The competitive sport of cricket has welcomed the arrival of a brand new timepiece with the Hublot Classic Fusion Ashes Chronograph.

The watch’s debut marks the extended partnership between Hublot and the International Cricket Council which first came together in 2015 with the former playing the role of official timekeeper.

Today that partnership has once again brought Cricket Australia and the Ashes Series 2017-18 to the forefront of conversation with the help of ex-Australian cricket captain, Michael Clarke. To celebrate the sport the best way they know how, Hublot unveiled the limited edition watch which will only come as 32 examples in the world – each one representing the number of series won by each team.

The watch’s appointments will see a unique design which features a grey dial that wears sport’s most significant symbols – the hands of the two chronograph counters in the shape of a bat and a triple applique at the 12 o’clock marker which mimics the stumps.

The caseback meanwhile wears the Ashes series logo on the sapphire glass and is complimented with a leather strap with triple white saddle stitching to honour the style of a cricket ball. Twin oversized chronograph counters reside at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock markers whilst a subtle date window can be found at the 6 o’clock mark.

The post Hublot Presents The Limited Edition Classic Fusion Ashes Chronograph appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Now boarding: the worst airline in the world.

Aviation ratings website Skytrax gives the aging Soviet-era fleet and dubious safety standards of Air Koryo just one star, but for Dutch photographer Arthur Mebius, the national carrier of North Korea gets full marks for fascination.

Mebius offers a rare look into the state-owned airline in Dear Sky: The Planes and People of North Korea’s Airline. The photo book offers a rare glimpse into the country’s infamously rigid culture and dated aesthetics, interspersed with fictional anecdotes that weave a prideful history of North Korea’s national airline.

“I was simply struck by the love for flying,” Mebius says of his experience. “My intention was to picture the dedication of the crews I saw there and tell the story of the people and their planes.”

And what a unique story it is. Due to a series of sanctions and environmental restrictions, Air Koryo’s time-capsule planes are only permitted fly to two international destinations: China and Russia. The veteran fleet of Antonovs, Ilyushins, and Tupolevs are too old for international flights anyway, yet the crew is still kept at the ready, and charter flights dedicated to North Korean aviation quickly fill with curious tourists.

“There are some eccentric touches, such as showing variety stage performances of North Korean musical bands, complete with backdrop of military maneuvers.”

Mebius has voyaged on eight vintage Air Koryo aircrafts, some with mint condition interiors dating back to the Jet Age, and taken over 20 flights. He completed his photo series over the course of three trips to the notoriously secretive nation.

According to The Telegraph, Air Koryo’s passengers have noted the carrier’s “perfunctory” emergency procedures, fizzy drinks that are “difficult to identify”, and “uncomfortably loud” engine noise, but Mebius describes a more pleasant experience.

“On a regular flight from Beijing, the aircraft is a new-build Tupolev or Antonov, indistinguishable from a contemporary Airbus or Boeing,” he told CNN. “Even though the flight time is only 90 minutes, a complimentary meal is served along with hot and cold drinks (and a first taste of excellent North Korea beer) by incredibly polite and polished cabin crew.”

But if you were hoping for odd, you won’t be entirely disappointed.

“There are some eccentric touches,” he added, “such as showing variety stage performances of North Korean musical bands, complete with backdrop of military maneuvers, with the soundtrack playing through the aircraft PA. The crossing of the Yalu River into North Korean airspace is announced over the PA.”

The post Inside The North Korean Dictatorship's Airline That Only Flies To Two Destinations appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Balls. Nuts. Cojones. Nads. Boys. Bollocks. Dangly bits. Rocks. Stones. Family jewels.

Call them what you want, there are few relationships more sacred than the one between a man and his set. You’d go to any length to keep your goodies in tip-top shape, and over the years, you’ve heard heaps of rumours about how to do it.

You may also have heard that, over the last four decades, men’s sperm counts have been declining. More and more guys are meeting the criteria for poor fertility, and difficulty conceiving is only one possible side effect. Low sperm count has also been linked to disease and even premature death.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect your paddlers from modern life’s assault on manhood. Today we separate fact from fiction from fearmongering, and reveal the naked truth about infertility. These 10 unassuming everyday habits may secretly be sapping your sperm count – science says so.

Wearing The Wrong Underwear

David Beckham may look great in junk-hugging designer briefs, but regular wearing of tighty-whities could cause a lower sperm count. The theory goes like this: constricting briefs hold your scrotum close to your body, reducing air circulation and causing your testicles to warm up beyond their usual temperature. This creates a hostile environment for sperm production.

A study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development tracked the underwear choices and sperm quality of 500 men for up to one year and found that those who wore boxers during the day and slept naked had 25% less damage to the DNA in their sperm, compared to those who wore briefs day and night.

Bicycle shorts and skinny jeans may have the same effect, some experts warn, while others say the difference between boxers and briefs is statistically insignificant when it comes to sperm count. If you’re the “better safe than sorry” type, it might be time to get fitted for a kilt.

Skipping The Gym

Sloppy bod, sluggish swimmers. A study published in the International Journal of Andrology found that men with a BMI of 30 or higher had lower volumes of semen, lower sperm counts, lower sperm concentration, lower sperm motility, and greater sperm defects than men at a healthier weight.

Obesity can disrupt hormone levels, say experts, causing fertility issues by throwing  the body’s ratio of testosterone and oestrogen out of whack. Extra weight may also decrease sperm quality by overheating the testicles due to fat deposits in the surrounding area.

But this is not a call to become a gym rat or try Christian Bale‘s Machinist diet. Excessive exercise can cause a decline in testosterone levels, and men who are underweight can also struggle with an abnormally low sperm count and poor sperm function.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Love a hot tub soak and a steam in a sauna? You may want to cut back on both if you’re in baby mode. Anything that raises the temperature of your twin cherries can have a temporary impact on sperm production (you may have noticed a theme here), and the negative effects can last for months.

There’s a reason your danglers hang outside the body. For optimal sperm production, the testicles should be two degrees lower than the core body temperature. Thanks to their precarious suspended position, they keep cool regardless of the fluctuations in your core body climate.

Fortunately, the side effects of overheating aren’t permanent, and once the pregnancy test comes up positive, you’re cleared to return to your regularly scheduled hot yoga class.

Watching Too Much TV

Netflix and chill? Not if you’re trying to conceive. Skip the Breaking Bad binge if you’re hoping for a little Walt or Skyler of your own.

Recent research from Denmark suggests that watching too much television can put you at risk of infertility. In the study, participants who logged 5 or more hours of screen time per day had 29% lower sperm concentration and 34% lower sperm counts than men who didn’t watch any TV.

Researchers offered a variety of theories for why this is the case, ranging from the bulky physique of a serial couch potato, to a lack of antioxidant enzymes caused by inactivity, to – you guessed it – an increase in scrotum temperature from all that stillness and sitting.

Succumbing To Stress

Being under pressure is only cool when David Bowie sings about it. The rest of the time, stress can take a toll on your reproductive potential in several ways. First, stress triggers the release of your “fight or flight” hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can inhibit the production of testosterone and, in turn, can lower the quantity and quality of sperm.

Stress can also interfere with libido and lessen the desire to have sex in the first place, and can trigger other behaviours associated with infertility like eating more junk food, taking more medications, getting sick more often, and exercising less frequently.

A Disrupted Sleep Schedule

Want to increase your sperm’s health by doing absolutely nothing? You’re in luck: experts say getting between seven and seven and a half hours of sleep each night is the perfect catalyst for healthy swimmers.

Fall on either extreme end of the spectrum and your little baby-making buddies will suffer. Sleep deprivation, defined as six and a half hours or less per night, can make your sperm 30% less healthy. Go over nine hours of sleep a day and your sperm’s health rating drops even more significantly, by an unsettling 41%.

Aim for the shuteye sweet spot and if you struggle to get a good night’s beauty rest, check out our favourite sleep tips here and here.

Techno-Proximity

Our old friend overheating is back once again. Some experts believe using a laptop in your lap could generate excess heat in the genital region. Others say the effect is negligible, but to be safe, you may want to stick to desks and tables (it’s better for your posture anyway).

And about that omnipresent smartphone… we know it’s essential to be able to swipe right or double tap at any time, but you may want to reconsider where you store your mobile. A 2014 British review of 10 studies concluded that radiation emitted from phones could affect sperm development, function, and viability. Skip pants pockets as cell storage, particularly the front ones, to limit your exposure.

Overconsumption Of Caffeine Or Soy

Need another reason to clean up your diet? In addition to keeping you in your skinny jeans, healthy eating patterns keep your foetal matter fighting fit. Top offenders include a high soda or coffee intake, too much soy, and overdoing it on the trans-fatty acids in junk food.

A Danish study found that excessive caffeine intake – whether from soda, coffee, or energy drinks – resulted in sperm counts almost 30% lower than men who indulged responsibly. A study at Harvard concluded that men who eat large quantities of soy-based foods produce 32% less sperm per millilitre than men who consume no soy-based foods. A third study discovered a link between high concentrations of trans-fatty acids and drastically lower sperm counts.

Aim to eat a diet high in antioxidants to increase both sperm count and motility, and get plenty of folic acid and vitamin D.

BPA Exposure

Environmental toxins like pesticides, heavy metals, radiation, and other industrial chemicals do a number on your member. While it seems obvious to avoid the most serious offenders, others fly dangerously under the radar.

Beware of plastic bottles and food containers that may contain BPA, an “environmental oestrogen” that can disrupt the delicate balance of your hormones. BPA can lower sperm counts and motility, according to a study in Reproductive Toxicology, which found that men who are exposed to large quantities have sperm counts about 23% lower than men with no BPA exposure.

BPA can also be be found in canned foods, many of which are coated with BPA resin that can leach the chemical into the food. Acidic canned foods are especially risky.

Partying Too Hard

Be honest with us: this one isn’t really a surprise, is it? When you’re smoking enough for Rogen and Franco both, and tossing back bottles like Johnny Depp, a part of you knows you’re not making the healthiest choice for yourself or your baby batter.

Excessive alcohol, excessive smoking (of any kind), and excessive opiates use – whether prescribed or illicit – can all have a negative effect on the production of sperm and testosterone. Taking anabolic steroids can also cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease.

The post Surprising Everyday Habits That Could Be Making You Infertile appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The immense pulling power of luxury streetwear continues to flex its muscles but this time it’s no menswear collection drop.

The wildly successful collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Supreme saw queues of people lining up for luxury goods as if they were the iPhones in a bargain bin just a few months ago. Today, what many believe to be the last piece to be released from the eclectic partnership, has been sold.

A teddy bear. This is not your average 28-inch plush toy though. This Supreme x Louis Vuitton teddy bear is the pinnacle of fashion royalty branding and it went via auction overnight for a cool US $106,016.08 (AUD$140,140.23).

We can hear the cries already about starving children and what-not so before you pick up that pitch fork, let it be known that this was done all in the name of charity with all proceeds going to the BBC Children in Need initiative.

The post LV x Supreme Sold A Bear That Rivals The Cost Of Your Home Deposit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In the world of tuxedos we’ve pretty much seen it all. Wild colours reminiscent of phallic emojis? That’s rather 2017 of you, Donald Glover.

Tuxedo jackets which mimic your favourite childhood puzzle book? Now we’re talking, Sam Smith. The English crooner most recently showed up to the Bambi Awards in Berlin in a tuxedo jacket that can only be described as Magic Eye-inspired.

For the uninitiated, Magic Eye is a puzzle book which contains pages of what looks to be nondescript patterns of static and geometric shapes at first. Stare at it close enough with a cross-eye though and a 3D image will begin to emerge from the page, making your younger self question the physics of life and what cordial you were drinking earlier that day.

Sam Smith’s tuxedo jacket is a replica of this iconic book’s patterns and whilst it is visually jarring, it definitely instills intrigue into this evening menswear staple piece. It’s not black, not grey, or white. It’s all three and that’s why it’s a winning look when it comes to pioneering a traditionally rigid ensemble that involved the usual black dinner jacket.

Whilst it is visually captivating in the classiest way possible, we’re still wondering whether or not there’s a hidden message in the geometric puzzle. Have a stare in the gallery and let us know if you see anything.

The post Sam Smith Actually Wore A 'Magic Eye' Tuxedo Jacket To The Bambi Awards appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Hardworking. Positive. Self-motivated. Confident. Flexible. It might sound straight-forward but just like you want a unique and dependable product in your flat, a boss wants the same on his payroll.

The cookie-cutter qualities above are great, but do they truly make an employee stand out amongst his peers?

Here are six character traits bosses actually look for in their respective employees and why they matter.

Reliability

Being reliable is important for productivity. If a boss can’t depend on his employee to fulfill responsibilities and hit deadlines, how can the team deliver on time? A boss will turn to a reliable employee in times of need, keeping them in mind for a raise or promotion in the future. This won’t happen if they can’t depend on them.

Freelancers aren’t excluded from this character trait. No client will recommend or re-contract you if they have a less than desirable experience because you weren’t reliable. Be open and communicate with the people you work with. If you’re going to be OOO for a week, make sure they don’t pass any assignments your way during that time.

Admirability

If you follow Jeff Bezos and Amazon news, you might have come across this article on questions Jeff Bezos asks himself about potential new hires. The notion of being admirable goes beyond initial hiring, as he states in the article. Working with someone you admire makes you work harder and creates a sense of community amongst the team.

So, how does one become admirable? Get to know your work mates outside the office space. Drop by their social pages, get a feel for what and who they admire. If a concern arises in the office, address it as soon as you can. The more respect you have for your co-workers, the more admirable you are in everybody’s eyes.

Honesty

You can’t get away with bullshit in the workplace. A manager can detect a lie from a mile away and will quickly lose respect for you when caught in one. Whether it’s client facing or internal, authenticity and transparency in the workplace are crucial. It strengthens relationships and creates an atmosphere where everyone is comfortable and satisfied.

Humility

We know you’re great. You know you’re great. But no everyone wants to hear about how great you are. Stay humble about your accomplishments and continue to show value through your work, not your words.

Effectiveness

A respective employee doesn’t just do the bare minimum and go home. Another snippet from the Jeff Bezos piece, he states “the bar has to continuously go up. I ask people to visualize the company 5 years from now”.

Again, this translates post-interview. Push the limits of your company. Share your creative vision, communicate where you want to see the company go, and grow in your role. Your boss doesn’t want to promote someone who isn’t passionate about the brand.

Strategist

Everything involves a plan. You can’t obtain a goal without laying out the blueprint for how you will get there. The strategist won’t be afraid to take risks to bring a vision to reality. They’ll be able to make decisions, think independently, and be assertive to push the envelope.

A Final Thought

It’s not rocket science when you think about it but if you really do need the science to back up the aforementioned, it’s worth noting that SkillsSurvey looked at 10,000 references in order to list five of the most positive traits of successful jobseekers across 16 different industries.

The analysis highlighted commitment, dependability, team orientation, attention to detail, and attitude as its most sought after by employers. Whilst this is similar to the aforementioned above, we need to add that being yourself is also paramount.

The post Successful Job Candidates All Share These Character Traits appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Without so much as a warning, American electric carmaker Tesla have unleashed the “quickest car in the world” with the second generation Roadster model.

Slated for a 2020 release date, the Roadster concept features insanely beautiful proportions which blends hints of Toyota’s FT-1 with Porsche’s own electric car project.

What you’re getting under the skin is an entirely different beast though. Musk is claiming this as the fastest production car ever made and there’s even video to prove it. 0-100km/h is dispatched in an impossible 1.9-seconds which trumps the current top of the range Model S P100D’s 2.5 second sprint.

And unlike most electric supercars which tend to lack grunt at the top end, Musk hinted that the new Roadster can easily manage a top speed of 402km/h.

Those kind of figures would tend to strike fear in those who are after range and efficiency but it’s been reported that the concept car’s 200kWh battery pack can afford the car around 1,000km per charge.

A post shared by Alex Hirschi – Blondie (@supercarblondie) on Nov 17, 2017 at 1:06am PST

The post Tesla Unveils The World's Fastest Accelerating Car appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Australian skincare experts at Aesop are known for creating some of the most luxurious grooming products in the game. They’re also beloved for their keen eye for design, displayed magnificently on every minimalist package and in each of its 100+ unique retail stores around the world.

The latest shop to join that prestigious line-up has opened in London’s trendy Chelsea neighbourhood. Created in partnership with long-term Aesop collaborator Snøhetta, the new UK flagship was inspired by classic James Bond films, and may well be the city’s most photo-worthy shopping experience.

Snøhetta transformed the 108-square-metre industrial property in Duke of York Square with a dramatic departure from Aesop’s usual neutral aesthetic. Twelve soaring arches define the space, stretching from a centralised column to the perimeter walls, designed in tribute to the concrete forms used by Brazilian modernist Oscar Niemeyer.

Surrounding the column is a disk-shaped sink with a polished stainless-steel top and fibre-glass base, creating the illusion of a “hovering water mirror”. As in all Aesop stores, the sink is designed to be the focal point of the space – the interior’s natural meeting point.

Snøhetta swapped Aesop’s usually understated colour palette for something a bit more bold – a clay-based plaster, washed in a pale red shade the brings warmth to the store’s sweeping and futuristic architectural structure. The brand’s apothecary-style brown bottles are displayed on metal shelves and niches along the walls.

“The contrasts created by the rough surfaces of the walls against the soft, polished expression of the clear stainless-steel shapes, the play with color gradients, as well as the changes in light throughout the space, all underline a sense of depth to the design,” explained Snøhetta. “Combined with the traditional arches and futuristic elements such as the sink, the design aims to trigger customer’s sense of curiosity.”

Aesop Duke of York Square is Snøhetta’s first permanent project in the UK and Aesop’s largest store in Europe. Expect to see it popping up on the feeds of your favourite Insta-influencers asap.

The post Aesop Channels Bond In London's Most Instagrammable Store appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s time to get reacquainted with some of the world’s best dressed men for a top up of your wardrobe inspiration.

This edition brings you not one but two Justins – Theroux and Timberlake, both going down very different routes in menswear. For the suit fiend look no further than Timberlake’s navy ensemble and pay close attention to the shoes which also wear a splash of blue. Theroux meanwhile continues his biker-inspired looks whilst keeping things neat and tidy. Beckham better watch his back.

In the casual suiting department Dave Franco and Oliver Cheshire are showing guys how it’s done without going too formal whilst Tom Ford and Ansel Elgort are our champions of suiting and tuxedos this week.

Elgort goes for the pared down double breasted number whilst Tom Ford is yet again immaculate in a blue velvet tuxedo.

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