The gilet Has made a come back in the last few seasons and what a time for it to do so!! I'm not just talking about the miled weather that we have had so far this winter preventing us from getting out our heavy winter jackets, but also the trends that have bought such success back for the gullet. With so much inspiration around at the minute such as heritage, sports and expedition some fantastic winter gilets are around on the Market. With looks coming from angling to country heritage and street there are some great materials such as micro cord, tweed, leather and sueid Some. There are also some great colour pallets around this aw. You have cranberry, burnt cineman, and forest green. When you mix these colours with some of the fabrics discussed before you have some great looking gilets. Field9 have stocked Luke 1977 for some time but for the first season we have Luke 1977 gilets. We have two styles of Luke 1977 gilet. The first is the elma wich comes in two colours, black and cranberry. Priced at £85.00 in the sale, reduced from £100. The second is the Truck on, which is £102.00 in the sale reduced from £120.

I have been watching the increased success of Luke1977 for some years now as far as the brand image, designs and products but what about their business in respect to their sales outlets? If you see standalone stores popping up then the brand feels it's brand, and range are strong enough - and well known enough - with a loyal following of customers to have a Luke shop. This has been the downfall of labels in the past and can make or break a brand. Opening a store moves swiftly away from the art which is seen in the design of the clothes to a science, it's all formulas, calculations, costings and square feet when it comes to making the retail side of a label such as Luke 1977 work. Rails and shelves are positioned at an average high for customers eye level. Each square foot of retail spaces has to pay it's way and the window has to invite people into the shop. Sales staff are trained in closing the deal on the sale of a shirt and how to provide a great experience for the customer so they return again.

In 2009 Luke - who were started by Luke Roper who is from Wallsal but did most of his work in and around Birmingham and the midlands - opened their first standalone store in Bristol. A long glass fronted shop in a smart part of town, broadmead, Bristol created a big impact. Large branding and comments on the opening day from customers about the easy layout of the store backs up the earlier points in this blog. The second store was opened at the beginning of 2010 in Cardiff at the st Davids shopping center. The latest was opened in the Arndale center in the center of Manchester. Not only are each of these stores equally impressive but the speed at which they are opening is increasing. Already there is talk of a massive store opening in the center of Birmingham: the home of Luke 1977 as many see it.

With each of these openings comes the party! I can tell you this from experience; on the 4th of November 2010 I went to the launch party of the Manchester store. The red carpet was out with a guest list only entry. The pay desk was set up as a bar with staff serving drinks. The store was laid out with all the latest AW10 stock for all to see. The windows had live models wearing Luke. There were celebrities from football teams such as Tim Howard from Everton and members of the Shameless cast. After the opening of the store there was an after party at deansgate locks which went on into the night.

The business side of Luke 1977 must be good: the brand is increasing it's presence on the street which is the main factor in success. You can have a wonderful product and be as exclusive as you want but if you don't sell enough clothes you won't be able to do what Luke are doing. It's impressive alright and it will be interesting to see how they move on with Birmingham.

Bristol

Cardiff 2010

Manchester 2010

 

Under The banner of Luke 1977 there are now three labels. The most well known is the Luke 1977 which takes it's name from from the designer and co-owner Luke and the year he was born, 1977. The Luke 1977 side of the label has the largest collection and is the oldest. Luke Roper the designer and founder described it as a garments for a day out with the lads at the football. I don't think this description could be more fitting. This line has a lady feel to it. with its big button and high biker style collars and it's unique placing of pockets it has a terrace look to it. It's the middle ground a lot of young men look for in a fashion label these days. They often want something they can go out in the day warning but then feel comfortable caring on into the evening with, without feeling under dressed and with the details on the garments mention this is possible.

The second and not so well know is called Luke Roper. This takes it name from the full name of the designer ' Luke Roper'. This is a smarter and more dressier side of the brand compared to Luke 1977. 'Luke Roper's the evening and Luke 1997 is the day' Say's Luke roper him self. He goes on 'Luke is a day at the football, Roper is evening with the family'.If you want to find out more about the history of Luke the brand and the man behind it's success see our other Luke blogs this month.

Most recently 'forever in Luke jeans' was launched this January. this is a simple range with a lower price point, suited to the home or a trendy city pub. It includes a cheaper range of simple designs. There are some plain crew t shirts with the lion logo in the same colour as the t shirt. There are some sweats and joggers creating a casual aspect to Luke.

Also being launched at the end of 2010 is a womens range. Only small at first, but it will be interesting to see what direction it goes in as far as it's styling goes, so watch this space!!

The United Kingdom of Luke is the slogan for the clothing brand Luke 1977. Luke 1977 Is a heritage brand created by Luke roper. Luke roper came from an English tailoring background. Luke was brought up in a family that made wedding dresses and went on to study at the famous St Martins College in London. At St Martins Luke Roper specialized in mens suit tailoring and this is portrayed in the designs of garments produced by Luke 1977 and the marketing behind the label. Luke 1977 is very proud of it's United Kingdom heritage, and the class and quality that are linked with many UK products. You can see from the logo at the top of this bog the emphasis on the UK in the middle of 'LUKE' very clever! The meaning behind this obviously 'The united kingdom of Luke'. The Luke 1977 Logo which most people recognize is the gold Lion. The lion is another symbol recognized by people all over the world as being associated with the United Kingdom as is seen on so many royal and sporting emblems.

The United Kingdom of Luke have established them selves as the UK's leading brand of the moment by winning the Drapers, young fashion brand of the year 2010 award. The young fashion brand award is for the best developing new brand of it's time. It's amazing to think of the progress and success Luke 1977 has had in the past five years, and I would not bet against it winning best UK fashion brand in the very near future. Drapers is a leading reporter in the UK fashion industry and if you make it in there eyes you are doing well. So congratulations to Luke 1977 and lets hope it will continue producing great garments for us to wear for years to come.

I am passionate about clothes and its always interesting to know a bit about the labels you like. Lets have a look at the history behind one of the hottest labels at the minute, Luke 1977.

Luke 1977 gets it's name from the designer and co-owner Luke roper. Luke roper was born Walsall in the midlands of the UK. Influenced by his family who were wedding dress designers and manufactures it was natural for Luke to show an interest in clothing. At an early age Luke was helping with the family business and knew his way around a sawing machine and clothes patterns. Adding some fresh ideas and design flair it was no surprise that when still at school at 15 years old friends showed an interest in his clothes and there was a demand created.

some people mistake Luke 1977 with Luke 1997, but this was a very influential year in the creation of Luke 1977.Luke followed this potion and decided to back it up with training. When he left school he enrolled on a fashion and textile course at his local walsall college. In 1997 Luke started a three year degree in menswear design at saint martins college in London. Whilst at saint Martins Luke specialized in traditional suit tailoring and manufacturing. Through out his degree, Luke still had a following and the demand for his designer clothing was increasing. Luke graduated and quickly got a job as a junior designer at a major brand. This gave him experience in the work place and in the production lines of a brand. After only a year Luke roper joined forces with Simon poole and together they formed the brand Luke 1977.

It really is a fantastic label and Reading this short introduction into the history of the brand helps you to understand and appreciate it more.

 

Luke Roper

With the clocks going back and bonfire night over, you really feel as if autumn is here. At field9.com we have all sorts of chunky knits and jackets to keep you warm on an autumn night

To help you get ready for the cold snap and to help you get ready for Christmas we have launched the field9.com Luke 1977 Sale. The autumn sale is at least 15% off all stock. This includes all brands. Some may have more than 15% off, in fact up to 70% off.

Have a look at Luke 1977. There is the benefit cheat which was £85.00 reduced to £72.25. The Clanger was £110.00 now just £93.50. You have to be quick though the sale is for a limited time and whilst stocks last.

Gio Goi has some great savings on jackets. The jetstar pleather hooded jacket was £59.00 now £50.99, you will not find a better deal this Christmas.

Voi have a wax look jacket with belt call the Voi Trooper. Voi also have a shirt which would be great for those work Christmas parties that are round the corner. The items below give you just a little taste of the garments for men we have on our site at field9.com this autumn / winter.

So whether treating yourself, trying to cure those winter blues or get an early start on the Christmas present list, field9.com is the place to be for your autumn sale.

If this Autumn/winter is going to be anything like last year then it's going to be chilly one, especially when you’re on your night out, moving from bar to bar. If you’re looking for a good quality, fine gage knit to pull over your t shirt, polo or shirt on a night out then Luke 1977 have the perfect choice for you.

The Luke 1977 v neck knit ‘beechy’ is a great piece. Simple and classic, a timeless fine knit that every man needs in his winter collection. There is a elegant mature feel to this garment. The only branding is a small embroidered gold lion. This is the motif for Luke 1977. It has simple ribbed cuffs, hem and neck is designed to keep its shape when worn and washed. The beechy can be worn for work over a formal shirt with a tie and under a suit if you like. Luke offers a wide range of colours in the beechy in both spring summer and Autumn/winter. At field9.com we are offering the beechy in a classic black and a dark marl grey.

                   Grey                                      Black

This is the first season that Luke have launched a matching scarf to go with the v neck knit. The scarf is matching colour to the knit, with white stripes at the end and an embroidered like lion logo. It’s a nice touch for the winter range, I wonder if they will have a summer version?

 

This season Field9.com is stocking some fantastic Luke 1977 knitwear. Luke clothing has always impressed with the winter knits and this year is no different. Luke has obviously been around since 1977 but has only appeared on the main stream high street in the funky boutiques and smaller multiples in the past few years. Luke 1977 has recently won the drapers young fashion brand of the year 2010. This is a highly regarded award in the UK fashion world and is proof that Luke has become an established brand.

Luke 1977 have a vast range across many categories including crew t shirts, Polo shirts, Long and short sleeved shirts, denim, light and heavy jackets, leather and of course knitwear.

Luke knitwear is renowned in the fashion world for its chunky knits. With big buttons, hoods, high funnel necks and well placed pockets and branding. Luke has become a lads brand with style and class that makes you stand out from the crowd at a gig or the footy. This AW10 Field9 has a number of knits. Starting with the clean and simple v neck light knit ‘beechy’ the crew neck version of this is the ‘Flower’. The flower has the Luke lion logo embroidered on the shoulder as opposed to the left chest. This is the unique placed branding I explained earlier.

The more fashion pieces have the chunky buttons and big pockets with neck detail. The ‘Mario’ and ‘Benefit cheat’ are a couple of these. The attention to detail is what Luke prides themselves on, you can see the matrix pattern in the knit on the Mario. The ‘Clanger’ has been a success in recent seasons and has been continued. It really stands out with it platted detail running through the knit and the thick woolly hood.

 

 

                 Beechy                                 Benefit cheat                               Clanger                                   

 

                    Flower

Field9 are offering a huge discount on all their Luke 1977 Jackets. Ten jackets are all marked at 50% off. If you are after a Luke 1977 Bomber then they don't come much finer than the Luke 1977 Bam. Down from £335 to £167.50 and at that price you'll qualify for free express delivery. 

If it's a Luke 1977 Biker Jacket you are looking for then try out the Luke Baker. If you want something more lightweight for the spring then have a look at the Luke 1977 Looselips technical jacket. 

It's fast approaching winter and for most of us that means we'll have to start thinking about wrapping up for colder times. As we've probably all experienced at some point, an onion has some interesting properties. First up, it can make your eyes water, not the best if you've just put your mascara on, but as the Sizzler and Clanger are for men, the mascara problem needn't worry you. Secondly, onions are known for packing heat - they're up there with the likes of garlic and for some, raw onion is simply too hot to handle. Now, I've got an interesting theory about the heat - layers! If you cut an onion in half you'll see it's made up from many layers and, with that in mind, I'd like to steer you, gently of course, back over to clothes. If you wear enough layers you too will be hot and, if you're wearing the right layers, you'll look good enough to make anyones eyes water! So, my theory is, be like an onion and you'll be warm and stylish this winter. So, without further ado, focus your attention on these eye-watering winter warmers from Luke 1977:

 

 

The Sizzler short quilted jacket is thick enough to keep Jack Frost at bay for as long as you need to. Finished in wet look, sheer nylon with a fully adjustable hood, the jacket features button fasten pockets with an extra velcro pocket for your mobile phone or iPod. Adjustable cuffs mean you'll be able to step out without the worry of an icy tentacle slipping up your sleeve unannounced. We think this one's gonna be huge this winter!

 

 

Next up is the Clanger hooded knit. Features a button fasten front that goes all the way to the top, so you can even cover your face if the elements become too much to bare. Two button down pockets will ensure your belongings are kept safe (and warm!) and the cable knit detail is guaranteed to get the eyes of any discerning fashion lover watering within minutes! Be like an onion - get those layers on, get those eyes watering... just make sure you wear some deodorant!!! Until next time, fashion lovers!