Christoph Waltz is a rare breed of gentlemen, in a world of shirtless one-hit wonders and social media peacocks. “I don’t consider ‘dude’ a compliment,” says Waltz, in his trademark accent, retracing the fall of the gentleman and the rise of dickhead culture in today’s society.

Over the years, Waltz has built a reputation as the renowned go-to-guy for Hollywood villains. Look beyond the cunning Tarantino and Bond facade, however, and you’re faced with an entirely different calibre of man.

Unabashedly poignant, effortlessly thought-provoking, deeply sophisticated. And still one of the sharpest tools in the shed.

As Waltz approaches the age of sixty – in the prime of his career – we sat down with him to chat watches, the meaning of style, life as a struggling actor and his advice for young, up-and-comers in the acting game.

“I think one of the most important qualities of style is discreteness.”

Christoph Waltz is a man on the move. On a brisk winter’s day in Geneva, and having just landed, he is rushing off to the Mandarin Oriental for his next engagement, but not before we could catch him for a face-to-face sit down.

Waltz has given thirty-five years of his life to show business. It wasn’t until 2009, however, that his talent was singed into the minds of mainstream Hollywood, playing the calculatingly and ruthless Colonel Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. His performance as ‘The Jew Hunter’ saw him score an Academy Award and a Cannes Best Actor Award. Most recently, he played another villain, this time opposite Daniel Craig in Spectre.

Most would find it odd then, that given the rare chance to speak to Waltz one-on-one, none of his iconic movie roles were brought up. Well, that’s exactly what happened to this faux journo with more bar-banter talent than qualifications to his name.

As the ambassador to IWC watches at this year’s SIHH in Geneva, we were curious as to why Waltz chose this luxury watchmaker to partner with. Was it to fulfil again the antagonist role and go against Bond’s personal choice of timepiece?

“Because they asked me,” Waltz laughs. The most evil man in Hollywood can joke, after all.

“I’m not so much into ostentatious watches. I’m into discrete craftsmanship. So it’s not that IWC was the first watch company that approached me. It’s a very traditional and craft-oriented, clear design. Masterful mechanics. And that’s what I identify with.”

What’s more surprising, however, is the fact Waltz rarely wore a watch before partnering with IWC. He does admit that it was through this venture he began to appreciate and wear watches more, but a true practitioner of old-school will always remain adamant on his ideals.

“You don’t need a watch unless you like the watch. You don’t need a watch to tell the time. I’m sure if I stepped out to the window, I’ll find a church steeple somewhere that tells the time.”

This is a perfect example of how Waltz loves to revel in the understated in all aspects of his life. He’s a seasoned man who’s been around long enough to know the difference between what he likes and what he needs.

“I sort of regret the vanishing of the gentleman. I regret the promotion of the ‘dude’. I don’t consider ‘dude’ a compliment.”

Querying him on style fosters a similar affirmation; his outlook on men’s style in particular is both finite and final.

“My approach to style is that it wouldn’t be style if I talked about it. The rest is fashion industry. I’m not into the fashion industry.”

These may sound like industry fighting words from a fiery German, but for Waltz it actually paints a larger picture of today’s male culture. A society, which he thinks lacks chivalry.

“I sort of regret the vanishing of the gentleman. I regret the promotion of the ‘dude’. I don’t consider ‘dude’ a compliment.”

That’s not to say he doesn’t make exceptions. One can still be a dude at seventeen, according to Waltz.

So, was the young Chirstoph Waltz ever a ‘dude’ himself, at seventeen? The answer was swift.

“No! I was never a dude. I was not into ‘dudeism’. I think one of the most important qualities of style is discreteness.”

Staunch views such as these are rarely the result of a drunken night’s banter at your local pub. We decided to dig a little deeper and ask what a younger Christoph Waltz was really like and how the man has changed over the years.

As we sit on our massive boardroom table, which makes the spiel feel more like a corporate interview, Waltz glances over at his minder and then at the notepad in front of him before uttering the words which every interviewer fears.

“Am I supposed to take notes? Get him out!”

A silence fills the room for a whole two-seconds and team Australia looked to be blacklisted indefinitely. But then, resounding laughter. We just witnessed firsthand where that prickly Waltz repertoire comes from. Maybe he was in a good mood that day. Or maybe it was just our winning Aussie charm. 

“Was I different [at 17]? I hope so. I hope I was.”

Waltz admits that he was never the troublemaker in school. He couldn’t be because he attended a boarding school where his freedom was often limited. Not being the best at studying, but doing enough to scrape by, worked a treat during his formative years. Coming out of school though, his desire to taste the spoils of freedom was still somewhat muted.

Neither a drug-head nor a drunk, Waltz says that he always hated loud music so he avoided the clubs. He tells us that it could also have something to do with his hearing.

“I never felt the need to liberate myself from something. I was never opressed and I just did my stuff and followed my interest. I didn’t abuse my freedom.”

This kind of outlook undoubtedly prepared Waltz for the newfound fame that would be bestowed upon him decades later in Hollywood. As such, Hollywood fame has never phased Christoph Waltz nor has it taken him wayward like many other actors in the industry.

This can be attributed to the fact that for a majority of his thirty-five year career, Waltz walked amongst civilians. Being famous, later in his career, played directly into his hands; as opposed to having it all at the beginning.

“It gave me ample opportunity to taste the other side,” he recalls.

“I kind of understand very clearly, empirically, that it’s not to be taken for granted. It’s a rare exception and that exception is not due to my extraordinary merits. It’s circumstances, which you could call coincidence or luck. It’s not that I did not contribute, but it’s still luck because I contributed thirty-five years prior to that, and it [fame] didn’t happen.”

“But that’s career. There is life beyond career and that’s what makes the struggle to come back to the struggle. To lead a dignified life and try to make headway, career-wise.”

Given his lengthy sacrifice to the craft, one shouldn’t be fooled into labelling Waltz as the struggling actor, who finally made it big in the end. To him, the struggle is all a part of the game, which the press love to romanticise.

“As a young person, you’ll have to have an extraordinarily independent mindset to really avoid the ‘Dickhead Factor’.”

Some of these actors, who are on the rise today, take on this stride with humility. Meanwhile, others fall prey to a phenomenon called the ‘Dickhead Factor’. It’s a common occurrence in today’s entertainment industry, whereby an entertainer becomes instantly famous and proceeds to act like a dickhead about it.

We pitched this concept to Waltz and asked how one can avoid the ‘Dickhead Factor’ when breaking into the industry.

“Very difficult. As a young person, you’ll have to have an extraordinarily independent mindset to really avoid the ‘Dickhead Factor’. Being young is about trying out to the fullest of what it is. You should try that out [and] then understand the consequences, which are inevitable.”

“You being a dickhead is not the problem. The problem is when you’ve reached the end of it and say, ‘Oops. And now what?’ That’s when it starts to get difficult.”

His final words of advice, for those entering the industry on the brink of ‘dudeism’, is all encompassing. His solution is to just be whoever you want to be without taking yourself too seriously. We can attest to that. 

At the end of it all, you’d think that Christoph Waltz was single handedly trying to be the modern enforcer of chivalry. A new character called The Dickhead Hunter, perhaps. This could not be further from the truth.

If he was ever the gentlemen himself, he wouldn’t actually know.

“There are certain things I agree with. The fact that time moves on and the world develops, but that doesn’t mean the standard has to drop. In our world it does and I very much object to that. The standard with the options and possibilities of today should have risen. But it didn’t.”

“Look at America. Are they all insane? I have an answer to that. Yes, I live there.”

The post Christoph Waltz Interview: The Rise Of The Dude appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Tokyo is the capital of contrasts. On one hand, it’s a mesmerising metropolis, a manic assult on the senses, a mélange of anime, cosplay, neon lights, Lolita girls and more raw fish than you could eat in a lifetime.

On the other hand, it’s a city deeply steeped in tradition. In the shadows of Tokyo’s glittering skyscrapers and mammoth screens are meandering alleys, microscopic shanty bars and ancient temples wreathed in incense.

This is the city other cities dream of being. A city turned up to 11. A city straight out of Blade Runner or The Fifth Element – eccentric, electric, bewildering, beguiling. Tokyo pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in urban living, simultaneously stretching towards the future and anchored firmly in the past.

It’s not a place you can visit once. Japan’s sprawling capital feels like multiple cities stuck together, each with its own architecture and atmosphere. You could spend a weekend in every neighbourhood and still not see it all.

But let’s say a weekend is all you have. To attempt to experience everything Tokyo has to offer in 48 hours is a fool’s errand, but thoughtful planning can give you an exhilarating overview. Decide ahead of time what kind of trip you want and use the D’Marge guide to Tokyo to determine the must-dos, must-sees and must-eats. You’ll be planning your next visit before the first has even finished.

For The First-Timer

The first thing you notice about Tokyo is its size. For a first-time visitor, the immensity of the city is both terrifying and exhilarating. You could while away lifetimes exploring the secrets of its cramped corners and antiquated alleyways, searching for the perfect ramen spot or the locals’ bar that’s untouched by tourists.

But seeing as this is your first time in Tokyo – and you probably feel like a very small fish in a very big, very bright ocean – you probably want to cross the classics off your to-do list. The Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are the two tallest structures in the country, as well as two of its most recognizable symbols. For a slightly less trafficked view, visiting the free observation decks of the imposing Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

For a glimpse of Tokyo in its bustling, modern incarnation, a scramble across the famous Shibuya Crossing can’t be missed. Stop in at the Starbucks overlooking the intersection for a prime view of the action below. At the other end of the spectrum is Tokyo’s historic side, which is magnificently illustrated in the Imperial Palace (tours are conducted by reservation only) and the idyllic Meiji Shrine.

For The Foodie

Japan is a foodie’s paradise. Gourmands don’t come here for 12-page menus that inexplicably include include cuisine from every continent. Japanese restaurants tend to do one thing – and because they concentrate all of their efforts on it, they do it exceedingly well. There’s a reason Tokyo is home to more Michelin stars than any other city in the world.

Japan’s quintessential dishes include sushi, ramen, tempura, soba, shabu-shabu, okonomiyaki, tonkatsu, yakitori, gyoza, takoyaki and kaiseki – the country’s haute cuisine. Try Ichiran for ramen and the memorable experience of ordering from a machine, then eating in a private stall. Gyoza enthusiasts love Gyoza Lou, while takoyaki addicts swear by Gindaco’s perfectly friend octopus balls. For sushi, there’s nothing fresher than the inimitable Tsukiji fish market.

Tokyo’s best eats aren’t all found in restaurants. Head to the basement of the Isetan department store for a foodie fantasyland that will leave no tastebud untickled. For dessert, try one of Tokyo’s bountiful bakeries. Kimuraya, located in Ginza, is the birthplace of traditional Japanese sweet roll anpan. Don’t overlook the convenience stores – the fare found in Lawson or 7-Eleven blows other country’s convenience stores out of the water.

For The Fashion Plate

From crazy clothing to cutting-edge electronics, Tokyo sets trends for the rest of the country – and perhaps the rest of the world. The shopping is prolific and feverish. While some neighborhoods cater to the eleganant and refined, others embrace the bizarre, the trendy and the teenage. Like Japan itself, shopping in Tokyo will both delight and confuse.

Harajuku is home to some of the city’s most iconic shopping. Walk down Takeshita Dori for a blinding snapshot of Tokyo’s youth culture. It’s bright, brash and unapologetically in-your-face – though you may not be tempted to buy, the spectacle alone makes it worth a visit. Stop in at RRL & Co afterwards for a mindblowing selection of dapper menswear from across the ages.

South of Takeshita Dori is Omotesando, a tree-lined avenue full of brand name shops that’s sometimes referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees. For shopping at its most glamorous, make your way to Ginza. The prestigious district is dominated by luxury department stores and high-end boutiques. Quirkier purchases can be found in Akihabara, the cultural hub of Tokyo’s flourishing nerd culture.

For The Culture Vulture

Arriving in Tokyo can feel like landing on another planet. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the complete brainblast of culture shock that lurks outside your hotel door. If you’re not ready to dive into maid cafes, love hotels and crowded izakayas, there are more high-brow pleasures to be had.

The Tokyo National Museum is a vast complex housing the world’s largest collection of Japanese art. Amongst its treasures are ancient pottery, Buddhist sculptures, samurai swords, kimonos and colourful woodblock prints. A more modern museum experience awaits at the Ghibli Museum, a spectacular tribute to the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki.

For an up-close-and-personal peek at some of Japan’s oldest traidtions, take in a traditional kabuki performance at Kabuki-za. Visitors can also partake in the time-honoured ritual of a tea ceremony. A variety of options are available, often in upscale hotels or picturesque public parks.

For The Japanophile

We couldn’t end a guide to Tokyo without acknowledging – and embracing – the city’s strange side. Tokyo does weird like nobody else. The Japanese capital flies its freak flag proudly, and most would agree they wouldn’t want it any other way.

On the family-friendly side of things are the karaoke spots and the animal cafes, where visitors can spend time with cats, rabbits, goats, dogs and even owls. Take a trip to Yoyogi Park on the weekend and you may encounter the weekly gathering of Tokyo’s kooky dancing Rockabilly gang.

Golden Gai, the seedy Shinjuku neighbourhood famous for its crooked alleys of dingy drinking establishments, is no longer Tokyo’s most authentic nightlife option, but it’s still a one-of-a-kind experience. The maid cafes and host bars are also tourist havens more than locals’ joints, but still offer an experience that’s distinctly Tokyo.

Want to get weirder? There’s M’s, the seven-floor sex goods shop near Akihabara Station that’s guaranteed to destroy whatever innocence you have left. But for the weirdest of the weird, you’ll have to go underground. Word on the street is there’s a maid cafe dedicated specifically to drinking breast milk – directly from the source – but the only way to find places that subversive is to be invited by a regular.

Finally, round out your visit with a trip to the Robot Restaurant. Skip the terrible food and take in the show – an extraordinary, and completely inexplicable, cataclysm of flashing lights, mock battles, glowsticks, scantily clad women, taiko drums, techno music, dinosaurs, samurais and, of course, enormous robots. It’s over-the-top Tokyo at its finest, a spectacle that can’t be explained in words as well as it can in letters: WTF.

The post Neon Jungle: The Complete Men’s Guide To Tokyo appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A bespoke suit speaks volumes about a man. What better place to obtain such an item than in the heart of London. London tailoring has long been revered for it’s cut, quality, and the stature it gives gentlemen. We have scouted the very best tailors in the land of Kings and Queens. Enjoy.

London Tailor #1 – Anderson & Sheppard
Since 1906, Anderson & Sheppard has upheld the traditions of Savile Row to create stunning bespoke suits for its clients.  Fluidity of movement and a natural body line are the key features of the firm’s style, an aesthetic that has has attracted A-list clients from Chaplin and Astaire to Liam Neeson and Bryan Ferry. “In my opinion,” Tom Ford told Le Figaro, “Anderson & Sheppard is the best tailor in the world.”  Now that’s a recommendation that just can’t be ignored.

London Tailor #2 – Bernard Weatherill
Bernard Weatherill Ltd. began as a family business in 1910 in Sunninghill.  Two years later it was established on Savile Row, and in 1920 it was awarded a Royal Warrant by His Majesty King George V as a riding clothes outfitter and livery tailors.  The firm currently holds the same Royal Warrant for Her Majesty the Queen, and in July 2010 a new flagship store was opened on Savile Row offering both ready-to-wear clothing and bespoke pieces for men and women.

London Tailor #3 – Cad & the Dandy
Cad & the Dandy is committed to making bespoke tailoring accessible to all, by offering high style that doesn’t come at a high price since 2008.  All suits are hand made with a modern British cut and British cloth from shops in The City, Savile Row, and Canary Wharf.  Three grades of suit are available – machine stitched, half hand-stitched, and fully hand-stitched – to suit the needs of a diverse clientele that includes eccentric former boxing champ Chris Eubank.

London Tailor #4 – Charlie Allen
Charlie Allen is a star of contemporary menswear with over 25 years of experience in the field. His suits are both classic and fresh, with a softer, more understated feel than many of today’s more stiff and structured garments.  Clearly, he has found a winning approach – he has designed suits for Prince, the England football team, and Princess Anne, and he once made a silver glow-in-the-dark suit for Ringo Starr.

London Tailor #5 – Dunhill
The bespoke service at Bourdon House, formerly the London residence of the Duke of Westminster, is the result of 100 years of experience in the world of luxury tailoring.  A distinctive Anglo-Italian twist sets Dunhill’s garments apart, as does their 3-floor store which includes a spa, barber, and bar.  In addition to London, Dunhill can be found in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, bringing elegant masculinity to an international audience of modern gentlemen.

London Tailor #6 – Edward Sexton
Edward Sexton has been a trailblazer of bespoke tailoring since Valentine’s Day 1969, when he opened Nutters at No. 35a Savile Row with Tommy Nutter.  As a key player in the history of Savile Row, Sexton has dressed the likes of Andy Warhol, Mark Ronson, Bianca Jagger, and John Lennon.  He now operates under his own name in Knightsbridge, where he brings his innovative style to discerning customers looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.

London Tailor #7 – Gieves & Hawkes
Located at the prestigious address of No. 1 Savile Row, Gieves & Hawkes is the result of the union between two separate businesses: Gieves, founded in 1785, and Hawkes, founded in 1771.  The merger was completed in the late 19^th century, and the firm went on to become the first Savile Row tailor to offer ready-to-wear clothes.  Gieves & Hawkes’ bespoke reputation has earned them three British Royal Warrants, for HM Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Prince of Wales.

London Tailor #8 – Huntsman
Henry Huntsman established this firm at 11 Savile Row in 1849, and received a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1865.  Huntsman’s signature features include a riding coat-based silhouette, firm shoulders, and a sculpted waist.  Huntsman is also known for having the most expensive starting price for a two-piece suit on the Row, being mentioned in a Tom Wolfe novel, and the two stags’ heads that have hung in the shop since being left behind by a customer in the ’20s.

London Tailor #9 – Nutters
Few names on Savile Row hold as much debonair esteems as Nutters. Nutters was established in 1969 by the late, great, Tommy Nutter, the original maverick tailor. A man of wit and humour. Whether a suit is cut along classic lines or high fashion, for him or for her, from advanced technical fabric or hand-woven cloth, the making process remains the same, almost entirely by hand, employing at least 80 hours of highly skilled craftsmanship, producing clothes of inimitable style and heirloom quality. (Photo: Glass Magazine)

London Tailor #10 – Henry Poole
Often called the “Founders of Savile Row,” Henry Poole & Co has been a family-run business since its inception in 1806.  They originally specialized in military tailoring, but are now famed for creating the short evening jacket for the Prince of Wales that has become known as the Tuxedo.  Poole’s also counts Winston Churchill amongst its customers, and has been issued a staggering list of Warrants, from HIM The Emperor Napoleon II in 1858 to HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. (Photo: permanentstyle.co.uk)

London Tailor #11 – Kilgour
Kilgour was originally founded in 1882 as T & F French in Piccadilly, before merging with existing Savile Row tailor A.H. Kilgour to form Kilgour & French in 1923.  The firm became “Kilgour” in 2003, and continues to make exceptional garments that are impeccably fitted and styled.  Kilgour provided almost all of Cary Grant’s wardrobe in North by Northwest, and now keeps the Row current by blending modern innovations with the traditional English aesthetic.

London Tailor #12 – Maurice Sedwell
Maurice Sedwell has won numerous accolades, including the Men of Merit Award and Trailblazer Award, since opening its doors in 1938.  The designer was also a Golden Shears Tailoring winner and a UK representative at the World congress of Master Tailors.  It’s a reputation well-deserved: the company offers meticulous attention to detail, unsurpassed quality, and high style to customers looking for a truly exceptional sartorial experience.

London Tailor #13 – Norton & Sons
Established in 1821 by Walter Grant Norton, Norton & Sons was honored by becoming the tailor and Royal Warrant holder to the German Emperor William I. The tailor continues to thrive in the 21^st century, having worked with the royal households of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Prussia, Spain, and the UK, as well as 3 U.S. presidents.  The firm is particularly known for its sporting garments and lightweight clothing, the latter of which was worn during the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb.

London Tailor #14 – Richard Anderson
Upon its opening in 2001, Richard Anderson Ltd. became the first bespoke tailoring house to open on Savile Row in 50 years.  But don’t let its youth fool you – the firm’s team brings together over 100 years of experience on the Row, and represents a fresh take on the British institution that has appealed to Simon Cowell and Benicio del Toro.  Anderson even published a book entitled Bespoke: Savile Row Ripped and Smoothed in 2009. WWW

London Tailor #15 – Richard James
A founding member of the Savile Row Bespoke Association, Richard James joined the elite tailors on the Row in 1992.  All Richard James suits are pieced together in-house by hand, after being created by  client and cutter over the course of as many consultations as are deemed necessary.  Notable clients include Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, and Dustin Hoffman, as well as Noel and Liam Gallagher who wore Richard James suits on their respective wedding days. (Photo: tokyoweekender.com)

London Tailor #16 – Ozwald Boateng
Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mick Jagger are all fans of Ozwald Boateng, a Ghana-born designer who began making bespoke suits in 1990.  He is credited with bringing the Savile Row sensibility to a new generation, and with coining the term “bespoke couturier” for those who consider themselves both designers and tailors.  Boateng came to the Row in 2007, to bring his unique suiting philosophy of vibrant colors and refined fabrics to the well-dressed masses.

London Tailor #17 – Tom Baker London
What do Robert Plant, Rhys Ifans, and Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols have in common?  Not only are they all musicians, they are all clients of avant-garde tailor extraordinaire Tom Baker.  When you  mix classic English fashion with rock ‘n’ roll flair, Tom Baker is what you get.  The house style favors the London Cut of sharp shoulders, an accentuated waist, and a clean trouser line, but puts a seriously cool twist on it thanks to Baker’s personal supervision over each piece.

London Tailor #18 – Welsh and Jefferies
Welsh and Jefferies celebrated their centenary year in 2007, having started trading on March 21, 1907.  As a former military tailor, Welsh and Jefferies produce suits with spectacular craftsmanship and durability.  The pedigree of Welsh and Jefferies employees is equally spectacular – they have prior experience working with more established firms like Nutters, Kilgour, and Poole, and include Malcolm Plews amongst their numbers, a man widely considered one of the world’s best working cutters.

The post 19 Best Tailors of London & Savile Row appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Maurice Terzini is a man who doesn’t believe in sitting still. Raised from the hard knocks of old school Italy, he is one of Australia’s most successful restauranteurs today armed with a portfolio of the city’s most stylish eateries.

For one day in the year when he’s not pulling an eighty-hour work week, he’s throwing one of Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Day dance parties at his sun-soaked Bondi Icebergs. Much like the day clubs of Vegas, actors like Adrien Brody and Victoria’s Secret models are commonplace but Terzini seems adamant not to be fazed by it.

“We’re not into claiming who the VIPs are and we don’t have a VIP area. As far as we’re concerned everyone’s the same. We get bagged enough for being in Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs. Mate, I grew up a socialist.”

So trendy postcode aside, what is Terzini’s secret to pulling such a glitzy crowd? 

“If the product is good and you look after the customer, you’ll have business,” he says.

“I felt Italians were represented in a really negative way here. For me it was about representing young Italians in the Italy I grew up in.”

It may sound naive in the volatile world of hospitality, but one can’t discount the accolades this fashion-forward Sydneysider has accrued over the years in the business. With over nine established haunts under his belt which began with Melbourne’s Caffe e Cucina and extended to Il Bacaro and Otto amongst others, Terzini insists that he is still not yet done. He’s just flown back from Bali where he’s currently working on a new project with a more global appeal.

The roots of such success in a high stakes market begins at an early age. Terzini was born in Melbourne but moved back to his home country of Italy after his parents struggled to assimilate in Australia. This is no sob story though, as it was this point in his life that he was exposed to the “radical left wing Italy” – a time in the late 70s where unadulterated expressionism and the frivolities of the disco era reigned supreme.

Growing up in this environment would be instrumental in helping Terzini understand the roots of his heritage. Unknowingly, it would also form the cornerstone of all his restaurants to date, from the food to the the aesthetics to sounds.

Moving back to Australia in the 80s, a young Terzini was “just the average kid”.

“Very good at sports. Good at waitering,” he says. Picking up glasses and chatting to customers soon became his favourite past time at just thirteen years of age.

And just like any teenager, Terzini didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life so he did whatever came his way. What he did know was that when he was waitering, he was damn good at it and constantly craved for more.

One would suspect that there was an underlying reason for this. As Terzini explains, it was about promoting the Italian culture in a more positive light.

“When I was living in Melbourne after living in Italy, I felt Italians were represented in a really negative way here. For me it was about representing young Italians in the Italy I grew up in.”

The old Italian saying of ‘la dolce vita’ was simply obsolete in Terzini’s mind, along with the whole idea of a pizzeria with photos of Sophia Loren on the wall. He was ready to bring something new to the game without needing to reinvent the wheel.

“I’m a big fan of almost flirting with the people at a restaurant. I like people touching in a restaurtant. I think it creates good energy.”

Opening Caffe e Cucina in the heart of Melbourne in 1998 was his answer. The tiny eatery which seated only thirty was filled with passionate Italian waiters and the constant aroma of fresh coffee.

“It was a small space,” he says. “It was just by default we had small tables.”

“I’m a big fan of almost flirting with the people at a restaurant. I like people touching in a restaurtant. I think it creates good energy.” 

Fast forward seventeen years and those small tables are now Terzini’s signature design cue across all of his restaurants. He tells us that he’s not sure if it’s an Italian thing, but it’s certainly a thing that has worked for him.

What has also worked for Terzini appears to be an organic approach to growing a business. It’s no secret that he’s a serial restauranteur who is not content with just one successful establishment out there. Part of this, he admits, is financially driven. But the other part is purely through chance.

“I never wake up in the morning thinking ‘look, this is what we’re aiming to do.’”

“Sometimes it happens by default where we see a spot that’s too good so we decide that we need to do something there. Sometimes we might have a dish which turns into a meal that then turns into a menu, and then we say, ‘that fucking menu’s so good, we need a restaurant for that!'”

It is this conducive ‘go with the flow’ style attitude that has won the respect of the crowds and kept Terzini at the forefront of the local dining scene. The positive feedback from patrons act as a bonus for him to keep pushing the boundaries of a concept he calls “selling a lifestyle”.

“There’s so much competition out there these days that you’d just get eaten alive.”

“I always say for us, our success is we sell more than just F&B (food and beverage). We sell more of a lifestyle. That’s been part of our success. Icebergs isn’t just about food and wine, it’s about a lifestyle of design, art and music.”

So what sound business advice has Terzini got for the restaurant hopefuls out there?

A good concept does not equate to success in this industry. Fresh hopefuls need to know their product and be completely behind it. Time must also be dedicated to finding a good team, understanding your marketplace and pricing things accordingly.

“There needs to be something that sets you outside of the norm while consistency and knowing your numbers is just as important,” he says.

“There’s a lot of young kids out there who rush to open up things but have no idea of the numbers. It wasn’t like when I started. You could get away with a little more. There’s so much competition out there these days that you’d just get eaten alive.”

Given his own words of wisdom, Terzini isn’t immune to the trappings of reality himself. He’s a lot more cautious at his age now and it clearly permeates through his train of thought.

“We’re pretty strict in the sites we find. We don’t just jump on the first site and we really analyse things now,” he says.

“We try to minimise our risks but mate, you don’t know. Touch wood, I’ve never had a restaurant that’s really gone broke. A lot of the gigs I’ve opened are still opened today.”

Terzini attributes all of this to hard work and a good team. He’s proud to reiterate the fact that he’s worked eighty hour a weeks since the age of thirteen. But if everything was to one day go pear-shaped on him? 

“I’d just be a waiter, mate. Not a restauranteur. Just a waiter. Sometimes I’m jealous of my staff who are just waiters,” he laughs.

“You finish work when people are waking up. It removes you from the nine-to-five. Simple pleasures.”

The post Maurice Terzini Talks Heritage & Delivering A Lifestyle Through Food appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Are you guilty of travel bragging? Are you partial to an airport selfie? Or perhaps the occasional boarding pass pic to keep Instagram guessing? Well, it turns out you could be seriously risking your privacy.

Cyber-security site Krebs on Security recently detailed how the barcodes found on boarding passes are actually full of your private information, accessible to anyone with basic barcode reading software.

Your full name, arrival and departure airports, the airline you’re flying, flight record finder and even your frequent flyer number are public domain if you go for the cheeky passport wallet pic.

If someone has access to your account they could cancel a future flight or change personal information, or if you’ve racked up a considerable amount of frequent flyer points someone could add themselves as a family member and transfer your points to their account.

The post Why You Shouldn't Instagram Your Boarding Pass appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Dion Horstmans is a giant in the art world – both in the physical sense and through his vigorous artwork which has graced everything from designer pads to Sculptures by the Sea and eighty-five metres of Melbourne’s Collins Square.

The Sydney-based artist and sculptor is far from slowing down though. By his own accord, if he wasn’t locked away in his Marrickville warehouse bringing his unique ideas to life six days a week, he’d be dead. “That’s all I know, that’s all I want. I’m going to be making shit until the day I’m dead.”

This admission sets the precedence for not just the type of man Horstmans is, but also how his passion – which he calls his “mistress” – precedes just about everything in life.

Horstmans comes from the school of hard knocks and spent the formative years of his childhood living with his aunt and uncle on the tiny Cook Islands between New Zealand and Tahiti. His mother was a single parent who had him at a young age and his stepfather was abusive and left the family early on. This place that Horstmans describes as “not safe and not warm” was no environment for a child let alone a place to foster a lifetime of creativity. Somehow though, he still managed to pull it off. “I stuttered heaps, I was kind of scared a lot and looking for love. Because I stuttered and didn’t talk a lot, I’d sit in my room and make stuff or draw. I’d make architectural houses and playhouses for little soldiers.” 

“I just wanted to make art. It was less of a career choice, more of a life choice.”

Growing up on the island, Horstmans was an easily distracted kid who skipped a lot of school. He’d instead spend his days frolicking the idyllic shores in a pair of shorts, chasing chickens and pigs, spear fishing, climbing coconut trees and building boats. This mischief would carry on into his teens as he worked as a car washer and rifled through customers’ glove boxes for spare change. At the same time he was also working as a gardener for his neighbour where he’d rifle through her rubbish bins to collect empty bottles for the local bottle shop. “I’d whip out to the back of the cornershop and take the same bottles I’d just given to the guy,” Horstmans laughs. “He’d give me another 4c a bottle which I spent on lollies.”

Even peddling ice cream didn’t escape the backdoor operations, with Horstmas following the trusty ‘one ice cream for the till, one ice cream for the pocket’ principle (There was also a special rule that if pretty girls walked in, they’d get free ice cream; if they had boyfriends he’d charge them double and take half the money). Hustling, it seems was in his blood. For Horstmans though, it was something more primal. It was simply about survival. “I was a young kid. We were dirt poor. Once you’re exposed to something, you want it,” he says. 

Perched atop the roof of his Bondi apartment under the shade of a massive Moreton Bay fig this morning, Horstmans is far removed from his rougher days. Following his passion and not worrying about where he ended up has seemingly helped carve out his name and in turn the demand for his work across the country.

So what is the secret to successful art?  “There’s no secret. It’s just balance. It’s the key to everything for me. Design is about balance. If there’s no balance within the piece, whether it’s a chair or a car, it won’t be user friendly.”

Art-wise, Horstmans believes it’s another thing altogether and it’s all subjective in that respect. Inspiration is usually a concoction of life experiences and the root of that for Horstmans forms the signature look of all his most sought after creations to date: the primitive arts teaming with geometric shapes and patterns. Growing up in New Zealand, the schools that Horstmans attended had many maraes (tribal meeting houses of Māori communities) which were adorned with patterns and lathe work finished in diamonds and triangles which were set in red, black and white. All of it was geometric and very repetitive regardless of whether it was on people’s clothes, the African beadwork or the New Guinean pottery.

Today Horstmans is taking what he knows best and playing with those shapes through metal elongation, shortening, flattening and stretching. The beauty lies in the organic detail and Horstmans seems to be especially proud of this. “I don’t use a computer. I just start and I do it all by hand in one go – Mr. Low-tech.”

He learnt the way of the old by simply doing what he craved and that involved a lot of drawing by hand. When he transitioned from building props for big budget films such as Mad Max and took on the life of a career artist, he didn’t even think of doing it for a living. As he explains, he did it because he “just wanted to make art. [It was] less of a career choice, more of a life choice.”

“Doctors told me I wasn’t going to walk again. And I was like, ‘Ok, cool. Thanks for that.”’

He would also soon experience first hand how difficult this chosen path of his would be. “A mate of mine left film and went out to be an artist and I said ‘Fuck this, if he can do it so can I’ So I just left and never went back,” he admits. “It was tough in the beginning because of the transition from having constant income to near-nothing. I went on to work on props for Harley Davidson to Wonder White commercials – it didn’t matter.”

Regardless, it seems years of building a thick skin has meant that Horstmans can take on these rolling challenges without the slightest of hesitation. Where others would attempt the same path and quickly revert back to the comfort of civilian life with the slightest sign of trouble, art is still everything he’s ever believed in and it was never a case of if he was going to make it. 

Where’s the proof? There’s about 106kg of muscle and a 6’ 6” frame behind it. Horstmans is a rather stocky guy and sculpting his physique has absolutely nothing to do with sculpting art. “I fell out of a high-rise while cleaning windows. I fell 15 metres, landed on my arse, smashed my pelvis, front and back both sides, smashed my elbow. My L1-L5 smashed, ruptured lung, ruptured kidney, spleen; I got pretty fucked up.”  

“Doctors told me I wasn’t going to walk again. And I was like, ‘Ok, cool. Thanks for that.”’

Horstmans went on to spend four and a half months in hospital on his back before moving onto a body brace for three months and then onto crutches and a walking stick. Recovery time for him to walk again unassisted took about a year. That entire time he was in hospital without the use of his legs was spent drawing with his hands. He continues training to this day to prevent his body from weakening and relapsing from those injuries.

It’s only fitting then that for a man who’s started with little and done it all, there’d be some sage advice for the budding artists out there. What does he have to say to the next generation of creatives?

“Just do it. Don’t fuck around. No one’s going to give you a hand out. Believe in your own ability and also have something outside of your art to do. Cook something different that is tangible. Being creative like that, it’s being in the unknown the whole time.”

In the end, the beauty of it all appears to be sustained and blissful self-indulgence. As Horstmans explains, he’s making art for him. He gets to do what he likes for nine hours a day, six days a week and he’s not making something someone else is telling him to make. “It’s ‘I like what you’re doing. Can I have a piece?'”

The post Dion Horstmans Talks The Creation Of Modern Art, Growing Up Rough & Breaking Bones appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Known as Australia’s sunniest capital, Perth has all the essential ingredients for a stellar Australian holiday – some of the country’s best beaches, plenty of nightlife, bustling markets, inner city parks, outdoor dining, beautiful wineries and marine adventures.

With some of the best ocean sunsets in the Southern Hemisphere and the perfect combination of urban cool and raw natural beauty, Perth is quickly becoming more than just a place of endless sunshine (and luxury restaurants).

Here are our picks for the best Perth Airbnbs for your next Western Australia experience.

#1 Manhattan Luxury | King St

A gorgeous warehouse conversion with all the things Magnificent Bastards love, high ceilings, lots of natural light and bright, functional living. Beautifully furnished with contemporary yet unique furniture and art, this luxurious hideaway is located in the heart of Perth city, walking distance from shopping, dining, food, live music and a myriad of day spas, gyms and exercise studios.

#2 Loft Style Apartment | CBD

With high ceilings, exposed wooden floors and rustic-chic furnishings, this loft is perfect for those who want a taste of the NYC living, without leaving Australia. The apartment is set in a beautiful heritage listed building which opens out onto plenty of King St designer stores and cafes.

#3 Modern Unit | Perth City

If your tastes swing towards the contemporary, this modern unit in Perth City is one of the best Perth Airbnbs. Open plan with 1 bedroom, and 1 study, the apartment is the perfect romantic city getaway and just a few minutes walk into the CBD. Bars, restaurants and cafes are at your door stop but a fully equipped gourmet kitchen means you can finally put everything you learnt from Masterchef to good use.

#4 Three Bedroom Apartment | Adelaide Terrace

With stunning river views of the Swan River, this three bedroom apartment is perfect for you and your squad, or family. It also features a swimming pool, sauna, outdoor entertainment area and two fully equipped gymnasiums. You’ll never want to leave.

#5 Spacious Luxury Apartment | Beaufort St

Enjoy some cheeky sunset drinks on this apartment’s huge west facing courtyard, or entertain guests with its 8-piece outdoor setting, BBQ and sun lounges. This apartment is in the heart of Mt Lawley and in walking distance to all of Perth’s popular hotspots, nightlife, cafes and restaurants.

#6 Opulent City Apartment | Saint Georges Terrace

Light filled & spacious, this apartment has been decked out in with seriously suave style. Featuring a marble bathroom, fine art, Waterford crystal glasses, Wedgewood dinnerware, Sheridan cotton towels, 100% linen bedsheets and Aesop body products as well a luxe cow hide rug, 5 seater lounge and huge flatscreen TV, you’ll be living like a king.

#7 City Centre Apartment | Perth City

You couldn’t get much closer to the centre of Perth City than this slick apartment. It’s a 2-minute walk from King, Hay and Murray St shopping, bars, restaurants and public transport if you want to explore the city, and features a contemporary monochrome colour scheme and minimalist furnishings if you’d prefer to stay in.

#8 Bachelor Pad | Perth City

This 1-bedroom modern and luxurious 18th-floor apartment is smack bang in the centre of Perth City and is the perfect bachelor getaway. The apartment features an amazing balcony pool, gym and sauna so you can refresh and recharge while soaking up some stunning city views.

The post 10 Perth Airbnbs That Will Blow Your Mind appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Good food and good company are happy bedfellows. If you’re looking to bed any of your fellow guests, be sure to arrange your table carefully and consider all the finer details generally overlooked when solo eating is the norm.

Whether planning an intimate dinner for two, feeding the family, or hosting a horde of friends, a well-dressed table is one of many steps towards perfecting your magnificent bastard lifestyle.

Wine Decanters & Carafes

Unless you’re hosting a soirée for the local AA, booze will likely make an appearance at your table. Instead of carelessly dumping the wine and spirit bottles in front of your guests, consider a well-designed decanter or carafe to add character to the setting.

Wine Glasses

Drinking from the bottle might be okay when nobody’s around, but dinner party patrons tend to be fussy and expect individual glasses for beverages. Nothing shines quite like crystal (except maybe diamonds, but diamond cups would just invite theft) so invest in a stylish set of Waterford glasses that won’t just last the length of the meal, but a lifetime if treated properly. Bust out the bellinis in a set of Waterford crystal glasses for the ultimate pimped-out drinks

Super-Sized Serving Board

If the onslaught of reality cooking shows are anything to go buy, presentation is just as important and the meal, and a large serving platter is indispensable for putting on a great-looking spread. Marble boards are ideal for their longevity, with wood coming a close second for a rustic yet masculine look.

Cutlery

The human race’s use of cutlery sets us apart from most of the animal kingdom, so set yourself apart with a smashing cutlery collection. Stainless steel is good, silver is best, and plastic is never okay.

Drinking Glasses

Don’t forget the H2o and arrange a number of drinking glasses (and a jug of water) around the table. Transparent glasses are a foolproof option, but we’re also loving copper and ceramic as a robust alternative.

Centrepiece

Ramp up the romance factor with a mood-enhancing centrepiece. Hold your significant other’s gaze in soft candlelight by placing a number of small candle holders around the table or opt for a large statement piece in the center. Be sure to wear slim fitting sleeves to avoid catching aflame.

Linen Napkins

Where To Shop

West Elm
Space Furniture
Top3

The post A Gentleman's Guide To Setting A Masculine Dining Table appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ryan Reynolds style has come a long way since his flakey, comic role in ‘Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place’.

Reynolds flicked the switch – from chick flick actor to action stud – when he underwent intense physical training to play Hannibal King in ‘Blade: Trinity’. A change in physique propelled a change in style too; transitioning him from the unfashionable college goof Van Wilder to the red carpet ruler you see today. Let’s take a closer look at scoring his style.

Breaking It Down – Ryan Reynolds Style

‘Classic’ is an understatement when describing Ryan Reynolds style. The actor takes creative direction from the greats – Paul Newman and Steve McQueen, the latter lending inspiration for Reynolds’ immaculate tailoring choice – the three-piece suit.

Casual wear also stays Fifties inspired, while reworked jackets in cool suedes, rich denim and English-cues (think gilets) eliminate any costume-y aesthetics from the vintage outerwear. But, if you had to choose one, lonely adjective for Ryan Reynolds style, it would have to be ‘blue’.

Sartorially Blue

Reynolds adores the dark blue suit. And he is rarely seen without all the trimmings: waistcoat, tie and tie clip. Making it a tonal affair, the actor keeps the colour blended, orchestrating a lighter shade of blue for the tie usually, while – on the odd occasion – interchanging the matching waistcoat for a one – still blue, but with a subtle pinstripe.

Whatever suit he choses, the fit is immaculate – hugging across the chest and shoulder; making the gym junkie look leaner and lengthy, instead of a squished sausage in a nice suit.

Gilet-ed Englishmen

Like an English chap on an autumnal stroll, Reynolds dons the perfect layered look: flat cap, long-sleeve shirt and wait – a gilet – hood, optional. While the style has been known for dad-ish qualities, Reynolds reinvents the potentially drab look. And it’s all in the texture.

The cap is a rustic tweed, worn nonchalantly as if it’s a last minute addition. Then, the gilet – comes open or closed – the latter working as a casual waistcoat-esque item. Done up, it’s far more functional for the cold with kangaroo front pockets to stuff the hands into.

A gingham print shirt adds more visual interest to an all-blue look over raw denim, while chillaxed cons in vibrant white sports-up a pair of utility pants; don’t you ever call them cargoes.

Classic Cas

Timeless style (seen in Reynolds approach to suiting) ebbs into his casual attire too. Rocking an American cool-dude vibe – the casual jacket forms the basis of the swoon.

Denim is key. Again, the actor’s penchant for blue translates into rich indigo hues (never too washed out) on an open, vintage jacket – refined with a sleek cashmere sweater (no tee to eliminate bulkiness), over a pair of blue-ish grey chinos.

Elsewhere, the moto jacket emerges, reimagined for 2015 in marsala red, which is dominating men’s wear this season. In lustrous suede with black ribbed detailing, Reynolds styles the textural piece over tweedy trousers and worker boots. It’s a modern take on an American casual classic.

Yep, Reynolds is basically having an affair with the colour blue. It’s a great colour and suits his skin tone well. And, it’s super masculine, turning a lightweight cardigan (over pleated wool trousers) into something more rugged (the beard also helps).

But the biggest extravagance is the actor’s blue jacket. It’s a bold move – coloured leather, especially when the blue continues matching-ly onto preppy chinos, then slips on over to the tie. Yet, the electric hue is captivating and its brashness is offset by a stark white shirt and black wayfarers. Blue works best with muted hues, and as a fan of blue, Reynolds has learnt this blocking move.

Key Ryan Reynolds Style Items

Suit: The three-piece navy suit with peak lapel (Paul Smith or Dolce & Gabbana) and pinstripe blue suit (Richard James).

Jackets: Blue leather (Tom Ford), suede moto jacket (Haider Ackermann or Gucci), and gilet (Apesi or Brunello Cucinelli).

Bottoms: Raw denim straight-leg jeans (Our Legacy or Levis), chinos (Carhartt or YMC) and utility pants (Stone Island). Wool pleated trousers (Thom Browne or Burberry).

Accessories: Flat cap (Lock & Co Hatters or Borsalino), sunglasses (Persol or Mykita), silver tie clip (Lanvin) and thin leather cuff (Valextra).

Need More Inspiration?

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The post How To Get Ryan Reynolds' Style appeared first on DMARGE Australia.