropez but definitely just 15 minutes away by boat from the only pristine pink sand island in the country.

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(where else?)

The sun is definitely out and yes, I am ready in my beach shorts.

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(Oliver Tomalin, Creative Director Love Brand & Co.. Love Brand & Co.’s debut collection is a state-of-the-art swimwear, gathering 15 styles within 2 navy stripes, 5 limited editions and 8 block colors - one of them named French Blue evocative of Oliver’s experiences in the South of France. )


Love Brand & Co., the luxury British swimwear label for men and boys recently introduced its debut collection in an intimate and private party at St. Tropez the last weekend.

Where on Earth was I?

Set up just last year, the brand was an international success in the UK, India, Spain, Maldives, Mauritius and Bahamas. Impressive!

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(Love Brand & Co.’s design is extremely thoughtful with notable details as the silver alloy drawstring aglets in the shape of elephant tusks, stamped eyelets, soft and quick drying fabric, beautifully constructed, with a logo using two elephants which come together to form a heart. )

I can finally get a tan! I just love my life here in the island!

Sombrero and sunscreen not included.