TOPMAN_BLOG

Topman CTRL Student Tour - Newcastle

Earlier this month Topman CTRL hit five cities in the UK with this months Controllers, Channel 4.  Well, tonight's the big night, when the first of the gigs goes to TV!

Just before the tour, we sought out a local reporter for each show, and using their back-stage pass they had free-reign to chat with the bands, snap some pics and ask whatever questions they wanted.

Our first reporter was Justin from Newcastle...



Name:            Justin Ramsden
Age:               19
School:           Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington
Studying:        BTEC Foundation Art & Design
Career goal:    Graphic Designer/Photographer/Work for Lego!
Fave colour:    Red
Superpower:   The ability to rewind time so that I can go back and fix/re-live moments in my life!

Justin did an AMAZING job, snapped some great pics and asked some really interesting questions! If you want to know what The Futureheads would cook if they were on Come Dine With Me or what We Have Band's favourite pizza topping is, then get yourself over to TopmanCTRL.com and check out Justin's report of the Topman CTRL Student Tour in Newcastle.

p.s. exclusive goody give away over on CTRL's Twitter for each of the five shows!

UK's first pop-up bar opens in North London!

We were invited to the press opening of the UK's first pop-up bar last night - The Silver Bullet in Finsbury Park. With a great line-up of up and coming bands and DJs, this hideaway is the perfect excuse to visit North London. The idea is simple - The Silver Bullet re-houses every 7 months to keep the line-ups and promoters fresh and keep the crowd interested. Want to know more? Head on over to their website by clicking here. The official launch party is tonight with a rather special line-up (including Topman fave NME Radio's James Theaker!) - see you in Finsbury Park!

A.D Project: An interview with the designer...

We're getting super excited for the soon to be released A.D project, so we thought it was about time we shared some more info with our lovely blog readers. A.D is a concept graphic collection taking inspiration from historical events in the city of London. Previous collections include prints based on Jack The Ripper and The Great Plague. Third up is 'The Great Exhibition'. Staged by Prince Albert and Henry Cole, it showcased exhibits of culture and history including the Koh-I-Noor diamond, Ornate Vignettes and Daguerreotype photography amongst others. We interviewed Joel Clifford who heads up A.D, see the full interview below...

 What is the aim behind the AD project?

  The aim of A.D. is to provide a conceptual t-shirt range which focus' on all element involved in such a project: artwork, content, print quality and product. Each Limited edition T-shirt is uniquely hand printed and inspired by historical events that have shaped London into the city it is today.

 We've seen some gory London centric subjects tackled as part of this on going project (Jack the Ripper & The Plague) what is the inspiration for the latest collection?

 No gore this time! This next collection takes inspiration from The Great Exhibition which took place in Hyde Park, London in 1851. This was staged by Prince Albert and Henry Cole to showcase outstanding exhibits of culture and industry. The koh-i-noor diamond, daguerreotype photography, ornate vignettes and the destruction of the burning glass structure which had hosted the exhibition (the original Crystal Palace) form the macabre yet beautiful aesthetic of this limited t-shirt range.

 Explain the process...from idea to production...

 We start by researching historical events in Londons past. Choose one which inspires artistic ideas and start to develop graphics/illustrations that form the narrative of our capitals chosen event. We then sample hand printed t-shirts and choose the final designs which we feel best represents the collections concept and A.D's brand aetsthetic. It is then down to the physical production of hand screen printing the product. As its such a limited range the emphasis is on the individuality of each T-Shirt. A.D hand print all the product in our London print studio.

 How did you get into tee shirt design & screen printing for such a influential high street brand?

 I have worked with Topman for the past 5-6 years and was lucky enough to have the backing from my management to proceed with this venture. I initially studied illustration and from that the experience I have had within working in the fashion/music industry has really helped towards the position A.D. is in now. Support conceptually and creatively from fellow colleagues has been a massive part of where A.D. is at at the moment and i hope to continue these relationships in the future.

 Any tips for aspiring designers?

 Never give up 

Don't forget to keep checking back on the Topman Blog for updates on A.D and other new collections...

Fashion Friday is coming up...this Friday!

Topman CTRL tour on Channel 4...

Have a sneaky peak at the Channel 4 trailer for the TV show, which will be airing on Channel 4 for five consecutive weeks starting Friday May 28th...

Click here to check out all the reviews at TopmanCTRL.com

AAA preview...launching online tomorrow!

We've got a sneaky peak of our new range AAA launching on Topman.com tomorrow. The AAA range is the epitome of cool. Sophisticated detailing and specialised fabrics make it a luxurious range with a rebellious edge. See below for some exciting pictures of the collection as modelled by the son of rock - Louis Simonon and don't forget to visit Topman.com early tomorrow morning to get your dose of AAA!

CTRL Student Tour.. the journey so far

These last few days, the Topman CTRL team have been out touring the country bringing all kinds of talent (both local and international) to students all over.

So far, CTRL has visited Newcastle, Leeds and Exeter. Still to come, London (tonight!) and Nottingham.  If the first half of the tour is anything to go by, London and Nottingham have a lot to live up to!

If you missed out on getting to one of the gigs, don't cry... we teamed up with Channel 4, who've been out in force at each of the gigs filming them for telly.  Look out for Topman CTRL Student Tour coming to a (TV) screen near you! (or on 4OD if you like :)

We managed to speak to some of the gig-goers last night after Miike Snow had finished working them into a mosh-pit, crowd-surfing, po-going frenzy, and here's what they had to say:


You can check out more behind-the-scenes action from the CTRL Tour on Facebook, Twitter or even peruse some of the professional shots on Flickr.

Read the review for Newcastle
Read the review for Leeds
Read the review for Exeter

Recently, we had a competition to find ourselves a Topman CTRL Reporter for each of the gigs... so stay tuned for their write-ups from each of the nights!

p.s. If you're in or around Notts on Thursday, look out for the CTRL van, it's headed your way and it's not too late to get in on the action!

Spotted...Mr Hudson wearing our brand new AAA collection!

Our eagle eyed style spotters over in the USA came across Mr Hudson wearing a jacket from our brand new AAA collection. Built on rock n roll, the collection is based on a skinny silhouette and uses a mix of highlight pieces with key accessories to create the look. Expect crisp white shirts, high shine slim blazers and of course super-skinny denim.

 

Image courtesy of Mr World Premiere, 2010

Singing alongside Jay-Z on Saturday Night Live, Mr Hudson managed to get his mitts on the black gillet (shown above) as well as the slim line trouser a couple of weeks before the official release. Keep your eye on the website for more on the rock n roll collection...for now, check out your first glimpse of AAA above and click here to sign up to our Stylemail and be the first to hear about the new collection!

Leeds here we come...

Our rather marvellous Controller in Leeds is a graduate of Popworld and a local boy. Alex Zane is a national treasure, with his fingers in all sorts of TV and radio pies so we’re glad to have him on board as the Topman CTRL Student Tour rolls into Leeds for Day two of the tour.

 
Headlining Alex’s Leeds show is Archie Bronson Outfit. Bringing with them a brand new album full of deep riffs and spaced out loops. Expect a typically unhinged performance from this dark psychedelic trio full of intensity, coupled with some unashamedly poppy hooks.

 
So, were Archie Bronson Outfit the odd kids at college? Lets find out with some quickfire questions…

TM – When you were students what were your favourite crisps?
ABO – Nik-naks (yum!)
TM – Fave TV show?
ABO – Kilroy.
TM – Best hangover cure?
ABO – Kilroy.
TM – Worst student fashion faux-pas?
ABO – Faux-pas, moi?
TM – Celebrity crush?
ABO – Kilroy.
TM - Fave sweets?
ABO – Maltesers.
TM – How about the all-important Pot Noodle flavour?
ABO – Chicken & Mushroom.
TM – And finally any chat-up lines which worked wonders while you were students?
ABO – Fancy a shag and a kabab Kilroy?
TM – OK I think we’ve heard enough!

Support comes from across the Pennines in the form of Everything Everything. Part of Manchester’s newly revitalized indie sound they marry seemingly nonsensical lyrics with gloriously riotous music adding a new dimension to a scene already burgeoning with talent and originality.

 
So were they also obsessed with day time TV presenters as students?

TM – When you were students what were you favourite crisps?
EE – Cream Cheese and Chive Pringles.
TM – Best hangover cure?
EE – Lovejoy!
TM – Your favourite sweets?
EE – Dime Bars (the small ones)
TM – Any albums that remind of of your student days?
EE - Turn on the bright lights by Interpol.
TM – And finally Pot Noodle flavour of preference?
EE – Bombay Bad Boy!

Students of Leeds don’t miss out on what promises to be a fantastic night. If you didn't manage to get tickets, never fear. Look out for the CTRL Van we'll be rolling up to the hotspots around town to give away exclusive CTRL prizes plus the last tickets to the gig.

Keep your eyes on Twitter and Facebook and catch up with the Topman team from 1pm. We'll let you know where we are so come say hi!

Check out www.topmanctrl.com for all the info on the Topman CTRL Student Tour.

Alex Zane presents

Archie Bronson Outfit
Everything Everything
Sketches

@ The Brudenell Social Club 16th May. Doors at 7.30pm

Teasing you...CTRL style!

We've just got our teaser videos back from each of Topman CTRL's student tour hosts...it's safe to say they're as excited as us for the tour! Get some info on who's playing and where, plus an insight into Alex Zane's childhood and a little London tour with none other than Nick Grimshaw...

Nick Grimshaw on his London gig...

Alex Zane on the Leeds show...

Watch out Exeter, here comes Miquita Oliver...!

Rick Edwards talks Nottingham Rail Travel and of course The Topman CTRL tour!

Matt Edmonson talks about his CTRL gig in Newcastle...

So that's a wrap! See what all the fuss is about by clicking here, and we'll take you to the Topman CTRL homepage! See you there...