HOMECOMING by PHIL POYNTER

I wait around like a child at Christmas when it comes to GQStyle. Really the only magazine out there for mens fashion, which nurtures the same integrity and qualities I try very hard to keep in mind with my own blog. It's strong journalism meeting cutting edge fashion and the gentleman in every man that is dying to be revived. Which is oddly enough the theme for the current issue.

Styled by David Bradshaw the scene unfolds with a group of young dapper gents in old-worldian get-ups of natural creams, tweeds and off-white shirts. Although styled with many Paul Smith items the shoot looks awfully similar to that of Burberry.

So refreshing. I hope you enjoy!

Mercedes Benz Award for Fashion 2009

I attended the above mentioned event on Thursday evening with my friend Riaan in tow. It was all in honor of the winners and participants of the 2009 Mercedes Benz Award for Fashion. It was only appropriate that the event was held at the Century City Mercedes Benz Showroom, seeing as Quality, Fashion and Lifestyle are all elements of a Mercedes owner. Well hopefully.

The garments arrived back from Germany where they have been stationed for some time at the Daimler Contemporary House Huth in Berlin.



The intimate event had us steered to the front window where the participants designs were lined up for viewing. Stiaan Louw and his gang of black were downstairs where I snapped up this photo of the chain-vest which took 3 weeks to finish!



The rest of Stiaan's garments can be viewed here.



I met up with Stiaan's muse and friend Morne' for a chat in the above picture and my friend Riaan checks out some of the other garmets below.









Participants included David Tlale, Abigail Betz, Darkie, Mantsho, Craig Native and Maya Prass. Thanks to Stiaan for the Invite!

Snapshot!

Last night I attended the Mercedes Benz Fashion Exhibit where Stiaan Louw and a couple other local designers showcased their entries. While I won't get into that just yet, I do have this photo of Stiaan and I to show you.

More to follow!

Lanvin la vida loca

If my mother knew how expensive these shoes are perhaps I'd have a stern letter in my inbox by morning. No jokes. Lanvin, although fantastic is quite pricey considering import duties on clothing to South Africa. But nonetheless Apsley in Johannesburg stocks a couple pairs anyway. Which is fantastic for us!

These beaded beauties were released some time around April in Europe but only recently made their way to our shores. They retail for R10,400. Yeah. But they are the coolest high-top sneakers I've had in my possession a while, perhaps since these!

They also came in two other colours but I personally think that the Blue is a much better option. It's more neutral and wearable on a daily basis. My only concern would be if those little beads came bouncing off...

GQ Best dressed 2009 - South Africa

Belated Congrats are in order for my friend Jon-Paul Bolus for winning the 2009 Best Dressed award at this years GQ awards, held in Johannesburg.

This guy has some interesting thoughts on the winner if you're keen to read it. He has an interesting point though... Besides I didn't see Man of the Cloth nominated anywhere!

Givenchy Gladiator studded shoes

Remember these Pierre Hardy shoes I coveted last year? Well it seems that Givenchy have gone and put their own spin on this shoe as seen on JakandJil. The studded shoe is making big waves on the fashion scene with jackets and shoes and even denim and so it's not a big surprise that men got in on it too. And it's so high-fashion one wonders just who will wear it?

Riccardo Tisci’ s S/S 10 collection was a “homage to Michael Jackson”. Before you roll your eyes, Tisci had been commissioned by Jackson’s ‘people’ to design (and one would imagine have finished) the costumes for Jackson’s up coming concert dates in London

I definitely would. Wishlist, anyone?

Courtesy of JakandJilblog and Imelda.com.au

DSquared2 for Hercules Magazine

Christmas Gift Ideas for men: The camera

With our beloved Instant Camera photography heading out the door it was only natural that other options would surface. Although it won't be instant like a Polaroid, Lomography is becoming quite popular. Give your man in mind the gift of Creativity this Christmas!

" Each shot yields a 58mm long negative that extends to about two standard frames! Clockwork mechanics grant quiet operation of your Perfekt without the use of batteries! The Horizon Perfekt is the universe’s professional panoramic camera of choice "

You can get yours at OKI-NI which is a fantastic hub for all things cool and modern. If you're a local then Swing by the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock where there is a store dedicated to these and other forms of photography.

Oki-ni also offers you a Lomography Holga starter kit for 68GBP's.If you're anything like me you'll probably need this to practice with first until you get the real thing!

" The same well-known misty, soft-focused vignette images medium-format camera now takes form in a mean and green look! Its built-in Colourflash allows you to take multi-coloured, psychedelic shots. Just remember to calm down when you get your hands on this hulk of a camera! "

My favorite though has to be the FISH-EYE camera! Paul Smith made a limited edition one (although my sources tell me one still sits in the Cape Town store). This camera has a 180 degree wide-angle view and stunning fisheye barrel distortion. The fisheye No2 adds a bulb setting for long exposures, a switch for multiple exposures on the same frame, the ability to fire both a hotshoe flash and the built in flash and has a true fisheye viewfinder.

First Look at the New A-Team!

Following the trend of remaking every movie ever made, (even the bad ones) it's no wonder that the A-teams massive success made the cut too. But while that's all no surprise it is Sharlto Copley of District 9 fame that is. South Africans will know what this means for our country.



The film stars Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck, Liam Neeson as Col John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, Sharlto Copley as Capt. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock, and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson as Sgt Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus. The film is currently in production, aiming for a June 11th 2010 release.

I love me some Sharlto Copley but he needs to contact Man of the Cloth for some free stylistic tips for those Premieres! I don't know how far those South African flag tee's are going to get him!

Janou by Dolce and Gabbana

In association with Sony Ericsson, Design Gods Dolce and Gabbana have released a sexy little phone and short film to go with it. Directed by film director Cyril Guyot.

Mr Guyot, said: “The film is about bad girls desiring an object more than anything, and we felt this was the best way to reflect the key qualities of Jalou by Dolce&Gabbana.

“The style is luxurious and the colours and lighting used throughout are reminiscent of the phone, which is all about glamour, fashion, strong women and fun.”

Features of the Jalou include a 3.2 megapixel camera, mirror key and music player.



Courtesy of Top10.co.uk

Stiaan Louw Mesh Vest

I stopped by Stiaan Louw's studio today for a quick visit and of course to get my hands on the Striped Mesh Vest I have featured here. The mesh allows you to layer, or if you're brave enough to wear as is. That way you get to change the look which gives it more longevity in your wardrobe. The beauty of it is it's versatility. Add a jacket, as shown below and you can make it more wearable for evening. I personally loved it with just a wife-beater vest, my Diesel fold-up skinny pants and Haviana's.

If you're interested in this and other items from Stiaan join his Facebook group here!

1001 Rules for my unborn Son

So refreshing, a great read and a perfect coffee table piece for all you boys out there. Perhaps it's even a good idea to freshen up on some of these rules for yourself!

Follow the blog by the same name here!

If you enjoy Walker Lamond's book you will probably enjoy MR. JONE'S RULES for the Modern Man too by Dylan Jones.

Tom Ford Movie: Oscar Buzz?

Tom Ford is a vision, that much we know! So it really comes as no surprise that his Directorial Debut 'A Single Man' is already stirring some Oscar Buzz. Starring Julianne Moore and Colin Firth the movie is set in the early 1960's and is based on the acclaimed novel by Christopher Isherwood.

See the exciting trailer below!:

Inspiration/Vision Board # 1 : Ahoy Sailor

Gucci iPhone Application

Of course they did! You know, because music mixing and Gucci are two things that naturally go together! By the way, did anyone buy the Gucci phone? Not me... I'm far too confused on whether the iPhone or the Blackberry Bold is to be my next cellular device!



Well you have to give it to Gucci for branching out as much as they can. According to FashionIndie.com this new application synthesizes the world of fashion, technology and music offering Gucci enthusiasts access to exclusive Gucci products, unique playlists, videos, fashion shows, news, events, latest collections, store listings and the ability to mix their own music.



The launch of the Gucci App has been timed to coincide with the itinerant GUCCI ICON-TEMPORARY project, a travelling sneaker store that opens on October 24th at 43 Crosby Street in New York, before moving to Miami on December 1st, and then to London and Tokyo in Spring 2010

"Mini Karl" by Tokidoki

Just as I'm sure you were hoping all along- someone decided to make Karl Lagerfeld into a figurine. Aptly named "Mini Karl" there are only 1000 pieces available. You can buy it exclusively at Parisian boutique Colette and at Tokidoki stores in Milan, New York and L.A. for $190.

" I am very flattered that I became a tokidoki, I always loved them and I am very happy to be one of them!" - Karl Lagerfeld

Designed by Simone Legno of Tokidoki, Mini Karl is completely dressed in K Karl Lagerfeld and stands at 25 cm tall! Perfect for any of you die-hards out there for the upcoming Christmas season!

Stiaan Louw Model Preview

South African designer Stiaan Louw is doing wonderful things to shape menswear in our country. While there will be a lot more to follow I do have some images of latest model/muse Greg Dodds.



Dodds was photographed by Miguel Sobreira wearing clothing from Stiaans Positive Heroes collection, including the horizontal striped mesh creation that I want!



Greg Dodds is of Ymodels.

Model Minute, Zack van der Merwe

Cape Town is known for it's male models. We have a knack for producing some of the best looking boys and girls in the world which makes modeling a viable career option. Come Summer time a flurry of models arrive for the seasons work and go again for the European Summer. Zack Van der Merwe, of Ford models gets this months 'Local Love'. He is currently in Hamburg along with many of our boys.

So how did he get into modeling then? Zack was in Cape Town visiting his girlfriend, when a friend suggested he call photographer, Byron L. Keulemans. Needless to say it went well and he was asked to join Boss, where Keulemans was working at the time.

When asked what his alternative career would be to modeling Zack is sure he would be doing triathlons since he's already such a fitness freak.

His style icon is Brad Pitt because

"he can pull of something as simple as a hoody and also kill anyone in a suit!"

and in true essence of a South African boy turned model his answer to my final question wasn't all that surprising. "Jeans, t-shirts and flip flops" sit atop the list of his favorite style items.









Email me your suggestions on a future Local Love!