Table of contents for June - July 2018 in Da Man

Late April until early May have always been a particularly busy time for me for the past, oh, 11 years or so. If you guessed that it’s because of our annual DAMAN Party, you’re absolutely correct. From coming up with the playlist to planning for the arrival of our guest of honor (guests of honor, this time), my team and I are kept busy round the clock. Busy, but excited. For this year, however, we decided to try something different. In fact, we did a lot of things different, from adding a formal dinner portion to the night’s festivities to holding our very first—and our very own—awards show, to celebrate not only the progress of DAMAN, but also the achievements of those who have graced our pages. We laud those…

Winds of Change Haider Ackermann has parted ways with Berluti. Replacing him as Artistic Director is Kris Van Assche, who’s just left Dior Homme. This game of musical chairs follows a series of departures and appointments within the LVMH group, including Kim Jones’ exit and Virgil Abloh’s appointment at Louis Vuitton, Hedi Slimane’s appointment to Celine and so on. In a statement by Assche, he noted his fondness of Berluti. “I have always wanted to build bridges between the savoir-faire, the heritage of a house and my clear-cut contemporary vision,” he noted. “[CEO] Antoine Arnault spoke to me of his ambitions for Berluti and it is with great pleasure that I accept this new challenge which fits perfectly with my own will and vision. I would also like to thank…

Rise of the Rivals The world of smartphones once again feels alive. While the topmost spots are—unsurprisingly—held by longtime incumbents, there are so many new options that are either great all-rounders or cater to specific needs by excelling in certain features. In the former category we have the LG G7 ThinQ. While it’s not exactly groundbreaking, the new G7 ThinQ does a lot of things right, from the high-end hardware, the amazing super bright display, an excellent AI-assisted camera and a dedicated Google Assistant button. Music lovers will also appreciate the DTS:X 3D surround sound system and new Boombox speaker. It might not be the prophesied giant killer, the LG G7 ThinQ is a definite contender for the strongest flagship smartphone of the year. Portable Power The new Beoplay P6…

LOVE IS DEAD Chvrches Glasgow’s electro-pop trio Chvrches is back with their third full-length album. Entitled “Love Is Dead,” the 13 tracks come with a bigger and more straightforward direction than their previous releases. This is particularly evident in the opening track, “Get Out.” As an album about growing up and introspection, “Love Is Dead” manages to bridge the worlds of indie and mainstream pop with big synths and even bigger hooks. VOICENOTES Charlie Puth Formerly a YouTube sensation, Charlie Puth is trying to cement his position in the world of pop stars. With album number two dubbed “Voicenotes,” Puth is giving us a mix of pop and soul with a dash of R&B. Case in point: his hit single “Attention.” Moving to the other tracks, it looks like Puth…

CONDOR Stars Max Irons, William Hurt, leem lubany, angel Bonanni Based on Sydney Pollack’s 1975 film “Three Days of the Condor”—which, in turn, is based on James Grady’s novel “Six Days of the Condor”—the new show “Condor” follows young CIA analyst Joe Turner (Max Irons, originally played by Robert Redford) who must go on the run after discovering a plan that threatens the lives of millions—a discovery, by the way, that gets everyone in his office killed. Not only does Turner need to come up with a way to stop this plan, he has got to figure out who he can trust. Paranoia will be a heavy topic explored in “Condor,” which, unsurprisingly, comes with the tagline: Truth is the first victim. YELLOWSTONE Stars Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, luke Grimes,…

Beachside Oasis Two years after the closure of the old Nikko Hotel in Nusa Dua, a new Hotel Nikko comes back to Bali. This time, it is managed under Okura Nikko Hotel Management, a subsidiary of Hotel Okura. Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach (Jl. Pratama No. 68X, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, Bali; +62 361 773 577; hotelnikkobali-benoabeach.com) sits where Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort used to be. The property comes with 188 rooms and suites inspired by Balinese-style architecture, which is purposely decorated to harmonize with nature. In addition, the resort features extensive dining options, including a swim-up pool bar. And with Benoa beach just around the corner, an array of water sports activities is also available within walking distance. Arisen The Senses Marking the first city hotel from Six…

Actor, VJ and rapper Boy William has a way of talking that makes you feel at ease. Unlike in typical celebrity stories you hear, the 26-year-old star effortlessly makes a sincere connection. It’s almost as if you’re speaking to an old friend. And during our photo shoot in Singapore with Louis Vuitton, he was like this to everyone else in the team, too. In our two-day trip, DAMAN got to know more about his on-screen persona and social media image—or if there’s any of that at all. He also enthusiastically spoke about his a new movie out this month. Read on. DAMAN: What’s in a name? Boy William: Boy William is a stage name. It started off with Twitter. I wanted to make a Twitter account with my real name…

Walton Goggins is the kind of actor whose name you might not instantly recognize, but who you’ve probably seen in dozens of movies and tV shows, quite often as one of the villains, like in 2000’s “Shanghai Noon” opposite Jackie chan or 2010’s “Predators.” His most important claim to fame—and to household name status—arguably came when he started playing in the award-winning crime drama series “the Shield,” which, in turn, is arguably one of the best and most influential cop shows ever. From then on, Goggins’ career trajectory kept rising, especially on the big screen. Since 2010, he’s appeared in two movies by Quentin tarantino (“Django unchained” and “the hateful eight”), landed another leading role in another hit crime drama series (“Justified”), joined one of the better-received big screen adaptations…

“It goes without saying that new Black Bay GMT ticks all the right boxes in terms of sights and style” Back at this year’s Baselworld fair, Tudor introduced the Black Bay line with a highly functional complication: a multiple time-zone function—also known as a GMT function—that establishes local time without losing sight of the time in two other time zones. What makes this watch even more special, other than the fact that it is sporting a distinctive burgundy and blue bezel, is that it is equipped with a new manufacture movement. Physical Attractiveness Like the other models in the famed Black Bay line, the new Black Bay GMT features a dial inspired by Tudor’s divers’ watches produced during the 1950s. Recognizable by its rotatable bezel, which derives its deep blue…

CONQUEST V.H.P. CH RONOGRAPH Longines has an excellent track record in creating quality quartz timepieces, and last year, the brand reached a new milestone in the field with the Conquest V.H.P., which combines precision, high technicality and a sporty look. This year, this success story continues with the new Conquest V.H.P. Chronograph. The chronograph is, of course, a really fitting complication for the Conquest V.H.P, considering its rugged sporty look and its incredible accuracy. The V.H.P. designation in the name of the watch stands for Very High Precision, and indeed the Conquest V.H.P. Is more accurate than a chronometer (+/- 5 seconds per year) and comes with a Gear Position Detection system that can reset the position of its hands after a strong physical impact or magnetic interference. Finally, like…

A STYLISH STRIKE Retro vibes are back in force this season. And with so many 1950s inspired styles re-emerging on the runways, it came as no big surprise that bowling shirts were everywhere, including on the runways shows of Prada, Balenciaga and Fendi. With their spread reverse collars, relaxed cuts and breathable materials, these fun and vibrant pieces have become an iconic, all-American summer staple. While a bowling shirt can easily make a strong fashion statement on its own, they’re just as much at home in laidback ensembles consisting of the shirt and jeans as when they’re used for a more elevated look together with formal pants and perhaps a nice pair of tasseled loafers. Outfit by Prada…

New Looks This spring and summer, Thomas Sabo hits the refresh button by completely reinventing its Generation Charm Club collection. In total, 260 pieces are restyled. “Generation Charm Club is now a much stronger statement,” said Susanne Kölbli, Creative Director at Thomas Sabo. “The jewelry designs are inspired by family heirlooms handed down from generation to generation and the new jewelry creations are much more powerful.” Restyled pieces now feature natural stones, surface structures and colors, partly inspired by antique jewelry. On top of that, the new collection is also much more versatile, as it is designed to be worn in layers. In conjunction to the Generation Charm Club, Thomas Sabo has also released its Sterling Silver collection inspired by mythical motifs from the tropics. Among it we have the…

A Balancing Act Getting rid of oil in the face by rubbing it with oil. The logic of this might sound a bit off, but cleansing oils to remove excess oil is a real thing. And it works. To be exact, cleansing oils bind the oil and dirt that accumulates on our skin and rinses them away. Or in other words, it works by dissolving “bad” oils with “good” oils. While it does sound like how the typical facial cleansing oils do not disturb the skin’s pH balance and it does not leave the skin dry. The latter is something that everyone using oil-free cleansers often have to deal with, and worse than just the dryness, this will actually cause the skin to produce even more sebum and thereby compounding…

The Commander watches have always been one of the most popular collections from Swiss watch brand Mido. So, it is perhaps more than fitting that as part of the brand’s 100th anniversary celebrations it has released a new and improved special edition of the legendary Commander Shade. A Timeless Heritage The history of Mido goes all the way back to 1918, right at the end of the first World War. The Commander, meanwhile, made its debut in 1959 and has ever since epitomized Mido’s philosophy of innovation, aesthetics and functionality. To this end, the Commander has drawn comparisons with the Eiffel Tower, yet another timeless icon that is immediately recognizable. In the Commander’s case, it’s the distinction of its round steel case that makes it a classic. For the 2018…

Acroyoga, short for acrobatic yoga, is a form of practice that combines the dynamic power of acrobatics and the serenity of yoga. This combination forms the foundations of a fitness method that also cultivates trust by connecting you with others while at the same time boosting strength, body awareness and playfulness. The biggest difference between acroyoga and more conventional forms of yoga is that the latter is prety much a solo activity (although it can be practiced in groups), whereas acroyoga is an activity that directly involves two or three person. Even though many people might think that they need to be at a certain level of fitness before trying out acroyoga or are worried about the partner work aspect of it, these issues should not stop anyone from trying…

This year, legendary Swiss watch brand IWC Schaffhausen turns 150. To celebrate this momentous milestone, the company unveiled a special Jubilee collection at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), held in Geneva earlier this year. The collection comprises a total of 25 limited-edition models from the Portugieser, Portofino, Big Pilot’s Watch and Da Vinci families, along with four models from the completely new IWC Tribute to Pallweber family. Furthermore, IWC also launched a retrospective exhibition in Singapore to celebrate a century and a half of watchmaking. The exhibition showcased the company’s most defining historical creations alongside artistic and technical highlights from its new Jubilee collection. DAMAN was lucky enough to catch up with the Managing Director of IWC for South East Asia, Stanislas Rambaud, for a little chat…

Nowadays, Canadian-born Hayden Szeto is perhaps best known as one of the stars of “Truth or dare,” a horror movie about a supposedly harmless game of “truth-or-dare” (obviously), that turns deadly when someone—or something—begins to punish those who tell a lie or refuse a dare. Before that, he was already a thriving actor, appearing in, for instance, “The edge of Seventeen.” Szeto also had his fair share of ads, for anything from Walmart and Adidas to Nike, Coca Cola, Honda and Microsoft. But, of course, there’s much more to the actor than what can be glimpsed from his filmography and TV commercials. This is the story of Hayden Szeto, from his most recent works to his fondest memories and favorite projects. DA MAN: Hi hayden! glad to have you with…

Like many of his peers, Zachary Quinto started his acting career with guest appearances in various TV shows, from “24” and “CSI” to “Six Feet Under” and “Lizzie Mcguire.” Then, in 2006, “Heroes” happened, and Quinto landed what would become one of his most iconic roles: the villain Sylar. And before his stint as the super-powered serial killer came to a close, he was cast in yet another destined-to-be-iconic role: Spock in the new “Star Trek” movie series, aka the kelvin timeline as it is officially called. Now, while the fourth “Star Trek” title is still quite a while away, it seems that Quinto has been—and will be—quite busy. Later this year, for instance, we will see him back on the big screen as part of a huge ensemble cast…

Drawing from the origin story of the iconic Monaco, the TAG Heuer Monaco Bamford edition celebrates the rich heritage of the watchmaking brand. While the Monaco is known as a model that has been consistently renewed since the 1970s, this time TAG Heuer collaborated with the Bamford Watch Department to create a truly unique version of the watch that is more contemporary. Behind the Scenes Driven by a passion for engineering excellence and innovation, George Bamford—founder of the Bamford Watch Department—built his personalization house as a means to make watches that were truly exclusive and individual. This vision then set him on a journey of discovery that started a revolution in personalized design. It goes without saying that Bamford is incredibly familiar with the resulting pleasure from creating a unique…

OCTO FINISSIMO MINUTE REPEATER CARBON During presentations at Baselworld 2018, Bvlgari watchmakers would sometimes take out the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeated Carbon and, before explaining anything, simply asked journalists and media representatives to hold the watch. The stunned looks of those experiencing just how light the watch feels apparently never gets old. Despite being extremely thin and light, the watch is also extremely robust thanks to an epoxy thermosetting resin called Carbon Thin Ply (CTP) which is used to create the case, bezel and caseback. It should be noted that the material was also chosen for its acoustic properties, which gives the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon a surprisingly powerful sound output when chiming in the time. Only 50 pieces of this limited edition timepiece have been produced. OCTO FINISSIMO…

Short Time Short suits look like regular suits from the waist up. But instead of trousers, however, the suit’s bottoms are shorts. It may seem rather alien to be wearing shorts with a suit, but it can create a really great summery look. Dior Homme, Fendi and Versace are among the brands championing the short suit this season. It’s definitely having a moment, particularly with summer occasion. Sans Sleeves As temperatures reach scorching highs, plenty of designers are going with the adage that sometimes, the less fabric used the better. Case in point: Sleeveless tops, which have been flaunted on the season’s runways. Interestingly, these minimalist pieces are often seen paired with trousers to add a casual sporty twist to the total look. Blanc and White From chalk to ivory,…

SIMPLY EXTRAORDINARY BALI-BASED BRAND Biasa has just launched its summer 2018 collection. As usual, offerings from the brand, whose name is Indonesian for “ordinary,” is exactly the opposite while still regaining its signature subtlety. Features of the collection are simple shapes, short sleeves in the style of the ’50s and a return of Hawaiian shirts. The inherent simplicity of the pieces are then enriched with hand stitched details that are “hidden in plain sight” within shirts, kurtas and trousers (made from traditionally handwoven and naturally dyed khadi fabric from India) as well as in men’s kaftans and unisex resort wear. SMART AND STYLISH ITALIA INDEPENDENT (I-I) IS AN ITALIAN EYEWEAR manufacturer famed for its innovative designs. Founded in 2007, the company rose to fame when it introduced the first carbon…

Warm on a Cold Night Like the name suggests, Trussardi Amber Oud is a fragrance dedicated to two luxurious ingredients of haute perfumery: amber and oud. This is reflected on the sumptuous looking bottle that combines the gold color of amber and the black color of oud wood. Crafted by Amandine Clerc-Marie, this eau de parfum is, first and foremost, very masculine, owing to its oud note in the heart that gives it a sensual, musky and animalistic feel. The amber, on the other hand, lies in the base, providing a warm and resinous closing. Also adding to the mixture is a variety of strong ingredients like leather and incense that emphasizes how Amber Oud as a fragrance for the night. Soft Spot To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its…

Quick and Easy A pod coffee machine is always a welcome addition. Not only it is fast and convenient with its capsule-sized packages, it lets you have a quality cup of coffee from the comfort of your own home. Plus, it also gives you the chance to feel like a barista. This is the idea behind the new Unakaffe System. To begin, Unakaffe System only provides two variants of black coffee: The more intense and 45ml-sized Espresso, made with a mixture of Arabica and Robusta beans, along with the lighter 150ml-sized Cafetieor, which uses 100 percent Arabica coffee. In the future, Unakaffe System will also launch three different variants to promote Indonesian flavors. This includes Mandheling, Toraja and Kopi Luwak. Mad Monster Party Lasvit has made quite a name for…

There are many health-related myths out there, but one that is perhaps most deceptively dangerous is that people can learn to get by on little sleep with no negative effects. Here’s the thing: we can’t. Research has shown that getting enough quality sleep at the right times is vital for our mental health, physical health, quality of life and safety. Like eating, drinking and breathing, sleeping is a basic human need. Like these other needs, sleeping is a vital part of the foundation for good health and well-being throughout your lifetime. Your ability to function and feel well while you’re awake depends on whether you’re getting enough total sleep and enough of each type of sleep. It also depends on whether you’re sleeping at a time when your body is…

Tasya Teles is best known for her portrayal of Echo in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi TV series “The 100,” where she has just been promoted to series’ regular. What has always been captivating about Teles’ portrayal of Echo, a fierce warrior, is how she fully absorbs her character with the myriad layers of complexity that goes with it. And speaking of layers and nuance, Teles is also known for her mastery of several languages. Born in Canada with Ukranian and Brazilian roots, Teles is fluent in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. And also Trigedasleng, a fictional language featured in “The 100.” It’s also interesting to note that Teles’ body of work is quite expansive, including voice-acting for video games like the popular action adventure title “Watch Dogs 2,” and is bolstered…

Omega has had a long and enviable association with space exploration, with the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph holding the distinction of being the first watch on the moon. But before the mission that carried the first men to the lunar surface, there was also Apollo 8, which was the first to orbit the moon. More than that, the Apollo 8 astronauts became the first to gaze upon the far side—the dark side—of the moon. This year, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission, Omega has released a new Dark Side Of The Moon timepiece. The Speedmaster “Dark Side Of The Moon” Apollo 8 comes with a specially decorated version of the famed Moonwatch movement, whose intricate details are now shown in all its glory through a skeletonized…