Good bye 2008.

The time has come to conclude the year as playboys will be swinging their bow ties in clubs around the world in the next 36 hours. Tipping at 145 posts it has certainly been a pleasure providing free editorial literature that serves well now when everyone has fewer pennies to spend on luxuries such a glossy magazines. This is media by the people, for the people.

For 2009 I’m contemplating pushing the boundaries of blogging with free video content a’la youtube channel. I finally took the plunge this year and bought myself a digital camera, and next up is a video camera I guess. As I don’t have the budget of Warner Bros, the hurdle is making videos that are visually appealing and edited in a proper manner. Any requests for 2009 in terms of content would be appreciated as well as feedback or criticism. Lastly I wish you all a happy new year.
Yours truly.

I Luw Fashion: Man of the year.

This year television hasn’t been anything other than splendid. Sex and the City the movie, Gossip Girl and “Mad Men” have sucked women into the worlds of fashion perfection, while men have looked up to Batman, James Bond and Iron man for a template of the perfect man.

In spite the overwhelming selection of movies for inspiration, there are two movies that have stood out more than the others and have held worldwide media under siege, and those are “Batman - The Dark Knight” and “James Bond – Quantum of Solace”. With the hype settled and cinemas ramping up for next year’s big releases it’s time to settle who’s the man of the year, James Bond or Bruce Wayne.

Wardrobe.

Both franchises have become lucrative motion pictures for product placement and it was announced well back in 2007 what both heroes would be wearing. Christian Bale was kitted out by Armani which is well in place the sartorial success in American psycho in which Christian Bale wors suits from the same Italian designer. The power dressing formula just like in American psycho is also there in the Dark Knight but in a less pretentious way.

Highly theatrical Tom Ford took care of Daniel Craig giving him a wardrobe of suits and coats which suits the sophisticated taste of James Bond. Not looking like the average night club security guard in a cheap and ill fitted black polyester suit Mr. Bond now has a crisp and more edgy appearance than before. It’s a job well done for Tom Ford who has managed to compromise his creative ideas and match them with the expected appearance of James Bond.

Bond: 8.5/10 Batman: 8/10

Transportation.

Public transportation isn’t good enough as a super hero requires a means of getting around that can accelerate from 0-100km/h faster than a dyslexic politician can spell the word “mischievous”.

There is nothing that gains you more kudos from fellow men than driving the car of a super hero. Given that, it was no surprise that the Aston Martin DBS sold out for its entire life cycle the moment Aston Martin opened up their order book. Penned by Danish Henrik Frisker the DB9 is a master piece and the best automotive design man has seen the latest 10 year. With four years in the back pack the DBS is a much needed refresh of a more aggressive DB9. Because the DBS is technically a DB9 on steroids you’d expect it to look like a DB9..............which is exactly what it does. Every super model that dies in a traffic accident reincarnates into a DBS, the car looks absolutely divine in photos. Sadly the extraordinary beauty is nowhere to be seen in real life where the car simply looks like a DB9 with a fancy sports kit. Regardless of the deception it’s one very handsome long distance cruiser and is brilliant dream car for a subtle gentleman. The engine offer a powerful sound track with deep growl that sounds like angry polluted London clouds ready to pour down acid rain.

Lamborghini is no stranger to car lovers and the LP640 is the definition of a dram car with its 640 horse powers and scissor doors. Unlike the Aston it’s a head turner that stands out where ever it is and doesn’t disappoint neither in real life nor in photos. Interestingly it cost £197 460 which is just a few thousand grands short of the £159 043 asking price for the DBS. Similar priced the Ferrari 599GTB offer the same brutal and exotic experience as the Lambo which both makes the DBS look somewhat overpriced as it’s a faux super car. Nonetheless it’s hard to not forgive the DBS for its flaws as it’s one very cool car. Like with previous Bond cars the novelty will complete be lost in 1-2 years when the Quantum of Solace is in the long in the past while the LP640 will remain bold for years to come.
Bond: 6.5/10 Batman: 8.5/10

The women.

If you didn’t blush when Ukrainian Olga Kurylenko made her initial appearance in Quantum of Solace then you’re not a hetero sexual man. The cute hair style and golden tan made her look like the ultimate next door neighbour. With such a gentle but yet romantic face many admirers would happily do cart wheels around Chernobyl for her. Take into account her graceful posture and sexy accent, Olga is an excellent super hero girlfriend.

Visually Maggie Gyllenhaal doesn’t match up to Katie Holmes who played Rachel in the first Batman movie featuring Christian Bale. Maggie’s acting deserves a firm cheer but age has caught up with her a bit too early. Unlike other actresses of her age and calibre her face looks old. For her it’s almost like the camera adds 10 years and the age is even more apparent when you see her in the flesh.

Bond: 9/10 Batman: 3.5/10

The movie.

Action movies are synonyms for clichés and weak plots, and the fact is highlighted by going through Steven Segal or Jean Claude Van Dame’s filmography. The Dark Knight is a beacon of light in this genre as it stands for the entertainment one doesn’t expect from a blockbuster action movie. At least one Oscar should be in place curtsey for Heath Ledger who puts on an astounding performance as the Joker.

The character development in the movie and the conflicts Batman faces are what makes the movie so spectacular. Even those without an appetite for action flicks will love the thick and deep plot and provides unpredictability rarely seen. No other motion big screen motion picture can rival the Dark Knight as it has dominated this year as the best movie of 2008.

Quantum of Solace takes the prize for one of the best car chases ever. Plagued by bad omens and accidents the production team for the movie managed to pull though with is heart pounding car chase that’s guaranteed to keep a fatigue lorry under suspense.

As an action movie the movie certainly deliver with the type of drama and scenes one would want to see on a Friday night. The fighting scenes are intense taking places in various dramatic environments with explosions and gun shoots all around. Undeniably amazing action in its essence but the question is whether it’s really Bond? Instead of a charming and formidable Bond we have been presented with a Bond that’s harder than Chuck Norris and Jason Statham combined. Where is the womanizer personality and the charm? Despite the brilliant thrill Quantum of Solace has taken James Bond’s character down the wrong path transforming into something uncharacteristic. Gone missing are also the car gizmos and Sony gadgets from the future. We see Daniel Craig playing the role of his life but we see no traditional Bond.

Bond: 6/10 Batman: 9.5/10

Off set appearance.

It’s common knowledge that movies are just acts, but it’s quite disappointing to see that Christian Bale looks drastically different off set then he does in movie like American Psycho. The dressing isn’t there nor is the charisma. Daniel Craig on the other hand has done a flawless job in the style category looking highly presentable every time there’s a camera around.

Bond: 10/10 Batman: 5.5/10

Total.
James Bond: 40 Batman: 35

Man of the year – James Bond

Bonus: The Dark Knight London Premier

No one read blogs on Christmas Eve.

Happy holidays folks! Finally the day has come when everyone put their swords and shield down for some quality time spent with their loved ones. The entire world is at a standstill as the post man is resting, stores are closed and no newspapers to be read. If NY is the city that never sleeps then the internet is the world that never stays still which is why I’m going to savour this day of dropped readership by posting some slight off topic non-sense. After all, who reads blogs on Christmas eve?

During the week I’ve had a new tenant in my bag and for the first time it’s non-university related literature. Writing is one of my pleasures in life and so is reading, but not reading novels. There are too many distractions like TV and computers that prevents me from focusing 1-2 hours on a novel when I can watch a movie, surf the web or play some computer game. What I’ve had in my book this week is not just any book but Esquire magazine’s “Handbook of style”. Prior to receiving it I had zero expectations and had no preconceived notions as I have never read an issue of Esquire. The exterior of the book is very tasteful covered in a navy blue canvas with a purple label stating the title in white stitching. You would think it was adopted by Esquire from Lauren’s ‘Purple Label’ collection.

221 pages long the book contains a vast number of highly valuable tips that would even gain interest by people who knows how to dress. Reading the book is a pleasure as the language is easy to understand as the author hasn’t used unwarranted adjectives in an attempt to make the book sound more fancy. The layout and font contribute to the appeal too, no matter what page you jump into the gratification is instant. In spite the user friendliness the book double as the time machine, all the graphics and monochrome pages gives you the impression that the book was printed during the industrial revolution. Although photo’s of Andre 3000, George Clooney and Jonny Depp makes it feel contemporary there’s no denying that a few diagrams and photos in colour would have increased the visual appeal. On the other hand there is plenty of witty in there for occasional HIHIs and HAHAs.

Is it worth $15? Many of the pages cover things you had no idea that you didn’t know, but it’s a very one sided book. Unless you occasionally wear blazers and suits the book won’t be much of assistant in your career to style greatness. Everything from the content about shoes and accessories to grooming and outerwear evolve around suits. In fact, the book should be renamed to ‘Style handbook for Dandies’. Additionally there are no snazzy tips in there that would give you the extra edge in the business class lounge at Heathrow airport. The conservative dresser will enjoy the ‘Handbook of Style’ book but the fashion week junkie will be left with a non-flavour taste in their mouth. Depending on who you are a 6 month magazine subscription might be the better source for fashion inspiration and tips.

Is it a must have? No, some of the tips can be found in old magazine issues dusting somewhere in your home.

Is it a good read? Yes, quick way of passing time while gaining new knowledge

Can the money be better spent elsewhere? Yes, a 6 months fashion magazine subscription is a better investment many times over.

Grade: 6.5/10 Splendid bookshelf ornament that isn’t strong enough to justify its price.

Glasses.

Just because it’s winter solstice in the northern hemisphere today, the 21st of December, doesn’t mean that the rest of the world has spent the majority of the day in darkness like a bat. Sunbathers in Orange County wouldn’t mind leeching some of the darkness in London to shield their eyes from the bright California sun.

If there’s one public figure after Karl Lagerfeld that has an obsession with glasses it must be Kanye West. His wardrobe possibly has more glasses than your local Specsavers store. Except for creating the surge for dysfunctional shutter shades that spread across London, Paris, NY and Milan like Chlamydia, Kanye does posses an admirable taste for bold but yet refined eye wear. Selecting glasses that suits the face is the key to his success. A pair of shades looking slick on a runway model won’t necessarily translate into a stunning appearance sitting on your nose and ears. Someone with a small face might never be able to wear big shades unless they want to look like a bee or a person trying to conceal bruises inflicted by their partner.

With clouds dominating the skyline in places across Europe and northern parts of the United States, sunglasses are about as relevant as Windows Vista is for Steve jobs. Clear lens glasses are an excellent way of adding some new punch to your facial appearance with seeking drastic measure like a new hair cut or getting plastic surgery. These types of glasses are relatively cheap props that don’t have to look geeky or goofy as if you’re on your way to a Halloween party. Select a pair of classy ones and the sophistication of your manifestation shall be on a par with a noble prize winner.

Tom Ford: Spring Summer 2009.

Tom Ford Spring Summer 2009

Anyone who has fully comprehended Tom Ford’s creative abilities is bound to do so when look book images of his SS09 collection have been unleashed. Loving nudity, he expectedly has a great understanding of the human body which has translated in clothes with amazing cuts.

The styling of the shots highlights his great taste as the outfits and concepts are clearly the derivative of a self-assured individual in full command of potentially America’s most influential fashion houses. Like Napoleon rising from his grave Tom Ford has in a short period of time taken his brand to the level of the well established designers like Valentino, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana. No socks and bright but subtle creates vivid dreams of yourself on board a 115 foot yatch enjoying chocolate truffle and strawberries with Keira Knightley in Cannes Film Festival prelude. Tom Ford is the designer New York’s fashion scenes is craving for, as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren aren’t sexy enough to withstand the sensual forces of the Italian fashion houses. As with anything that has a Tom Ford label, the collection will be available in 2-3 at frightening prices that defy common sense.

Christmas Special: Small gifts, big thoughts.

Christmas list 2008

It’s no myth that men avoid any conversation or interaction that would wake up the emotional teddy bear inside them. This is especially true when people around are other men pretending to be as ice cold and unemotional as a frozen fish stick.

Unlike women we don’t carry out cute little gestures like giving our homeboy, main man or best mate a basket of cinnamon flavoured croissants with a jar of Hartley's Best Strawberry Jam. When was the last time a fellow man surprised you with a can of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream when you’re at home battling a cold? Yes ice cream might be last best thing to eat when sick but the flavour does keep you happy. It’s time be men break out of our nut shell and show some love and appreciation to our dearest male comrade.

Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy Men.

This Sexy version is a remake of the classic 212 fragrance but has a more romantic character. Very distinct the sophisticated warm scent of flowers will ensure compliments from ladies while camouflaging garlic-like odours from your mate’s armpits.
212 Sexy Men gift set: £28 Estimated price.

The Dark Knight

Watch Batman “The Dark Knight” on Blu-Ray, and DVD will be a thing of the distant past. Ushering the world into a new era of home cinema the “The Dark Knight” on Blu-Ray offers daunting level of image detail, wide scope scenes filmed using IMAX camera and an amazing sound track by Hans Zimmer. It’s one of the flicks that become better the more you watch it, a living classic that deserves to be on the DVD between Scarface and Doctor Zhivago.
Dark Knight Blu-Ray two disc special: £15 estimated price.

Calfskin leather belt.

A formal black leather belt with a minimal strap is an item that should be in the wardrobe of any respectable man. The craftsmanship of a well built one will project a high level of self-assurance that can’t be mimicked by wearing a belt with a buckle the size of a Ferris wheel.
Brooks Brothers calfskin leather belt: £65 estimated price.

Card Holder.

Although not highly versatile in its usability this card holder is a necessity during occasion where a hamburger sized wallet would be too bulk, like at a party of an event. With space for a credit card, driver’s license and a few bank notes it accommodates the essentials.
Mulberry Card Case: £48 estimated price.

Nintendo DS Lite.

Gaming doesn’t have to be barricading yourself an entire weekend in your parent’s basement playing World of Warcraft. The Ninendo DS Lite offers time killing games for people who even don’t like gaming consoles. Various puzzles and intellectually stimulating games gives every man the reason to enter a state of isolation after Christmas dinner.
White DS Lite + Brain training starter pack: £117 estimated price.

Purple polka dot tie.

Of all there is to buy, a tie ranks as the most unimaginative gifts. Ties are perceived as last minute choices for people who can’t bother to dedicated time and energy to finding their beloved ones the best possible gift. It doesn’t have to be like that as there are several ties that shine bright as any other gift. A purple white dotted tie is one of beautiful ties a man can wear. Perfect for fine occasions it has an eye catchy but yet mature and masculine appearance that suits men of any character.
RL Purple label satin tie: £120 estimated price.

Get cosy.

Christmas spirit in non-existent in London, celebration comes the day after Christmas when the sale frenzy kick starts. Only one in every hundred house or so have joined in on decorating their windows with advent candles, fake snow and ginger bread suspended on red ribbons. In Sweden the enthusiastic Christmas decorator will even change their curtains and table cloths for something more red, green and white. The fun or walking around staring up at people’s homes searching for the most tricked out window is a mere fantasy in the capital of England as the city has no soul.

With no decoration spreading warmth and joy there is plenty of room to put on a carnival of colours on your own. Besides the obvious benefits of wearing fancy clothes like improved self confidence and looks, what’s on our bodies affects our moods. Colours are very powerful and humorous pastel shades of red, orange, blue and green can be the base for a happy day. The pink walls might seen in the 2nd post before this one might appear bizarre but surprisingly the colour traps you in four walls of positivity. Shield yourself from those who try to rise up against you by wrapping your body in the most relaxing pastels of the colour spectrum, like the attached outfits from the temple of warmth, Missoni.

Isolation.

One of my all time favourite residential estates is this spectacular mansion which is beyond people’s dreams. Isolation on a par with the Jetsons will ensure that neighbours can’t take a peak if a nude Saturday afternoon Pilates session with the receptionist from the local gym is taking place in the house. The agony walking up and down the steep drive way to fetch the mail from the post-box by the entry gate can most likely only be solved by acquiring a Segway or some sort.

Given my admiration for the out of the ordinary artistic house, my eyes instantaneously glowed the second I saw the replication of the interior in the Warner Bros movie ‘Speed Racer’. Written and directed by the Wachowski brothers most noted for the sublime skills for amazing visuals seen in ‘V for Vandetta’ and the ‘Matrix’ trilogy. The pool, balcony and concrete pillar are an excellent reference to this estate and evoke giggles in any architecture enthusiast.

Editor's Letter 2008.

Good evening my beloved ladies, gentlemen, sirs, misses, mistresses, tom girls, boy toys, call girls and anyone who read at least one sentence on my blog. Thank you very much for your visits and support for the thrival of fashion literature for men alive.

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend as I’ve enjoyed some lovely sunshine this Sunday. I spent the Saturday night watching “Tropical Thunder” featuring Ben Stiller in his usual character. Although the movie won’t get a strong recommendation from me it’s decent entertainment for a empty evening in the calendar, though there was an appalling amount of product placement that makes you want to categorise the movie in the same basket as your “Don’t wait to get huge” and “The truth behind 9 inches” Viagra spam emails. Tons of big names in the movie amongst a near unrecognizable Tom Cruise playing a hilarious role reminiscent of cocky Ari Gold in Entourage.

This Sunday we are going academic, examining the theory behind men’s fashion. Recently it struck me how men’s fashion has yet to reach its pinnacle. Men of influence like Barack Obama could easily put on a giant fur coat, oversized velvet bow tie and a big fat Breitling Chronomat to show that all American souls belong to him. Expectedly he came out for his speech without having done a wardrobe change. Other major names of the political scene haven’t turned to their countries respective fashion designer for a supply of tailored shoes throughout their mandate period. As a president or prime minister who of you wouldn’t consult Valentino or Giorgio Armani for 21 suits and an endless supply of white shirts? Fact is that the style of many politicians is as pale and dull as one of my friend’s choice of burgers, which are those consisting of nothing but the bread and the meat with no ketchup, pickles, salad or cheese.

Sarah Palin’s campaign officers reportedly spent $150 000 on her wardrobe. To put the figure into perspective, it’s basically a department store. But as a person in power benevolence is a deal with no worm holes to be available for enemies to turn into weaknesses. Furthermore the public core view of a man is “Thou shall not waste more money on clothes than your faithful wife”. Sarah Palin might have enjoyed popping tags every morning but the minute she failed to meet her expectations as a vice president elect, she was charged with media fire thanks to her Mariah Carey-sized wardrobe for a worm hole. The lesson is that a good dresser in one who can adapt their style to the situation or environment they are faced with.

Have you ever dressed in black from head to toe and been asked by someone if you’re going to a funeral? If the answer is a reluctant yes then it meant that you were dressed in appropriately. Black on black dressing only works in certain occasion and those include funerals, cocktail parties and robbery of a DHL depot 04:45am on a quiet Sunday. Perfectly as someone may have dressed they can still look more stupid than a fireman deciding to dress up as a fireman for Halloween party at the fire station. Looking too avant-garde you might come across as unapproachable by people around you which is why a decent amount of colour and light tones are good to have in the closet. Coloured socks are brilliant to wear in public as they break the balance our your outfit and projects the message that your not taking yourself too serious. With people not being able restrain themselves from staring at your socks on the London underground your friends can use that as a diversion to steal wallets of the spectators. Almost like men unable to take their eyes away from the lower back of a chick sitting on a chair with her thong exposed by her low cut jeans.

What most men have a deficit in are pants that are neither black nor blue. A pair of chinos, beige jeans or grey formal trousers is the best foundation for a casual appearance. White shirts are overlooked as their a fear of getting them dirty but Vanish and good detergent will get them to look like brand new with a breeze. A £60-100 pound shirts will sustain countless of washes and still feel like brand new each time it comes out of the drier smelling lavender like the shirt I’m wearing in the photos.

Reminder: BAA Airtportgiftlist.com giveaway.

Airtportgiftlist.com

A gorgeous Mont Blanc fountain pen with an estimated high street retail value of £250 is looking for a happy home. Forget nudging the tip of a pen on your tongue or scribbling on your palm to make it work, relieve yourself from finding a good pen in your drawer and then spending 2 minutes to make it work. The Mont Blanc pen will make writing a pleasure and evoke emotions that will translate into beautiful poems.

The pen is yours for the taking simply by sending me and email with your contact details and await a response that announce you the happy winner of this immaculate writing instrument. Anyone can enter.

Gift curtsey of BAA.

Competition has ended.

Fantasy Land: GQ Magazine.

Ever wonder how Alice felt tumbling down the rabbit hole? Crawling into the pages of GQ Magazine’s “Restaurant Guide 2009” will guarantee the same bewilderment experienced by Sarah Palin during a discussion about foreign affairs.

London is colossal city with a dense number of restaurant, and with food being a delicate matter for most hungry earthlings, one wants to avoid the disappointment of dining at a restaurant that doesn’t deliver. This is one of the key elements for Mc Donald’s success because people always know what to expect before buying a Big Mac meal at 02:40 to soak up all the alcohol floating around in the stomach after a hard night.

Given the overwhelming selection, GQ’s restaurant guide is a saviour for carnivores hungry for some exciting food. Nicely divided up into section ranging from breakfast and brunch to early bites and dinner, the booklet is the bible for in deceive food lovers who need guidance for every eating occasion of the day. Turning the first two pages instantly concludes that guide was written by (a) A consultant at OPEC, (b) A visitor from Mars unknowledgeable of the economic situation on earth or (c) A pirate who hijacked a cargo ship of the coast of Somalia and received 15 million dollars in ransom money. Lacking any sentiment for the economic state of the Western world the guide starts off by recommending 15-35 pound breakfast at various restaurants. Most detrimental to the soul is the £45 expected bill for a brunch at a restaurant in east London. In supporting the emotion filled words that are supposed to lure us there on a flying carpet, GQ included an image of what looks to be an egg and bacon dish. Who in their right mind would want to hand over for something basic as egg and bacon for any sum near £45. Unless the bacon comes from a flying big and the eggs from a Dinosaur, such a dish should come at less under £4.50. Yes a chef might prepare it perfectly without greasing down the entire plate but there is only so many ways a basic fried egg can taste. Prices increase steeply with every page you flip peaking to a suicidal £300.

It’s no mystery that GQ Magazine’s demographic consist of affluent high income earning 25-50 year old men, but the credit crunch that trickled into a banking crisis evidently escalating into a mild recession has financially molested or raped everyone. If several Russian and Indian billionaire have seen their net worth slashed by great portion GQ readers are by no means immune to economic turbulence. Inappropriately the restaurant guide was released in October which was a dark 30 days of bad news rippling through the economy. Typical model GQ subscriber driving a Bentley Continental GT with an apartment in Notting hill is one of the big losers. With savings stacked up in speculative assets such as property and shares in dotcom companies many white collar workers have seen their life savings evaporate into nothing. Splurging £300 on a dinner is the last thing on people’s minds, that’s bloody half a month’s mortgage payment.

As capitalism has fallen the carnage includes inflated London property values falling by 14% with thousands of city workers being made redundant. Naive people who bought a house last year falsely believing that prices could only go up, are now waking up every morning living with negative equity. Not uncommon some are living in homes that are now valued at less than £80 000-150 000 than what they were in summer 2007.

So we are all hurting, aren’t we? Living a life without a compromised demeanour can be a challenge in times of near depleted funds in the bank. Avoiding expenditures is the best approach to a sophisticated style while saving coins in the piggy bank. Quality is always cheaper in the long run but is definitely not the rationale for picking up a pair of Tods loafers this weekend. In general shoes, sweaters, blazers and jeans are the most expensive items in the wardrobe. Careful selection of these when shopping will ensure that you’ll never need to buy new ones in 1-2 years leaving your economic with plenty of coin for cheap additions like shirts, t-shirts, accessories and sweaters. Bargain hunting during sales works for some but can be a trap as there is a tendency to impulsively acquire stuff you really don’t want but buy mostly because of the price. Such purchases can come back haunting a few weeks down the roads as reality struck your brain realizing that the £25 G-Star jeans don’t have a great fit. So exercise shopping with caution when the long awaited Christmas sale hits later this month.