"Lot78 is...Bored" with a pop-up shop in Selfridges

Lot78, the London luxury outerwear company that is manufactured with very high-standards in the Veneto region of Italy will be launching their very own concept pop up space at Selfridges this April.

The brand that is known for their impossibly chic contemporary take on the classic leather jacket, created a clean and minimal space- in London's most fashion forward multi-brand shop-that will house the latest collection from the brand for Spring Summer 2011. Showcasing 7 new styles of leather jackets with a particular focus on quilted styles- the ‘Jamie ‘ and new collar shapes-the ‘Liam’, with its flattering zip front funnel neck, a new range of lux nylon jackets, the brand will also inttroduce their first pair of chinos for guys.

The project entitled 'Lot78 is...Bored', will give the chance to customers and brand enthusiasts to interact and be actively involved with the brand's creative process. This intentional play on words relates to a simple grey blank board which the general public can customize. The boards will appear across London for an exchange of thoughts, opinions and general fun to be exhibited within the pop up shop. How amazing is that?

Will you guys visit the  pop-up space in Selfridges?


We think you should but if you can't, don't worry.7thMan will be there and we'll take lots of pictures from the carefully curated space and the Lot78 products for you to enjoy!

See more products from Lot78 after the jump!

By Andreas Menelaou Features Assistant

Paul Smith talks to Colin McDowell at Selfridges

Last week 7TH MAN MAGAZINE was invited to an exclusive talk between legendary fashion writer Colin McDowell and designer Paul Smith at Selfridges's Exhibition Hall.

During his introduction, Colin McDowell mentioned that Sir Paul Smith is the only designer who has received a knighthood for Ready-to-Wear, and that the success of the Paul Smith brand lies in giving people what they really want.

Over the next hour and a half, a jovial and good humored Paul Smith took us through a history of his career in a room full of eager listeners, which includes designer Carolyn Massey and interiors impressio David Carter.

Throughout his talk, Paul Smith offered a lot of sound advice based on how he conducted business as a Designer: getting the balance right between staying pure as a designer as well as being able to earn a living.

It was also very evident during his talk that he contributed much to his success to being humble, reliable and honest, having gratitude and respect for others and their differences.

There are too many highlights to mention here, and later a video of this conversation will be added to this blogpost when it becomes available.

There are a few interesting points that we would like to share with you meanwhile....

1) The turning point in Paul Smith's career came when he met his then future wife Pauline in Nottingham where he lived back in the 60's.

Pauline taught at the Nottingham University 2 days a week, and previous to that she taught at the Royal College in London.

Back in the 60's, the Royal College taught what Sir Paul described as "couture education, a foundation for future life", and through Pauline, Paul learned about pattern cutting, and the importance of good quality fabric and construction as a foundation for fashion design.

Pauline designed and made a lot of the garments which was sold in Sir Paul's shop in Nottingham in the early years.

2) Colin McDowell: "Paul Smith is considered a God in Japan!"

His expansion in Japan happened back in 1982/3, when a well mannered Mr. Yamaguchi from Japan came into his shop in Covent Garden out of the blue with a book full of Paul Smith cuttings, offering Paul Smith the possibility of a license of the Paul Smith brand in Japan.....and the rest is history!!

3) How Paul Smith became a magpie.....

In the early days, the Paul Smith shop in Nottingham consisted only of a 12' x 12' room with no windows - and as soon as a customer walked into the shop, s/he would be confronted with merchandise....

As a way to make customers more comfortable and to break the ice, Sir Paul started collecting various knic-knacs from different places to use as conversation pieces. Over the years this has evolved into the many interesting and unexpected items and collaborations of the Paul Smith brand.

Watch out for the video coming soon for more interesting facts and info from the designer himself......

www.PaulSmith.co.uk

www.Selfridges.com

7th Man Meets Jerry Hall and Georgia May Jagger.

From left to right: founder Andrea Horwood Bux, Georgia May Jagger, Jerry Hall, and the charming David Walker-Smith, Selfridges menswear and beauty director.

7^th Man was invited to brunch with Jerry Hall and daughter Georgia May to discuss Invisible Zinc, a new generation of chemical free sunscreen which has taken Australia by storm and is now available in London.

When asked how their involvement in sun care came about, Georgia May cheekily looked over at her famous mum and replied: ‘Well they didn’t teach them much about sunscreen in the 70’s (Jerry laughs out loud); my mum taught me how important it is to cover up, and I have typical English skin – I burn and go lobster pink!’.

Invisible Zinc uses a patented, finely milled form of Zinc Oxide which acts as a physical barrier between harmful rays (both UVA + UVB) and your skin. Most sunscreens require a chemical reaction to work, and focus on absorbing and scattering UVB rays which can then turn into free radicals, also still leaving you exposed to UVA, or as founder Andrea Horwood Bux calls it ‘the silent wrinkler’.

I have to say, I had a boogie with Jerry maybe six years ago at a mutual friend’s birthday bash, and whatever she is doing - it’s working. Her skin is just as creamy and even as it was then - something that comes from a healthy lifestyle and importantly - keeping out of the sun. As a mother and daughter team they seem to be the perfect example of two things: one being that you’re never too young to start protecting yourself; and two, that good sun care will never go out of fashion.

Invisible Zinc is available exclusively at Selfridges and online through www.selfridges.com.

Primary Colours

Primary colours never looked so damn cool before Jean Charles De Castelbajac got involved. His surreal cartoon inspired designs have entertained and enthralled fashionista's for seasons, injecting the seasonal trends with a consistent stream of quirky cool collections.

Selfridges [the home of the British highstreet] are hosting Jean Charles De Castelbajac and all his various material achievements for his JC de Castelbajac, in their highly revered concept store, located past the glistening labrinth of glass cabinets within the wonder room.

You may [or may not] have clocked the five windows dedicated to Castelbajac's futuristic designs?

To coincide with this monumental invasion, the highly esteemed designer has created a range of special edition t-shirts emblazoned with an illustration by the designer which will be sold to raise money for the human rights charity, Humanade, in honour of the late Malcolm McLaren whom the designer was very close to.

For those of you lurking in the shadows, as far as knowledge of Humanade is concerned, it is a charity set up by Joseph Corre [son of McLaren], to address human rights at the front line. Most famously they fund the charity 'REPRIEVE' who investigate 'ghost prisoners' being held by th US in secret prisons located all over the world.

It is a cause which aims to challenge the US led policies of torture and disappearance, for more information visit the website www.humanade.org.uk

The launch for this collaboration of fashion and charity was held in Selfridges concept store today. Seventh Man went along to experience the mangagerie first hand and was not disapointed: vodka jelly shots in vibrant primary colours and acrid green, mini cupcakes with mountains of violently died icing and speakers pulsating bone jarring bass lines... It was like stumbling into an exceptionally well designed night club, but you can buy everything.

Make sure you pop along for a peek and do your bit for human rights, limited edition fashion for under £40? The charity is almost just a convenient by-product.

JCDC's invasion lasts until June 30
http://www.jc-de-castelbajac.com/

Selfridges Windows Spring 2010

If you haven't been to Selfridges yet this season, I am sure due to business circumstances like many of us, you will be in for a special treat. The shop windows have had a musical makeover with windows based on songs from Florence and The Machine, Dizze Rascal, Hot Chip, Empire of the Sun, Paloma Faith, The XX, and Marina And The Diamonds. The stores most ambitious project to date!

Passers-by will have the chance to guess the songs which inspired the other windows at the London and Manchester stores via Selfridges new website.

A closer look below at Hot Chip's window (by Pete Fowler) which is design after the 'I Feel Better' tune.

Release the sport fanatic within.

This Summer there really is no excuse for not mustering up a little enthusiasm towards ball sports, namely Football.

There is no need to sign up to your local five a side, or start doing drills up and down the highstreet, simply endeavor to go shopping in Selfridges and you will find all you need to be fighting fit and sportily enthusiastic for the Summer ahead.

Umbro have launched a World Champions collection featuring the most prominent countries in the tournament designed by artists native to that City, using the countries football culture as inspiration...

England are on there, the design is crafted by Ben Eine one of the country's most influential street artists and graffiti pioneers, Brazil's talent at winning the World Cup are celebrated throught the illustrations of Fernando Chamarelli a visual artist and tattoo designer from Sao Paulo.

Other countries to feature include Argentina, France and Germany, all designed by artists from their home land. A seamless celebratory fashion purchase for one of the most infamous tournaments in the world, in any sport.

I'd happily come out of my sportswear drought in order to own one of those active delights.

Available exclusively from Selfridges.

Waft in Martin Margiela

The much coveted house of Martin Margiela has sprung a little surprise into their lean, mean, trend defying machine: a scent.

Yes that's right: Available from April exclusively in Selfridges, Margiela's first fragrance named '[untitled]' will be beautifully displayed and available for your sniffing pleasures.

This unisex musk is slotted gently into the floral - woody - musky grouping, an unusual choice for a unisex perfume, but delicious all the same.