In the future, robots will be our tailors, our astronauts, and our tattoo artists, but do androids dream of exotic dancing? Just ask #R2DoubleD and #TripleCPU.

For one bizarre week during the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, the punnily named duo of robot strippers invaded a Las Vegas gentleman’s club to shake what their motherboards gave them.

“Come watch sparks fly as the robo-twins gyrate on the pole, shake their hardware and leave everyone wondering if those double D’s are real or made in ‘Silicone’ Valley,” boasted the official website for the Sapphire Las Vegas club.

Unlike Sophia, the robot granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia last year, #R2DoubleD and #TripleCPU are not designed to look like humans. Instead they look straight out of dystopian sci-fi scene, complete with hard plastic anatomy, visible wiring, and CCTV cameras for heads. The effect is decidedly unsettling, as you can see in the promo video below.

“We thought this would be a great way to tie into the CES crowd,” Sapphire owner Peter Feinstein said told the Las Vegas Review-Journal before the unveiling. “These robots are interesting because of the technology, and they’re a lot of fun. They really are art pieces, originally.”

Indeed, the bodacious bots were designed by an artist, Giles Walker, who originally intended them to be a political message against the British government for its extensive use of closed-circuit surveillance.

“At the time (when I made them), they were putting CCTV cameras up all around London, and Britain was becoming the most surveilled society in the world,” he explained to The Verge last December. “So I was playing with this idea of voyeurism, and who has the power in that relationship; whether it’s the voyeur or the person being watched.”

It didn’t take long after their debut for Walker to start receiving requests for the robot strippers to appear at parties, and so, begrudgingly, he accepted their new role as spectacle rather than statement.

Them robots comin for EVERYBODY job pic.twitter.com/sHYVt88Zta

— Lamborghini Merci (@Namastaywoke) December 3, 2017

But that’s not to say the artist and his erotic automatons haven’t successfully stirred up controversy. Some commenters have noted the irony of an anti-surveillance statement appearing at a conference that showcases drones and security technology. Others said the stunt highlights the serious issue of sexism in tech. For Walker himself, it’s an alarming vision of what the future could bring.

“They will invent the sex robot,” he told Recode. “Everyone’s striving to do it. I’ve been approached as well, but I think it’s a really dark area. I’m loath to go there.”

“[Just] because it’s legal, does that mean it’s a healthy thing?” he continued. “The dark side of the sex industry will create some really fuckin’ nasty, nasty stuff, and I think, ‘Is it worth it?’”

He isn’t the first one to express concerns over a future with shaggable robots. Along with the obvious moral and ethical questions about cybernetic sex, experts have issued multiple warnings about a world with mechanical bedfellows.

The post Robot Strippers Danced In Vegas And The Future Just Got Weirder appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

New year, new you…and new interior design trends.

From popular colours, patterns and materials, to the must-have textures and furniture, here’s what every man needs to know about creating a man cave worthy of calling your own in 2018.

Warmer Colours

Screw you, Millennial Pink, you’re dead to us.

The colour experts over at Pantone Institute have revealed their colour of the year to be Ultra Violet, a rich and intense purple hue that injects mystery and sophistication into a room. The popularity of jewel tones is set to wane, while warmer colours like shades of red will dominate.

These could include hues like burnt orange and bright ruby. Joining this warm colour palette are earthy shades and deep greys. Neutral metallic round out the 2018 rainbow will be making an appearance in a living room near you.

Concrete Materials

Marble and granite are taking a backseat this year, with stonework and concrete accents taking over. While concrete floors and countertops are obvious starting points, accents like concrete pendant lights and even furniture are on the cards, too.

Be careful not too go too far with the concrete trend, though, or your home will appear overly industrial and sterile, which is the opposite of the warm interior trends of 2018.

Dark woods like rosewood and walnut are set to soar and charring techniques will create blackened surfaces that look hardy and homely. Replacing copper at the top of the metallic table is brass, with silver-toned metallics not far behind.

Edgier Textures

Rugged and gritty is where it’s at for texture this year. Think composite granite sinks and rough stone. Organic materials will be popular, with traditional handcrafts thrown in to the mix for good measure. Thick rugs and tasselled trows should be welcomed, as should wool, suede and even velvet.

Floral Patterns

Flower power: Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting nanna-floral. 2018 sees a trend towards bright botanicals and oversized florals in vibrant contrasting colours. Compliment your new floral digs with a healthy dose of indoor plants – and we mean healthy! Cluster potted plants together to create points of interest and foster a tranquil atmosphere.

Colourful Kitchens

Bye bye traditional white kitchens. Mismatched crockery and tableware are in, as are dark wood tones (dark wood cabinet doors) combined with neutrals. This duo will make for a warm, yet, fresh, kitchen vibe.

While we’re in the kitchen, backsplashes have also received a makeover this year. Instead of the recent trend for hexagon and subway tiles, modern tiles that mimic the look of resin, wood, concrete and wallpaper will reign.

Keep Up The Good (Mill) Work

Millwork will be popular again this year, so keep your eyes peeled for reclaimed wood and put your handyman skills to good use by whipping up a bedhead yourself.

Try adding some wood panelling or intricate window frames to the mix for the ultimate millworked home.

Millwork leads us into the next trend nicely: recycled furniture. It’s hot hot hot in 2018, and you should jump on the second-hand bandwagon.

Vintage Lighting

In keeping with the trend towards unique and recycled interiors, vintage lighting is a must have this year.

Sinking In

The slick farmhouse trend sees free-standing trough and bucket sinks making their way into our bathrooms. Deep, durable, wide, low maintenance and incredibly functional, these sinks can also be used in the laundry or kitchen for a modern rustic makeover.

The post Hottest Interior Design Trends Set To Rule 2018 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Panerai’s family continues to evolve at this year’s SIHH with their Base and Marina models receiving fresh visual updates to appeal to an even wider market.

Six timepieces make up this year’s Luminor Logo collection but our personal pick from the Italian watchmaker is PAM00774. Its masculine design sees a striking black textile strap with contrast blue stitching complemented with a black dial and matching blue Officine Panerai logo at the 6 o’clock mark.

More on that one later. Let’s run you guys through the latest from Panerai at SIHH 2018.

Luminor Base Logo 3 Days Acciaio PAM00773

A new movement for one of Panerai’s best sellers means improved power reserve to accompany the aesthetic details. Whilst the strong and simple design of the watch remains, Panerai have focused their efforts more on refinement.

This approach brings us to a 44mm AISI 316L polished steel case which houses the new hand-wound P.6000 calibre delivering the basic hours and minutes functions and 3-day power reserve. A black dial wears Panerai’s luminescent numbers and indexes to ensure legibility when light is low. The patented crown protector is of course included and finished in brushed steel to ensure the robust unit can reach depths of up to 100 metres.

A black calf strap with beige stitching polishes off this piece nicely.

Luminor Base Logo 3 Days Acciaio PAM00774

Our pick of the six is this particular model which retains all of the same credentials as the aforementioned Luminor Base Logo but with a different colour design.

A 44mm polished steel case, 3-day power reserve and 100 metre water resistance forms the basis of the watch which is further amplified by a contrast blue stitching on the black textile strap. This is further highlighted with a blue ‘OP’ logo at the 6 o’clock mark.

Luminor Base Logo 3 Days Acciaio PAM00775

The final of the three Base models comes win a classic brown and white colourway for those after a more traditional look. The technical specs are the same as the other Base models except for the white dial with luminous dots and a Monte Carlo brown calf leather strap with gold stitching.

Luminor Marina Logo 3 Days Acciaio

Three new Marina models join the Luminor family and the signature small seconds counter has never looked better across the new colour options. A hand-wound mechanical, P.6000 calibre once again looks after the hours and minutes functions with the addition of a small seconds dial at the 9 o’clock.

The post Panerai Launches All New Luminor Collection appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Forget about Judgement Day. Have you ever wondered what would become of the world’s most beloved social networks once the world actually ended? Graphic artist Andrei Lacatusu did.

In his latest project labelled Social Decay, the artist took some of today’s most recognised online brands and withered it away to tell the story of a digital obsession that is ultimately abandoned by life.

The post Artist Reimagines Our Social Networks In A Post-Apocalyptic World appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you’re a retired 007 agent there’s no doubting that you would’ve picked up a few slick style moves along the way.

Daggy dad, meet 007 dad. The father of five naturally doesn’t cut the same athletic figure he once did on the big screen, but that’s to be anticipated – he is 64-years-old after all which is a year shy of Liam Neeson territory.

Brosnan seems to attend airports quite frequently so his choice in wardrobe often falls within the realm of off duty agent complete with Sunspel poloshirt, cotton trousers, brown suede shoes, matching hand luggage and a leather woven belt. And let’s not forget about the immaculately groomed silver fox look that’s always paired with a decent pair of wayfarers or aviators.

And in true dad fashion, Brosnan’s looks are rather pragmatic too. A subtle crew neck worn under a collared shirt will ensure the plane’s air conditioning doesn’t get the most of this retired spy. It might not be overly polished in the style department but that’s the point – Brosnan’s transit style these days is a fine balance between comfort, seasoned father looking after his health and still damn fashionable.  Don’t believe us? Check out the gallery and let us know what you think.

The post Pierce Brosnan Has Mastered The DILF At The Airport Look… Please Take Note appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

All good gangster stories come with a requisite dose of violence, sex, money, and boozing – and on every front, Peaky Blinders does not disappoint. The Cillian Murphy-led Shelby family has never met an excess they didn’t like, and now fans of the gritty drama can get a taste of life in early 20th century Birmingham.

Sadler’s Ales, a family-run brewing operation whose pubs once served the real-life Peaky Blinders, has released a series of spirits inspired by the hit BBC show. Each bottle draws from flavours popular during the gang’s 1920s heyday, a time in which new ingredients, aromas, and distilling methods were brought to the region by its immigrant communities.

The highlight of the three new beverages is a nod to the preferred tipple of the small screen Peaky Blinders (and presumably the real ones as well): a blended Irish whiskey, triple-distilled and finished in a sherry cask for a sweet taste and a smooth, intense flavour.

The other two bottles are a spiced dry gin, made from a selection of nine exotic botanicals, and a black spiced rum that boasts essences of orange, nutmeg, vanilla, and raisin.

The post The Drink Of British Gangsters Can Now Be Yours appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The acclaimed AMG badge has graced a many models in the Silver Arrows portfolio including the 43, 45 and 63.

Today Mercedes-AMG have added a brand new model line to their performance stable with the arrival of the CLS 53 AMG. The latest four-door sedan on the block made its debut at this year’s Detroit Auto Show and features a new engine as well as some smarts from Mercedes’ EQ department – that’s hybrid technology for those playing at home.

The conventional powerplant is a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six engine akin to those found in BMWs, but that’s about where the similarities end. The petrol engine’s 320kW of power and 520Nm can be further bolstered by an ‘EQ Boost’ starter-alternator motor that’s slotted between the engine and transmission to feed an additional 16kW and 250Nm into the drive.

This strategy borrowed from F1 allows the CLS 53 AMG to to fill the turbo lag gap whilst improving overall performance and fuel efficiency. Mercedes-AMG claim that the car is capable of doing 8.4L/100km whist boasting performance stats like 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 270km/h. Lest we forget, this is a near two tonne AMG-badged saloon.

Transmission will come in the form of a nine-speed auto paired to the car maker’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system which sends power to the front wheels whenever it detects traction loss.

Some bad news though: there’ll be no hanging out the rear via a dedicated Drift Mode button. That’s not to say it can’t drift…the driver will just need to go it the old school way, should that be their inclination.

Other typical Mercedes luxury appointments include AMG Ride Control+ which is an air suspension setup that can lift the chassis when going over speed humps and drop it again when it’s time for some spirited driving. The interior should be equally equipped of creature comforts and carbon fibre accents to remind the driver that they’re not in a standard version.

Exterior-wise, the CLS 53 AMG comes with 19-inch wheels with the option to go 20. A subtle bodykit adds the final touch to what is otherwise a rather practical and capable sedan.

Need something bigger? Check out the brand new G-Wagen which also debuted week at the Detroit Auto Show.

The post Mercedes-AMG Launch A New Model Line With The CLS 53 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

High profile exits in the fashion industry are nothing new, but when it’s someone who is credited for turning a fashion label into the hottest name in modern luxury streetwear then that definitely warrants some fanfare.

Kim Jones will officially be stepping down as the men’s Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton. His tenure at the iconic label ends this week with his final collection debut at Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2018 show in Paris.

It’s believed that the London-born designer will be leaving the coveted role for spot at Burberry once the latter’s current president and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey steps down in March.

Jones’ credentials includes a stint at Alfred Dunhill before he was picked by Louis Vuitton to head its men’s division – one of the fastest growing sections of the global fashion powerhouse. Since then Jones has been credited with spearheading the label’s venture into luxury streetwear with collaborations with New York-based label Supreme to resounding success.

The post The Man Behind Louis Vuitton x Supreme Officially Calls It A Day appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Vacheron Constantin brought a touch of history back to this year’s SIHH with a fresh tribute to one its most pioneering decades: 1956.

The FIFTYSIX collection models itself off the Swiss watchmaker’s reference 6073 with a host of design elements that pay homage to the original timepiece. Most importantly though, Vacheron Constantin are making these new pieces more accessible to the everyday wearer with its retro-contemporary style that evokes both elegance and masculinity.

To appeal to a new generation without compromising its rich heritage, three models in pink gold and steel variants were developed for the FIFTYSIX collection. Each one features its own distinct appearance and functionality to suit an array of tastes.

Let’s take a run through each one.

FIFTYSIX Self-winding (Ref 4600E/000A-B442)

For those after a clean and classic looking timepiece, the FIFTYSIX Self-winding model with date function is it. The watch comes with the option of a 40 mm-diameter steel or 18 carat 5N pink gold case. A peak inside will reveal a brand new mechanical self-winding movement in the Calibre 1326 which affords hours, minutes and seconds functions alongside the aforementioned date window at the 3 o’clock mark. The movement also affords a very handy 48-hour power reserve and stop-seconds device.

On the dial there’s standout alternating gold Arabic numerals and hour-markers which further enhance the monochrome dial with its double opaline-sunburst effect – that’s grey on the steel version and silver-toned on the pink gold version. There’s also baton-type gold hours and minutes hands which are coated with luminescent material for legibility at dusk.

Inquisitive watch goers can flip the piece around to be greeted with a transparent sapphire crystal that proudly shows off the signature Côtes de Genève design of circular graining and snailing finish.

This model in the FIFTYSIX collection is rated with a 30m water resistance and fitted with an alligator leather strap secured by a polished half Maltese cross-shaped steel folding clasp or pin gold buckle depending on the version.

FIFTYSIX Day-date With Power-reserve Indicator (Ref 4400E/000R-B436)

Stepping up a rung in the collection brings us to the FIFTYSIX Day-date which is complemented with a power reserve indicator. The dial is notably more intricate with more details showcasing the watchmaking prowess of Vacheron Constantin in its most contemporary guise.

A 40mm-diameter case in steel or 18 carat 5N pink gold once again provides the base for a highly versatile movement in the self-winding movement Calibre 2475 SC/2 with 40 hour power reserve.

The watch features hours, minutes and seconds functions alongside a date wheel at the 3 o’clock marker and a day wheel at the 9 o’clock marker. The power reserve bar sits between the 6 and 7 o’clock marker whilst there’s also additional features like a stop seconds device.

The dial design features a monochrome finish with double opaline-sunburst effect, enhanced by the additional contrast of its two snailed day-date counters. Gold Arabic numerals contrasts nicely here with a black alligator leather strap that’s secured by a polished half Maltese cross-shaped steel folding clasp or gold pin buckle, depending on the version.

FIFTYSIX Complete Calendar With Precision Moon Phase (Ref 4000E/000R-B438)

Finally we arrive at the FIFTYSIX Complete Calendar model with moonphase indicator. The piece epitomises pure elegance with its monochrome dial with opaline-sunburst effect which is a nod to the inclination of watch connoisseurs and collectors.

The indications of the day of the week, date, month and moon phase are all driven by a self-winding movement in the Calibre 2460 QCL/1 which also comes equipped with a 22 carat openworked oscillating weight adorned with the Maltese cross emblem.

Precision is of the utmost importance here and the Vacheron boffins have ensured that this is evident in the moonphase function which requires adjustment just once every 122 years – other moonphases require once every three years. 

Whilst cleaner than the day-date model with power reserve, the Complete Calendar still manages to stand out with two rectangular apertures at the 12 o’clock mark to indicate the month and the day of the week. The date itself is displayed by a central gold hand, while the moon disc at 6 o’clock features a blue night sky and 18K gold moons.

As dictated by the collection, the movement will reside inside a 40 mm-diameter case in steel or 18 carats 5N pink gold featuring a dial with gold Arabic numerals. This watch is similarly paired with a black alligator leather strap with steel folding clasp or pink gold pin buckle depending on the model.

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