Australian cricket fans have been given the once in a lifetime chance of splashing out on a ‘unique’ night away at the MCG, Melbourne on Sunday 13 November for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Hosted by Booking.com and dubbed the ‘Unforgettable Legends Lounge,’ the one-off, makeshift suite overlooking the MCG grounds is ready to host a single night of debauchery, complete with personalised cricket merchandise.

Yep, giving a whole new meaning to rooting for your country, the lucky one who manages to book the Unforgettable Legends Lounge when it goes live at 9am on Friday 28th October, will be able to treat themselves and a guest not only to the best seat in the house to watch the T20 Final, but to a complete itinerary.

Said itinerary includes an in-room massage before the final gets underway for both you and your guest – no ball tampering, we hope – and your very own bartender and personal chef will be on hand to serve up whatever aphrodisiacs you desire. The whole experience is topped off with complementary flights to and from Melbourne from wherever you find yourself in Australia.

The Unforgettable Legends Lounge, which certainly does sound like it will offer an unforgettable night, has been set up by Booking.com for one night only and so it will literally be fastest finger first to decide who gets the opportunity to stay in it. And, we imagine, who’s guest will get the most enjoyment.

The cost for such an exclusive experience? We don’t actually know. Booking.com hasn’t revealed the price, although there are whisperings to suggest it will cost a mere $30. Which, for your very own MCG sticky wicket, is a true bargain.

• Fake Indian Cricket League Has Russian Punters Bowled Over
• How To Watch The 2022/23 A-League In Australia

The post T20 Cricket Fans Offered Chance To Root For Their Country In MCG ‘Legends Lounge’ appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Lewis Hamilton, arguably (and statistically) the greatest Formula 1 driver ever, has confirmed he is to set up his own film and TV production company, called Dawn Apollo Films and already has two projects in the pipeline.

Confirming the news to Deadline, Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films will produce the previously teased Formula 1 movie, starring Brad Pitt and made in collaboration with Apple. Hamilton has also confirmed his company is developing a feature documentary focusing on his own glittering career, both on and off the track.

Hamilton has said, perhaps unsurprisingly considering his stance on various movements to have taken place in recent years, that his goal with Dawn Apollo Films is to “make impactful stories and ultimately inspire people through movies and storytelling,” he told Deadline.

Hamilton hasn’t exactly hidden from the fact he wants to encourage and promote diversity, not just in sport but in all facets of global culture. He has famously taken the knee before Formula 1 races in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and he has spoken out against Saudi Arabia’s human rights record before its inaugural Grand Prix in 2021.

Lewis confirmed the Formula One movie, which is to be made in collaboration with, and to be available to stream on, Apple TV+, will star Brad Pitt and be directed by Top Gun: Maverick director, Joe Kosinski.

Lewis reminisced on the time he was contacted by Joe, who “moved heaven and earth,” to create a part for him in the latest Tom Cruise blockbuster movie, but he was ultimately unable to commit due to racing commitments.

So, does the move into creating his own production company mean Lewis is thinking about his future career for whenever he eventually retires from F1? Possibly, but we’re unlikely to see him in front of the camera.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton)

He added, speaking to Deadline, “I can’t say it’s impossible, but at the moment I’m enjoying the lessons I’m learning in the background from Joe, the writing team and Brad.” He’s also learning the tricks of the managerial and leadership trade – no doubt he’s gained a wealth of experience from Toto Wolff – by searching for a “diverse team,” of staff.

But, like we said, nobody knows when Hamilton will retire from Formula 1. He certainly doesn’t plan on it being anytime soon, saying “My main focus and my core job is still motor racing. I’m 37. I’m very focused on my health: on my body, my mind and my spiritual wellbeing.”

RELATED: Lewis Hamilton Provides ‘Ego Lesson’ All Men Could Benefit From

“I’m very conscious of other great athletes who spend their whole lives as I have, focused on their sport, and when they come to the end they might not necessarily have had the right people around them to help structure the course ahead for them.”

There’s still no confirmed release date for either project to come from Dawn Apollo Films, but Hamilton did say the documentary “will most likely be [released] at the end of 2023 or early 2024.”

• Leonardo DiCaprio Joins Lewis Hamilton In ‘Game Changing’ Business Venture
• Lewis Hamilton Proves Real Men Wear Pink

The post Lewis Hamilton Swaps Race Seat For Director’s Chair, Launches Own Production Company appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s the straw that broke the camel’s back: sportswear giant Adidas has terminated their relationship with the hip-hop artist and fashion designer formerly known as Kanye West effective immediately after the latter’s recent anti-Semitic comments. Is this the end of Kanye?

Adidas has said that it “does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech” and that West’s recent statements are “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous.”

Adidas’ move comes just months after American clothing retailer GAP announced they would “wind down” their partnership with Ye (Kanye’s favoured moniker these days), only weeks after Adidas said they had placed the Yeezy relationship “under review”, and days after luxury fashion house Balenciaga, style magazine Vogue and talent agency CAA all similarly distanced themselves from the controversial rapper. Yikes.

The news must come as a bit of a shock to Ye, who also only days ago bragged during a podcast interview that he could say whatever anti-Semitic comments he wanted and Adidas wouldn’t drop him. For a German company whose founder was a member of the Nazi Party, Kanye’s anti-Semitism is more than a little awkward.

RELATED: What Did Kanye West Say On Twitter To Get His Account Blocked?

Both Adidas and Kanye will be stinging from this. Currently, Adidas and Kanye’s Yeezy product line reportedly represents between 4-10% of Adidas’ sales, bringing in over US$2 billion a year. On Kanye’s side, losing the Adidas partnership means he’s no longer a billionaire, with the partnership accounting for $1.5 billion of his net worth, Forbes reports.

Listen to Kanye here: “the thing about it being Adidas I can say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me … now what … now what …” @adidas pic.twitter.com/Qu5LcZnmJj

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 20, 2022

In short: Kanye’s been cancelled before, but never like this.

Kanye’s anti-Semitic bent is but the latest string in what feels like an endless cavalcade of controversies the rapper has found himself embroiled in over the last 12 months (or realistically, over the last two decades). You could spend thousands of words detailing every dumb thing he’s said recently, but it’s his anti-Semitism that’s more relevant here – especially as it’s the most heinous thing he’s ever done as well as what has clearly been a tipping point for both brands and fans alike.

Since October 7th, Kanye has accused fellow rapper Diddy of being controlled by Jews, Tweeted that he’s “going death con 3 on Jewish people” and shared anti-Semitic conspiracy theories with right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson. These comments have seen him kicked off Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and have emboldened neo-Nazis to protest in public.

RELATED: Elon Musk Wants To Go Full Donald Trump And Fire Most Of Twitter’s Employees

These comments are totally reprehensible and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Adidas, GAP et al did the right thing by cutting ties with Kanye. But we can’t help but think that the loss of all these partnerships might actually be the best thing possible for Kanye’s career.

On a pragmatic level (or if we’re being generous), being released from the Adidas partnership will potentially give Kanye more freedom to express and produce his aesthetic vision. There’s no doubt that Adidas was the biggest beneficiary out of the partnership: Kanye gave them credibility, exclusivity and inspiration. One only has to look at some of the chunky Adidas sneakers that have been coming out recently to see that Kanye’s aesthetic has more than just trickled down to Adidas’ mainline products.

Adidas was also getting the lion’s share of profit from Yeezy sales, and there’s an argument to be made about how the relationship was exploitative, like so many brand partnerships with athletes or creatives are (especially and traditionally those with African-Americans).

RELATED: Roger Federer’s Sponsor Gamble Pays Off Big Time

Conversely, losing Adidas as well as alienating the fashion industry could be the wake-up call Kanye needs for him to change his ways, which will ultimately benefit his career (and image, and life). Optimistically, this is the hammer blow that’ll finally take Kanye down – and I say this as a fan.

I’ve been a dedicated Kanye fan for years, and like many of his fans, I’ve defended him during his endless bad takes and harmful decisions. But as the descendant of Holocaust victims, this is where I draw the line – and I’m not alone.

As I see it, the ‘bargain’ Kanye fans have made with themselves and others for years is that Kanye’s uncomfortable public persona can be ignored or justified as long as his music was good. And it’s true: Kanye is an amazing artist; easily one of the most influential musicians of the 21st century if not of all time.

The same goes for his clothes. We were happy buying Yeezys and went mad for Balenciaga almost in spite of the negative Kanye connotation because they were the thing to wear. Kanye’s influence on modern fashion rivals his influence on modern music. He is a tastemaker like no other.

But the reality is that his last three albums have all been rather average. His messy personal life and preoccupation with his own image has come at the expense of his art. We’ll always have his old albums (the refrain “we miss the old Kanye” is almost as tired as Kanye’s anti-Semitic conspiracy theories) but listening to them lately has felt hollow; felt wrong.

RELATED: Kanye West Shows You How Not To Get Over Your Ex

Similarly, his latest exploits in fashion – namely, his Yeezy Season 9 fashion show where he debuted multiple items of clothing with the ‘White Lives Matter’ slogan plastered all over them – are also on the nose. He’s not upholding his side of the ‘bargain’.

That’s before we even consider how disgusting his anti-Semitism is, or how appalling his harassment of people like Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson or ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s (now ex) boyfriend Pete Davidson was, or how his boosting of Donald Trump and ultra-conservative political causes has been…

All of these things combined mean that even his most ardent supporters are starting to abandon him.

In that sense, I hope that the end of the Adidas partnership – as well as his other fashion partnerships, and the fashion world turning their back on him – will be a wake-up call for Kanye. Kanye has long seemed to prize his perception and status in the fashion world over his status as a musician; it’s what he really cares about.

Maybe losing his seat at the table will change his behaviour… It could also make him go further down this destructive, unhealthy rabbit hole he’s found himself in. The man has well-documented mental health issues, but they also can’t be an excuse for bad behaviour.

At this stage, it feels foolish to expect any sort of comeuppance, repentance or change from Kanye. Famously ego-centric and erratic even when not suffering from a bipolar or psychotic episode, he’s never been one to apologise or back down.

But what I hope as a fan – as someone who’s had so many of my life’s formative moments shaped by his genuinely incredible music – is that he gets totally torn down. Destroyed. Taken back to square one.

Maybe then we’ll see him change his tune, make some better music, and be a better human.

• Kanye West Commits Most British Fashion Sin Ever At London Fashion Week
• Kanye West’s Million-Dollar Sneaker Auction A Turning Point For Modern Luxury

The post Adidas Dropping Kanye West Could Be The Best Thing Possible For His Career appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Travellers used to judge each other by their backpacks (the more battered the better), the most creative number of ways they could wear their undies (before needing to wash them) and their ability to turn hostel leftovers into a Michelin star meal. Now though, there is a new way of discerning each other (and of staying in touch): Instagram.

Call me old, but I just realised something. Instagram is the new social currency for travellers. Before you jump in a time-machine back to 2010 and slap me around the face with an iPhone 4, hear me out.

Not only are bloggers and influencers using social media to go viral (whether that’s by sharing the perceived ‘dark side’ of a destination, creating hashtags like ‘followmetoo’ or by sharing hilarious ‘Instagram vs. reality videos), but the technology is changing how garden variety travellers like you or I interact too.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MURAD OSMANN (@muradosmann)

I recently spent four nights in a hostel in Hawaii. While I was there, I saw no-one exchange numbers, emails or even WhatsApp details – everyone exchanged Instagram handles. Though I first thought this was a bit intimate, it makes sense. There are no country codes to contend with, no plus symbols; no data required.

It also gives you a bit of an insight into what someone is like. Before making plans to go swim with Tiger sharks, for instance, you might like to know exactly how cliché the caption the photo you are liable to be tagged in will be in the event that you get munched…

WATCH: Tourists take sunset photos in Hawaii

People’s profiles can also surprise you. I met a Brazilian guy in Hawaii who, because he chose not to surf the first day I was there (which was fairly big), I assumed wasn’t that good. After patronisingly suggesting a few small wave locations he might like to try the following day, I checked his Instagram and discovered he was a better surfer than me. Oops.

Then there’s the self-promotion side of things. Like having an Instagram page when dating is a handy way to let someone see that you are a real (quirky! Fun!) person to hang out with, when travelling it’s kind of the same. If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone in Hawaii posing, Influencers In The Wild style, for a photo on the shoreline, I’d have about 10 dollars (in four days). No wonder there are so many snarky articles out there talking about cliché travel photos tourists need to stop taking…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Influencers in the Wild (@influencersinthewild)

Adding fellow travellers on Instagram is also an easy way to keep in touch without putting in much effort. A like here and a comment there is much easier than full-blown messages (or god forbid picking up a pen). On top of that, it’s a bit of a social currency as well. A subtle way to reinforce to your friends how cool and worldly and friend-making you are, while they do something stupid like pay off a mortgage.

There are a couple of problems with Instagram replacing mobile number-taking and pen palling, however. The main one is that, though some people you meet on your travels will remain friends for life, others will not. They might also post things that are irrelevant to you, clogging up your feed.

It feels a bit rude to just unfollow someone though, so you will probably just suck it up and scroll on. But there you have it: welcome to 2022. A world where Instagram is a social currency for travellers. Maybe Black Mirror had it right all along. Watch this (digital) space…

• Instagram’s ‘Explore’ Page Is The New Lonely Planet
• Has Instagram Made Lonely Planet & TopDeck Irrelevant?

The post Instagram Is The New Social Currency For Travellers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Push-ups are one of the most accessible and beneficial exercises anyone can do, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. If you struggle to pump out 20 at a time, then ‘The Iceman’ himself, Wim Hof, has some crucial advice for you.

Wim Hof is known for his extreme athleticism and breathing exercises, that allow him (and you, if you follow his advice) to be submerged in sub-zero temperature waters for long periods of time.

RELATED: Why Taking Ice Baths Is Great For Your Mental Health, According To Wim Hof

But now he’s removed himself from the water to offer up some advice that (realistically) more of us are likely take heed of, “how to do more push-ups than ever before.” Taking to Instagram, Wim Hof explains that the key to being able to perform a higher number of push-ups all comes back to his favourite topic: breathing.

To prove there is a method to his madness, he first asks us to try performing push-ups as we would normally. Then, with a number of repetitions set as a benchmark, to try things his way instead and see how much of an improvement you make.

WATCH: Wim Hof Explains How To Do More Push-Ups Than Ever

His process is incredibly simple, just take 30 deep breaths, breathing in fully and exhaling completely. Then, on the 30th breath, once you’ve exhaled, stop breathing and then perform the push-ups. He does add that will feel normal to have the urge to breathe during this process, and if you do, you can breathe but just hold your breath for 15-seconds.

And that’s it!

Judging by some of the comments on his post, Wim Hof’s method truly works.

“Wow, I did 10 regular push-ups! I usually do push-ups on my knees because of my wrist and it’s too hard! I can usually do about 3 regular. I know 10 doesn’t seem like a lot, but it is for me!” says one user.

“10 -15 regular, 30-40 with the breathing!!”

So, how does Wim Hof’s breathing technique help? One user explains that “neurologically, this increases the fight or flight mechanism within the brain, releasing adrenalin which in turn increases physical output, so the number of press-ups will increase.”

Another user adds to this that “there is more oxygen in the muscles.”

Indeed, another reply to this comment somewhat contradicts the first, saying, “only if the breathing is rapid, will it instigate fight or flight. Slower, deep breathing will activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is calming and relaxing as opposed to stressful. For this case, it’s oxygenating the body properly to bring more energy to the needed muscles.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wim Hof (@iceman_hof)

Breathing properly, in general, is crucial when working out. As Healthline says, breathing properly “allows your body more control, keeping you calm and alert throughout your workout so you can actively engage all your muscles. It might even give you the ability to lift more.”

And, while it’s not recommended to hold your breath completely during a lifting movement, for example, holding your breath at certain points throughout the lift can be beneficial. We’ve discussed this before, using the humble barbell back squat as an example.

For this exercise, it can be incredibly beneficial to inhale as you squat down, hold your breath at the bottom of the squat and then exhale as you push back up. Holding your breath can help provide greater stability and a stronger base from which to push back up. The exhalation can then help you explode back up to the starting position.

Try Wim Hof’s technique next time you have some spare time, wherever you are, to attempt some push-ups and see how much progress you can make.

• The Push-Up Mistake You’re Probably Making
• Push-Up Challenge Could Give You Arms Like A Navy SEAL

The post Wim Hof Shares Secret To Help You Obliterate Your Push Up Record appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ethical non-monogamy (or an ENM relationship) might sound a bit confusing to the uninitiated – but before you scoff at the idea of being emotionally or sexually active with others whilst still maintaining a committed relationship, they’re actually becoming more popular and to good effect.

So what is ethical non-monogamy? Well, it’s an umbrella term that encompasses a number of relationship styles: open relationships, polyamory and swinging, for example. The key difference between an ethically non-monogamous relationship and conventional non-monogamy is that all parties in the ENM relationship agree to it (i.e. it’s not just one person sleeping around without letting their partner know).

ENM relationships are not a new phenomenon, but according to new research and data from the popular dating app Bumble, an increasing number of people are opening up to the idea of being open with multiple people.

The data gathered does apply to Australians, so things might be different in your home country, but considering how high the stats are, we reckon we can make a logical assumption that the tide on relationship styles is certainly changing across the West.

Bumble has found that a third of single Australians “think ethical non-monogamy is the way of the future,” and perhaps unsurprisingly, it is Generation Z – those born between the mid to late 1990s and early 2010s – that is the group that resonates most heavily with this statement.

Polyamorous love is beautiful to me because it’s “I love you” AND “I want you to explore what excites you” AND “I’m happy when you’re happy (even if that happiness hasn’t come from me)” AND “I trust you” AND “I feel secure with you without needing to limit you”.

— Ro Moëd (@unapolygetic) July 8, 2021

People that fall into this category would have most likely grown up being surrounded by monogamy and understanding the seriousness and consequences of infidelity… But they’ve also been witness to the rise of greater acceptance of minority groups and alternative expressions of sexuality – and so would be more open to exploring new pathways.

Millennials and Generation X are also on board with the idea that ethical non-monogamy has its place in modern society, just to a slightly lesser extent than Gen Z.

It’s not just singles who are open to more explorative ways in their relationships, either – quite the opposite, in fact. Those already partnered up also think an ENM relationship is worth thinking about, with Bumble’s research suggesting that 47% of Australians currently dating believe they can indeed be the way of the future.

So why are they becoming so popular? DMARGE spoke with Bumble’s resident sexologist Chantelle Otten – one of Australia’s best-known sexologists and relationship experts – about why so many people think ENM is the new M.

Chantelle says, for her, the biggest reason they’re becoming more popular is that “people are actually talking about them, and society is becoming more open to the concept.”

“Reality TV stars, media personalities and influencers are openly speaking about how it works for them and in turn, creating conversations that have flowed into the mainstream.”

Chantelle Otten

Cosmopolitan shares that some notable celebrities who have discussed polyamory and who even practice it themselves include Will Smith and his wife, Jada as well as their daughter, Willow.

Will Smith’s relationship was thrust into the spotlight in 2021, predominantly due to a meme of him crying went viral on social media. Will and Jada went through a period of separation in their relationship, but have since been able to reconnect. He’s quoted as saying in an interview, “The experiences that the freedoms that we’ve given one another and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love.”

Freedom is the key word here, as Chantelle adds, “let’s be honest, monogamy is difficult and requires a lot of work, so for some [an ENM relationship] is an option to avoid infidelity.” Indeed, four in five Australians currently dating “think monogamous relationships are hard work,” Bumble’s data has found. Although they add they can still “be worth it.”

Chantelle also cites the fact we as humans are getting frisky just as much, if not more, for pleasure than for the biological aspect of having children. “In the past, monogamy was the preferred approach because women needed to be supported financially,” she tells DMARGE.

Having chemistry with someone doesn't mean you have to date them (or sleep with them).

Maybe you're supposed to open up a taco truck together.

Chemistry is good for all relationships, not just romantic ones.

— Shaun Galanos | Love Coach (@thelovedrive) December 9, 2020

“And of course, the male family name needed to continue on. Nowadays, we’re no longer having sex (primarily) for procreation, it’s more so for pleasure, so monogamy is now no longer categorised as the only option… Although monogamy remains the preferred method for most people, it doesn’t work for everyone, especially when we focus on meeting our partner’s needs in a long-term relationship.”

“The fact Bumble’s data found 47% of those currently dating believing ethical non-monogamous relationships are the way of the future is great to see. Stigmas around these kinds of relationships are definitely shifting,” she suggests.

RELATED: How To Deal With A Jealous Ex, According To A Relationship Expert

Just like in the world of fitness, where a workout or a meal plan may work for one person but not for another, the same can very much be said of relationships. There’s no one right path to take. So, we’re not here saying you absolutely have to get into an ENM relationship if you want to be truly happy in life.

But, if you’ve never even given one an iota of thought, maybe you could try and open your mind. Chantelle says “it’s up to every individual,” at the end of the day with regards to whether they should try or consider on.

“Some people decide at the very beginning of their relationship, whilst others decide to become open once they’ve been in an established relationship to bring some spice back.”

Chantelle Otten

“One you’ve decided that you want to try ENM, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation about your preferences and respect your partner’s boundaries. ENM relationships require a fair amount of emotional intelligence as you need to be aware of what works for both of you, not just one of you. And should your preferences change, you should be able to articulate the new need to your partner.”

RELATED: Relationship Boundaries: What Are They, How To Set Them, Examples & More

“If you’re on Bumble seeing an ENM relationship, my tip is to be honest and truthful about what you’re looking for from the very beginning. Bumble is a place where you can choose how you want to date, and who you want to date, and the app’s philosophy is built on kind, honest and respectful behaviour.”

How you choose to try ENM (if it’s something you want to try, of course) is entirely up to you. You could either find a third person to bring into your relationship or go full steam ahead and seek out a swinging resort. The luxury is that whatever you want to try, there will be other like-minded people out there, and so you’ll be able to find it.

Good luck, lovers.

• What Is Emotional Cheating? Signs, Examples & Why It Hurts Like Hell
• Thinking Of Starting A ‘Throuple’ Relationship? You May End Up Single…

The post ‘Ethical Non-Monogamy’ Is The Future Of Dating, Data Reveals appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article was produced in partnership with Kraken Black Spiced Rum.

If we’re talking summer cocktails, nothing quite beats a mojito. Zesty, refreshing, ice cold… Actually, the only thing that beats a mojito is Kraken Rum’s new Black Mojito.

Swapping a plain white rum with the complex spiced flavour of Kraken Rum makes the Black Mojito a tastier tipple than your regular mojito. Slightly sweet but spicy, bold yet refreshing: it’s the perfect summer drink for a BBQ, hosting games night or watching summer sports with your mates.

But you don’t always have time to whip up a cocktail – believe me, muddling mint and sugar together for mojitos (as well as simply just having every ingredient ready to go) can be a bit of an effort. Thankfully, Kraken Rum has answered our prayers with Kraken Black Mojito (in a convenient can) just in time for the Australian summer.

Kraken Black Mojito takes the Kraken Black Spiced Rum you know and love, mixes with natural flavours of mint and lime, and tops it off with soda. Pour it over ice (or just keep the can icy cold in the fridge or an esky) and it’s a one-way trip to refreshment.

The bold flavours of Kraken Black Mojito pair remarkably well with a wide variety of food thanks to its crisp, minty bite. From saucy BBQ favourites like spare ribs and burgers to grilled fish, tacos or halloumi, its complex flavour makes it great with whatever’s on your plate at a summer get-together.

Flavour and taste aside, the best part? It comes in a handy four-pack that makes it perfect for sharing with friends and a solid choice when figuring out what drinks to bring to a party– you want something refreshing and approachable, but not too basic. Kraken Black Mojito ticks all the boxes (especially with those slick black cans!)

Whether you’re a seasoned rum aficionado, a cocktail lover or simply looking for a sure-fire summer sip that’s perfect for every summer occasion, Kraken Black Mojito is one hell of a catch. If you pardon the nautical pun.

---

Find out more about Kraken Black Mojito by following Kraken Rum on Instagram and Facebook.

---

The post Kraken Black Mojito Is The Perfect Summer BBQ Companion appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

London has long been one of the world’s top watch shopping capitals, but a recent spike in watch thefts has seriously rattled collectors – and even motivated one business to start driving a mobile digital billboard around the city to warn tourists and locals about the phenomenon.

Online watch auction house Watch Collecting (which was founded by the same team behind Collecting Cars, by the way) has built a van with two huge LED screens that they’re driving around high-risk parts of London including Mayfair and Knightsbridge.

The screens share data about watch theft as well as advice on how to avoid getting your watch stolen. It’s pretty confronting: the advertisements show that not only has there been a 60% increase in watch theft between May and June this year alone in London, but it also suggests you “watch what you wear” and “go bare if you don’t need it”.

While the data that Watch Collecting is sharing has been collected by the Metropolitan Police, it’s still very much their own initiative… Making it one of the most macabre and potentially self-defeating ad campaigns ever. How are you going to get people to buy watches if you’re scaring them about them getting stolen?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joseph (@whatusmenlike)

The topic of crime in London is a contentious one. Crime has steadily been on the rise in the British capital since 2015 (as Statista demonstrates) – with the crime rate briefly falling over 2020/21 during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic only to pick back up this year.

But it seems that watch crime has become an increasingly big issue. The New York Times reports that again, as pandemic restrictions have eased (and economic conditions have continued to worsen), there’s been an explosion in watch thefts in London – “[and] inevitably, the brands that are most coveted by collectors are also robbers’ favourites.”

Anecdotally, Instagram accounts like @watch_crime_ldn are documenting how almost daily, there are brazen and violent watch thefts in London, as well as in other European hotspots like Ibiza and Turin.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WATCH CRIME LONDON & GLOBAL (@watch_crime_ldn)

That said, there’s little sympathy online for some of the victims of these watch thefts. With inflation spiralling out of control in the UK and the divide between rich and poor never so stark – particularly in a city of such insane wealth as London – it’s perhaps not surprising that petty theft and robberies are becoming more common.

Moral of the story? It might be best to leave the Rolex at home next time you head to the UK…

• Formula 1 Star Lando Norris’ Richard Mille Watch Stolen At UEFA Euro 2020 Final
• With The Pound In The Toilet, Now’s The Time To Do A ‘Rolex Run’ To The UK

The post London Is Becoming The Watch Theft Capital Of The World appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ben Baller is a Korean-American, best known as a music producer and jewellery designer.

He is the founder of IF & CO., a company known for their speciality diamond encrusted jewellery.

But how did Ben Baller go from working as a music producer for Dr. Dre to one of the biggest names in jewellery business. Read on to find out more.

Ben Baller Quick Facts

Name: Ben “Baller” Yang
Age: 49
DoB: 27 January 1973
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Height: 6 feet / 183cm
Weight: 13 st 4 lbs / 85 kg
Occupation: Music Producer, DJ, Jewellery Designer, Actor, Entrepreneur
Net Worth: $100 million (estimate)

Who is Ben Baller?

Ben Baller is a Korean-American music producer, DJ, actor, jewellery designer and entrepreneur.

He began his career as a music producer for Dr. Dre before venturing into the jewellery business. He supplies some of the biggest names in hip-hop with their jewellery, including Drake, Snoop Dogg and Kanye West.

Ben Baller’s early life

Ben Baller attended Beverly hills High and the University of California, Berkely. He eventually graduated from San Francisco State University with a BFA in cinematography.

He also had a talent for both American football and basketball; he was one of the first Asians to play both sports at the NCAA level. This is the origin of the “Baller” nickname.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BEN BALLER (@benballer)

Ben Baller’s music career

On The Limits with Jay Williams podcast, Ben Baller revealed that he got his start as a DJ by approaching Denzel Washington and asking his for a job at his restaurant.

In 1993, while working there, he met Dr. Dre who helped him get a job working at Priority Records record label.

He worked his way up to become Vice President of Artists and Repertoire (A&R) at the label. He was one of the individuals involved in signing Jay-Z to the label.

Baller later signed with Dr. Dre’s record label Black Market Records and later at Aftermath Entertainment.  He has reportedly produced over 20 platinum albums throughout his career.

He was fired from the label after butting heads with Dr. Dre over the acts’ publishing deals.

Baller claimed that the acts on the label were given poor deals which “put such a bad taste in [his] mouth that [he] didn’t want to be in music anymore.”

Ben Baller’s shoe and car collection

Whilst working as a music producer, Ben Baller amassed a high-end huge shoe collection of over 2000 shoes.

In 2004, he sold the collection on eBay for $2.9 million. This made Baller a millionaire for the first time.

After selling his shoe collection, the first thing Baller did was to go out and buy a Ferrari. He has since formed a large collection of cars including a Ferrari 477 GTB and 50^th anniversary Lamborghini Aventador, among others.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BEN BALLER (@benballer)

Ben Baller’s jewellery career

Using the money from his sold shoe collection, Ben Baller decided to become as jeweller. His cousin and uncle were already in the jewellery business.

He ended up taking night classes in how to make jewellery to help him start his profession. With his uncle and cousin, he founded his flagship business IF & Co.

In 2006, Baller made his first major jewellery piece for American Singer Mariah Carey for $40,000.

Since then, he has made jewellery for big names such as Kanye West, Drake, Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian to name a few.

He has also expanded his business, starting a clothing line, Superism, and a cannabis pen, VVS pens.

Ben Baller’s acting career

Ben Baller has also featured in a number of motion picture films, including The Clinic (2010) and Jin (2011).

He appeared in multiple music videos over the years, most recently in BTS and Steve Aoki’s song “Waste it on Me”.

A documentary Ice Cold: The Untold Story of Hip Hop Jewelry featuring Baller was made in 2020.

What is Ben Baller’s net worth?

Ben Baller’s jewellery empire, combined with his music and acting credits, have earned him an estimated net worth of $100 million as of 2022. A good chunk of his net worth has also come from the sale of various companies, including VVS Pens, which he reportedly sold for $45 million.

Ben Baller’s Personal Life

After several failed relationships, Ben Baller starting dating Filipino-American Model and swimwear designer, Nicolette “Nicc” Lacson.

After one year, Baller prosed to her in Santa Monica’s Casa Del Mar with a ring that he designed.

The couple have two boys, London and Ryder and a girl, who they named Kaia.

Ben Baller’s Tattoos

Ben Baller has a huge number of tattoos all over his body. These include a Buddha symbol on the front of his chest, the names of his wife and children and the Playboy bunny logo.

The post Who is Ben Baller? The Jewellery Designer Supplying Everyone in Hip-Hop appeared first on DMARGE Australia.