The Mille Miglia is one of the world’s most famous races. Established in 1927, the Mille Miglia (Italian for ‘thousand miles’) was originally an open-road, motorsport endurance race in the same vein as the Targa Florio and Carrera Panamericana. Always a dangerous race, it was banned in 1957 after two fatal crashes, but was re-established in 1977 as the classic car event.

The Mille Miglia Storico (not to be confused with the Rally 1000 Miglia, a modern rallying event) is unlike any other motorsports event in the world. Less about racing and more about celebrating the beauty of fine driving machines, the Mille Miglia is only open to cars, produced no later than 1957, which had attended (or were registered to) the original race. Only 450 handpicked teams can take part, making it the world’s most prestigious classic car endurance race.

Since becoming the Mille Miglia’s principal partner and official timekeeper in 1988, Swiss luxury maison Chopard has produced a new Mille Miglia timepiece every year. Over the decades, these have come to be highly sought-after collectors’ items, as much for their rarity – all are made in strictly limited numbers – as for the way they perfectly express the inextricable link between the worlds of classic cars and mechanical sports watches. Indeed, every team taking part in the famous Italian race is presented with the latest Mille Miglia Race Edition chronograph before they arrive at the start line.

This year’s edition is easily one of the best yet, available in two equally dramatic versions: full-black stainless steel, or black stainless steel and ethical 18ct rose gold.

Both versions of Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition feature a beadblasted, Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC)-treated case, a matt black varnished dial and contrasting ‘vintage yellow’ markings. The combination adds up to a retro look that appears entirely at home at the steering wheel of a classic automobile, yet which works equally well for regular day or evening wear.

Partly inspired by the satin black and ‘gunmetal’ finishes often seen on vintage cars, the DLC finish gives the 42mm case a highly attractive appearance that is also scratch-resistant and non-reflective, in a perfect fusion of Swiss horological excellence and Italian-inspired style. Comfort and a perfect fit are assured by the use of short strap lugs, while the practical nature of the timepiece is demonstrated by the extreme legibility resulting from the strong contrast between the matt black dial surface and the vintage yellow minute track and tachymeter scale. Legibility is further enhanced by the ultra-bright Super-LumiNova that fills the Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition’s numerals.

A playful element of the watch is its strap: a black, perforated leather number with tone-on-tone stitching and a rubber lining featuring Chopard’s signature tread pattern, based on that of a 1960s Dunlop racing tyre (if the racing theme couldn’t be made more obvious). Other nice touches include a subtle red Mille Miglia direction arrow below the Chopard logo at 12 o’clock and a steering wheel design on the crown.

The all-black model will be limited to 1,000 pieces, plus a further run of 250 fitted with bezels made from contrasting beadblasted 18-carat ethical rose gold. Both of them are powered by a chronometer-certified mechanical movement with automatic winding enabling a comfortable 42-hour power reserve.

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The post Chopard Mille Miglia: Dramatic Design For 2020 Model appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Daniel Ricciardo is on a high right now.

The ‘Honey Badger’ cinched 3rd place in the Eifel Grand Prix in Germany on Oct 11, his first podium since the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix and his team Renault’s first top-three finish as a fully-fledged constructor since 2011. This weekend, he’ll be racing in the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão, which is an auspicious place for him: it’s where he cinched his British Formula 3 title back in 2009, laying the groundwork for his ascendancy to the F1 big leagues.

But maybe he should be looking towards Augusta instead of Portimão, as his most recent stunt reveals.

Relaxing ahead of this weekend’s big race, Ricciardo enjoyed a spot of golfing, sharing a spectacular ‘bend it like Beckham‘ putt that had him joking “I’d like to go by Gilmore Happy this weekend please.”

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A post shared by Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) on Oct 21, 2020 at 10:39am PDT

While we don’t see Ricciardo swapping his Nomex racing suit for khakis and polos any time soon, Ricciardo’s surprisingly good putting reveals an underestimated fact about F1 drivers: they’re spectacular athletes.

Because they’re behind the wheel of a car, you don’t think of F1 drivers are as fit as say, a football player. But you absolutely need to be in top physical condition to drive an F1 car. Not only do you need insane reaction timing and dexterity, but the intense G-forces F1 drivers pull take a huge toll on one’s body, with modern drivers copping up to 8g’s when cornering, TheDrive reports – similar to what a fighter pilot endures.

There’s also the mental factor: being able to make split-second tactical decisions; multi-task between communicating with your team, monitoring your car’s condition and reacting to competitors; memorising course layouts and weather conditions…

Perhaps it’s no surprise then that he’s a dab hand at something as seemingly straightforward as knocking a dimpled ball into a hole. It’s a lateral career move option, at least.

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The post Daniel Ricciardo Golf: Epic Putt Reveals Truth About F1 Drivers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

With international travel off the cards in 2020 and many of Australia’s state borders closed or restricted, many Australians have instead found the unexpected pleasures of the ‘statecation’: vacationing within one’s own state or territory and enjoying the best of what your region has to offer. With air travel also a much trickier endeavour than normal, that’s mostly taken the form of road trips and ‘glamping’.

But if you’re going to travel, even if it’s in one’s home state, you may as well do it in style. Enter this immaculate 1985 Nissan Urvan – maybe the coolest campervan this country has to offer.

“Meet Elena,” the owner proudly starts.

“The time has come to part with my absolute pride and joy, whom I have invested endless time and money into restoring her to the mint condition she is in today! Now it’s your chance to own a unique and beautiful vehicle that is a guaranteed head-turner for anyone you drive past! You will not find any Urvan on the road in this condition.”

He’s not lying, either. This Urvan (also known as the Nissan Caravan or Homy in other parts of the world) looks like it virtually rolled out of the factory, despite being a good 35 years old.

“This van was sold to me by an older gentleman who was the original owner, having kept the van in immaculate original condition,” the owner continues, “Elena is mechanically reliable and hums along happily at 100km/h – 110km/h on the highway with no problems thanks to a 5-speed column shift gearbox.”

Already in good nick when he bought it, he’s since sunk over $11,000 into its restoration, giving it a pearlescent burgundy red paint job, matching burgundy plush interior bench seats, a new headliner, custom matching vinyl door cards and carpet. It’s also got custom timber storage compartments, and hooks attached to the roof so you can mount a surfboard. Oh, and the engine was completely rebuilt in 2015.

What’s the catch? Well, it doesn’t have power steering or air conditioning, so that might be hard to swallow. It’s also a bit old-fashioned: a carburetted engine, original head unit and column shifter might not be to everyone’s tastes. Alternatively, its purity could be a real selling point.

The bigger issue is that it’s in Queensland, so unless you’re already in the Sunshine State, it might be a little harder to get your hands on. You might even need this bombproof Bentley to cross the border to get it, too…

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The post Nissan Urvan 1985: $20,000 Retro Van The Perfect ‘Statecation’ Warrior appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Supreme is perhaps the world’s most valuable brand. A bold statement for sure, but let us explain.

The New York-based skate store has become one of the world’s most recognisable lifestyle brands, its iconic ‘box logo’ almost as coveted as a Ferrari badge or a Gucci monogram. They’ve also set the prototype for streetwear releases in the modern era: enigmatic brand communication, actively unhelpful customer service, surprise drops, limited releases and wild co-signs designed to build up maximum hype.

Part of Supreme’s allure and notoriety comes from their oddball accessory offerings and collaborations with non-fashion brands. From the infamous Supreme brick (that fetches $250 on StockX) to Supreme Oreos, Meissen porcelain figures, Coleman mini bikes or Kuumba incense, the brand never fails to surprise. Their latest collection is no different: Colgate toothpaste, a Mortal Kombat arcade cabinet, a jerry can and even a pipe wrench are all emblazoned with Supreme’s signature red and white colour scheme.

But the pièce de résistance is their headline-grabbing partnership with luxury watch and jewellery brand Jacob & Co., the brand formally announcing their collaboration with a seizure-inducing video starring Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabo earlier this week. And despite being perhaps the ugliest watch ever made, you can guarantee it will sell like hotcakes.

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Jacob & Co. for Supreme.

A post shared by Supreme (@supremenewyork) on Oct 19, 2020 at 9:08am PDT

The Supreme x Jacob & Co. Time Zone, available in either 40mm or 47mm with either a black or white dial, simply beggars belief. What the two brands have done is simply taken the already-garish Jacob & Co. Five Time Zone and swapped out the Los Angeles counter for a Supreme box logo.  Set with diamonds and on an alligator-leather strap, there’s no mistaking this piece of wrist candy.

Retail prices come in at $12,000 for the 40mm and $14,000 for the 47mm, but retail prices for Supreme are purely academic. Supreme items, regardless of price, sell out in seconds thanks to hungry resellers, who’ll be sure to attach a healthy mark-up to the already dear watches.

But buying one of these watches would be an exercise in stupidity. Not only is the watch ugly, but it’s a huge rip-off: it uses a quartz ETA movement; you’re just paying for the brand recognition. Wearing the Supreme x Jacob & Co. Time Zone is to shout to the world that you are a fool. A rich fool, who deserves to be parted with their money.

Which is why it’s almost genius, in a way.

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A post shared by Supreme (@supremenewyork) on Oct 20, 2020 at 7:00am PDT

Jacob & Co. watches are already something of a pisstake in the first place. The brand has carved out a niche for itself, making incredibly ugly watches with dumb gimmicks or excessive bedazzling or both. From huge timepieces with mini roulette wheels or music boxes in them to their $28 million ‘Billionaire’ watch that features 260ct of baguette-cut diamonds, they excel at making tasteless watches for absurdly wealthy people.

In that sense, the Supreme collaboration makes perfect sense. Supreme’s accessories seem to be an exercise in seeing what dumb shit they can get people to pay absurd premiums for simply by slapping their logo on something. The customer is almost the butt of the joke – ‘you spent $10,000 on a plain white Fender Stratocaster?’ – the brand some sort of meta-commentary on the nature of consumer capitalism and luxury. It’s hard to tell who the joke’s on, actually – Jacob & Co., or the consumer, or both. At least in Jacob & Co.’s case, ‘he who laughs last laughs hardest’.

RELATED: Tasteless Luxury Brand Flex Proves The Rich May Be Immune To Pandemic

This isn’t the first time Supreme has collaborated with a luxury watch brand. Back in 2013, they released a Supreme x Rolex Submariner (for friends and family only, sadly), and their current accessory collection also includes a plate / ash tray that references the dial of the Cosmograph Daytona. There’s also rumours circulating that they’re planning an official, broader-release collaboration with Rolex, but time will tell if that eventuates.

Indeed, it’s not the first time Supreme’s dipped its toes in the luxury world. Supreme’s high-profile collection with French luxury giant Louis Vuitton back in 2017 was groundbreaking, but they’ve also teamed up with the likes of Lamborghini, Comme des Garçons, Rimowa and Stone Island on other collaborations throughout the years.

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The post Supreme Watch: Why The ‘Ugliest Watch Ever Made’ Will Sell Like Hotcakes appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell wrote, “The more one pays for food, the more sweat and spittle one is obliged to eat with it.”

Though poking and prodding has reduced (somewhat) since 1933, 2020 still has many reconsidering their relationship with luxury (not to mention going out for food, and travelling).

Likewise, after a summer of relaxed lockdown laws, the Parisian authorities have reconsidered their constituents’ after dark freedoms, bringing in a strict curfew as the virus rears up again like a Cobra.

Though Paris’ current curfew is not quite 1984, it is a little eerie. Especially when contrasted with photos of the same locales, filled with life, just weeks ago, as done by Getty Images photographer Kiran Ridley.

Ridley took to the streets of Paris on October the 17th – the night the curfew was introduced –contrasting quiet images with bustling shots of the same spots back in September.

Graffiti, shutters, a lonely Eiffel tower, Paris truly is different without its nocturnal revellers.

French citizens have endured a roller-coaster year. In Spring, as the virus first began to explode, rules were strict. Then, in a bid to stimulate the economy, regulations were lifted in Summer after case numbers dropped.

RELATED: Defiant Photo Suggests France’s ‘Flirty’ Culture Hasn’t Changed Since Lockdown

Since then, after a summer in the sun, Europe – France included – has seen confirmed cases of the virus once again spike dramatically. Not only has this provided those across the globe – including Australia – with some crucial summer lessons to (hopefully) avoid the same fate, but it has also led to renewed regulations across much of Europe.

Nowhere represents this dramatic shift better than Paris. As CNN reports, “it was almost as if the French capital was back to its old self” just a month ago. Now, as seen in photographer Ridley’s images, the place – at night – is a ghost town.

“Hospitality venues must close and citizens stay home between between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. across Paris,” CNN reports. “Other French cities, including Aix-en-Provence, Grenoble, Marseille, Montpellier, Toulouse, Saint Etienne, Lille, Rouen and Lyon are also affected.”

According to CNN, breaking the rules carries a fine of €135 (roughly AU $225) for a first offense, and goes up to €1,500 (AU $2,502) if the offense is repeated.

Paris particularly has seen an uplift in Covid-19 cases and has been upgraded to a “scarlet zone,” leading to further restrictions on the city, involving the closure of bars, gyms and swimming pools, as well as limiting the numbers of university students able to attend lectures.

“Nine p.m. has now become the new midnight,” one French student told CNN of the changes. The 22-year-old also questioned whether crowds rushing home on the Metro when cinderella hour strikes is any better than if they all travelled home in dribs and drabs naturally.

“We are starting to sense a general fatigue of having to make sacrifices,” she told CNN, while also saying she hopes the new measures will help decrease Covid cases.

A 23-year-old Parisian bistro worker called Mathilde told CNN her family’s bistro was losing turnover due to the changes, pointing out, “tourists do not want to come visit Paris because of the curfew.”

Other Parisians spoke to CNN about the benefits, such as the reduction in noise pollution.

Though Australia, on the whole, is currently in a much more optimistic situation, if we’re looking for a warning sign of what can happen after a summer of (relative) fun, this is it.

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The post Eerie Photos Show Impact Of New Curfew On Paris appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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This feature has been produced in partnership with Bell & Ross.

The chronograph might just be the most popular and useful watch complication ever devised. Invented by French artist and watchmaker Louis Moinet in 1816, chronographs have grown to represent one most of the technical pinnacles of horology.

Bell & Ross continue that French tradition of innovation by introducing the new BR05 Chrono, an incredibly functional addition to an already action-focused timepiece.

One common pitfall watch brands fall into is creating unnecessary chronographs, shoehorning the complication into model lines that were never originally designed for it. The BR05 thankfully doesn’t suffer from this problem. Perhaps it’s because Bell & Ross’ strong functional aesthetic and military legacy lends itself quite naturally to precision timekeeping.

Although that would be selling short the skill of their designers. One of the French brand’s most recognisable design elements is their juxtaposition of squares and circles; a motif which is continued with the BR05 Chrono’s minute and seconds counters at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively. It’s a very subtle, cohesive touch.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”273879″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Indeed, subtlety is key when it comes to the BR05 Chrono. The chronograph pushers integrate effortlessly into the BR05’s crown guards, sleek polished buttons that complement the links in the BR05’s integrated steel bracelet.

“The case and bracelet form one unit… this type of design hark[ing] back to a category of watches which appeared in the 1970s,” explains Bell & Ross Creative Director Bruno Belamich.

“When infused with Bell & Ross’ signature identity, the resulting graphic style is both striking and modern.”

Modern is the best way to describe the BR05 Chrono. Housed in a 42mm brushed stainless steel case, encasing either a black or blue dial and complemented with either the aforementioned steel bracelet or a technical rubber strap, the BR05 Chrono is both masculine and elegant at the same time – an instrument of precision perfect for any budding urban explorer.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”273873″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”273874″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”273876″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”273875″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

The Bell & Ross BR05 Chrono, along with the rest of the BR05 range, is available at Bell & Ross boutiques or online on bellross.com.

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The post Bell & Ross’ New Chronograph The Urban Explorer’s Ultimate Tool appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It might not boast its own Michelin Guide, but Sydney boasts one of the finest (and most unfairly maligned) food scenes in the world. A cosmopolitan, multicultural melting pot that benefits from a wide variety of cuisines as well as the unparalleled quality of Australian ingredients, it’s not hard to eat well in the Harbour City.

RELATED: You Haven’t Been To Sydney Unless You’ve Visited These Cool Restaurants

But it can be hard to do so on a budget. Sydney is fast becoming one of the world’s least affordable cities, thanks to its outrageous property market, high cost of living and bougie tendencies. When was the last time you were able to get smashed avo on toast at a Sydney cafe for less than $12? While there are definitely still good cheap eats around (if you know where to look), finding an honest-to-goodness fine dining experience that you don’t have to spend six months on a waiting list or pay a small fortune for is increasingly difficult.

Some would say that ‘cheap fine dining’ is an oxymoron, but we beg to differ. There’s one eatery in Sydney that not only serves up some top notch haute cuisine but does so at a reasonable price – whilst not feeling (too) cheap.

What’s the catch? It’s run by students. But before you throw your signed copy of Food Snobbery at our heads, consider this: not only is this place great value for ballers on a budget, but it’s also the sort of risky foodie experience everyone – truly loaded or not – can benefit from. The late great Anthony Bourdain himself said exceptional dining experiences only come to those who indulge in a little risk. This is your chance.

William Blue Dining, on George Street in The Rocks near the Museum of Contemporary Art, is one of Sydney’s most underrated foodie gems. Located at the former site of acclaimed chef Neil Perry’s Rockpool restaurant, William Blue is a cozy yet elegant spot, with minimalist decor and seats for 60. If you didn’t know any better, you’d just assume there’s nothing special about it – other than its prestigious location.

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A post shared by William Blue Dining (@williambluedining) on Jan 6, 2016 at 6:21pm PST

But that’s where you’d be wrong. As we mentioned, it’s actually a student-run kitchen; part of the William Blue College of Hospitality Management at Torrens University, one of the best culinary schools in the country. It’s a brilliant idea, really: vocational students get the chance to hone their skills in a real restaurant, serving real customers, and diners get the chance to eat great food at a fraction of the normal price. William Blue has short, frequently rotating menus that focus on fresh ingredients and showing off the technical prowess of their chefs.

The price isn’t the only advantage. You’ll never get bad service at William Blue because the students are eager to please. The focused menu allows the chefs to really nail each dish, rather than suffer under a bloated list of fatuous recipes. And because it’s so affordable, it also gives you the opportunity to be bolder than you might normally be and order things you’ve never tried before. Where else in Sydney can you get a three-course fine dining dinner for less than a $50?

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The post William Blue Dining: Savvy Reason Every Sydneysider Should Visit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

As Virgin Australia’s purple disco descends into a (as last week’s hysteria would have you believe) Ryanair rave and as Qantas continues to shimmer in luxurious credentials (much to the chagrin of environmentalists) with flights to nowhere and ever more ergonomic pointy end offerings, even the most objective bastions of journalism are getting up on their soapboxes and proclaiming: Australia’s “business travel arms race” is over.

But is it really? A recent report by Reuters suggests yes; “Virgin Australia looks set to cut basic fares and start charging fees for items like checked baggage and food under new chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka, prompting a wider industry shake-up as the country’s airlines reawaken from the coronavirus crisis.”

Rico Merkert, USYD Professor of Transport and Supply Chain Management, told DMARGE, “I agree with the Reuters article. The new CEO of Virgin will position to airline closer to the LCC business model and passengers (say business) will be able to add extra services to their seat a la carte and will be expected to pay for those add-ons.”

“As such, you could argue that Qantas has won the business traveller market in the domestic Australian market. There may be a little bit of competition with Rex and Alliance though and to some extent even with Virgin as some corporate travellers may now at least initially be price sensitive.”

“International[ly],” however, Merkert told us, “it is a totally different picture as Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and a few others pose strong competition to Qantas, in particular as they are currently flying in and out of Australia while Qantas is not.”

This comes after last week’s Virgin Australia ‘Noodlegate‘ saga, which raised questions over the broader trend of pocket tightening.

“I think Bain is on a cost-cutting spree and these days you can get away with almost anything in the name of COVID,” frequent flyer and Flight Hacks founder Immanuel Debeer told DMARGE at the time.

“Virgin used to have (in my opinion) the world’s best domestic business class product in terms of food, service and seats. Now we’re seeing the (don’t take offence) ‘Americanisation’ of business class.”

This also comes after a recent update to the Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer scheme, which saw various perks scissored out.

Velocity members will no longer earn points on flights with Virgin’s international partners like Singapore, Delta and Etihad.

Though most Australians can’t fly anywhere internationally anyway right now, “if that rule stays in place in 2021, then booking to fly with partner airlines through Virgin won’t seem so appealing, and passengers might opt for other alternatives,” news.com.au reports.

On top of that, the imminent exit of Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah – which Australian Aviation says bears the hallmarks of “the start of a classic private equity smash-and-grab operation” – gives the idea Reuters puts forward (that Australia’s “business travel arms race” is over) yet more credence, with Australians now due to experience what the rest of the world has endured for years.

From America to Europe, it has long been common for airlines to ‘deconstruct’ their services. But in Australia, as we have such a small market, many passengers are used to things like baggage and meals always (unless you’re flying an overtly budget airline like TigerAir or Jetstar) being bundled in.

As Virgin, which sank into voluntary administration in April, flies back into the market rebranded as a mid-market carrier under new owner Bain Capital, the question remains: will Qantas now have to start cutting costs to keep up, or continue differentiating itself with little luxuries?

It’s less of a question for Virgin Australia, with industry experts predicting new CEO Hrdlicka will re-introduce fees the airline had cut when it went upmarket under long-serving former chief executive John Borghetti.

As for Qantas, according to Reuters, analysts say Virgin’s move downmarket (as well as the overall market downturn of late) opens options for the flying roo to “stop providing an international-style business class service on transcontinental flights and to consider charging for some add-ons on its cheapest sale fares without losing customers.”

“I think at least it allows the optionality for Qantas to go downmarket,” John Thomas, a Boston-based former senior executive at Virgin who helped introduce baggage fees in the United States more than a decade ago as an airline consultant, told Reuters.

“You can take costs out, you can do some unbundling, but that doesn’t mean that you have got to unbundle all of your passengers… For your corporates and for your business clients and your premium passengers, you can still keep it as a bundled offering.”

Another point of difference for Australian business travellers will be the network sizes of the two carriers, with a Qantas source who was “not authorised to speak with media” telling Reuters that Virgin’s fleet reduction under Bain will widen Qantas’ advantage in network size and flight frequency, which can be even more important to corporate travellers than creature comforts.

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The post Business Class Australia: Stark Difference In Australian Airline Offerings appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

What would you do for a sumptuous bite of The Big Apple?

We’ve discussed subwaying, jibing and even beard baiting, but not once have we got close to figuring out the secret to dating in New York.

A series of Instagram stories by 29-year-old Australian model Monika Clarke, who lives there, recently prompted us to have another crack.

Clarke is recently single. She also, as we reported earlier this month, has been taking to Instagram to field various questions about her break up, dating and social media.

During her escapades, Clarke shed a ray of light on how to burrow into The Big Apple’s dating scene.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Monika Clarke (@monika.clarke) on Oct 12, 2020 at 11:30am PDT

On how to approach a woman, she said: “I’m no pick up master, but I will say this: in NY if you see a girl out just approach her. If she doesn’t vibe back don’t be offended [and don’t persist]. But don’t be one of those guys who stares at a girl all night, goes home, then DM’s her.”

“Just have the balls to say hi.”

For a rendez vous, Clarke’s best New York date idea is: “keep it simple; take her to dinner where the music isn’t too loud and you can sit in a corner, have some drinks and just get to know each other.”

As for Clarke specifically, the Australian model told DMARGE, “Humor is a big thing for me. And someone who appreciates sarcasm.”

“I don’t care about the watch you’re wearing while you’re holding your car steering a wheel. I want to see you enjoying time with your friends and family.”

In terms of meeting people in the first place Clarke recommends “go[ing] to a coffee place” or using Bumble.

Also, despite scenes of Manhattan’s wealthy sipping Proseccco with protesters in the background causing some to argue New York has lost the plot, Monika reminded us on Instagram New Yorkers are a tough bunch.

“Times are stressful, times are tough but New York is going to pull through.”

Various Reddit threads and internet opinion pieces suggest dating in New York is easier for men than women.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Monika Clarke (@monika.clarke) on Jul 23, 2020 at 8:39am PDT

One popular thread entitled, “Is dating in NYC really that terrible” claims there is a gender imbalance in New York, with the general consensus being NYC is “an AMAZING city to build a tribe of friends and further your career but a terrible place to look for love.”

“For men its like shooting fish in a barrel. The number of amazing, smart, successful women way outpaces the number of men of similar caliber,” one commenter wrote.

Another Reddit user said this might be down to “the types of jobs available in the city,” with “lots of jobs in fashion, PR, the arts in NYC but not lots of STEM careers compared to other big cities.”

“There are certainly finance guys but engineers and programmers are few and far between. From a career perspective it’s just a narrower field for men.”

Another challenge, according to another commenter, is the abundance.

“The toughest part about dating in NYC is that there are so many choices, which leads people to pretty much behave in the flightiest way by default.”

“This is particularly troubling for the ladies, since the demographics tip in the men’s favor in terms of sheer numbers. But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. According to numerous women I’ve talked to about this (and I’ve had a lllllllottttttt of conversations about this) the actual toughest part of dating here isn’t the quantity, it’s the quality.”

“Back in my single days (before 2014) I was meeting people both online and IRL and it could only be described as an embarrassment of riches. I could literally walk outside a bar, toss a rock in the air and it would land on an attractive, motivated, employed, interesting, funny woman. It is tough not to find one, they’re honestly everywhere.”

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The post Monika Clarke: Australian Model Provides Refreshing New York Dating Advice appeared first on DMARGE Australia.