CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Few ingredients in perfumery carry quite the mystique of oud. Often described as ‘black gold’, this rare and precious wood has an extraordinary depth, revealing smoky, animalic, honeyed, floral and even fruity facets depending on its origin and treatment.

For Francis Kurkdjian, oud has long represented something more than simply another ingredient. It is a material with history, complexity and an almost instinctive sensuality — qualities that have made it central to his exploration of contemporary French perfumery.

His fascination with oud began to take a more definitive form in 2012, when he introduced a distinctive interpretation of the material into the fragrance wardrobe of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Rather than attempting to reproduce the traditional Eastern interpretation of oud, Kurkdjian sought to explore its rougher, more sensual characteristics through the lens of a Parisian perfumer.

That philosophy has since developed into the Maison’s OUD collection, where the richness of oud is explored through the language of texture and fabric.

OUD silk mood introduced the crispness of raw silk, while OUD satin mood explored the fluidity and sensuality of satin. Now, OUD velvet mood turns its attention to something softer, warmer and more tactile: velvet.

From the Desert to the Bottle

The inspiration behind OUD velvet mood comes from an unexpected place: the desert landscapes of Liwa in the United Arab Emirates.

During a visit to the region, Kurkdjian was struck by the vastness of the landscape — endless horizons, shifting dunes and the extraordinary contrast between the scale of the desert and the intimate, tactile quality of the sand beneath his feet.

It was this contrast that became the starting point for the fragrance.

The idea is not to recreate the smell of the desert literally, but rather to capture its sensation. Warmth. Softness. Texture. Skin. Movement.

OUD velvet mood therefore takes the powerful character of oud and surrounds it with softer, more tactile elements, creating a fragrance that feels less like a traditional interpretation of oud and more like an exploration of its sensual side.

At its heart, the fragrance combines the raw character of oud wood with a textured peach note, introducing a subtle sweetness and unexpected brightness. Osmanthus brings leathery and apricot nuances, while a supple suede accord adds to the impression of warm skin.

The result is an oud that feels contemporary rather than austere — rich and enveloping, but with an almost intimate quality.

What makes OUD velvet mood particularly interesting is the way Kurkdjian continues to reinterpret a historically significant ingredient through a distinctly French perspective.

Oud has deep cultural roots across the Middle East and Asia and has become increasingly prominent within Western fragrance over recent decades. Yet rather than simply adopting its traditional codes, Kurkdjian treats it as raw material to be explored, balanced and transformed.

That approach is central to his wider creative philosophy: bringing together exceptional ingredients from around the world and shaping them through the discipline, refinement and heritage of French perfumery.

In OUD velvet mood, the contrast between rough and soft becomes the defining characteristic. The intensity of oud meets peach, osmanthus and suede, creating something that is both powerful and intimate.

It is perhaps best understood not simply as another oud fragrance, but as an exercise in texture.

Where silk glides and satin flows, velvet invites you to touch it. And that sense of touch is ultimately what OUD velvet mood seeks to capture — the warmth of sun-soaked sand, the softness of skin and the sensuality of something experienced slowly rather than simply observed.

For those already familiar with Francis Kurkdjian’s work, it represents another chapter in his continuing exploration of oud. For anyone discovering the material for the first time, it offers a more contemporary and tactile introduction to one of perfumery’s most intriguing ingredients.

Workwear has officially clocked off. Once reserved for the job site, carpenter trousers, chore jackets, utility vests and heavy-duty boots have become unlikely staples of the modern wardrobe, bringing practicality and purpose firmly into everyday dressing.

What was once worn because it had a job to do is now being worn because it looks the part, too. And while the fashion world has embraced the aesthetic, the appeal of workwear goes deeper than simply looking rugged.

For CAT Footwear, this is hardly a new territory. With its heritage rooted in workwear and footwear engineered around durability, comfort and function, CAT has been making the products that define the look long before workwear became a fashion trend.

Today, the distinction between workwear and streetwear is becoming increasingly difficult to define. Consumers are looking beyond clothes that simply look good, instead seeking pieces that earn their place in the wardrobe — footwear and clothing that are durable, versatile and capable of doing more.

That shift has helped transform the humble work boot from a purely functional necessity into a cornerstone of contemporary style. Paired with relaxed denim, carpenter trousers or even more refined everyday pieces, its appeal now extends far beyond the workplace.

The same can be said for utility dressing more broadly. Practical pockets, hard-wearing fabrics, sturdy construction and functional silhouettes have all found a place in modern fashion, proving that practicality and style no longer need to exist at opposite ends of the wardrobe.

And perhaps that is why workwear continues to resonate. Unlike trends that arrive and disappear with the seasons, it is built around something rather more enduring: clothes designed to work.

For CAT Footwear, the movement represents less a new fashion phenomenon and more a recognition of something the brand has understood for decades. When clothing and footwear are designed with purpose, durability and everyday functionality at their core, they don’t need to follow fashion — fashion eventually comes to them.

Workwear hasn’t simply entered the everyday wardrobe. It has helped redefine what we expect from it.

As hybrid working continues to reshape the way we live, the home office has evolved from a temporary necessity into a permanent fixture of modern interiors. Yet for many households, creating a productive workspace remains a challenge. Few homes were originally designed with dedicated offices in mind, meaning spare corners, bedroom alcoves and living room walls are increasingly being asked to work harder than ever before.

Fortunately, effective home working no longer requires sacrificing style for practicality. SCHMIDT’s latest collection of made-to-measure office solutions demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform even the most challenging spaces into productive, elegant environments tailored to modern life.

Whether you’re looking to carve out a quiet corner for focused work, create a shared workspace for two, or simply bring greater organisation to your daily routine, these are the home office trends defining 2026.

The Bedroom Desk Nook

Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated study, making the bedroom one of the most popular locations for a home workspace. The challenge, however, lies in creating an area that feels purposeful during working hours while maintaining the sense of calm and relaxation essential to a bedroom.

SCHMIDT’s bespoke bedroom desk solutions achieve precisely that balance. Designed to fit seamlessly against walls and within alcoves, these made-to-measure desks maximise every available centimetre while incorporating practical storage that keeps clutter hidden from view.

Available in an extensive range of finishes, from warm timber tones to contemporary matt neutrals, the result is a workspace that feels integrated rather than improvised, complementing the room’s overall design while providing everything needed for a productive working day.

The Living Room Study

As home working becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, the office has moved beyond the spare room and into the social heart of the home.

SCHMIDT’s striking Botanic Black living room concept embraces this shift, seamlessly combining workspace and living space through fitted furniture that serves multiple purposes. A bespoke desk is integrated into a wider storage and display system, creating a sophisticated focal point that functions equally well for work and leisure.

Thoughtfully designed shelving, concealed storage and a built-in reading bench contribute to an environment that feels curated rather than corporate. The result is a workspace that disappears into the wider interior when the laptop closes, allowing the room to retain its character while supporting modern working habits.

The Corner Office

Some of the most effective workspaces emerge from the most overlooked areas of the home.

SCHMIDT’s Box Office concept transforms unused corners into highly functional workstations through intelligent, made-to-measure design. By wrapping bespoke cabinetry around the workspace, the solution creates a dedicated working environment without demanding significant floor space.

Open shelving, integrated storage compartments and overhead units ensure everything has its place, while maintaining a compact footprint ideal for apartments, smaller homes and multi-functional rooms.

For homeowners seeking to maximise every square metre, it offers a compelling example of how clever design can unlock hidden potential within existing spaces.

Dual Desks for Shared Households

With more couples and families embracing flexible working patterns, demand for shared home office environments continues to grow.

SCHMIDT’s dual-desk concept responds with a workspace designed specifically for two. Symmetrical layouts create visual harmony, while dedicated storage zones ensure each user has their own organised area for documents, technology and everyday essentials.

Integrated shelving and concealed storage maintain a clean, uncluttered aesthetic, while a wide selection of finishes allows the workspace to blend naturally into the surrounding interior.

The result is a practical solution that supports productivity without compromising on design, making it ideal for households where multiple people regularly work from home.

Smart Storage: The Secret to Every Great Workspace

While desk design often takes centre stage, it is intelligent storage that ultimately determines how well a home office functions.

Across every SCHMIDT design, thoughtful storage solutions form the foundation of a productive environment. Bespoke wall units conceal paperwork, integrated cable management eliminates visual clutter, and carefully planned drawer systems keep everyday essentials organised and accessible.

Open niches provide space for books, decorative objects and personal touches, ensuring workspaces feel welcoming and individual rather than purely functional.

Perhaps most importantly, every solution is made to measure, allowing SCHMIDT to accommodate the realities of British homes, including sloping ceilings, awkward alcoves, narrow rooms and unconventional layouts that standard furniture often struggles to address.

The Final Word

The future of home working is no longer about finding space for a desk. It is about designing environments that support productivity while enhancing the way we live.

SCHMIDT’s latest home office concepts demonstrate how bespoke furniture can transform bedrooms, living rooms, unused corners and shared spaces into beautifully considered work environments tailored to individual lifestyles. By combining intelligent storage, thoughtful design and made-to-measure craftsmanship, these solutions prove that working from home can be every bit as stylish as it is practical.

For those preparing to settle back into post-summer routines, it may be time to rethink what a home office can be.

Every season the fashion world tells us what’s next for men’s hair. But, which of those trends will actually make it off the runway and into the barber’s chair?

While some men will claim not to notice the trends from the shows, the looks have a habit of filtering down into everyday life. And few people see that happen in real time better than Guray Kesman, founder of Kesman Male Grooming. With two busy London barbershops, one in Victoria and one in Farringdon, Guray is on the frontline of where catwalk trends meet the man on the street.

Day in, day out, he sees which looks clients are genuinely asking for, which runway looks have real staying power, and which don’t. From softer fades and effortless texture to the growing confidence around colour, Guray shares the AW26 hair trends he believes will genuinely resonate this autumn, and which are likely to stay exactly where they belong.

1. The Undone Crop

“The big shift this season is away from anything that looks too finished. Soft, natural movement is what’s coming up again and again, and it’s exactly what I’m seeing requested in the barbershop too. Men don’t want a cut that only works for the first hour after they leave the chair. They want something with texture built in, so it still looks good on day three.”

2. The Rumpled Barnet

“There’s a real ‘bed-head’ energy about this season, hair that looks like you’ve barely touched it, even though it’s taken real skill to get there. Clients are asking for that same effortless look. It’s a harder cut to execute than it looks. Getting hair to fall naturally, rather than sit stiffly, takes a proper technique.”

3. The Matte Reset

“Shine had a moment for years, but matte is what men are asking for now. It reads as more grown-up and less try-hard. I’ve changed what I reach for on the finishing side because of it.”

4. The Bold Tint

“There’s a real confidence coming through around colour this season, nothing subtle about it. I’m not seeing men asking for anything too extreme just yet, but there’s definitely more openness to it generally, whether that’s a client wanting to cover grey with more warmth, or someone genuinely wanting to experiment for the first time.”

5. The European Flow

“This continues to be one of the biggest men’s hairstyle trends this season, thanks to its effortless movement, natural texture, and versatility. With soft layers and a relaxed finish, it suits a wide range of hair types and can be styled casually for everyday wear or refined for a more polished look. It’s the perfect choice for anyone wanting a modern hairstyle that looks stylish without trying too hard.”

6. The Braided Edit

“Braiding has become a real point of interest this season, and it’s a good reminder to clients that texture and detail aren’t off limits for men. It’s not something everyone will take to the barbershop, but it’s opened up more conversations about texture work generally.”

7. The Soft Fade

“There’s been a shift away from razor-sharp, high-contrast fades towards something softer and more blended. It’s a small technical change, but it changes the whole feel of a cut. Combined with more length on top, it’s giving men a much softer, more natural overall shape than we were seeing a couple of years ago.”

8. The Easy Edit

“Whatever’s driving the trends this season, the real priority for most men walking into a barbershop is still ease. And this season is actually good news on that front. Natural texture and softer fades genuinely need less daily effort than the sharp, sculpted looks that were popular before. It’s a season where looking current and looking after yourself line up.”

Every autumn wardrobe needs that one defining piece. The jacket that signals the change of season, bridges the gap between late summer and cooler days, and somehow manages to feel both familiar and completely new.

For AW26, Barbour is turning to one of its most recognisable signatures for inspiration, introducing Birchwood Dress Tartan as a fresh interpretation of the heritage pattern through a distinctly contemporary lens.

Tartan and Barbour have long been natural bedfellows, but this season the iconic British brand is moving the pattern beyond traditional country dressing and into a more modern, everyday wardrobe.

Leading the collection is the Barbour Tartan Blouson Showerproof Jacket, a relaxed take on the classic outer layer that feels particularly well suited to the unpredictable British transition from summer into autumn.

Cut in a contemporary blouson silhouette, the jacket combines the visual character of Barbour’s heritage with the practicality demanded by modern everyday dressing. Lightweight showerproof fabric makes it an easy option when the weather inevitably turns, while its relaxed proportions give it the versatility to work across a variety of looks.

And versatility is perhaps where the jacket makes its strongest case.

Thrown over a simple T-shirt and denim, it works effortlessly for a weekend out of town. Layered with knitwear as temperatures begin to fall, it becomes a practical autumn staple, while pairing it with tailored trousers offers a more considered approach for navigating the city.

It’s a useful reminder that heritage clothing doesn’t have to remain rooted in the past.

As tartan begins its annual return to the autumn menswear conversation, Birchwood Dress offers a more contemporary interpretation of a pattern that has enjoyed remarkable longevity. Rather than simply revisiting the archive, Barbour has used its heritage as a starting point, translating a familiar signature into a silhouette designed for the way men dress now.

The result is a jacket that sits comfortably between countryside and city, heritage and contemporary style, practicality and personality.

Because the best seasonal pieces aren’t necessarily the loudest. They’re the ones that quietly earn their place in the wardrobe—and the Barbour Tartan Blouson looks designed to do exactly that.