The following article is a collaboration with Tudor Watches

There’s a common belief in today’s society that the modern era of romance is dead.

For these four Australian creative couples, that generalisation couldn’t be further from the truth. Love is a timeless expression of creation much like the timepieces of Tudor’s latest Heritage Black Bay Dark and Black Bay 36. Whether it resides on the wrist of a talented male or female, for work or for play, the Tudor Black Bay collection was designed for today from the rich DNA of yesterday. 

Some would call it art imitating life, but it’s even simpler than that. The purpose of a celebrated timepiece is to be expressed and who better to do it than a collective of Australia’s most successful thinkers, creators and lovers.

These are the human faces who have changed the old ways of romance for a new generation to aspire to.

Brent Wilson & Asha Clark

Brent Wilson is one of Sydney’s foremost authorities in men’s fashion.

Having launched his eponymous label at the ripe old age of twenty three, the young designer threw himself into the perils of fashion retail in a bid to carve out his own signature style for Australian men. He succeeded.

Today Brent Wilson the label is just that, a destination for those seeking sartorial intervention. What keeps a perennially curious mind such as his thriving? His partner in creative crime, Asha Clark.   

“Brent said hello first,” glees Clark, a bubbly quadruple threat who specialises in acting, dancing, modelling and film production.

“We were friends of mutual friends on Facebook. We just kind of started chatting,” adds Wilson.

The pair kept it simple for a couple of weeks which grew to two months and an eventual coffee rendezvous. Since then they have been inseparable. 

Clark warmed to the idea quickly too, admitting that even though Wilson’s Facebook profile picture was easy on the eyes, it was his sharp wit that eventually won her over.

“Being with Asha makes me a better person and makes me feel like I can do anything. It might sound corny but it’s true.”

What began as a simple ‘Hello’ on social media has certainly paid off for this dynamic pairing. Wilson and Clark recently got engaged and are adamant that there won’t be any creative clashes down the track.

“We come from very different creative worlds,” says Clark. “We back each other up and support each other. If he’s got an idea, he helps me grow on mine.”

“Yeah we complement each other,” adds Wilson. “My strengths, Ash’s weaknesses and vice versa.”

Given that Clark has already laid claim to the couple’s kitchen as her domain, Wilson is left to the devices of keeping the pair’s humble abode in an aesthetically pleasing state. A match made in heaven via a healthy dose of ‘His side/Her side’ designation? Not exactly.

The secret to Wilson and Clark’s seemingly effortless relationship narrows down to matching morals. 

“To have a successful relationship you have to listen to each other and be supportive in what they do,” says Wilson. “Being with Asha makes me a better person and makes me feel like I can do anything. It might sound corny but it’s true.”

In the world of digital romance Wilson and Clark are living proof that love can last longer than just a few swipes of the phone. The approach might be new, but the fundamentals will always remain as selfless dedication to one another.

“She’s just a lovely person. I’ve spent a lot of time with her and she doesn’t have a bad bone in her body,” says Wilson.

“[She] always tries to do the right thing by others. I tried to dance like she does but I still have white boy moves. I’m a calmer nicer person when I’m with her which feeds back into my work.”

Clark also has her own words of affection. “He follows everything through and never gives up. If things don’t go through the first way, that determination gets us through.”

There’s even an added bonus to being Brent Wilson’s life partner. “Every now and then when I need some styling tips, he’s the guy I go to,” she laughs.

Alex Torino & Adam Worling

“We met on an app!” exclaims a beaming Adam Worling. “It’s a terribly modern way of doing things.”

And yet, here is another creative couple proving the digital detractors of love wrong. When the dual talents of Adam Worling and Alex Torino came together, it wasn’t just a romance that was born. 

Through their own irreverent sense of style and expertise in differing fields, the two were able to grow their relationship by allowing their creative visions to flourish under the same roof.

Worling runs his own successful fashion PR company whilst Torino is an agent for actors and actresses. What brought them together was a mutual appreciation for all things visually appealing.

“With the app where we met, it’s a visual thing,” explains Worling. “You see someone’s face. That’s the first thing, we saw an image of each other.”

“We texted backwards and forwards. We had lunch, got on well and the rest is sort of history. Within a year and a half we moved in together.”

“I’ve met the most remarkable man and I’m terribly happy to be with him.”

Pitching their creative differences aside to make the relationship work long term was always a non-event between the pair. In fact, one could say that it even served to strengthen the couple’s foundations.

“Alex represents actors, whereas I represent fashion designers. But there’s a lot of synergies between our businesses.”

“Alex once said, ‘I get fashion week now – your fashion week is my pilot season’. It’s intense, it’s only a short period of time, but you really have to be on your game.”

When faced with a creative challenge as most do in the industry, Worling is quick to credit the open-mindedness of Torino for inspiring him.

“Alex is remarkable, the way he goes about his job. I’m fortunate to go to a lot of theatre and I love the way he looks forward to meeting actors after a production.”

“He’s very encouraging of their work, he’s very good at critiquing and giving good feedback. I really admire it.”

For a terribly modern way of doing things, Worling and Torino are certainly showing that love at first sight is still alive and well in the digital age. It doesn’t come without the occasional tumultuous ride but Worling thinks it’s all worth it with the couple’s eyes set on the future.

“We’re on a wonderful journey. It’s tremendous. I can’t fault it. I’ve met the most remarkable man and I’m terribly happy to be with him.”

Carine Thevenau & Yoshio Honjo

Carine Thevenau has been touted as one of the leading photographers of tomorrow, deftly capturing beauty and emotion in its purest form before gracing it onto the world.

Her partner, Yoshio Honjo, is also a creative force charged with inking his elaborate Japanese artwork onto human skin amongst other skills such as painting.

As the only couple here whose relationship was fostered offline, their collaborative approach to work and art is still resonant of a modern world approach.

“I learned a lot more about movement within the composition of a still image, from Yoshi. As a tattooist he creates work that comes alive on a curved surface – the skin.”

“A sense of movement in tattooing is essential and I have adopted some of these principals within my own practice.”

Thevenau recalls that the pair first met at an artist friend’s exhibition at the late Damien Minton Gallery in Redfern.  

“We are best friends, lovers and now parents, in this thing called life, together.”

“Our second collision occurred a week later at my studio which is an artist run space. Yoshi visited to discuss etching with another artist who was more familiar with the process.”

The intriguing part of their romance lies in the appeal and trade-off between different cultures. A trait which Thevenau is openly fond of in their relationship.

“I love that Yoshi is super chilled and his foreign perspective, being from Japan, is fascinating to me. It adds another layer to the relationship.”

And alternatively?

“Apparently, Yoshi likes my outgoing, happy vibe.”

Just as the previous couples have shown, the sharing of creative influence appears to be the secret to Thevenau and Honjo’s unyielding passion for one another.

“Yoshi was not interested in photography until we met,” explains Thevenau. “I have influenced his love for photography and he now shoots black and white 35mm film on a Pentax K1000.”

“Yoshi is the practical half. I am the daydreamer. He is extremely relaxed, whilst I am more neurotic. I am the thinker, he is the doer. We are certainly a case of opposites attract.”

The eclectic husband and wife duo even worked together on Thevenau’s last exhibition which was presented in galleries in Berlin, Melbourne and Perth. Creative conflict would rarely ever creep into the humble abode.

“Our conversations at home are often discussions about light, nature, art or our other favourite subject, our biggest collaborative project – our baby daughter, Yuki. We are best friends, lovers and now parents in this thing called life, together.”

Pete Moore & Natalie Cottee

Pete Moore is a jack of all trades in the creative realm. He is also a seasoned professional at throwing caution to the wind when it comes to courting a life partner.

“It’s pretty funny actually. I saw Nat commented on a Monster Children page so I stalked her on Facebook,” he laughs.

And so begins the love story of Pete Moore and Natalie Cottee. There was more to it of course. Moore was in Hawaii at the time of the stalking so the pair spoke online for a while before he officially took her out on a date once he landed home.

Moore works as a director in television and music but he also admits to dabbling in a spot of photography where possible. His talented partner, Natalie Cottee, runs her own business as a creative director and photographer in fashion and lifestyle.

Her proudest achievement to date is her not-for-profit organisation Coexist which combines her love for fashion with animals.

“You need someone to encourage you because it can be really hard. Pete makes sure I’m always fighting.”

“I want to raise money for animals and I’m actually about to do a shoot with wild animals like lions and tigers,” she says.

“We both work from home and we have a studio that we’re building this year. Eventually when we finish, that will be where we base all our work out of.”

Despite Moore’s smoothest efforts on social media, this particular relationship almost didn’t come to fruition. The pair met six weeks before Cottee was due to embark on a year-long trip through Europe with her Visa and flights already approved.

“Pete ended up flying to see me in Berlin and Amsterdam. Another three months later we met in Portugal and I decided to go home with him,” says Cottee.

“Love conquers all, as cheesy as it sounds.”

Creatively, the pair are tied to each other’s “creative vibe” and constantly bounce ideas off one another to make their craft work.

“We’re quite diplomatic about it. I really respect Nat’s taste. We watch movies, pause it and run through it together,” says Moore.

“It’s one cool thing that I don’t think people in relationships always have,” Cottee adds. “It’s something I really value.”

As a bonding agent which usually keeps the couple on their toes, their creative battles are often fought together to make the business work. Cottee believes that working for yourself requires a duty for mutual motivation.

“You need someone to encourage you because it can be really hard. Pete makes sure I’m always fighting – he’s consistent like that, whereas I get quite stir-crazy.”

For this couple which almost never happened, attractiveness and creativity comes hand-in-hand.

Cottee appreciates Moore’s good eye for things which she finds unique whilst Moore admits that he feels the same way with her great depth of knowledge in art history.

Queried on the future of their creative relationship, Moore only had one thing to say.

“The studio will be like our Andy Warhol factory. We’re going to collaborate. Tell good stories that make people think, stories that are unique and fresh.”

The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Dark and Black Bay 36 timepieces are featured on the wrists of our creative couples.

The post Four Creative Couples Reveal The Secret To A Modern Romance appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

At this point, there has been more speculation surrounding Apple’s new iPhone 7 than Donald Trump’s hairline, and while we’re still waiting in anticipation, a leaked release date from a unexpected source has just heated things up.

In an interview with NPR, unlikely Apple advocate Barbra Streisand revealed a significant clue to the iPhone 7’s release date when she noted that the Siri hilariously pronounces her name incorrectly.

“I called the head of Apple, Tim Cook, and he delightfully agreed to have Siri change the pronunciation of my name, finally, with the next update on September 30th,” Streisand said.

Previously, iOS updates have conveniently coincided with the release of a new iPhone. Last year iOS 9 was released on September 16 and the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus came out 9 days later, while in 2014 iOS 9 became available on September 17 and the iPhone 6 was in stores only 2 days later.

So, while you wait to see if you can get your sticky fingers on the iPhone 7 on or around September 30th, check out the Apple rumour mill below.

RELATED: Leaked Video Shows Side-By-Side Comparison Of iPhone 7 & iPhone 6s

The post Has A New iPhone 7 Release Date Been Leaked? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Let’s be honest, airline food can be pretty hit-or-miss. Sometimes, the chicken, beef or fish option is surprisingly edible and not far off what you’d expect back on dry land. Other times, you’ll suffer with a tin foil container of mush.

Either way, one thing is clear. The quality of food you receive mid-flight is very much dependent on which class you’re flying. Last year, Samuel Muston of The Independent dissected the different food offerings across the classes on 2 of the world’s best airlines, with some interesting results.

If you’re lucky enough to be flying Virgin Upper Class, you’ll be treated to champagne, a Thai beef salad, Italian buffalo mozzarella and a brioche and butter pudding. Premium Economy keeps it simpler with a chicken curry, Asian slaw salad and an interesting looking apple and blackberry pudding. However, Economy class really cuts back with a slow-cooked beef bourguignon, Mediterranean orzo salad and a packaged choc-orange dessert.

Nippon Airways really amps it up with all First Class feasts featuring everything from preserved pickles to simmered sablefish, marinated salmon and Zensai. Business Class meals are still rather impressive, with Koshihikari rice, simmered duck and deep-fried sea bream and Economy meals are made up of fresh fruit, seafood curry, noodles and miso.

So, why can airline food be so haphazard? According to Muston, the problems with airline food “began in 1987 when an American Airlines executive discovered that if they removed a single olive from its meals they would save $40,000 a year.” Luckily things have drastically improved since then, as you can see by the slick food offerings from both Virgin and Nippon.

Interestingly, by the time you’ve reached cruising level while flying at 35,000ft, your tastebuds essentially go AWOL, the air pressure knocks about a third of your taste buds out of action and as the atmosphere dries, your sense of smell starts to weaken. Perhaps a gourmet in-flight dining experience isn’t so crucial after all?

The post An Eye-Opening Look At Airline Food Across The Classes appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Kobe Bryant has officially traded the court for the boardroom with the unveiling of his new US$100 million venture capital fund.

Bryant Stibel will be the new firm headed by the retired NBA star alongside his business partner Jeff Stibel, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor whom Bryant met through a mutual friend.

The company which will be based in Los Angeles isn’t exactly new by any means. Both Bryant and Stibel have invested in 15 companies since 2013 but it was only after Bryant’s retirement from the sport that the pair decided to go public and formalise their business partnership.

The move will see Bryant following in the footsteps of other business savvy celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher whose company, A-Grade Investments, has shares in multiple tech companies including Spotify, Airbnb, Foursquare and Uber.

Bryant’s role at the firm will revolve around creative direction where he will use his obsessive attention to detail and decades of marketing expertise to drive branding and storytelling. The company’s logo was even designed by Bryant himself with inspiration taken from piano keys.

Stibel meanwhile will focus on the ground work necessary to building a successful company.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the NBA star said that he’ll also bring his keen eye for spotting talented entrepreneurs with a strong work ethic.

“Sometimes you can spot it right away, other times not so much. It’s the inner belief that a person has that he will endure no matter what the obstacle may be. It’s that persistence, the entrepreneur doing what he or she truly believes in and truly loves to do.”

The firm’s current investment portfolio includes a rather diverse list of tech startups such as sports media website The Players Tribune, video game designer Scopely, legal services company LegalZoom, telemarketing software developer RingDNA and a home juicing company called Juicero.

Bryant’s motives for muscling into the high stakes industry is simple. The soon-to-be 38-year-old has been running 6a.m one-on-one workouts to help develop the next generation of young NBA players. He told WSJ that this same motivation to help others with basketball also flows into his business acumen.

“If you would have asked me 10 years ago, I would say I need to win now,” said. “Age tends to give you perspective. The most important thing I enjoy now is helping others be successful. I enjoy doing that much much more, that’s something that lasts forever, and hope they do that for the next generation.”

The post Meet The New Kobe Bryant: Tech Mogul & Venture Capitalist appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’ve been known to splurge now and again. When finances allow, bring on the private islands, the glamping adventures, and the bucket list hotels. We’ll happily do our best impression of a Russian billionaire with the travel bug.

But when the bank account has been decimated from one too many indulgences, it’s time to reassess those jetsetting habits. It can’t all be rubbing shoulders with Sir Richard on Necker Island.

Cambodia

Even in Southeast Asia, a region known for budget-conscious travel, Cambodia stands out as shockingly cheap. What the country lacks in high prices it makes up for in riches of other kinds – a wealth of complex history, spectacular scenery, friendly people, and tasty food. The temple complex of Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most famous destination (deservedly so). Also worth a visit are the glittering spires of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and the sandy strips of Sihanoukville.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua was off the radar for years due to a combination of natural disasters and political unrest. The good news is that those days are in the past, and the country is rapidly developing a reputation as “the next Costa Rica.” Adventure travellers are increasingly choosing Nicaragua for hiking, surfing, kayaking, biking, and boarding down an active volcano (yes, really) while the culturally curious flock to the colonial towns of León and Granada.

Turkey

Perhaps you’ve seen the ancient ruins of Ephesus on Instagram. Or the venerable architecture of Hagia Sophia. Or the surreal hot springs of Pamukkale. Or the fairytale topography (and hot air balloons) of Cappadocia. A perfect conflation of east and west, Turkey is brimming with unique experiences and miraculous landscapes waiting to be explored. Be sure to venture beyond Istanbul for some of the most memorable, and affordable, opportunities.

India

India remains one of the cheapest countries to visit if your globe-trotting has a spending limit. And as one of the world’s largest nations, it offers no shortage of incredible things to see, do, and eat on the cheap. Goa is the go-to for beaches and all-night parties. Mumbai is an architectural feast. Ladakh and Varanasi are sacred and soulful. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal. You could even see some of the world’s finest erotic temple art in the carvings of Khajuraho.

Bulgaria

Though its capital is believed to be the second oldest city in Europe, Bulgaria is surprisingly untouched by tourists. Sofia offers old world charm and a chilled-out vibe (just don’t expect the opulent metropolis you’d get in a western capital). Outside of Sofia, Bulgaria continues to blend ancient and modern. Fortresses, ruins, tombs, and caves remind of eras long gone by. Black Sea resorts and Pirin ski slopes tell more contemporary tales. It’s all beautiful and not yet saturated with bargain-hungry holidaymakers.

Panama

From coffee farms to cloud forests, Panama has far more to recommend it than the famous canal. Panama City is the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America. The coasts pack plenty of postcard-perfect beaches. The highlands boast rugged natural beauty and some of the world’s finest caffeine beans. In a world where native cultures and untouched wilderness are rapidly disappearing, Panama is beating the odds with both intact.

Vietnam

Recent years have seen an increase in Vietnam’s popularity. Despite its newfound status as a tourist destination, the country remains largely unspoiled and inexpensive. Head to Ho Chi Minh City for urban chaos. Hit Phu Quoc Island for sun and sand. Rural adventures can be found in the far north, and the floating worlds of the Mekong Delta and Hạ Long Bay are guaranteed to inspire. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, take a cooking class and learn to make your favourite local dish.

Albania

Ever heard of the Albanian Riviera? No? Exactly. The area along the Ionian Sea is a hub for nightlife, ecotourism, and elite retreats, but the country has yet to explode as far as tourism goes. Those in the know come for beaches, mountains, castles, ancient cities, archeological sites, and yes, prices that soundly beat Europe’s more famous rivieras. Call Albania the dark horse hit of the Balkans.

Nepal

Following the devastating earthquake that struck in 2015, most of Nepal is open for tourism once again. The country is a haven for mountain lovers. Eight of the world’s 10 tallest peaks (including Mount Everest) call the nation home, as do many of the Himalayas’ most iconic hiking trails. Adrenaline junkies can also get their fix kayaking, rafting, biking, paragliding, and bungee jumping against Nepal’s dramatic natural backdrop.

The post You Can Visit These Amazing Countries For Cheap appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Gone are the days of the clunky and chunky digital camera – a piece of technology has has been easily surpassed by the photographic capabilities of an iPhone. As such, later this year Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame.

On October 28, Jobs, alongside photographers Annie Leibovitz, Ernst Haas and Sebastião Salgado, Photoshop’s John and Thomas Knoll, filmmaker Ken Burns and singer-songwriter Graham Nash will be honoured by the International Photography Hall of Fame for their notable contribution to the art of science of photography.

“Steve Jobs was an American inventor and entrepreneur who cofounded Apple and led it to become the world’s most innovative company. Steve helped create products that revolutionised the creative world and became essential tools for designers, filmmakers, music producers and photographers.”

“Passionate about photography both in his work and personal life, his most profound contribution to the artistic community and the world is the iPhone which, in less than a decade, has change both the art and photography and the industry around it,” the Hall of Fame states.

The post Steve Jobs Will Be Inducted Into The International Photography Hall Of Fame appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Want to know what being a Hollywood director gets you? Well, Michael Bay’s stunning Los Angeles villa is a pretty good indication.

Designed by Oppenheim Architecture, the ‘Transformers’ producer’s new home is immersed into the hillside, offering some pretty mind-blowing views of Los Angeles and the Santa Monica mountain range.

Lush greenery surrounds the villa’s dramatic cliffside pool and two master bedroom ‘modules’ hover above each other, also taking advantage of the property’s incredible views. The bathroom, a textural masterpiece of sandstone and marble turns heads with a massive square showerhead and drop-in bath.

The post Find Mind-Blowing Views At Michael Bay's L.A. Villa appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Are you bringing home the bacon? A new study has just found that it might not be so beneficial to your health.

The study, which will be presented at the American Sociological Association’s annual conference in Seattle, looked at 15 years of data on married people between the ages of 18 and 32 and found that men who are required to earn most of their family’s income are less happy and less healthy than men who aren’t.

“The data definitely seems to indicate that, in general, as men take responsibility for greater and greater shares of the couple’s pooled income, they experience declines in their psychological well-being and health,” said the study’s lead author Christin Munsch.

Apparently, when men are their families’ only breadwinner, happiness scores fall to an average of 5% lower and health scores 3.5% lower than when both partners pitch in equally. Interestingly, being a breadwinner has the opposite effect on woman. In fact, as women earn more, their psychological wellbeing rises, and when they earn less, they feel worse.

After looking at a number of factors like age, education, absolute income and hours worked per week, the study appears to have come to the explanation that it simply causes humans unhappiness when they have some sort of expectation imposed on them because of their gender.

As marriage historian Stephanie Coontz noted, “There is no such thing as the traditional male-breadwinner family…It was a late-arriving, short-lived aberration in the history of the world, and it’s over. We need to move on.”

The post Study Finds Being A Male Breadwinner Is Bad For Your Health appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Talk about some serious FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). A new calculator has popped up which allows parents to punch in their child’s date of birth before converting it into an accumulated expense figure to cry over.

Reserve those tears though because the site then compares that debt figure, a.k.a. the cost of fostering said child into adulthood, to what you’d be making if you had instead invested it into early Apple stocks.

The results are hilariously depressing to say the least and will have parents regretting that snotty-nosed leech sitting there and staring into their screen.

The recently launched site is called  What If I Bought Apple Instead and works by taking basic information of a user (no names or e-mail addresses) before determining how much money an upper class, middle class and lower income family would have spent bringing up a child between January 1981 and July 2016.

The figures are pitched against Apple’s past and present stock prices which went public in December 1980 and today sits at a stock price of US$109.08.

As an example, a “middle class” income family earning between AU$83,000 to AU$140,000 in 2016 dollars will have made AU$53 million today if they had decided not to copulate two decades ago.

This same astronomical figure event manages to pull “low income” families out of strife with general calculations from a child born in the 80s spitting out AU$16 million in earnings the child was replaced with Apple stock.

If anything, this handy little tool should be good for blackmailing entitled children if they ever call you out for not being “legit AF” or pulling your weight. Simply send them a bill for $53 million.

The post This Calculator Shows How Rich You'd Be If You Invested In Apple Stock appeared first on DMARGE Australia.