Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How the boy from Manchester Rose to the Top of the Media World. Meet Aaron Edwards

I’m a Mancunian (person hailing from Manchester, UK) transplant and I’ve been living in New York for around six years. Prior to New York, I was a financial analyst for five years at an investment bank, before leaving the big smoke (London) to team up with my partner in crime and sister Samantha.

The Charles (named after our great grandfather) is a creative agency specializing in immersive digital story telling for clients such as Cartier, WSJ, Bloomberg Media and Netflix. With humble beginnings, The Charles has grown from strength to strength with this year marking the arrival of new offices in Chicago and London and a new content division called Jane (named after our great grandmother).

Recommended Videos

Bourne from an insatiable appetite for creative our goal is to reinvent the way our clients do business and align their strategic goals to our conceptual thinking and agile design process. With the arrival of our new content division, we now have the ability to extend our reach by bringing our interactive digital experiences to the physical world. I truly believe the convergence of technology, design and virtual reality is the future of brand marketing and advertising.

As for my personal style:

I’m really into mens fashion and have an obsession with these two Parisian twin brothers, Les Freres Jochaim. Their silhouettes are the epitome of cool for me and I love how they mix high fashion with street wear to create a look that’s applicable for any type of meeting. For me luxury is about being comfortable and wearing fine materials in a relaxed way

Jeans: Frame Denim and Fear Of God for more casual events.

Shirts: Comme Des Garcon Shirt, Lemaire

Pants: Juun J cropped black pleated pants

Suits: Boglioli and Barena are my go to for sport coats meetings and Raf Simons for dinners and parties.

Shoes: I have these bad ass super high top boots made by Anne DeMeulemeester that I like to pair with tapered sweats pants or trousers and I have an unhealthy obsession with Rick Owens Ramones low and high tops and Common Projects.

Accessories: My Rolex Daytona is my go to everyday watch. It might sound like overkill but I believe expensive items are to be worn not locked away… plus there’s nothing better than wearing a vintage worn tee and some battered jeans and a nice classic watch.

Outerwear: Acne Charlie Coat

Favorite cologne: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather

Favorite app: Instagram

Favorite piece of technology: STASH a friend of mine Co-founded this investment app. I’m 3 months in and I’m making money from it so really happy about that!

Next style/gear purchase: Another Acne Charlie Coat

Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Aries and Puma take on the Mostro in a new collaboration
Puma, Aries unite for another statement collab
neutral grey puma mostro

Picking up from last year’s collaboration, Aries and Puma are ready to reunite for another stellar and eye-catching design. Blending Puma’s iconic silhouette and Aries’ street-style flair, this duo created a new look for the brand’s Mostro design. With two designs in this new collaboration, the pair’s version of the Mostro silhouette is nothing less than bold. The new Mostro shoes offer a unique take on a nostalgic sneaker using a blend of textures and materials. Available in two heights, this release combines some of the most iconic details of both brands. 

Aries x PUMA Mostro Craft and Mostro Mid

Read more
Why your automatic watch stops at night—and how to fix it yourself
The real reason your automatic watch dies at night — and how to keep it running
Chronograph Automatic watch in green

Picture it…

You wake up, take a look at your automatic watch, and then realize it has stopped in the middle of the night. In an instant, your mind is likely to unwrap a plethora of potential issues that could be the culprit.  Initially, it’s startling and frustrating, and it takes a small quagmire to figure out the next step of why automatic watches stop at night. Do you locate the nearest and your most trusted watchmaker and possibly pay an exorbitant fee, or do you devise a plan to fix it on your own?

Read more
Patrick Dempsey becomes face of Tag Heuer eyewear in expanded ambassador role
From watches to eyewear: Dempsey extends tag heuer partnership into new territory
Patrick dempsey for tag heuer eyewear

Dempsey has been a brand ambassador for over a decade. His dual career as an actor and a professional racing driver, including a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans-fits the brand’s focus on performance, precision, and lasting style.
Dempsey’s expanded role comes with Tag Heuer’s latest eyewear launch. The collection was made in collaboration with Thélios, LVMH’s eyewear division. The campaign features Dempsey wearing two key models: the Jack Heuer and Mini Vingt-Sept lines.
One campaign image stands out. Dempsey recreates a well-known portrait of Jack Heuer holding a chronograph. This visual connects the brand’s heritage with its future. The timing is fitting, following Dempsey’s role as racing legend Piero Taruffi in the 2024 film “Ferrari.” This nods to Jack Heuer’s partnership with an Italian automaker in 1971.
The 2025 eyewear collection has three lines. The Jack Heuer frames are inspired by 1960s pilots and use Japanese titanium and ChromaFade lenses. The Mini Vingt-Sept line updates the brand’s technical eyewear with steel hinges and bio-nylon temples. The Shield Pro line is focused on performance, offering flexible frames and interchangeable lenses.
Dempsey’s involvement with Tag Heuer has always been hands-on. He’s attended events like the Monaco Grand Prix and boutique openings. In 2019, he received the “Spirit of Le Mans” award for his contributions to endurance racing.
This eyewear collaboration is a natural next step for both Dempsey and Tag Heuer, continuing a shared story of racing, design, and innovation in the luxury world.

Read more