Sharp Dressed Man (Remix): Suits Commit Social Suicide
In the other Sharp Dressed Man post, I mentioned how suits didn't have to be serious but I didn't quite mention how that worked. There's a lot of different "leisure suits" available. I know the words 'leisure' and 'suit' used together conjures an image associated with those polyester belted nightmares from the 1970s but there's nothing else to call these inexpensive, unstructured suits sold at places like H&M. But what if you wanted an exceptionally well-tailored suit with the unexpected, fanciful details usually reserved for much lower quality street suits? There wasn't an answer to this question because the question had never been asked but, in any case, there's an answer now.
Social Suicide, in the vein of Rock n' Row n' Roll legend Tommy Nutter, is a new luxury brand started in London by two friends turned business partners Simon Waterfall and Matthew Grey. The clothes are serious in construction but the tongue is planted firmly in cheek with the exceptional details they add to the slacks and jackets, like a trompe l'oeil-esque embroidered bouquet of flowers, an AK-47 and over 400 mother-of-pearl buttons shaped into the visage of Queen Elizabeth II. If their designs are not enough for you, they will embroider an exact copy of your tattoos on any suit you have made with them. I find their style socially aware, refreshingly ironic, intelligent and playful!
When I asked Win Chesterfield, who I posed questions to in Sharp Dressed Man, about this new Savile Row tailor turning traditional English suits on their ear, he replied, "It’s an interesting concept certainly. There is a dollop of innovation to what they’re doing. They look at fashion with their tongues firmly in cheek; some of the results are really rather amusing. However, it should be warned that ‘fadding’ men’s clothing has been attempted before. Printing onto smart wool jackets, however original the print may be, is quirky but only momentarily interesting. After this subsides, you’re left with a jacket that you might feel possesses an awkward asset. Men’s fashion may well take a more avant-garde route; the idea of asymmetric suits is particularly intriguing but it’s difficult to see outfits like Social Suicide overtaking high quality production of classic items."
Have a look and enjoy! And remember, the prices are reasonable for the Row and when the pieces go on sale, you can get these suits and jackets for the same price of cheap, off the rack suits. For those who can afford it, pay retail if you want. For those who can't or don't want to, wait for the sale. Like now.
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Matthew Grey said of his brand,"Soft in the head? Better off dead . . . I'm not talking about the genuinely disadvantaged [mentally challenged]--God knows we've all got our weaknesses. I'm talking about a lazy, sloppy, paucity of thought. Thoughtless thinking. Unblinking thinking. We were all born with a brain so why the idiocy? Witless, lackadaisical pissaways. Millions of them."
THIS is being sharp dressed. There are solid silver razor blades hidden in this jacket's lapels to prevent head butts if you happen to get into a fight. Smart, dangerous style.
I'm a crazy b*tch but I f*ck so good you're on top it. Scratches all down your back to keep you right on.
The passion of the price.
Simon Waterfall then said, " Social Suicide IS a fashion label--yes--but it is not a haven for the moronic. It is not an intellectual pariah. It is not, heaven forbid, shallow, stupid nor shiftless. It is NOT your average fashion label."
Matthew Grey expounds further: " It is progressive. It is, at least amongst its peers, intelligent. We aim to make suits that in some small way, offer up thought and laughter; hope and love; life for your living. Clothes should enhance the body but is there any reason they shouldn't also compliment the mind? Compliment your mind?" Yes, Matt, it compliments my mind. I appreciate the fact it doesn't patronize me or anyone else! :)
The only man bag some men will ever carry.
Oh, look! A gun that won't take another person's life. I like it!
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On an invite to Buckingham Palace, Social Suicide co-founder Matthew Grey had this suit specially made with the profile of the Queen's head on the back. As you may know, when in the presence of the Queen, you are not permitted to turn your back to her. So, to be able to show her the design, he had to ask her permission to turn around first, which she readily granted. She thought the jacket was hilarious. They copied the jacket for others and it is one of the single most expensive, most labor intensive jacket they sell, not including slacks. On sale right now, this jacket can be had for less than a grand.
Here's one of the original photos from that night:
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What do you think? Comments, questions and accusations welcome.
