Supreme Luggage

This British designed luggage is the very definition of hand-made luxury. I would know. For many years peeps said the grandest of luggage to travel with was Louis Vuitton, but I tell you fellas, Hackett London is giving the monogram that LV is, a run for its sterling.

A modern day classic, the Globe-Trotter case offers a uniquely strong yet lightweight functionality with a start, instantly recognisable aesthetic. Since 1897 (and we do love the brands that have stayed the distance) the brand philosophy has been a simple one – never to compromise the integrity of the craftsmanship. It’s the value that has made Globe-Trotter one of the most loved and sought after suit cases with generations past and present.

Globe-Trotter was founded in Germany. Nothing else needs to be said given the endurance brands that emerge from this detailed driven Country like BMW and Mercedes. Yet it was founded by an Englishman called David Nelkin. He moved the company to London in 1901 and  modelled the luggage on great and recognizable characteristics of Royal & British Icons. These being Queen Elizabeth 2^nd, Sir Edmund Hilary and Sir Winston Churchill.

Many 20^th century pioneers used Globe-Trotter Luggage on cruises, airlines and trains. Pilots and Flight crews for the RAF and British Airways carried Globe-Trotter cabin cases. In fact, I think my sister had one she took to school with her!

Now if you’re into craftsmanship, which shows that you value items of worth and are a sentimental man, these pieces are uniquely hand-made (which in today’s world is very rare) constructed from Vulcan fibre, ash wood frame, cloth lining and leather trim. Many of the experienced craftsman who would make your luggage piece (bespoke services are also available) have been with the company for decades. And what does this mean? That Globe-Trotter are interested in their people! We like that too. This product is delivered to you with honesty and pride. A rare commodity indeed!

The luggage collections cover the Original, the Centenary, the Safari, the Cruise, the Orient, the Limited Edition and Bespoke. While brands across the world are innovating and changing their materials and themes to attract the consumer, Globe-Trotter have remained true and authentic to their original philosophy and have not changed since 1897 in terms of design and manufacture. This is almost unheard of in the industry today.

Enjoy the selection Top Gun!

The Wrap on Scarves

It’s getting chilly down under (the MSP’s HQ), so we thought we’d give our fans a few tips on how to wear scarves this winter.

Scarves are versatile accessories that instantly lift your look and and add a touch of colour and dashin’ style to wardrobe and they keep you really warm against the cold, frost and wind. However, many dudes avoid scarves because they’re not sure how to wear them other than just plonking them on your shoulder … so … here are just a few examples to help you wrap that scarf with style. Enjoy!

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

Best Jeans for Men

Distressed, ripped, tattooed or all-dark and sleek – jeans are now very OK, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, in the office and out of it, as everyday wear in men’s clothing. They’re so ‘in’, that Yves Saint Laurent even once commented that, “I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes.”

When it comes to jeans dudes, 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. Slim tapered jeans look great on most men, but if you’re not game, a straight leg or boot cut will function just as well.

Jeans are accentuated best by the shoes you wear (see examples in the image gallery below) and by the top you choose to match the jeans with.

In summer, a simple tee will do, and in winter, try layering – wear a white tee or singlet, a jean shirt (open) and a dark biker leather jacket also open worn over the jean shirt – HOT!

When it comes to designer jean labels, True Religion, Levi, Rock & Republic, Diesel, even JAG, all offer edgy, progressive design inspired by rock & roll and bikers with an emphasis on modern silhouettes and sleek fits. And if you hadn’t thunk it already, the denim industry is a trillion dollar heavyweight that has a finger in every fashion label – and the ad campaigns for denim go through the roof – both in originality and price, as denim marketers try to catch your attention.

Ignore the hype and look for the best deals possible: 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.

Here’s a breakdown of the best jeans styles around and a bit of info on what you should pick for you!

Straight and Loose Fit

Straight jeans are cut the same width from thigh to hip and seem to suit most men, especially those a little heavier all round. Straight jeans also suit the older gentleman because they tend to be more classic and traditional but please, please gents DO NOT TUCK your shirts into your jeans unless you have a waist to die for. Big tums accentuated by tucked in shirts are not flattering at all; instead try a dark, untucked shirt with a u-shaped silhouette to make you look slim.

Loose fit jeans have more room on the bottom and thigh by about an inch. They have a tapered leg but it is a bit looser than the classic cut. Loose or relaxed fit jeans are the most popular for men because they generally feel more relaxed and they allow men to move more and be active.

Boot Cut

Western jeans are a similar fit to classic jeans because they have a slim fitting bottom and thigh, but instead of a normal leg they have a boot leg cut which simply means the jeans are tighter around the bottom of the leg.

Slim

‘Slim fit’ is exactly that – slimming and tapered all the way down from thigh to heel. Suited to the slimmer and muscled man.

Tight & Skinny

A trend that’s been around for a while (and that doesn’t look to be going away that quickly either) is the ’skinny jean’ – a blood constricting fit, cut throughout the leg. Tight jeans are particularly popular with teenagers and young adult males. This generation is currently in the midst of a jeans revolution. Skinny jeans are a part of the younger generation’s culture and way of expressing themselves and making their own fashion standards.

Carrot Jeans

Carrot jeans are for the brave. The very, very strong and courageous. This new, and growing trend made for the trend mad youth market is suited to the daring male fashionista.  Apparently a brainchild of the Levi Corporation, the style was “inspired by the Tokyo’s underground subcultures and (is) a fresh attitude to an otherwise tired and drab denim world”. As the name suggests the jeans are baggy around the thighs – sometimes excessively roomy a la harem pants – and taper down to a narrow ankle. Not for me folks, not for me, but if you’re game, please rock the carrot by all means!

And finally, here’s a sneak peek at Mangano’s new denim for men ad campaign. HOT!

What makes a man attractive to a woman?

We can go around in circles and say that to be attractive to a woman, you need to be handsome, tall, dark, well dressed and have a deep, sultry voice that can melt icing off a cupcake. But that sort of ‘handsome’ can only sustain the attraction in a woman for so long.

Dating coach Christine Akiteng (www.torontosnumber1datedoctor.com) offers the following advice on what it takes to become the man women love to love!

Men can easily sabotage their chances with women by having a paralyzing fear of women – feeling that they must exhaustively understand them and then use that “knowledge” to “force women to yield” and in turn win women’s love, respect and devotion. The quest to “force them to yield” creates the illusion of “power over the enemy” because it keeps the mind in an overactive, continually problem solving “do something” state even if it’s self-destructive.

This fear-driven pseudo-logic so often suppresses the natural ability to act in the “now”, and engage in moment-to-moment experiences and truly experience intimacy with another.  So you find that you’re not making that “click” because you have so internalized the fear of vulnerability and emotional intimacy that sometimes you don’t even recognize the fear anymore. In your world, it becomes an absolute truth that women = too risky. And you no longer recall why or how you came to that conclusion, just that it is.

In your most vulnerable moments, your core fear-driven feelings override your feelings of love making you gravitate toward fear driven approaches rather than love driven ones. But this fear is groundless since it’s just your own fear of your own inadequacies, insecurities and self. Fear of self is the greatest of all terrors, the deepest of all dread, the commonest of all mistakes. From it grows failure. From it comes loneliness. Every time you think you are putting your ‘best’ foot forward you find that you are only stepping on your own feet. It’s mentally stressful, emotionally frustrating and very isolating.

You can overcome your fear of women by simply overcoming the fear of yourself. Overcoming fear of self is the key. Every kind of fear amounts, in the last analysis, to fear of self; for if there were no fear of your innermost self, you could not possibly fear anything in life. You do not need to be afraid of women. You do not need to necessarily “fight” them to win them. You can become so naturally charming just by sitting down, talking to them, warming their hearts and inspiring their romantic feelings and sexual desires. They’re people too, however hard it might be to hear that.

As soon as you internalize this simple TRUTH and start treating women (and other people) like human beings with their own thoughts, feelings, needs, wants, desires, strengths, weaknesses, ways of being etc. (and you don’t even have to understand them just open yourself to knowing them that way) you will find that you can actually be natural and at ease with them, you can be funny, interesting and totally endearing in a natural way. Your experiences are easy, refreshing and fun. No stress, no sweaty palms, no overwhelming anxiety and no pressure to be “perfect”.

You being open, willing to listen, and demonstrating the freedom to be effortlessly human and naturally charming (which most of us seem to have forgotten how) is the sexiest and most attractive trait of all attractive traits. You doing this will earn a massive brownie point from her. And we’re on a mission for a sugar hit!

There’s also another way to earn those brownie points. Leaving a legacy. Helping those weaker than yourself. How?

Try ‘teaching orphans English while on your surfing trip to an exotic destination, or how about dedicating your time to underprivileged students at a university. This, we can assure you, is a huge turn on for a woman.

Here are 5 men who have been extremely successful in their career of choice, and behind the scenes, have dedicated their hearts to a worthy and important cause:

1. Bono knows no limitations whether it is music, fighting hunger; poverty and social injustice. We also don’t know the exact amount of his donations to charity due to his modesty, although they must be extraordinary as he’s received 3 nominations for the Nobel Prize and became a Knight in 2007. Bono is also in direct contact with world leaders and policy makers in his efforts to make the world a better place.

2. Brad Pitt’s active work for the Jolie-Pitt charity includes; New Orleans reconstruction, refugee aid, cross-cultural understanding and education of the public about ongoing world issues. He publicly stated that his Romantic involvement with Jolie has made him a better man, who is trying to build a better world for his 6 children. The sexiest man alive, turned out to be a caring and generous one too.

3. Jackie Chan uses much of his spare time to visit the remotest parts of China through his own charity, Dragon’s Heart Charity Missions. Chan helps young people in a variety of worthy causes, including medical services, aid to victims of natural disaster or illness, scholarships and youth activities. He is currently serving as an UNICEF ambassador and personally donated towards a non-profit organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals.

4. Although embattled recently, Mel Gibson’s modesty prevented him from openly disclosing his active charity contributions, it was recently reported that his involvement and generous donations for charity such as “Healing the Children” provided lifesaving medical treatment to needy children worldwide. And that’s just one of his charities. His heart is about returning the goodness given him to others in need.

5. The late Paul Newman, founded his own line of food products, and from the beginning established that all proceeds after taxes would be donated to charity. To date his business has invested 250 million to this cause. His heart was to make the world a better place.

Gaspard Yurkievich who?

Gents watch out for the Fall Winter 10/11 Paris men’s fashion collection from Gaspard Yurkievich Homme.

Masculine suiting with just a little peppering of true artistic designer-wear, where the shapes are curved like the bonnet of a Ferrari. We are loving the journey from traditional suits, to new artistic shapes to the shop floor for our readers to enjoy.

Adding a slightly casual look to his range, he underlays his grey, charcoal and matte suiting with large bold French striped shirts, jumpers and wools. Later taking out the strips and adding subtly tie-died fabrics that seem to swirl around the shapes of a man like a vampress mist, giving this collection another dimension. A real WOW factor!

The shoulders in Gaspard Yurkievich ready to wear range take on a pinched look which adds flavour and confidence to the already brilliant shapes.

And if you thought that wasn’t enough, the end of his runway show brought out suiting with leather squares sewn into blazers and jackets and the length of the trouser was shortened to give a glimpse of stunning sockery. Brilliant!

Gaspard Yurkievich accompanied half his collection with accessories such as overnight bags, back packs and the ever present ‘man bag’. Very masculine and a stunning achievement for this underground designer.

The Queen designed clothes for real men. RIP

McQueen has passed. Long live the Queen!

He may have been a Queen, but the this enfant terrible of the fashion world was a creative genius who designed strong, bold clothing for real men.

He interpreted style in a way not many designers living today will ever match up to; he challenged convention and blew our minds yet still somehow managed to deliver wearable, livable designs that were the talk of the town – from high fashion circles to everyday street buzz … he was out of this world so much so he has been taken away from it.

RIP friend, RIP.

The Westwood Homeless

Right so this must be the new way designers are showing off their ranges, because if you put all this stuff together for your daily outfit, you’d be looked upon as some homeless duff. Right? So, in viewing these pictures, you can see that the consumer would more than likely say, “Ok, I love the belt on that look, and maybe the shoes on this look” but all in all, is it a piece-meal collection or one peppered with utter genius?

“Last night the press release for Westwood’s menswear collection, for Milan Fashion Week, declared: “Perhaps the oddest of heroes to emerge this season, Vivienne Westwood found inspiration in the roving vagrant whose daily get-up is a battle gear for the harsh weather conditions . . . Quilted bombers and snug hoodies also work well in keeping the vagrant warm.” Yes. The homeless.

Of course, in the candy-colored world of Vivienne Westwood, homeless people are all young with great bodies, high cheekbones and flawless skin, and they all have super-styled hair and brightlycolored clothes. And sometimes they’ll walk around in big goofy hats or even teddy bear heads!

Darlings, you just can’t write about it! Well….I just did.

SO – we all know that inspiration comes to artists in various forms, but for a high level designer such as Vivienne Westwood to be inspired by the homeless means there has been a scary increase in percentage of these forgotten people. So if that is the case, and she is riding the dusty coattails of these people; then every piece sold from the collection, should have a percentage donated to the homeless. Our belief is if the influential are going to take something from the homeless who have nothing, then something should be given back. Agree?

Only the Brave

I’m sensing a magnificent movement that is about to arrive on the shores of every man’s hometown. And it’s being driven by the consumer’s heart. Now, I’m not going to go all soppy on you and fall into a blubbering mess and cry ‘it’s finally here!’, but the ‘tone of voice’ that keeps popping up when I am researching new trends is starting to form a pattern of clouds in the sky….spelling out – Chivalry.

To be honest this makes my heart pound just a little bit harder and my biceps seem to nostalgically remember a muscle memory of centuries past when I most likely held a sword and screamed a line out of BraveHeart. But what’s happening is men (and women – believe it boys!) realise that Fashion is not art, it’s porn and Style is king….literally. But we’re not talking about a physical style here. It’s spiritual and emotional. A ‘code’ of conduct that is starting to weave its way into every fibre of cloth and human matter because somewhere along the way, we’ve had enough.

I’m a big believer in entrepreneurs. They pioneer through mangroves and cut a new path that gives a boost to the economy and a livelihood to families. When these entrepreneurs have a company value system that embraces ethics and their CEO/founder lives it, we are one happy family. Renzo Russo, CEO/ Founder of Diesel, and Richard Branson (we all know who he is) are two of my favourites, because they walk the talk.

Renzo is talking about ‘only the brave’. The mantra is plastered on everything from tight T-shirts to the lobby of Diesel’s deliciously industrial corporate offices. And perhaps constantly being reminded of these three little words is exactly what keeps Rosso running. He’s investing in up and coming designers and expanding into new industries like restaurants and furniture.

Branson, well, do we need to say more? It’s a name to which we all feel we’re personally acquainted to as he’s sooooo personal himself and he cares for people. What gets him out of bed everyday is he wants to find a new way to give people a good time. A hero!

So you see….there is a change of focus. Men are moving towards five archetypes that have been lost in the dark ages for a long time now. The Hero, The Warrior, The Priest, The King and The Hunter. Why? Because as corporations fail us, and society’s greed claims us, a rise to the human spirit is what’s driving us. Men have a natural code to protect and fight for what he believes in. It’s in his blood stream. So gents, dress like you mean business, and I mean ‘business’!

The Stylemeisters talk about all 5 male archetypes in their e-book.

Football’s Style Twins

Seeing Double? Tiki and Ronde Barber Sport Serious Style.

Vanity Fair’s October web exclusive on Tiki and Ronde Barber throws these two very dapper and stylish football twins into the spotlight.

For his Vanity Fair interview, Tiki shows up a striped pink-and-white shirt with cuff links, and Ronde, interviewed a month later in Florida, in jeans, a long-sleeved multicolored T-shirt, and aviator sunglasses. Nice, and apparently the fashionistas think so; they made People magazine’s “Sexiest Athletes” in 2001, and Tiki made the International Best-Dressed List in 2001, in 2007, and again in ‘09.

The article makes them out to be an affable, loving, very close and not even jealous of the other pair even though Tiki’s Giants signing bonus was $800,000 and Ronde’s was $300,000 to $400,000. In 2001, Tiki signed a six-year, $25.5 million deal and Ronde a six-year, $18.5 million deal with the Buccaneers, with a $2.5 million guarantee.

However what’s more admirable is not their football careers and check books but their long standing close relationships with their mum, their wives, their kids and most importantly, each other (apparently they never argue!)

It’s a fascinating insight into two men who’ve made it to the top of their game and still maintained their charisma, sexiness, style and values. Read the full Vanity Fair article here.