Thursday, 09 September 2010
Welcome to the first of our annual ChicGeek Awards - a round-up of the best that 2009 had to offer. TheChicGeek Awards recognises those that have excelled in their chosen categories.
Celebrating the pick of our men's buyer's guides from 2009, Stephen Ayres of Liberty of London managed to offer a mix of the new and established in a difficult retail space. We love the Liberty building but it isn't conducive to big retail statements. Stephen managed to fit a lot of interesting things into a small space. Exclusives from Opening Ceremony and Barbour mixed well with Liberty's archive which perennially comes in and out of fashion. The slightly eclectic mix offered some relief in what was a difficult year for retail and one in which many played it safe.
We are always openminded at TheChicGeek - you have to be in this game - but when it comes to celebrity fashion brands we don't really expect very much. Not to sound too patronising but 'Pretty Green' is pretty good. Liam Gallagher's fashion label is good quality and very wearable. It was stocked in Selfridges and it held its own amongst the other brands in there. The vibe is simple, classic clothes with a nod to Mod and a splash of psychedelia. Great debut.
We probably mentioned this collection a few times - or maybe twenty! French ski-wear brand Moncler launched a premium men's collection called Gamme Bleu in 2009. Designed by American designer Thom Browne it was - whisper it - better than his own collection. Moncler Gamme Bleu combined Thom Browne's distorted sartorial elegance with Moncler's technical know-how. Jackets were filled with down and finished with precision details particularly the buttons. They were expensive but hey, you get what you pay for. The new spring 2010 collection also looks great in lighter fabrics.
Don't roll your eyes, but come on, what was better looking than Mad Men last year? The early Sixties drama could easily be watched with the sound off. The perfect visuals of slim lapels and even slimmer ties made this the most stylish programme of 2009. The term Mad Men refers to the advertising execs. working on Madison Avenue during the late Fifties and early Sixties. The programme makers use vintage clothing and props to create the look. The mysterious Donald Draper has entered the psyche of being at the sartorial pinnacle of perfection. Everything is chic; the drinking, the smoking, the flirting, even all the hidden emotional turmoil. Somebody somewhere will be writing a dissertation on this programme.
Dermalogica has something for everybody that's why it is our Grooming Brand of the Year. The sensitively developed products put the skin first and foremost. Dermalogica had our Movember taches looking their best in late 2009 and the rest of the products had us looking our best during the rest of the year.
This was a late entry for the Fragrance of the Year award. Alford & Hoff is a new premium men's grooming brand launched in the UK during 2009. This is their first eponymously named fragrance. Fragrance is very subjective but you know quality when you smell it. This has such a rich softness, it doesn't overpower when you first put it on and lasts and lasts becoming deeper and warmer. This is one of my new favourites.
This was genius. A clear sun protection spray in an aerosol can which covered the body in seconds. A decent factor - 25 - the coverage was good and simple bit of rubbing and you're good to go. It is more important than ever to be protected from the sun so anything which makes it less of a chore to apply and reapply must be a good thing. This should be in everybody's holiday bag in 2010.
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Terms and Conditions | Advertise With Us | Intelligence | Jumble Sale | Geek in Press | Quick News |© TheChicGeek | Publisher Website! Design CODECYAN