This Is Not A Suit

Isn't it depressing to see those people that excell in multiple fields, hogging all that acclaim that could possibly be laid on you, if you could tear yourself away from 'Two and a Half Men'. And for those of you thinking "man, what a shit show to watch", beat it, because I'm highly considering turning this blog into a Charlie Sheen fan page but leaving the title the same. He lives the dream... lives it in a bowling shirt.

Adrian Sauvage, menswear designer and photographer, has embarked on a radical project entitled 'This Is Not A Suit' detailing the individualism of sartorial expression through various subjects. In doing this he blends high fashion pieces with street characters and high quality photography, the result is 100% pure, mountain filtered, ligtly sparkling awesomeness.

Shot in Venice, CA, Sauvage attempts to express the individuality of each character by providing the suiting but no directoral influence, allowing the suit to take on a different meaning for the wearer.

Now go forth and do something radical, then when you've succeeded at it imagine your father who used to beat you with a belt as a child giving you his 'don't git cocky boi' look, then go out and master something new. That'll show him.

Here's a free tip...

If, like myself, you find yourself at a loose end from time to time and enjoy getting engrossed in some good bloggage, here's today's tip; If you read only one blog, don't make it this one, make it Bear Grylls.

Talking about Bear Grylls has become a contentious issue when brought up in conversation. Just like politics or religion, we all know you have an opinion, but it's probably best to keep it to yourself if you don't want to end up looking like a wanker. Unless thats your thing, if so, click here. I'm a funny guy, no need to thank me.

If I may have my two cents worth on the life changing issue, yes Bear does things which are clearly all for the camera, and yes he probably does have a team of people to help him out. But on the other hand, watch this and not think it's awesome, and if you don't, go see a doctor because you might have come down with a serious case of "loser", I hear it's going around. The only cure is a wedgy.

Organic Styling

In the age of bling and show, big chains, rosary beads, and dog tags do little more than tag the wearer as a prize douche. But this is well covered territory. What about those who wish to have something for the neck that doesn't automatically give the wearer the unnerving urge to tell 'bro's' to 'chug' their 'brewski's'? Here's an option, the good people at Good Wood NYC have provided you with some choice and well styled adornments for your neck.

And here's the best part, order it online and you never have to get off your ass. I'm not trying to make anyone feel lazy, it's entirely understandable, C.S.I. Miami is on tonight, and that show rocks. Although it did lose its mystery when i found the script.

[Scene opens to a panning shot of the everglades, but something is amiss, there is a car half sub-merged in the water]

LATIN DUDE: It seems the victim was dead before the car was put into the water judging by the deep wounds to the groin and neck.

HORATIO: Good, what else can you tell me?

LD: I'd say judging by the outfit he was on his way to some sort of sport practice...

H: Well I guess we'll have to tell his team [slowly takes off sunglasses and looks down at an angle] they'll all be playing injury time.

[Return to panning shot of the Everglades]

MUSIC: YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Don't worry they'll get the bad guy, and at one stage you'll yet again be duped into thinking the blond lab girl with the annoying voice that runs seemingly useless tests is hot. Don't be fooled, it say's right here in the script that she isn't.

NOTE: So I may have lied, judging by the amount of rappers wearing Good Wood NYC's product it's bound to feature on Jersey Shore soon. Shit, all is lost.

Au Revoir

Sensory Overload

Do you ever find that you see some things and think 'there are alot more creative people than me around'? I dont know about you but I think that most days, particularly as I make a habit of finding things that make me wonder how the hell someone thought of the idea. My second thought is generally 'Where the hell do they find the time to do these things? Do they get paid for this?'. I'm sure they must, some creative expressions are so elaborate that they must, I mean take the following for example, it's not as though someone just turned on the bedroom light one day and it happened like this...
HUSBAND: "Honey theres something wrong with the... (eyes widen, a happy tear forms)"
WIFE: [running from the kitchen] "What is it? I swear if you got it stuck in your zipper again you can get a taxi to the hospital... (notices light show) Is this what you've been doing up here recently? [walking away] I swear sometimes my father is right about you."
HUSBAND: "Bitch"
ENVISION : Step into the sensory box from SUPERBIEN on Vimeo.

When people create something of such beauty you start to think "Hey, maybe there is a god. A god who created the heavens and the earth, man and woman, the ability to love". Then you realise how gay that thought was and remind yourself that he also created tigers, theme parks and Batman. Get your head in the game. Fuck. [Chugs beer, slaps high 5 and leaves].

We're good here

What's in a Name?

EVERYTHING! Especially when it involves my favourite word (no point for guessing). Which brings me to the point of this meeting. Being the end of summer we've all switched our board shorts for steamers in anticipation, or reaction to, the cold water pumping glassy winter waves onto our beaches. As I discarded my boardies I had what some in the romantic comedy film industry would call 'the final revelation' (yes, I made that up) in which me and my board shorts realise that our conflict is not greater than our love and we finally give ourselves to one another (in a slow motion scene to the sound of Jeremy Jordan). Romantic in that we have reached the moral of our story; that love conquers all. Comedy in that I am still talking about my boardies.

But this revelation is bittersweet as I realise the terrible state that my boardies are in, after countless surf's, never being rinsed in fresh water, and numerous mid-surf 'you know that attracts sharks, right?!' moments, they are looking considerably worse for wear. The hems on the side have been stitched up by my mum (thats right... ladies), the pattern on the front is barely recognisable, and what was once black is now a questionable purple. Time to put them to rest and find a new partner in crime.

It was then I realised (while tilting my head and eyes up and ever so slightly to the right) that winter wasn't looming everywhere in the world, that topsiders were just going into the glory season. My thoughts turned immediately to my favourite named brand 'Warriors of Radness'. It's the kind of name that should swoop onto the screen with accompanying fireworks and a guy with a handlebar moustache giving you the thumbs up. Their apparel is along the line of 90s hypercolour beach wear, but the one thing I think they do really well are their board shorts, or trunks. The higher up the thigh the shorts go, the more they remind you of Elvis at the beach, and the more they deserve to be called trunks.

Feast your eyes on the 90's radness...

Check out all the Warriors of Radness gear and Spring Lookbook.

If I'd known this was going to turn into an ode to my boardies, I'd have brought refreshments.

I shall leave you with perhaps the most well renowned film quote of our time;

"Surfboard wax mixed with dog hair and sand... NOT BAD!!"

Playmate Rides

You're intrigued, I can tell, the initial thought in your head is swirling around and you think "Is he talking about what I think he is?". Probably not, but I'm definately thinking it too now.

Today I was privy to a most radical revelation (Wayne's World Guitar Riff), one which I will make a concerted effort to transfer into a hobby in the future. Did you know that each year the Playboy 'Playmate of the Year' recieves a free car (with two exceptions)? Neither did I. This isn't an exhibition of my mechanical knowledge (which is limited to my big wheel) but rather to prove that fake boobs and low self esteem can, cometimes, help you win the minor jackpot. Let's all just forget the fact that they probably all sold these cars to fuel their prescription drug habit brought on by too much nipping and tucking. That Hef, what a guy...

In 1964 Donna Michelle recieved the original Ford Mustang in Playmate Pink.

Only to be trumped by Connie Kreski in 1969 with the original Shelby GT500 Fastback, still one of the greatest cars ever made.

A mere two years later (1971 for the non-savant's in the crowd), Hef mixed it up by giving the lovely Sharon Clark this Spectra Ski boat.

Fast forward to 1988, after a period during which many Porsche's and Jaguar's flew out the mansion doors, India Allen recieved this California Countache Roadster, which although looking and sounding like a Lamborghini, is actually a kit car (Hef saved on the badge and splurged on... let's say a Tiger)

Skipping past Anna Nicole Smith and Jenny McCarthy to 1996 when the leggy Stacy Sanches recieved this high priced gem...

Retro Babe: "Awwww it's so cute, but seriously... where's my Porsche?"
Hef: "Ha you always were funny, now you're fired... (noticing massing crowd) GROTTO PARTY"

Skipping Victoria Silvstedt and her boring Porsche Boxster, we reach Heather Kozar in 1999 with her Shelby CSX 4000 Series Cobra. Another classic ride.

And yes, I know that's a man driving the car, get out of my grill.

Finally, skipping to this years Mansion nug Hope Dworaczyk who recieved a BMW S1000RR motorcycle. Look at her sitting on it going "Vroom Vroommmmm... am I doing it right?"

Yes dear, yes you are.

The only selection porcess I can gather from the past selections is one of the following;

A) The girls pick their gift themselves, which speaks alot for the intelligence of playmates (The 1973 playmate got a Volvo wagon)
B) When it comes to selection day minions attempt to deciphes what comes out of gereatric Hef's mouth as he engages in another grotto orgy
C) Both at the same time, because in my mind that's what goes on every day.

Check out the entire list at Jalopnik.

Adios

Cudi = Hero

You know that moment when you discover that your hero, the one person you look up to for guidance and support, the pillar of your belief, if nothing but a mere human, weak to all the same temptations and tribulations of life as you? Well sack up, because this isn't that moment.

This is like when you saw Rob Dyrdek had produced Rob & Big, possibly the best reality show ever, while still being an awesome skater and all round funny fuck.

This is like when LeBron hit the floor on the court, the crowd goes into hurried whispers right before he stands up, drains a buzzer shot, looks you directly in the eye to make sure you know, he is that good.

This is like Cudi...


cudderisback from Decon on Vimeo.


If thats not one of the best things you've seen this week then I have to roll with you more often.

Peace I'm outta here

We're Talking Tailored

Getting all Sartorial on this Friday. I've always been of the opinion that great fashion is all about cut and tailoring rather than bedazzled skulls (you know who you are, die). There's a reason that your favourite T fits like a glove and you refuse to throw it out even once it starts to wear through. Although, judging by what's worn out these days it's probably coming back in vogue. Like me, my popularity is cyclical between 'awesome dude' and 'radical guy', you'd have to ask someone else where in the cycle we are though, I'm too busy being cool.

I seem to get obsessed with certain garments which are very 'flash in the pan', and generally 'out there' enough that I can't pull them off. But what can I say, I got a sartorial boner.

New Zealand brand Stolen Girlfriends Club, who I've only just started to delve into has some righteous stuff. Admittedly the piece that I fancy is a season old, but I never said everything on here would be new, just radical.

A piece like this Two Time Jacket just makes you think 'Born in the USA' kind of cool. If you thought 'George Michael - Faith' you're gay. When I said I wasnt judging, I lied.

And now for the lower half, direct from the scenester boutique hiding on Howard St in NY, are these Nigel Cabourn pant and braces. But they're just the start of the legit menswear available at Opening Ceremony, all available to you at the low low price of your first born child.

*Looks in mirror*

Totally worth it.

PS. Good luck finding the Stolen Girlfriends Club jacket in any of their Sydney boutiques, that ain't happening.

Cocktail Hour... Daiquiris

As the lights rise we find our intrepid scientist looking jubilantly at the sporatic array of CD's, bubbling beakers, and expensive equipment strewn across the privately funded lab.
"Sounds of the ocean, rising keyboard synths, funk guitar, it's so goddam simple, why didn't we think of it?" he exclaims looking for his skiddish assistant.
Alas, just a smoke outline of him remains.



Radical song, no? Even if it is super old. Reminds me of summer. *ripple fade to beach babe montage* that's niceee

Less kick/push, more coast...

Whilst I in no way condond this as a first choice of man(or woman, I'm very sensitive... ladies)-powered transportation, as that should always be a radical skateboard, these bikes are very choice. Being fully customisable, I've literally spent a few hours changing around the colour combinations on the base model to come up with something awesome before realising that I am horrendously colourblind. It's like the kid in art class that no matter how many times they try to paint the beautiful butterfly to prove he's special to mummy, it always ends up as a brown blob. The bad news is now that brown blob is the bike you just designed and bought, the one you though was super cool until you took it for its maiden ride and you see the vicious whispers start to spread. It's only a matter of time now until you hear the school bell ring and find your new ride in a tree while the kids on the lacross team yell 'pushbike pansy' while running laps around you like a human peloton. Man high school was rough.

But these rides are one way to avoid that whole (ficticious) situation. Republic Bike ensure that each model is hand assembled to your colour specifications, crank configuration (fixed or single speed) and delivered right to your door. A short period and little more than IKEA furniture building skills later you can be coasting along on your awesome new bike thinking; yeah,this is radical. Just try to design something better than the kid from art class.

The King of Cool

Long gone are the days when people would sit around and hear (tolerate) stories of old. Even the thought of an elderly person rambling "Let me tell you a story about my day" while settling into their favourite chair is enoght to make most people fake liver failure just to get out of there. But here's a free tip, some people's stories are well worth the time.

How about a kid who grew up on the streets, stole cars, spent a small time as a pimp, lost his virginity to a prostitute in exchange for baked goods, did time, then eventually made good in Hollywood and was dubbed the 'King of Cool'? Huh, what about then? Bet you'd listen wouldn't you. Have more respect for your elders.

To be honest old people are boring and deserve you proclaiming loudly "Get with the times grandpa, noone cares how the "wireless" (inverted commas hand gesture) works, geeze" before you go back to scrolling through songs on your iPod and blowing excessive bubbles with your gum. But god help you if you say that to Steve McQueen or else you'll have me (an anomyous stranger, yeah) to deal with.

I may be biased in my admiration/homage for Steve McQueen (see header photo) but a movie star dubbed the coolest man alive, with impecible styling, a love for motorcycle racing, and a colourful past, seems pretty hard to top. Written by Michael Munn, who took a road trip with McQueen in the summer of 1970, it'll be an awesome read about a radical guy. Get involved.

The book, coming September 2010, is "Steve McQueen - Living on the Edge". Trust me you could waste your time reading far worse material, like Dan Brown, or this blog. Go learn about how to be cool.

EDIT: Is it nerdy to speak about books 'coming soon' like you would with films? Maybe. Good thing I don't care about your opinion and go to sleep on a bed of naked models every night. Phenominal back support.

Soundtrack to my life

It's happening again. The sun has started to set betore you get home from a day's toil and the evenings are getting cool enough to warrant wearing sweaters around the house. People remark about the 'balmy weather' on days that weeks ago would have gone unnoticed, whilst saying how late 'winter' has come this year. Soon enough we'll all be parading around in peacoats and scarves pretending that Australian winter deserves the title.

In my mind each season has a soundtrack. Summer is the king of party tunes (house, trance, progressive, and 200 other variations I'm not cool enough to know about yet) with house parties and heaving festival crowds seeming stock standard. But coming into the colder months we want something else to sink our teeth into as we turn up our collars to hide from the winter winds. Let me throw some suggestions out there, just for a second, just to see how it feels.

Dropping his third mixtape at the end of August, Theophilus London has yet again given us something radical to get involved in. Between covering Marvin Gaye and collaborating with Ellie Goulding and Vampire Weekend you'll get the idea.

And just because he's a super bloke and thinks you're super neat, it's free. 'Where?' You ask. Just at This Charming Blog, good sir.
Now what do you say... Thankyou Mishter London

Speaking of men and their mixtapes (mine will drop right after I find some talent), Jay Electronica constantly reminds me of the idealistic days of listening to Mos Def , Talib Kweli, Nas, and pretending pre-teen me knew what they were talking about. Now I just sit on the train listening to music, nudge the person next to me and whisper "they're talking about sex", before doing a humping motion and nodding my head. Listen to his three part hip-hop chronicle released dropped toward the end of 2009.

Jay Electronica - Exhibit A --> Jay Electronica - Exhibit B --> Jay Electronica - Exhibit C

You know that feeling of loving every song on your iPod until you put it on shuffle, then nothing's good enough for your discerning tastes (why's that even on here?!). One tune I can never skip past is this little fella. Feeling warmer as the mercury drops yet?

Blu & Exile - So(ul) Amazing

Last but definately not least, a little flashback, and the song that gets me from the front door to the train station in the a.m.

People Under the Stairs - Acid Raindrops

Put on some comfortable kicks, grab your winter coat, put in the earphones, and step to the beat.

Radical