London Fashion Week shows Rooms Men

If it’s on the catwalks in Paris, and is being called a London design initiative, then we are absolutely convinced that in the near future the focus and importance in recognizing Men’s Fashion and Styling will be equal to that of the over-saturated female market.

We recognised a gap in the market a year ago and thus MenStylePower was born. And now the world is catching up. We’re proud as punch.

International design initiative ‘LONDON shows ROOMS MEN’, is a joint collaboration with British Fashion Council (BFC),  Centre of Fashion Enterprise (CFE) and Fashion East.  And this season fourteen of London’s leading menswear design talents were taken to the Men’s Paris Fashion Week, to increase their media presence and develop their businesses internationally. What does this mean? It means that men, who have always commented to us that they cannot find anything brilliant and dashing to wear, now have an innovative and first class enterprise backing their concerns.

‘LONDON shows ROOMS MEN’ launched at Tranoi’s beautiful new venue Tranoi Parc Royal (The Loft) in Paris 3rd Arrondissement (Marais) last month. The new initiative enabled the menswear designers to sell their collections with the support of International marketing, media and sales advisers. As a designer, you just could not ask for more – it’s like finding the Golden Ticket from Charlie’s chocolate factory!

Caroline Rush, CEO (Joint) of the BFC, comments “’LONDON shows ROOMS MEN’ has been successfully running for four seasons and extending this to some of the best emerging menswear talent in the UK is a very exciting project. We are confident that this new menswear initiative will give our innovative menswear designers the means to further their global profile and businesses.”

The support offered to emerging menswear designers by the BFC, CFE and Fashion East represents a growing interest in menswear in the UK and is a reflection of London’s quick response to identifying design potential. ‘LONDON shows ROOMS MEN’ represents a selection of British talent supported by BFC’s Newgen Men sponsored by Topman.

MAN showcase and the Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE) or are special guests such as Christopher Kane Men’s and Jeannette’s Pop Up shop.

NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by Topman, was launched in September 2009 alongside a dedicated Menswear Day at London Fashion Week. Growing from ‘MAN’ a single show on the LFW schedule, these schemes, which offer business support and showcasing opportunities, have been instrumental in raising the profile of new British designers. In a move which mirrors the initiatives that have supported womenswear designers over the past few seasons, ‘LONDON shows ROOMS MEN’ aims to build on the success of NEWGEN MEN, highlighting the growing talent of menswear designers in the UK to an international audience.

For those of you who are interested in support new London talent, the following designers are definitely worth a look see. Having such heavy hitters back these guys and girls is a real honour. So go to town with perusing through their websites!

Cheers. Stig & Stylemeister!

‘LONDON show ROOMS MEN’ in Paris designers include:

Bernstock Speirs

Blaak

BOYOstudio

Carolyn Massey

Christopher Kane Mens

Christopher Raeburn

MIHARAYASHUHIRO + husam el odeh eyewear

James Long

Katie Eary

KTZ

Lou Dalton

OMAR KASHOURA

Tim Soar

Increase Your Performance, Libido and Energy

You know the drill or rather, you hate it. It’s Friday night and you’re dead tired. It’s been a hellish week at work, you’ve had late nights trying to catch up with work, then attending a series of monotonous networking socials with workmates or clients. Or perhaps that project you’ve been working till midnight for the last month just got tanked and nailed by management and the powers that be – and you can’t give a toss because you’re not enjoying your job anymore.

Maybe you’re traveling with work away from home too much and hate airline food, your bills keep piling up while the bank balance nosedives, your wife or partner is upset by something or the other,  the kids don’t recognise you and even “nice doggie” snarls in your direction when you walk through door.

You don’t have the energy for sex and when you do, the aforementioned wife/partner doesn’t want to indulge you because you haven’t had enough time for bonding and building intimacy.

Your belly’s sagging over your pants, your eyes are bloodshot, your face is hollow and strained, you’re breathing funny, you’re avoiding the doctor’s chair and the last time you visited a gym was Before Christ.

You’re stressed and to be honest, somewhat depressed and distressed.

To relieve the strain, you reach out for the old trusted bottle of Jack Daniels and indulge yourself in a tot or two, or three.

Or you choose to spend the Friday night partying like a teenager and drowning your sorrows in alcoholic daze in the vain hopes of forgetting all your problems. Problem is they’re still there the next day.

Alright gentlemen, it’s time for a health and wellbeing check. Yes indeed. Sometimes the crazy pace of everyday life can mean we often forget to stop and take stock of our wellbeing, and instead we find ourselves trying to manage stress and weariness in harmful ways.

If you’re overly stressed, then you need to do whatever you can, because life’s too short to be a candidate for a Betty Ford clinic or a triple bypass.

How can you better improve your performance so you can always be at your peak, both mentally and physically, everyday?

A great way to boost your energy level is to increase fluid intake and make sure you’re well-hydrated – that makes a difference to our cells, circulation and energy. If we’re deficient in water, we need to draw it from somewhere else. And normally it’s from the bowel or other cells that are considered non-essential. That’s why people feel constipated and they become sluggish. Water gets your brain and heart into gear – it affects our mental functioning.

Another tip is to eat a broad variety of foods. Some men get stuck in their ways and stick to potatoes and meat. We should include more fish to make sure we get the oils needed for every cell in the body. Lifting energy and not becoming fatigued helps men with their quality of life and their relationships.

What are the essential nutritional needs of men that can boost performance?

Men tend to miss out on their vegetables. Vegetables are a great source of B-vitamins, and they also give us our fibre, which prevents us from becoming constipated and keep us moving.  How do they help exactly? They:

• Support energy production;
• Support exercise performance;
• May support the maintenance and repair of muscle tissue; and
• Are traditionally used to relieve stress and may assist male sexual performance.

So to enhance your energy and get those extra nutrients and vitamins, eat your veggies!

How can you tackle low libido?

Firstly, look closely at the types of medication you’re on – particularly if they are feeling fatigued and their energy is low. Depression can be a cause as well – it affects your energy and sleep. Essentially it’s locking yourself in a prison: even though you’re expressing something on the outside, it may not be the way you feel on the inside. So people who are depressed tend to attack themselves in some way and it brings down their confidence.

Part of libido is how you feel: attitudes towards sex and towards yourself. It’s also a creative expression. Libido is instinctual – it could be an attraction or feeling of desire. But depending on how you use it, it can be transformed into something creative. It might come out through your art, music or sport. We can use that drive and energy for other things, not just for sex. 

What is the best way to treat low libido?

Keeping everything flowing and getting good nutrition. In terms of herbs, tribulis is a big one. It has been shown to increase testosterone in men and works very well. And ‘withania’ is another one for libido – in India it is known as the ‘herb of one hundred husbands’. It works as a tonic, or an ‘adaptogen’, which allows us to adapt and deal with stress, and it also has a relaxing effect. Other favourites are Korean and Siberian ginseng.

Stress is also something that really needs to be dealt with when addressing low libido and stamina. Look at the things you can do to reduce stress. Take time out for yourself and exercise. Exercise lets us burn off the extra stress hormones we have, and also gives us time to process things. We recommend exercising without music for that very reason. Get some fresh air and be with your thoughts.

Find something that helps you to relax. Yoga is fantastic for the stretching and exercise. Often you’re in a room full of beautiful women as well! I often give that as a tip to men: if you’re single, go to yoga class – you’ll get a lot out of it, and you might even meet someone there.

Massage is another great thing for stress relief. It’s often the only time people really take time out for themselves. Just 1-1½ hours, just for you. To recharge and take a break from the stimulation that surrounds us. People see it as a pampering thing when it’s not – it is essential.

Are there any foods that are good for lifting libido?

Zinc rich foods are good. Including nuts in the diet is very important – pumpkin seeds contain the right minerals for libido performance and a source of fats, too, particularly the ones we tend to be deficient in. Almonds are known as the ‘king of nuts’ because of their zinc, magnesium and omega-6 content. Cashews and good also, as are avocados – more so for the fatty acids.

Magnesium is often something we can be deficient in, too. This is important for energy production and blood sugar levels. It also helps us to relax the body and eases muscle tension. Try taking vitamin supplements with magnesium to help boost your overall performance.

Other key health tips for men:

A. Prostrate checks – prostrate cancer is one of the biggest killers of men so please dudes, make sure you see your doctor for a full health check annually to make sure you’re on top of the game.

B. Heart health & cholesterol levels – don’t let bad cholesterol sneak up on you and rob you of your lifeblood literally. Keep that ticker going strong for as long as you can with healthy exercise, moderate drinking, clinically proven supplements such as OmegaGen Cardio and overall healthy eating!

You’re important dude, so stay healthy, keep in shape and live the best life you can!!

The top 2 rules for men’s style on a budget

RULE NO 1:

Inspite of the GFC, spend good money on jackets, belts & shoes.

Jackets:

Own at least one awesome jacket for each season – a light one for summer and heavy wool or gaberdine jacket or trench coat for winter. If you don’t have much money then probably the one item to make a large one off investment in is your jacket. For your winter jacket, think $350 – $500 (trust me, it’ll be worth it), then perhaps a couple more light-weight jackets in the $100-$200 range to help mix things up in the summer or on sunny winters day. Then hit up the second hand stores for some dress jackets to mix things up.

Belts:

We cannot stress how much difference a good belt can make. Men don’t have as many accessorizing options as women, so a good belt is almost more important for a guy than for a girl. $100 for a brightly colored belt is not unreasonable. When it comes to how many, 5 or 6 belts is about the right number to own (if possible) for the standard guy and mix them up – two business/work belts if you have a job that requires business attire AND some brightly colored awesome belts, perhaps one leather one (this is where you spend that $100) and one that’s more a novelty item (think cheap 2nd hand stores). The final belt should be a standard (but nice) black belt, possibly studded if you want to go for a more punky route (think $50). White belts are sweet as well.

Shoes:

You can actually get some pretty nice looking shoes on the cheap, and then have one or two primary pairs that you spend more money on. Obviously you want a pair of dress shoes, and these are usually down to personal preference. Avoid the overly curly tips, a bit of a point is ok, just stay out of pirate territory. As for the more casual look, try ’street’ sports shoes – for example the Chuck-Taylor variant is good to have as well.  You can score some fantastic shoes with plenty of character for under $100 (believe it or not).  Your main pair of dress shoes may obviously be somewhat more than this.

RULE NO 2:

Spend the rest of your clothes budget on accessorizing and clothes with bright colors.

A mix of contrast and color in  your wardrobe and style will definitely lift up your game. Think dark pants/jeans and a black jacket worn with a very bright (but simple) colored t-shirt or a plain white shirt + colored tie.

Ties:

Ties are great as an opportunity to add some color and diversity. The white shirt + tie look never gets old, and can be worn casually (with jeans, open top button and loose knot) as well as formally. Browse second hand stores for color and character, and perhaps spend a bit more on some nice new (perhaps black or red) versatile ties.

Gloves and Scarves:

These versatile wardrobe accessories are gaining in popularity amongst men because and they’re an awesome accessory and a great way to add further color, especially in winter with your jacket. Once again, owning a few scarves is handy, and you can often pick these up very cheaply, especially in second hand stores. How to wear them … see our next post!

Sunglasses and Watches:

Try and own two watches, one classy, analog watch and perhaps a more casual one (possibly digital, provided it has smooth lines and isn’t clunky). As for sunglasses, stick to variants on the aviator look; take Ray-Bans as your expensive starting point and then go from there i.e. cheaper variants that look similar nonetheless. Also, stay away from the standard cheap wayfarers, everyone is wearing those things. You can get good looking sunglasses for $30 if you shop around.

Cardigans and Sweaters:

These can be hard to find, try some second hand or even casual wear stores for the right style that could make you look very sophisticated. Some jeans stores today are carrying great sweaters and cardies – and if you’re a slimmer guy, try the chunkier sweaters to add some bulk to your frame. Beware though, avoid exessive bagginess and over the top patterns, or you could end up vying with like granddad or Professor Joe for most unfashionable man in the room. And don’t be scared of bright primary colours in your knitwear – blues, greens, yellows, reds are excellent for cardies!

Bags:

A good casual backpack is good for the casual look (worn over one shoulder). The backpack as a fashion accessory should NOT be a camping pack, nor should it look too high school, so be careful here. Try  having a satchel as well, try not to get one that looks too battered, also watch out for the surfy/skatey logos on these, you don’t want any of that. Also, don’t go too big. $50 should get you what you need satchel wise.

Hoodies:

A standard, must have item. As with pretty much everything else, the more you can afford, the better, but having at least a couple is good. As usual, keep them design free, and stylish if possible. Have one with a front zip and one without and budget at least $100 – $150 per hoodie.

Fragrances:

We only have one simple tip for fragrance. Keep the spray to a minimum. Our idea of MSP hell is being trapped in an elevator with a over zealous spray dude reeking of ‘Mega Odour du Homme’! Pepe le Pew anyone?

Shopping advice:

1) Take a girl who you trust with you on your expedition (make sure it’s one with a good fashion sense themselves). They’ll tell you if things fit right ( and secretly they’re better at dealing with overly-persistent shop assistants than you’d probably be).

2) Patience. Most guys go way too fast when shopping. Take the time to browse and hunt out bargains. Don’t blow your budget on one or two items. Therefore, you need to be on the hunt for sales, second hand stores and sweet deals.

3) Keep your eyes peeled for interesting colors. Being able to have a light, pastel mix is cool, with a very light pair green or blue jeans (cardigans are awesome when you go for the pastel look), while the other combination is dark jeans + black jacket + colored t-shirt + colored belt.

Budget Tips:

Look for specials at the end of the season and try get new clothes at wholesale prices here from time to time. Second hand stores offer the best in bargain hunting even in the most odd shop places you might be able to find a great piece like a velvet jacket circa 1930s. In particular things like cardigans, scarves, shoes and ties can be picked up on the cheap from these types of places.

And lastly, things to kick out of your wardrobe (or rock ONLY in the right context):

1) Sandals are horrible anywhere except on a beach.

2) Graffiti/big numbers/garish designs and logos. Generally keep your clothing free of brands and logos – it looks generic and sloppy. You also don’t want to be a walking advertisement unless they’re paying you a big fat commission!

3) Baggy jeans/pants. Once again, these lack class. You don’t have to go super-tight, but at the same time, don’t be afraid of going to a tighter cut than what you might normally feel comfortable in. You can get great specials on jeans (particularly at the end of a season), but without a special, a really good pair can be found for around $140 or so if you shop cleverly. This is not unreasonable, a good pair of jeans should last you a long time if taken care of properly.

4) Sporty &/or skate shoes. Keep this look to the casual casual days (never on a date! or for a formal dinner!), and if you want to go the sports brand route, try some variation of the ’street’ style.

Gents, we can assure you that if implement these handy tips you’ll enjoy your great masculine style (and the ensuing compliments) without robbing the bank!

First impressions count & girls don’t want to interview

Summer was a great girl with luscious, long, black locks, a quick smile and a fun, bubbly personality.

When Tom first saw her he was intrigued by her sharp mind, gentleness and genuine joy. He too wasn’t a bad specimen, with a kind heart, a shy smile, great guns, and quick wit.

They’d met through mutual friends and they quickly became part of the same crowd, hanging out at barbeques, dinners and beach parties.

Overtime Tom became increasingly enchanted with Summer and her great personality. He started vying for her attention in the hopes of scoring a date but each time she’d laugh him off gently. She’d smile easily at him, and chat and laugh but he just could not get her interested in him in anything other than being a casual pal. Worse still, he could tell she never gave him a thought after they parted company each time.

Then came the day their friends hosted drinks after work. Tom sauntered into the bar in a beautifully tailored, form fitting D&G suit and … Summer nearly passed out. The ‘Tom’ standing before wasn’t the slouchy baggy pants, oversized T, Nike tottin’ homeboy she knew. He looked like a smart, successful and confident man and in one moment, she too was enchanted.

Months later, after they were engaged, Summer let him in on what had changed her mind about him – his new-to-her, elegant style had made her consider that he was a man worth taking seriously.

True Story!

Tom learnt a powerful lesson – what you wear and how you wear it leaves others with a very strong impression of who you are. Your style is tied very closely to your identity and more than that, to your image. Tom burnt his oversized jeans and Ts and bought shares in D&G.

Style is for real men, not posers.

Right now all over this planet, decisions are being made on who to promote, who to date, who to hire and who to fire; with a strong emphasis on the overall impression that the subject leaves on the decision maker.

Although ‘MENSTYLEPOWER’ does not in anyway promote image over character, we do encourage gentlemen all over the world to take the time to think about how they are perceived – what does your image say about you? Are you Shabby? Flabby? Crabby? Or Sexy? Seriously, ask yourself the question and if you can’t honestly answer it, ask a chic – your sister, girlfriend or gal pal.

Do you get compliments on your style often? Do you enjoy the feeling that comes from being told you look good? Or do you only get that feeling on Sundays at church, or at funerals, when you drag out your only suit?

Your image strongly determines your career path, your personal happiness and your self-confidence. It’s elemental, right?

The problem is, many men simply don’t know what to wear or how to wear it.

This what you’re going to learn from us: Style involves understanding how to wear clothes that suit you. One guy can throw on a pair of jeans and T-shirt and looks great, while another guy can wear a T-shirt and jeans and look horrible.

Most men don’t suit most high-fashion trends so DON’T wear it simply because it walked down of a runway in Milan. There are quirky men who can carry off ‘quirk’, but most men can’t.

Alternatively, the homeboy look – oversized, really sloppy pants hanging off a man’s waist – gives the impression the man is just as sloppy in his private life.

The tight, bum squeezer is also a no-no! Others won’t easily trust you’re comfortable with yourself (and your sexuality) if you’re constantly mincing around in overtight trousers and jeans.

When you’re trying too hard it doesn’t work. When you’re trying too hard or not at all, it shows!

MENSTYLEPOWER focuses on helping you make a great first and lasting impression that’s unique to YOU – individuality rules and reigns in our world!

MENSTYLEPOWER will give you the confidence to try something new because looking good is not complicated – if you have a few simple, key, modern and yet comfortable and elegant wardrobe items.

And because we believe that style is also about character MENSTYLEPOWER discusses the importance of character, integrity and chivalry as attributes of the stylish man.

Take the ride with us and become the coolest YOU in town.

A Guy’s Guide to being a Man’s Man

That classic line from ‘The Godfather’, circa 1972, seems like a far cry to our modern times; which are a surely changing. Think about it – global warming, eco-vigilance, stock market rollercoaster rides, terrorism and the growing threat of fullscale WW3 in the Middle East, China’s growing domination and the waning of Western democratization. Yes indeed, the world is dealing with menopause or shall we say, for the sake of this site, a major mid-eternity crisis, if there’s anything like it.

However, instead of quivering in our shoes and hiding out in bunkers, these unprecedented days call for leadership and justice. It exactly times like these, gentlemen, that we need to listen to Don Corleone’s words and seriously act and lead like men.

But what does it mean to act like a real man? One fella has the answer, or so he says.

“We’re not talking about the touchy–feely, ultra–sensitive, emotion–sharing, version of manhood that talk show hosts have been spouting for years. We’re talking about the tough, smart, confident, charming, classy, all–around good fella that upholds the true ideal of what is known as ‘a man’s man’.”

These wise words are Frank Vincent’s, the Wise Guy’s Wise Guy who’s played more wise guys in more mob movies than you can shake a loaded gun at – Billy Batts in Martin Scorsese’s mob classic Goodfellas and Johnny Sack’s captain Phil Leotardo on HBO’s The Sopranos. Vincent could be perceived as old fashioned, but dudes ‘what goes around comes around’ and now more than ever, men need to stand up and be men, especially as the world alarmingly becomes a stage for namby pamby men who can’t or won’t be faithful to their other halves, chase celebrity and status for its own sake (whatever happened to discretion??), throw away life long sports or business careers for a quick bribe, lie and hide behind alcohol and drugs, and can’t be held to their promises.

In his first published book – ‘A Guy’s Guide to being a Man’s Man’ – Vincent gives us his version of how any man can be all that he can be in love, work, play, and life. He advocates the “bad boy with a good heart” i.e. an exciting, self assured, mysterious, confident even flamboyant man who lives dangerously, yet loves passionately and 100% monogamously, treats everyone with respect, dresses like a champ, knows how to eat and cook like a man, etc.

Funny, straightforward and honest, the book is peppered with anecdotes and great one liners like, “Being a man’s man is all about how you handle all the situations that come your way in life”, “A man’s man can be wearing the best clothes, sitting in the most expensive restaurant, drinking fine wine with the most beautiful woman, but if a man’s man does not treat everyone around him with respect, then he’s not a real man’s man. He’s a jerkoff in a good suit” and “A man’s man always leaves a good impression”.

Simply written (wise guys do not laureates make), Vincent covers topics like the right movies for a “man’s man” to watch, including lists on the best westerns, war, sports, and of course, gangster flicks. There’s even a section on “chick flicks.” It simply reads, “I don’t think so.”

On music, Vincent rates a top 15 “man’s man” musicians which include the usual suspects like Sinatra and Tony Bennett, as well as such unlikely inclusions as Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. (“His lips have been a helipad for some of the most beautiful women in the world” – another brilliant one liner.)

Vincent also rates the best driving songs, and — of course — the best (Chris Issak’s “Wicked Game”) and worst (Jimmy Buffet’s “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and …”) songs to make love by.

Vincent keeps dishing it out, from what a “man’s man” eats, and drinks (real men prefer martinis and only imported beer) to the way he dresses, accessorizes, and grooms himself – be sure to get those nails clipped and manicured, keep yourself clean and brush those teeth fellas, to what he drives ( he recommends a Monday-to-Friday utility vehicle and a weekend car, preferably a low slung sports car).

He covers all the bases in A Guy’s Guide To Being A Man’s Man. And speaking of bases, you’ll never make it past the first one without reading the essential advice here on how to get her digits, and better still how to choose the right woman for life.

This wise guy doesn’t just “talk the talk,” he “walks the walk” – both on and off screen, and it’s clear he never forgets those who believed in and supported him. Tony Soprano himself, James Gandolfini, wrote the introduction to Vincent’s book, and there are also some great interviews here with Vincent’s “man’s man” pals like Steven Van Zandt, James Caan, and Vincent “Big Pussy” Pastore.

Being a man’s man will definitely take you places. Just as long as you remember Vincent’s very en-pointe advice: A man’s man never loses his head, no matter how ‘big’ he gets.

“A Guy’s Guide to being a Man’s Man” is available on Amazon.com

The Rise and Rise of the Men’s Fashion Blog

“Admirers of dandyism have taken the view that it is a sociological phenomenon, the result of a society in a state of transition or revolt.” Venetia Murray.

Is it just us or has the recent upheaval in modern society (the global financial crisis, ultra feminism, technological leaps and general uncertainty) led to men becoming more daring with their appearance and first impression, as a way to get ahead in this dog-eat-dog environment?

It’s not a new concept. Venetia Murray’s quote above that links ‘dandyism’ i.e. the phenomenon of men taking great pains with their clothes and appearance, to social change, first appeared in her 1800s literary work – ‘High Society: A Social History of the Regency Period, 1788–1830′.

Barbey d’Aurevilly, one of the leading French dandies at the end of the nineteenth century, explained: “Some have imagined that dandyism is primarily a specialisation in the art of dressing oneself with daring and elegance. It is that, but much else as well. It is a state of mind made up of many shades, a state of mind produced in old and civilised societies where gaiety has become infrequent or where conventions rule at the price of their subject’s boredom … it is the direct result of the endless warfare between respectability and boredom.”

So could the the rise and rise of men’s fashion blogs be an indication that men today are becoming keen to express a distaste for the extravagance and ostentation of the previous generations (the 80s and 90s), and to show sympathy with the new mood of democracy a la Obama, who’s  a stylish cool cat himself? Food for thought!

Either way, men are increasingly fashion savvy or at least eager to find out the best and most credible information on how to dress themselves well and the current men’s fashion revolution is led by a pack of style-mad dudes – from Justin Timberlake to Johnny Depp and hip hop bad boy Kanya West – who make sure they’re always seen publicly looking great.

Today’s style kings have replaced the 1700 and 1800’s immaculate high collars, perfectly tied cravats, and exquisitely tailored long coats with Versace Collection Pinstripe Suits, Crew-Neck Sweaters, TAG Heuer ‘Aquaracer’ Automatic Chronographs and Burberry Double Breasted Trench Coats.

They’ve tossed aside the powdered wigs, sideburns, arched moustaches and short curled haircuts à la Brutus (Roman fashion) and mixed in Alexander McQueen Classic Skull Scarves, Fedora Hats, and left their locks to grow luxuriously to the shoulder.

Instead of breeches and snug pantaloons, they rock Polo Ralph Lauren Double D Twill Pants, Rock & Republic jeans, cargo pants and chinos.

It’s a pleasantly surprising revolution and here at MSP HQ we’re all raging fans!

However not every male aspiring to attain this sense of elegance and style can succeed, so BUYER BEWARE! Visit our men’s fashion blog – menstylepower.com, to keep on top of the latest, greatest and best for you.

Overall gents, always choose the best fit and style for you unless you want to be, like the extreme dandies of the 17 & 1800s, subject to caricature and ridicule.

We leave you with this example of dandyism taken to the extreme: Venetia Murray quotes an excerpt from Diary of an Exquisite, from The Hermit in London, 1819:

“Took four hours to dress; and then it rained; ordered the tilbury and my umbrella, and drove to the fives’ court; next to my tailors; put him off after two years tick; no bad fellow that Weston…broke three stay-laces and a buckle, tore the quarter of a pair of shoes, made so thin by O’Shaughnessy, in St. James’s Street, that they were light as brown paper; what a pity they were lined with pink satin, and were quite the go; put on a pair of Hoby’s; over-did it in perfuming my handkerchief, and had to recommence de novo; could not please myself in tying my cravat; lost three quarters of an hour by that, tore two pairs of kid gloves in putting them hastily on; was obliged to go gently to work with the third; lost another quarter of an hour by this; drove off furiously in my chariot but had to return for my splendid snuff-box, as I knew that I should eclipse the circle by it.”

Moral of the Story: Like anything else good out there, style yourself in moderation. (However you could also argue the opposite, a la Oscar Wilde: “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.”)

The Utmost in Luxury Living

We’ve been recently inspired by approaches in luxury and opulent design and art that signal the ultimate in making a stand for a sustainable and responsible existence and respects the environment, peoples and planet we live on.

Be inspired (and work very very hard) and you too could be the owner of a stunning asset (or at least enjoy an experience) that both enthralls AND gives back.

1. The Ultimate Eco Home

Nestled on a 450-acre nature reserve in the UK, the luxury and eco-friendly Orchid House designed by Featherstone Associates will actually produce more energy that in consumes, making it a pinnacle in contemporary sustainable housing design. The unique facade is inspired by local plant and animal life, utilizing laminated veneer lumber and covered in timber shingles to provide beauty and durability for years to come while blending in with the surrounding environment. Interior spaces fan out from a central living area, with portions floating on the lake. Fetching an astounding £7.2 million (or $14.2 million) from an anonymous buyer, sources indicate that interested parties included Brad Pitt and Kylie Minogue, but if you really want to know who bought this ultra-modern abode, you’ll have to wait until its completion in 2011.

2. A Yacht Dream

Imagine your own floating villa on the sea, a moving island that is spacious, luxurious and developed with the latest and most advanced sustainable technologies; that recycles thermal energy and all waste. The architecture is fluid, fitting in well with the sea – there are no excesses, nothing is superfluous, and the impact on the marine environment is minimal. Imagine space, shade and light. Imagine a new art of living on the sea. Imagine the conceptual WHY Hermes Yachts. For more, visit www.why-yachts.com.

3. The Sheer Indulgence Sustainable Holiday

If your idea of ultimate luxury is never lifting a finger (or foot), then this vacation and luxury tent experience at Campi Ya Kanzi ( The Camp of the Hidden Treasure) is probably not for you. Situated at the meeting point that connects three of Kenya’s stunning national parks (Chyulu, Tsavo and Amboseli), the 280,000-acres reservation is home to a vast wildlife and birdlife population. The Maasai tribespeople are the landlords here, making it one of the last unspoiled areas of Africa.

You’ll spend a lot of CO2 getting here if you live overseas but once you arrive in this vast wildlife area to the private reserve just 35 kilometers from Mt. Kiliminjaro, you’ll appreciate that the lodge was built using local materials (and not a single tree was cut). Solar collectors provide all the electricity, solar heaters the warm water, and eco-friendly charcoal made from coffee husks is used for cooking. Water is a precious resource at the camp and is collected from rooftops–gray water is recycled. Plus, a portion of proceeds is directed towards programs preserving local lions by compensating the Maasai for lost livestock. According to the managers, Campi ya Kanzi has two goals: to help the Maasai preserve their wildlife and cultural heritage and to treat you to the most memorable vacation of your life. Learn about Maasai lifestyle, their land and their culture and help to play a huge role in preserving this paradise on Earth!

The Daily Shave

Facial hair. You either love it or hate it. You love it when it makes its debut in your early teens and announces your entry into manhood. You similarly hate it when it doesn’t sprout at all, and you spend you’re the best of your high school days infront of a mirror, coaxing the growth of a single filament like a prize winning rare orchid gardener and announcing, with loud whoops of joy, the minute hint of a wispy strand on your prepubescent chin.

Fast forward to maturity – You love your bristles when your girl asks you to rub them over her face. You hate it when you have to trim them very other day in the midst of a global financial crisis which has led to the over inflation on the price of razor blades, let alone those fancy high tech gadget-a-ma-thingy shavers you keep wishing for and never getting at Christmas.

Either way, short of castration, and pricey laser treatments, most dudes have to live with the reality of a bi-weekly, if not daily, depilatory duty as part of their morning ablution process.

So old boy, here are a few tips to make the process somewhat easier to undertake.

1. Avoid shaving first thing in the morning. Your face would still be puffy due to the fluids that collect in your face tissues over a night’s sleep, and the perfect shave would be hard to get.
2. Stubble should be wetted with warm or hot water before shaving. This swells the hair shaft allowing the blade to cut the hair, not your skin.
3. Use an exfoliant such as a facial cleanser or scrub to get rid of dead skin cells and open up the pores of the skin to prepare it for a close shave.
4. Thoroughly massage shave cream into stubble. A vitamin and Aloe Vera based shave cream will provide a close soothing shave and protect against razor rashes and burns.
5. Use a sharp blade. A dull blade is responsible for many shaving cuts as it drags over your face and catches your skin along with the hair of your beard.
6. Rinse the blade often in hot water when shaving and use slow short strokes. Take your time.
7. Shaving with grain means shaving in the direction of how the hair grows on your face. It is always best to shave this way. Shaving against the grain can cause redness, rashes, razor burn and ingrown hairs, which are all painful.
8. After shaving, apply an oil-free moisturizer to soothe and protect the face. If you prefer an after-shave, check the label for alcohol. Dryness and stinging sensations are by-products of most after-shave products whose primary ingredient is alcohol. It may feel good at the time, but alcohol based after-shaves are actually irritating to many complexions.
9. To feel better about yourself and your chinnny chin spikes, consider getting involved in the World’s Greatest Shave, a mass shearing event that aims to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation to fund free services to support patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. www.worldsgreatestshave.com.

Ah. Now that you resemble a freshly shorn lamb, here are some utterly useless facts about shaving:

1. Gillette Pakistan’s planned “Shave it and Break it” event in Karachi on March 30 2010 – an attempt to break the Indian record of mass shavings – was cancelled due to threats from ‘Islamic extremists’ in the area.
2. The history of shaving takes us back into the Stone Age, around 100,000 B.C. when Neanderthal man first started pulling hair from, painting, and tattooing his body. He also enjoyed filing down his teeth for some reason, too. Ancient cave paintings inspected today will indicate that early man discovered other ways to remove hair from his face; in the beginning, he simply plucked them out using two seashells as tweezers. In fact, tweezers have remained throughout history as the most popular grooming tool ever invented, used by both “civilized” men and women to painfully remove body and facial hair.
3. The Pharaohs of Egypt probably liked a good shave every now and then, of course using nothing less than the best made from gold and silver. Archaeologists have found razor relics that date back as far as the fourth century.
4. The average shave will trim away somewhere between 20,000-25,000 hairs from a man’s face.
5. Shaving cream was only made for men until the industry specifically targeted women in 1986 by manufacturing the whipped magic specifically for women!
6. Shaving cream didn’t always come in aerosol cans; the method wasn’t even introduced until 1950.
7. Shave gels weren’t even thought of until the 1970’s.
8. Only about 30% of men who shave use an electric device to shave.
9. Historians believe that caveman used clams and shark teeth to shave with – 20,000 years ago-in the Stone Age!
10. Nearly 70% of women prefer a clean-shaven man.
11. Some archaeologists think that many warriors shaved their heads before battles so opponents didn’t have any hair to pull … maybe they were discouraging by the practice of scalping?

Happy shaving gents! Oh and COMING SOON : Facial hair styles and which looks can make or break your bristly reputation …

The Secret of Nike Air

Here at the MSP HQ, we often talk into the wee hours of the night about the emerging fashion, great and not so great looks, the importance of core basics, hot Italian shoes, a lack of tradition, and the erosion of rituals. Whether it be wives, or grandma’s passing down the best recipes, or father’s making sure their sons know the law of the jungle so to speak about relationships, chivalry and etiquette. Accompany this discussion with a few beers and the best mashed potato from Betty Crocker, and you have a superb night!

One particular day that we love to hear all the pranks about is April Fools. And this year we were shocked into a cold stone sober jaw dropping pose for at least 5 seconds, because NO-ONE played a prank! I mean, like what? Yes, that’s right. No-one in our immediate circle, or in any other circle that we know about, no groups where we have fingers in the pie, ears to the ground, did anything remotely funny, hilarious, going off like banana – show stopping NOTHING happened.

This is a tragedy! But…

Thankfully, Nike just came through with this great film that documents the process of collecting and inserting the very special air that’s included in Nike Air sneakers…The Secret of Nike Air

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.

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.