Table of contents for October - November 2018 in Da Man

Why do we feature celebrities in magazines? It’s on old question’a bit of cliché, even. The usual answer is also quite clichéd: Because they serve as our role models. But in this day and age, where gossip is a commodity and every Tweet, photo or caption is scrutinized at the speed of light, is it still relevant to say that actors, singers and other public figures are people worth parading as paragons that we should imitate? The short answer is: yes. And now for the long answer. The thing with role models is that they are not meant to be imitated. They are meant to inspire. Or to put it in another way: You don’t imitate the lives of your role models—you imitate their attitude. Some would say that this…

American Boy Roughly two months away from the release of the movie “Creed II,” Coach announced the exciting news that Michael B. Jordan will be its first global face for Coach Menswear. “I’m honored to be joining the Coach family and have so much respect for Stuart Vevers’ vision,” said Jordan. “I’m looking forward to jumping into the creative process and exploring fashion through a different lens.” His partnership with Coach will include global ad campaigns for men’s ready-to-wear, accessories and fragrance, starting from the spring/summer 2019 season. Like the one between Coach and Selena Gomez, this new partnership will also include design projects with creative director Stuart Vevers as well as philanthropic endeavors with the Coach Foundation. “Michael is cool and authentic, and he really embodies the Coach guy,”…

One word that best describes Bally’s fall/winter 2018 collection is “journey.” This season, the Bally Man is effortlessly youthful and is always on the cusp of a new adventure. Naturally, the collection echoes the same spirit, with styles that merge dress and casual wear together, forming a “casualization” defined by retro sportswear. The Shoes The best example of this idea are the black derby shoes, the Olivio, which combines the elegance of leather dress shoes with the casual nature of rubber crepe soles. Bally also played with larger proportions to convey a sense of fluidity through the use of exaggerated soles. The Bags In line with its younger attitude, the collection of bags this season is much sportier than Bally’s usual offerings. But luxury is not compromised here. Instead, it…

The Shape of Water A source of all life and inspiration to Kenzo’s newest fragrance, water is at the center of the new Aqua Kenzo pour homme. Of course, this is not to say that the fragrance contains only water, but it does capture the energy and spirit usually associated with water. With notes of pink berries at the top, the fragrance offers a spicy and fresh opening. The hazelnut leaves in the middle, meanwhile, imparts a unique vegetal aroma, while the sandalwood at its base gives the fragrance a woody and sensual closing. Altogether, Aqua Kenzo pour homme is fresh, woody and surprisingly sweet fragrance, owing to the addition of tonka beans. To this end, the Aqua Kenzo pour homme also breaks away from more traditional aquatic fragrances while…

Phone Season It’s that time of year again, when new smartphones—flagship models and contenders alike—fight for the attention of an increasingly tech-savvy audience looking to upgrade. Or not. Still, there are plenty of reasons to actually get excited about the latest and greatest phone offerings we have today. Case in point would be the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, which really stands heads and shoulders above the crowd, and introduces plenty of improvements over its predecessor. The Infinity Display is beautiful, processing power is superb and there’s storage aplenty. Same can be said about its battery, which is massive by today’s standards. Also, Samsung actually made the S Pen even more useful than it already is by making it function as a remote. Definitely a prime choice. 3 MORE RECOMMENDATIONS 1…

Heavy Rotation EGYPT STATION Paul McCartney Paul McCartney’s new album, Egypt Station, feels like a colorful journey. Every track has its own atmosphere and richness of tune, even though some might find it a bit heavy in terms of lyrics. For instance, “People Want Peace” and “Despite Repeated Warnings” are filled sadness and reminders about global warming. Still, McCartney manages to complete an album that can make us cry, laugh and reflect while listening to his musical prowess. It’s safe to say that at this stage in his career, Sir Paul McCartney knows exactly where to take it next. 7 David Guetta David Guetta, one of the world’s most popular DJs, returned with a new double album. The first half of this album is filled with collaborations alongside big stars…

THE ROMANOFFS Stars Aaron Eckhart, Diane Lane, Isabelle Huppert, Christina Hendricks “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner is back with another hotly anticipated series this October, “The Romanoffs.” And he is brining 13 of his colleagues to join him. As it is an anthology series, expect every single episode to feature a different story. All of them, however, involve people who believe themselves to be the modern-day descendants of the Romanov family. Who are they? Well, they are the last imperial dynasty to rule over Russia from 1613 to 1917 until the Bolshekivs seized power. As history goes, in 1918, revolutionary Bolshevik soldiers murdered the Romanovs. However, it is rumored that at least one of them, Princess Anastasia, escaped the firing squads, leading to many conspiracy theories, including the tale presented…

Whether it’s for a special occasion or a normal day, with friends and family or just by yourself, opening a bottle of wine is always a moment to cherish. After all, it’s more than just a matter of taste. Instead, it’s a medley of color, texture and a bouquet of aromas that can range from hints of berries to whiffs of vanilla. Of course, every sip of wine starts with a journey. A Continental Journey For Cape Discovery, that journey started approximately eight years ago. The brainchild of a collaboration between a pioneering Australian and an Indonesian wine company, Cape Discovery was established to revolutionize how Indonesians perceive wine and, in turn, improve the way people—newcomers and connoisseurs alike—experience it. Back to the journey, the creation of Cape Discovery’s wines…

Today, we have a much better understanding that many people live with serious health issues—and it could be anyone. But not everyone is equipped to deal with mental health issues. That said, when you find out that somebody close is affected then the least that you can do-if you can’t offer direct help-is to refrain from acting all-knowing while using the wrong labels. In cases like this, we really, really don’t know what they are going through. “THROWING OUT RANDOM POPULAR JARGON AND INCORRECT LABELS CAN DEEPEN THE EMOTIONAL SCARS CAUSED BY MENTAL ILLNESS” Some people are at greater risk than others, so, throwing out random popular jargon and incorrect labels can deepen the emotional scars caused by mental illness. A person who is angry is not always psychotic. A…

Model Lucho Moroz/21MM Management Grooming Arimbi…

Not all who wander are lost. This line from a poem in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” definitely fits Mentari De Marelle’s current story. I first met the young actress near the end of 2016, and found her to be a bubbly and optimistic starlet on the cusp of greatness. Today, she’s still bubbly and sunny, but there’s a more genuine maturity underlying her outgoing personality. Turns out, De Marelle has spent the past couple of years or so on what you might call a journey of self-discovery. A bit of soul searching, if you will. One thing’s for sure, however: She might have been wandering, but she is definitely not lost. But perhaps a short recap is in order before we continue. Mentari De Marelle broke into…

Like many of his peers, Grey Damon’s acting career started with a stage production, then slowly but surely built up with minor roles in various TV shows and movies. His first TV appearance was in 2009, in an episode of The CW’s “90210.” Then came minor roles in series like “Greek” and “10 Things I Hate About You” as well as a recurring role in the third season of “True Blood.” Damon’s breakout role came in 2010 as he landed a lead role in the fifth and final season of “Friday Night Lights.” Other major roles would soon follow, including in “The Nine Lives of Chloe King,” “Twisted,” “Star-Crossed” and “Aquarius.” He also added a number of big screen roles to his filmography, appearing in the 2013 American remake of…

What do Scandinavian design and Tumi have in common? In short, it’s minimalism and functionality. Combine the two together and what you have are timeless and practical travel pieces that you’ll cherish for a long time. A worthy investment, if you will. And that is exactly what Tumi’s fall/winter 2018 collection is all about. Taking the scenic vistas of Scandinavia as inspiration, Tumi’s fall/winter 2018 collection explores the relationship between the technical and the handcrafted. This season, a set of new colors, textures and tones are introduced. From updated camouflage patterns to classic modernized florals along with shifting contrasts and plays of texture, the new collection adds yet another dimension to Tumi’s already extensive range—most notably, where fashion and style are concerned. Of course, innovation shares the same spotlight, as…

TUDOR BLACK BAY S&G While the Tudor 1926 model sports timeless and classic lines, this particular model is based on the famous Black Bay divers’ watch. As the name implies, the Black Bay S&G offers the venerable Tudor mainstay in a combination of steel and gold. In this particular version, the signature lines and proportions of the Black Bay line are still retained, but the rotating bezel and the winding crown are presented with deft touches of yellow gold. On top of that, from a functional point of view, the Black Bay S&G also introduces the date display to the Black Bay family. So, for anybody on the lookout for their first steel and gold timepiece, the Black Bay S&G is undeniably a great choice. And it comes backed with…

Braun Büffel’s presented its fall/winter 2018 collection at Kilo Lounge in Singapore. The industrial-themed lounge was a fitting venue to showcase the collection as it is inspired by the magnetizing nightlife and underground culture of the ’70s. Braun Büffel’s creative director, Fabio Panzeri, translated the glamorous era, in particular the music and spirit of the infamous New York club scene of Studio 54, with urban street culture and a touch of rock and roll sensibilities. While the women’s collection highlighted the ’70s glamorous disco charm, the men’s collection took on an edgier approach with inspiration from the urban street culture of that era. This was the time when the streets of New York saw the birth of an underground creative movement of graffiti artists and musicians that formed the eclectic…

PLAID AND SIMPLE Whether as an ode to scottish tartan or as something preppy with checks, plaid is enjoying its moment under the limelight this fall/winter. but it’s not your typical, traditional plaid we’re talking about. instead, they’re bold, they’re bright and they’re meant to be worn in clashing plaid-on-plaid getups. for sure, mixing oversized patterns with smaller variants has become part of this season’s lineup of must-try styles; same thing with combining bright patterns with more somber tones. in short, the bigger the clash the better. of course, all that being said, the classic combo of plaid shirt with check fisherman over-shirt still makes for a relaxed and cool fashion statement.…

Heat of the Moment Giuseppe Zanotti embraces fall fashion trends by showcasing a range of elegantly sporty shoes. Enveloped with a color palette of black, dark blue, mirror gold and silver and burgundy, the shoes are combined with rubber soles that makes it lighter in weight. Within the more elegant styles, the materials feature lush fabrics like velvets, embroidery in black sequins that adorns the monk-straps or graphic prints with a tone-on-tone effect. The more sporty range, meanwhile, uses stretch fabrics, which again, is combined with black leather inserts for an added lux. Highlights? The Light Jump MT1 high-top (pictured) sneaker that is unforgivingly retro. As an added bonus, it also comes in different colors. There’s the mostly black version, or the one with white and red combination, which will…

ONE MORE MUST-SEE EXHIBITION Journey Through Time To celebrate its 30 year presence in Jakarta, Louis Vuitton—in partnership of Senayan City—will present its “Time Capsule” exhibition. There, guests will be taken through a historical journey of the house through rare and celebrated objects selected from the Louis Vuitton archive. The exhibition itself follows a visual timeline of landmark moments in the Louis Vuitton story, from the house’s establishment in 1854 until today. The exhibition is divided on six key aspects: Artisans Room, The Key to the Codes, Journeys around the World, Elegance in Motion, Icons of the House and Magic Malle. The exhibition will open daily from October 16 until November 4, 2018. From November 17 to March 10 next year, Museum Macan will showcase three individual presentations by Indonesian…

Drums can be quite tricky to portray in movies. With other instruments, the movie can “cheat” a bit, mainly through clever camera angles. But it’s all too easy for viewers to notice when the drummer—or rather, the actor playing the drummer—is off by even a single beat. So, the pressure was definitely on for English actor Ben Hardy, who was selected to play Roger Taylor, drummer for legendary rock band Queen, in the long awaited biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which covers the rise of the band up to the famous Live Aid concert of 1985. Of course, Hardy is no stranger to challenging roles or undergoing special training in preparation for a role. Back in 2015, for instance, when he was cast as the winged mutant Angel in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” he…

Looking back throughout its history of over 150 years, the tale of Zenith is the very stuff of modernity. This is particularly clear in the Swiss brand’s innovation-driven watchmaking and its forward-looking spirit. Perhaps it can be said that Zenith today shares one particularly notable characteristic with its founder, Georges Favre-Jacot, when he established the brand back in 1865: being ahead of time. Today, bolstered by the iconic El Primero movement, Zenith’s vision of mechanical watchmaking is entering a groundbreaking new era: the world of ultra precision. First and Foremost After specializing in high frequency movements for half a century, Zenith is now entering the age of, again, ultra precision. Last year, Zenith wrote the first chapter of tomorrow’s watchmaking with the launch of the Defy El Primero 21—completed with…

Every September, the eyes of the world turn to Singapore. See, this is when the Singapore Grand Prix takes place, and the island’s famed Marina Bay Street Circuit and the spectacular night races has fans flocking from all over the world. Then there’s the entertainment and after parties to look forward to as well. Indeed, it’s as if the whole Marina Bay has taken on a festive mood for the duration of the event. One Swiss watch brand, however, has always had a head start in the festivities. We’re talking, of course, of TAG Heuer—official timekeeper, official watch and team performance partner of the Aston Martin Red Bull racing team. “As per usual practice, we like to kick off the Singapore Grand Prix season with an exciting event,” said Amelia…

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Sportswear on the catwalk is hardly anything new. For fall/winter 2018, however, designers have taken it one step further with hiking gear. Not exactly the most glamorous outdoor activity, but this trend definitely nails today’s uber-utilitarian style—with a luxury twist, of course. So, urban hikers are all set up to score maximum style points with appropriately rugged pieces like flannel shirts, cable knit jumpers and cropped wool trousers. KNIT WITS Knitwear is being reinvented with countless graphic patterns, from cartoony icons to photographic scenery. Whether fine and lightweight or chunky and wind-breaking, knits are the core of any fall/winter wardrobe. While plain colors and styles are indispensable, it’s witty prints and patterns that designers and brands are pushing this season. Scream & Shout Lately, it…

STROKE OF BEAUTY EVER SINCE THE BRAND’S INCEPTION, high-quality leather craftsmanship has always been the principal driving Mario Minardi. Offering a myriad of formal and casual styles for formal and casual occasions alike, its collections of leather shoes is ideal for any man looking to add a touch of elegance to his outfit. Of course, this applies as well to its sporty-but-sophisticated leather sneakers. This October, Mario Minardi is set to launch an extensive collection of classic dress shoes like boots, oxfords and loafers as well as its signature sneakers. Versatile Appeal For fall/winter 2018, London brand Pepe Jeans displays the many ways denim jeans can be worn. There are four categories: The smart-casual “The Members’ Lounge,” the all things denim “The Library,” the fun and slogan-heavy “The Games Room”…

Quick and Easy There are many solutions to help us get rid of dark circles and puffiness around our eyes. There’s the natural path (e.g., tea bags) as well as the modern-day approach (e.g., gels, creams and serums). And then there are under-eye masks and patches. Think of these as lying somewhere between tea bags and eye gels. While it does not work as well as eye creams, under-eye masks serve as a quick and easy solution to counteract the negative effects of dehydration, sun exposure, irritation and poor sleep on the area under your eyes. By cooling this area, under-eye masks de-puff, rehydrate and smoothen the skin, making it look a lot more refreshed and bright. So, if you have, say, an early meeting and just had a long…

Grooming Inez Febiola Model Oleksandr Krupa/RAD Models Location Fairmont Hotel (Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8, Jakarta + 62 21 2970 3333, fairmont.com/jakarta/)…

ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY By Ubisoft Platform PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Release October 2018 For the twelfth “Assassin’s Creed” game, Ubisoft moved the setting to Ancient Greece, four centuries before the events of “Assassin’s Creed Origins.” So, beside the new chapter of history to explore, what else can players expect from “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey”? Well, for one, this is much more of a role-playing game than previous entries in the franchise, with branching quests, dialog options and multiple endings—which, of course, will encourage multiple playthroughs. Naval combat—popularized by “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” will be making a comeback along with an expanded system for the kind of fighting that the series is best known for: up close and very, very personal. BATTLEFIELD V By Electronic Arts Platform PC, PS4,…

Major Moves A casual eatery with a fine-dining twist may sound a bit confusing, but it is definitely interesting to hear. Enter Devon Café (Senayan City Mall, Lower Ground, Jl. Asia Afrika Lot. 19; +62 21 7278 1590; devoncafe. id), one of Sydney’s most beloved coffee and brunch destinations, which opened its first venue outside Australia right here in Jakarta. With innovation as its forefront, the menu offers a fusion of eclectic flavors (Korean, Japanese and Chinese) that reflects Australia’s multicultural society. This time, however, there’s the added element of Indonesian ingredients. Perhaps the best and most riveting example is the Truffle Bakmie. Signatures, meanwhile, include Breakfast with the Sakuma’s which has miso grilled salmon and eel croquette or the Ogre Happy Meal for some grilled ox tongue and hash…

Running continues to be a popular—if not the most popular—sport of choice these days. The easy availability of cool running gear and the prevalence of posting running shots or statistic on social media has also made it a trendy activity. But it’s not all fun and games, as evident by the growing interest in marathons. As it covers a distance of 42.195km, give or take, running a marathon—or even a half marathon—can be quite a daunting task. Even seasoned runners need to plan carefully and train both mind and body to tackle this classic challenge. Still, by building up one’s running time, little by little, bit by bit, it is quite doable. And if you can manage to actually be physically prepared for the race, you will be able to…

Within Tumi’s vocabulary, a bag—whether a piece of luggage or a backpack—is not merely a unit to stuff our belongings in. It is a sculptural and fashionable item that serves as an extension of ourselves and the multidimensional and often fast-paced life we live in. The understanding of the latter is definitely what Tumi excels in, which is evident from its innovative approach, practical designs and high-quality craftsmanship. The fashion element is also glowingly present—and growing. So, Tumi is definitely looking up to a promising and even greater future. DAMAN: What kind of new features is Tumi introducing this fall and winter? Victor Sanz: Some of the things that we’re always looking at are not only from a material standpoint, but also from how we execute the materials. We have…

Model Mihai Bran Make up Alexandra Craescu Hair Alex Sarghe U.S.-Based Creative Director Mitchell Nguyen McCormack…

After running for more than a decade, the current generation of superhero films is starting to show its age. Some are hits, plenty are misses—especially on TV. Syfy’s “Krypton” is definitely a hit. And a big part of this success story is English actor Cameron Cuffe, who plays Superman’s grandfather. So, what is it like being part of a hit in what is an increasingly volatile field? We’ll let the man himself tell his tale. DAMAN: Hi, Cameron. Awesome to have you with us. How are you doing? Cameron Cuffe: I’m really well. Thanks for having me! DA: It’s been quite a while since “Krypton” finished its first run. Today, what do you remember the most about the series? CC: It’s hard to think about what I remember because it’s…

ALEX NEUSTAEDTER Photography Jalen Turner Styling Ty Headlee Twenty year-old Alex Neustaedter has quite a few movies this year. After starring in the sci-fi adventure film “A.X.L” and landing a supporting role in “American Woman,” the young actor still has several upcoming titles. This includes “Low Tide,” the short-movie “Accidental Diplomats” and Sarah Lancaster’s directorial debut “Josie & Jack,” based on the Kelly Braffet novel of the same name. On TV, Neustaedter is also known for playing Bram Bowman in “Colony,” which ran for three seasons. What’s more, Neustaedter might also move on to other aspects of filmmaking. “I’ve been dabbling in writing a bit, nothing too serious right now, but I do enjoy it,” he said. “Ultimately, I’d love to write and direct something down the line. I will…