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Features
Contents 50-53 6 Introducing the World’s First Scotch Whisky Sunglasses 7
The Essential Reading List
8-9 We Catch up with the Perfect Chapar Man & Photographer Tommy Clarke
12-15 Brexit and the City: We Chat with Global Property Consultancy JLL to Discuss the London Residential Market Post June 23rd
26-27 Give Your Home Wings: We Catch up with Nicolai Watzenig, Founder of Online Interior Design Marketplace, Homewings
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The Future of Travel: Tumi
16
ood Looking Brews: Six G Craft Beers that Taste as Good as they Look
17
ow to Care for H Suede Shoes
18-20 The Chapar’s Pick of the Best Destinations for a Smarter Trip Away: City Breaks Reinvented 28-29 Travel Smart, Pack Light: What to Stick in your Case for a Stylish Trip Abroad 31-33 T he Many Faces of Tom Hiddleston 34
hree Classic Summer T Haircuts with Marylebone's Ruffians
36-37 Cooking with Protein: The Chapar Sat Down with POLLEN+GRACE to Discuss How to Get High Protein Meals into your Everyday Diet
22-25 Obama: As the President Prepares for his Hawaiian Vacation, we Look at the Legacy he will Leave.
39 Spin: So, you Might be of the Opinion that Spin Classes are for Girls, Right? We Thought so too, Until we went to Ride Republic 41
Tinie Tempah’s Personal Trainer on Reassessing Your Fitness Goals: Pain is Not Always Gain
43
5 Shaving Mistakes All Men Make (and How to Fix Them)
48-49 Orlebar Brown: “Shorts That You Can Swim In” 50-53 Are you Stuck in an Indigo Style Rut? Get Out Your Denim
31–33
44-47 Where to Wear: The Best Autumn Locations for a New Season Wardrobe
CONTRIBUTORS Will Barnes Joe Barnes Jack Stewart
PUBLISHERING & PRODUCTION Singleton Publishing singletonpublishing.co.uk
CONTACT For all advertising enquiries please contact: chris.seddon@thechapar.com For all other enquiries including guest editorial and feature opportunities please contact: chris.seddon@thechapar.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Seddon DESIGN Singleton Publishing singletonpublishing.co.uk
TERMS & CONDITIONS Under no circumstances must any part of this publication be reproduced without prior permission to the publisher. Whilst every effort is taken, the publisher shall not be held responsible for any errors. Further-more, the publisher shall not be held responsible for an advertising material/content. Please also note that the views and opinions written within this publication do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the publisher. All prices and details stated within this publication are correct at the time of print, however these are subject to change and the publisher shall not be held responsible for these. Third party contributions own exclusive copyright to their own material that they have submitted as part of the publication. All rights reserved.
COVER IMAGE Tom Hiddleston
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SAM MIDDLETON
CHRIS SEDDON
FOUNDER & CEO AT THE CHAPAR
MARKETING MANAGER & EDITOR AT THE CHAPAR
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hen you look good, you feel great but the process of getting there is often anything but enjoyable. The Chapar was born out of the realisation that there are fundamental flaws in the way men buy clothes and is revolutionising the shopping experience. Here’s how it works – Provide us with a few details about your clothing size, favourite brands and style, via the website. You’ll then receive a follow up call from your stylist to discuss your personal needs and wants before they hand-pick a trunk of clothes for you, pack them up and send them to your home or work. When the trunk arrives full of clothes you have the opportunity to try each piece on and pick which you’d like to keep. A courier will then collect anything you don’t like for free and you only pay for what you’ve kept. Genius, right?
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tarting with our styling service, but now extending to everything you do. We know that time is an increasingly precious resource, we decided that not only can we help on the styling front but by producing a Handbook with content across business, travel and lifestyle we could help you reach your goals faster and smarter. It’s not about cutting corners but being armed with condensed facts and knowledge to do things more efficiently. This Handbook will be 100% focused around the idea of ‘Smart Living Made Easy’ – We hope you enjoy the read and look forward to welcoming you to the club!
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MA X WEARS OUR GUERNSEY JUMPER, INFORMED B Y O U R H E R I TA G E A N D M A D E O F F I N E W O O L .
L O N D O N – B E R L I N – TO K YO – S U N S P E L . C O M
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THE CHAPAR L O V E C L O THES HA TE S HO P P I N G
SI GN U P | S TYL IS T CO NS U L TA TI O N | HA N D -P IC KED C L O THES | T RU NK D EL I V ERED
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Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the 16 Men of Tain. The distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in the whisky industry. Today, the company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH). www.glenmorangie.com
Introducing the world’s first:
SCOTCH WHISKY SUNGLASSES 1st March 2016, London: Finlay & Co., the British eyewear brand best known for wooden sunglasses, has turned their hand to a different type of wood altogether, by handcrafting sunglasses made from Glenmorangie whisky casks.
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n a first for both the Scotch Whisky industry and the fashion world; these two brands which share a deep affinity to wood, have come together to create an exclusive collection of sunglasses and the ultimate accessory for any whisky lover. The lightweight sunglasses are based upon Finlay & Co.’s popular Ledbury shape and have been designed and handmade in Britain by deconstructing the Glenmorangie whisky casks, which originate from American White Oak and are only used twice. Using a rigorous 16-step craftsmanship process, each pair of the individually numbered Glenmorangie sunglasses display the natural finish and unique grain of the original casks. The bespoke sunglasses fashioned from these casks, honour Glenmorangie Original’s perfect balance and alluring complexity. David Lochhead, co-founder of Finlay & Co. said: “We were really excited to give each cask a new step in its story. We’ve created a limited run of 1,843 pairs of sunglasses to mark the founding of the Glenmorangie Distillery in 1843. Each pair has its own intriguing grain and we’ve been delighted to see how the unique character is different from pair to pair.” Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, said: “We are delighted to celebrate our own ethos of craftsmanship with a British company which thinks the same way we do by creating these memorable sunglasses.” CJ
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FINLAY & CO.
CHAPAR LOVES
GLENMORANGIE
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Launched in 2012 to bring individuality and lifestyle to eyewear, Finlay & Co.’s handmade sunglasses are available in over 100 stores worldwide including Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Barneys in the USA. Every pair of Finlay & Co. Glenmorangie sunglasses goes through a rigorous 16 stage handcrafted manufacturing process with each cask producing around 60 pairs of glasses. Well-known wearers of Finlay & Co. include Rihanna, David Gandy, Cara Delevingne and Jenson Button. www.finlayandco.com
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THE ESSENTIAL READING LIST
THE
MIND F*CK THINKING, FAST AND SLOW DANIEL KAHNEMAN The world is hardly short of research into human rationality and irrationality but standing head and shoulders above all of them is Kahneman’s tour-de force of psychological research. A brilliant and engaging look into the human mind by one of the greatest psychologists of our time, this is a must read for anyone with a curious mind.
THE
ROCK STAR
THE
DRUG BIBLE
LIVE AT THE BRIXTON ACADEMY SIMON PARKES WITH JS RAFAELI
NARCONOMICS: HOW TO RUN A DRUG CARTEL TOM WAINWRIGHT Ever wondered how budding cartel bosses survive and thrive in the $300 billion illegal drug business? Wainwright’s pioneering book looks into the way in which drug barons have adopted the strategies used by corporations such as Walmart, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. An engaging, witty and erudite look into the war on drugs, Narconomics is one of the most persuasive arguments for drug reform ever written.
In 1982, 23-year-old Simon Parkes bought a dilapidated cinema in Brixton for £1. Over the next 15 years he turned Brixton Academy into one of the world’s most iconic music venues, hosting legends such as The Smiths, The Rolling Stones and the UK’s first legal raves (along with some less legitimate and even more debauched parties). What really sets this book apart though is not the gossip but Parkes’ account of violence, gangs and the police in 80s Brixton. The perfect literary antidote to a desk job.
THE
BUSINESS BOOK
THE
CLANDESTINE AFFAIR
THE EVERYTHING STORE: JEFF BEZOS AND THE AGE OF AMAZON BRAD STONE Even from its first days delivering books from a garage in Seattle, the enigmatic Amazon founder had ambitions much more than anyone could have anticipated. In order to achieve his goals, Bezos developed a corporate culture of relentless ambition and secrecy. Stone’s account of Amazon’s seemingly interminable rise is an essential read for anyone interested in the dynamics of the digital economy.
THE NEW SPYMASTERS STEPHEN GREY Far from your average spy book, The New Spymasters reveals the role of secret agents in the real world. From helping to start wars to preventing terrorist attacks, Grey’s accounts of true events are so riveting you’ll be seeing shadows around every corner. Bond, eat your heart out. WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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TOMMY CLARKE Looking through some of these images you can’t help but feel the need to book a one way ticket out to a remote destination. With a desperate need of escapism, Tommy’s images succeed in transporting you to a place you’d rather be. Fear not we’ll recommend a few must sees! Tommy Clarke’s a busy man, who’s often on the road – essentially the perfect Chapar man. We caught up with him in between his tight schedule. Work never stops for you... Where did you shoot last? Most recently I was flying over the island of Antigua for an exhibition out there but my favourite place to shoot so far has to be Shark Bay in Western Australia, I could have been on another planet, such an alien landscape. Shooting from the air must be awesome. How does it work – are you having to hang out of a plane? Yeah I am harnessed in to the plane or helicopter and then we take the door off and i just hang out the side!! It allows
me to shoot straight down without any obstructions like helicopter skids etc. Adrenaline rush... Any near scares in the sky?! Thankfully nothing too bad, but flying over a school of bull sharks in Mexico in a plane that we had to pretty much push down the runway definitely wakes you up! How do you go about finding your locations? I read a lot of travel mags like Conde Nast Traveller for inspiration, but largely I use high-definition satellite
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imagery which means I can look around the world from the comfort of my Brixton studio. I’m a big fan of your aerial shots in Mexico. I recently got back from Tulum… Tell me a bit about the trip any recommendations for visitors? What an amazing place. I loved Hartwood particularly for an evening meal and Zamas beach restaurant for lunch of ceviche and a few Coronas. CJ
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ORLEBARBROWN.COM
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THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL TUMI, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories, announces the launch of TUMI V3 for autumn 2016. The V3 collection, TUMI’s lightest ever hardside luggage offering, will raise the bar for design and technology excellence and set a new standard for the future of travel.
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clear-cut expression and display of TUMI’s design leadership, V3 showcases a balance between performance, structure, strength and aerodynamics. Designed for travellers who value TUMI for its time-tested endurance, these bags are constructed from a multi-layer polycarbonate shell, engineered to offer unparalleled strength and impact resistance at a very light weight. The flexibility of the material allows for maximum resistance to cold impact cracking and corner crushing, while the contoured exterior ensures resiliency and reduces signs of wear. Raised, molded rubber bumpers placed on either side of the case add additional protection to the exterior, making these wheelaways the consummate travel
companion for any adventure. The V3 cases will be offered in the full range of carry-on and check-in pieces, ranging from a Compact Four-Wheeled Carry-On through a Worldwide Trip Packing Case. All styles will feature integrated low-profile TSA locks, TUMI Tracer® and a patented X-Brace 45® aircraft-grade aluminum, which contributes to the reduced weight of the bags. The four dual spinning recessed wheels are constructed to offer effortless mobility and provide greater packing capacity inside. These styles will be offered in a rich, autumnal color palette including, black, steel blue, hunter, merlot and waterfall stripe. The V3 collection will retail at TUMI stores worldwide and on TUMI. com beginning July 2016. CJ WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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BREXIT AND THE CITY The Chapar met three of the directors from global property consultancy JLL to discuss the London residential market post June 23rd, where they would invest in the capital and what they would do to tackle London’s housing crisis if they were London's Mayor... Chapar: What does the post-Brexit world mean for you?
the opportunity at a time when developers are being more flexible in their approach.
Adam Challis: Makes sense for me to start this off. From a research and advisory perspective, our clients have generally shown some caution, which is the default response to uncertainty. With Theresa May as PM we had quick resolution to political uncertainty so that buyers are already looking for re-pricing opportunities, although there hasn’t been too much discounting at this stage and may never be.
Will Grant: The Central London development land market had already been slowing over the past year anyway from a peak in 2014. If you are talking the mainstream markets in zones 3-6, some deals are happening and this will continue as long as pricing stays sensible. The EU result has led to the majority of land buyers taking a wait and see attitude, particularly the listed housebuilders. Government bodies are likely to become the largest seller of land over the next couple of years as it has different drivers.
Peter Gibney: I sell units in new development schemes, so we’re at the riskier end of the spectrum for residential investment. The referendum result took our clients by complete surprise and brought with it a lot of uncertainty for everyone. But like Adam said, this has shifted and the last couple of weeks have been among the best of the year in terms of sales transactions - who would have predicted that! Much of this is a result of overseas money taking advantage of the sterling weakness and UK purchasers taking
Where are the London hotspots – now and in the future? AC: The numbers say that emerging, but still good value, locations in Inner London are performing best right now, particularly where new transport like the London Overground or the Elizabeth line are seriously improving connections. Large-
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" As a future hotspot and where I would invest my money, I’m going to say the regeneration that is set to take place along the Lee Valley. "
scale regeneration such as at Elephant & Castle, Deptford will be complemented by future places that most people probably haven’t heard of like Old Oak Common and Meridian Water. But as a researcher I’m conservative, so if I could afford it I’d be into Prime London for the long-term. A bet against Prime is a bet against London’s place in the world – who would do that?! WG: I think the infrastructure point is true, but the story has to be there. Despite the popular press propagating the notion of ‘Nine Elms syndrome’, my favourite hotspot is Battersea/Nine Elms. It’s such as shame that a proper understanding of what’s happening there isn’t clear. There’s some great looking buildings designed by world class architects (Foster & Partners, Frank Gehry, KPF) - but it’s not all ‘luxury flats’. The retail is going to rival King’s Road, there are going to be over 30 bars and restaurants open from next year, 1200 American Embassy employees will be working there from 2018 and there is over 3 kms of river frontage and a new linear park. It’s basically a new city, with new Underground stations and it’s zone 1; a 10 min Uber from the West
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End. The value growth over the long-term there will be phenomenal. PG: I’m an East end boy so I’m going to say my current hotspot is Whitechapel. As one of the main intersections of the Crossrail lines from the east it is still undervalued considering how close it is to the City, Canary Wharf and the nightlife of Shoreditch. WG: Yeah, I like Meridian Water too. It’s at the southern tip of LB Enfield and the council have master planned 210 acres. Developers Barratt and Segro are about to bring forward 10,000 homes and 1m sq. ft. of commercial. A new station and the potential for Crossrail 2 will move the market significantly. PG: As a future hotspot and where I would invest my money, I’m going to say the regeneration that is set to take place along the Lee Valley. This stretches from the popular Hackney Wick south through to the relatively unknown areas of Stand East then the listed Three Mills film studios and Twelve Trees gas holders – basically a big
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chunk of the Olympic legacy lands. All of these areas are in zone 2 and the extensive potential plans for these canal and riverside communities look amazing and it’s certainly where I see the future growth over the next 10 years. If you were the new Mayor Sadiq Khan, what would you do to tackle the London housing crisis? WG: In the new Brexit world, Sadiq and his team at the GLA have got their work cut out in ensuring London maintains the current level of housing building, for example, there were 12,000 starts in H1 2016, 34% less than last year. In my view land availability is not the main issue, but rather it comes down to delivery and skills. 50% of delivery is controlled by the top 10 developers and with most of the housebuilders focussing on the existing inventory someone needs to fill the gap – that’s likely to be housing associations, some big overseas investors, and potentially even London councils themselves. My advice to Sadiq’s team is to be realistic on affordable housing targets – remember “50% of nothing is nothing” - and don’t be afraid to innovate
on topics like micro flats. The market loves them and its great use of space in dense city. PG: I agree with a lot of Will has said. I believe the housing problem is not going to be solved by simply prices falling as this may only exacerbate the issue as it will stop new development starts therefore freeze up the whole system. The former chancellor’s idea of additional 3% stamp duty had some good intentions and is probably relevant for second homes in Cornwall etc. but what he also needed to realise is that new developments require investors to forward fund them. Hitting them with the 3% stops investment and slows the supply pipeline therefore forcing prices higher and adding to the housing crisis. We need an exemption for new build and I hope the Mayor and the new government identify this quickly. The government have brought in good initiatives such as help to buy which are helping some buyers of new builds in London. However we need to build more homes and that means relaxing and speeding up of regulatory issues. Developers also need transparency and certainty on what they are required to pay or provide to the
local authorities but as Will states this has to be realistic or again we just won’t see developments being viable. The risk we have with Brexit is that it may exacerbate the skill shortage we have. Filling this and reducing construction costs is going to be a major challenge to the new post Brexit government and Sadiq.
"...don’t be afraid to innovate on topics like micro flats."
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AC: Glad to see you guys have been reading our research! I would just add there is also a huge opportunity to move the needle on supply with support for purpose-build blocks of rental flats. This is a big market in North America and in Europe; the state of renting in London is derisory by comparison. Professionally-managed blocks attract new capital into residential from pension funds and other long-term capital. This is key as it means that we don’t just get more badly-needed rental supply, but quality also improves a lot. My early experiences meeting with the Mayor’s team has been positive. I don’t envy their task though. CJ
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Six Craft Beers That Taste As Good As They Look
GOOD LOOKING BREWS
OUTASPACE APPLE ALE DRYGATE BREWERY (4.7%)
LOW VOLTAGE SESSION IPA BRIXTON BREWERY (4.3%)
Drygate claim to be the world's first “experimental” brewery with a mission to “collaborate, curate, and cultivate” - and they’ve done just that with their apple ale and bottle art from the local Glasgow School Of Art. It tastes, perhaps unsurprisingly, a bit like beer mixed with apple juice and is best described as interesting. Expand your horizons and let it perplex your tastebuds.
Zero points for guessing where this independent brewery are based. Founded in 2013, under a railway arch in the then rundown market area of Brixton, they still make more than half of their deliveries on foot to local restaurants and shops. That’s in stark contrast to the original IPAs, or India pale ales, that crossed the equator twice on their journey to the subcontinent - not that the lack of six-months at sea has done anything to impair the full-flavored hoppy taste on offer here.
RAILWAY PORTER THE FIVE POINTS BREWING CO (4.8%) It’s tragic to think that some men will go through life knowing nothing but mass-produced cooking lager. It’s like never seeing the ocean or having a naked yoga retreat for models behind your old house that you never knew was there. There’s still time to embrace life and it starts with this dark, flavourful porter from this much-celebrated Hackney brewery. Like a stout but much lighter and with a pleasant smoky notes of coffee and chocolate or, in plain English, strong-tasting and seriously good.
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t was a very smart brewer that first noticed that if you affix the word “craft” onto “beer” as it suddenly seems a whole lot cooler. These days you can’t escape the so-called craft beer revolution - almost every pub claims to serve it, and every brewer claims to make it. So what the hell is it exactly? The truth is as cloudy as a saison pale ale. Traditionally it was small independent breweries, making small batches of good quality beer, but with trend going mainstream it’s not so clear-cut. Brewdog, who can make a good claim to kick-starting the trend in the UK, now produce 2.2million bottles a month from their huge plant north of Aberdeen. While similar trailblazers London’s Meantime Brewery sold out to beer SAB Miller, the world’s second-largest brewer, to help expand their business globally. Does that mean that something genuinely good (like Brewdog) is now inferior and less crafty than some bloke making stout in a dustbin? No is the obvious answer, but with the (super)market flooded with beer of varying quality, it’s harder than ever to find a good brew. Especially when the bottles all look so damn good. Let us then do you the service of selecting six craft beers that taste everything as good as they appear. And, to reassure you, none were made in a dustbin or rolled off the line of some soulless mega-corp.
STAPLE PALE ALE TOP OUT BREWERY (4%) Beer and mountain climbing don’t usually go hand-in-hand (for obvious reasons), but at Edinburgh’s Top Out Brewery they’ve found a safe way to combine their two passions: bottle art. All beers from this newbie brewer feature Ordnance Survey maps of British mountains scaled by the team, with Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms adoring this, their light and fruity pale ale.
PIG’S PARADISE BLONDE THE COLONSAY BREWERY (4.4%)
HOP FICTION PALE ALE BREWDOG (5.2%)
There’s remote and then there’s really bloody remote, the Colonsay Brewery fitting firmly into the latter. It takes its name from the tiny island it calls home in the Scottish Hebrides - just eight miles wide and with a population of 124, of which 10% work in brewery is some form or another. Presumably the other 90% just drink the beer, like this pleasant blonde named after a clifftop spot where pigs would perch during storms.
We once met James Watts the founder of Brewdog and listened to his plans for world domination. That was at the opening of their second pub, and five years later he’s done a very good job of making his plans a reality. The punk rock brewers now have 50 bars in 16 different countries, and an arsenal of great beer to ensure they’ll go even further. Hop Fiction is one of them - an explosive pale ale available (sadly) for a limited time only. CJ
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Don’t miss out on one of the finest materials a man can wear for fear of complicated upkeep, it’s simpler than you think...
HOW TO CARE FOR SUEDE SHOES
Protect Them
Now you’ve done the hard work it’s time to make your life easier for the future. Purchase yourself some suede protector use it liberally every couple of months, and reapply after cleaning. CJ
Prep Well
Make sure your shoe is 100% dry. If they’re even slightly damp then shove some newspaper in them and leave to dry overnight, but never by a radiator as this will damage the suede. Any mud or dirt should now easily brush off.
Troubleshoot Stains
Oil-based marks are suede’s nemesis but not impossible to defeat. Sprinkle a little talc over the stain and leave overnight, this should absorb the oils. The following day, tap off the powder and brush.
Brush Away
It’s important to know your nap (the direction the fibers naturally flow). Never brush wildly back and forth, and always stick to the natural direction. The longer, more fluffy your suede, the softer the brush should be. For a shorter leather opt for a wire brush.
Set-In Scuffs
Bushing not working? Try using a suede eraser and putting a bit of elbow grease into your effort. If this doesn’t work, it’s probably time to take them to a professional. Go see your cobbler.
DID YOU KNOW? The term suede come from the French "gants de Suède", which literally means "gloves from Sweden". WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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Think Outside the Box (and By That We Mean Paris) with The Chapar’s Pick of the Best Destinations for a Smarter Trip Away
CITY BREAKS REINVENTED We all know the basics: one pair of pants and socks per day with a spare pair of both to cover for emergencies. That’s the essentials covered, but what else should a man pack for travel? That depends on why you’re there...
Hit the Beach in Cadiz Where: Andalucia, Spain The Skinny: Europe’s oldest inhabited city has quality beaches and bars, and there’s hardly another Brit in sight Flash: Flight time, 2hr 55m London to Jerez
tapas bars and crumbling moments. Plus, walk ten minutes in any direction and you’ll hit a glorious golden beach thronging with bronzed bodies. Suitably fed, watered and sun-kissed, bed down at Hotel Argantonio (hotelargantonio.com), a remodelled 18th century town house, decorated in classic Andaluz style with Arabic touches - a small nod to this city’s rich Moorish past.
Every year nearly 10 million tourists flock to the southern tip of Spain with most getting sucked up by the uninspiring costas or the beautiful-but-busy white-washed mountain towns. Cadiz though is another story, essentially a city on an island, it somehow escapes most travellers’ itineraries. What they are missing is one of Spain’s most unique destinations; the type of place where you don’t need a guide book, you can simply meander from street to street, via hidden squares and ancient plazas stumbling upon atmospheric WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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Enjoy the View in Antwerp Where: Flanders, Belgium The Skinny: From a bombed-out postwar shell, to one of the most confident, beautiful cities on the continent Flash: Flight time, 1hr London to Antwerp “Antwerp is the perfect European destination: a metropolis filled with the all the things the continent is really good at (cycle paths, liberalism, sausages) with hardly any of the bits that it’s not (litter, bad service, yobs in tracksuits). It’s exactly what a city should be: fun, friendly, inspiring. “For people who like their beer strong and (of course) Belgian, the southern part of the city centre is where you should head to. A few meters from the banks of the Scheldt is the Cafe De
Vismijn (cafedevismijn.be) home of Yves Van Roy, the much-celebrated Belgian Barman of the Year, who pulls pints like it’s an art. “Once you’ve enjoyed a quality beer or possibly two (you are on holiday after all) take a stroll up the river to the Museum aan de Stroom (mas.be/en). Built in a striking red sandstone, from its rooftop platform you’ll find beautiful panoramic views of a city, that by now, you’ll have fallen in love with.” Selected by Anthony Teasdale, editor of Umbrella Magazine
Sip a Craft Beer in Copenhagen Where: Hovedstaden, Denmark The Skinny: The world's most liveable city is also one of the most visitable Flash: Flight time, 1hr 50m London to Copenhagen
The lifestyle bible Monocle magazine constantly has the Danish capital in its top ten most liveable cities on planet, and with good reason. Low crime, efficient and reliable public transport, 35 museums, over 70 art galleries, and very good food. For a city with just over half a million people Copenhagen boasts 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, but even the street food here bags awards (try Den Økologiske Pølsemand - the organic hotdog man - voted the best eatery by readers of the Danish newspaper Politiken.)
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You’ll be equally spoilt for choice when it comes to craft beer, in large part due to the efforts of Mikkel Borg Bjergso. A so-called “gypsy-brewer,” Bjergso creates his beers at various breweries in Denmark and Europe - you’ll spot then on tap in many of the city’s bars including his own Warpigs Brewpub (warpigs.dk). The fine food and artisan beer though are merely bonuses for the real reason to come to Copenhagen: its laidback charm and beauty. It’s remarkably compact for a capital, meaning you can enjoy it all on two feet or two wheels, exploring car-free cobbled streets, sleek modernist architecture, or filling your Instagram stream with pictures of sherbet-hued harbourside mansions.
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Sleep in a Cave in Matera Where: Basilicata, Italy The Skinny: Enjoy 4 star luxury in a Stone Age room Flash: Flight time, 2hr 40m London to Bari
Matera is about as close as you can get in Europe to going back in time without a Delorean and a flux capacitor. Here is where Mel Gibson filmed The Passion Of The Christ, and standing on the cobbled streets surrounded by ancient houses carved into the rock you can see why. Ignore the odd moped whizzing by and you could be in the Holy Land, circa 100BC. Thankfully though, while the scenery is biblical the accommodation definitely isn’t. Looking over a deep canyon is the
Le Grotte della Civita (legrottedellacivita. sextantio.it/en/) one of the most incredible and unique hotels you’ll ever have the pleasure of staying in. It’s made up of 18 caves and an ancient church, now the breakfast room, but before you can say "that sounds pretty biblical,” all rooms have heated stone floors and a Philippe Starck bath nestled in the corner. It’s the perfect atmospheric base to explore an equally atmospheric city. Head out early evening into the maze of streets that make up Sasso Barisano, and just wander. Be prepared to become completely disoriented as you navigate twisting alleyways, stumble upon dead ends, or turn a corner to discover a beautiful vista or friendly bar tucked into a 9000 year old cave.
Go Downtown in LA Where: California, USA The Skinny: Forget sidewalks plastered with stars - eat, sleep and party like a local in City of Angels coolest district Flash: Flight time, 10hr 30m Anyone who has ever said to you that Los Angeles isn’t worth a visit, either spent all their time there in the wrong places (namely Hollywood Boulevard grimacing next to stars in the sidewalk) or is trying selfishly to keep the more interesting bits of town to themselves. And by far the hottest and most fascinating area right now is downtown. In recent years the formerly rundown centre of this sprawling city has seen a flux of new museums, shops and restaurants popping up. Our pick of a very brilliant bunch: Bestia (bestiala.com),
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serving rustic Italian food and local craft cocktails in a converted warehouse near the LA River. Once you’ve chowed down on the panna cotta with lemon cookies head out for a stroll (yes, you can walk in LA) and take in the sights. Just a few blocks away stands the Bradbury Building - you’ll recognise it from the climax of sci-fi classic Blade Runner - and, another block or two, the Eastern Columbia Lofts - as seen in the not so classic Predator 2. Finish up at The Grand Central Market (grandcentralmarket.com), surrounded by vintage neon signs, sipping strong coffee like a real Angeleno. CJ
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“My designer transformed my space into a stylish living area where I can relax and entertain.” Hugo, 32, London
Get your space designed in your style and budget, all online, from £199/room Special offer for Chapar users: 20% off any Design for Me package with voucher code CHAPAR
Room design by Homewings designer Sidika Owen and Conley & Co
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resident Barack Obama’s tenure at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has been far from trouble free. Plagued by the financial crisis that hit shortly before his election and an obstinately combative Republican-led congress, there are very few people without a strong opinion on his legacy. With the PR bandwagons out in the race for November’s general election you’re likely to hear attacks on the sitting president. As he prepares for his exit from the White House and an extended Hawaiian vacation, we’d like to offer the President our warmest regards and have a look at the legacy he will leave.
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THE ECONOMY Under the Obama administration, the economy has seen 75 consecutive months of job growth, adding 14.5 million private sector jobs. With unemployment at 4.7 percent and on a continual downward trend, the US economy has seen a strong resurgence from the economic malaise at the start of Obama’s presidency.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE Despite strong opposition from a Republican-led Congress, the Affordable Care Act continues to thrive, with an additional 17.6 million people obtaining healthcare coverage since the implementation of the bill.
CLIMATE CHANGE In the past eight years, the US government has cut carbon pollution, expanded the clean energy economy, played an integral role in global efforts on climate change, reduced air and water pollution and cut energy waste. The Obama administration has also worked to prepare communities for the impacts of climate change and protected the USA’s natural resources.
U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS In August 2015 the U.S. reopened its embassy in Cuba more than 54 years after it was closed. This re-establishment of diplomatic relations has also included measures to make it easier to travel and do business in Cuba. Despite the thawing of relations, the Obama continues to push for political change in Cuba and has promised that until democracy takes hold the two countries will not be able to openly trade.
5.
IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL In July 2015, the Obama administration struck a monumental nuclear deal with Iran that would prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Alongside limiting the country’s military capabilities, it increases the possibility that Iran’s regime can become compatible with Western nations by reducing sanctions. It also allows the United States to take a more balanced position in the Middle East, between the warring Shi’ites and Sunnis by no longer restricting its regional alliances to Saudi Wahhabis.
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THE US STANCE ON TERRORISM Since the assassination of Osama bin Laden in 2011, the Obama administration has used drone strikes to take out almost all potential candidates to replace him as the head of what was previously the most feared terror organisation in the world. Though the threat of the Islamic State still looms over foreign policy, the Obama administration hasn’t fallen into the trap that the Bush administration succumbed to and is focussing on supporting regional interests rather than deploying troops on the ground.
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THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP A trade deal involving 12 Pacific Rim countries, TPP removes tariffs and boosts exports by $305 billion per year by 2025 for all countries involved. It adds $223 billion a year to incomes of workers in all the countries. As part of the agreement all countries involved will cut down on wildlife trafficking as well as environmental abuses such as unsustainable logging and fishing.
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EDUCATION Legislation passed by the Obama administration has led to the adoption of higher academic standards in the majority of states and the highest school graduation rate on record. Billions have been invested in high-quality early education and infrastructure to give 20 million more students access to high speed internet.
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1.
THE LEGALISATION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
In a historic development for LGBTQ rights, the Supreme Court decided last year that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. As a longstanding supporter of equal rights and opportunities for the gay community Obama was a key instigator in its success. When asked for a quote, he simply responded "Love won." CJ
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GIVE YOUR HOME WINGS We catch up with Nicolai Watzenig, Danish-born globetrotting entrepreneur and founder of online interior design marketplace, Homewings.
With degrees in philosophy and economics and two tech ventures already under your belt, tell us how the concept for Homewings came about. Well, a few years back when I first moved to this city, I was looking for an interior designer and realised quite quickly how inaccessible and offline the whole endeavour was. I had to do a lot of digging to find a designer in London that was a good match, and using a digital platform to share creative ideas was not an automatic part of the process. Realising there were likely others in the same boat who knew they wanted a nice space but didn’t have time to go through the long-winded process - I thought surely there must be a better way! Being in the tech world, it was easy for me to see that building a software solution around the design process and taking it online would allow the price point to be driven down dramatically and would enable creative ideas to be shared in a more intuitive, accessible way. So, I suppose it was really through my own frustration with the traditional process that the idea for Homewings was born. So you solved your interior design conundrum by creating your own solu-
tion? Tell us how it works. We’ve worked particularly hard to develop a straightforward process for our customers when they decided to work with us. After taking the style quiz on our homepage, clients are directed to the design brief, which allows them to tell their designer what they love about their current space and where they want to go. We want to hear about all kinds of stuff from how you use and live in your space, what furniture you already have and want to incorporate, what your budget is, and what your vision is for the place. When a client submits photos, floor plans, and any images that inspire them, we’re ready to go! Based on this information a client gets matched with a designer or chooses one from our designer directory. Over approximately 2 weeks the client then works online with his/her designer to create a customised design solution. At the end of the design period the client receives a final design package. The package has everything needed to transform the space including visualisations and floor plans, set up tips and an e-shopping list with a free Order for Me service to make the entire process of getting furniture delivered hassle free.
Do you think men struggle with interior design, in particular? I don’t think men or women struggle any differently. I think the bigger struggle is being aware of how to go about it, especially if you have a busy work-life, you might not have the time to find that unique furniture brand that fits your style and pull it all together. It’s a human condition to be responsive to your environment and to feel positive or negative depending on your surroundings. A lot of people have an inkling that they’d like to live in a place that makes them feel happy - to have a home environment that’s cool and conductive to hosting friends, for example. They just don’t quite know how to make it happen. That’s a universal problem, and I suppose that’s what we’re hoping to solve in a direct way, whether people have a developed personal style or not. With a background in tech and finance, what has surprised you most since entering the interior design world? I’ve been surprised most by how pervasive the need for good tech is in addressing contemporary lifestyle demands. The interiors industry is multifaceted and complex and I think what’s
both surprising and exciting about this world is how it’s having a bit of a renaissance-parallel to other creative sectors whereby the curation of services around items is coming to the fore. By this I mean that, for example the furniture industry is merging with the interior design sector because there’s an understanding that people are reframing the process of buying furniture. It’s not just about buying a sofa, so much as looking at a bigger picture of what the room should be and fitting the right sofa into that plan. It’s an exciting time for this sector at large. What is the biggest barrier that people face when it comes to creating good living spaces? Sifting through the enormous choice they’re presented with on the high street and online is a major challenge. Traditionally interior design has been an afterthought for most people in the furniture purchase funnel. People get lost so I think we’re at a pivotal moment where we’re spoilt for choice and it’s overwhelming, but the pendulum is now swinging the other way in terms of value added. With influencers and stylists bringing their talent to consumers in a simplified
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HOMEWINGS
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Homewings is a new online service that makes professional interior design convenient, fun and affordable. Whether you just need some help to pull it all together or want to have your space designed from scratch, Homewings provide a tailored and personal service to realise your dream space for a simple flat fee starting at £199 per room. Visit Homewings.co.uk to lauch your project today or book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with Homewings design team to find out exactly how Homewings could help you.
and efficient way now, they help refine and define personal tastes and create order in the chaos, if that makes sense - and that’s pretty cool to witness. This challenge of too much choice is the biggest hurdle in this day and age. What have been the biggest challenges and biggest rewards in bringing your business to life? The biggest challenge we face is in trying to establish a mass-market consumer brand from an industry that has historically been somewhat elitist. Bringing this service out to as many people as we can is our challenge, but on the flipside the rewards have been working with people like my business partner Cornelia who has the strategic operations and interior design background - it’s a real meeting of minds from multiple angles, and that’s the fun bit. And how would you describe your own style? I think my Scandi roots play a big part in what environments I like best for my own home. Scandinavian designs have a lot in common with the Japanese concept of negative space. Over the years I’ve learned that it’s the intentional minimalism that allows me to breathe WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
and feel like my living space brings maximum satisfaction. Danish furniture designers like Arne Jacobsen are particularly interesting to me, so I was able to work with my designer to incorporate elements of this into my London flat. I also have a few things like my bicycle, and paintings and art I’ve collected over the years that were gathering dust in the closet. The Homewings designer I worked with proposed ways to showcase these personal items in a manner I definitely would not have come up with on my own. Interior design: Necessity or Luxury? I’d say a good living space adds so much to one’s wellbeing and lifestyle, there's no reason why access to great design and furniture should be restricted to the few. As technology transforms more industries it’s a powerful enabler to democratise traditional premium services and make them accessible and affordable to a mass-market because of the efficiencies it brings. So I suppose I’d say that at least what Homewings hopes to do is bring something that used to be a luxury, into the realm of accessible, everyday good living. CJ
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What to Stick in Your Case for a Stylish Trip Abroad:
TRAVEL SMART, PACK LIGHT We all know the basics: one pair of pants and socks per day with a spare pair of both to cover for emergencies. That’s the essentials covered, but what else should a man pack for travel? That depends on why you’re there...
The Work Trip Travel smart and light by making chinos the hero of your carry-on case. Add a blazer, tie and smart shoe to ensure you look devastatingly dapper for those all-important appointments. Then ditch the neckwear and don spotless trainers for a Martini or three in the hotel bar in the evening. Chinos also come with the added bonus of being comfortable to travel in and while they might might not be as comfy as jogging bottoms, but no one ever got an upgrade to first class in a pair of joggers (not now, not ever). Plus, you never know who you’ll bump into in the business lounge. Don’t be afraid to add a vest into the mix, even for hotter climes. This old school item is regularly overlooked and underrated in the modern man’s wardrobe but will help you avoid unseemly sweat patches on your shirts, and possibly make feel a little like Marlon Brando circa 1950.
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The City Stopover Trooping around on a street safari hunting galleries and interesting places to eat needs clothing that’s fit for purpose. Mainly looking bloody good. We recommend Converse pumps, a respected style classic from Lima to Leicester, and great for their ability to pack-down until almost flat. If you’re more of a smart loafer guy, and fretting about them taking up case space, use them to hold valuables any remaining space in them stuff with socks. Keep the rest of your outfits simple and interchangeable. A handful of T-shirts will see you through a weekend giving you options for the day and a fresh change for the evening. One smart jumper or shirt is enough for cooler nights and can be tied around the waist or shoulders during the day like an Argentine polo player.
The Beach Break For the sun and sand, the first thing that should go in your case is a red hot pair of swim shorts. Instead of falling back into the safety zone of block colours get yourself something a little more interesting and opt for a pair with pattern. Holidays are one of few occasions (along with weddings where you don’t really like the couple) when you can throw caution to the wind and double-down on prints by adding a clashing shirt to the mix. If this feels like too much, then layer with a block-coloured T-shirt underneath to break the pattern frenzy going on above. Add to your list a pair of flip-flops and second set of slip-ons for by the pool, and use the space that you save from not packing socks to include a beach ball. Bigger the better - let’s not do things by halves. Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses (if not two) - a good pair can propel a standard shorts and shirt combo to a Hollywood star at Cannes level. Finish off your now head-turning-look with a classic watch and confine you smart phone and it’s ever-so-bugging email alerts to your hotel safe. CJ
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THE MANY FACES OF
TOM HIDDLESTON It's not often you meet someone who earned a double first in classics at Cambridge. It's even rarer when you meet a movie star with those credentials. But that's the kind of gravitas that gives Tom Hiddleston an added edge whenever he takes on a role. Best known for his continuing role as the villainous Loki in Marvel Comics' Thor/Avengers' franchises, the British actor has also distinguished himself in films ranging from the recent sci-fi drama High Rise to last year's horror flick Crimson Peak to Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris (as F. Scott Fitzgerald).
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ut things have taken an even better turn of late for Hiddleston. In The Night Manager, the fabulously successful BBC/AMC TV miniseries adaptation of the 1993 John le Carré novel, Hiddleston gave arguably the most powerful, seductive performance of his career as newly recruited British spy Jonathan Pine. Critics not only raved about Hiddleston, who proved more than a match for Hugh Laurie’s villainous billionaire arms trafficker, but the series was such a phenomenon that there is feverish talk of a sequel. In the meantime, the 35-year-old Hiddleston has appeared as a very different kind of character in I Saw the Light, a biopic about legendary American country singer Hank Williams. Much of the story is devoted to the tumultuous love life of hard-drinking Williams, beginning with his first wife, Audrey, a mediocre aspiring singer played by Elizabeth Olsen. Hiddleston does his own singing and guitar playing throughout the film, and audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival where the film enjoyed its world premiere applauded after he had finished performing a song of Williams’. Now openly dating Taylor Swift, Hiddleston had commented on his anxiety of finding a good woman, revealing “I like strong women. My mother and sisters are very strong women, immensely independent and very capable, and that’s what I feel comfortable with. My mother places a huge importance on decency and kindness, and always has. The older I get the more I realise how rare that is.”
“Honesty is a gift. Be honest about who you are and how you feel because it encourages intimacy, and intimacy is really where it’s at. Be ready in life to nurture your own confidence and make it real don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.”
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Tom, it’s undoubtedly an exceptional event when a Cambridge-educated British actor finds himself playing an American country singer? “I’ve always enjoyed entering unknown territory. There was an extraordinary arc to his life that drew me to this story and it was exciting to take this journey. I liken the experience to that of a foreign correspondent going somewhere new and trying to get one’s bearings.”
When he sings ‘I’m so lonesome I could cry’ or ‘Why I can’t free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold, heart,’ there’s an honesty to those lyrics that I needed to absorb and convey. So it was important for me to not just learn to do the songs properly but also to connect to that authenticity that audiences’ felt when they listen to Hank Williams. He sang from his heart and this movie explores the connection between his pain and personal struggles of his music.”
How hard was it to be able to match Williams’ singing style? “It was difficult, but I was excited by the prospect of reaching a point where I could do justice to his singing and performing. I had played the guitar as a student and I knew six or seven of his standards like ‘Hey, Good Looking’ and ‘Moving on Over’, and when you sing his songs you feel such an immense joy. Williams took huge pleasure in the connection between himself and the audience and I immediately connected to his joy of performing.”
The Night Manager is another major event in your career. Were you familiar with John Le Carré’s work before you signed on to the project? I’m a huge fan of John Le Carré. I haven’t read all of his novels but I’ve always understood him and had a deep appreciation for his work. My father introduced me to his work and I remember in my late teens picking up the book ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ in his library. Apart from being one of the great espionage novelists he’s also one of the greatest analysts of the British psyche. His novels are really about what it means to be British and living in our society.
Were you worried about upholding his legacy? “I saw it as my responsibility to be as authentic as possible. I was well aware of how revered he is, and the fact that I am neither American nor from the South made me even more determined to honour Hank Williams and be as faithful to his legacy as possible.” What was it about Hank Williams the man, and the music, that made him so unique and beloved? “There was such a profound sincerity and honesty in his music that touched people.
Jonathan Pine is a chameleonic figure in The Night Manager. How did you approach playing him? The hardest thing about playing Jonathan Pine is that he’s such a brilliant actor and immaculate liar. He’s able to lie very effectively so that people believe him. He has multiple identities and five different names and is so believable in each of his various selves. What made my work so much more interesting was trying to find bits where the truth of Pine is revealed to the audience, even when he’s
presenting particular faces to Roper and various other characters in the film. Your career has taken off in recent years with your playing Loki in The Avengers’ films, and now playing the lead in several new movies. How does it feel? I am so grateful for everything that has happened to me. I never really expected to be in this position and to be able to reach large audiences with my work and have fans who are chanting “Loki, Loki.” I’m surprised and delighted at the same time. How do you deal with the increasing scrutiny that your life and work are receiving now as compared to four or five years ago when you were still a relatively unknown actor? I’m still in the process to adapting to this new context, but I haven’t tried to change how I behave. I try to be myself at all times and not try to create a false public image. When I give interviews, I try to be as honest and direct as possible. I don’t see the point in trying to pretend to be someone else. But I try to speak my mind openly and I hope that people come away with a real sense of who I am as opposed to the characters I play, even though of course you still need to keep some things about your life private. Do you enjoy playing the extremes of human character? That’s the beauty of being an actor. I believe that we start out in life being born clean slates and then in the course of things we all have the innate capacity to turn into many different types of individuals. We can be good or bad, nasty or noble.
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Is it the process of transformation that makes acting so compelling? Being an actor involves approaching your character from the perspective of both an anthropologist and psychologist. You’re constantly digging around to discover what motivates them. Acting involves throwing yourself into many different types of people and there’s a cathartic effect in that. What is remarkable about this kind of profession is that over the course of a career you can play both Romeo and Iago. You can go from playing Shakespeare’s greatest lover to playing his greatest sociopath. And often villains are the most interesting characters to explore because you find they have the most complex and twisted personalities. Most actors confess to being obsessive observers of the human condition. Would you fall into that camp? I have a great fascination for human psychology and the contradiction between the self we project to the world and our underlying inner identity. I like exploring human vulnerability and what makes people tick behind the facade. With all these great projects coming your way of late, do you feel accomplished? It’s such a privilege. But I never quite feel that I’m there yet. Maybe that’s the predicament of being creative - you always feel that the centre is somewhere else. I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied. I’m always chasing. I’m always thinking how can I do better, how can I expand, how can I communicate something more deeply or profoundly. CJ
RUFFIANS
A Chapar Review
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With the summer frenzy well and truly upon us I’ve experienced that flash of motivation that most of us get when the sun finally decides to rear its head: I’ve moved house, I’ve updated my wardrobe and I’ve been hitting the gym (sadly too late to get a vaguely impressive body for my holiday … as always). Despite this, there’s always been one area of my life that I’ve been completely unable to get control of: my hair. Over the years I’ve experimented with a pretty
serious number of different styles. Beginning with Beckham’s “Faux-Hawk” era (circa 2002 if you’d lost track) I’ve done short, long, shaved, punk, traditional. You name it, I’ve probably attempted it. Sadly, it always seems to revert back to the shapeless blonde ball of fluff to which I’ve become so accustomed making me look less Golden Balls and more Boris Johnson. After consulting with some of my more coiffeured friends I decided to try out the Marylebone branch of
Ruffians. Revered both within and outside the industry, Ruffians was founded in Edinburgh’s West End in 2012 and has since opened a flagship store in Covent Garden. Marylebone, their latest offering, is also the brand’s most intimate store and offers a welcome respite from the never-ending rush of the capital. With complimentary coffees, whiskeys or beers on offer, the store is a stylish, relaxing and masculine environment. A
THREE CLASSIC SUMMER HAIRCUTS
far cry from the quick £10 haircut you might be used to at your local barber, the ethos here is relaxation and bringing back the legacy of the barber as a social hub in the community. Despite being arguably the least helpful customer to ever enter the store (“I literally have no idea how to make my hair look good; help me”) my barber, Sam, was friendly, helpful and intensely knowledgeable throughout my consultation. After asking about my lifestyle, interests, style and
effort-levels he talked me through his ideas on how to best make use of the nest on top of my head. The result? A haircut I’m actually proud to be sporting and a regular appointment at 63 Wigmore Street.
Haircut, £50. Cut-Throat Razor Shave, £50. Ruffians Marylebone is open now at 63 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 1PX www.ruffians.co.uk
Soft Side-Parting
What is it? Classic, smart and simple; the soft side parting is a more functional and practical version than the Don Draper-esque hard partings we saw hit the streets a few summers ago. What do I tell my barber? It’s essentially a short back and sides. The sides can be scissored, but you could also opt for a taper (shorter to longer) to add some interest. The hair should be shorter at the crown than at the fringe. How do I style it? You don’t need to blow dry your hair – towel dry it, and when still a little bit damp, take a small amount of a paste and a pomade; mix them together in your hands, and rake through your hair, from the roots; pat the hair down on the sides to create the parting. Who does it suit? This looks works well for most hair types, but if you have a widow’s peak (think Jude Law) it’s best to avoid a side parting – it will only make the peak look more prominent.
Beachy Waves
What is it? Textured, natural and easy to maintain; this is an ideal summery look which is easy to create. What do I tell my barber? The top section should be longer here, perhaps two or three inches long. Ask your barber to point cut (rather than blunt cut) in order to achieve more texture. How do I style it? Towel dry your hair, and when it’s still a bit damp, spray in a salt spray. Run through with your hands, scrunching the heavier bits of hair to give added volume. Who does it suit? This looks good if you have a decent head of hair and is particularly helpful for those with longer faces – having larger, more textured hair on top will help your face appear more proportional.
Buzzcut
What is it? Simple, masculine and strong; less hair means less to worry about! What do I tell my barber? Ask your barber for a number 2 on top and a 0.5/1 on the back and sides to give a bit of interest and contrast. How do I style it? Not much styling to be done here – but make sure you put sun cream on and moisturise daily to keep your skin in good condition. Also – try growing some stubble or a short beard to help emphasise your bone structure and look a bit less alieny. Who does it suit? This works best for those with strong bone structures. That said, it’s also a good option to choose if your hair is thinning and you need to finally take the plunge and take it off. CJ
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Charlie
The Charlie Brogue is a refined classic that has been designed with a modern edge to take the wearer from the city to country in one easy step. It can easily be worn to any formal occasion but can also be worn casually with its playfully coloured laces. Crafted in beautiful premium leather with traditional punch work on the upper of the shoe and toe. The shoe is completed with sturdy leather soles with rubber inserts for extra grip. This style archetypal of the J SHOES collection seamlessly blending craftsmanship, quality and character - perfect for the modern man.
Spencer
The Spencer is a wonderfully veritable Brogue Boot with all traditional features remaining but this style is crafted using rugged and heavy tumbled leathers and the sole has been wire brushed giving the shoe a more casual look. The Spencer gives a laid back finish to your favourite chino and jumper combination and is a key addition to the collection of classics.
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Mar
The Mar is a stylish and handsome shoe that draws upon traditional Italian craftsmanship. The Sacchetto construction ensures that the foot is enveloped with supple and soft leather and a special sewing process sees that the shoe is moulded to your foot giving absolute comfort. A distinctive shoe that will work with any outfit making it the perfect choice for the office, the pub or Sunday walks. A wonderful addition to a discerning gentlemen’s collection, which will only look better time and time again.
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COOKING WITH PROTEIN The Chapar sat down with POLLEN+ GRACE to discuss how to get high protein meals into your everyday diet. No powders, shakes or supplements, just clean, healthy protein. The recipes shared combine three main sources: meat, quinoa and eggs. All easy to find, quick to cook and perfect for meeting your daily protein intake.
SPINACH + QUINOA FALAFELS
gf wf df ve
Makes 25 falafels
INGREDIENTS
1 and 1/4 cups cooked quinoa 25g rolled oats 2 organic eggs 100g fresh spinach, chopped 1 tsp Himalayan salt 3 spring onions, chopped Black sesame for garnish
METHOD
1. Mix the spinach, eggs, spring onions and salt in a blender until smooth 2. Mix the oats and quinoa together in a separate bowl 3.Mix both the mixes together 4. Using a small ice-cream scoop, or spoon, scoop out falafels onto a baking tray then sprinkle with black sesame 5. Bake for 10-15 mins at 200C
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FACT
JUICY CHICKEN + QUINOA BURGERS gf wf df
Makes 7 burgers
INGREDIENTS
500g ground chicken breast mince 3/4 cup cooked quinoa 1 large bunch fresh chopped herbs parsley, dill or mint 1 lemon, zest + juice 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp Himalayan salt
METHOD
1.Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together by hand 2. Mould into patties and shallow fry – on a moderate heat, cook one side for approximately 6 minutes and the second 4 minutes
POLLEN + GRACE are on a mission to make eating well on the go easy. Their range of nutritionally designed meals can be found in stockists across London including; Psycle, Planet Organic and Selfridges.
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Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids making it a complete protein source.
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BRITISH SPORTS KIT PlayerLayer are taking on the big boys.
They are fast becoming the global British sports brand. MY KIT - MY TEAM - BELONG @playerlayer www.playerlayer.com
When people talk about global sports brands, which are the first names that spring to mind? The likely response: Nike or Adidas. The former: a global American giant. The latter: its greatest rival, born in Germany. But, if you were asked to name a global British sports brand, you might struggle. Enter PlayerLayer. Born in Nottingham, their aim is not just to become a global sports brand but to be the definitive British global sports brand. The WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
evidence suggests they are well on their way to realising their goal. With their roots in baselayers, PlayerLayer are renowned for their expertise in premium, technical product and customisation. Their recent growth has been exponential. They are now the leading player in the British university market. They supply a small but elite number of the most prestigious universities in the country including Durham, Nottingham, St. Andrews and Edinburgh.
They have recently teamed up with international teams like England Lacrosse and Great Britain Bobsleigh. They kit out some of Europe’s leading hockey clubs. They now feature in store at Selfridges Oxford Street and online. They are now expanding to Australia, Asia and the United States. The deeply engrained ethos of the brand professes the importance of togetherness and pride within a team. In the words of PlayerLayer “BELONG”.
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SPIN So, you might be of the opinion that spin classes are for girls, right? We thought so too, until we went to Ride Republic...
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ne sunny summer morning, the Chapar visited Ride Republic, a sleek indoor cycling studio in Parson’s Green. Upon entry to the studio, we were greeted with friendly staff and an airy, relaxed reception area in which to chill out and channel our inner athlete prior to class. Despite the boutique environment, there was no air of pretension. Many of our fellow riders seemed to know each other and the staff knew many people by name, so we felt completely at home as we donned our cleat fitted cycle shoes. The only thing worrying us was the impending thought that once clipped in, is there any way to escape? Once the studio doors opened, we were greeted with an entirely different
atmosphere. The studio was dimly lit by a blue neon light and the vibe was buzzing. There was an air of energetic anticipation as a countdown video played at the front of the room. The staff helped us get set up safely and efficiently on our bikes and the instructor guided us through some simple instructions. Each bike has a console that dictates speed, resistance and power. This ensures that you know exactly how fast you should be going and how hard you should be pushing throughout the workout. There is no up or down, faster or slower at Ride Republic. We were also told that we would have a score throughout class called Burn, which is based on power. The harder you push, the higher the Burn.
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The game changer is ‘The Burnboard’, a leaderboard projected on the wall at the front of class. A source of competition with others or a source of competition with yourself; whichever way you look at it, having your name up there with an ever increasing Burn score ensures you give 110% to stay ahead of that one rider who has been chasing you since the class began. Luckily you can retain a certain amount of anonymity and give yourself a pseudonym on the board or ride anonymously, if you prefer. However if you are in there with friends, this becomes a battle to the death (of your legs at least). Thanks to the energetic instructor and motivating beats, we were constantly spurned on, despite feeling
at points that we might not make it! And to top everything off our results were stored on our online account, so that we know our target score to beat on our next ride. You can also set goals and track your progress over time. We finished off the experience with a Ride Republic Protein Coffee - a protein packed, caffeine hit exclusive only to these guys. If you happen to hit a morning class, you need one of these! Despite killing ourselves and utilising the every iota of energy we could muster, we’ve never felt better. From there we began the average work day, pumped from the endorphins, and already planning how to beat our Burn score in our next ride. CJ
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*Prices correct at time of going to print. WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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Tinie Tempah’s Personal Trainer on Reassessing Your Fitness Goals:
PAIN IS NOT ALWAYS GAIN R
them properly. What I suggest is eating organic food and vegetables, grass-fed meat, wild fish and free-range chicken, adding green vegetable juices to your daily diet and superfoods such as marine phytoplankton and bee pollen. This will ensure you receive all the amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes your body needs.
uben Tabares isn’t like most personal trainers. He doesn’t want to sadistically push you until you cry like a child, he doesn’t even want you to hurt like hell the next morning, but he definitely does want you to embrace #legday. “My approach to wellness is longevity,” says Tabares, a former elite athlete turned strength and conditioning coach. “I want to be able to do what I am doing now when I am 100.” His training philosophy and almost Zen-like approach to fitness has seen him build a little black book with more big names than a cover of Heat magazine. Tinie Tempah, John Terry, Jeremy Piven, Dynamo, Amir Khan, and Kate Upton are all clients. The Chapar met with him for a training session at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel, home to Tabares’ sleek new fitness centre, and in between reps asked him how to train smarter...
The Chapar: Should you really push yourself till it hurts? Ruben Tabares: Unless you are a professional athlete there is no need to push your body to the limit several times a week. After being a professional athlete for over 15 years the one thing I took with me regarding training was that pain is not always gain. Your training should be progressive and relative to what you are trying to achieve. Pain is an indicator of damage to the cells so too much on a constant basis will lead to injuries and premature aging. Even more so if you’re not getting enough rest, the correct nutrition and doing the right exercises.
TC: Is it OK to train for looks or should it be for function? How to you go about setting your goals? RT: It’s perfectly OK to train for looks but I prefer training for function. I have always found that if you focus on the latter the looks take care of themselves. Goal setting is easy once you decide what it is you want and stick to it. If you decide that your goals are to be stronger playing football then a couple of strength workouts a week, a power circuit and a weekly HIT session will see you achieve your goals.
Image credit: Nicola Bensley
TC: What's the most common mistakes you see men making in the gym? RT: A lot of men train for far too long, most sessions should be under 45 mins. Testosterone levels drop after an hour of exercise so keeping it short and sweet is the way to go. Men hardly ever do legs and we have all seen the odd guy with a big upper body
and chopsticks below. They are home to the largest groups of muscles and thus produce the most testosterone when worked out properly, boosting metabolism - which ultimately means a better six pack. Another big mistake is crunches. I see men doing hundreds, not only does this not give you a washboard stomach but also can
contribute to lower back pain. The best thing for strong defined abdominals are strength exercises such as deadlifts and high intensity interval sessions. TC: There's a world of supplements and nutritional advice out there - how should we begin to take a more sensible approach to what we eat?
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RT: I do not really believe in taking supplements. I used to rattle from taking such a huge amount when I was younger and it had no impact on my performance. Quite the opposite in fact, a lot of of them, such as ascorbic acid, protein powders and sports drinks have too much sugar and are not the same as when they are found in nature so your body doesn’t absorb
TC: Do people over complicate their workouts? Where should you begin in creating a workout plan? RT: A lot of people when entering the gym environment do over complicate their sessions especially guys. They feel they have to lift heavy from the start and leave themselves open to injury. They may also have unrealistic time frames and push too much way too soon including too many unnecessary exercises. The best exercises to start with in the gym are deadlifts, chins, squats, bench press, dips and weighted abs. These should be done with very light weights, eventually getting heavier over the coming months. CJ
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5 SHAVING MISTAKES ALL MEN MAKE (AND HOW TO FIX THEM)
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having, it’s so simple a child could do it. Don’t worry we won’t put that theory to the test, even more so after speaking to Nick Gibbens from The Bluebeards Revenge. Established in 2010 by former Royal Marine Commando David Hildrew, Bluebeards is a bonafide British success story. The Devon-based company began with small-runs of a single shave cream but now sits next to major multinational
grooming brands on supermarket shelves in Britain and abroad. “Our fastest growing markets are in France and Malaysia,” says Nick. “We’re constantly evolving, and always learning more about men and their grooming habits.” With that in mind, we asked Nick to share his experience of the most common mistakes men make with a shaver and, more importantly, how to fix them.
Going against the grain A common misconception among men is that the only way to achieve a smooth finish is to shave against the direction of hair growth. In reality, this can result in spots, ingrowing hairs and stubble rash. Going with the flow causes considerably less distress to both your skin and your hair follicles; and if you shave every day and take your time doing it, smoothness shouldn’t be an issue. Taking tips from razor commercials Contrary to most TV razor ads a quick splash or two of water is not going to properly prepare your skin or stubble for a shave. The best method is either a hot towel on the face for a short period of time or an equally hot shower (before, not after, you shave!). The steam and heat work to soften the outer keratin layer of your hair allowing for an easier cut. Rushing and not brushing In today’s fast-paced world of Snapchat and Pokemon Go time is of the essence but one thing that shouldn’t ever be rushed is your morning shave. This is a recipe for skin irritation, missed hairs, or minor cuts - none of which look good when you turn up to work. Take your time, use short strokes and lather up your shaving cream with a brush - this helps to lift the hairs from the face, making for a much cleaner cutting angle for the razor.
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Failing to change your blades For best results, razor blades should be changed after three or four uses, any longer can cause skin problems and compromise the quality of your shave. It’s also important to keep them clean and dry, as a clogged or rusty razor can result in nasty nicks and cuts which could otherwise be avoided. Skipping the aftershave The majority of men still don’t apply an aftershave balm or lotion post shaving. This is Wrong with a capital W. A decent quality balm will help to soothe and nourish the skin, and significantly reduce the chances of razor burn or an unsightly rash. Plus, it means you smell nice. And life is too short to smell bad. Thinking more blades is better One day we’ll end up with a razor with 15 blades but that isn’t necessarily a good thing. The problem is as the number of blades increases, the small spacing between each cutting edge gets smaller too. This can result in clogging and require multiple passes along your skin, catching and pulling long stubble as you do so. Call us traditional, but you can’t beat a double edge safety razor, or if you’re feeling brave, a classic cut-throat shavette. CJ
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WHERE TO WEAR
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s we teeter on the halfway point of the year, there are two essentials that should be at the forefront of every gentleman’s mind. The first, as you might have guessed, is his wardrobe for the six months ahead. The second are the destinations that he’ll be gracing with his new garments. With the first base firmly covered, we look to tailor-made travel experts Black Tomato to offer the second. After picking the brains of their regional travel experts, we’ve got the lowdown on where to wear your new outfits in the second half of 2016...
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Iceland
The land of ice and fire, Iceland, is a rugged arctic wilderness that provides perfect polar experiences for the ultimate adventure holiday. Iceland’s position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge makes it a hotspot for volcanic activity; magma bubbles beneath the surface, boiling vapour bursts from geysers in the ground, natural hot springs and geothermal pools steam gently against the biting cold air. The haunting landscape is dotted with ice
caves, lava fields, misty waterfalls, craggy rocks: the perfect playground for the inner explorer. The bleak, beautiful terrain is the stage for numerous outdoor activities, such as snowmobiling, glacier-trekking, skiing, kayaking and one of the more memorable scuba experiences you are likely to find anywhere; diving between two continental tectonic plates of the Silfra fissure. Happily, there remains plenty of time to plan a trip in
2016. The summer season (until September) is when most major attractions and museums are open, while autumn (September – November) is a brief window, but one of the best times to visit as most of the crowds disperse and the Northern Lights can best be seen in all their shimmering glory. July and August are the best months for hikers and, for a different kind of adventure, Reykjavik’s vibrant nightlife can be enjoyed yearround. WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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South Africa There isn’t much room left in the Rainbow Nation’s trophy cabinet; with Cape Town recently scooping the accolade for World’s Best City for the fourth year running (capping off a 2015-16 double by simultaneously topping the list for World’s Best Food City), as well as taking a handy third place in the World’s Best Country awards, South Africa is a firm favourite for frequent and first-time travellers alike. Affordable extravagance, accessible adventure, and experiences as diverse as the culture: there has never been a better time to visit. At the top of South Africa's (long) list of visitor experiences are its safaris and wildlife opportunities. On land, track the Big Five in the colossal Kruger National Park and
malaria-free Eastern Cape. Whilst off the coast, the subaquatic safari is just as good; from whale watching to shark diving, seal spotting, and paddle boarding with penguins. The wildlife is all-encompassing even in the urban jungle: take time out from your trek up Table Mountain to spot some zebra, or visit baboons at Cape Point. And the best bit? The pound is twice as strong against the rand as it was five years ago, meaning the luxury lifestyle has never been so affordable. And booking a trip before September means visiting in the dry season (best for safaris in Kruger), just as the sun is coming out in Cape Town – ideal to get the best of both worlds.
Italy
One of the most popular destinations in Europe that somehow still offers the undiscovered, Italy has something to cater for all tastes. Boasting possibly the most celebrated cuisine on the planet, Italy’s main cultural export is certainly its cooking. From cheese and wine to stews and steak, a mixture of fierce local pride, regional traditions and historical influences ensure that a tasting tour of this beautiful country is as varied as can be. For entrees, the northern region is the place to get started; explore Emilia-Romagna (where Parma and the eponymous ham can be found) or food-obsessed Florence for the finest steak and wines around before heading down the coast to Rome for the more simple
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and savoury menu. But it’s not all about the food. What really sets Italy apart from the rest is the wealth of experiences on offer. From art tours with local historians in Florence to behind the scenes tours of the Vatican, the scope to truly get under the skin of Italy is why we can never get enough of La Dolce Vita. What’s more, by the end of the year Rome is due to unveil the most extensive restoration ever undertaken on the Colosseum; a $25m project involving the first full cleaning in this spectacular monument’s history. Also, the Trevi Fountain has just been carefully restored, making late 2016 a great opportunity to visit the stunning capital city – a living museum in itself – and see the sites in all their glory. CJ
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Japan
From sushi to samurai, few countries can boast of their quintessentially cultural exports having such an impact on the fabric of global society as Japan; and even fewer can speak of such a proudly preserved traditional heritage whilst leading the way in cutting-edge modern living. From the tech hub of Tokyo to quaint Kyoto, sparkling city to serene countryside and snow-capped mountains, the Land of the Rising Sun is as vibrant as it is varied. In the neon-soaked metropolises, contemporary is king (although the best major museums and traditionWWW.THECHAPAR.COM
al theatres can be also be found nestled amongst the skyscrapers). The latest futuristic gadgets and must-have fashions and accessories line the hectic streets. You’ll know you’ve landed in Japan if your toilet has more technology than your television. Akihabara, a major electronic, anime and games district, is Mecca for the electronic aficionado. Switch off and rest your eyes in the Tokyo National Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Japanese art, including weaponry, Buddhist treasures, and much more. For a more interactive experience of traditional culture,
take the bullet train to Kyoto, famous for its geishas, shrines and ancient temples. And there’s plenty of reason to visit before the end of 2016 too: the summer months offer ideal hiking conditions in the Japanese Alps and Hokkaido’s national parks, whilst in autumn (September – November) the leaves turn vibrant reds and golds offering unique photography opportunities. From sake to sumo wrestling, this unique island is the ultimate cultural journey. CJ
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"You watch people’s lives evolve and progress. As the business grows with them, they buy houses and that’s all because of an initial idea that was conceived around a pool."
ORLEBAR BROWN I
nspired by Slim Aaron’s iconic representations of Riviera and Palm Beach life in the 1960s, Orlebar Brown’s “shorts that you can swim in” has quickly become the single-most desirable item of clothing in a man’s holiday wardrobe. The Chapar sat down with founder Adam Brown to find out what makes him tick. What was your lightbulb moment? I was on holiday with some friends in India in 2005. We went off to change for lunch and I realised that I wish I had a pair of
shorts I could also swim in. That was when Orlebar Brown was born. What is the best thing about being an entrepreneur? The two best things are seeing a concept for a product become a brand. When it comes to life and an ethos grows out of it, that lightbulb moment suddenly has oxygen. The brand develops a culture, values and point of view. The second is the team. It’s a group of people who make your idea a reality. You watch people’s lives evolve and progress as the
business grows with them, they buy houses and that’s all because of an initial idea that was conceived around a pool. What’s the worst thing? I didn’t start it earlier. What's the biggest challenge you've faced since starting the company? Change. It’s a huge cliché but managing change. When you’re a founder-led business you make all the decisions yourself and you’re the only one affected by those decisions. But as the WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
business grows, it’s almost like a child growing into adolescence and those needs, thoughts and desires have to be nurtured carefully through exciting but challenging times. What does your morning routine look like? I wake up at 6am, take the dogs outside, go to the gym at 7am, and in the office by 8.30am. On the weekends I still get up at 6am but that’s to take the dogs to the park. What are the top three things that every man should have in
their wardrobe? Lots of crisp polo shirts. A decent watch. And OB classic navy Bulldog swim shorts What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur? Plan, plan, plan, plan, plan, plan. Another cliché, but if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. How would you describe OB in three words? Considered, tailored, colourful.
CJ
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Are you stuck in an indigo style rut? It’s time to re-think your wardrobe and jettison the jeans
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Go Tailored Trouser Being smart isn’t just for work, it’s a philosophy that should permeate all the way through your life including your wardrobe choices. These tailored trousers with pleated fronts firmly tick the tidy box - that’s as long as you leave your T-shirts in the cupboard and pair with pressed shirt (tucked in, naturally). With a rich blue hue, your other colour pairings should be a little more muted, avoid bold reds and yellows, instead opting for greys, a lighter shade of blue or white. Finish off with a casual brown trainer, this will take your outfit firmly out of the office and into a more style-savvy arena.
Sport Some Chino We can’t sing the praises of these casual drill pants enough. Much like a jean, they go with just about anything and that makes them one of the easiest items of clothing you can pull on in the morning. You can treat them exactly as you would your denim by throwing on some trainers and a tee, but we believe they shine brightest when given a bit of a preppy turn. For instance, a chambray shirt and mac make a killer combination and while it might be traditional, the minimal coat gives your look the modern twist it needs. Add to the mix a good bag and you're good to go… anywhere. WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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Unleash the Jogging Bottom Whether you opt for a pair of shorts or full-length, sweat pants are now an officially acceptable style item. The proliferation of paparazzi snaps of high paid footballers and Hollywood stars stepping out in the trousers comfier cousin have taken them from the dark days of Sports Direct bargain bins to high fashion statements. The quality British brand Sunspel even make a cashmere set; definitely a step up from Rocky’s training gear. Match your joggers with a different coloured sweat top and sporty trainer. And if you’re wearing shorts, here’s the curve ball: to take them to their maximum style capacity wear with a white sock. Fo’ real.
Whip on the Smart Short “Leg day” might be the annoying meme of choice by your gym-going buddies, but why not let it be a little reminder to make the most of the British sun on the few occasions it decides to show up, and get legs out for a breather. Make sure you’re prepped and ready for these all too rare occasions with a serious pair of shorts. While there are plenty of styles and patterns to choose from, our go to has to be the tailored chino short for their neatness and versatility to see you through all of summer’s main events. The key to a good pair is fit; they need to be roomy enough to let the breeze in and to sit just above the knee - no longer, no shorter. CJ WWW.THECHAPAR.COM
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