ART OF THE MATTER: WHEN LOOKING GOOD IS MORE THAN JUST AN ART. IT’S ROCKET SCIENCE.

Style, taste, savoir-faire – these are qualities that make a man.

I have always liked featuring men who best reflect these calibers in their lifestyle and it feels great to be part of a generation of men that is re-defining itself and what being a man really means.


(The bow tie is the only piece of neckwear one should choose when wearing a tuxedo.)

Well cut bespoke dress shirts from Rome’s finest tailors, slim belts in black and braided tan, navy and khaki blazers cut beautifully and tasseled suede loafers - Alfonso Tagliaferri, a diplomat, is obviously having fun, loving life and fearlessly taking over the world.


(Navy blazer, tan penny loafers and khakis during the inauguration of OVO Habitante at the National Museum.)

Most men overlook the importance of a good fitted shirt but not Alfonso – it is almost like lingerie for women. He even makes a simple navy long-sleeved shirt with batik piping he bought during his trip in Bali look bespoke! Now, that’s sprezzatura!

Trust me, a man has more confidence knowing the piece he is wearing under his suit is made for him.

WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

The Lisbon Tailor recently posted photos of three men from Paris, Madrid and Lisbon all dressed in superb bespoke classics.


(El Parisien)


(El Madrileño)

We all know these Mediterranean trio (why on earth wasn’t the Roman featured? ) have superb taste and value classic style, but look closely, still differ from one another.


(El Lisboeta All photos from The Lisbon Tailor.)

Obviously, all three don't dress in an exuberant and arrogant way but has kept it sophisticated and are simply amazing with that!

So, which one are you?

I definitely can relate more with the Madrileño!

BASIC MATTER 31: MIXING HIGH AND LOW

August Wilson, an American playwright once said, “style isn’t nothing but keeping the same idea from beginning to end.”

Recently, I have noticed a lot of men are dressing a little more creatively and a little more unexpectedly and yes, more confident. Totally not bad!



(I mean, what is life without whimsy, right?)

I have always liked mixing high and low, mixing my Seven for all Mankind’s, APC’s and Viktor’s with tailored bespoke shirts, my Ascot Chang’s and shirts bought from the nearby thrift shop. Growing up, I always remember my parents telling me that dressing well means dressing like an individual and not like someone who you idolize on television.

I know I am sometimes guilty for staying on the safe side of dressing but hey, I love how a lot of designers now are more on individuality and putting a new version of what we guys should look like. Thom Browne and Michael Bastian for instance focuses more on individuality.



(Don’t blame me for being traditional and oh, those watch straps are sweet!)

I recently purchased a couple of nice fabrics in Japanese cotton and seersucker in purple, salmon, powder blue and white and have a couple of shirts and bespoke shorts made. Yes, creating your own visual style is always the key, let it be unique and hah! still identifiable for others.

CHAMPAGNE AND FLIP FLOPS

Aside from boogieing the whole night with a glass of champagne on my right hand, what better way to start the lunar year and welcome summer than with a timeless new pair of flip flops from Bling Duck (Thank you Ruby and Trina!).


(Happy 25th Anniversary Lifestyle Asia and a big congratulations to my friend, Cheryl for doing a great job! Photos by Ingrid Chua Go)

Gong xi fa cai! Yes, these tired feet of mine embarrassingly need a lot of help from all the pain I got pretending to be an expert in tap and instead of tucking myself in bed at 2 AM on a weekday, I still opted to dance for another hour at Salon de Ning.

People close to me know I rarely wear flip flops in public but Bling Ducks’ just too impossible to pass. It has an ultra soft rubber foot bed making it more comfortable than any other flip flops in the market and yes, making it hard for the wearer to say no.


(Yellowduck LTD. is a Hong Kong-based company known for its high quality and comfort at a very reasonable price. The company recently launched a new and innovative line of urban flip flops.)

Bling Duck is also available in all Schu stores in TriNoma, Glorietta 3, Mall of Asia. Chocolate Schubar in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell and soon in Schu Ayala Center Cebu.