Showing posts with label collaborations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collaborations. Show all posts

1 Oct 2019

From Light to Dark

transitions lens clear frame glasses by cubitts at palma cafe blackpool
old seaside typography inspiration in blackpool
transitions lens clear frame glasses by cubitts at parma cafe blackpool
transitions lens clear frame glasses by cubitts at parma cafe blackpool, wearing COS, Albam and Converse
transitions lens clear frame glasses by cubitts on blackpool beach

Light responsive lenses by Transitions Optical UK (gift) | Shirt by Albam (gift) | Jeans by COS (gift) | Trainers by Converse (gift by size?) | Cap by Brooks Brothers | Socks by MHL | Watch by Void Watches

Paid partnership with Transitions Optical UK

Back in the days when I was in short trousers - and we're talking late 80s / early 90s here - we were lucky enough to take our summer holidays in Orlando. Me, my Mum, Grandparents and my older brother and sister would pack our bumbags, lace up our rather ugly matching Airwalk trainers and don our colourful Disney baseball caps, in prep for two weeks of mega times in the Sunshine State.

And when I think about it now, not much has changed; we still live in the same seaside town as we grew up in, we still head to Orlando every now and again with the family, and we still all enjoy a good ugly trainer. Memories of my family wearing light sensitive glasses spring to mind when thinking back to those trips in Florida – they both took to wearing them in the early 90s, due to perpetual sunny days out at theme parks and lazy days by the pool. It’s quite a nice feeling to think that three generations of our family have been linked by something as simple as these lenses.

When you combine the craft of Transitions lenses and the design credentials of London's own spectacle maker Cubitts, the outcome is a modern, discreet design, good for any occasion.

These reactive lenses are UV sensitive, meaning they look just like regular optical glasses indoors, but when the lenses are exposed to UV rays they will automatically start to darken, with them becoming fully engaged outside in direct sunlight. I'm wearing the Cubitts Flaxman frames in quartz with Graphite Green lenses - somewhat of a dream combination of my love of clear frame glasses + anything that comes in khaki. So here's to not carrying around two pairs of glasses anymore!

Mat.

9 Nov 2017

A Look Around Our House, One Year On | IKEA x HAY

How much have things changed in a year of being first-time homeowners?

I can hardy believe that we have been homeowners for nearly one year now. We moved into our neighbourhood on the 1st December 2016, and at the time I really couldn't even imagine what life would be like three months down the line. Being self-employed I was more worried about being able to pay the bills, than what colour we should paint our front room...

Anyone who has been in a similar position to us will know that the concept of turning a house into a "home" can be a very slow process. It took us months of DIY (with a lot of help from my new father-in-law), endless phone calls to contractors, and sensible spending to be in a place where we could start to think about how we wanted each room to look. One year on and we've only tackled a couple of rooms, but this anniversary was timed perfectly with the release of IKEA + HAY's debut YPPERLIG collection, so it felt like the perfect opportunity for us to do a proper house update. 

Take a look at how we styled the new YPPERLIG collection in our home.

 Injection moulded plastic YPPERLIG chairs

First up is the open plan living room and dining area. This bright space lends itself to being one of the more modern spaces in our house, with large white walls, pale woods and dark floorboards throughout. We spend a lot of time in here, and if we have guests drop by this is where we usually end up the fridge is stocked with beer and the coffee is always on so, along with building a new shelving system, this is where you'll find a good portion of our IKEA + HAY picks.

The greens and off whites of the YPPERLIG collection compliment our existing antique and modern furniture, along with the exposed brickwork - making the dining room one of my favourite spaces in the house!

 The Nest of Tables is working a treat in our open-plan living room

2 Oct 2017

Reflecting on Achievements | Paul Smith Life-proof Collection


Pocket Square by Paul Smith
by Paul Smith
Artist Stripe Socks by Paul Smith
Photography by Jordan Bunker

There comes a point in our lives when it would serve us well to take a step back and reflect upon what we've achieved. It's very easy for us to become consumed by the projects we work on   the hours we spend on social media and the miles of road we cover without giving a second thought to just how much we have grown.

In a world where any acts of boast could easily come off as an "I'm better than you" remark, I've always been conscious of how I come across online. But there are some occasions that we need to give ourselves a break, and celebrate the achievements we're proud of. For me, this project that myself and Jordan Bunker collaborated on with Paul Smith is one of those occasions.

The Life-proof collection, PS by Paul Smith resonated with my love of colour, design detail and the notion that practical clothing doesn't need to be hung on the peg until that daytrip to the great outdoors comes around. Our aim was to show the collection off as it was intended; in rain, shine and everything else the unpredictable Leeds climate could chuck at us.

What makes this project really special for me is that the man himself + the brand he's built is one of  the main reasons why I became so fascinated with fashion + design when I was a young teenager. And to say that 15 years on I'm working alongside PS to create content is an huge achievement for me personally. It's also a testament to how much my working relationship with Jordan has grown constantly pushing ourselves raise our work to the next level. I can now see why reflection is regarded so highly.

Is reflection a part of the way you work? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The Paul Smith AW17 Collection is available here.

This post is brought to you in partnership with Paul Smith. Your support of the brands + businesses we work with helps make this blog happen.

17 Feb 2017

Ex-Commuter | J SHOES x Sanders

j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
 Charlie Brogues by J SHOES x Sanders
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
 ASOS Overcoat | Vest c/o Lavenham | NN07 Jumper | Asket Shirt | Dickies Chinos | Shoes c/o J SHOES x Sanders | Farer Watch | Corgie Socks | Vintage Army Beanie

Did you know that Captain America - The First Avenger was filmed in Manchester's Northern Quarter? Marvel director Joe Johnston chose the location for its ability to be adapted to create a vibe of post-WWII New York City. It seems like an unlikely neighbourhood to choose - known for its independent clothing stores, record shops, coffee hangs and decent beer - but if you look closer, and start to look up at the architecture it all starts to make sense.

British footwear brand J SHOES recently contacted us with a project that instantly caught our attention. To celebrate the their 20th anniversary J.Shoes has created a limited edition collection with Northampton-based Sanders. We set ourselves the task to create a photo-story which represented the link between heritage + modern values.

The unisex collection features the Charlie brogue in two colourways. We decided the full-grain Chestnut, for its district use of tonal coloured grain leathers and green welting.

j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
j shoes x sanders collaboration, british made brogues worn by men's fashion blogger mat buckets in manchester
Photography by Jake Millers

If we rewind the clock a few years you would have found me making a daily commute to Manchester city centre. My e-commerce role led me to taking short-cuts through many dark alleys, wet industrial side streets + Victorian-designed squares shaving minutes off my dash to make that 4pm cut-off time at the Post Office. Now, I find myself in those same side streets and dark avenues, taking advantage of the city's Northern character.

Staying true to my own personal style, I wore the beauties which have been entirely made in England, using Sanders' trademark crepe sole on the smart casual side of things, sticking to navys, greys + browns. Layering was essential for a bitterly cold + wet day; wearing the Laverham vest over my beige jumper by NN07 and classic oxford shirt by Asket, and tying in that American connection with slim fit strides by Dickies.

In around five month's time myself + Hollie will be heading over to Las Vegas to get married. It seems fitting that the J SHOES x Sanders collection has come along when it has - the perfect wedding shoes?

Let me know your thoughts on the shoes + if you think the setting was a good choice!
This post is in partnership with J Shoes. Thank you for taking the time to support the brands + businesses that make this blog happen.

31 May 2016

Meet the East London Neighbourhood with Whistles





Jacket, Shirt, T-Shirt, Trousers by Whistles Men | Whistles x Buddy Sneakers | Form & Thread Socks

With the first dedicated Whistles Men's store recently opening in East London we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to explore the close-knit community which centres around Boundary Street, Redchurch Street and its surrounding area. Located just off Shoreditch High Street, the new store is just a stone's throw away from some of the city's coolest independent stores, cafes and hangouts.

Along with photographer Jonathan Daniel Pryce aka Garcon Jon, my buddy Oliver Hoosen and the Whistles Men team we headed out around the area to explore some of our favourite hot spots, and get to know Whistles' new neighbours:








Short Sleeve shirt by Whistles | Glasses by Glint London

Mast Brothers

It was a warm day, and chocolate probably shouldn't have been on high priority, but it's hard not to be drawn in by the perpetual sweet smell of Mast Bro's chocolately goodness. If you wander down Redchurch Street you'll be faced with their warehouse factory-style store, complete with ever-changing window display, coffee bar and daily workshop tours.

Le Labo

Another store in the area which plays loopy with your olfactory system is Le Labo. Their signature and experimental unisex fragrances are all neatly arranged within this dimply lit, Americana-inspired apothecary store. Kitted out with antique dark wooden furniture, heavy steel fixtures and timeless New York sensibilities. Take a peak at their fuctional lab in the back too!

Sonos Studio

This is a place that I've often walked past but never stopped to take a closer look. Sonas Studio is a regular hangout for the Whistles Men staff, serving as the perfect super-chill escape, from the often fast-paced environment of Shoreditch. Sonos Studios provides the perfect open-plan space for freelancers or anyone looking for a break from their stuffy office.