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How To Be Chap

The Surprisingly Sophisticated Habits, Drinks and Clothes of the Modern Gentleman 

Gestalten Verlag

Dandyism.

Being a gentleman.

A man of taste.

Taking care of yourself.

Worldliness.

Wit.

Humour.

A modern day equivalent to someone Oscar Wilde would not have minded to have in tow.

Is that too much to ask?

“How To Be Chap - The Surprisingly Sophisticated Habits, Drink and Clothes of the Modern Gentleman” is both a documentation and a guide book to explore the roots, the most prominent exponents and underpinning ideas that inform what constitutes a “chap” in this day and age. Beautifully illustrated, it is a source of inspiration in a world of prefabrication that makes choices for you conveniently with the click of a button.

Even though there is an attitude that is an integral part of the chap-package, we are not necessarily talking elitism here – we are talking lifestyle and digging a bit beneath the surface of face value appearances. Revisiting the traditions and values of the past to enhance the now and confidently stride into the future and enhance your persona – be it with accessories like an umbrella, tweed outfits and a pipe or a general demeanour based on cultivated tastes.

While there is effort made in terms of research and shedding light on the fine things in life, one of the merits of the book is that it does not take its approach religiously serious and therefore makes for an enjoyable read no matter what your personal style may be.

Once you open yourself to the chappish ways, it is not hard to see that there is something to it – something that might add a bit of pizzazz to your blokey way of carrying yourself, especially if your style is informed by the notion that it is unmanly to look after yourself and out thought into how your carry yourself.

Savile Row

Thames and Hudson

Not sure if you are into what is referred to as classic gentlemen style and its intricacies, but if you like a well-fitted great looking suit, getting it tailored at Savile Row is not the worst address – one that comes inextrivably linked with  the connotation of poise, savoir vivre, wordliness and elegance.

James Sherwood’s coffetable book on the commandpost of fine high fashion is richly illustrated with material sources from archives along with specifically orchestrated photos and fashion shootings, along with the history of Savile Row’s tailors.

It not only lists the facts in terms of detailing what goes into the creation of a fine suit and the considerations that are part of the process from sourcing and choosing the fabrics and serves as a guide and resource on how to get your own gear made, but it also dishes up a bit of gossip and inside information and sheds light on some of the larger than life personalities that inhabited and frequented the exclusive street.

It is those skilled tailors that not only give Savile Row its prestige but also make the book as their stories, view on things, the relationship with their renowned and notorious clientele as well as their vision go far beyond the surface and what could be dismissed as a mundane concern with outward appearance.

Being able to chronologically follow the development and different incarnations of the suit as we know it as well as its individual components and seeing how and why it has arrived in what we wear today is an interesting feature that should be interesting not only for the initiated.

Anyone remotely interested in quality, handmade, crafted goods should find this book interesting as it is a celebration of an art that had inspired generations in range of disciplines, which is why it is not further wondrous that the foreword was penned by Tom Ford.

Wim Delvoye

Introspective

Yale University Press

If you have ever read any of our features on the Museum of Old and New Art and the artworks it harbours that were specifically created by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye and focusing on the body and its functions, you would have gotten a sense of how high I hold his oeuvre in esteem.

Delvoye and controversy seem to be inextricably linked, specifically with his more political inspired works and those tackling religion.

Wim Delvoye Introspective is the outcomes of a close exchange between the man himself and distinguished scholars and critics. The beautifully embossed tome entails a comprehensive overview of works artist, highlighting the wide range of media, applications of different techniques, and thought-provoking subjects that inform his art.

Even if Delvoye is not your cup of hot beverage, the depiction of especially his bigger installations think full-size dump-trucks made from laser-cut steel plates fashioned in the style of Gothic architecture and ironwork or massive 60-foot towers constructed of the same material, are a sight to behold. Let alone his pig tattooing projects and footage of his acclaimed multi-media exhibitions.

Delvoye has found and defined a lane for himself – nearly always tongue-in-cheek, at times ridiculous, hardly ever not challenging – a lane for does not abuse conceptual art for obscuring mediocrity or reframing ambiguity.

At over 350 pages, with multiple paper changes, the tome entails, photos, sketches and several essays giving the reader the necessary background info to appreciate Delvoye's approach to contemporary art.

A beautiful and fascinating book detailing the works of a contemporary conceptual great.

Chances are you have come across them.

Ray-Ban.

Classics.

Style.

Worn the world over by rebels as well as the establishment and jetset and hence leaving an imprint on all facets of popular culture.

Wayfarer and Aviator being the staple models that never seem to go out of fashion. Bet you own at least one model – be it an original or a cheap replica 

Timeless throughout Ray-Ban’s nearly eight decade long existence.

What started as a necessity to protect Air Force pilots from the emissions of the sun in the 1930s and became a staple in the realm of military equipment, branched out to become the go-to shades for outdoors activities and eventually transitioned to pop culture helped by the emergence of Hollywood’s glam scene in the 1950s.

Jimmie Dean being what he was without a cause in the fifties.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the early 60ies.

Peter Fonda Easy ridin’ to the end of the hippy era and Bob Dylan wearing them throughout his career.

Bobby deNiro driving taxi and ridding the street off scum while Dirty Harry asked punks to make his day in the 1970s.

The main protagonists in Risky Business, Top Gun as well as icons like Michael Jackson and the Blues Brothers sporting them as a trademark in the 1980s.

Men in Black, Reservoir Dogs an Johnny Depp wearing them while carving his way through bat country in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Various collaborations and special editions / reworkings of classic designs in the noughties.

Ray-Ban has been effortlessly reinterpreting a classic with elegant twists, never losing an iota of relevance and refraining from experiments that would have diluted its DNA.

While Ray-Ban has always been a steady companion, my incarnation on terra australis, where the sun nearly always shines intensely, and Ray-Ban giving birth to new segments with a focus on technology and innovation intensified our relationship:

The Ray-Ban Tech Carbon Fiber Collection incorporated the sturdy yet extremely lightweight quality of carbon fiber, resulting in flexible, and durable frames. The P3 (polycarbonate) and P3PLUS (crystal) lenses guaranteed polarization and vivid and high-definition colors, culminating in something reminiscent of a cinematic experience.

In the 2010s, Ray-Ban Light Ray prescription frames were constructed with a hypoallergenic, durable, flexible, and lightweight titanium alloy and not long after the incorporation of LiteForce, a material that has provided solutions for the automobile, aerospace, electronics, and medical industries started offering the same strength as a traditional frame but with greater flexibility.

Summa summarum:

Through every decade of its existence, Ray-Ban has remained a classic of the enduring kind.

My trusted Ray Ban companion of the current season in sun drenched Australia to prevent me from the fate of Icarus is the new Chromance model.

Why?

Well, as a start they are hardly register on the scale.

The nylon fiber frame is an example par excellence for flexibility.

They come with either bright blue flash or mirror shades, which are designed to maximize contrast and enhance color perception, resulting in a crystal vision.

Pop them on a dreary day and things look up instantaneously as Chromance lenses fine-tune light, making everyday colours brighter, clearer, and more somewhat more extraordinary, while eliminating reflections.

Yup, Ray-Ban might not be the most affordable shades out there yet it is an investment I have yet to regret.

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Photos from official Ray-Ban website

Electric Gardens

Centennial Park

Sydney, Australia

January 27, 2018

We have covered the festival known as Electric Gardens since it first debuted in 2016. What was a success in every aspect and a welcome addition to the festival circuit topped its offerings with its sophomore incarnation last year.

The 2018 shindig saw a refined version with four stages, each of which had their own theme and a high caliber of acts that graced them with their presence.

As mentioned in our previous coverage, Centennial Park is a thing of beauty and its natural features provide an ideal backdrop for a festival of these proportions – if you consult the dictionary to find our more about the “quintessence of a summer’s day out in Sydney”, you might find a picture of the festival in full swing.

This year’s high caliber acts includes Motez, DJ Henry Salz (who took things slow with his accentuated set), a trancey set by Gorgon City and the evening culminating in Fatboy Slim holding court again.

I have waxed lyrical about Norman Cook’s qualities as a headliner act before and this year’s set was not a disappointment either.

Slowly building up, the set covered all of his trademark bases and was framed with the elaborate visually appealing light and video show that enhanced and complemented the musical aspect not just with animations but also footage from movies.

As far as DJ sets go, Fatboy Slim is the gold standard, especially when it comes to catering huge crowds. Mixing tested and tried crowd-pleasers with hints, references and allusions to classic hits, Cook’s delivery was the evidence for why he has never not been considered to be one of the most accomplished and entertaining DJs.

As in previous years, the main stages were framed by chillout areas, mini stages with intimate sets, gourmet food trucks and drinks as well as a VIP Garden Party, with a lavishly themed in- and outdoor area for the ones that wanted to glam up their festival experience.

Electric Gardens 2018 showed that the festival has found its distinctive voice and style that stands for a premium festival in a near ideal location.