Mason & Sons

THE PERFECT PACKAGE
For many, the highlight of the 007 movie, “No Time To Die”, was the introduction of the Bond Girl, Paloma, played by Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas.
Strangely, her first task was to ensure that 007 was appropriately dressed for their mission, presenting his evening attire to him in a Bennett Winch suit carrier.
Click link to read more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/bennett-winch-bonds-bag-maker

BOND’S BAG MAKER
Bennett Winch is a British luxury brand, founded in 2014 by Robin Bennett and Robin Winch.
The brand's profile was raised in 2021, when one of its innovative products featured in the James Bond movie, "No Time To Die".
Click link to read more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/bennett-winch-bonds-bag-maker

THE BSA "ROCKET"
The BSA Lightning A65 model was introduced in 1965, the year Thunderball (in which it starred) was released.
The motorcycle was upgraded with rocket-launching gadgetry, created by John Stears (pictured in Slide 3 with road-racing champion Chris Vincent, who performed the explosive stunt at the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit).
In a rare achievement for a Bond movie, Stears won an Academy Award - given for the Special Effects in the film.
Unfortunately, BSA's future was not so bright, and financial problems eventually led to the closure, in 1973, of what had once been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer.
Five decades after its demise, BSA is back with a magnificent new bike - sadly, side-mounted rocket-launchers are not offered as an optional extra.
Click link to learn more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/bsa-is-back-a-star-is-reborn

PEGGY MOFFITT (14.05.40-10.08.24)
The pioneering fashion icon has passed away. She revolutionised 1960s style with her bold, avant-garde look, and was best known as the muse of designer Rudi Gernreich. Peggy was married to the famous photographer William Claxton, who predeceased her in 2008.

BSA IS BACK
Luciana Paluzzi and her Thunderball co-star, the BSA A65 Lightning.
Once the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer, by the time Thunderball was released in 1965, BSA's fortunes had changed, and within 8 years, the business had ceased trading - not even the optional extra of rocket-launchers set into the fairings could save the company.
Five decades on, and BSA is back with a machine that has realised the brand's star quality.
Click link to read more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/bsa-is-back-a-star-is-reborn

THE RETURN OF COOL-RAY
In the 1965 Bond movie, Thunderball, Sean Connery wore COOL-RAY N135 sunglasses with “Year Round” grey lenses by Polaroid.
Thankfully, he’d popped them on just before Bond villain, Vargus, crept onto the beach to make an assassination attempt.
Bond girl, Domino, makes the famous pantomime cry, “Behind you”, and Connery reaches for his spear-gun.
The polarised lenses of his COOL-RAY sunglasses had filtered out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation and reflective glare, allowing crystal clear sight of his target before squeezing the spear-gun’s trigger and impaling Vargus to a tree.
Click link to learn more about the return of COOL-RAY: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/cool-ray-the-original-clip-on-lenses

COOL-RAY CLIP-ONS
The original polarised Clip-On shades were produced by COOL-RAY in the 1940s, followed by the world's first "Flip-Up" Clip-Ons in 1963.
The brand has now returned, in partnership with Ed Scarlett - inventor of the contemporary spectacle frame.
Click link to learn more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/cool-ray-the-original-clip-on-lenses

KING OF COOL MEETS HELLRAISER
Steve McQueen had met Oliver Reed in England to discuss a film project.
"Reed showed me his country mansion and we got on well," recalled McQueen. "He then suggested he take me to his favorite London nightclub."
The drinking, which started at Reed's home, Broome Hall, continued into the night until Reed could hardly stand. Suddenly, and with no apparent warning, he vomited over McQueen's shirt and trousers.
"The staff rushed around and found me some new clothes, but they couldn't get me any shoes," said McQueen. "I had to spend the rest of the night smelling of Oliver Reed's sick."
Sadly, the movie collaboration didn't materialise.

THE STEELY EYED STAR
Oliver Reed put his menacing screen presence down to the fact that he didn’t blink… well, at least not first.
His career defining role came as Bill Sykes in “Oliver” (1968), co-starring with bull terrier Butch, as Bull’s Eye. The film was directed by his uncle, Sir Carol Reed, and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning six.
Click link to read this week’s Country Life article, “It’s a Bullseye”: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/its-a-bullseye

THE BRUTE IN A SUIT
Albert R. Broccoli once revealed that Oliver Reed would have become Sean Connery's replacement as James Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) had his off-screen bad boy reputation not preceded him. Can you imagine?
In 1968, he’d filmed “The Assassination Bureau” with co-stars Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas. How extraordinary would it have been for the trio to have returned the following year in the 6th EON Bond film... particularly given the proven chemistry between Reed and Rigg.
It had the potential to be the best, ever, 007 movie - or the end of the franchise.

IT'S A BULLSEYE
This week’s edition of Country Life magazine includes an article on the Bull Terrier breed, highlighting the appearances made by the Mason & Sons bullies, in various promotional campaigns spanning two decades.
They include Elliot and Lulu Mason's Mr Fish photoshoot in 2018.
Photo: Rob Baker Ashton
Click link to read article: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/its-a-bullseye

IT'S A BULLSEYE
This week’s edition of Country Life magazine includes an article on the Bull Terrier breed, highlighting the appearances made by the Mason & Sons bullies, in various promotional campaigns spanning two decades.
They include Purdey's photoshoot for The Sunday Times (2005) and Vesper lounging at the Mason & Sons HQ in Montagu Square (2022).
Click link to read article: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/its-a-bullseye

IT’S A BULLSEYE
Oliver Reed bonding with his co-star Butch, who played the role of Bull’s Eye in “Oliver” (1968).
This week’s edition of Country Life magazine includes an article on the Bull Terrier breed, highlighting the appearances made by the Mason & Sons bullies, in various promotional campaigns spanning two decades.
Click link to read the article: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/its-a-bullseye

THE MOVIE STAR MOTORCYCLE
If you want to look stylish, try a Triumph.
Click link to read more about The Movie Star Motorcycle: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/triumph-the-movie-star-motorcycle

ANN MARGRET
In 1965, Swedish-American actress, Ann Margret, starred alongside Steve McQueen in The Cincinnati Kid". Perhaps his interest in Triumph motorcycles rubbed off on her, as the following year she appeared astride a 500cc Tiger in the 1966 sex-comedy, "The Sw***er". Margret went on to appear in advertisements for the company during the 60s.
Now aged 83, she has continued to ride motorcycles throughout her life.
Click link to read more about Triumph: The Movie Star Motorcycle: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/triumph-the-movie-star-motorcycle

JAMES DEAN & HIS TROPHY
Approximately six months before his tragic death at the age of 24, Hollywood actor James Dean acquired a Triumph TR5 Trophy. He modified the machine to give it the appearance of the bike belonging to his idol, Marlon Brando, and was often seen cruising the streets with Ursula Andress riding pillion - usually dressed in his Schott "Perfecto" motorcycle jacket (another of Brando's influences).
Click link to read more about Triumph: The Movie Star Motorcycle: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/triumph-the-movie-star-motorcycle

THE MOVIE STAR MOTORCYCLE
Triumph is not only one of the world's oldest and most recognised motorcycle brands, their ruggedly handsome machines possess a natural screen presence that has seen them star in a host of movies spanning seven decades.
Cast alongside everyone from Brando to Bond, Triumph's Hollywood debut was appropriately titled, "The Wild One".
Click link to read more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/triumph-the-movie-star-motorcycle

SLIM AARONS
The legendary American photographer once defined his job as “photographing attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places”.... he also photographed some attractive motorcars.
Click link to learn How Slim Aarons Captured High Society: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/how-slim-aarons-captured-high-society

LIFE'S A BEACH
After being decorated with a Purple Heart following combat in WWII, American Army photographer Slim Aarons decided to focus his camera on a different world.
When LIFE magazine asked him to shoot the Korean War, he said, "I'll only do a beach if it has a blonde on it"... and he went on to do several.
Click link to learn how Slim Aarons Captured High Society: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/how-slim-aarons-captured-high-society

KINGS OF HOLLYWOOD
After returning from WWII, American photographer Slim Aarons moved to California where, he captured one of his most acclaimed photographs, "Kings of Hollywood." Taken on New Year's Eve in 1957, the image shows Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper, and James Stewart relaxing at a bar in full formal wear.
Click link to read how Slim Aarons Captured High Society: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/how-slim-aarons-captured-high-society

SLIM AARONS "SEA DRIVE"
Film producer Kevin McClory takes his wife Bobo Sigrist and their children, Bianca Juarez, Siobhan, Branwell and Saoirse McClory, for a drive in an 'Amphicar' across the harbour at Nassau (1967).
Click link to learn How Slim Aarons Captured High Society: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/how-slim-aarons-captured-high-society

SLIM AARONS
The American photographer's journey through life took him from the ghetto, onto the battlefield, and into the privileged world of mid-20th century socialites and celebrities.
Click link to learn How Slim Arrons Captured High Society: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/how-slim-aarons-captured-high-society

TAKING IT TO THE WIRE
Sunspel have been producing the world's finest t-shirts for over a century, and their quest to maintain this peerless position is evident from the continued commitment to perfecting their products.
The White Riviera T-Shirt is a wardrobe staple for a host of stylish men - including the inimitable Idris Elba.
Click link to read more about Sunspel: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/the-history-of-sunspel-estd-1860

SUMMER MEANS SUNSPEL
The British company has been handcrafting the world's finest t-shirts for over 100 years.
They are handsome, refined and resilient to wear and tear.
Click link to read more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/the-history-of-sunspel-estd-1860

THE DUKE OF LONDON
Merlin McCormack is a colourful character and one of London's brightest young entrepreneurs, building his extraordinary business from the ground up.
His commercial flair is matched only by his unique style and taste, and for summer tailoring he turns to historic British brand Pope & Bradley.
In the sequence of photos he can be seen wearing pieces from their "Rainbow", "Hopsack" and "Linen" collections.
Click link to learn more.
https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/summer-suits-by-pope-bradley

THE FOUR SEASON SUIT
Lance McCormack is a master coachbuilder and dedicated customer of historic British tailoring firm, Pope & Bradley.
Whether he's strolling around Italy in the summer or dancing around London in the winter, his go-to suiting is Four Season.
It's a year-round cloth that will take you anywhere, anytime... to do anything.
Click link to learn more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/summer-suits-by-pope-bradley

TOTALLY TRANSPARENT
I could try to spin a yarn about the lightweight qualities of the Pope & Bradley Tropical Suiting, but you'd probably just see straight through it.
Click link to learn more about Summer Suits by Pope & Bradley: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/summer-suits-by-pope-bradley

SUCKER FOR SEERSUCKER
The Seersucker Suit is perfect for summer travel - no matter what your mode of transport.
Click link to learn more: https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/birth-of-the-cool-suckers-for-seersucker

A NUTTER FOR SEERSUCKER
Rik Van Nutter playing the role of Felix Leiter in the 1965 James Bond movie "Thunderball" - showing how to accessorise a Seersucker Suit, and illustrating the versatility of summer's coolest cloth.
Click link to learn more:
https://masonandsons.com/blogs/the-periodical/birth-of-the-cool-suckers-for-seersucker