FASHION STORY: City Shades – Sunglasses for every moment in the City

The time is now; neither future nor past. We live as we survive and survive as we live. The city, in a nation filled with hope, provides a type of oasis in the desert of disparity. As we consider ourselves travellers of fashion with a sense of style as a destination, we have to armour up and clad ourselves with the best of the survival gear we can find. Sunglasses provide a sense of protection against the glares of mundane humans who move from post to post.

As you move from social circle to society status, what you wear on your face says as much about you and your future as what you wear on your back. Sunglasses have long done more than just protect from the sun’s UV rays. They have become an accessory that distinguishes taste from attempts of being something you’re not. With the fashion spread ‘City Shades’, we look at great fresh pairs of sunnies that hold the same verbatim as your threads.

In the city, it’s kill or be killed. It’s a jungle like no other. To guard against the frightful bite of enemies, you need to garner sunglasses that chase the uncouth away. Take note, gear up, and face the future now with an added glamour that only the fashion brave can do.

Jean Pierre wears albino tortoise shell eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, suit with matching shirt by Agi & Sam from Topman, Converse All Star high-top sneakers in ultra blue from Stuttafords

Jean Pierre wears albino tortoise shell eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, suit with matching shirt by Agi & Sam from Topman, Converse All Star high-top sneakers in ultra blue from Stuttafords

Jean Pierre wears albino tortoise shell eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, suit with matching shirt by Agi & Sam from Topman, Converse All Star high-top sneakers in ultra blue from Stuttafords

Wandile wears nude owl eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, Aztec dress from Topshop, apple green ankle-cut heels by Plum from Stuttafords

Wandile wears nude owl eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, Aztec dress from Topshop, apple green ankle-cut heels by Plum from Stuttafords

Wandile wears nude owl eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, Aztec dress from Topshop, apple green ankle-cut heels by Plum from Stuttafords

Jean Pierre wears gold frame rose-tinted lens eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, lemon double-volume vest and mocha drop-crotch pants both from Stiaan Louw, sneakers model’s own, accessories by missAnke

Jean Pierre wears gold frame rose-tinted lens eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, lemon double-volume vest and mocha drop-crotch pants both from Stiaan Louw, sneakers model’s own, accessories by missAnke

Jean Pierre wears gold frame rose-tinted lens eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, lemon double-volume vest and mocha drop-crotch pants both from Stiaan Louw, sneakers model’s own, accessories by missAnke

Wandile wears pop-up gold frames from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, silk shorts suit with leopard shirt in cotton from Stiaan Louw, heels model’s own, accessories by misAnke

Wandile wears pop-up gold frames from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, silk shorts suit with leopard shirt in cotton from Stiaan Louw, heels model’s own, accessories by misAnke

Jean Pierre wears cyan and speckled fuscia frames from Neff, ombre knit top from Topman, leggings from Sive, Converse All Stars high-top in ultra blue from Stuttafords, accessories by missAnke

Jean Pierre wears cyan and speckled fuscia frames from Neff, ombre knit top from Topman, leggings from Sive, Converse All Stars high-top in ultra blue from Stuttafords, accessories by missAnke

Jean Pierre wears cyan and speckled fuscia frames from Neff, ombre knit top from Topman, leggings from Sive, Converse All Stars high-top in ultra blue from Stuttafords, accessories by missAnke

Wandile wears electric blue Burberry eyewear, neon red dress from Topshop, boots model’s own, accessories by missAnke

Wandile wears electric blue Burberry eyewear, neon red dress from Topshop, boots model’s own, accessories by missAnke

Wandile wears tortoise shell with gold top frame eyewear from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, royal blue short wrap coat by Ted Baker from Stuttafords, citrus Aztec leggings from Topshop, black ankle-cut heel by Plum from Stuttafords

Jean Pierre wears tortoise shell frames with gold strip from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, ombre knit from Topman, owl coat by Agi & Sam from Topman, leggings from Sive, sneakers model’s own

Jean Pierre wears tortoise shell frames with gold strip from Pedro’s Bitchin Eyewear, ombre knit from Topman, owl coat by Agi & Sam from Topman, leggings from Sive, sneakers model’s own

Photo Credits

Production / Monde Mtsi

Photography / Newton Standford

Assistant / Jason Redman

Make-Up Artist / Nicole Grant

Models / Wandile & Jean Pierre 

(D&A Model Management)

xxx

ED’S CHOICE: NIVEA FOR MEN’s new Sensitive After Shave Splash

I always watch these commercials where the guy stands over a washbasin and splashes water all over his face with a white-toothed smile and without batting an eyelid. ‘How does it feel’ I used to wonder to do that. Was it ever real or was it yet another ploy by advertisers to get us to buy into something we don’t need or can’t really afford just yet.

NIVEA FOR MEN’s Sensitive After Shave Splash is most likely the closest solution to getting that invigorating feeling with no burning sensation freshness after a shave you’ll come across in recent times. Containing 0% alcohol while offering 100% of the refreshing feeling this new generation of splash-on after shave for men is an ideal companion for the grooming kit. The after shave reduces irritations, facial redness, all the while improving the skin’s own resistance against environmental influences.

If you’re looking for skin that’s refreshed and invigorated, while looking and feeling healthy and cared for, look no further than NIVEA FOR MEN Sensitive After Shave Splash.

PRESS RELEASE: Sunglass Hut Spring/Summer 2013 Trends & Media Day

SUNGLASS HUT, the global leader in fashion, luxury and sports eyewear revealed a preview of the new designer eyewear collections for the spring/ summer 2013.

The Sunglass Hut brand who offers collections as seen on the catwalks from the world’s leading global brands like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Ray Ban, Giorgio Armani, Persol, Burberry, Versace, Vogue and more. With this fashion intellect, the Sunglass Hut collection was stylishly presented within this summer’s key fashion trends, portraying the effortless way of wearing these trends.

60s MOD

The 60’s are back on the runways this season. This trend takes square and white frames into summer styles. Quirky finishes and androgynous forms, Prada takes these seasons’ sunglasses into a different playground.

METALLICS

Affluent and opulent take over as all things dripping in metallics reign in on this season. Gold, silver and colour metallic bombard the runways with their elegance. Frames dipped in every shade of metallic thinkable. Burberry and Miu Mius’ metallic ranges take basic frames and add a futuristic twist.

FLORAL

Floral is commonly known to be a summer hit. This season Dolce & Gabbana takes it to the extreme with exorbitant floral embellishments in all shapes and sizes. Taking normal shapes into floral fascination by adding large flowers adorned to key frame shapes. Adding a pair to your summer wardrobe turns your eyewear into a cardinal feature.

STRIPES

Streaks and strokes are seen within all trends this season. Top-to-toe stripes can be a little daunting but adding an accessory to the mix puts you in front with fashion this season. Seen from Vivienne Westwood, Moschino and the like, stripes are a sure winner this summer. Dolce & Gabbanas’ bold shapes with stripes galore are key for this seasons’ eyewear.

BOLD BRIGHTS

Colour me happy. Bold and bright is a key trend this season. Whilst strictly speaking not an official fashion trend, this outlandish and bold colour style has prominently appeared across all collections for this season. From bright Giorgio Armanis’ to lighter Vogues’, bold and bright sunglasses will help you get noticed this summer.

Shades from the Spring/Summer 2013 collections are currently available right now at all Sunglass Hut stores nationwide.

GROOMING: Lancôme Skincare Homme

As we grow a little bit older (physically), our bodies and skin tend to need assistance to replenish any nutrients lost or any tightness beginning to loosen up. It’s a matter of taking measures in time, as the change begins to take effect. But with all this and that skincare out there in the world, how do we know what is best and what is not. Best place to start is with your dermatologist. After that, check this blog for content on skincare would be recommended (blowing our own horn right now). But essentially the best person to speak to is yourself.

There are a few simple questions you could pose to yourself to get to the bottom of this matter and find the right product(s) to deal with specific skincare needs. For instance, questions such as ‘does my skin dry up after washing’ or possibly ‘does my skin become shiny (oily) during the day with or without a moisturizer’; these will help identify certain things your skin does that you need a product to assist manage.

Lancôme has three products to match any skincare requirement, based on all skin types, and is dermatologically designed to ensure effective results are achieved with very little physical effort from you. These three products are designed to fight the battle of ageing, fading skin and also ensure fatigue, puffiness and dark-circles around the eyes are reduce to almost nothing.

Cleanse your face with the Lancôme Ultimate Cleansing Gel which is designed for daily washing through its easy to rinse formula that ensures skin stays perfectly moisture after wash; leaving it fresh and clean. Lancôme’s Hydrix Balm is the best male orientated daily moisturizer. Created with micro-nutrients for more than just hydration, this daily skin food moisturizes, enriches and ensures skin is left plump and firm. For that extra kick of skincare, use Lancôme’s Age Fight Yeux. This product man’s best friend. An anti-age perfecting eye gel; it’s an anti oxidant stress shield that fights off 1^st signs of aging, reducing dark-circles and puffiness.

Lancôme skincare for men is available from all leading cosmetics counters nationwide.

FASHION STORY: Denim

The old cotton twill fabric we know so humbly as denim has been around for years, decades. Starting out as a material used for industrial uniforms and protective gear, denim has seen itself evolve into what today, can only be perceived as the most popular style of modern fashion. Available in a an array of styles and cuts, including acid bleaches, stone washes; slim fits, regular legs and even low-rise skinny; denim is a piece of fashion that has been engineered to last all seasons.

Jeans, as we commonly refer to denim, is not something seasonal, however, it doesn’t mean we wear it the same throughout. We have the usual styling suspects of pairing denim jeans (pant) with a denim shirt – classic and timeless – it transcends every and any season and has very little opportunity to fail as a great look for anybody of any shape and size. With winter comes a slightly more exciting opportunity to really dress denim up.

Whether you pair it with a thick scarf or a great knit, the object of the game is to dress it down in a dressed up manner, or the exact opposite – dress it up in a dressed down manner. Essentially, guys need to stay relaxed, comfortable, relatively warm and still look cool enough to be part of the kool kids gang. In the following images, we look at some really easy to put together and wear looks for wearing your denims this winter.

Marlon wears jumper by Diesel; Jeans by Diesel (Kakee Slim Carrot); Boots Model's own; neckpiece Accessory by missAnke

 Siya wears Hoodie by Von Zipper; Jumper by Levi's; Jeans by Diesel (Thavar Slim-skinny); Boot model's own; Belt stylist's own

Marlon wears jumper by Diesel; Jeans by Diesel (Kakee Slim Carrot); Boots Model's own; neckpiece Accessory by missAnke

Marlon wears jumper by Diesel; Jeans by Diesel (Kakee Slim Carrot); Boots Model's own; neckpiece Accessory by missAnke

Siya wears Hoodie by Von Zipper; Jumper by Levi's; Jeans by Diesel (Thavar Slim-skinny); Boot model's own; Belt stylist's own

Marlon wears Shirt by Billabong; Jeans by Levi's 510 Skinny Fit; Belt Stylist's own; Leather loafers model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Siya wears Jumper by Levi's; Jeans by Levi's 508 Slim Taper; Boots model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Siya wears Jumper by Levi's; Jeans by Levi's 508 Slim Taper; Boots model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Shirt by Billabong; Jeans by Levi's 510 Skinny Fit; Belt Stylist's own; Leather loafers model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Denim jacket Levi's (Trucker Jacket); Shirt by Billabong; Jeans by Levi's 510 Skinny Fit; Belt Stylist's own; Leather loafers model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Denim jacket Levi's (Trucker Jacket); Shirt by Billabong; Jeans by Levi's 510 Skinny Fit; Belt Stylist's own; Leather loafers model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Denim jacket Levi's (Trucker Jacket); Shirt by Billabong; Jeans by Levi's 510 Skinny Fit; Belt Stylist's own; Leather loafers model's own; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Jumper by Billabong; Jeans by Billabong; High-tops by Onitsuka Tiger; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Jumper by Billabong; Jeans by Billabong; High-tops by Onitsuka Tiger; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Jumper by Billabong; Jeans by Billabong; High-tops by Onitsuka Tiger; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Overcoat by Levi's; Jumper by Billabong; Jeans by Billabong; High-tops by Onitsuka Tiger; Accessories by missAnke

Marlon wears Overcoat by Levi's; Jumper by Billabong; Jeans by Billabong; High-tops by Onitsuka Tiger; Accessories by missAnke

Photo Credits

Production – Monde Mtsi

Photography – Larry English

Photographer’s Assistant – Buntu Sotyantya

Make-Up Artist – Nicole Grant

Models – Marlon & Siya Naka

(D&A Model Management)

Essentially, you need to find the right pair of jeans for your body and then select complementing pieces that fit your personality and practical needs. There’s no need to look like the cover of a magazine when wearing denim. The simpler the better.

We’d like to thank Saatchi & Saatchi Cpt, in Green Point for use of their agency for the shoot. You guys are amazeballs.