Friday 29 November 2013

Product Review: REN Skincare, Invisible Pores Detox Mask (£18.00, 50ml)



My review of REN’s glycolactic radiance renewal mask was full of positivity. And I can tell you straight off the bat that this isn’t going to be much different.

REN’s invisible pores mask, as the title makes obvious, is designed to reduce pore size and leave the skin purified, smooth and toned. Like other REN masks, I have found that this lives up the blurb and the premium natural content makes this worth the very reasonable price tag of £18.00.

You just smooth just a relatively generous amount over the desired area (likely spots include your t-zone and/or on the cheekbone) after cleansing and leave on for a few minutes. You can then wash the mask off with warm water. Use a pad to remove if you wish but I certainly haven’t found this necessary.

The result is immediately satisfying. The biggest impact is definitely on the smoothness of the skin. My skin feels baby-ish smooth for a (relatively) short time after using the mask. Pores are visibly reduced, and my skin is left feeling toned but not tight. I would still normally follow up with an active serum (perhaps something from Aesop) to keep hydrated, though just see how you go.

As this is a clay-based formula (with fatty acids (from red tea) to get that smoothness) is a good choice for skin that produces excess sebum and is prone to oily shininess. If you have dry skin I’d steer clear and stick to more gentle cleansing.

Use as and when required, but probably not more than once or twice a week – you don’t want to leave the skin devoid of any natural oils (which are frustratingly required).

Enjoy!

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Louis Vuitton Trunk in Red Square!


Beautiful and political. 

This two-storey Louis Vuitton suitcase was planted in Moscow's Red Square a few weeks ago, just a few minutes away from Lenin's Mausoleum. 

It looks magnificent to me, but the trunk is causing a bit of a political furore in Russia, where the Communist Party have criticised placing such a capitalist symbol so close to "sacred ground" for Communism. 

People from the United Russia Party have even called into question whether the trunk violates national advertising law in an attempt to try to get it removed.

The super-trunk, based on a design for a trunk owned by Russian Prince Wladimir Orloff, will house an exhibition of Vuitton luggage starting 2 December. What do you think!?

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Stuart Is A Modern Man Exclusive: SPOKE Offer

The boys over at SPOKE are offering you £15.00 off your first order! And all you have to do is mention my name.

Just reference "Stuart Ismodern" at the checkout to claim your discount, which, very generously, is almost 20% off the retail value of £79.00.

Now be off with you to choose your new pair of (expertly-fitted) chinos at http://spokefit.com



Interview: the brave new world of the SPOKE



Ben Farren has an agenda. His online retailing business, specialising in the chino, is dedicated to creating good quality product and making it available to men everywhere. 

Why? "I'd wanted to do something in menswear for a while. It seems to me that the major fashion labels are so preoccupied with staying on trend and churning through 250 piece collections that they are dropping the ball on the things that matter". 

And the things that really matter to Ben: fit and price. SPOKE, Ben's brand, avoids seasonal trends by sticking to a staple item and making it worthy of your capsule wardrobe. At the moment, that item is the chino.

"We got started earlier this year. I can code (a bit), so I built a simple website while finding the talent I needed to design and make some trousers. With help, I made 50 pairs in a factory in Hoxton, sold through them quickly, and decided I was onto something".

Now onto much larger batches, SPOKEs come in a sizeable (forgive the pun) range of waist and leg variations, as well as different builds to fit men of every proportion. There's even a whole section of the website dedicated to "fit", where you can enter your dimensions and be pointed to the perfect pair of chinos for you.

"By tightly editing our range, and cutting out the retail rents and the middlemen, we can offer more sizes, and make clothes with real craftsmanship - and still beat many high street brands on price". Ben is obviously proud of his chinos, and rightly so: made of 100% Larusmiani cotton, with premium zips and buttons, there is some pretty serious work going on here.

The emphasis on quality and style over fashion also plays well with the SPOKE demographic, who Ben describes as "the 30-50-something professional who is aesthetically engaged - interested in design and cares about how he looks - but who approaches the style pages of GQ with a mixture of skepticism and bewilderment". 

And there's a bit of Ben in there too. "I guess there are ties to my own personal style...I tend to keep it pretty simple. I like sharp, modern tailoring with a twist. I think Paul Smith is a genius". And you can certainly see that Paul Smith influence coming through in some of the details such as the cotton pocket linings that are designed to complement each SPOKE shade (currently: taupe; olive; navy; maroon; grey; and black).

When discussing the future, Ben is clear that there is still plenty of room to develop and hone his craft. "We're firmly in the 'do one thing well' camp - so expect more trousers, in more fabrics: some stretch is in the pipeline, and something more technical. And we'll launch a more casual 5-pocket style in the Spring."

It is this drive for perfection (which is mixed with Ben's natural self-deprecation) that makes SPOKE stand out. "Everything is a test...Our designer Adam brings years of experience...and has some great products in the pipeline - but ultimately we'll let our customers pick the winners". 

So get picking! SPOKEs are only available at http://spokefit.com and are priced at £79.00. 

Sunday 24 November 2013

I'm Wearing: Sunday 24 November 2013


I love a half-sleeve jumper. I'm not sure why and I'm not sure they've ever really been fashionable, but nevertheless this half-sleeve navy sweat from Filippa K is always near the front of my wardrobe. Teamed with my university scarf I love it even more. And if you can guess my college colours then you get bonus points!

Jumper: Filippa K
College Scarf: University Colours

Saturday 23 November 2013

Interview: Marina Bolin of Bolin Webb


Spending time with Marina Bolin from men’s grooming design house Bolin Webb you quickly become aware of where the force and drive behind this brand comes from. Utterly professional, Marina has a passion and enthusiasm for her craft that is palpable. This is, perhaps, hardly surprising given the success of her ultra-contemporary razors, which are now on sale across Europe, North America and Asia in some of the most exclusive shopping destinations around (think Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and the Conran Shop in the UK and Nordstrom and the Museum of Modern Art, Chicago in the US, for example).

The concept for Bolin Webb’s original product, the R1 razor, came about on holiday in Switzerland, where Marina’s husband and business partner, Derrick, “looked at his old [Gillette] Mach 3 and realised there must be a better design for a razor”.

But rather than try to enter the market for the full package, which the super-brands such as Gillette really have sewn up through huge economies of scale and worldwide distribution agreements, Marina and Derrick instead decided to focus on the aesthetics and design of the razor handle. “Bolin Webb took on the challenge to bring more design inspiration into the shaving experience”, explains Marina, “our razors show spirit – curve, balance, movement – which look and feel great”.

The Bolin Webb R1
Marina claims that she and Derrick are jointly the creative and business minds behind the brand. However, Marina admits that “we each have different strengths. I am the main contact for new business and customers, while Derrick works with product design and development, and the supply chain”.

It is clear that this works well for the duo. The R1 is sleek and holds beautifully in hand. Made in the UK from automotive paint and lacquered metal with a bacteria-resistant rubber base, this really is the Porsche 911 of the razor-world. And the design is key for Marina, “design is substance. Ergonomics, robust materials and quality finish all add to the enjoyment of seeing and using the product". 

And the reaction to the R1, and its younger brother the X1 (designed to fit a Gillette Fusion Blade), has so far only been positive. Asking if Bolin Webb has had to adapt to different grooming habits across the world, Marina said that “every man has his own preference for grooming: blade, frequency of shave, style etc. We cannot say that one culture has one pattern. There is so much variety and this is what allows Bolin Webb to succeed in so many countries”.

Continued growth and international exposure are certainly top of the Bolin Webb agenda going forward. Marina cites the launch of the X1 and its striking stand in 2013 as just a taste of things to come. “We are to launch a range of grooming care products in 2014, which will provide our customers with a complete shaving experience from Bolin Webb".

I’m certainly looking forward to testing those out in the near future!

Bolin Webb razors are available online from http://www.bolinwebb.com/ as well as in stores now! Prices start at £40.00.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Product Review: Byredo, Rose Noir Bath Soap (£17.00, 100g)


Now rose is not traditionally associated with masculinity. You have a few brands trying to bring it back (Le Labo for one), but generally it’s a scent best left for the women in your life.

However, Swedish perfumer Byredo does a purely hedonistic rose scent called Rose Noir. The eau de toilette is magic, and the scent has now been captured in a bar of soap.

There’s a great, natural, nose to this product. Of course there’s a very traditional rose at its heart, but the moss and musk provide an earthy quality which is delightful. And on a Sunday evening in the bath this is fantastic to help you to unwind.

The scent left on the skin is quite mild but definitely present. For a man this is perhaps for the best. At £17.00 for 100g you're really paying at the top end of the scale. But there again you are paying for the Byredo genius, which is worth its weight.

Available at Liberty.co.uk

Tuesday 19 November 2013

The Best: Christmas Gift Sets


We all do it. We start out with the best intentions of getting everyone on that festive shopping list the best, most unique present ever. But falling back on the good old gift set is both inevitable and, often, a very sensible idea. However, while there’s a staggering array of options out there for women, for the men in your life there’s sometimes a bit of a void in the gift set space.

On that note, below is a list of some of my favourite sets out there this year to please the different men in your life.

1. Dad



He’s your dad and therefore the ultimate man. So it only seems fair that the set you buy for him is called the same. And this Kiehl’s "Ultimate Man Refuelling Kit" is great. It has all the old favourite facial fuel products, plus a few samples, and comes in very manly blue and white packaging. Clearly not to get confused with the stuff in mum's cabinet!

Available at Kiehls.co.uk

2. Brother




Is bro a gym-bod? If so, then the Aesop x MR PORTER collaboration, imaginatively titled “The Athlete” and including Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Classic Shampoo, as well as the Parsley Seed Antioxidant Hydrator, might be perfect. Wrapped in a beautiful and hard-wearing case to off-handedly throw into his gym bag, this is a ideal gift for a vain sibling! 

Plus, the case is designed to take standard sized bottles of these Aesop products, so he can refill to his heart's content.

Available at MrPorter.com.

3. Boyfriend




This is for if you want him to smell like a real man(...). Cedar, black pepper, amber and neroli, and the distinctive whiff of a Saville Row tailors, then look no further than Sartorial by Penhaligon's. This year the gift set comes with a 50ml eau de toilette, 100ml Shower Gel and 75ml Deodorant stick. For £65.00 that's not half bad.

Available at Penhaligons.com

4. Grandfather




For the cheeky grandfather who’s traditional but enjoys Pirates of the Caribbean. This set is packed full of stuff for the £34.99 price tag: a pre-shave oil; shave cream; post-shave balm; a shaving brush; and a deodorant!

Available at Tesco.

5. Nephew




Last but not least is this set from Dermalogica, which includes products from their new Clear Start range for young skin. It includes a foaming cleanser, toner, daytime treatment oil, SPF 15 moisturiser and an overnight treatment. Travel sized, so that they can test each product out, this is great for the teen who has persistent acne and is looking for gentle treatment.

Maybe don't buy this if they're sensitive about the spots though...

Available at Dermalogica.co.uk.

Monday 18 November 2013

In Rotation: November 2013



Changes in my routine as autumn ends and winter begins. Deeper scents for the ever-lengthening night-time - including winter rose, black pepper and frankincense - to soothe and add spice for some manly grooming.

From left to right:

Clinique: Post-Shave Soother
Byredo: Rose Noir Bath Soap
REN Skincare: Invisible Pores Detox Mask
Kiehl's: Facial Fuel Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Diptyque: Frankincense Scented Candle
Bluebeards Revenge: Ultimate Pre-Shave Oil

Sunday 17 November 2013

I'm Wearing: Sunday 17 November 2013


All measures to keep warm must now be taken. Including busting out the fur collar. Especially when that collar is by the legendary Dolce & Gabbana. My it's warm!

Jumper: Hartford
Rabbit: Dolce & Gabbana
Coat: Filippa K

Saturday 16 November 2013

My New: Aesop, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm (£19.00, 75ml)


I was loathe to move away from the Clarins Men hand cream but, when my tube was thoroughly squeezed and drained, I thought I'd try something new for the purposes of this fair blog. So I turned to my favourite Australians, Aesop, and their classic product: the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm.

And oh my it is good. 

And the reason I love it so much: nails. My nails feel smoother, stronger and generally more healthy, and they felt this way within around one week of using this product. 

The scent is also great. Mandarin, lavender, and rosemary all come through really strongly. I've had people coming into my office, following their nose, to ask why it smells so good around me all the time. The answer: it's Aesop. 

Readily absorbant from quite a thick cream, I have been all-round thoroughly impressed by this product. The sister hand balm, reverence, is also delicious. The scent, bergamot and vetiver, perhaps even make this a more natural choice for winter. 

And at £19.00 for 75ml, it's not badly priced either. If you have some spare cash, you could always go for the 500ml monster tub. It's £69.00...

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Fashionspiration: Bryan Ferry


I'll admit that I'm hardly breaking barriers here. Bryan Ferry's classic tailored and fantastically British style has endured throughout the decades since Roxy Music formed in 1971.

Dance Away, More Than This and Ferry's version of Jealous Guy (following John Lennon's death in 1980) are just a few credits to a lasting and quite fantastic music career. But from the 70's to 2013, Ferry's style has caught the attention of fashion magazines and retailers alike.


And if you're onto a good thing, why change it!? GQ paid testament to Ferry's enduring style only earlier this year, pointing to his understated looks and the power to make the traditional appear modern. Too right.

And, by the way, I couldn't be more on board with the wayfarer sunglasses.


Monday 11 November 2013

Sharp & Dapper presents: the Shirt Stay


I don’t generally seek out anything that makes dressing more time consuming or inconvenient. There's just so much more to do in the morning. Like pressing snooze on your alarm, for example. You might therefore think that I would dislike Sharp and Dapper’s Shirt Stays more than a little bit. Foremost, to wear them you have to remember to put your clothes on in a particular order (shirt first, trousers second – which is quite counter-intuitive for me) and you have to fasten four elasticated strips to your shirt and to your socks too.
 
But I actually don’t dislike them at all. In fact, apart from the odd interesting moment in the bathroom (you know, where you are in there an uncomfortably long period of time post-toilet flush), the Shirt Stays have proved very welcome in my wardrobe.

Mr Ekelund in his
Shirt Stays
I wear a shirt every day for work and I often like a collar at the weekend too. As a result, like many, I encounter that perennial problem that begins about three to five minutes after dressing. The problem of my shirt becoming untucked or riding up incessantly over my very smart wool trousers or, an even more heinous crime, over skinny jeans. When there’s no jacket to hide it you at best look like someone who just doesn't care about their appearance. At worst you look like Piers Morgan on the way home from the gym.

Shirt Stays, which the co-founder of Sharp and Dapper Johan Ekelund tells me date back to around the 1870s, attach to your shirt and socks and gently pull your shirt down to give you a clean, creaseless silhouette. They work, too. My only problem is that, like Johan, I now have the constant desire to either pull my trousers up or down to show everyone around me what this hidden accessory is doing. You’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve managed to control myself thus far.

On the intricacies of the product itself, I was a little concerned that the rubber fastenings might damage my rather expensive fine cotton shirts. However, so far this has not been the case. They are entirely comfortable to wear, although, if you don’t already, maybe go to a yoga class to give you the extra twist in your torso you need to fasten the Stays to your shirt tails (or, alternatively, attach them before you put your shirt on (it took me one wear to realise this...).

One point I would make: ensure you wear trousers that fit when you wear your Shirt Stays. As your shirt is pulled down any extra room in your trouser waistband becomes readily apparent. If you’ve lost weight recently, it might be time to take those suit trousers to the tailor! To look "Sharp and Dapper" you need the entire look, not just the Shirt Stays.

But at £15.00 my instinct is to say go buy them; they’ll come in handy for you one day!

Available from sharpanddapper.com

Sunday 10 November 2013

I'm Wearing: Sunday 11 November 2013


It's autumn, after all. The season of the gilet...(or so MR PORTER told me). And why not!?

Jumper: Norse Projects
Denim Shirt: Wrangler
Bow Tie: Zara
Gilet: Folk

Saturday 9 November 2013

Korres, Basil Lemon Shower Gel (£8.00, 250ml)


For the man who's looking for something posher than Original Source (no offence, Original Source). 

I used this stuff this morning and it gave me a very similar vibe, if you know what I mean. Enjoy!

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Veronica Maggio - Mörkt


This is the last track on Swedish popster Veronica Maggio's new album, "Handen i fickan fast jag bryr mig" (Hand in my Pocket, Though I Care). Well, it is if you listen to it on Spotify!

And it is beautiful. There's something haunting and enlightening about it all at the same time. A little bit like PJ Harvey's "We Float" from Stories Of the City, Stories From The Sea.

Mörkt means dark. Take that and run with it: turn the lights down and pump up the volume on this little number.

And tell me you don't love it! 

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Karl Lagerfeld's Short Film For Fendi, with Cara Delevingne


Okay, so I'm way behind the curve on this given that it came out in September, but I just had to post this short film by Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi. It is ridic. 

Cara Delevingne stars as a scared but exceptionally well-dressed girl arriving at a spooky mansion for a party. Her tearful performance is something.

If you can watch it to the end then please do leave a comment - I would like to personally congratulate you on your patience.

Monday 4 November 2013

My New: Molton Brown, Re-Charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar (£13.00, 250g)


Winter has arrived. Heralded by my skin becoming desperately dry, my feet feeling constantly cold, and my bathtub being incessantly filled.

Bath time is one of the most marvellous things about winter. Those glorious twenty minutes (or, in my case, forty-five) of soaking; where you feel warm, pampered and hidden away from the world. I do it often.

Making my time in the tub more glorious this winter is Molton Brown's Re-Charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar. It really is one of my favourite ranges of scented products, and it's especially great in winter when the spiciness really comes into its own.

The peppercorns are wonderfully exfoliating, and the peppercorn oil very moisturising. And it smells, well, just great quite frankly.

Just use it all over your body, particularly where you get dry skin. So think elbows, knees, arse (well, you do sit on it all day...). 

Enjoy bath time!

Sunday 3 November 2013

I'm Wearing: Sunday 3 November 2013


Bringing out the big guns this weekend for "Fashion Tales of the Barbican" installation three. That is to say I'm wearing a full winter coat for the first time this season.

Desert Boots: Alden
Tiger Socks: Kenzo
Jeans: Cheap Monday
T-Shirt: Issey Miyake
Overcoat: Filippa K
Linen Scarf: Vilebrequin
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Backdrop this week: the Barbican Gardens, City of London School for Girls and St Giles Cripplegate Church.


Saturday 2 November 2013

Fashionspiration: Paul Newman

If ever a lad was a lad that lad was Paul Newman. 

But not only a lad. Also a true fashionspiration: from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", Mr Newman brought effortless cool, style and masculinity. 


So whether it's teaming up a sweater and sneakers like above, or rocking casual tailoring, a skinny knitted tie and (amazing) beard like below, there's never a need to look any further for sartorial inspiration.

Great hair, too.


Friday 1 November 2013

Movember: Battle of the Mo's #1

In homage to all the peeps out there growing their 'tache for Movember, Stuart Is A Modern Man is having a weekly poll, pitting the very best of the mo's out there in celeb-land against each other in an (almost) epic battle to the death.

This week: Jason Schwartzman vs. James Franco.


 

Who has the best mo?