December 20, 2016

THE FUTUR IS HERE


Like Amir, I got pickpocketed and have fallen victim to skimming a few years back in Hong Kong. In the summer of 2014 while working in New York City, Amir had his credit card information stolen. Hundreds of dollars of fraudulent purchases were made using his personal information. After consulting his bank, they had informed him that credit cards were being skimmed all over the city using simple RFID technology and that he may have fallen victim to skimming.

Fast forward to 2016, Amir and his sister, Hanieh Sigari, meticulously designed and created FUTUR, the world’s first innovative & high-quality RFID blocking wallet, preventing scammers from stealing your information.

Sexy, safe, and built to last, the wallets come in wood, carbon fiber and aluminum.

"
We were tired of minimalistic wallets that made it impossible to access cards and cash easily. We have obsessed over every single detail. This isn't just another wallet, it's the best wallet crafted for beauty and complete functionality,” added Hanieh & Amir Sigari.

You can choose from either cash strap or money clip for those who wish for some more carrying space, Cash Strap is like no other. With a built-in pocket, now you can carry extra gear without compromising the slick aesthetics of your Futur wallet
Every component of the Futur Wallet was meticulously designed. From the chamfered edges to the hidden screws, this wallet excels in clean design like no other. It wasn't an easy task, but through advanced manufacturing and assembling techniques, the aluminum and carbon fiber versions feature a seamless design that hides all hardware components out of sight.

For the wooden version, it is CNC machined from a block of pure black walnut or carbonized bamboo and are then hand sanded and varnished to bring out the natural beauty in the grains. The wood is supported by a metal core, a pivotal design feature which not only make the wallets stronger, but also added RFID protection. Also, the screws used to bind the wood body to the metal core is a custom made t3 Torx head screw with "CD" grains.

They say the devil is in the detail and trust me, they spared no expense perfecting these details. 

December 09, 2016

BECAUSE HOW YOU DECORATE YOUR HOME REALLY HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE



Alessandro Squarzi, the Milan-based fashion entrepreneur and street-style regular shows restraint done right
Like fashion, your approach to how you decorate your home is an expression of one’s self, with the furniture and objects you chose directly reflecting your own experience, or a pursuit of a showplace, stocked with attractive yet impersonal objects. It’s definitely not the latter for me.
Frank Muytjens, Menswear Director of J. Crew in his dreamy upstate New York Cottage
I believe there’s a karma associated with decorating and that the people who pursue the first option are ultimately happier. Trust me, in some sense, the way you relate your love seat or a coffee table is, like it or not, the way you relate to the people in your life – because you are either being authentic or you are not.
Fashion regular, Nick Wooster and his tasteful and masculine West Village apartment
How you decorate your home really has everything to do with the way you live your life. When it comes to your own home, do not be afraid to keep it personal and less trendy, just because.
No pretense, definitely real – who knows, it might even make you a happier person.

November 21, 2016

COBBA | THE WORLD’S FIRST NON-STOP SHORTS FEATURING APTGRIP

Stylish Rannulu de Zoysa, the man behind Cobba
It is not always easy to find the perfect pair of shorts for stylish urban guys. Trust me, it is impossible! (Unless you aren’t too picky with the kind of fabric and how they fit you, then hop to your nerest trusted department store.)
For someone who wear  trousers whole week,  the perfect pair of shorts is always a good breather. Guess what, Sydney-based designers Cobba have changed the game with the launch of their brand new shorts range.



Designed in Australia, Cobba was created to cater to the lifestyles of busy “urban warriors”,who may be at CrossFit one moment and cocktails, the next. Thanks to some revolutionary high-tech features, Cobba enables wearers to go all day without an outfit change, no matter where the wind takes them. Best of all, they look good enough to get past even the pickiest bouncers. 

“Cobba shorts have a one-of-a-kind ‘AptGrip’ waistband designed to prevent plumbers crack, 
which is the result of 2 years research and development. They also feature silver infused fabric, which is proven to fight the bacteria that causes clothes to smell, and keep the shorts fresh for up to 3 weeks, no washing required,” explains Lulu and Rannulu De Zoysa, Cobba’s Creators (who previously designed for SABA). Plus, the shorts stain and liquid resistant, quick dry, have clever concealed pockets, and 360 degree stretch – all features that are essential for urban warriors!”



Of course, this is not to overlook Cobba’s classic tailoring and contemporary colour palette – both of which make the shorts ideal for the most fashion-conscious wearers. With his extensive menswear experience, De Zoysa has also ensured the shorts are available in two lengths the mid length and the knee grazer. While this is first product launched by Cobba, it won’t be the last. “We plan to continue expanding our range. It’s all about creating designs that fit with the urban lifestyle,” says De Zoysa. “Our philosophy is very Aussie – even the name ‘Cobba’ is Australian slang for ‘mate’.
Cobba will go live with a Kickstarter Campaign for its one-of-a-kind “AptGrip” shorts today, the 21st of November, 2016. Click HERE to know ore about the campaign.

Now, who’s excited? Because, I am!

October 11, 2016

RUGS, JARDIN MAJORELLE, THE BIG 3-5, IN SEARCH OF THE BIG 5

I always travel solo for business or for quick weekend trips somewhere near like Hong Kong, Bali and Singapore, but again, that doesn’t really count.

For my big 3-5, I have finally decided to get out of my comfort zone and celebrate my birthday 22 hours and two stopovers away from everyone else.
It may sound sad and lonely for most but I think it’s about time I treat myself to something great and really get away from all the craziness, that is – work and the city I live in.
The past few days, I have been going through my old issues of Monocle, Travel + Leisure and AFAR on Marrakech, Tangier and Cape Town, to get my excitement started and really get my groove on. Embarrassingly, I have already been stressing myself out on what to wear and what to take with me (hahaha slap me now!). 

I know it is still a year from now but I would really rather prepare in advance than cram a few months before my trip. To be honest, I have actually bookmarked a couple of sites to review this weekend for my itinerary.
Nothing touristy, I have always like to stay off the beaten path, exploring local neighborhoods that doesn’t scream, “hey, I’m a tourist, come take my money!” and spending a few days doing my own thing, sipping a mojito or a few glasses of shiraz, in a country where no one knows me.
I love traveling with friends and family and having experiences that we all will look back on and remember, but not this time. Not this trip. Definitely not jaded, as we grow older, I have learned to accept that liking solitude doesn't make us, strange. Solitude gives us the space to hear our own thoughts, which can feel like a rarity in our busy, appointment-laden lives. 

Excited to recharge and truly embrace myself. It’s about time I smile again and be really happy. Who knows, I might find it miles away from home.
This should be fun!

August 23, 2016

WHAT TO WATCH OUT: WONDEROUS, THE WORLD'S FIRST LIFETIME SIZE AND QUALITY GUARANTEED CHINO PANTS WITH ODOR, LIQUID AND STAIN RESISTANT TECHNOLOGY

I have always been picky with trousers. Most retailers don’t seem to get the details right, or probably, I just don’t have the right body for one. Thank god, I found a tailor who got my pattern right and yes, they fit me like a glove!

Apart from getting all the right details, making average guys like me appear less schlumpy, it has also upped my game, making me feel like Alessandro Squarzi with an added doze of sprezzatura.

Fast forward, and more good news later, Wonderous will go live next month, with a Kickstarter campaign for its Forever O.G. Pants. The company has invented the world’s first odor, liquid and stain resistant chino pants backed by a lifetime size and quality guarantee, perfect for us men who are always on the go.

“Our inspiration for The Forever O.G. Pants was simple. We saw how cheap pants don’t last and how expensive pants don’t fit for long.” asserted, Jeff Chang, Founder, Wonderous. “With our lifetime size exchange program you never have to worry about size again. Just exchange out your pair for a pair that fits. With transparent pricing, silver threading, Odor, Liquid and Stain Resistant fabric and a lifetime quality guarantee we intend to redefine what quality means.”
Wonderous prides itself on being manufactured in New York, with buttons from San Francisco, and custom fabric from Los Angeles. For decades, the company feels that fashion giants have trained consumers to accept inferior products, they plan to change all that by providing superior quality fit, at an affordable price.
Backed by 2 years of R&D and 12 rounds of prototypes, each pair of The Forever O.G. Pants outperforms all existing clothing standards by featuring; silver infused extremely flexible fabric, premium embroidery, a heavy duty YKK zipper, ultra strong 3-ply 4 way stretch twill, Italian gingham lining, tucked belt loops, extra strong inseam, a reinforced double crotch, and is made from odor, liquid and stain resistant fabric boasting state of the art liquid repellant nanotechnology. The pants come in a Classic Fit or Tailor Slim Fit and the company expects to ship in time for Christmas 2016.

What sets them apart from most retailers?

The Lifetime Size Exchange Program – A program where we exchange out your pair of Forever O.G. pants for the correct size you need, anytime, free of charge!

The Lifetime Guarantee – The Forever O.G. pants have a full warranty. Covers everything. No hassle. For Life.

The Odor, Liquid & Stain Repellent Fabric – Silver threads infused with nanotech make the pants protected from any external bacteria or liquid.
The Quality Design – The build is so strong that you can workout, run, or even squat in these pants and they won’t tear.
The company’s goals is to raise $20,000 for its first production run.

Think of it as the best slim-cut trousers that feels just as great as your tailored pair. With the Forever O.G. Pants by Wonderous, there’s no reason you should be wearing trousers that’s floppy and baggy, especially in the thigh area. Tighten it up! Uncool.

Now, who's excited? Because, I am!

Wonderous will go live with a Kickstarter Campaign for its Forever O.G Pants on Thursday, the 1st of September, 2016. Click HERE to know ore about the campaign.

ON THE SPOTLIGHT : WILLIAM MCLURE

I tend to appreciate anyone who display a strong sense of personal style and is emphatic with rules. Like designer William McLure, a  Birmingham, Alabama native, his eclectic, masculine spaces are masterfully designed.
Like myself, he is a big fan of blue and crisp white – he never tries too hard and is all about classic sophistication. He was never trendy, like in fashion, he knows what works for one won’t work for another.
Everything he beautifully creates, happens behind closed doors.
Ever since coming across him on Instagram, I always look forward to seeing his posts and see his career progress.
Like fashion, I believe you need to be yourself and be consistent with how you fix and decorate your space. There is really nothing worse than playing a part that you don’t identify with.

April 22, 2016

BIG BAG BOAT AND TOTE – DON’T CARE!

Friends and colleagues know  that my aesthetic has always been preppy.

A hallmark of any true prep, the
L.L. Bean boat and tote has proven its versatility from city streets to points beyond. Trust me, I’ve had a couple for years and they’re still in good form.
BTW, I finally got myself a new one a few days ago and I couldn’t be happier!

If Chris Martin, Japanese men and East Coast preps carry one, it’s certainly good enough for me!