Table of contents for February - March 2015 in Da Man

Suit that Suits Pre-collections are often seen as pulling less weight than the seasonal ranges. For French brand Lanvin though, pre-collections serve like a serious warm-up before the main collection rushes in. Having showcased mash-ups of fashion-forward jackets, relaxed suits and formal-with-an-attitude shirts on the spring/summer ’15 runway, the brand’s creative director Lucas Ossendrijver takes on a calmer suiting game for the pre-collection. Constructed from airy materials, the suits are designed in fluid lines to suit the wearer’s body contours. Such construction, thus, allows more flexibility in movement and enables the piece to be worn during the warmer days of summer. Blue Eyes Blue What would be a better time to upgrade your style other than a new year and a new season combined? Of course, the changes do not…

The Legend Continues Mobile gaming might all be the rage nowadays, but the handheld-console scene is still going strong. This year, Nintendo—the long champion of handheld gaming—introduces a new entry to its proud lineup: the New Nintendo 3DS (along with its slightly larger XL variant). With a larger screen, an array of new buttons and its matte plastic casing, the new console looks a lot better and also feels a lot better in your hands. On the software front, the New Nintendo 3DS can easily run any earlier 3DS game as well as a host of new titles that optimizes the use of the handheld’s increased horsepower. send images in an instant. A New Edge While its predecessor already made quite an impression, the brand new Dell XPS 13, introduced…

NYMPHOMANIAC I AND II Stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Stacy Martin, Shia LaBeouf Director Lars von Trier Highly anticipated for both its stellar cast and graphic scenes, “Nymphomaniac” might sound like a straight porno to some. That could easily have been the case—except that most of the sex scenes involve un-simulated sexual acts that will leave you, well, unstimulated. After the opening scene where Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is severely wounded and found helplessly lying on a street by a stranger named Seligman (Stellan Skarsgård), the story proceeds to Joe sharing her life experiences as a sex addict to Seligman. What’s intriguing is that Joe’s sexual encounters are mostly unattached and emotionless, although a man named Jerôme (Shia LaBeouf) managed to leave a lasting impression on her. The four-hour-long movie has…

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is a hot rod. It is the fire breathing brother of the fourth generation Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, the WK2. Built for power, the Jeep SRT is also a breeze to handle and comes with all the bells and whistles one might expect (and more) from a top-of-the-range luxe SUV. UNDER THE HOOD Of course, it is only fitting that any discourse covering a vehicle like the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT begins with the engine. To power the SRT, Jeep borrowed a 6.4L V8 HEMI from Chrysler. HEMI is a trademark owned by Chrysler Group (that also owns the Jeep brand) and iriginally originally refers to a hemispherical-shaped combustion chamber developed by Chrysler in the 1950s, which at the time of its inception…

Having cut her teeth on acting through the long-running “All My Children” TV series, Sofia Black D’Elia deftly stepped into the gritty world of teen drama—including the uber-controversial “Skins”—and now heads into sci-fi territory while shoring up her presence on the big screen. Yet, the rising star is still just as enthusiastic about her career as she is about the more down-to-earth bits of life. DA MAN: hi Sofia, “Project almanac” is just hitting theaters right now. how was your experience filming this movie? Sofia Black D’Elia: Filming “Project Almanac” was an incredible experience. The cast and crew quickly became a family, and we absolutely loved working together. DA: Did filming a found-footage movie provide any unique challenges? SD: Found-footage is such an exciting medium, and, luckily, Dean was more…

It was early December last year when I got invited to experience alfred Dunhill spring/summer ’15 collection in shanghai. upon entering alfred Dunhill shanghai home, there was something noticeably different in the air. “refreshed” and “refined” certainly came to mind, and the winter sunrays that streamed through glass windows of the 1920s neoclassicalstyled villa further punctuated those impressions. in the brightly lit space the quintessential clothing pieces of summer stood on display: exuberant prints, light layering and relaxed silhouettes imaginatively transformed the exhibit into a snappy british summer retreat. “Escape” is the notion that Dunhill explores this season. a frequent traveler with a knack for everything eclectic, the Dunhill man is a gentleman who does not care much about mixing and matching. he nonchalantly picks his most cherished possessions and…

A long with the burgeoning luxury businesses and “it” bag invasions, maintaining personality and exclusivity of a fashion brand has become increasingly difficult. Italian brand Il Bisonte, however, manages to do it with ease. over the last decades, it consistently presents exquisite leather pieces that are 100 percent handmade and produced in Italy. such qualities are rare, we must say, as fashion companies today often outsource huge parts of their production to third-world countries and also rely more on leather-making machines. founded by Wanny Di Filippo in the 1970s, Il Bisonte uses the term “vintage European artistry” to describe the style and concept behind the brand. it all started back when Di Filippo was in his late twenties. while he was somewhat living the lifestyle of a hippie during the…

Spice Whirls The last part of the men’s fragrance trilogy by Armani has finally arrived. Following Eau Pour Homme and Eau de Nuit is Eau d’Arômes, which sports a scintillating golden amber color. The fragrant notes are quite intense and woody, owing to the masterful blend of citrus accords and powerful spices, including chili pepper. Effortlessly making a mark wherever you go, this fragrance option may be the best complement for the dapper figure of a gentleman in a dark suit—just like how Giorgio Armani would wear it. Serge and Rescue A new French brand in town is Serge Lutens. Founded 15 years ago by the eponymous fashion-and-perfume designer, the fragrance label epitomizes luxury in simplicity. The latest unisex offering, L’Eau Froide, appears in a rather unassuming transparent bottle. Upon…

To Die For Bringing inventiveness to the modern-day kitchen showroom, luxury built-in appliance specialists Die Dietrich are doing something a little different down at their hip Kemang location in Jakarta. Their new “La Galerie De Dietrich” showroom houses the entire range of The Premium and Corium Collections of the French brand and also boasts fully functional Valucucine kitchen equipment, meaning that customers can get a feel for each kitchen. Accordingly, the gallery is also putting on weekly culinary classes for customers to attend, led by their own Chef Ambassador Gilles Marx of Amuz restaurant among several other top chefs. Small Favors When it comes to adding a touch of music to every corner of your home, it’s hard to beat Bang & Olufsen’s first ever Bluetooth speaker: the BeoPlay 2.…

Tripping Out UNFINISHED BUSINESS Stars Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco Director Ken Scott A trio of businessmen goes on a business trip to Europe in order to close a deal that will either make or break their fledgling company. Intriguing but not exactly out of the ordinary, right? However, this being a comedy movie, what started as a normal, if somewhat awkward, business trip for three mismatched associates quickly turns into a hilarious adventure involving a rival firm, a sex fetish event, riots and much, much more. In short, many hijinks will ensue before their business becomes un-unfinished. Twist of Fate THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT Stars Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Theo James Director Robert Schwentke Picking up where last year’s “Divergent” left off, “Insurgent” will once again take us…

So far it would seem that Thaksin Shinawatra’s ambitious plan has succeeded. The drive to open thousands of Thai restaurants in every corner of the planet has not lessened the country’s appeal as a culinary destination. If anything, it has grown. This phenomenon is especially prevalent in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where food tourism has become increasingly popular, rivaling even the city’s nightlife and shopping scene. Bangkok, Southeast Asia’s culinary axis, serves up a succulent combination between timeless traditional dishes and modern fare created by brilliant chefs. Below is a lineup of locales offering superb gastronomical experiences around Krung Thep, aka. the “City of Angels.” INDIAN MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY The culinary hotspots in Bangkok aren’t always situated within malls or concrete buildings. Gaggan (68/1 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini; 66 2 652…

“IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR ME TO BE CONSISTENT AND TO ALWAYS BRING MY A-GAME FOR YEARS TO COME” It has been raining since early in the morning. The traffic in Jakarta during such weather is typically devastating; arriving on time would be quite a stretch. But that’s not the case for Dion Wiyoko. Not only does he arrive on time, but Wiyoko also drives his own car to the photo-shoot location. “I hate being late,” he says nonchalantly at one point. Taking a day off from an arduous movie project simply doesn’t slow the actor down. The year 2015 has, in fact, proven to be a very busy year for the thespian. Two of his movies (“Merry Riana” and “Hijab”) already hit the cinemas in January and two others…

Held on december 11, 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand, the Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2015 press presentation took place at the uber-chic The sukhothai Residences. a penthouse at the private residential address was transformed into a gallery-like space to showcase both the women’s and men’s collections. under the direction of British designer kim Jones, the Louis Vuitton’s men’s collection for the season continued to delight fans and the fashion press alike. Jones himself is an avid world traveler and thus his appointment in 2011 as the head of the men’s ready-to-wear division at the french fashion house synonymous with luxury travel was often regarded as a match made in heaven. at Louis Vuitton, Jones displays his finesse in creating collections that showcase a fine balance between high-tech sportswear and travel-inspired outfits. For…

Duo Italiano One of the most exciting pieces of racing-inspired chronographs today is the new Octo Maserati. The smart chronograph design encompasses Bulgari’s iconic Octo steel casing shape, created by the late Gérald Genta, and Maserati’s famous trident logo on the seconds hand. This 41.5mm chronograph is limited to 1,914 pieces only, referring to the year of Maserati’s inception. Sexy Seconds Tourbillon has always been a fascinating watch complication to see. In Cartier’s hands, this complication has evolved into the celebrated Astrotourbillon, which is a tourbillon that circulates around the dial, once per minute. First introduced in 2010, the Astrotourbillon is now featured in the new Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon Skeleton watch. The skeletonized dial, with only XII and VI roman numerals, offe rs an unobstructed view of the Astrotroubillon…

In the midst of colorful and highly imaginative artworks, Bandung-based artist Pramuhendra’s understated yet vivid charcoal paintings really stand out among his peers. Just a quick browse through his works and you will notice a face appear repeatedly: his own face. Be it as Jesus, a pope or a surgeon, the 1984-born artist eloquently investigates controversial topics such as religion while reflecting his own quest for identity on canvas. With exhibitions in Berlin, London, Paris and Hong Kong under his belt, Pramuhendra is undoubtedly one to watch in the contemporary art scene. Me, Myself and I INDONESIAN ARTIST PRAMUHENDRA ADDRESSES INTRIGUING THEMES BY USING A SYMBOL HE IS MOST COMFORTABLE WITH: HIMSELF Hi Pramuhendra, why do you always stage yourself as various different figures in your works? I view it…

UPTOWN SPECIAL Mark Ronson The British DJ is ushering in a clasical mix of ‘80s punk/R&B classic mix with his fourth album. Having shot to fame after producing the late Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” record, Ronson is nowadays known not only for his eclectic taste of music but also for the people he collaborates with. The lead single “Uptown Funk” features Bruno Mars belting his groovy vocals to the accompaniment of clashing cymbals and upbeat trumpet blows. Another song deserving equal attention would be “Daffodils,” which synthetizes Kevin Parker’s hypnotic voice to the beat of ‘80s disco thumps. Even rapping gets ripped and sexed up quite a bit, ‘80s punk style, as shown in “Feel Right” which touts the lyrical talent of none other than New Orleans rapper Mystikal.…

Thai Hospitality Previously known as the Atrium Bangkok, the newly refurbished Avani Atrium Bangkok (1880 New Petchburi Road, Bangkok, Thailand; +66 2718 20001; avanihotels.com) has something to offer for just about anybody looking for a place to rest, play, or do business in the bustling Asoke-Sukhumvit area. Here, Thai hospitality abounds, as do modern leisure facilities and high-end cuisine options, such as Benihana—the famed Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. All this is presented in a 23-story contemporary building with a decidedly upbeat vibe, nestled snugly in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant capital. Tranquil Retreat Tokyo has always been a prime example of how a major city can balance modernity and tradition. At the new Aman Tokyo (The Otemachi Tower, 1-5-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; +81 03 5224 3333; amanresorts.com) visitors can…

It takes only a glimpse at Salvita Decorte to tell that she is a model. Clad in a head-to-toe black outfit with no smudge of makeup visible on her face, she sports that distinct “off-duty model” look that distinguishes her from the crowd. Appearing somewhat shy and introverted at first, she quickly makes herself comfortable once the interview begins. The dark-haired model fluently shares her life accounts and often goes on monologues as her mind constantly wanders about. Modeling found Decorte at a young age. It was her friend who persuaded her to give it a try when she was still in junior high. “I was a really shy girl. I would simply shut down when I met new people. But my friend pushed me, so I asked my mom…

The FIA Formula e championship created quite a buzz when its first race was held in one of the world’s most polluted cities in the world, Beijing, in september 2014. This new class of environmentally friendly racing then took to the streets of Putrajaya, malaysia on saturday, november 22. it marked the second race of the world’s first fully electric racing championship. Predicted to be a strong contender for Formula one, this sport has celebrities including leonardo dicaprio and richard Branson as team backers. Pioneering swiss watch brand TAG Heuer takes part in the whole event as the official watch, partner and timekeeper. Formula e itself is committed to the promotion of sustainability and seeks to drive change toward an electric future. like TAG Heuer, it is a pioneer in…