Clooney, The Stylish … American

Clooney – actor, director, screen star, all round good guy, chic magnet, dude’s dude. Who’d a thank it that the scruffy doofus handy man on the 80s sitcom ‘Facts of Life’ would have risen to the heights he now soars at? Ah but there was evidence at birth that he was meant for stardom … his heritage certainly hinted at the greatness to come – a former beauty pageant queen for a mother, and father who made his living as a TV anchorman and host, a singing aunt and an acting uncle – a veritable family circus!

George Clooney was born in Lexington, Kentucky  … blah, blah, blah! If you want more on his bio, jump onto wiki.

We’re more interested in the fact that he once dabbled in odd jobs such as selling men’s suits and cutting tobacco. Whimsical George, ‘ey? Maybe that’s when he acquired his sense of suave, debonair genteel as well as a shine for elegantly cut threads and smelly cigars.

It was when this heartthrob, who played ER’s Dr. Douglas Ross, left TV land and begun his celluloid career in films such as Out of Sight (with JLO), One Fine Day (a la Michelle Pfeiffer) and Three Kings, that he begun to be noticed by stylexperts the world over.

So what is the Clooney secret? Maybe it’s that lean, hungry, “beyond blue steel” look that even Zoolander would not be able to perfect. Or perhaps it’s how those designer linen and wool suits seem to mould to his body like a second skin and create a nether world beautiful being (oh someone stop me!), or more so, just how much he cares to cultivate the air that he doesn’t care being labelled as the sexiest man on planet earth since Cary Grant. Either way, his nonchalance, his easily irritated indifference (at the 2010 Oscars) coupled with his fashion ease, has riveted the fashion and ‘celebrity’ world as much as it has captured the swooning imagination of most females over the age of 2, sweeping them up in a whirlwind storm that rages hot and wild.

His signature style?  Effortless class and dapper well fitted suiting. Very rarely does he don a tie; he always rocks an open necked cool white shirt but he makes up for this casual approach with cufflinks, a fantastic timepiece and a full shaven, neatly cut crop of grey. No-one does silver hair like Clooney. At 49, he’s handling his maturation with killa precision. I’m a die hard fan (can you tell??)

Dag, the man got talent. In 2006, he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in Syriana; it was the first time in the awards’ history that an individual had received acting and directing nominations for two different films in the same year (nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay (with Grant Heslov), for Good Night, and Good Luck).

And of course there’s the Oceans 11, 12 and 13 capers, that play up the quest for the good life at any cost, while surrounded by a pack of disarming, and seriously bent daredevils. And we can’t forget to mention the suits, the Continental locations, the women and the cut throat repartee with an equally charming, debonair Brad Pitt.

And it would seem that Clooney has a purposeful life and a heart, beyond the silver screen. In 2006, Mr. Clooney and his father, Nick, went to Darfur to record the horror of the Sudan war, culminating in the documentary Journey to Darfur. His work on behalf on Darfur relief led to his addressing the United Nations Security Council. He also narrated the Darfur documentary Sand and Sorrow. In 2007, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub co-founded Not On Our Watch, an organization whose mission is to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities in Darfur.

Clooney was subsequently honored with the 2007 Peace Summit Award, given at The Eighth World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates at their annual meeting in Rome. In 2008, he was designated a U.N. Messenger of Peace, one of eight individuals chosen to advocate on behalf of the U.N. and its peacekeeping efforts. In January 2010, he, along with Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, produced the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, which raised more than $66 million for disaster relief. Gee!! Whattaguy … I’m glad he doesn’t walk on water otherwise I’d be a tad perplexed about the state of his immortality …

His latest film project is the suspense thriller The American, adapted from Martin Booth’s 1990 novel ‘A Very Private Gentleman‘ (opens September 1^st in cinemas everywhere).

The gist of the storyline focuses on a lone American assassin living abroad who retreats to the Italian countryside after a job gone bad in Sweden. Clooney’s ‘Jack’ holes up in a small medieval town and takes on an assignment to construct a weapon for a mysterious contact, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten).

Savoring the peaceful quietude he finds in the mountains of Abruzzo, Jack accepts the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues a torrid liaison with a beautiful woman, Clara (Violante Placido). Jack and Clara’s time together evolves into a romance, one seemingly free of danger. The plot sounds inevitable i.e. by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate. We say “stay in the wilds of Abruzzo, Jack, for nothing is  more satisfying than a quiet life, a home in the great harsh outdoors and the love of a beautiful woman”.

Which brings us to the subject of Clooney and his women. Although now publicly dating Italian model Elisabetta Canalis, George is very private when it comes to his love life, and throughout his career, he’s famed for his discretion. Methinks the man wants to quietly run his own life, his own way. He may be commitment shy, and I suspect he prefers the company of a beautiful, intelligent woman but not necessarily the settling down aspects of a long term relationship. Each to his own.

From the sounds of it, The American’s Jack is very much Clooney. The quintessential man’s man living life to his own rhythm, and so we laud him for following his heart, pursuing his passion and looking good in the process. As we say down under, “on ya mate!”

We leave you with the latest ad campaign from George Clooney’s association with Omega Watches: George Clooney, photographed by Norman Jean Roy for Omega’s Seamaster Planet Ocean Watch 2010. NB: This is not a paid ad, no sirree bob, we just loved how dear George is captured here – elegant, grey, cool, smooth, Clooney.

Entourage Style: All Flossed Out!

‘Entourage’ is to men what ‘Sex and the City’ was to women. Fair call, gents?

Since it premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004, this smart, funny, boys-to-men dramedy has raised the hopes of skinny, white dudes everywhere of one day being street and biz smart with So-Cal cool thrown into the mix. Even the smooth brothas from HipHop land laud the show for being a representation of every young man’s dream lifestyle, complete with a loyal posse to help you enjoy the good times and overcome the bad ones.

Created and is largely written by Doug Ellin, Entourage chronicles the rise of Vincent Chase, a young A-list movie star, and his childhood friends from Queens, New York City, as they navigate the unfamiliar terrain of Hollywood.

The show is especially clever in its underlying theme of male camaraderie and the importance of friendship and family over work and according to Mark Wahlberg, one of Entourage’s co-executive producers, the idea was initially conceived when his assistant asked if he could film Wahlberg and his friends, calling them “hilarious”. Other reports credit Eric Weinstein, a long-time friend of Wahlberg’s, with the idea of filming the actor’s group of friends. In order to be more satirical of the Hollywood lifestyle, a fictional approach was chosen rather than a straight documentary in order to keep the content light, and avoid directly depicting Wahlberg’s violent past.

Although Entourage has enjoyed a great run, the “French” could have been toned down and a tad more intelligence thrown into the boys’ characters and writing.  Its last two season have been a familiar and sometimes lacklustre, so seeing the end of the road, on August 7, 2010, HBO announced that Entourage would return in the Summer of 2011 for a shortened 8^th and final season. Although the number of episodes was not officially disclosed, the final season will likely contain six episodes. A film is also planned after the series ends.

So who makes up the Entourage posse and more importantly what is their personal and signature style? Here’s our breakdown:

Vince Chase | Adrian Grenier
Vince moved to L.A. to become an actor. He starred in a series of commercials and some soaps including a Mentos ad when he was discovered by Super Agent Ari Gold and the rest is history. Vince is very close to his boys including his brother Johnny Chase aka Drama and his best friend since they were 6 years old Eric, who is also his manager and considers them family. He does not let fame change him and shares his wealth and fame with those that are close to him.
Age:
31.
Occupation:
Actor.
Personality type:
Loyal, free spirit, friendly, charming.
Signature style:
SoCal cool, comfort clothes, no suits, T’s, sneakers, jeans.
Vice(s):
Eric, girls, spoiling his boys.
Annoying trait(s):
Spends money he does not have, never reads his scripts when told.
Hobbies:
Golf.
Dream job(s):
He has it.
Cars owned:
2007 Mercedes S65, Cadillac Escalade, Rolls Royce Phantom, Hummer H2.
Favorite Hollywood haunt(s):
The Palms, Urth Cafe, Winston’s, Poolside at Chateau Marmont.
Hollywood projects:
Head On, Queens Blvd, Aqua Man, Medellin,The Great Gatsby.

Johnny Chase aka Johnny Drama aka Drama | Kevin Dillon
Vince’s big bro was the first of the Boys to move to LA from New York where he pottered around with several small parts on TV shows such as NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, Pacific Blue, Nash Bridges, Red Shoe Diaries and several failed pilots including getting kicked off of one with Brooke Shields. He’s best know for his role as Tarvol on Viking Quest a TV series. While Vince was making a name for himself, Drama was flailing but he finally landed an ensemble cast role on fictional TV series ‘The Five Towns’. Drama’s been married once and he’s the proud owner of the Caddy in the opening title sequence.
Age:
40-something.
Occupation:
Actor, official cook for the boys.
Personality type:
Huge temper, the controlling type.
Signature style:
40’s / 50’s disheveled throwback, a modern rockabilly sporting a moustache-goatee combo.
Vice(s):
Working out, cooking, obsession of self and minor details that don’t matter, his own ego.
Virtue(s):
Unconditionally loves is “baby bro” Vince.
Hobbies:
Cooking, golf, working Out.
Dream job(s):
A-list Actor.
Cars owned:
2006 Aston Martin DB9, 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible, 1994 Fiat, Harley Davidson Motorcycle.
Favorite Hollywood haunt(s):
The Asian Rub and Tug Parlor.

TURTLE | Jerry Ferrara
Turtle grew up in queens, didn’t have a lot of money, loves the good side of life, extremely down to earth.
The role of Turtle was inspired by Mark Walberg’s friend and personal assistant Donnie “Donkey” Carroll. Like Turtle, Donkey followed Walberg from Massachusetts to Hollywood in his rise to fame. Donkey passed away in 2005 from an asthma attack.
Age:
31.
Occupation:
Vincent Chase’s best friend and driver. He is the go to man, and loves his wheels!
Personality type:
Maybe not the most dependable, but he always uses his heart.
Signature style:
Velour! Comfort driven and strictly hip hop – baggy jerseys, sideways caps or backwards. Usually representing New York sports teams. Also a fan of Zoo York clothing line.
Most coveted ’style’ items:
His exclusive Fukijama sneakers, his custom “Turtle” chain and NY Giants jersey with “TURTLE” across the back.
Vice(s):
Cars and large flat screens.
Virtue(s):
Optimistic, finds the good in bad situations.
Endearing trait(s):
Always pulls the gang out of trouble.
Hobbies:
Video games, golf, driving.
Dream job(s):
Music manager, opening a restaurant.
Cars owned:
Aston Martin.
Hollywood projects:
Credit song for Queens Blvd.

Eric Murphy | Kevin Connolly
Eric a.k.a. ‘E’ is Vince’s long time best friend. He grew up with Vince in Queens where he dabbled in various gigs including a manager at a pizza restaurant. After joining Vince in LA, Eric became Vince’s voice of reason and later his official manager. Much of Vince’s success can be attributed to Eric – he landed the ‘Queens Boulevard’ film and offered guidance on many of the Vince’s defining career moves. Eric is the smart, responsible, and motivated member of the Entourage who acts as the engineer who keeps the gravy train running.
Age:
31.
Occupation:
Vincent Chase’s manager and owner/founder of ‘The Murphy Group’.
Personality type:
Shy with women, respectful, responsible, caring.
Signature style:
Clean cut boy next door, business casual. Eric wears lots of blue and grey. He’s prone to the L.A. Power tie-less suit, button-down shirts with the sleeves rolled up – business like with a laid back twist. As the seasons go on E’s hairs gets more and more shiny and professional. He never gels it in Season One then in the second season he makes it look more professional to match his career aspirations.
Vice(s):
Bad temper, jealousy, smoking.
Virtue(s):
Loyal, sensitive, romantic, determined.
Endearing trait(s):
Sensitive, shy, loyal, falls in love easy.
Annoying trait(s):
Talks on the phone too much, sometimes acts almost to square …
Hobbies:
Golf, ESPN, hockey, the Yankees.
Dream job(s):
Running a major studio in Hollywood.
Cars owned:
Honda Prelude (3rd Gen) (until Season 2)
Maserati Quattroporte (until Season 3)
Aston Martin DB9 Volante
Favorite Hollywood haunt(s):
The Shave of Beverly Hills.
Hollywood projects:
Producer on Medellin and an Executive Producer of Lost in the Clouds/Silo.

Ari Gold | Jeremy Piven
(pictured above with Mrs Ari)
Age:
42.
Occupation:
Hollywood Agent.
Personality type:
Shark, super ambitious, vicious, smart ass, an A type personality, leader.
Signature style:
The L.A. Power Suit: Ari wears the Armani like a suit of ritual ego-driven armor. First impression is “this dude means business, step outta his way, ’specially when you see him totin’ a large, plastic paint blaster”! You can see Ari veritably lean into the imported padded $10,000 shoulders as he charges into a room, hurling insults, wisecracks, platitudes and shameless flattery – whatever he needs to get the job done. And the Armani also serves a defensive role and deflects nearly all ill-infused assaults from all manner of Hollywood scumbags, hangers on, wannabees and true movie biz powerhouses. Ari’s Armani is more than a suit. It’s a state of mind. Other coveted style pieces in Ari’s wardrobe are his aviators and his Bat Phone.
Vice(s):
Thirst for fame and power, foul mouth.
Virtue(s):
If he’s on your side, you’re covered. If he’s not … dude …
Endearing trait(s):
Sharp wit, tells it like it is, talks with his hands.
Annoying trait(s):
Sharp wit, quick tongue and demeaning ‘tude towards Lloyd and all creatures he believes beneath him (which is everyBODY!)
Hobbies:
World domination, golf, his wife and kids, running.
Dream job(s):
Has it.
Cars owned:
Lexus LS460 Hybrid.
Favorite Hollywood haunt(s):
Lakers’ games at the Staples Center, Koi, Palms, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Hollywood projects:
His clients and one day ruling Tinsel Town!

Entourage is the stuff of “boys” albeit all being over 30 years. It’s a modern study in the awkward, ungainly years before boys become responsible men; fumbling and straggling with their choices, overcoming the false lure of celebrity, money and power and learning all about mateship, social propriety and love while still trying to control those red, hot blushes when women speak to them. And they learn to be men in the company of other young men like themselves, much like the male right of passage age-groups of Africa.

We leave you with this quote from Italian poet, critic and novelist Cesare Pevase – “A man is never completely alone in this world. At the worst, he has the company of a boy, a youth, and by and by a grown man – the one he used to be.”

The name is Bond, James Bond

A cold, quiet day circa June 1985. I’m bored to death by the inertia of winter. There’s nothing to do so I creep into my older cousin Peter’s room to have a root around. Under his bed is a stack of magazines and a few books. One of them catches my attention. It’s vividly blue and illustrated with the drawing of a luscious woman whose back is emblazoned with octopus-shaped stencilling.

I reach for it, my 11-year-old heart beating with a mix of fear of being caught (my cousin is playing soccer outside) and the forbidden pleasure of reading a M+ rated book.

From page one, the words are riveting. The story, based at the end of WW2, follows a retired English major who once had a fine career in military intelligence but made a terrible decision. He’s visited at his Jamaican home by a mystery man named Bond who makes the major pay for his mistake.

Before the last chapter of ‘Octupussy’, I’m hooked, becoming a life long fan of Commander Sir James Bond, the fictional spy agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS; commonly known as MI6). Created in January 1952 by British journalist Ian Fleming while on holiday at his Jamaican estate, Goldeneye, the character’s name was the simplest, dullest, plainest-sounding name Fleming could find. “James Bond was much better than something more interesting, like ‘Peregrine Carruthers.’ Exotic things would happen to and around him, but he would be a neutral figure — an anonymous, blunt instrument wielded by a government department.”

Nevertheless, speculation abounds about real spies or other covert agents after whom James Bond might have been modelled or named, such as Sidney Reilly or William Stephenson, best-known by his wartime intelligence codename of Intrepid. Although they are similar to Bond, Fleming confirmed none as the source figure.

A self-styled Bond

Most researchers agree that James Bond is a romanticised version of Ian Fleming, himself a jet-setting womaniser. Both Fleming and Bond attended the same schools, preferred the same foods (scrambled eggs, and coffee), maintained the same habits (drinking, smoking, wearing short-sleeve shirts), shared the same notions of the perfect woman in looks and style, and had similar naval career paths (both rising to the rank of naval Commander). They also shared similar height, hairstyle, and eye colour. Some suggest that Bond’s suave and sophisticated persona is based on that of a young Hoagy Carmichael. In Casino Royale, the heroine Vesper Lynd remarks, “Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless.” Likewise, in Moonraker, Special Branch Officer Gala Brand thinks that Bond is “certainly good-looking . . . Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way. That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow. Much the same bones. But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth, and the eyes were cold.”

The images that have come to define the James Bond phenomenon:

The Lure of James Bond

How could any man not want to be Bond? First of all there’s the cars – the V8 Vantage (80s), V12 Vanquish and DBS (00s); the Lotus Esprit; the BMW Z3, BMW 750iL and the BMW Z8. Bond’s most famous car is the silver grey Aston Martin DB5, first seen in Goldfinger; it later features in Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Casino Royale.

Then there are the women – the innocent Ursula Andress (‘Honey Ryder’ in Dr. No), the alluring Eva Green (Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale), the exotic Halle Berry (Jinx in Die Another Day), the je-sais-se-quoi of Michelle Yeoh (Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies), the sultry Jane Seymour (Solitaire in Live and Let Die) and the stunning Olga Kurylenko (Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace).

Let’s not forget the lifestyle: exotic locations, hi-rolling casinos, the lush five star hotels, the wine, martinis and cigars, the endless wads of British tax payers cash, the gadgets and the glam, the spectacular edge-of-the-seat car chases, the explosions and things that go bang. Bond is a man who never fails and who always gets the girl in the end. It’s a comic book in 3D – and we all know how much men like comic books.

However, Bond is an equal opportunity hero – women love his flawed “not easily shaken, not hardly stirred” cool character and the fact that he’s rogue who still has the capacity to make as well as fall in love; he fights for justice and he always, almost always protect his ‘woman du jour’ in the process. Bond lives on the wild side, and because all women secretly want the lone wolf in their lives, they pine away for the covert spy with as much passion as their men.

Bond and Modern Masculinity

In the 55 years since its inception, Fleming’s creation has become an unlikely reflection of the changing views of masculinity in Western culture.

In the 60’s, Sean Connery brought to James Bond an image of charismatic machismo, a womanising, hairy-chested, hard drinking, constantly smoking representation of the man’s man of the time. Of the several representations of James Bond in film, Doug Brode, professor of television, radio and film has said, “Sean Connery emphasized the macho.”

Sean Connery’s Bond carried with him a great deal of the chauvinistic menace of Fleming’s Bond. However, he also softened the overt misogyny that the Bond of the novels projected. This Bond merely saw women as playthings, albeit potentially dangerous playthings.

Roger Moore, who came into the role in 1973’s Live and Let Die, was a distinctly different Bond. Rather than projecting the unyielding machismo of Sean Connery, Moore presented a more polished and sophisticated Bond. According to Alexander Walker, “Moore looked like such a nice lad; Connery had brought with him a faint hint of Macho relish.”

Roger Moore depicted a character than was more polished, more sophisticated than Connery’s Bond. While still a womanizer, he respects the skills of the women he encounters, and presents for the viewers far less of the blatant chauvinism Sean Connery did. In comparing the two actors, critic Alison Gilmore has said, “Moore was basically a clothes-hanger, excelling at sophisticated insouciance but lacking any sense of macho menace, especially in the twilight years of the 1980s.”

Pierce Brosnan was a Bond for the late 90’s and the new millennium. With feminism firmly entrenched – women were filling the corporate world, even in Bond’s world – and homosexuality challenging societies concepts of manhood and masculinity, this was a new Bond for a new world. Chapman discusses how the film GoldenEye addresses Bond’s place in our changing world, “In the most-quoted line of the film, M makes it clear to Bond that she regards him as an anachronism, telling him to his face that he is ‘a sexist, misogynist dinosaur, a relic of the Cold War.’”

In 2006’s Casino Royale, things seem to have come full circle, with the new Bond, played by Daniel Craig, serving to reboot the franchise. Portraying James Bond on his first mission as a 00-agent, he is rough, violent, and in many ways, far closer to Fleming’s Bond than any other portrayal in film.

At one point, Bond is asked if he is bothered by the killing required in his position. His response is cold and savage, “Well, I wouldn’t be very good at my job if it did, now would I?”

At the same time, he is distinctly different. Where, in the novel of Casino Royale, Bond beds Vesper Lynd out of selfish desires, he does so now out of love, at one point leaving MI6 to live a life with her. This Bond is not the misogynist of the 50’s. Though certainly a womanizer, we begin to see that, in this incarnation, his actions stem from severe personal loss, making this a far more relatable character.

In today’s Bond world, his immediate superior is a woman. He is paired with a woman agent. This is certainly a Bond for today. He is unmistakably male, portraying a very rough image of masculinity, but never threatened by femininity. He is comfortable in a very integrated world.

Despite being cast against strong female characters, Bond continues to be popular, demonstrating the level of change in male/female relationships in society. The changes in these films show that, even in a male dominated, testosterone drenched format, masculinity has been redefined, and society as well.

With a lifespan already stretching nearly 50 years and a potential continued cultural presence for 50 more, James Bond shows us and will continue to show – we’ve come a long way baby!!

________________________________________

References:

www.wikipedia.org

Brian Westover – A Look at How James Bond Reflects Changing Views of Masculinity (January 16, 2007)

www.007james.com

Top 10 men’s fashion brands … and why …

Which men’s fashion brands are the most popular in the world of style today? With a commitment to excellent design, tailoring and manufacturing, these leading menswear brands will give you a fashion fix for life.

1. Ralph Lauren

Rock contemporary style, contemporary man!

Are you a man who enjoys fashion forward clad, cool bits and bobs and pimped up footwear? Do you wear brands with a commitment to exceptional quality and do you follow independent designers with distinct visions?

Then you’re a contemporary man!

You’re a guy who sees himself as strong and fearless when he’s rocking trend driven luxe looks from edgy, cutting edge designers! Your wardrobe is filled with a mix of the good old staples and a complementary mix of indulgent and exciting brands like D&G, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, Timex, Prada, Oakley, Marc Jacobs, G-Star Raw, Belstaff, Fred Perry, Hugo Boss and Vivienne Westwood.

And if it’s not and you long to look, be and breathe contemporary, then look no further. Get these essentials into your wardrobe:

Slick up your style, classic guy!

Are you a “classic”? Do you like the tailored look; sharp edges and slick, dark silhouettes? Are you a man after Cary Grant or Clooney’s style?

Here are the essentials to get that enduring, classic look:

Suits and jackets: dark, silhouetted, tailored, fitted well.

Shirts:  Classic black, white and blue in colour, well cut.

Accessories: Slick ties, unique cufflinks, classic timepieces.

Shoes: Minimalist, clean lines and the occasional shine.

Your brands: Burberry, Prada, Hugo Boss BLACK, Paul Smith London & PS Paul Smith, Kenneth Cole, Polo Ralph Lauren.

To cut that dashing figure, just make the following items are in your wardrobe!

Belstaff: Legend. Icon. Craftmanship.

It’s not often one gets to witness an icon brand released into the rugged atmosphere of the far south so the MSP crew was faint with excitement when we heard that this authentic and unique international player was hitting our shores.

Belstaff.

The brand that clothed Ewan Macgregor on his 15.000 miles long ‘Long Way Down’ motorcycle adventure. The brand behind the legendary Trialmaster Jacket that a rugged Steve McQueen wore on The Great Escape and The Getaway.

The unrivalled motorcycle clothing brand that is so entrenched in tradition and modern history that it has reinvented, innovated and stylised its core to move and lead the fashion and authentic motorcycle field for years … and we now have access to the beautiful leather and waxed cotton engineering it is so well known for.

Ladies and gents ~ Belstaff has landed in Australia!

Belstaff’s unrivalled ability to fuse technologically innovative fabrics, traditional craftsmanship and iconic style has made it the obvious choice for serious motorcyclists for over 80 years. When Che Guevara set out on his first journey across Latin America it was his Trialmaster jacket which protected him from the elements, and which came to define the brand’s image of rugged, authentic cool.

Belstaff’s customer base has diversified from the rugged, male motorcycle rebel of the 50s and 60s. Now with a iconic visual identity encompassing both the casually elegant man and the powerfully chic woman, it is a lifestyle brand. Since 2001 major advertising campaigns have reinforced the brand’s new image, whilst retaining the essence of its core values – heritage, quality fabrics and classic style.

It’s iconic “Phoenix Rising” logo is an symbol of Belstaff’s rise and fall – from the textile crisis of the early 90s with the Malenotti family as its helm, to its steady creep into the high fashion arena including shows at Milan Fashion Week and boasting cutting edge advertising campaigns with fashion icons Kate Moss and photographer Steven Meisel.

With a commitment to backing humanitarian campaign such as Not On Our Watch, partnership with international events like the World Music Awards and new flagship stores in Japan, Europe and America, Belstaff is truly a unique force in fashion.

A HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE
Hollywood and Belstaff have forged a unique and formidable relationship. Belstaff has played a leading role in Hollywood’s sartorial history. Its designer work closely with top costume makers to create outfits that often helps to build, and become inseparable from, the characters who wear them. Their original leather biking jacket was the hallmark of 1950s movie stars including Marlon Brando and James Dean.

Today, Belstaff is favourite of Hollywood’s wardrobe departments who request Belstaff garments for their durability and movement for film such as I’m not There, War of the Worlds, The Departed, Inglorious Bastards, Amelia, Nowhere Boy, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Belstaff has starred in Batman Begins, Blade: Trinity, The Interpreter, Tomb Raider II, Mission Impossible III, The Aviator, Iron Man 2, X-Men 3, Ocean’s Twelve, The Aviator, and on I Am Legend where Will Smith looked cool and in control with the help of the legendary Trial Master Legend Jacket.

In constant demand as much for its durability and movement, as it is for its unique and effortless style, Belstaff has become a living, breathing, waterproof symbol of style.

Get yourself into a Belstaff iconic piece and don’t balk at the price tag; think of it as an excellent investment into well designed and long lasting piece of clothing that will last you a lifetime.

In Australia, you can find Belstaff exclusively at Deus Ex Machina due to the hard work of Nick Mascitelli Imports.

www.belstaff.com

www.deus.com.au

What does Jeffrey Donovan aka Michael Westen wear?

OK dudes, we’ve heard your numerous cries of help and we’re here to render assistance. Many of our searches and requests on MenStylePower.com have been pleas for us to uncover what the heck Jeffrey Donovan wears, on the popular TV show ‘Burn Notice’.

If you haven’t heard of it, ‘Burn Notice’ is a very well written tongue-in-cheek spy caper that’s obviously got a massive cult following and its star, the wry and dry Michael Westen (played by equally wry and dry Jeffrey Donovan) has become a smash hit phenomenon that’s somehow kept itself clean of Hollywood’s nonsense. Maybe because its shot on Miami’s southern beaches … too far away for Perez Hilton & his pap crew.

I watch the show religiously and I’m so addicted that nobody, and I mean nobody, is allowed to speak to me while it’s on.

In probably one of the best characterizations on TV today, Westen, who narrates the series a la “Spying for Dummies”, is the unlicensed private investigator/spy/soldier of fortune who manages to remain highly fashionable, while being consumed by the desire to find out why he has been burnt (i.e. blacklisted as a CIA spy/agent) and giving his mother heart attacks in the process.

Westen is highly trained in various forms of martial arts, such as Sambo, which he uses when pretending to be Russian or whatever other nationality is required to bring about his own kinda loose justice. His cool demeanor and sarcastic tongue gets icier as he battles and outwits an array of mobsters, con artists, contract killers, professional thieves, drug traffickers, sex traffickers, deadbeat dads, arms dealers, kidnappers and war criminals without breaking a sweat in his very cool designer threads.

Here’s a breakdown of his wardrobe. Enjoy and beg us no more!

NB: Westen is a one-woman man and boy are we loving that here at MSP. There’s nothing like a man who’s committed to his woman and not to childish playa antics. Swagger!

Suits – Hugo Boss and Armani:

Michael Westen has come to personify the Miami laid back, no tie, cool, light linen suit look. It’s a new-classic style that suits lazy waterfront beach cafes serving fruit cocktails while listening to the cool sounds of the marimba, than it does Monaco-esque casino black tie i.e. it’s as far from James Bond as Obama is to Bush, and for that we are very chuffed. However we believe Westen is reliving the good ol days of Miami Vice a la white linen suits over pastel shirts, except that he gives it more of a noughties preppy feel. Ah well, a man can’t run away from his city’s legacy now, can he?

Sunglasses – Oliver Peoples & BCBG Max Azaria:

Next to BCBG’s Max Azaria Melrose sunglasses from the “Shot in the Dark” episode of Burn Notice, these Oliver Peoples Victory Polarized Aviator Sunglasses are Michael Westen’s signature and are the most asked about shades on sites like seenon.com. Love ‘em. Woah!

Shirts – Kenneth Cole:

Touted as the designer of “Prada for the people,” Kenneth Cole got his foot in the door of the fashion industry selling shoes out of the back of a forty-foot trailer in Midtown Manhattan. Because parking permit restrictions prohibited him from operating a retail business from his vehicle, he changed his company name from Kenneth Cole, Inc. to Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc., and applied for a permit to shoot a film called: The Birth of a Shoe Company. Cole parked his trailer across the street from the New York Hilton Hotel, and sold a reported 40,000 pairs of shoes in less than three days. Love it bro! KC now designs full ranges of classic, stylish clothes for men.

Boots - Mark Nason:

With the brand tagline ‘Rock Never Dies’, these boots kick ass! They’re handcrafted in Italy and have the soul of mega attitude mixed with style; from the tips of the signature steep tip toes to the distinctive profiles, luxurious hand-distressed leathers and signature dragon detail. They’re designed to complement designer denim and dress casual wear but we say they also look hot mixed up with a classic, designer tailored suit.

Watch – Chase-Durer Special Forces 1000 UDT:

We’re not going to lie. Chase Durer’s Special Forces watch is the ultimate in ultra ruggedness gets, at least on your wrist. These fine precision instruments can be found literally found hovering through the United States Naval Academy, West Point and the popular Air Force Academy. Proud owners include Generals, Admirals, Combat and Commercial Pilots, Fighting Ground troops, and other wanna-bes who seek the sexy power, performance and design of Chase-Durer’s Swiss military precision. “I feel the need, the need for speed (and accurate time!).” Hu-AHHHHH!

Sidearm – SIG Sauer P228 (9×19mm):

The official site states it well: (and I wouldn’t want to refute their brand message for fear they send a marksman after moi!) Sig Sauers are the weapons of choice for elite units around the world, and the smart choice for anyone, with a hard-earned reputation for getting everything right – design, materials, precision manufacturing, ergonomics, function, safety, reliability, durability, maintenance, accessories and options (eh … and accuracy! Sheesh …)

Jeans – Rock & Republic:

R&R jeans are a premium luxury lifestyle brand and are apparently synonymous with sex appeal, innovative style, and edgy sophistication. They’re ‘manufactured with the notion that everyone deserves to dress like a rock star.’ Too much pressure, we say. I’ll only wear it if I look good in it, not if I want to channel Jon Bon Jovi. But then again …

Vehicle, choice of transport – 1973 Dodge Charger:

One of the coolest items in the Burn Notice garage is a black vintage 1973 Dodge Charger Rallye Edition, complete with a fiberglass hood scoop, vertically slatted taillights and grilles plus features like 5mph front and rear bumpers. Originally belonging to Westen’s father, it was given to him by his mother, Madeline and since then it’s been shot at, almost blown up and done enough chases through Miami’s streets to become a menace to society. But you can’t help but love the musclator Dodge; it’s growl, speed and sleek lines.

The Charger funnily enough did not start off as a “muscle car”, though in later years it became one of Dodge Divisions leading performance icons and by the mid 70s was one of the largest and most powerful cars on the street.

Health & fitness – a Miami outdoor lifestyle:

Healthy, fit and always tan from the Miami sun and surf, Michael also has a fondness for yogurt (particularly blueberry) – yorghurt being good “spy food” – full of protein and nutrients and easy and convenient for a spy to eat during a long surveillance stint. I spy, with my little eye, real style, in Westen!

Do you want more? Here’s a gallery of Burn Notice treats – the posse, more pics of Micheal’s wayward spy antics and just fun trivial … stuff … Click on the fullscreen button and enjoy!

Best Suits for Men

A successful investment-banker in a sharp Italian suit, a lawyer about town in an elegant two-piece affair, a politician on television in a formal suit-and-tie: all these members of the male species depend on their suiting and style to gain them standing and instant respect in their public life. Wearing an impeccably tailored suit is already a statement of affluence and impeccable taste, while the cut and style speak volumes about the wearer even before a single word is spoken.

The suit became commonplace in late 17th Century France. Louis XIV, the ultimate emperor of style led the charge towards a more casual and comfortable attire for men during his 72-year reign, shifting the style of male clothing from the doublet, hose, and cloak, the fundamentals of a man’s wardrobe, to coats, vests, and breeches – the three predecessors of modern male attire.

Suits are the ultimate business statement making an impression at interviews, in boardrooms, during cocktails and formal dinners. Why? A suit is still seen as a way to gain respectability and a man wearing a well-fitted stylish suit means business.

Here’s a peek at this year’s latest and greatest looks to add that uber cool factor to your suiting. (click on the ‘i’ button on the top right corner for more info):

So how do you pick the best suit for you?

1. You need at least one fantastic suit in your wardrobe.

If you don’t have much money then probably the one item to make a large one off investment in is your jacket. Don’t feel shy spending at least $500 for a great suit – even more if you can afford it. Then substitute it with a couple more light-weight suits and jackets in the $200-$400 range to help mix things up.

2. Always make sure your suits and shirts fit well around the collar.

Don’t buy oversized collars, they come across as slack and lazy. And too tight, well, we all need to breathe now don’t we??

3. Match the suit to your lifestyle

Some men can easily mix patterns, suits, stripes, loud pocket kerchiefs, silky shiny materials, hats, tophats, and blinged up cufflinks. Some cannot!! It’s important to find the style that suits your personality, fits your career (bling in a conservative law firm certainly won’t go down that well!) and helps you ease forward in the game of life.

4. Accessorise!

Ties are the one accessory for men that can really be personalised and allow you to express yourself and add some color and diversity. Ties can be suited up or dressed down with jeans and a white shirt (open top button and loose knot). Wander into second stores to dig up some classic and vivid ties with vibe and spirit, and perhaps spend a bit more on some nice new (perhaps black or red) versatile ties.

5. Find the right fit for your body:

* If you’re a big guy:

Remember there’s more of you to love, so wear your bulk with pride. Wear lightweight, suits built from heavier textiles will only add weight. Soft, worsted wools are your best friend. Choose darker colors which give desired slimming factor plus they’re classy and classic. If you’re going to stripe it, make it a solid vertical to create a sleek, slender visual. The jacket: Two buttons are optimal – they won’t draw attention to your bulky frame and stay single on the vent, which will give you the extra room you need minus the extra attention.

* If you’re tall and lean

Add weight with heavier fabrics – on a tall, skinny guy, lightweight fabrics will hang and make you look all the more frail. Heavier wools like tweed or a heavier weight worsted wool that hold their form is the smart decision; and give you much-needed proportion and the appearance of additional weight. Colours – opt for the greys and classic browns – Lighter colors, will add weight to your overall look. Jacket? Three buttons create height and length, tall guys, with their longer torsos, can pull this look off successfully. Keep it classy with the single vent – Although taller, slimmer men tall, skinny men have two options for the vent: we advise that you stick with a single-vent or ventless jacket which is always the classier choice.

* If you’re slight and shorter than average

Avoid loud patterns – The print of an overly bold pattern screams for attention and will only draw attention to your slight frame. Subdued, chilled out colours and small stripes, if any, will be far more stylish for you. Stripes – For shorter men, the next best thing to a shoe with a higher sole is a suit with vertical stripes. As stripes run top to bottom, they tend to draw the eye upward. Plus, they also lengthen your frame by elongating the look of the suit; giving you the illusion of appearing taller than you really are. Go for double vents – Small guys, the double-vent jacket was created with you in mind. The dual slits (or vents) along the side emphasize the outside lines of the body; in doing so, they establish an attractive, longer silhouette that complements and lengthens your frame.

More about suits …

The Bespoke Suit:

These are custom made by a tailor from a pattern created entirely from the client’s measurements, giving the best-fit and free choice of fabric. Some of the most expensive suits in the world are painstakingly hand made by an increasingly scarce breed of extremely skilled tailors.

These tailors know how to make suits that hide physical flaws and highlight attributes, without sacrificing comfort. Machine use is minimal, and each and every nuance of a client’s spoken and unspoken needs are met and often exceeded. Brioni, Attolini, Kiton, Luigi Borelli and Caraceni are some of the best known names in Italian bespoke suits. Some of the world’s most expensive suits are the Kiton K50s exclusively tailored by Senor D’Orsi, one of the finest tailors in the world. He makes not more than 50 suits in a year, each costing up to 50,000 USD. The fabrics used on a bespoke suit are usually the best, mostly worsted wool for business suits. These fabrics are used in the counts of 80’s and 90’s, or super 100’s, super 150’s and higher. The counts in the range of 80’s and 90’s also feel great and usually last longer than higher counts made at even the best clothing manufacturers. For those who can afford it, a bespoke suit made in the super 150’s fabric can be an absolute asset. It feels fabulously comfortable to wear and looks even better.

Made-to-Measure Men’s Suits:

Not every one is privileged enough to get a bespoke suit made, but there is a range of suits which is nearly as good. With made-to-measure suits, (a pre-made pattern modified to fit the client, with a limited selection of options and fabrics is available) it is possible to achieve a degree of customization because the tailor takes up to 25 measurements of an individual body, and these are then sent to the factory. Here, alterations are made to already available basic patterns in order to achieve the best fit possible. Special requests like extra pockets, specific fabrics and linings, and a certain design and style can be accommodated. Some of the best fabrics, threads and interlinings are used, which helps guarantee a quality suit. But the production is assembly line, and many tailors work on the suit at different stages of production, unlike the single tailor for the bespoke suit. Ermenegildo Zegna su Misura does some of the best fittings in the made-to-measure industry. A good deal of technology goes into the making of these suits and their fabrics. Some Zegna suits use fabrics like Micronsphere which has all the great qualities of a worsted but is also stain-resistant, or Cashco, which is a blend of cashmere and cotton, making it an all-weather fabric.

Off-the-peg Designer Men’s Suits:

Though these cost about half that of a good made-to-measure Italian suit, they are still worth the money. The first and foremost advantage is speed, no agonizing fittings and long waits for the suit to get ready, and if chosen carefully, an off-the-peg suit from Prada, Armani, Versace or Gucci fits quite well and is unbeatable for casual elegance and comfort. The trick is to shop around for the right size, cut and look. What is more, off-the-peg suits are good for those who are looking for variations and for different types of fabrics and styles. The beauty of an off-the-peg designer suit lies in its ability to change from season to season, and to bring in a hint of casual flair to the conservative world of men’s business clothing.

Ready to Wear:

These suits are mass produced, least expensive and most common. You’ll find them in department stores and they’re a good option for the budget conscious shopper. If you’re diligent in shopping carefully and following the tips above on getting the best fit for you, these suits may allow you to look suitably elegant in business attire and save your pocket at the same time.