Buckets & Spades - Men's Fashion, Design and Lifestyle Blog: made in uk

Showing posts with label made in uk. Show all posts

28 Nov 2016

We Bought a House + Visiting the DFS Design Studio in Derbyshire

We bought a house! That's right, me + Hollie finally did it. Over the next few months expect to see a lot more home-related stuff on Buckets & Spades! It's mad actually, everything happened so quickly. I have loads to share about the whole buying-a-house process; being accepted for a mortgage as a freelancer, all that legal business, obstacles we've came up against, and a bunch more positive stuff too!

We'll be moving any day now and I plan to document the whole move, so make sure to follow along with my Stories on Instagram at @mat_buckets!

-------

In a happy coincidence, British furniture company DFS invited me down to their Derbyshire factory + design studio to learn more about their history, design processes and see first-hand how their products are made.

Did you know that DFS produce over 50% of their furniture products here in the UK, made-to-order? My preconceptions of the brand definitely led me to assume everything was made "on the cheap" in Asia, cutting corners on quality to offer constant "sales" prices. Over the course of two days my opinions of the brand were flipped on their head.

On day one we were treated to a guided tour of their main factory, just outside Nottingham (see our guide to independent Nottingham here). Along with a small group of lifestyle blogger I was given a look into the fast-paced DFS production line; taking in elements from pattern cutting, upholstery, woodwork, metalwork, hand-stitching and even had a peak into where the young apprentices practice honing their craft.

As we wandered around the factory floor I could see there was a genuine sense of pride and an all-in-it-together mentality. Day one done.

Campbell Cole '16 Purism-Inspired Simple Collection

For their AW16 Simple Collection, Nottingham-based accessories brand Campbell Cole take inspiration from the Purism art movement of the early 20th century. Known for its simplistic use of colour + shapes, Purism – founded by Amédée Ozenfant + Le Corbusier – celebrated the basic forms in everyday life, and disregarded overly-decorative art.

The brand introduces us to a bunch of new embossed styles this season; the A5 Travel Pouch, Simple Wallet and Slim Card Wallet joins Campbell Cole's core collection. Each item in the collection has been designed + crafted in England, using Italian vegetable-tanned leather, and are available in Khaki, Navy, Tan and Black.

This obsession with simplicity is something that really resonates with me; sometimes you don't need to be the boldest or shout the loudest to make people notice you.

See Campbell Cole's new collection here. If you're in London you can also find them exhibiting at Design Junction for London Design Festival 22nd-25th September.

4 Sept 2016

Going Off Road with Barbour International

Wearing - Barbour International Jacket (Borrowed) | nestRobe Denim Shirt | Albam Jeans | Converse 70s | Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Just a quick one from us today. A little while ago I was asked by Barbour International to photograph the preview launch event for the brand's AW16 collection. I spend the whole day – somewhere in the in middle of the Kentish countryside – hot on the heals of a bunch of motorcycle enthusiasts, capturing images for my takeover of Barbour's Instagram account.

On the evening before the event we were treated to an exclusive preview of the new season collection: featuring the on-going partnership between Barbour International + the Steve McQueen foundation, as well as the return of their collaboration with motorcycle manufacturer Triumph. The following morning the team took a few of the new AW16 pieces out for a spin around the mud-ridden dirt tracks of Sandhurt, with Tricks In The Sticks stunt team.

Sadly I didn't get a chance to let rip on the bikes myself, as I was on camera duty, but I'm hoping we can work on something else with brand over the next few months.

If you liked this you may also enjoy reading about our visit to the Barbour factory in Should Shields.

2 Jun 2016

New Balance EPIC-TR Football Collection

New Balance team up with four European footwear stores to create a limited edition collection of their EPIC-TR sneaker. Hanon, 24 Kilates, sneakersnstuff and Firmament all got to give their own spin on the brand's football boot-inspired silhouette.

To celebrate the sporting heritage of New Balance, those football-crazy lads at Mundial Mag visited all four retailer to shoot the new collection on familar ground; using each respective store's staff as the subjects. Along with the sneakers, Mundial has also produced a limited run magazine to accompany the release, which profiles the Made in England construction, each individual colourway and original design process.

The collection is released 11th June. More info here.

4 Apr 2016

Exploring the Isle of Jura with Trakke + Jura Whisky

Image by Willy Iffland

It's not often I arrive home from a trip feeling totally content, but spending three days getting to know the beautiful island, and people of Jura was an experience I'm not likely to easily forget. We were invited to stay on the Scottish island by Jura Whisky, to celebrate their partnership between Glasgow-based Trakke, and the distillery itself – the result being a limited edition waxed cotton backpack.

Travel to this remote island wasn't easy, in fact it took two trains, a overnight in Glasgow, a plane, a ferry and an hour's bumpy taxi ride to reach the town of Craighouse. But it was all worth it just for those views.

We spent three days on Jura - a mountainous and boggy island, located west of mainland Scotland. An island famous for its whisky, but vast in its community spirit, local quirks and plush landscape. By intergrated ourselves into the community; drinking and dining with the locals, learning about the island's history and exploring the endless rocky terrain, we experienced a true sense of what it might be like to live somewhere so remote.

When the collaboration between outdoor brand Trakke and Jura Whisky was shared with me, I was instantly intrigued, but learning about the reasons behind why these two companies were coming together made for a more meaningful experience.

Outfit | Wolsey 260th Anniversary Peacoat

made in uk navy peancoat by wolsey red beanie hat mens fashion blogger

With these unseasonably warm days we've been having this December I haven't had much chance to bust out my Navy Peacoat by British brand Wolsey, but a there have been a couple of fresh days to take advantage of. Ain't no proper Christmas without a little cold snap, wool coats and a glass of brandy - so I'm hoping the chill arrives pronto.

I used to associate Wolsey with my Grandad's selection of groovy golf jumpers and socks, from the late '80s, but when you do a little research on the brand it quickly becomes clear that they're one of the most important British outfitters of recent times. Not only are they responsible for supporting Captain Scott and his team on their heroic 1911 race to the South Pole, and British troops throughout two world wars, but they also have 260 years of experience in garment construction.

For this mega milestone Wolsey has created a British-made collection, inspired by their rich heritage. I've been wearing peacoats for donkey's years, but this one from the 260 Collection is by far the most detailed and luxurious one I've owned. The soft, but robust fabric will take a battering in the Northern weather this Winter, but I have a feeling it could go a few rounds somewhere a heck of a lot more treacherous.

Photography by Jake Millers.