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

By Cator Sparks Published August 6, 2021

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).

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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 De Meulemeester 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

Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual

Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…

Fashion & Style

From Maine with heritage: Rancourt & Co debuts bison leather camp loafer

Rancourt & Co bring heritage to a new hybrid style

pair of rancourt and co camp laofers

Known for their family-owned business and quality craftsmanship, Rancourt & Co continues to keep alive the heritage of timeless and sophisticated construction. Based in Maine, Rancourt & Co. has made a name for itself with elevated styles that last despite time and trends. Between casual shoes and formal options, Rancourt & Co. has a vast lineup that has it all. In their newest launch, the American company takes on two of its best-known silhouettes, camp mocs and loafers, for a hybrid style that is as durable as it is sophisticated. With holiday events and more just around the corner, the newly released Belgrade Camp Loafer provides the versatility of a shoe that can be dressed up or down. Arriving in a new cognac shade, this multi-use camp loafer is the perfect addition to any autumn wardrobe.

Rancourt & Co. brings heritage to a modern hybrid shoe

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Graphpaper and PUMA elevate the Speedcat Plus in a monochrome triple-leather

PUMA's Speedcat sneaker gets a minimalist upgrade

puma speedcat sneaker

In the last couple of seasons, PUMA’s Speedcat silhouette has slowly become the brand’s answer to Adidas’ Samba and Nike’s Cortez revival. As the other brands continue to reinvent and reimagine some of their iconic sneakers, PUMA has taken to designs like the Speedcat for another pass through the spotlight. As the sneaker continues to reach a new audience with playful prints and textures, the brand hasn’t slowed down on releasing new iterations of the classic sneaker. In their latest collaboration on the Speedcat, PUMA has joined forces with Japanese label Graphpaper for a pared-down and subtle take on the sneaker that’s equally as retro as it is elevated. While this partnership takes on the Speedcat Plus, the silhouette’s more statement version, the iconic shape and style of the original Speedcat remains, with remnants of its racing past still visible.

Graphpaper gives PUMA’s Speedcat Plus a luxe makeover

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Zenith’s space-forged chronograph goes worldwide

Zenith's Space-Forged Chronograph Expands

CHRONOMASTER SPORT METEORITE

Zenith has expanded global availability for its Chronomaster Sport Meteorite, a timepiece featuring authentic space fragments integrated into the dial.
Previously exclusive to Japan, the 41mm chronograph now reaches international markets through Zenith boutiques and authorized retailers at $17,500. Each watch incorporates a dial crafted from genuine meteorite that traveled through space for millions of years before reaching Earth and Zenith's Le Locle facilities.
The meteorite dials showcase the Widmanstätten pattern, a geometric formation created when molten iron cools gradually in space's vacuum. Hand-finishing reveals these cosmic crystalline structures, ensuring each dial remains unique. Against this extraterrestrial backdrop, Zenith's signature tri-color chronograph counters in silver, light grey, and anthracite create visual contrast with circular azuré finishing.
The stainless steel case preserves the design language of Zenith's 1969 A386 chronograph while incorporating contemporary elements like a black ceramic bezel marked with 10-second graduations. Pump-style pushers and modern proportions blend heritage aesthetics with current styling, while 10 ATM water resistance ensures daily practicality.
The timepiece houses Zenith's El Primero 3600 movement, the latest iteration of the brand's high-frequency chronograph caliber that earned the 2021 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève "Chronograph" award. Operating at 5 Hz with a silicon escape wheel, the movement achieves 1/10th second precision with the chronograph hand completing full rotations every 10 seconds.
The caliber provides 60 hours of power reserve and displays refined decoration through the sapphire caseback, including a blue column wheel, horizontal clutch, and openworked rotor featuring the Zenith star emblem.
The package includes both an integrated steel bracelet and black rubber strap for wearing versatility.