It's just not cricket (well, technically it is)

Looking at sport for the second day in a row and The England Cricket Board (ECB) has caused much constenation and stroking of beards among the cricketing glitterati with the announcemnet that the forth coming, and inaugural, floodlight test match at Lords could see players wearing kit that, shock horror, isn't white.

In The Telegraph's report Peter Baxter, the ex-producer of Test Match Special, warned that many of the game's most passionate supporters would be upset. He said: "I don't like the idea of the Test matches not being played in white. If you don't play in white than it's the thin end of the wedge. For many people, the attraction of cricket is the aesthetic and the sense of tradition."

In some ways you can understand the problem. For hundreds of years cricket was a sensible game played in white kits that last for five days and involved a nice lunch in the middle. Now, it's loud garish kits, 20/20 games, mad crowds, and 'referrals' allowed on decisions given by that most respected of characters - the cricket umpire. The white test kit must have been the last bastion of a world that has been rapidly changing.

But time marches on and evolution happens. No doubt the ECB will have their way, pink kits or lime green, or maybe a mixture of both (yuk!) will become the norm and that will be that. I don't know, it's just not cricket is it?

Light my fire

Since time began man has had a difficult relationship with fire. It gives us warmth, it also burns things down. Being the innovative human race that we are though, we decided a dedicated bunch of people who fought fires would be a good idea...a brigade of fire fighters if you will.

These people needed clothing - clothing that identified them and protected them from the various dangerous they would face working such a dangerous job. Which brings us to the point of this blog post - The Guardian has put together a briliant slideshow of uniforms through the ages, ending at the present day with the latest rollout. You can see them all here.

It was all white on the night

The England football team - never ones to do things by the book are they? Saturday saw them take on the mighty Slovakia in a world-ending friendly in which they won 4-0. Well done them.

The whole thing though was overshadowed by the unveiling of the team's new shirt and their 'anthem jackets' - so called because they took them off during the anthem in order to give the new shirt unveiling 'maximum impact' (a phrase which is surely copyright for the next Arnold Swarchenegger movie.)

Some people weren't happy with this, claiming it was too much of a PR stunt. Well it is 2009, what isn't a PR stunt these days? Still it's an interesting take on clothing and fashion launches, and when all's said and done the new kit does look really good; a hint of 1960s retro and nice clean, elegant lines.

In the news, although is it news?

The day begins: shower, tea and toast / cereal, switch the TV on and watch the news. It's a standard routine. Now, taking off in the angle that is relevant for us, the dress code for presenting the news should, and was in the past, simple: suits. That was it. You look smart and you look sombre.

These days though, it's all changed and presenters are meant to be best mates, like us, and banter between themselves. This means that dress codes have changed so outfits can be more relaxed, more welcoming even.

But, it seems, there are still some boundaries left as GMTV's Kate Garraway was forced to change her outfit today as the first choice was deemed 'too bright' for bleary eyed workers at 6.06am. So before 7am rolled around she was changed again, into something a little quieter.

Kate Garment-away they could call her. Sorry, that's terrible pun. But come on, it's still early.

Getting some Zees

Sometimes work can get boring can't it? (Can it? Ed) When it does one often finds the eyes drooping, the yawns coming thick and fast and then, before you know, your slumped over the keyboard, a string of kkkkkkkkkkkkkks and lllllllllllllls running across the screen, depending on how you fall.

But, as ever, someone in the clothing world has come up with a solution - a pillow shirt. The ingenious invention is designed so that, when the sandman comes a-visiting, you simply place your head gently down into the soft, comfy pillow embedded within, and drift off into a deep, peaceful sleep.

And of course, many studies have shown a nap at work is good for you. You know, all this talking about sleep has...kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk llllllllll

Photos!

So here they are - photos from the Company Clothing Industry Awards 2009. Yet more photos will be on display in the April edition of the magazine so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for that.

New chefswear?

Okay, so this is probably perfect ammunition for those who say catwalk fashion is always impractical, but, come on, what an outfit! Tasty even.

You've got the eggs, fried, a croissant or baguette on the head (can't quite tell) and all laid out on a classic red-chequered table cloth.

Perhaps greasy spoon cafes and up market bistros could incorporate something like this into their outfits. All this breakfast talk has made us hungry...we're off for a bacon sarnie.

We were just handed this link, well emailed it, etc, by one of our many Twitter followers - we think it's rather good - more playful fashion designs.

Behind every great man...

So despite what we all thought, that Obama was a snappy dresser and so forth, it turns out, from his wife of all people that, 'he knows nothing about fashion'.

This is a wonderful extract from the story, from Michelle Obama: "He's always asking: 'Is that new? I haven't seen that before,'" she said, revealing that she replies: "Why don't you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet."

The idea of Obama mooching in a closet, idly running his hands down some clothes, wondering if something is new, before being admonished to 'solve world hunger', is a bizarre one, but it's nice to know the Obama's have their cute domestic moments too.

You Gotta Roll With It

So, in a bizarre (simple) twist of fate, after yesterday's enjoyment at listing band names with clothing in the title, we read today that Liam Gallagher, 'im out of that Oasis band, is to launch a new clothing range called, Pretty Green - in honour of a The Jam song, not because it's somewhat environmentally friendly.

This trend of celebrity designers is nothing new, with every actor, actress, musician, and so on, thinking they have designs and styles to wow the world. It must be somewhat gauling for people out there who actually do this for a living and know what it takes to see someone rock up and doodle off a few designs, and then take all the credit.

Still, that's the way of the world isn't it? With that melancolic, but realistic assessment of Earth 2009, we'll bid you, happy weekend, and see you on Monday - it just never stops does it? Bye!

Jean Genies

For a bit of a difference, today we thought we'd use our musical knowledge, and that of the Twitter community, to make a list of bands that use clothing in their names. The current list reads (yes they are all real bands):

Men Without Hats, My Morning Jacket, Sneaker Pimps, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, The Cardigans, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Corduroy, The Sandels, Jasper Smith and Levi, Capdown, Suede, Black Lace, Little Boots, Velvet Underground, Balaclava

Can you think of anymore?

Also, things like Bruce SpringJeans, Adam and the Pants, are allowed in the comments section as they are funny.

Is this okay?

Not wishing to come across as all moral and heavy handed but the story about 'knee length boots for babies' is surely a bit tasteless? In fact we've written about this before, here, and said much the same thing.

In the story, Claude Knights, director of Kidscape is quoted as saying, 'It is just ridiculous. It is totally and utterly inappropriate - what is the point? Children of that age shouldn't even be wearing shoes, let alone heels. The time has come for parents to use their brains and let babies be babies - they are not dolls to be made into characters.' Which we couldn't agree more with.

Plus there's a new poll for you to vote on down there on the right, do a little scrolling. Ta ra!

Stories

Kevin Pietersen's good at cricket and now his wife has been signed up as the face, or more accurately, body of Tesco's new lingerie range. Nice work if you can get it.

News today showed that Twitter has grown in numbers by an amazing 1689%. Company Clothing has been on there for about a month now and is certainly enjoying it - a great way to keep the world updated. If you're on and don't follow us yet - click here and do!

And finally...if you have ever, or are planning to, hand in your leaving notice, you'll never do it with as much style, or just plain fun, as this guy. Okay, on a cake isn't clothing related, but it's too good to not pass on.

More swimming suit news

Well, after a weekend of recovering from the excesses of the Company Clothing Industry Awards, it's back to the grindstone and another story about the issue of swimsuits and how they are helping swimmers break more world records than is natural, 108 last year were broken. That is a lot.

The swimming body Fima has announced that "swimsuits should not cover the neck and must not extend past the shoulders and ankles" explaining that, ""Fina wishes to recall the main and core principle is that swimming is a sport essentially based on the physical performance of the athlete," said a statement from swimming's world governing body."

A very interesting development that underlines the growing rise of technology in clothing. Thing is though, if all athletes are able to use the same kit, doesn't that make it even, everyone's faster? Are the clothes part of the race? Like a fuel strategy in F1, or subs in football, or a runner pacing themselves? What do you think?

Oh what a night!

Well...we hope your heads are recovering! What a great night though and wasn't Myleene ace? Such a pro. Thanks to everyone who entered the awards, came to the dinner, danced the night away, and marvelled at the wonderful design innovation challenge enteries, we hope you had as much fun as you seemed to be having!

Pictures will be forth coming in current issue, and to give you a nice chuckle on a Friday, an article on men wearing tights from today's Metro.

Until the next awards night...

The final countdown

So this is it, in just over 24 hours the Company Clothing Industry Awards will have started and those that are in attendence will be sipping champagne and looking forward to a celebration of the industry, all hosted by the very lovely Myleene Klass. Those of you that aren't going...what were you thinking?! We'll save you a slice of cake.

It promises to be a great night and culmination of much hard work by us, and by you in submitting the garments you worked so hard to create, and it's great that, especially in the tumultuous times, we are able to bring such a vibrant, diverse and creative industry together to celebrate and share in its achievements.

Fashion is so fickle and often unrealistic, but our industry clothes real people for real jobs, from train drivers to police officers to chefs and bank staff, and we hope the awards night will prove a great opportunity for you to all come together and bask in your achievements.

The blog tomorrow will probably go missing due in the coming and goings in ensuring every last detail is taken care of, but we look forward to seeing you there, and if you have any last minute queries check the website and if it's not on there, get in touch.

Spicing things up

Mel B, aka Scary Spice, from the Spice Girls - the web 1.0 version of Girls Aloud - is to auction off a selection of the clothing she accumulated during those heady days to raise money for charity.

There's a big trend these days for this. When it's a notable piece of clothing, made famous and iconic through use in a quality film, then it's perhaps understandable that people want to purchase it, especially if that money is going to charity.

But an ex-member of The Spice Girl's outfits? Don't get us wrong, charity money is always welcome, but why a piece of clothing from Scary Spice will encourage, no doubt, people to flash the cash, is beyond our comprehension.

Wearing clothes causes a riot

How on earth does this happen in a civilised world? From this story: 'A man who refused to take his clothes off at a raunchy party has been blamed for a mini-riot at an Australian nudist resort.' Taken straight from the files of 'You Couldn't Make It Up'.

It continues, 'Police were called amid threats of violence and ordered the Brisbane man and his wife to leave the "anything goes" party. The problem arose when the man was confrtoned by four naked female guests who, the organiser said, "felt uncomfortable with him eyeing them up and so I asked him to show some respect and take his clothes off."'

Company Clothing prefers parties involving top-class celebrities, fantastic venues, well-dressed guests and prizes being handed out, which is just as well, as it's the Company Clothing Industry Awards on Thursday night...we can't wait! See you there!

George announces fashion design winners

You may remember that some weeks ago we ran a story about George asking students to design a fashion range and now the winner's have been announced - pictured right (click to enlarge).

Students at Nottingham Trent University were asked to create a range of menswear collections for Autumn/Winter 09. They then had present their work - which included men's tailoring and casualwear - to a panel of George representatives, before the results were announced today.

Lucinda Bennett, Tahlia Goodwin, Liz Logue, Amy Tydeman and Jenna Harvey, all based in the university's School of Art and Design, claimed the top spot in the competition.

The group's collection included durable but lightweight waterproofs, tailored coats, twisted jeans, and a jacket with a fully-functional rucksack that emerged from a zipped pocket on the back. Using a directional but commercial colour palette of rusted oranges and steely silvers along with core colours of navy and charcoal, the collection incorporated aspects of protection and reinforcement which were used in both garment and print design.

Andy Burns, Menswear Design Manager for George, said: 'All the students approached our brief with a high level of creative professionalism and market focus. They produced finished packages that any final-year-student would be proud of, which is a huge compliment to the calibre of the course and the talent it is producing.'

BOA seeks tenders for formal and parade wear for Team GB

A serious story for a moment, concerning the Olympics and the chance to perhaps design and supply the uniform for the formal and parade wear of Team GB at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Right, in best Boris Johnson whiff-whaff-is-coming-home voice:

"The British Olympic Association (BOA) is now seeking tenders for the appointment of the supplier of formal and parade wear for Team GB for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The chosen partner will supply Team GB clothing including the official suit that will be worn on all formal occasions, as well as providing a distinctive parade uniform for Team GB members to wear at the opening ceremony.

The tender is for the design and supply of clothing for a team of 150 athletes and support staff, of all sizes and ages and is a chance for a UK company to showcase the best of British design on the international stage. The BOA is looking to appoint the supplier who can best handle the process of design, production and delivery.

Commenting on this tender launch Chief Commercial Officer Hugh Chambers said: ‘For many, representing your country at an Olympic Winter Games is a once in a life time achievement. Team GB athletes walking out in to the stadium during the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver will feel a huge sense of pride and we are looking for an exceptional partner to work with who can dress our athletes in a manner fitting for such an occasion.’

Suppliers of past uniforms include names such as Lee Cooper, Roots, Ben Sherman, Marks & Spencers, Aquascutum and Next.

Any interested parties should submit their proposals to Jo Kingston jo.kingston@boa.org.uk or 020 8871 2677 ext 207) at the BOA by 20 March."

Right there you go - something to think about and perhaps get working on!

What? I should have buttoned up my suit? Poppycock!

American Idol

Brown met Obama yesterday and had a right old chinwag...for 20 minutes. The Guardian have today written a short piece on the choice of suits for the occasion and have come across as a big old (blue) meanie having the temerity to suggest Brown can't carry off a suit compared to the President. Not very patriotic is it?

Bone Dry

Don't you hate that feeling you get when you get out of a swimming pool or the sea after a brisk swim, only to have your bathing costume cling and stick to you like an annoying clingy-sticky thing? Well worry no more!

A new swimsuit has been developed (pictured) with nanotechnology that is designed to repel water beads so on exiting the body of water in which you were happily splashing away it will only take a mere shake of your body to fling the offending water particles into the atmosphere, from whence they came.

Amy Hardin, of Sun Dry, who are distriburing the product, said: "The nanotechnology treatment, similar to that used to make fabrics splash or stain resistant, is water based and environmentally friendly. Sports wear fabrics that repel water seems like an unusual concept at first, but it really makes sense - why would you want a bathing suit that absorbs water, holds it next to your skin, and stays wet for a period of time?

Why indeed?! We love it. Roll on summer so we can try one of these out!

Phone shoes

Another weird and wonderful invention here - a mobile phone that is housed inside your shoe. Genius! Saving space in your pocket the shoe phone would just suddenly start ringing so you undo the laces, hop around to keep your sock off the floor, and then chat away - what could be simpler. There's the potential for a good joke in here about using your tongue to talk into the tongue, but we can't find it. Anyone got a good suggestion?

No clothes

Okay, so for today, a bit of a change - we're just going to provide you with a couple of links to articles on the BBC website...one about nakedness and the other asking 'are fleeces fashionable?.