Table of contents for August - September 2017 in Da Man

With June and July behind us, we finally step into the fall/winter season— which is always exciting for fashion enthusiasts like myself. As what we saw at the various Fashion Weeks start trickling down to shops and boutiques everywhere, we start thinking about new styles, new combinations and new aesthetics. We start thinking about change. And that is always a good thing. Seasons and change are also among the things shared by the array of celebrities featured in this issue. Both Casey Deidrick and Christopher Larkin are appearing in new seasons of well-established shows; the final season of “Teen Wolf” for Deidrick and “The 100” for Larkin. Ben Barnes, who graces our new cover, plays a lead role in the upcoming “Marvel’s The Punisher,” which sounds really promising. Rudy Mancuso,…

Smell of Success For the third edition of the Emblem Fragrance series, Montblanc introduces the Emblem Absolu. The inspiration behind the scent is the image of success. Imagine a man who is powerful and self-assured. Well, Emblem Absolu is the embodiment of that kind of man. The task of translating this image into a scent fell on perfumer Annick Menardo, whose portfolio includes Roma per Uomo’s Laura Biagiotti, Bulgari’s Black and Dior’s Hypnotic Poison. He replaced much of the aromatic and warm spicy ingredients of the original and replaced it with fruits and sweets such as pear, mandarin, cardamom and honey. These are then mixed with woody and mossy scents to create a powerful combination. At first whiff, the perfume is undoubtedly sensual and enticing. It invites you to see…

It’s getting a lot harder now to make an impression in the smartphone scene. So, companies now increasingly rely on unique features or “groundbreaking” technology. But even as most brands busy themselves with clearer displays, sharper cameras or better user experience, some are actually returning back to basics. Such is the case with the mother of all cellphones: the venerable Nokia 3310, which this year has undergone an amazing revamp. With a swappable and customizable plastic case that is colorful, fun and retro, the new Nokia 3310 comes with a rounder edge, thinner design, smoother surface and most importantly, “Snakes.” It has a 2.4 inch polarized and curved screen that allows for better readability under sunlight. The Nokia 3310 also boasts a standby battery life of up to a month.…

"PEOPLE SHOULDN'TCORRELATE STYLE WITH COST" For a guy who sings about having too much clothes in his closet that he needs to put it in his aunt’s house (“Pass Out”), Tinie Tempah (born Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu) sure doesn’t mind the overflow. Primarily known for songs like “Written in the Stars” or “Girls Like,” the British singer has released three studio albums so far. His debut album “Disc- Overy” has been certified double-platinum in the U.K., and is followed by “Demonstration” in 2013 and “Youth,” which was released last April. Anyone who’s familiar with his music or has seen his music videos knows that he’s got style. Indeed, Tinie Tempah is popular for using sharp-tailored suits while mixing in lively colors and vibrant patterns together. He is also known for his…

Fire Away, Fire Away RENEGADES Stars Sullivan Stapleton, Ewen Bremner, J.K. Simmons Director Steven Quale After having its release date pushed back five times, “Renegades” is finally set to hit theaters this September. It tells the story about a team of U.S. Navy SEALs on assignment in war-torn Europe to recover a hoard of gold at the bottom of a lake which used to be a town. As the story goes, the town was flooded to prevent the Nazis from taking the treasure. Fast forward to today, and we have the team of SEALs going rogue to retrieve the gold. Written by Luc Besson (of “Taken” and “The Transporter” fame) and Richard Wenk, this movie will definitely satisfy those of you who love action thriller films like “The Expendables” or…

Livable Luxury After a delay of three years, Park Hyatt Bangkok (Central Embassy, 88 Wireless Road, Bangkok; +66 2 012 1234; bangkok.park.hyatt.com) is finally here. Located in Bangkok’s central business district on top of the Central Embassy, the hotel is a real work of art. Designed by AL_A and Pi Design, the hotel’s façade is clad in aluminum tiles that draws on motifs and patterns found in traditional Thai architecture to create a shimmering pattern that goes perfectly with the energy of Bangkok. There are 222 guestrooms, including 32 suites, with even the standard rooms being among the largest in Bangkok. Finally, right underneath the hotel you can find numerous luxury shopping options for a truly colorful stay Royal Heritage Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for “more,” Rumah…

The name Louis Vuitton would perhaps not come to mind when you’re thinking about buying a new Swiss watch. But Hamdi Chatti, vice president of Louis Vuitton jewelry and watches, has gradually paved the way to ensure that that will happen. Given his extensive background—which includes stints in Piaget, Harry Winston and Montblanc—Chatti is perfect for the job. Established only 15 years ago, Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking division has proven to be a most exciting venture. With the acquisition of La Fabrique du Temps, a Swiss movement specialist, five years ago and the integration of Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking manufacture in Geneva in 2014, the French maison seems ready to stand tall among the giants in the game. Of course, only time will tell. In the meantime, Chatti talks to DA MAN…

When he was first featured in the magazine, Morgan Oey was still a member SM*SH, a popular pop-dance boyband that helped shape Indonesia’s music scene in the early 2010s. that, however, was a good five years ago. today, Oey is an accomplished actor with around 10 big screen titles to his name. and that is on top of his tV appearances which are almost too many to count. Interestingly, Oey has also become part of the Indonesian film industry’s push into web series through a new show titled “Switch.” “I got a call from [director] Nia Dinata who wanted to cast me as richard, a barista,” he says of his involvement in the show. “It’s a web series, but we’re treating it like a movie; so the story has to…

For english actor Ben Barnes, life in hollywood started off like a fairy tale. almost literally, that is, as his big screen debut was in 2007’s “stardust.” he then went on to become a household name when he played the titular Prince (and later king) Caspian X in the second and third “the Chronicles of narnia” movies. these days, however, his biggest success stories have been on tV, with major roles in hit series “Westworld” and the upcoming marvel’s “the Punisher.” in the latter, which will soon start airing on netflix, he plays opposite Jon Bernthal in what is perhaps the darkest entry in the marvel Cinematic universe yet. naturally, he has quite a few tales to tell about his new show, and the journey that got him there. DA…

Louis Vuitton has never been the one to shy away from creating lavish, albeit iconic trunks for special occasions. remember the brand’s trunk case that carried the world cup 2014 trophy? or when karl Lagerfeld made a Louis Vuitton punching bag complete with a storage trunk and boxing gloves? well, for the latest edition to their iconic trunks series, the French-luxury brand collaborated with roland-Garros to create two trophy trunks to protect and transport the suzanne Lenglen cup and the Musketeers’ cup, which, if you don’t already know, are awarded each year to the men’s and women’s champions at the French open. “Louis Vuitton has always supported the greatest explorers and pioneers on their travels, including roland Garros and suzanne Lenglen themselves. combining elegance and innovation, Louis Vuitton has constantly…

TAMBOUR MOON GMT BLACK, STEEL AND PINK GOLD The watchmaking division of Louis Vuitton has been around for 15 years, and it has been riding forward on the back of its distinctive Tambour watch collection from the very beginning. So, it was only natural that its big 15th anniversary is celebrated with a new interpretation of the Tambour: Meet the new Tambour Moon with its eye-catching concave shape—an inverse from the typical convex Tambour case. While it looks deceivingly slim, which suits current trends, the GMT version arrives with very handsome touches of golden lugs and crown. The elegant persuasion feels just right what with the 41.5mm case size (which boasts a perfect circle shape) and the newly introduced Interchangeable strap. Yes, the last one is not only patented by…

The rise of designers like demna Gvasalia and Gosha rubchinskiy have brought back the aesthetics from a bygone era, the ’90s. layered, street savvy, and with a touch of grunge in it, this particular look has gone viral under the new cool moniker “normcore.” the appreciation for dressing down and looking deliberately disheveled has become the new anti-fashion movement that ironically, become fashionable. interestingly, instead of trickling down, this trend of street-sporty layered styling has actually trickled up from high-street brands such as Zara or h&M.…

Polished Elegance Let Braun Büffel guide you on a journey through the city of Berlin through its fall/winter 2017 collections. Inspired by German pop culture from the ’80s and Berlin’s modernism, the collections reflect the expressive passion of the city. There is a clear reference to the city’s symmetrical and minimalist architecture, expressed with a color palette of moss green and marine blue. Case in point: the Lyonel collection in doublefaced medium grain printed milled calf leather that includes everything from messenger bags, postman bags to flat clutches. The interiors are lined with a cubic pattern that is a reimagining of the works from German-American artist Lyonel Feininger. The collection’s tote bag, in particular, serves as a stylish addition to any sophisticated getup. One Extra Large Combo Oversized clothes are…

Gold on Fire The Ronde Louis Cartier XL showcases the latest addition to Cartier’s already extensive repertoire of craftsmanship: flamed gold. In short, this method uses intense heat to “brush” on specific colors to a gold plate. Much like enameling, this is an extremely sensitive technique. The resulting image of a leopard on the Ronde Louis Cartier XL is simply breathtaking. The rest of the watch is, of course, no less impressive: An 18K white gold case at 42mm, with a diamond studded bezel and black alligator leather strap. Finally, the watch is powered by the Calibre 430 MC movement. It simply doesn’t get hotter than this. Roman Elegance Bulgari’s Octo Roma perfectly illustrates how the Roman watchmaker understands proportions and shape better than anyone else. Designed with contemporary style…

Muhammad “ eMTe” Taufiq was one of the artists participating at the Art Jakarta fair last month. But before that, his works had been prominently featured in over more than 50 exhibitions, some of them overseas, such as in the Dataran Underground in Kuala Lumpur and at the Singapore Contemporary art show. Apart from exhibitions, Taufiq has also collaborated with several fashion brands, including Patrick Owen and, most recently, Giordano. DA MAN: How would you describe your style of art? Muhammad Taufiq: That’s a tricky question. Since I rarely give a fuss about my style of drawing, I’m used to draw with a lot of different characters and styles because I think it makes it more fun. Mostly, I would say that my style is semi-realist, because I often draw…

HARRY STYLES Harry Styles Harry Styles is probably the one who has strayed the furthest away from the One Direction “sound.” But let’s pull away the focus from One Direction and pay attention to Harry Styles and his debut album. He introduces us to his new voice in the “Sign of The Times,” which has a definite David Bowie vibe of rock meets ballad. The rest of this new album is a jumble of inspirations from ’70s and ’80s classic rock. It doesn’t necessarily follow one particular genre, nor does he go full-out rock. While it might come off as confusing for some—and a little bit unoriginal as well—Harry Styles’ eponymous album is definite proof that he’s got range, and much more to offer. DUA LIPA Dua Lipa As an…

Probiotics (which, by the way, literally means “promoting life”) is booming. Chances are you have stumbled upon probiotic products in pharmacies or grocery stores, whether as supplements, yogurt or even granola bars. And whether or not you have heard about probiotics, it is more than likely that you have been already consuming foods that are rich in probiotics on a regular basis. Case in point: tempeh. Consequently, the market for probiotic products has been constantly on the rise. As a matter of fact, the global market for probiotics is predicted to reach US$66 billion by the year 2024, according to Grand View Research. So, it certainly seems that probiotics is here to stay. PROBIOTICS 101 The most basic fact you should know about probiotics is that we’re talking about live…

Born in korea, adopted by parents of Frenchcanadian and irish descent and raised in the united States, actor christopher larkin has quite a rich heritage. his talents are similarly expansive, encompassing acting on stage as well as on film, along with a gift for music. today, he’s mostly known as a series regular of “the 100”; but it certainly seems that we’re going to see more from larkin in the days to come. DA MAN: hi, christopher; glad to have you on board. so, you will be working on season five of “the 100” this august. what can we look forward to from this new season? christopher Larkin: there’s a six-year time jump between seasons four and five. half of the cast is back in space. like the fans, these…

it was a rainy day in Taipei, Taiwan, on the day of the press presentation of louis vuitton’s fall/winter 2017 collection for regional editors. Yet, the cold and wet weather somehow created the perfect ambience to showcase the collection as it exuded warmth with soft coats and long sweaters in cashmere and wool. a relaxed elegance was apparent in the collection with a silhouette that was wide and looser. This relaxed attitude could be attributed to the styles of the iconic artists of new York city in the recent past, such as Jean-michel basquiat and andy warhol, which inspires the collection. for the collection, louis vuitton men’s artistic Director kim Jones explored the multitude of styles that co-exist and co-mingle in new York city; particularly during the seventies, eighties through…

there’s something fascinating in the way world-class brands, such as bulgari, pick their ambassadors. sure, popularity is always a huge factor, but there’s also a palpable resonance between the chosen individual and the brand—or a certain product—which leads to a story that simply needs to be told. in this case, it is the story of Jon Kortajarena and bulgari’s octo Finissimo automatic. The Model Jon Kortajarena, the new bulgari global Watches ambassador, is bona fide fashion icon. he has walked on the some of the world’s most celebrated catwalks and has worked together with photographers the likes of peter Lindbergh and mario testino. moreover, he has also successfully branched into acting following his big-screen debut in the oscar-nominated movie “a single man.” Through his illustrious career, Jon Kortajarena has grown…

Art Class At a glance, it is as if Prada sweaters are now featuring Matisse prints, Vivienne Westwood is channelling Basquiat, Louis Vuitton has vintage art deco postcards printed on silk while Dior Homme is collaborating with Dan Witz to use his mosh-pit paintings. From classical works to contemporary creations, art has heavily influenced many of the season’s collections. Visually striking and deeply meaningful, the runways have become virtual galleries. Red Alert Red can be tricky to wear; but on the bright side red hues suit almost every skin tone. The color of passion and sensuality, red allows anyone to wear his heart on his sleeve. But that doesn’t mean red should only be worn by the brave. It’s actually quite easy to include this high-impact color into everyday wardrobes.…

Mask Up One of the biggest benefits of face sheet masks is that they ac t as their own barrier between your face and the air, therefore making sure th at most of the beneficial ingredients contained inside the masks—serums and so forth—are actually absorbed into the skin instead of evaporating away. Pl us, face sheet masks are very user-friendly and relatively cheap. So, it’s no wonder that people can easily buy them in large quantities for extended use. Not s ure which products to pick? Well, you can start with our three basic reco mmendations. 3 MOST RECOMMENDED 1 Perhaps Innisfree is the brand that most often comes to mind when talking about face sheet masks. The brand’s It’s Real Squeeze Masks feature a total of 15 different varieties…

Shadows of Light Illuminate the mood of your room with V Design’s collection of candle holders. Featuring ten different designs representing different elements of nature (cactus, coconuts, gravel, sea anemone and many more) each ceramic candle holder reflects a unique spirit. Each opening on the façades is carved carefully and thoughtfully to ensure the reflection of light from the candle beautifully shapes the shadows surrounding it. The end result is a tranquil and somewhat exotic atmosphere. Highlights from the collection include the Floating Gravel Candle Holder, which can float and join you for a swim in your pool. Wall of Inspiration Who or whatever inspires you to do your best, thanks to Image Republic, you can wake up each day with a picture-perfect poster of your muse hanging on your…

When you think about cognac, you would probably visualize a lavish and elegant party, full of gentlemen sporting classic double-breasted suits, perhaps with a cigar at hand too. Martell, the preeminent name in the world of fine cognac, however, is trying to move away from this long-held stereotype. And it is doing so by adding a touch of disco and the sparkling lights of the dance floor to the spirit, making it more hip, young and fresh. This new image is captured perfectly by the cutting edge bottle of the Martell NCF. Thanks to its reflective metallic copper coating, the bottle displays glossy white lines to evoke the filtration process of the cognac inside. As a matter of fact, it also glows in the dark under UV light. Furthermore, the…

Claiming to love the environment is an easy thing to do. Actually doing it, however, is something else. When I had the chance to catch up with Nadine Chandrawinata during her photo shoot for DA MAN, I couldn’t help but notice her tenderness when she talks about the environment. Underneath her softspoken demeanor, there is thoughtfulness and authenticity that projects humility. She keeps it real about meeting her commitments—very down to earth. Which is, quite literally, what she is fighting for right now. “When I was at Miss Universe Indonesia, the committee pointed me towards education, but I was focused more on the environment,” the German-Indonesian environmentalist recounts. “So after my arrangement with Miss Universe Indonesia was over, I continued to pursue ways to help the environment.” The critically acclaimed…