SALTWATER DIARY (PANGLAO)

Hola, I’m back! Still sun kissed from my weekend in Panglao, preppies like me can’t go wrong with the perfect swim trunks, colorful chino shorts in Kelly green, basic red and navy paired with the right ribbon belt, pique shirt or oxfords and plimsolls. 

"It ain't proper to be runnin' 'round naked...(stops, out of breath)..... all the time!" - Paddy, Blue Lagoon.

And since the party always start after sunset, keep the  wire-rimmed wayfarers for the day at the beach and of course, a glass of merlot. 

Sometimes, you just have to work like a captain and play like a pirate

Oh, Bohol, you know how much I miss you

BEN ROBSON – SAVING ELEPHANTS FOR FASHION

Love Brand & Co., the prestigious beachwear company, recently announced Ben Robson’s continued commitment as the face of Love Brand & Co. for this year’s Spring Summer 14 Campaign. 

British Actor, Ben Robson in Saville Row's Dege & Skinner

Following his vision, “Fashion for the love of elephants”, a movement popularly known as ‘Trunks for Trunks’, Oliver Tomalin, the eco-conscious entrepreneur and director of Love Brand & Co., directed this year’s photo shoot and campaign held at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the world’s most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in Nairobi, Kenya.

Last year up to 36,000 elephants were killed for their ivory. 1 life lost every 15 minutes. At the current rate of poaching African Elephants could face extinction in the wild by 2025.

“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage with these magnificent creatures in such close proximity in their own surroundings. It is something I will never forget and made it even harder to understand how people could possibly bring any harm to any of them”,said Robson. “Since this experience, it has really brought to life the great work that both the DSWT and Love Brand & Co. are striving for in Elephant conservation, and I am glad to be a part of it”, he added.

For Tomalin,“To see the orphans again was amazing. I remembered some of them well from my last visit, so it was great to see them looking well and to also learn that others I met before have now moved out of the orphanage onto the next stage of their careful reintroduction to the wild. It's very motivating. I am so pleased to support this remarkable charity and it is very special to witness first-hand the elephant lives being saved”.

The striking images of Love Brand & Co.’s new campaign transmit the complete concept of the British label in single images. Showing the collection of state-of-the-art swimwear with the animal the products and brand endeavours to save, all conveyed by emerging British acting talent, heartthrob and elephant lover, Ben Robson.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is one of the three Charity Partners Love Brand & Co. is supporting through its lifestyle in aid of endangered wildlife concept.

BUY, SUPPORT!

Love Brand & Co. donates 5 % of its sales to elephant charities Elephant Family, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Tusk Trust, raising key awareness and funds for vital elephant conservation projects. Love Brand & Co. has over 150 stockists across 45 countries and opened its Flagship Boutique in London last year.

THE TALENTED MR GUILLAUME

French world champion free diver, Guillaume Néry, has taken charge this summer with some impressive lightweight essentials to break the heat.

 (Credits: Photographed by Mr Arnaud Pyvka and Styled by Mr Dan May, Style Director, MR PORTER)

Think chinos, linen and cotton. Panama Hat sold separately.

MUSIC, SUN AND SOME VILEBREQUINS

It’s music festival season again in my neck of the woods and no matter which festival you choose to attend, the clothes most people still wear always seem to blend together – awful basketball jerseys, loose denim shorts, ripped and stained shirts – this isn’t HOBOville!

Last year, amid too many colorful tank tops and badly ripped denim shorts,  I found myself overly dressed in my Nantucket red cotton shorts, canvas plimsolls and preppy pique shirt – unbelievable!

Everyone should start dressing correctly without looking like children. I mean, this isn’t Coachella but one can always close his or her eyes and dream hahaha!

Here are a few tips on what to wear this weekend:

Be practical and pair your Vilebrequins with a basic white shirt from Hanes.

Can’t stand the glare? Grab yourself a pair of vintage Persol sunglasses – it’s perfect for the occasion

Canvas sneaks – think Converse, Keds and yes, your old and handy espadrilles

Oxford button-down shirts in pale blue, white or pink

Cut off chinos in khaki, navy, Nantucket red or white

Basic flip-flops – just make sure your feet are clean (pedicure? Triple check!)

Or at least, look like them!

Ready?  First stop, Malasimbo Music and Arts festival in Mindoro. 

A GUIDE TO MEN’S SWIMWEAR

Shopping for men’s swimwear is a bit of a minefield. And with so much on offer, it’s better to know what you want before you start looking. Here’s a great little list of styles and lengths you might want to check out.

SPEEDOS


(Speedo Endurance 6.5 Mens Briefs)


Once upon a time, Speedos meant just one thing – as tight and as small as you can get. Most men are usually a bit self-conscious at the thought of donning a pair of Speedos, but the truth is that there’s a whole range of options available – from the classic brief to the mid-length and longer style. If you’ve been working out this summer, it might be time to give them a go.

BERMUDAS


(Goodsouls Mens Retro Swim Shorts )

These have never gone out of fashion. If you don’t want to bare all just yet, Bermuda shorts look great when teamed with a classic white V-neck. And they’re just the thing for lazing around poolside and not looking out of place. If you’ve got shorter legs, you may want to go for a slightly shorter pair, giving your legs the illusion of length. Bermuda shorts will also help you pull off the trendy surfer look in a flash.

BAGGIES


(Original Penguin Mens Resort Swim Shorts)

Baggie swimwear looks great, especially if you want to show off your torso. The great thing about baggy trunks is that the amount of fabric really helps to disguise a slimmer frame. As opposed to briefs or smaller trunks, baggy shorts can add real bulk to your build.

BOLDS


(Original Penguin Mens Striped Swim Shorts)

If you’re after a statement piece and really want to be noticed, there are plenty of swimming trunks available in bright colours and edgy patterns. Prints also took a starring role on the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk collections, with designers showcasing an eye-catching range of heritage prints. High street patterns range from comic book mashups to newspaper headlines and graffiti tags – a sure-fire way to attract some poolside attention.

BRIGHTS


(Goodsouls Mens Swimshorts)

Alternatively, sitting between the classic muted colours and funky patterns, are many ranges of men’s swimwear in bright and edgy, yet unobtrusive colours. If you want to stand out (for all the right reasons!) why not pick something in pale pink, magenta or even baby blue? These colours will be a perfect match for your bronzed summer glow, and really help you on your way to getting that summer feeling.