There is no God. Unless you love a good bourbon whilst pumping iron. In which case there is a God and his name is Erich Züger, a disheartened former banker-turned-gym-junkie.

His brand new concept is Balboa Gym & Bar situated in Zurich which combines a slick gym with an even more polished bar. Züger dreamt up the idea three years ago when he embarked on a fitness brand that would merge personalised fitness training with a community of like-minded alcoholic beefcakes people.

The new Balboa Gym & Bar features an ultra modern space decked out in raw concrete, industrial steel and wood that’ll make any protein-wielding man blush with envy. Inside there’s dedicated training rooms for weight lifting, crossfit and showers whilst the upper level houses an expansive bar and cafe which stocks snacks and alcohol. Patrons can even peer down at those in the training room from netted openings on the top level, a design feature which creates a visual connection between the spaces.

Elsewhere there’s a cool breakout room which flows onto an outdoor balcony to ensure gym members can experience their protein and pint in a totally relaxed environment amongst friends. Once patrons are done throwing up their said protein and beer concoction, they can head straight over to a concept store which sells fitness equipment, books and skateboards.

The audacious project was headed by architecture studio Helsinkizurich and if you’re wondering what on Earth would motivate a fitness freak into serving alcohol at a gym, then wonder no more.

The post This Is A Bar Where You Can Down A Pint While You Pump Iron appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed is done and dusted for another year but not before a few manufacturers could sneak in a debut or two. One such manufacturer is Mercedes AMG who brought a gun to a knife fight with their world premiere of the AMG GT R, a hotly anticipated performance car from the German manufacturer which broke cover over the weekend.

The AMG GT R wasn’t hard to miss amongst the sea of precious metal in a bright green hue that was inspired by the Nurburgring’s ‘Green Hell’ nickname. And one other important fact: It’s fast. Bloody fast. The car is a street-legal version of the world-conquering Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car and it was built to exceed both the performance and power of the “standard” GT S which we drove at Phillip Island last month.

At the launch, AMG head honcho Tobias Moers said that the new car, “combines the driving dynamics of our AMG GT3 racing car with the everyday practicality of the AMG GT.”

Inside the green monster resides a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 which creates 577hp compared to the GT S’ 503hp. Torque is also up from 650Nm to 700Nm alongside a new top speed of 318km/h.

The post Mercedes Unleashes The Beast Of The Green Hell: AMG GT R appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The fashion world was rocked this weekend with the news that legendary fashion photographer for the New York Times, Bill Cunningham has passed away at age 87 after being hospitalised following a stroke.

Perhaps most recognisable by his distinctive ‘uniform’ of a blue jacket and khaki pants, Cunningham was a regular at all New York fashion shows over the span of more 40 years, capturing both the famous and the unknown and the city’s changing dress habits from the formal to the unique.

The post Remembering Iconic Fashion Photographer Bill Cunningham appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Let’s face it. A well groomed man is never a detriment to this big bad world of satchel-toting lads and wanderlusting hipsters. You’re today’s epitome of a Grooming God – the all encompassing definition of a freshly presented male specimen.

Little did you know though that just like our most intriguing facts of men’s fashion, male grooming also has its place in history. Herein lies the seven facts of grooming you’ve probably never pondered about.

#1 The First Hair Combs

Like axes, bowls and Hugh Hefner, hair combs have been around for yonks. We’re talking artifacts from 5,000 years ago found by archaeologists in Persia. Primitive versions of the humble comb have also been traced back to ancient Egypt in 5500 B.C. where they were often carved out from stone. In ancient China, combs were also prevalent but used more as a hair accessory to indicate one’s social status as opposed to fixing pompadours. Some earlier combs were made from ivory and tortoiseshell but that quickly ceased due to the dwindling number of animals they came from.

#2 Why Body Odour Smells Different

You’ve probably heard that body odour doesn’t come from sweat itself but more so the breakdown of sweat by bacteria that lives on the skin. No? Well you have now. Sweat is odourless and when it comes into contact with the skin’s bacteria, an unpleasant scent is produced. The specific odour is dictated purely by what we eat. Spicy foods or consumables that have a lot of onions or garlic can be carried into sweat which gives body odour its distinctive smell – some more pungent than others. So there you have it. Eat more chocolate and you’ll smell like Nutella. We made that last bit up.

#3 Man’s First Shavers

Razor blades? Ain’t nobody got time for that. The best a man could get in a time before Gillette came in the form of clamshells, flint knives and sharks teeth. Dating as far back as 15,000 years ago, the art of shaving involved using two shells to pluck hair out or by simply using a sharp object and water to cut hair. There’s been speculation that the aesthetic nature of shaving came about in 3000 BC when copper tools were invented. Meanwhile in the 4th century BC, Alexander the Great was a strong advocate of shaving during his reign as he believed it made him look cleaner.

#4 The Life Cycle Of Hair

Hair goes through its very own life cycle and comes with no shortage of intriguing facts. For starters, hair is known to grow at 0.44 mm per day on average with the rate of growth dependent on age, genetics and hormones. When it comes to grey hair, the body naturally produces hydrogen peroxide in the hair which slowly bleaches and discolours as we age. Caucasians are said to begin greying in their mid-30s whilst Asians go grey in their late 30s and darker skinned people in their mid-40s. Grey hair becomes prevalent on most people by the age of 50. And then comes receding hair, which is the result of both age and genetics. On average most men begin thinning out in their late 20s but it takes another 15-25 years to go completely bald. Until then you can plan ahead.

#5 First Men’s Fragrances

Though perfumery goes back thousands and thousands of years, men’s fragrance is a relatively recent development. It began in 1709 in Cologne, when Italian expat Giovanni Maria Farina created a special scent to honour his new hometown. He gave the fragrance the town’s name and the catchy moniker stuck. Here’s to the ongoing evolution of cologne.

#6 Nail Growth

Studies have shown that fingernails grow on average of 3.47mm per month which is twice as fast as our toenails. Men and younger people tend to have faster growing nails whilst your pinky nail grows at a slower rate than all the other fingers. The middle finger has the fastest growing nail. And let’s not forget about germs. There’s a hive of bacteria living under fingernails including both fungus and yeast, so be sure to trim those bad boys regularly with the right tools and keep them well away from your mouth.

#7 What Happens When You Don’t Shower

The post 7 Facts About Men's Grooming You Didn't Know appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Picture a day at the beach and certain words come to mind. Serenity. Silence. Peace. Relaxation.Reality paints a grimmer picture. All too often, prime seaside territory comes with congested crowds and nightclub-worthy noise levels. So much for serenity.If solitude is what you seek, a secluded beach is a must. Cerulean waves and vanilla-white sand await on the world’s best secret beaches – without the sunburnt hordes and screaming children. Below are eight of the best found around the globe. While not all entirely unknown, these beaches offer a blissful escape from the madding crowd.

Alagoas, Brazil

Finding untouched sand in a country famed for its beaches is no easy feat, but the Brazilian state of Alagoas delivers. Its lengthy stretch of tropical coastline is packed with palm trees, pristine beaches, clear lagoons, and near-shore coral reefs waiting to be explored. Try the desert beach of Carro Quebrado, which is nearly impossible to locate without the help of a guide from a nearby town.

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Off the coast of southwestern Vietnam lies Phu Quoc, the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand. Despite its size, it remains relatively off the radar for most visitors. Try the local fish sauce, considered by many to be the country’s best, when you’re not stretched out in the sun or kayking in one of the sleepy bays. Act fast – recent hotel openings are a sure sign Phu Quoc won’t remain a secret for long.

Ko Adang, Thailand

Most tourists head to Ko Lipe when visiting the Adang-Rawi Archipelago of the Andaman Sea, leaving the beaches of neighbouring Ko Adang unusually empty. The island is a favourite for hikers and naturalists. Challenging trails and dense jungle welcome the water-shy, while close coral reefs beckon scuba divers and snorklers. Be sure to visit the black sand beach to the north of the island.

Playa del Amor, Mexico

A gaping hole in the surface of a lush green island reveals an Instagram-favourite beach. Playa Del Amor, more commonly known as the Hidden Beach, is rumoured to be the result of bomb tests conducted by the Mexican military. The beach is invisible from the outside and only accessible by swimming or kayaking through a rocky tunnel, keeping all but the intrepid out.

Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles

Though La Digue is the third most populated island of the Seychelles, seclusion can be found away from the glitzy resorts that occupy much of the archipelago. The schlep required to reach the beach of Anse Source d’Argent keeps many tourists away, but visitors who brave the journey are rewarded with towering granite boulders and pink sand begging to be photographed.

Rocktail Bay, South Africa

South Africa’s Rocktail Bay is rugged and untamed, with endless deserted beaches along 40 kilometres of immaculate coastline. Travelling to the bay requires a complex series of flights, including a final trek via single-engine aircraft to KwaZulu-Natal, and accommodations are limited upon arrival. But if you can cope with all that, you’ll find yourself amidst the peace and world-class diving of one of the planet’s finest waterfronts.

Es Trenc, Mallorca, Spain

All of Mallorca is a paradise for beach-goers, but the crown jewel in its collection of gems is Es Trenc. As a Natural Area of Special Interest, the beach, dunes, shrubland, and salt lakes are protected areas. Add to that the fact that Es Trenc is not attached to any resort and there’s no other construction in sight, and you have a wild and welcoming refuge from the pressures of urban life.

Tsigrado Cove, Greece

This small cove off Milos’ southern coast is one of the most beautiful in the entire Cyclades – and perhaps in all of photo-friendly Greece. Tsigrado Cove is home to perfect sand and water so turquoise it looks like it’s been Photoshopped. The catch? Getting there by boat is tricky, as the cove is shallow, and the only other option is to descend the towering cliffs via a precarious rope.

The post The Most Secluded Beaches In The World appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Every supervillain needs the evil essentials. Henchmen. A memorable laugh. A cool costume. Perhaps a Persian cat. Also on that list? A secret lair, preferably with striking architecture and a spectacular remote location.

Studio MK27 have designed a prime pad for your inner evildoer. Shielded by the dense Brazilian rainforest, “Casa Na Mata” (The Jungle House) provides ample protection from any heroes trying to thwart your plans for world domination. The home’s high perch offers sweeping views of the Paulista shore – both a strategic vantage point for spotting the aforementioned heroes, and a charming backdrop for your morning coffee.

Casa Na Mata’s three levels are constructed in reverse: the deck on the ground floor, the bedrooms in the middle, the pool and lawn on top. Most impressively, the colossal structure only touches the ground with two pillars, essentially making it a high-tech treehouse. Highlights of the project include indoor hammocks, a sunken hot tub on the veranda, a pool on the terrace, and a green roof.

The post Studio MK27's Brazilian Jungle House Is Fit For A Supervillain appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

How do you honour one of the most respected supercars of all time? If you’re Lamborghini, you celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Miura by releasing a limited edition Aventador homage.

The Aventador-in-Miura’s-clothing was created by Lamborghini’s personalisation team, the Ad Personam division. While it doesn’t look like a Miura in form, it does reference the colours and spec of the original cars. The upper body is one shade, while the lower part sports a contrasting tone of body paint. Buyers have a choice of six solid and metallic heritage colours, including Rosso Arancio Miura, Verde Scandal, and Blu Tahiti.

Each individually-numbered car comes with Dione wheels in matte gold or silver, and a metallic Miura badge on the side. The custom leather interior features the Miura 50th anniversary logo stitched into the seats. “Lamborghini” is embroidered across the leather dashboard. There’s also a limited edition plate, but that’s where the changes end. The Aventador’s 6.5-litre V12 remains intact.

The post Lamborghini Celebrates 50 Years Of The Miura With Special Aventador appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

What do you get when you combine fine wine and delicious ramen broth with a bunch of half naked people? One hell of a holiday. For those looking for an vacation experience that takes you off the beaten track, Yunessun Spa Resort in Japan‘s Hakone offers food and drink flavoured spas for hungry travellers who just want to relax.

Guests have the chance to bathe in a huge pool of wine alongside a 3.6 metre bottle for convenient drinking. There is also a Green Tea Bath that apparently boosts your immune system and sorts out your skin, a Coffee Spa where fresh brews are added as you soak, and even a Japanese Sake Spa which claims to remove age spots and freckles…and no doubt give you a nasty hangover.

The post Bathe In Wine & Ramen At This Japanese Spa appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

First there was craft beer, then there was cocktail physics, brosé and now there is blue wine. Yes, you read that right. The latest hipster drinking trend soon to infiltrate our bar menus and drinks carts is blue hued wine.

For those tired of the white wine-induced headache, or red stained teeth, Spanish winemaker Gik has just launched an 11.5% ABV blue wine, the result of mixing red and white grapes, as well as two organic pigments – indigo and anthocyanin – found in the skin of grapes.

Gik breaks the mould in more ways than one. Made from a blend of Spanish grapes from no particular region by a group of six 20-somethings who are not vintners or wine connoisseurs, the creators of the blue alcohol are simply hipster innovators looking to shake up the world of wine.

“…Drinking Gik is not just about drinking blue wine; you are drinking innovation. You are drinking creation. You are breaking the rules and creating your own ones. You are reinventing traditions,” the creators say.

Crisp and and light, Gik hopes to attract the attention of millennial drinkers with a sweeter palate who find white and red wines too bitter to drink. It’s already proven to be a hit in France and will launch throughout the rest of Europe this Summer at £7.50 a pop.

The post Blue Wine Is The Next Hipster Drinking Trend appeared first on DMARGE Australia.