The luxury sports watch segment is a hotly contested one so for 2019 Piaget to took a risk by giving their Polo S model a new splash of green.

The standout model features the simple hours, minutes, seconds and date window format in a stainless steel housing. Where the detail comes in is via a cushioned shaped dial with horizontal groove detailing. The bezel meanwhile has a brushed steel finish which is a nice contrast to the polished 42mm case.

Like the blue, silver and anthracite version, the green version also wears SuperLuminova coated indexes and hands for low light legibility.

Piaget will only offer 500 examples of the Polo S in green which also comes with a matching green leather alligator strap. It will retail for AU$14,200.

The post Piaget's Latest Limited Edition Luxury Sports Watch Goes Green appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There are a lot of stereotypes around sex work. However, in recent years, while everyone from The New York Times to The Huffington Post have published exposés into what it’s like to be a ‘call girl’ or ‘sugar baby,’ the news cycle has been substantially quieter on the ‘male escort’ front.

Of course, there have been interviews, like this one published in Cosmopolitan in 2015, but they have been written for a female audience—and none of them get into the nitty gritty. How fit do you need to be to work as a gigolo? How flexible? The list goes on…

Well, we’re nothing if not curious at D’Marge, so we decided to hit up Lorenzo, a former active male escort and CEO of A Gentleman Caller (in association with Sydney Male Escorts), to get the inside info.

While Lorenzo is now a CEO, he has plenty of experience from his younger days to share, explaining, “This profession isn’t for everyone.” In his case, he tells us, “A gradual build of experience… gave me a great deal of confidence to relax and enjoy my clients company—along with an improved cost of living—(which) made it very easy to stick with escorting long term.”

“Any escort will tell you the first few encounters are extremely nerve wrecking and quite daunting.”

As for how fit a guy need be to work in the escorting industry, Lorenzo has good news: “While stamina in the bedroom is obviously a key element, it is not the be all and end all… A well dressed, groomed and courteous gentleman will take you further in the long run.”

“Yes, maintaining a fit, toned and terrific body will attract an array of clientele, but it will only mask your characteristics momentarily before the booking gets underway.”

“I would say the average age bracket is around the late twenties to mid thirties. Although we do (also) have a good demand for mature males,” he adds; “Life experience plays a big part in the male escort industry.”

He then tells us that the landscape has changed considerably: “When I started as an escort, the concept in Australia was still relatively fresh so… I was forced to learn as I go which was indeed daunting at the time.” These days, however, there is a lot more support: “On the other hand, in my current position as a manager, I’d like to think of myself as a mentor of some kind.”

“Many male escorts have come to me for advice over the years (and) I’ve been more than happy to offer advice: whether it be how to conduct yourself during a booking or how to present yourself online and offline.”

Which leads into… the bedroom. According to Lorenzo, a big misconception about male escorts is they are able to “make a quick buck” by having sex with an unending stream of beautiful women. But reality differs. In fact, during Lorenzo’s company’s “recruiting” process, he says, “Our main focus is to ensure that the gentleman’s agenda isn’t purely based on a quick buck and getting their rocks off.”

“90% of the male escort industry is about companionship; accommodating a woman’s needs both physically and mentally.”

This is crucial because, according to Lorenzo, most female clients, “Rely on intellectual stimulation just as much as physical stimulation.” And while he admits it might sound a little cliche, “Most ladies,” he says, “Including the majority of my experiences, just want someone to talk to with a touch of TLC.”

In terms of flexibility, Lorenzo had a few words of warning for any aspiring male escorts, explaining how not every ‘job’ may pan out how you expect, telling us; “I was once a ‘plus one’ at a wedding at an attempt to make the groom jealous. An interesting night to say the least.”

In addition, he says anyone thinking about becoming a male escort should know that, regardless of what you’re ‘packing,’ personality is key: “While your ‘equipment’ and prowess in the bedroom are obvious elements to a successful career, your attitude needs to be on point. This industry has zero tolerance for brash and arrogant individuals.”

You also must be able to hold a conversation: “Half of our applicants look the part i.e. strippers, models etc, (but) you’d get a better conversation out of a coffee table with some. Your character is just as important as your appearance.”

And if you stick with it, you will eventually have to make some hard decisions regarding your privacy: “Outside of websites and agencies, I didn’t advertise on social media or anywhere else for that matter. I kept my cards pretty close to my chest, as disclosing my profession may have effected both my “day job” and relationships with family/friends.”

“Having said that, there is no harm in telling one or two close friends and family members who you know will support you through thick and thin.”

When asked where this societal pressure comes from, Lorenzo explains: “Male and female escorts will always be looked down upon by a good majority of people and yes, their opinions will be strong. This is largely due to how the lifestyle is portrayed on TV and in films, giving the industry a total misguided reputation, both good and bad.”

This means that going public, “Will obviously fast track your road to success.” However, Lorenzo warns, it also comes with backlash and social media trolling. According to him the best way to handle this, is not to respond: “Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. Don’t let anyone dictate the way you conduct business and most importantly, run your life.”

The post A Male Escort Agency Reveals The Qualities You Need To Become A Top Tier Gigolo appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

At the back of every man’s wardrobe sits a flannel shirt, in all its musty, moth-holed glory. It’s been worn to concerts, band rehearsals, and enough pub crawls that you begin to think it’ll outlive your grandchildren.

If you haven’t owned one, most of your mates have (and probably wonder what you wore as a teenager). Whether you found it on a rack at Vinnies or a glossy department store, the flannel shirt seems universal at a time where fashion is determined on a weekly basis.

In common Aussie parlance, flannel shirts usually refer to coarsely textured shirts with an oversized multi-colour checked pattern (we don’t call ‘em plaid here). However, the strictest definition of flannel refers to any fabric (usually wool or cotton) that’s undergone a washing and napping process to achieve a fuzzy, raised texture.

Flannel is often brushed to smoothen the raised fibres. But it’s often left as is. The final result is a soft and warm fabric that has utility for anything from bedding, kilts, and blankets to Pearl Jam’s touring wardrobe.

Even if you’re not kilting it up, it’s true that every guy has room for a solid flannel. This style of shirting has no limits – whether you’re a barista trying to look like a lumberjack or just a guy who needs a shirt for Saturday night. If you need to add a pop of colour or pattern to your sartorial game, then you could do a whole lot worse (lookin at you, Tapout).

Here, we’ll tackle how to incorporate the flannel shirt in and out of the office whilst offering some key pointers on how to avoid ending up in an #emo feed on Instagram.

Plaid Shirts With Jeans

The dependable flannel and jeans look needs no real introduction – you’ve done it, I’ve done it, you’ve probably given your old man pointers on it.

A flannel shirt and jeans combo is inoffensive and practical, suitable for anything from a boozy lurch across town, to a post-class procrastination session at a nearby café. It has more visual interest than a plain shirt and trouser look, but it just as versatile for most situations.

Stick To A Slim(ish) Flannel Cut

Make sure the cloth weight is harmonious with everything else in consideration. Avoid wearing a lightweight, crisp shirt with 16oz selvedge denim, or a bulky overshirt with skinny jeans.

Wear Flannel Smarter

For a smarter interpretation for the casual flannel wearer, wear slim (but not too slim) grey jeans or wool trousers, chocolate brown Chelsea boots, a white tee, and a multi-colour flannel to finish it off.

This is perfectly acceptable after-hours-drinks attire, without making you look like you still worship Kurt Cobain.

Short Sleeve Plaid Shirts

Sure, flannels are mostly associated with winter wear – they’re often heavier than your run-of-the-mill cotton oxfords and the fuzzy texture doesn’t seem suited to other seasons.

But many retailers offer light or mid-weight flannels that have year-round versatility.

For Casual Afternoon Style

Pair a lightweight flannel, navy chino shorts, and your nicer white sneakers (that you’re usually too scared to wear). Roll up the sleeves and undo the top two buttons for a definite weekend-off look.

For Summer Style

Light colours work best here. Pale checks with a cream, light brown, or blue tone are in tune with the season. Try to avoid combining patterns initially; if your shirt has big checks then keep the shorts to a single colour (party up top, business everywhere else).

Plaid Shirts With A Winter Coat

If your corporate overlords have said their last goodbyes to the jacket and tie, you might be left in the abyss wondering how to approach the company hustle without the comfortable fall-back of the traditional two-piece suit. Fortunately, the flannel shirt can step into the breach.

This requires is a mid-weight flannel in seasonally appropriate colours, with a stiff collar (soft collars are a casual thing and not likely to impress in the office). Combine this with chinos that are on the smarter end of the spectrum – a tapered leg, raised front, in a charcoal, navy, or deep brown.

In this instance, experiment with different patterns.

• Smaller checks, such as a gingham, tend to be less of a heat-seeker in the office. They’re also easier to incorporate with a tie, should you find yourself not quite ready to dispose of the silk noose.
• If your flannel shirt is a little roomy, trundle down to your alterations specialist to get darts inserted in the back of the shirt. This will let you avoid the ghastly muffin top look.
• Slightly cuff your chinos so they don’t crumple at the hem, and wear a belt that matches your shoes – ideally oxfords, but boots are a definite winter alternative.

This is perfect for the casual Friday, or even the whole week if the suited-and-booted dress code has finally gone in the bin.

Plaid Shirts With A Suit

You might be wondering how a flannel shirt could possibly look respectable in front of the people who determine your salary and have the power to cancel your leave at a moment’s notice.

Corporate environments, however, have been generally more accommodating of unusual ways to wear a suit, so if you wanted an opportunity to give your white shirt a siesta, now’s the time.

There’s a few straightforward ways to start. A pale blue prince of wales check underneath a navy tie and charcoal suit is business savvy and dashing as hell.

For a wintry look, a green gingham check shirt with your staple navy suit is a solid route to adding an unusual, but business-appropriate colour choice outside the ordinary parameters of grey and blue.

If you are tie-free, an oversized flannel check can also replace the role of a tie, by adding colour and pattern to the open gap between the jacket gorge and buttons.

Obviously, pick your battles. If the guy you need to impress for a promotion is a buttoned-up white shirt warrior, then pick a crisp, lightweight shirt with a discreet check over something bold and glorious.

Quick tips on formal flannel:

• If you’re wearing a thick flannel shirt, try to pair it with a suit that’s of a similar texture and density. Otherwise you might be tossing the sartorial balance out the window.
• A heavy weave flannel shirt will rubbish a super150’s merino wool suit, and vice versa. Play it safe, test a few combinations and see what cops suspicious second glances from the HR people on Monday morning (and leave an ironed white shirt at the back of your locker just in case).

Plaid Coats & Jackets

Layers, right? Flannels are generally heavy, so they’re a spot-on choice for chilly day layering – a tee, puffer vest, overcoat, mackintosh, overshirt, you get the picture.

Flannels are made in varying weights, so you have endless choice for how to approach your layering. Colourful check flannels are also useful in breaking up the tonal monotony of a monochrome layered look, so you’re not short on options.

Whether it’s just a thin flannel under a parka, or a bulky flannel overshirt worn over a thin hoodie and tee for a streetwear-sportswear combo. A white tee, oversized green and yellow flannel, and bomber jacket is another off-duty winner, offering the right mix of ruggedness and streetwear.

Flannel & Plaid Style Wrap Up

• Don’t do up the top button, ese. It looks Brooklyn hipster or gang member and you’re hopefully not either, so make sure that button doesn’t touch the buttonhole until you’re carefully folding it back into your wardrobe (or cracking on with a half Windsor).
• Do get a variety of options – various colours, various patterns, and various shapes (oversized, slim, and so on). Flannel shirts and their ordinary checked siblings have tremendous value in your wardrobe and can add colour and interest to even the most dull, last minute outfit you could think of. Buy a wide selection if you have the means.
• Don’t wear it around your waist (for now). Even if you’re having trouble letting the 90’s go, it’s a tricky thing to pull off and few guys have enough sprezzatura to carry the look home.
• Do pick seasonally appropriate colour choices. Grey and dark green are your winter staples. Lighter brown for autumn, and then cream and white patterns for summer. These choices will reflect attention to detail, and be harmonious with your surroundings.
• Don’t combine casual flannels with tailoring, and tailored shirts with your casual ensemble. It looks wrong. A crisp prince of wales check shirt looks mustard with a suit. You’ll look like your dad if you tuck it into your bootcut 140z Japanese denims.
• Do pick suitable cloth weights for your environment. Avoid Antarctica-friendly thick flannels in the office. Same story for lightweight blends if you’re about to do a risky winter run to the bottle-o. Check the weather in the morning paper and think about your schedule for the day before you take the plunge.
• Don’t push your luck with the flannel you wore to Big Day Out in 2010. It’s done. Kaput. Finito. Get a new one from somewhere – anywhere. Your local Salvation Army will have a billion. Sentimental value shouldn’t be a bigger priority than epic moth holes and a grotty stench that you can’t clean out.

RELATED: A Leather Jacket Is The Secret To Timelessly Masculine Style; Here’s How To Wear It

The post How To Wear Plaid For Men appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whilst many Swiss watchmakers continue to focus on extending their range to accommodate for more affordable pieces, there’s still room for watchmakers like Jaeger-LeCoutlre to drop some wildly extravagant stuff.

This year’s SIHH saw the debut of their Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel, the first multi-axis tourbillon with a constant-force mechanism, Westminster chime and perpetual calendar all built into one timepiece.

It’s a huge feat of craftsmanship that commands a matching price tag of 800,000 euros, or a touch over AU$1,250,000. That kind of coin gets you exclusivity with just 18 examples created worldwide.

Notable features of the watch includes a redesigned tourbillon which is smaller than previous JLC tourbillons. The general rule is that reducing the size of a mechanism also reduces its error tolerance, which is why successful miniaturisation efforts and its complexities are so highly valued.

Smaller tourbillons also make for better wearability. High complication watches often demand a lot of pampering and this is no different – the watchmaker believes it’s just a bit more suitable for everyday enjoyment.

Beyond that there’s a Westminster carillon minute repeater that replicates the chime of the iconic Big Ben clock tower in London.

If this is the future of mechanical watchmaking then it’s looking damn fine.

Reference: Q52534E1 (Blue enamel dial), Q5253420 (Silver enamel dial)
Case: 43 mm in white gold, 14.08mm thickness
Movement: JLC 184
Functions: Hour/Minute, Jumping Date, Two-way perpetual calendar (Day/Date/Month/Year), Gyrotourbillon, Minute repeater with Westminster chime
Power reserve: 52 hours
Water resistance: 30 metres
Dial: Blue guilloché enamel or Silver grained
Case Back: Open

The post Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Latest Creation Will Set You Back $1.2 Million appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Benjamin Smith spent a decade of his youth overindulging in everything a young man shouldn't.

Huge weekly benders, gambling, drugs and weight gain were just the least of his problems. On top of this Smith was also isolating himself and using vices to mask his deepening depression.

"I was a per...

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The post This Man Discovered One Of The Most Productive Ways To Beat Drinking & Depression appeared first on D'MARGE.

Picture this for a moment. A brand like Ferrari builds exotic sports cars the day it is founded. Speed. Soul. Passion. Reputation. Big Italian flair. Bigger Italian price tags. It’s an invaluable formula for success and pedigree that’s been proven for more than half a century.

Then one day, Ferrari decides to do something different. After more than two decades of no new car models, they release an economical electric car to take on the Toyota Prius.

That’s a similar scenario Audemars Piguet found itself in when they debuted their CODE 11.59 collection at this year’s SIHH – arguably the Swiss watchmaker’s biggest launch since the Royal Oak landed back in the 1970s.

The Royal Oak itself is a priceless name to Audemars Piguet thanks to its countless versions based on a robust and timeless silhouette. It was a winner and people simply loved it. Matching that reputation would therefore be extremely difficult in 2019 and as a result, CODE 11.59 was labelled everything from bland to uninspiring to rushed. Some even went as far as claiming it was a very expensive Daniel Wellington.

But we digress. Our opinion isn’t the topic of conversation here – it’s Audemars Piguet’s big gamble on heralding in a new era of watch which the CEO hopes will eventually make up a quarter of the brand’s total sales.

Aiding this will be 13 new references which also includes 5 references with complications. The name in itself is quite interesting and highlights the new era of Audemars Piguet.

Challenge -Challenge the limits of craftsmanship
Own – Our roots and legacy
Dare – To follow firm convictions
Evolve – Never stand still
11.59 – The last minute before a new day

Now that’s all out of the way, here’s what you’re getting in the watches. The designs are a definite departure to the Royal Oak but the one most are outraged about is the automatic. The rest from the 11.59 collection feature much more detail and enough design elements to stand out. Whether or not that’s to your personal taste is another story altogether.

The post Audemars Piguet Unveil Their Most Controversial Watch To Date appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Cartier is continuing to build upon the success of the Santos name following its re-introduction into the luxury watch scene last year.

2019 sees a trio of signature Santos timepieces with truly modern appointments. A larger case, striking new dual-tone finishes and a completely new movement marks the arrival of a Santos guaranteed to turn heads.

The reason for the new 43.3mm x 51.3mm case is attributed to the new chronograph movement – a natural progression for the Santos – which now features a start/stop pusher on the left side that falls in line with the crown on the right which also houses the chrono reset function. No doubt a well thought out design to accompany the new mechanicals.

Fans of the Santos can choose from a stainless steel variant with an 18k yellow gold bezel, a solid 18k rose gold version or our favourite, the stainless steel with a black ADLC steel bezel. The three models come with a choice of matching alligator, steel bracelet and rubber straps integrated with Cartier’s QuickSwitch system which allows the straps to be changed without tools.

The post Iconic Cartier Santos Arrives In Striking New Monochrome Finish appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Pour yourself a latte and weep: your favourite coffee bean could be at risk of extinction. UK researches have warned that of the 124 wild coffee species worldwide, at least 60 per cent of them are in danger of dying out.

As we don’t drink wild coffee—why is this a problem? Because the ones we do drink depend on their wild relatives to, as the ABC puts it, “Shore up (the) genetic resistance,” protecting them from diseases and insects, and allowing them to, “Thrive in warmer climes.”

Most worryingly for coffee drinkers, the wild relative of the world’s most popular coffee species, Coffea arabica, is an endangered species. As most of the world’s coffee trade rests on this species (along with C. canephora, also known as robusta), it is a distinct possibility that our descendants may never taste a melt-in-mouth Macchiato or flavoursome flat white.

On Wednesday, Science Advances published new research warning the conservation plans we currently have in place are “inadequate,” and that to prevent extinction more investment is needed.

“Ultimately, we need to reverse deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Aaron Davis, coffee researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and lead author of the paper.

However, in the meantime, in order to protect our coffee while the powers that be get their act together on global warming, you’d think there would be a viable, temporary solution. But you’d be wrong. As Dr Davis explains, you can’t just store good tasting strains of coffee in a seed bank.

“It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to conserve coffee using conventional seed storage methods,” (Dr Davis).

This is because—even at -20 degrees Celsius—seed bank storage freezers cannot effectively preserve coffee beans, which need to be chilled by liquid nitrogen (a highly expensive process) to even have a chance at being useable in the future.

In light of this, to conserve the genetic diversity of the wild species of coffee that our favourite Arabica bean relies on, Dr Davis recommends we “devise and manage the world’s protected areas more efficiently.”

Is this likely to happen soon? Judging by Paris 2017: probably not. On the bright-side: the (potential) extinction is unlikely to happen real soon either: so it’s your great grandkids—not you—who’ll miss out on the twitchy eyelids, artificially heightened sense of well being and permanent dehydration you’ve grown to know and love.

The post Coffee Bean Extinction Could Actually Happen appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

What you wear on your feet can make or break your look, blah blah blah. You’ve heard it all before and you probably don’t want to hear it again, so we'll fast-forward to the important part - a men's dress shoes guide.
All dress shoes are not created equal. They cannot all be worn anywhere, with...

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The post A Simple Guide To Men’s Dress Shoes For Those Who Know Nothing About Them appeared first on D'MARGE.