Founded in 1905 in London, the pioneers of the wristwatch now lovingly craft over 2000 timepieces each day.

At 24, Hans Wilsdorf founded a company in London, distributing timepieces. His dream was a reliable, elegant watch worn on the wrist, and in 1910, just five years later, a Rolex watch was the first in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision.

What’s in a name?

Who is Mr Rolex? Is there a Mr Rolex? What is Rolex?!

Wilsdorf wanted a memorable name for his watches. Something that was short looked good on the watch and was easy to say and remember in any language. This genius led him to combine random letters of the alphabet, creating different words. However, he struggled to find anything that felt right until one day, riding on the top deck of a horse-drawn omnibus, he claimed that “a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear”. And so the luxurious brand was born.

Prisoners of War

World War II arrived, and Air Force pilots purchased Rolex watches to replace their inferior standard-issue watches. However, upon capture, their watches were confiscated. Hans Wilsdorf offered to replace all confiscated timepieces immediately, with payment delayed until after the war, and a Rolex Oyster 3525 supplied by Wilsdorf was instrumental in the Great Escape, ordered specifically by Corporal Nutting for timing the patrols of the prison guards.

Hi-tech world firsts

Boasting the world’s first waterproof watch, the Oyster, and the world’s first self-winding mechanism using a perpetual rotor, Rolex led the way with designs and technology that are now incorporated into the heart of modern automatic watches.

They flew over Everest, swum the channel, and set a land speed record behind the wheel of the Bluebird in 1935, on the wrist of Sir Malcolm Campbell. Rolex watches became the watches of achievers, with timepieces designed for deep-sea diving, aviation, mountain climbing and scientific exploration.

Watching Watches

Rolex also quickly became the luxury watch of choice in Hollywood. Scattered across the silver screen, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman and Marlon Brando sported Rolex watches, and a Rolex Submariner was used as a knuckle duster, punching out henchmen in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. This model became known as the James Bond Submariner.

Celebrity status

Favoured on and off the screen, accessorising with a Rolex is a must for many celebrities. Constantly striving to improve the quality, durability, and accuracy of their timepieces, they have developed some of the most exquisite, resilient, and revered watches, giving the brand a celebrity status of its own.

2017 Collection

Still producing exquisite timepieces, Rolex’s 2017 collection is as luxurious as ever.

Rolex shows no sign of winding down just yet. Providing elegance, sophistication and superb accuracy, the brand delivers everything Hans Wilsdorf dreamt it might… and more.

This concept, conceived and styled by Amie Bone with additional styling and co-ordination by Charlotte Munro, takes a different look at relationships. In an era when men and women are supposed to be from “different planets” and unable to communicate, many gay men and straight women seem able to connect almost effortlessly.

Perhaps it is because those are not relationships of convenience or forced by societal pressure, but friendships based on common interests, mutual respect, and real affection. Whether they are commiserating about love lives or getting the insider’s perspective on what men or women really think, gay men and straight women often turn to one another for the real scoop.

Amie drawing from her experience and inspired by her real-life friendships, created this shoot as a celebration of modern relationships and friendships.

THE VENUE

The beautiful and unique Aynhoe Park was the location for this shoot. At the heart of 250 acres of Capability Brown Cotswolds countryside, the 17th century 28 bedroom home is a country house of stories and surprises – a place where the extraordinary happens every day. It was therefore perfect for this unusual shoot.

DECOR AND DETAILS

Amie designed an incredibly wild cascading floral tablescape featuring an explosion of greenery and flowers. She used runners of coral peonies, gloriosa, orange and deep pink roses, pink sweet peas and hydrangeas, orange gladioli, green guelder roses, yellow calla lilies, ranunculi and tulips in abundance to create the most opulent look. Interspersed within the floral runner were bespoke bird cages and luxurious gold candelabras.

Each place setting had a charger plate by Whitehouse Crockery which was topped with gold-edged watercolour men and place card from EG Lettering and sweet treats from Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium.

SUITS AND DRESS

Our grooms were dressed by Tailor Made and Chester Barrie and opted to have different suits as an expression of their individual styles. The first suit, in classic grey herringbone tweed, had a matching waistcoat and bow tie and featured hand stitching. The second suit was a sleek tuxedo with a beautifully crafted peak satin lapel teamed with a classic white shirt and black bow tie. They both wore matching bespoke floral epaulettes by Amie Bone.

The Grooms’ BFF wore a short black corseted dress with red embroidery and matching orange ankle socks and hand-embroidered black ankle boots by Chantal Mallett. Carla Brooks and Team Glam were responsible for the grooming, hair and makeup looks.

CAKES

Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium designed a trio of wedding cakes and sweet treats in black and gold.

The main cake was a tall and dramatic 7 tiered confection in black decorated with baroque detailing and sugar flowers in pink, yellow and orange. The other two cakes included a one tiered crackle effect cake topped with sugar roses and a three-tiered cake black cake with pink marble veining accented with gold. There were also cupcakes, mini magnums and cookies for the dessert table.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The shoot was brilliantly captured by San Shawe of Sanshine Photography, one of the top wedding photographers in the World. I am sure you will all agree that this unique luxury shoot is simply stunning!

THE CREATORS:

• Venue: Aynhoe Park www.aynhoepark.co.uk
• Photographer: Sanshine Photography www.sanshinephotography.com
• Floral design: Amie Bone www.amieboneflowers.com
• Styling & Coordination: Charlotte Munro Weddings www.charlottemunro.co.uk
• Hair & Makeup: Team Glam www.teamglam.com
• Luxury Wedding Cakes and Dessert Table Treats: Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium www.elizabethscakeemporium.com
• Stationery: EG Lettering www.eglettering.com
• Charger Plates & Glassware: Whitehouse Crockery www.eventcrockeryhire.co.uk
• Wedding & Engagement Rings: The London Victorian Ring Co www.london-victorian-ring.com
• Dress: Chantal Mallett http://www.chantalmallett.com/
• Furniture: The Prop Factory www.propfactory.co.uk
• Candles sticks, birdcages & table décor: Wedding Day Hire www.weddingdayhire.co.uk
• Models: Meg Makin, Michael Gray, Sam
• Suits: Tailor-Made www.tailormadelondon.com, Chester Barrie www.chesterbarrie.co.uk

Known simply as ‘W.O.’, Walter Owen Bentley founded Bentley Motors with his brother, ‘H.M’ in 1919. Showcasing their first car chassis at the London Motor Show that October, albeit with a dummy engine, they enlisted the help of Clive Gallop, an ex royal flying corps officer, who had the engine up and running by December the same year. After a lengthy development, 1921 saw their first car on the road, earning widespread acclaim for its durability.

The Bentley Boys

Bentley’s reputation was kept high by the ‘Bentley Boys’, a group of rich British motorists who were dedicated to serious racing, taking Bentley sports cars to numerous victories in the 1920s. In fact Bentley Boy Woolf Barnato bought the company in 1925, creating the famous supercharged Bentley Blower car.

Le Mans

These Bentley Boys were responsible for Bentley’s wins at Le Mans. They first won in 1924, with Captain John Duff winning in his own Bentley, and from 1927 to 1930 they held on to the title each year as they improved their engines, pit procedures and team discipline.

Nearly 73 years to the day that two Speed Sixes came first and second at Le Mans, Bentley did it again in 2003, the sixth victory for them at a Le Mans race.

Celeb status

Favourites with celebrities for their sleek, classic good looks and undeniable performance, Bentley has gained fans up and down the A-list. Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr. owns a Bentley Continental GT, as does rapper Ludacris, opting for a metallic blue hue for his. Closer to home, boxer Amir Khan chooses to cruise in a Bentley Continental and HRH Prince William owns a Bentley Flying Spur.

The latest in the line

Today, Bentley cars still represent aspiration and achievement. Each car is hand finished by traditional artisans; created, not merely assembled. The latest model, the New Continental GT, has sleek lines and the exquisite craftsmanship Bentley are world-renowned for. With a look that reaches a whole new level of luxury, the New Continental GT is the first production car ever to have been created with the Super Formed precision technique, allowing more complex, sharply defined body lines. With 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 207mph, this Bentley definitely fulfils W.O.’s desire to be best in class.

From high society to high fashion

The youngest of seven children and the only boy in his family, Oscar de la Renta first discovered his skill for design whilst drawing clothes for newspapers and fashion houses to earn a little extra money. With famous and over-achieving relatives on all sides, Oscar was quietly studying painting in Spain when his work was noticed by the wife of the US Ambassador to Spain who asked him to design her daughter’s debutante gown. Soon after, Oscar began sketching for leading fashion houses, before becoming an apprentice for Cristóbal Balenciaga, who became his mentor.

The label

First appearing in Vogue in 1964, Oscar de la Renta already had a wealth of design experience under his belt, and after joining Jane Derby in New York City, he took over the label as his own after her death in 1965. His passion was making women look and feel great, with bright colours, bold patterns and beautiful silhouettes.

Awards galore

His accolades and awards stacked up through the years; with two Coty Awards (the fashion industry’s equivalent to the Oscars) as well as two Council of Fashion Designers Designer of the Year Awards. He was also a two-time winner of the American Fashion Critic’s Award and held numerous international honours and titles. His final honour was receiving the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence in 2014.

Bridal arrives

The first Dominican to design for a French couture house, Oscar created the haute couture collection for Balmain for nearly ten years whilst also diversifying and developing his own brand. With lines in fragrance, accessories and homeware as well as a less expensive clothing line, ‘O Oscar’, de la Renta also added a bridal collection in 2006.

The First Ladies’ favourite

A household name in the field of haute couture, Oscar de la Renta was renowned for designing for America’s First Ladies, and a collection of his outfits was shown in 2014 to celebrate his five decades of style.

Vogue

Oscar de la Renta remained familiar with the pages of Vogue throughout his career, lending elegant luxury and signature bold style to celebrity shoots and features.

Outside the magazines and off the catwalks, A-listers continued to drape themselves in Oscar de la Renta across the world, he even designed Amal Alamuddin’s wedding dress.

And now…

Peter Copping led the brand as Creative Director from 2014 until 2016, and now Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia have taken the reins as joint creative directors. Bringing youthful clean lines to de la Renta’s signature rich fabrics and bold prints, the pair have pocketed plenty of Oscar’s exuberance, having worked closely alongside him and adored him and his work for many years, even creating their own label, named Monse, in memory of Oscars mother. Their vision can be seen throughout their collections, with celebrities just as in love with Oscar de la Renta as ever.

There are so many things you want to encapsulate in that single gift – something that reflects your journey so far, something that adequately sums up your feelings for your wedding day and ultimately something that shows your love and excitement for your new life as a married couple. But there are so many ways of saying those things, so why not put together a wedding morning package full of little keepsakes and mementos and then splash out and buy each other a true treat. Here’s our top pick of luxury gifts for your loved one.

For him

A watch is a classic gift – the perfect wedding day accessory and something your new husband will look at multiple times each day in the days to come, remembering the fizz of wedding day excitement and the joy of being married to you!

Oris Pro Pilot Mens Watch

£2,300.00

Cartier Santos 39.8mm Interchangeable Stainless Steel and Leather Watch

£5,900.00

Raymond Weil Freelancer Mens Watch

£2,395.00

For her

There’s something so special about wearing a piece of jewellery on your wedding day that your new husband has chosen. Each time she wears that piece, for ever after, there’ll be beautiful memories wound up in it.

Marie-Hélène de Taillac – 22-karat Gold, Quartz And Aquamarine Earrings

£5,410.00

Ippolita – 18-karat Gold Pearl Necklace

£18,140.00

Thomas Sabo bracelet

£179.00

There’s plenty more luxury gifting inspiration over in our 5 Star Boutique. Head over there now to find the perfect luxury gift for that perfect person on your wedding day.

There’s no need to let your fiancée dominate the clothes shopping or work yourself into a frenzy trying to find something that’s on-trend. Just take a look at our Chic Boutique Menswear.

The Suit

Choosing a suit can be the most painstaking part of the entire wedding process for a groom and his men. The pressure – from both yourself, your guests, and your bride – can make you feel like the future of world peace rests on your decision. While suits are a big deal, there’s no need to get caught up in the moment. Here’s all you need to know about your shirt, jacket, waistcoat and trousers.

The Style

After last year’s hippy-bohemian groomswear trend, 2016 is going back to the traditional look. The commonplace, conventional lounge suit has been falling out of favour recently, but all other classic suit styles are a-go.

The most popular suit this year is definitely the tuxedo. This James Bond-esque style was recently re-popularised by TV personality Mark Wright. Wright jumped ahead of the trend, wearing a tuxedo in his wedding to Michelle Keegan last year. Outside of the wedding world, they were huge at this year’s Oscars too. Sylvester Stallone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and even kid actors like Jacob Tremblay and Abraham Attah wore tuxes to the event. There’s no denying that the tuxedo is a dapper choice for a suave groom.

Morning suits compete for the top spot in 2016. This style of suit is ultra-traditional, dating back to the 19th century. It generally features a type of tailcoat known as a morning coat, which extends down the back to just above the knee. The tail of the morning suit matches well with this year’s trend of bridal capes.

The Pieces

2 pieces just aren’t enough for this year’s grooms and groomsmen. The 3-piece suit is back with a vengeance, bringing waistcoats into 2016. If you want to stay on trend, go for a double-breasted vest with a lapel. If you’re wearing a tuxedo and want to follow etiquette, make sure you get a low-necked formal waistcoat that matches the material of your suit jacket.

As for the shirt and trousers, go simple. A white shirt is perfectly acceptable. Trousers should generally match the material and colour of your jacket, and don’t forget that the slim-fit look is still going strong. There’s no need to overdo it with gaudy patterns here. This year’s look is all about going wild with accessories rather than crazy tops and bottoms.

The Colours

Feel free to leave the bold, bright colours in 2015. Many of this year’s grooms are reverting back to the traditional neutrals. Black is always acceptable, and light colours like khaki are great for summer weddings, but charcoal grey and navy blue are the real stars of the show.

If you’re feeling really out-there, burgundy is this year’s wild-card colour. If your soon-to-be wife’s wedding palette includes colours like gold, beige, or blue, burgundy could make an interesting complement.

The Texture

Texture is in for both brides and grooms this year. In wedding dresses, it makes an appearance through lace, tulle, and even fur. In suits, tweed and check are the key players. These fabrics bring depth to the more subdued colours on the cards for today’s grooms.

Tweed fits in perfectly with the 2016 traditional vibe. It may be centuries old, but it hasn’t lost its charm. Tweed generally comes in 3 styles (plain, houndstooth, and herringbone) so it’s versatile enough to work for any guy. It’s also suited to all weather types, coming in lightweight and heavy variants. This woven texture is perfect for the rugged, not quite clean-shaven man, and it looks great in both grey and navy, as well as other earth-tones like taupe.

Check suits, on the other hand, are neat and trim – great for a crisp and debonair groom. Check fabric has been popular in groomswear since 2015, but it’s still going strong now. You can find handsome check suits in any colour, including grey, navy, or both. Many guys are scared of wearing strong patterns, but don’t let fear get the better of you. There’s nothing wrong with standing out on one of the most important days of your life.

Remember that you don’t have to go overboard with these textures. In fact, tweed is most popular in waistcoats this year, as a cool addition to a plain suit.

The Accessories

Suits are important, but they’re not everything. Accessories are significant too, and they could make or break a look depending on your choices. No pressure, though! Even though there are quite a few essentials, they’re not as hard to choose as you’d think.

The Tie

Keeping with the traditional theme, cravats are taking over ties this year. The ascot is the most popular type of cravat, and you can find them in enough colours and patterns to match any wedding theme on the face of the earth.

If you’re wearing a tuxedo, a bow-tie is a must. A bow-tie that matches your suit is the obvious choice, but you don’t have to go down that pathway. White and coloured bows are both on-trend in 2016 if you’re looking to stand out.

If you prefer the traditional tie style, don’t forget a tie clip. This accessory is “in” this year, adding the finishing touch to fashion-forward upper half. Or, feel free to skip the tie altogether for a super causal wedding.

The Feet

Unless you’re planning on a barefoot ceremony, shoes and socks are an essential. There aren’t any particular trends governing groom footwear this year, so anything goes.

Generally, a tuxedo is worn with leather Oxfords, while morning suits are traditionally seen with loafers. Brown shoes go well with a navy suit, especially at a more relaxed affair, while black shoes work great with both navy and grey outfits. You could even slip burgundy in here if you’re feeling daring.

As for socks, many have called them “the ‘bridal jewellery’ of groomswear”. Cool socks are an essential for any guy looking to stand out on his wedding day. Don’t hesitate to go for loud patterns and bold, deep colours.

The Little Extras

Other than ties and shoes, there are a number of other ways to dress up a suit.

If you want a head covering, top hats are the most logical choice to pair with a tuxedo or morning suit. Many grooms would consider them a little ostentatious, but they’re great for expressing a theatrical personality. Beware of hat hair, though!

Braces (also known as suspenders) are a fun choice, and almost always seen with a tuxedo. They’re ideal for 3-piece suits because they stop trousers from falling below the waistcoat. Plus, you’ll still have style when you take off your vest and jacket to dance.

You can also show your style through cufflinks (make sure they match your tie clip if you’re wearing one) and pocket adornments like watches, chains, flowers and handkerchiefs. 

The Coordination

Marriage is all about coming together, so they groom can’t be caught clashing with the rest of the wedding party. Here’s how to co-ordinate with the groomsmen and bridesmaids to make sure everything looks well put together.

Groom versus Groomsmen

It’s traditional for the best man and groomsmen to wear similar attire to the groom. However, that doesn’t mean you all have to rock up to the venue looking like clones. Many soon-to-be-husbands prefer to stand out from the men in the wedding party in some way.

There are plenty of ways to achieve a coordinating look without matching. If you’re following the 3-piece suit trend, why not switch up your waistcoats? The groom can wear a vest in a different colour or pattern to his friends. Alternatively, the groomsmen could forgo a waistcoat altogether, or wear one instead of a jacket.

If you’d prefer for all the suits to match, differentiate yourself through accessories. How about a different tie colour, pattern, or style? Try adding a pocket square or watch to the groom’s outfit and leaving the groomsmen’s pockets bare to show who’s boss.

Men versus Women

The groomsmen don’t just need to look good next to the groom. Their outfits need to work with the bridesmaids’ too.

Don’t try too hard to match the looks. It rarely looks good to have everyone wearing near-identical  outfits. Instead, try incorporating the bridesmaid colours subtly through the accessories. If the bridesmaids are wearing periwinkle, for example, give the men a periwinkle tie or handkerchief.

The colours don’t even need to be exactly the same – you can experiment with patterns and shades to avoid an overly matching feel. Using the periwinkle example again, the groomsmen could complement it with a light blue pinstripe tie or a navy blue suit.

sterlingsuits.com

scabal.com

gustavsoflondon.com

visit For The Groom section on the site.

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