Style Icon - Miles Kane

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

With his début solo album Colour of the Trap launching this week we thought it only right to give Miles Kane the fashion focus he deserves.

Still a fledging at 25 Miles is rapidly building a name for himself as the man on the British music scene to watch and has cultivated a sartorial style of his own. One that harks back to the social and cultural revolution of the Mod 60’s and hankers for a flavour of what real music and an honest band and brand identity is all about.

He is best known as the co-founder of The Last Shadow Puppets and former front man of The Rascals, but his career started at 18 with The Little Flames as guitarist. They gained notoriety touring with the new generation of British Indie Pop bands who would come to define the early Naughties like The Coral, The Zutons and Arctic Monkeys. This influential start gave Miles the chance to for fill his potential and after the breakup of The Little Flames he took on a more involved role in The Rascals as vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter.

His success rocketed him to new heights and he’s currently pursuing a solo career, and continues to be a part of his side-project – The Last Shadow Puppets who have gained a huge cult following which is set to make Miles Kane an ambassador of modern British Indie Rock and a new face for the new decade.

As popular culture and history proves music and fashion have a symbiotic relationship and creating the perfect brand identity and style to represent you as a musician is just as important as the music you produce.

Miles has become a man synonymous with modern style and is a trendsetter with an ever growing fan base. His own look has drawn inspiration from many different places and people; Oasis, The Strokes, Serge Gainsbourgh, Paul Weller and the Beatles with a heavy nod to Mod fashion and that straight talking laddish image of 60’s cool-Britannia.

His distinctive Liverpudlian drawl, hints at his origins as a man who grew up under the shadow of the legendary Beatles who have proved hugely influential for Miles. His shaggy bob, which might look more Paul Weller than Ringo Star these days, but was a definite nod to the fab four.

His snappy style is clean and simple and keeps to a uniform of sharp fitted jackets, drainpipe jeans, crisp ironed shirts and a muted but confident colour scheme.

You get the feeling this is a young man who understands fashion and the connotations and symbolism it brings and has come to define the Modern Mod for a new generation but has added his own twist to an established and instantly recognisable style.

You can tell he’d look just as comfortable sitting on a Vespa in a bomber jacket and skin tight jeans darting through 60’s Soho as he did when we saw him last, at the Topman CNTL MX gig a few months back performing work from his new album.

If Miles Kane and his army of fans and fashionable friends like George Lamb have anything to do with it then fashion is making a sartorial turn back towards retro rock. His Mod top mop and Liverpudlian swagger make him a fashion force to watch and the front man for a new tribal trend.

By Sam Outing

BLITZ Party London

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

 Keep Calm & Carry On!

Londoner’s are famed for their fighting spirit against the odds and in adversity. In the current uncertain economic climate it seems only natural that we look back to a time where a stiff upper lip and a jolly good knees up were essential for survival.

Welcome to Blitz Party London, for those with a hankering for nostalgia and love of getting dressed up to the nines and dancing the night away to banish the doom and gloom.

Blitz Party is a 1940’s Battle of Britain/Blitz themed club night in the heart of east London’s (once, very bomb battered) Shoreditch and is the perfect escape from reality. Never have we seen such a flawless, orchestrated themed night; the period live bands, authentic beers, plenty of gin based cocktails and sand bags lining the walls captured the intoxicating spirit of war time London under the railway arches of club Village Underground.

But what really caught our eye were the outfits. So often with compulsory costume nights the girls rule the roost; red lipstick, drawn on stockings and tea dresses everywhere. But, what wowed the TSK troops were the gent’s transformation, suited and booted, their carefully pieced together uniforms stole the show!

It’s rare these days for guys to publicly enjoy taking such care in their fashion and fancy dress, but not at The Blitz Party. What The Blitz Party gives guys, is the perfect chance to man up, play the hero and be the medal wearing knight in shining armour.

Uniform and ceremony were key and on full display as the guys dressed up and played soldiers for the night, whisking up their romantic wartime sweethearts in officers uniforms. Fundamentally it was sexy – after all, who can refuse a man in uniform?

If you are lucky enough to have a ticket for this Saturday nights Blitz Party then TheStyleKing guarantees you a bloody marvellous night full of war time fun and enough bunting and Glen Miller to shake a Union Jack at.

By Sam Outing

Style Icon - Mick Jagger

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

 Mick Jagger’s cheeky and scandalous reputation made him a rock legend and icon of alternative popular culture in the later half of last century. As well as being a chart success with a solo career and the group that took him to fame, The Rolling Stones, Jagger became a symbol of rebellion against the establishment and a style icon for a generation.

In the early 1960’s The Rolling Stones became an international sensation and with Mick as the front man and vocalist they proved unstoppable. As well as instantly recognisable hits like (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, which was immortalised by the infamous Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous (the BBC TV show with cult following about two washed up rock and roll hippie’s who now, bitter and alone work in fashion) they coined the antiestablishment bad boy image.

Everything from alleged drug abuse, tax evasion and two very tempestuous marriages to Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall (the later breaking Bryan Ferry’s heart – maybe giving him the just cause for his own soulful and successful career) gave an already sultry and devastatingly attractive Mick an added sex appeal and sense of danger the British music scene so desperately needed.

Heavy set bone structure, a seductive gaze and a bad boy image plus his personal style which oozed care free arrogance gave Mick a fresh edge.

Far from being a masculine heartthrob, Jagger possessed an androgynous, bordering on camp trademark style. Even in his 60’s his slender frame proves captivating and alien and gave birth to the gaunt rock and roll silhouette which is so distinctive today.

His cultivated bad boy image was up against stiff competition from the 1960’s Beatle-mania which had defined the decade. With their pop music, clean-cut attitude, polished suits and bob hair The Beatles were a far cry from what The Rolling Stones were all about – Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.

But by the late 1960’s the rock legend was born and his shaggy care free hair style was the tamest thing about his look. Make up, pierced ears, leather, skin tight t-shirts and jeans so shinny that nothing was left to the imagination became his signature style. Encompassing everything from 70’s glam rock, disco and punk, Mick Jagger became a new kind of celebrity who relished in scandal and pushed again the chains of conformity.

Mick Jagger proved you didn’t need to be butch or overtly masculine to be named a style icon and that sex appeal and charisma goes a long way. He opened up the definition of masculinity and gave birth to modern youth cultures idea of expression and self identity.

By Sam Outing

Festival De Cannes - Best Dressed

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

As yesterday marked the end of the film event of the year we thought it only right to give you our pick of the best dressed men from the festivities. This the 64^th Cannes Film Festival saw the chaps making as much of an effort as the ladies – proving there really is nothing sexier than a dashing man in a correctly tailored and sharply cut suit.

1. Jude Law
Hosting an opening ceremony is never an easy feet, particular at an event as prestigious as this one, but Jude Law as always pulled it off effortlessly looking dashing in a traditional tux with the TSK favoured white bow tie. Sophisticated and classic – he proved the perfect bastion for Britain.

2. Johnny Depp
Depp opted for a more sartorial take on traditional red carpet attire this year wearing an open white tuxedo jacket and open necked shirt over a dark suit paying close attention to detail with a pocket watch and his signature sunnies.

3. Brad Pitt
Trooping the trend of white men’s suiting this season as well as the ever growing (pun intended) popularity for facial hair, Pitt pulled off this relaxed combo with stylish ease. We particularly like his amber tinted sunglasses with tortoise shell frames. A SS11 must!

4. Jon Hamm
He’s done it again – proving he really is the sharpest looking man in a suit. But, no 1960’s Ivy League sartorial fashion statements here (roll on Mad Men season 5), instead Hamm looked poised and on trend with next seasons menswear must have – the double breasted suit.

5. Max Irons
Rising star (Red Riding Hood) and bright young thing from Britain Max Irons, looked relaxed and cool in this slim fitting simple black two piece suit and tie.

By Sam Outing

Festival Fever

 

 My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

 With The Isle of Wight festival marking the official beginning of the British summer festival season we thought we’d bring you our top 5 favourite festival destinations.


Glastonbury – The festival to beat all festivals in the heart of spiritual Somerset is back with vengeance this year with an astounding line up of bands, DJ’s and comedians making it the only place worth being for a perfect 5 day celebration of all things summer (mud included).

When – June 22^nd – 26^th
Where – Worthy Farm Somerset
Who – Beyonce, Coldplay, Biffy Clyro, Elbow, BB King, Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Son, Morrissey, U2

Lovebox – In the heart of sartorially trend setting east London, Lovebox is the perfect inner city festival experience; compact, charming and full of perfectly turned out locals not to mention a spell binding line up spanning the weekend.

When – 15^th – 17^th July
Where – Victoria Park London E3
Who – Snopp Dogg, Scissor Sisters, Beth Ditto, Jessie J, The Wambats, Metronomy, Blondie, Kelis


Latitude – Successfully running for a 6^th year Latitude is one of the best new generation festival, despite it’s connotations as a middleclass yummy mummy festival. Family friendly and set in a magical fairytale setting of meadows, woodland and a an idyllic lake Latitude offer cultural activities including performances by the Royal Opera House as well as the expected rock, folk and acoustic link up.

When – 14^th – 17^th July
Where – Henham Park Suffolk
Who – The National, Paolo Nutini, Seude, Anna Calvi, The Bees, British Sea Power, Caribou, Bright Eyes

Secret Garden Party – This years theme for the notoriously hedonistic and wacky festival is ‘Origins and Frontiers’, forcing it’s attendees to focus on the ideas of where we all came from and what we are here to do and see, pushing barriers and generally having a pretty amazingly time listening to top tunes.

When – 21^st – 24^th July
Where – Grange Farm Abbots Ripton
Who – Leftfield, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Mystery Jets, Blondie, Smoke Fairies



 Bestival – The best party vibe a festival has to offer can be found, naturally at Bestival which this year boasts a fancy dress theme of ‘rock stars, pop stars and divas’ so get dolled up and ready to party to some of the years most cutting edge bands around.

When – 8^th – 11^th September
Where – Isle of White
Who – The Cure, Pendulum, Primal Scream, Brian Wilson, Magnetic Man, PJ Harvey, Katy B, Public Enemy

By Sam Outing

Style Icon - The Duke of Windsor

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

“Chic Fatigue”, is how Diana Vreeland described The Duke for American Vogue because of the casual yet elegant style he kept his whole life – before, during and after his short reign.

Born and groomed to be heir to the largest Empire the world had seen since ancient Rome, Edward VIII was bought up at the sober court of his serious and dominating father George V. Provoked and feeling restrained by what was constantly expected of him as Prince of Wales and King, Edward was a man who threw off the shackles of conformity, obligation and duty and opted to embrace the growing world of frivolity and glamour enforced by the scars of WWI and dazzling lights of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Rebelling against the conformity of royal life, he was a self-proclaimed trendsetter and true British dandy, crossing barriers and etiquette of dress. This, combined with his seductive charm, made him irresistible and the most eligible bachelor in the world.

Described by Noel Coward as having “All the charm in the world with nothing to back it up” the Duke of Windsor was a Peter Pan Prince. Self involved and never wanting the party to stop, he was a flirtatious and hopeless romantic, falling in love with the twice-divorced, bewitching American, Wallis Simpson. Consequently, forced to choose love over his duty as King he abdicated in 1936 having only been King for less than a year. He and Wallis lived the jet set lifestyle in exile and he continued to display his flair for fine tailoring and a distinctive style.

His style may not seem rebellious today, but in the 1920’s and 30’s his quirky wardrobe of mad mixed checks and plaids and extremely baggy plus fours (and this only for golf!) sent shock waves through the establishment, sparked new trends and gave British fashion a sartorial rebranding.
He was a great innovator too, introducing the dinner jacket which was born out of the American tuxedo jacket and worn by HRH in rich ink blue with black grosgrain lapels. He also made tartan popular on everything from suit jackets to swimming shorts.

As Duke, he perfected his signature look, typically seen in a formal tailored suit and hat, with a manic mix of Madras checked shirt, paisley cravat, plaid trousers and argyle socks. Edward was naturally stylish with an instinctive knowledge of what to wear and how to wear it, making him the perfect style icon. From state robes to top hat and tails or his more racy dress, he always looked picture perfect.

The charming, outrageously dressed, scandalous and love struck HRH was the darling of the royal social circuit until his very public fall from grace, for the woman that he loved. Despite his renunciation of the throne, he will for ever stand out in history as the charming effervescent bastion of modern menswear.

By Sam Outing

Stylish Dad's

My published editorial - www.thestyleking.com

 This weekend marks a mile stone in the annual calendar for Father’s and there adoring offspring to celebrate the huge privilege and honour of being a Dad. TSK brings you our top 5 Dad’s – the men in the public eye who proudly proclaim fatherhood and make the perfect role models for all aspiring Dad’s to be.

All of these men have similar qualities, all having been hugely successful, made names for them selves, created a secure nest egg of their kids, but all these guys also share one of the most redeeming features about being a Dad – the perfect blend of masculinity and sincere manliness mixed with a tender nurturing side, proving they’re full of all the love and dedication needed for this sacred and honourable role. (They’re all rather dashing and sexy too – please take note for future reference.)

Colin Firth – Proving he is a man of substance and not just a soppy romantic heartthrob, even though a steamy brooding Dad might appeal to some, he’s proven he can be versatile in his roles as an actor (the positive move from Mr Darcy to A Single Man and The King’s Speech), shows he’s committed and always looking to better himself and leads by example.

Jude Law – He may not be the most loyal of husband, but his adultery has never hindered his capabilities as a Dad. Charming, cheeky and sophisticated Mr Law is frequently seen pottering around Primrose Hill with his sprogs in a heart melting moment of normality, giving an added oomph to the term DILF.

David Beckham – A rags to riches fairytale Beck’s has given his kids one of the best gift a Dad can give – a better life than he had as a child. Sexy, cool, in tune with his feminine side and a proclaimed metrosexual, he’s also an ambassador for Britain and TSK Tower’s are over the moon he has another bouncing baby on the way.

Brad Pitt – What more is there to say? The name speaks volumes. With an entourage of children Brad and Angelina have created a new look family of the new century having adopted as well as having their own – a united international family for an ever shrinking and tightly knit global community.

Johnny Depp – Depp, keeping his family out of the public eye, hidden in the innocence tranquillity of the French countryside has given his kid’s privacy and the opportunity to forge a life and identity of their own despite his international fame and fortune. He also brings the realms of childhood fantasy to life in his films keeping alive that most powerful of life skills – imagination.

If you’re still struggling for last minute Father’s Day gift ideas don’t fear – we have compiled the perfect list of presents for the perfect Dad – The Father’s Day Gift Guide.
By Sam Outing.