Celebrity bling is big business, and all of the top Hollywood stylists know that when it comes to red carpet mens fashion, less is more… or is it? Men are taking more risks with accessorizing and the popularity of wearing cufflinks to formal events is once again rising. A small yet essential detail for a stylish formal look, cufflinks add that extra bit of luxury to any man’s outfit.
But what we all want to know is- what do the celebrities wear when it comes to cufflinks?
The answer, in short, is really expensive designer ones! Costing anywhere from $400 to over $3000 a pair, designer cufflinks do not come cheap. The average Joe can get a great pair of replicas for under $100, but for those who have the cash, why not splash?
Brad Pitt is a fan of Nathan Tim cufflinks, which retail at around $400 a pair. Made of stainless steel and Murano glass, these cufflinks are ultra-modern. Available in circle and oval shapes, these brightly-coloured little gems feature flower designs, tortoiseshell prints and retro circular patterns. For something truly unique, check out their white gold and dinosaur bone (yes, dinosaur bone) cufflinks for a cool $3195.
“Mesozoic era dinosaur bone accompanied by a 2mm round cognac diamond inset in brushed back button. Sixty-five million years old and unearthed form the American Southwest, this dinosaur bone comprises less than five percent of fossilized bone. The rich earthen tones are the direct result of interactions between soil minerals and the dinosaur, creating a unique link between the past and present. Bone color and pattern will vary slightly due to its unique nature.”
Image from Shop.nathantim.com
S.T. Dupont cufflinks are another celebrity brand of choice for their luxurious designs and of course, for their cool cameo in Casino Royale, as worn by Daniel Craig. Celebrity or not, no man can resist a piece of James Bond style, even when the price tag is set at $300 and up.
Image owned by BondLifestyle.com
At this year’s Oscars, actor, writer and director Stanley Tucci was photographed wearing a set of Bulgari cufflinks. Known for their opulent cufflinks featuring precious stones such as lapis, onyx, mother of pearl and pavé diamonds, it’s no wonder that Bulgari is a favourite cufflink choice amongst the rich and famous.
Image from bulgari.com
Fashion mogul and music star P Diddy is known for always looking impeccably-dressed and for being a shameless self-promoter. As the CEO of the Sean John brand, Diddy is not above wearing his own designs including his skull and crossbones cufflinks.
Image from Nordstrom.com
Steven Spielberg is a fan of Faberge cufflinks, and even wore them to pick up his Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. With these Russian treasures reaching over $4000 at auctions, they are reserved for the seriously wealthy. The good news for the rest of us is that replicas can be bought for under $50 so we too can have a piece of the historic Faberge look for our special occasions.
Gold Faberge cufflinks in form of Imperial Eagle. Copyright Harrogate Museums and Arts, Harrogate Borough Council
For a bit of Australian home-grown celebrity style, follow the lead of the stylish Television 7 news team, who are often seen wearing malebox brand cufflinks.
Cool and contemporary, Blue Shade cufflinks from malebox sport a versatile, multi-tonal design that complements any shade of blue tie.
Hollywood style is easy for any man to achieve- simply see what the celebrities are wearing and tailor it to your own lifestyle and price point. Thanks to the many retailers delivering custom cufflinks at affordable prices, your style will never have to be less than A-list.
Although the popularity of natural skin care has risen in past years, using things such as olive oil to maintain our appearance is nothing new. In fact, ancient civilizations in Egypt, Rome, India and Greece were among the first people to use natural products in their skin care routine. Avocadoes, flower essences, oils and butters were all used on various parts of the body, but one of the most versatile and beneficial products they used was olive oil.
Why Olive Oil?
The reason that the Mediterranean diet is so beneficial is because of its heavy reliance on consuming olive and olive oil. Olives contain a high amount of vitamin E- the essential ingredient for glowing skin, shiny hair and strong nails. Internally, consuming olive oil has also been proven to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, prevent certain types of cancer and help to maintain a healthy weight. The secret lies in the olive’s high level of antioxidants, which attack free radicals in the body that lead to illness, disease and ageing. Not bad for a tiny little fruit!
Olive Oil for Skincare
Now that we know the benefits of olive oil for the health, how do we get the best results for the skin?
Here is a list of how to add olive oil to your skincare regime:
For hands- Use a dime-sized amount of olive oil and rub into the hands and cuticles daily to fight dry, cracked skin.
For feet- After having a bath or before bed time, rub olive oil into the feet (concentrating on the heel area) to banish dry, flaky skin on the feet.
For hair – If you have dry hair or flaky scalp, use a dime-sized amount of olive oil after shampooing and massage onto the scalp area. Let sit for 5- 10 minutes and then rinse off. Do this once a week until the condition of your hair improves.
For face – Use a olive oil based shaving soap, cleansing milk and moisturizer. Make sure that the products use pure olive oil and natural ingredients for the best results. A good example is the Italian made range of Riana Naturale and Olive products, available at the mens fashion website malebox.
Check out some of the range below…
Now that you have your skincare regime sorted, here are some more uses for olive oil to keep you feeling your best:
Lip balm- Instead of using a waxy stick to relieve chapped lips, try rubbing a dab of olive oil on them instead.
Fine lines and wrinkles- Rubbing oil into line and wrinkles on the face morning and night can be just as effective as using an anti-aging cream.
Eczema and psoriasis- Many people have found relief by using pure olive oil to remedy eczema and psoriasis- often with better results than topical steroid creams. Apply 3-4 times daily to see an improvement within 2 weeks.
For just a few dollars, keeping olive oil in your kitchen pantry will provide numerous uses and benefits for your skin and hair. As with any new product, check with your doctor before you using it on your skin in case of allergic reaction.
Browse more men’s gifts for the man that has everything at Malebox.
malebox featured in FHM with Jennifer Hawkins on cover!
malebox featured in FHM with Jennifer Hawkins on cover
Checkout the Editors choice page and page 78….
….but seriously stop looking at the cover and check out our accessories and men’s gifts that will have you looking so good that you may attract your own Jennifer Hawkins…
Hair styles are a critical component of mens fashion and can make a huge difference to your look. Is your hair desperately in need of an update? If you’ve let your hair grow out into a style-less mess or you are guilty of keeping the same haircut for years on end, then make 2010 the year to try something new. Not only will a new hairstyle make you feel better about yourself, but changing your hairstyle can transform your entire look. A good stylist will know how to bring out your best features and give you a cut that flatters your face, but if you are stuck for ideas on what style you want, check out these popular hair trends for 2010:
Hair Trend 1: Texture, Texture, Texture!
Texture is the “must have” look for any haircut this year. Whether you sport a super-short cropped do or a longer layered style, invest in some matte wax or pomade to finger through your hair every morning. The goal is to give your hair definition, direction and volume—only a small amount is needed for maximum results.
Hair Trend 2: The Way Is Forward
Since texture is so important this year, you may be wondering how to style your hair to achieve a modern look. The “rocker” look is right on trend this year, with messy hair being styled forward towards the face. Schwarzkopf Professional demonstrates the texture and forward direction perfectly with their “New Rebel” look:
If you have short to medium layered hair, use pomade to create a messy, forward swept look to get a rebellious, edgy look in minutes.
Hair Trend 3: Side Swept Fringes
Men’s hair as of late has taken a more romantic turn, with longer, layered styles becoming more popular. In 2009, the “Emo” look was hugely popular and men everywhere were letting their hair grow into poetic styles. This year, this look is still popular but with a more refined twist. The focus is on maintaining style and form with longer hair rather than let it grow out into a shapeless mass. One way to create a polished longer look is to cut a side swept fringe that ends at eye level. Create a deep side part and use wax or pomade to coax the fringe towards the side of your face. Use a small amount of wax to add definition to the rest of your ends for a refined longer hairstyle.
For men with short to medium length hair, you can still work the side swept fringe trend by letting the top layers grow out so you can achieve this look:
If texturized hair isn’t your thing, then fear not. This year another hot trend is a throwback to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Perfectly-styled hair (think Ralph Lauren model) that is parted and brushed to the side is one of the most popular hairstyles for men being seen on the catwalk and the red carpet. Men with straight or wavy medium hair can achieve this look easily by using a comb and styling gel. If you have shorter hair, grow the top layers out longer so you have more to work with.
However you choose to update your hairstyle this year, remember not to ignore your face either. Invest in a men’s facial grooming kit for a great complexion that compliments your hair. Try the Italian made Riana Almond and Olive face care pack from malebox. It’s the perfect men’s gift.
Keeping your skin and hair looking great doesn’t involve a great investment of time or money and the results can be truly transformative. Spending that extra 5-10 minutes a day on a proper hairstyling and skin care regime will instantly make you more attractive, confident and stylish.
Commonwealth Games 5000m nominee Ben St Lawrence has shown he is on track for New Delhi (IND) by clocking the fifth fastest time over 3000m in Australian athletics history at the Notturna di Milano meet in Milan, Italy, overnight.
Less than a week after posting a time of 7:58.55 to place eighth over 3000m at the IAAF Continental Cup meet in Split (CRO) last weekend, St Lawrence last night crossed the line in 7:42.94 to leap from No. 29 to No. 5 on the national all-time list, trailing only Craig Mottram (7:32.19), Collis Birmingham (7:38.77),Shaun Creighton (7:41.60) and Lee Troop (7:41.78) on the Australian all-time leaderboard.
The result betters St Lawrence’s previous career-low mark of 7:49.28, set at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic in May, by almost a full seven seconds and shows the 28-year-old New South Welshman is on track for a big Commonwealth Games debut in New Delhi next month.
One of malebox's favourites, Ben St Lawrence is ready for Delhi
Anniversary celebrations were held yesterday around Sydney, culminating at Olympic Park for the lighting of the cauldron. As we were having a “sparkling water” prior to the scheduled lighting, the Olympic flame mysteriously burst into life, forcing technicians to re-boot the gas fed mechanism, which delayed the official moment. The Olympic stars eventually made it to the podium where Freeman held her Sydney 2000 torch aloft as the flame was ignited remotely.
Premier Kristina Keneally said while the Olympics were a high point, the city’s greatest achievements were to come – hopefully hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Hopefully some refereeing decisions go our way by then!
As per usual, there were plenty of well-dressed athletes on hand to celebrate this event. As I mentioned last week at Vogue Fashion’s Night Out in Sydney – the skinny tie was in force… If you dont have one at the moment, you are definitely missing out on the hottest look in town.
The celebrations concluded with drinks on the sporting arena and dinner in the Millennium room to honour Australia’s Olympians and Paralympians.
Amongst many highlights, we were privileged to hear from John Coates and Lord Sebastian Coe, president of the London Games organising committee. The former legendary distance runner, who won Olympic gold in 1980 and 1984 over 1500 metres, said Australia and England had much in common in their attitude to sports.
Dimitri Kontopos and Lord Sebastian Coe at the Sydney Olympic 10 year celebrations
“Only three countries in the history of the world in the Olympic movement have been to every winter and summer Games,” Lord Coe said. ”Of course, surprise, surprise – one is Australia and one is Great Britain.”
Amongst the crowds the malebox boys were able to catch up with a number of people including John Howard, Lord Sebastian Coe and John Konrads (Australian 1500m Freestyle Swimmer – Gold Medal 1960 Rome – wearing malebox Signature Blue Shades Tie).
John Howard and Dimitri Kontopos
Dimitri Kontopos and John Konrads (wearing malebox designed Blue Shades Tie)
The night ended when chatting to James Tomkins (6 time Olympian) who recommended myself, Mark Bellofiore (Canoe Slalom Olympian) and Harry Kontopos wear less hair product and toughen up a little…. I guess when a triple Olympic Gold Medalist tells you to toughen up, you shouldnt bring up singing in TV commercials…. well I would have if I thought of it…
Last Thursday night’s official launch of Vogue Fashion’s Night Out Sydney was an indication that Sydney’s locals are willing to spend up big on hot brands.
An official opening was held on the steps of the MLC centre with a range of models including Samantha Harris, Rosemary Smith andElyse Taylor to name a few. malebox men were seen tripping over their tongues on numerous occasions…
The city was a flurry of activity with stars mixing it up with shoppers keen on new apparel and accessories. DJ’s in shopfront windows and cocktails were the norm around the CBD. Amongst the celebraties were Cate Blanchett, Ian Thorpe, Rebecca Twigley, Kirk Pengilly, Andrew Kelly, Libby Greig and Layne Beachley to name a few…
The highlight for me was the pre-Ivy drinks and DJ set at Farage in MLC. Joe and the crew put on a fantastic display and reminded me about how great their collection is, for both men and women. Hanging out with Kirk Pengilly and Layne Beachley (check out her range of Blue Kiss swimwear – it’s very cool) reminded me that Aussies who are massive on the world stage are still down to earth individuals not carried away by their success…. Good on you both…
Joe Farage, Layne Beachley, Dimitri Kontopos and Kirk Pengilly
Photo: Joe Farage (Farage), Layne Beachley (World Champion Surfer), Dimitri Kontopos (malebox’s Head Designer and Image Consultant) and Kirk Pengilly (INXS).
There we so many skinny and slim ties around. If you dont have one at the moment, you are definitely missing out on the hottest look in town. (It’s not for everyone though, so make sure your body shape is suitable!)
After Farage, we were ushered by Kerry Greig (Farage) into Ivy where guests gathered for a few drinks and mixed it up with what seemed like most of the Fashion community. I was last seen eating the Vogue sign, constructed elegantly and tastefully from Lindt Chocolate… now that’s a great ending to the night…
Up until recently, image consultants have had a reputation for working with two types of clients only – the rich and the famous. Hollywood celebrities, jet-setter executives and public figures always had a stylist on hand to ensure that their impeccable image was maintained. However, the rules have changed. People from all walks of life understand that looking good can help you be more confident and successful, and now image consultants work with everyone from company directors to stay-at-home mums. (more…)
Men are notoriously light when it comes to packing, so it’s no surprise they often overlook carrying handy essentials to make their trip more enjoyable and hassle-free. If you are a man guilty of under-packing, or you are the other half to a forgetful packer, then read below to discover the travel essentials that every man needs. For business or for pleasure, these must have accessories will be invaluable on any excursion. (more…)
As shorts, polo tees and sandals are just hitting the shops in America and Europe for the summer season, here in Australia it’s all about embracing the darker days of Autumn/Winter 2010. But just because the days are shorter and the weather is cooler, doesn’t mean that our wardrobes must suffer.
In fact, the catwalks are showing some surprisingly bright looks for the fall and winter that are sure to liven up any man’s wardrobe. Here is what the designers and retailers are showing for Autumn/Winter 2010, and how to get the look yourself: (more…)
The cufflink is a classic piece of men’s fashion that never goes out of style, however the design features of cufflinks can vary season by season. If you are buying cufflinks for the first time or are looking for an update to your existing collection, it’s important to know what is out there on the market. Let’s take a look at what the designers are saying about cufflinks in 2010. (more…)
Cufflinks are a great accessory when wearing a French cuff shirt. But they are not just fashion accessories for men – over time cufflinks are also good investments. Some cufflinks are quite valuable especially if they contain precious stones or if they have sentimental value. If you are a serious cufflink collector should always have a cufflink box to store them safely. The cufflink storage case will protect your collection from potential damage. It will also look great! Check out www.malebox.net.au/Cufflink-box
For collectors of cufflinks, safe cufflink storage is a must. You can easily arrange your cufflink collection in a leather or wood cufflink storage case. Some choose to store by colour or by style. Because cufflink boxes have lined storage areas, you can group the cufflinks into several lines. On the other hand, if you really have a large collection, you can assign a cufflink box for each style. It’s really up to you. Most men prefer to just have all their cufflinks in one spot. The more cufflinks… the bigger the box! (more…)
At some point, you have too many Ties and Belts which outgrow the space between your socks and undies. Ever thought to yourself….gee I would really like to organise my ties and belts better? Well, not anymore. malebox has just introduced a tie and belt box can be placed in your cupboard or on top of your chest of drawers. It fits 12 ties in the top and 12 belts below (you may be able to fit ties in the bottom drawer as well dependent upon thickness). You can place other items in any of the compartments, but keep all your ties and belts in this box and your partner will forever be off your back for not putting them away…and they will be easy to find the next time you need to wear them!
Last newsletter, we talked about shaving soap and caring for your skin. We promised we would touch on caring for your skin with little effort and how this will help you keep a youthful appearance. The process is quite simple, and if you can add a couple of minutes to your preparation time you will impressed with the results. If you ever experience skin irritation, please see a specialist as soon as possible. Always test on a small amount of skin when trying new products to ensure there is no reaction.
Robin Bell, Tim Rowe and Ben St Lawrence – three of our sponsored athletes are always being complimented on their youthful appearance. Hampered by at least 3 (quick) showers a day it’s easy for their skin to dry out, along with air conditioning in their offices. So how do they keep up their youthful appearance? We attribute it to them looking after themselves… how? (more…)
If you have just been to dinner and the drunk person next to you has splattered you with their spaghetti bolognese, dont panic – there is a chance that your tie may be saved!
The easiest solution is to ensure the stain is removed from your necktie having it dry cleaned by a specialist as soon as possible (this is not fool proof as some of their cleaning agents may not be suitable for your fabric – furthermore, a silk tie will lose its shine after dry cleaning) - preferably within 24 hours of it being stained. Silk is delicate. Cleaning and pressing a silk tie is a specialist skill and you can easily ruin your tie if you don’t know what you are doing. Some common stains are: Alcohol, Grease, Coffee or Ink stains from a pen. Here are some steps if you want to attend to the stain yourself. (more…)
Selecting a Leather versus a Wooden cufflink box really comes down to a matter of choice. Some of our clients like to match their cufflink box to the furniture in their bedroom and others like more of a contrast.
If you have a dark fire place or furniture in your room, you may like to choose a wood or leather that matches with the furniture. Alternatively you may like to contrast it. Since our cufflink boxes are meant to be a feature, we like the contrast a little more, but totally understand your desire to match. That’s why we keep a diverse range. The choice is yours!
Plenty of guys have a number of pairs of cufflinks but nowhere to store them. They are all thrown in together into a sock drawer or a small box only to be scratched, damaged or just end up being hard to find.
65% of malebox clients are women buying a cufflink and accessories box for the man in their life. Sick and tired of rummaging through 10 pairs of cufflinks and not being to find that other matching pair? If you want to be stylish, organised and tidy you need a proper cufflink box.
Cufflinks are a class addition to your attire, so don’t throw them in some box altogether where they may become scratched or damaged. Wearing scratched cufflinks is like wearing dirty shoes with a classy suit. Treat your cufflinks with care and you will enjoy them and keep them for the rest of your life.
Do you wear the same cufflinks every day? Wouldn’t you prefer to be singled out for being a little different in your office? You put on a new tie and it looks great. Rather than wearing a pair of old cufflinks why not spruce them up with a new pair that matches exactly with your tie? People will notice!
Many men often ask me what they should wear with a french cuff shirt – in other words what tie matches with what cufflinks? It goes without saying that cufflinks can only be worn with a french cuff shirt. Under no circumstance can you wear cufflinks with a normal button up sleeve on your shirt! The best way to look smart is basically to match your tie to your cufflinks. For example, if you are wearing a striped blue tie, try and match it up with a blue pair of cufflinks which match at least one colour in the tie. Alternatively look for a striped pair of cufflinks which may contain a number of similar colours to the tie. If your tie has blue and pink in it – go with a pair of cufflinks which have blue and pink in it. I think you get the picture. If you only have a few pairs of cufflinks, make sure you get your hands on a classic pair which go with absolutely anything, like a plain pair of matt or shiny silver cufflinks like the malebox classic range. A plain silver pair of cufflinks can be worn with almost anything. Make sure the bottom of your tie goes to your belt buckle. Don’t forget, if your cufflinks have a silver or gold finish, be sure to match that with the colour of your belt buckle and your watch band.
malebox have just released our new range of Signature Ties, complete with an image of our 1950s classic guy on the back….
A gift hamper is an ideal gift for Christmas or end of year corporate gifts (and many other special occasions…)
malebox’s range of gift baskets and gift hampers have been carefully sourced from local and international sources. It’s not just the old beer and peanuts deal – we have something unique that will satisfy him on the day and for years to come! Our mens Gift baskets contain both consumables and keepsakes. They include premium wine, chocolates, cufflinks, a tie case, tie, wooden cufflink box, leather cufflink box, mini cufflink and accessories box – as you can see, malebox has changed the shape of the mens gift hamper.
If you are looking for Personal, Birthday, Engagement, Wedding, Christmas or Corporate Gifts - we will make your gift giving easy.
All the hampers and gifts are beautifully presented and delivered Australia wide.
For our corporate customers, you may need one Gourmet Hamper or thousands – we can deliver quickly. Special requests can be made to order.
Order online or by phone by 1pm for delivery next business day to locations Australia wide. Visit www.malebox.net.au to see the huge range of products!
It is easy to match a shirt, cufflinks and tie combination. Better still, if you keep it simple you can look sharp and timeless, impressing others without effort. By keeping it simple it doesn’t mean boring. If you have a nice blue or charcoal suit a white or sky blue shirt will always match. I always go for a french cuff shirt and some nice cufflinks. It is good practice to match you cufflinks to your tie. If you have a limited selection of cufflinks go for a plain square shiny or matt silver pair to start with and go from there as your budget permits. You can find some classic silver cufflinks which go with absolutely anything you put together. Once you have a few pairs you can start to mix and match a bit more. We have designs which you can match exactly with a diagonal cufflink and tie combination or just a cufflink which is more versatile and goes with a number of ties. After a while it will come as second nature and dressing sharply with cufflinks will become the norm for you. Just remember, don’t try and put your hand through cufflinks already in he shirt unless you want to break them. You will probably have the cufflinks for the rest of your life if you take care of them. When you make the small effort in the morning or before a special function to match your cufflinks to you tie, you will be noticed and people will comment so be prepared!
