aGENCY footwear & accessories
March 2012
81 posts
“All lasting business is built on friendship.”
—Alfred A. Montapert
Next Stop St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
An architectural masterpiece and described by many as the most romantic building in London
The former Midland Grand Hotel has now re-opened as the St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel
It took a decade of restoration to uncover this Victorian masterpiece, that originally opened in 1873 to accommodate rail travelers through the St. Pancras Rail Station.
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotelwebsites/us/l/lonpr/lonpr_pdf/LONPR_5%20Star%20London%20Hotel.pdf
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott - This is no ordinary hotel
The architecture, the decoration, the mixture of classical and contemporary
It is like no other hotel you have ever entered, or will ever enter
The story of how it came into existence is just as extraordinary
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotelwebsites/us/l/lonpr/0-modules/custom/history_tours/module_pdf/HotelHistory.pdf
It is the tale of a true renaissance; of a national treasure that was almost reduced to rubble but that is today, once again the pride of London
Tours can be booked by contacting Royden Stock, Hotel Historian & Tour Guide at 020 7841 3569 or by email at royden.stock@renaissancehotels.com
Mad Hatters & English Men
The Bowler Hat was devised in 1849 by the London hat-makers Thomas & William Bowler of hat makers Lock & Co.
They were commissioned by a William Coke, a customer who designed a close fitting, low crowned hat to improve protection against low hanging branches while on horseback.
When Coke arrived in London on 17 December 1849 to collect his hat, he reportedly placed it on the floor and stamped hard on it twice to test its strength
The hat withstood this test and Coke paid 12 shillings for it
The Bowler also became the most popular hat in the American West - Where it’s named the Derby
Both cowboys and railroad workers preferred the hat because it would not blow off easily in strong wind, or when sticking one’s head out the window of a speeding train
This is frightfully British fashion for the more discerning gent & adds a touch of class to any wardrobe
“I love to see men in hats, always makes me smile”
aGENCY
“Wearing a bow tie is a statement. Almost an act of defiance.”
—Rick Kaplan
What's With The Bow Tie.....Boy?
Not just for the Dusty Geography Teacher - New York-based artist Nicholas Tee Ruiz is bringing the Bow Tie back to the modern man’s wardrobe & that can only be a good thing for menswear
and why a bow tie? -
“Because who doesn’t love a bow tie! You can’t help but give a little grin when you see one and putting one on, well that’s just an even more stupendous feeling”
Initially Nicholas just wanted to “look dapper” at work - He is involved with the programmes and events at New York City’s MOMA
In January 2011 Nicholas began to construct what has now become 11 unique bow ties
The Inspiration - They were designed around the major exhibition openings and benefit events at MOMA that year
“The bow ties were inspired by talks with curatorial colleagues, artist research, gut feelings and my technical studies”
Bow Tie #1 - February 2011 for Picasso: Guitars 1912-1914. Guitar picks, wooden hanger & super glue
Nicholas used everyday materials such as Computer cable, Film, LEGO, Guitar Picks, Medicines and Corks to create fabulous wearable art in the form of a bow tie
They not only made for great conversation and discussion but were produced with insight and relevance to the subject matter & event
“Benefit events allowed more freedom as I was not constrained but challenged to interpret the events in a creative way.”
In 2012 Nicholas wants to take the bow tie further & he wants OUR help
“A forward thinking initiative to re-purpose everyday materials into works of wearable art”.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running, to help him start an online store where he can sell his fun creations, that “aren’t outsourced and make you feel great”
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
• like my project Made in Forest Hills on Facebook here
• share the Kickstarter project with your friends
• blog about my bow ties
• tweet nice things to @BowTieBoy
• celebrate #BowTieFriday and wear one!
( I would very much like to recommend this too : ) -
Good Luck Nicholas - aGENCY )
“It is the quality of our work which will please God and not the quantity.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
“Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race.”
— H.G. Wells
