Category: STYLE

MR PORTER has a new drop for March-April and here’s a taste

Updated: 14/03/2019

MR P has some new threads coming out soon that make it the MR PORTER’s own brand’s eighth drop for the month. And it’s nice. Mr P.’s latest capsule has 56 new pieces in ready-to- wear, footwear and accessories, all about being easy pieces, smart details, enduring style. They’re still going with workwear Workwear continues to be a trademark of the brand. They’re doing stuff like a Striped Chore Jacket and Camp-Collar Seersucker Shirt and a Suede Blouson Jacket in pink and dark green to offer something new. As with every new collection, these seasonal pieces complement Mr P.’s essentials range, comprised of 36 core apparel styles, 6 accessories and 8 footwear staples, available here. Mr P.’s high-summer capsule will launch in early July.

Category: RETAIL, STYLE

Tags: menswear, mr porter, THE F menswear, the f mr porter, THE F style

Crumpler has gone green with their bags

by James Banham

Posted: 24/02/2019

Because the earth is kinda fucked unless we all start changing teenie-tiny things about our lives and the way we live them (as we sit here promoting consumerism #lel), it’s nice to see brands taking a stand. The latest one to join the fold is Crumpler, the Melbourne bag brand that has picked itself up and decided to do something about global green-ness. They’ve intro’d the greener capsule collection of their stuff, called the Conversion range, which is all made from seven tonnes of polyester scrap and cut-offs to reduce a little bit of their footprint. The all-new Conversion series features Crumpler’s signature sleek and functional designs, and includes backpacks, messenger bags, cross-body bags and accessories. Is nice. Check it out at the Crumpler website.

Category: ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, LIFESTYLE, RETAIL, STYLE

Tags: crumpler, crumpler bags, Crumpler Conversion range, Crumpler green bags, green bags

Swimmers for summer: You need Smithers

by James Banham

Updated: 22/02/2019

If you’re a dude who worries about the quality he wraps around his bits, then you can stop looking, chill a bit and open up Chrome: we’ve got the answer. Sure, it’s one thing to buy your next pair of swimming duds from Kmart or something equally as seemingly “affordable but good enough”, but why you’d bother still defies belief. Why? Because Smithers exists and it’s shaking shit up for men and their swimming needs all over Australia. Think quality poly, very Euro little waist cords and very polished-looking steel capped ends, which make for one very tidy pair of toggs to hit the waves, or lay by them, this summer. Inspired by the family slogan: “Speak less than you know, have more than you show”, Smithers brings about a little more taste than you see, more often-than-not, on Australian beaches, that the country is just crying out for. And with a slogan like that,you know what they’re all about. Tasteful revelations of the body and the personality, all wrapped up together in a nice little package (pardon pun), that is affordable to buy and stylish to try. See the full range at the Smithers website.

Category: LIFESTYLE, MEN'S STYLE, RETAIL, STYLE

The official shoe of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras: Hush Puppies

by James Banham

Posted: 25/01/2019

Hush Puppies are hardly the first shoe brand you think of when you think of gays dancing down Oxford Street Sydney, but that hasn’t stopped them becoming the new footwear partner of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras! They’re the official sponsor of Doggywood at Fair Day, too, turning out all the happy rainbow celebrations in footwear you need to give you life. The shoe is a limited edition sneaker design that pays homage to the Pride flag with glittery rainbow stripes featured in the design along with super smushy soles. And! To make it better, they’re going to be donating 50% of profits from rainbow shoe sales to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras community grants programs which offers financial support to LGBTQI community organisations. Hush Puppies will be making an inaugural road trip from Melbourne to Sydney ahead of the parade. Scheduled to stop in Albury, Wagga Wagga and Goulburn the team will be popping up activations in each location, complete with a photobooth and games where they’ll be giving away a truckload of prizes to be won. Get them for $149.95 on pre-order here.

Category: LIFESTYLE, STYLE

Tags: Gay shoes, Mardi Gras sneakers, sydney mardi gras, THE F Hush Puppies Mardi Gras, ThE F Mardi Gras

Style alterations all men need to make at some point

by James Banham

Posted: 25/01/2019

There will come a stage in every man’s life when you look at yourself in the mirror and just think that enough is enough – it’s time for a change. Whether this happens at 25 or 35 is hard to say, but you’ll know when the moment comes. So, if you play your cards right and make that style change, then it’s not only race day where you get to look dapper. Tailored suit A lot of men dislike the idea of wearing a suit primarily because they think they look a bit silly and overdressed in one. The reason for this is simple: they’ve never worn a suit which fits perfectly. Buying an off-the-rack suit can result in baggy pants and too-wide shoulders, meaning you don’t feel comfortable when wearing one. A tailored suit, on the other hand, is fitted exactly to your body type, so even if you’re a thinner gentleman, you’ll get a suit which has a great fit and looks cooler than anything James Bond might wear. You’ll also get superior materials used, custom additions based on your preferences, and you’ll save time by not having to dash from shop to shop to find the “perfect” suit. Tailored suits cost a bit more, of course, but this is an item which can be worn for many occasions and will make you feel amazing. Luxury watch No one really needs a watch do they? After all, you have the time on your phone and you can see a clock almost anywhere you… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, MEN'S STYLE, STYLE

Tags: how to dress men, Men's style alterations, style guide for men, THE F how to dress

Men’s silk shirts and embroidered linen are in: MR PORTER X Off White

by James Banham

Posted: 15/01/2019

MR PORTER and Off White are joining up this month, launching a brand new collection for dudes, 44 pieces strong. Named Modern Office, they’re throwing it right back to the traditional with menswear, keeping it fresh with a hint of active. Founder Virgil Abloh joined MP with Off-White’s typical approach of defining the grey areas between black and white as the colour off-white, while interpreting the collection’s overarching themes of flux, evolution and modernity into a synergy of fabrics, colours, treatment and visuals. George Archer, buyer at MR PORTER says it’s all been designed from the ground-up, with the introduction of new fabrics, silhouettes, colour palettes, and exclusive prints that are not seen in the seasonal lines from Off-White, he said. “The collection is also designed with the MR PORTER customer in mind, with the inclusion of silk shirts, tonal embroidered linen and shearling-lined jackets while keeping the colour palette relatively muted with pastel tones.” Made up of 20 clothing items, 18 accessories and 6 pairs of shoes, the collection is accessible, funky and starts more tonal embroidery than you can poke a stick at. See the whole range at MR PORTER.

Category: LIFESTYLE, MEN'S STYLE, RETAIL, STYLE

Tags: mr porter australia, mr porter mens collection, MR PORTER Off White, Off White Australia

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More