10 Best Man Crushes in Sports

Ah Man crush! Who says it can't have sexual connotations ;) Read More @
10 Best Man Crushes in Sports Bleacher Report

My view - Why should the man crush be limited to a sport hero? I have had a man crush on Tom Ford for years now. He is a fashion designer, fyi.. and i know my guy friends/ acquaintances have had man crushes on movie/ pop stars, politicians, and other public figures.. some even revere their Financial consultants(= Relationship Managers @ Banks)!!

-Amit Anand

And Now, a Menswear Search Engine!

Established in 2007, Luxboss.com is an online comparison shopping portal for designer menswear.
On the site you will find top menswear brands, tips for choosing, buying and matching menswear, offers and discounts.

Web ->  http://www.luxboss.com/

Luxboss.com Menswear Comparison Shopping Engine Announces an Outstanding Growth, Reaching Over 20 000 Products, read more @

Luxboss.com Menswear Comparison Shopping Engine Announces an Outstanding Growth, Reaching Over 20 000 Products

Awesome!

-Amit Anand

In the men’s room and the Trenchies (Not Trenches) + The colors of the Fall

The guys are expected to be bold and colourful this season (Fall/Winter) Read more @:

Menswear Colors for Autumn/Winter 2011/12: Yellow and Orange

My View ->Sorry, but i don't want to look like an orange bar with a lime topping. Although both the colors are awesome if they are worn with blues, grays and sombre browns(including nudes)

Ok, now on Trenchies (and not, Trenches)- i prefer using "ies" instead of "es" with Trench coz thats more cute!
In the men’s room

Trends to follow, Trench Coats, Backcountry Look - Leather and Wool (Courtesy : Burberry)

Burberry-mr-porter-overcoats-trenchcoats-prorsum-wool-trench-coat-Image -> shopstyle.com

Burberry-Prorsum-mens-bonded-leather-trench-coat-Image-> emenfashion.com

My View - I love Trench Coats, and i am eagerly waiting for the nip in the air (actually to wear the Trenchie you would need a whole lot of nip :)) to arrive with a bang and my chance thereon to wear my trenchies this Winter! I love Winters and the Chill and all the awesomest woolens that i can wear and the layering i can do!

Although not a big fan - Duffle and Pea Coats also look nice on some men. These are trendy as well this season -

Duffle Coat Picture bluefly dot com

mens wool-blend-pea-coat-black-Picture ->discountedcheapdeals dot com

Checkout these cool Peacoats ->

6 Mens Coats from TopMan under $400

I'd be sharing a lot of In-stuff that's going to be rocking for guys this Winter.This is from the counteless fashion magazines, e-Zines, Newsletter, Journals etc. etc. and closely following trends for F/W 2011-12.

So, keep your eyes on my blog for the next posts to follow.

Updated on 25th Jan 2012 -

The Alternative Trench

-Amit Anand

Grab Your 'Murse,' Pack a 'Mankini' And Don't Forget the 'Mewelry': Men's Fashion, Lingo Take a Feminine Turn - WSJ.com

Seems like the order of the day is the ultimate "manlification" (not mollification) of feminine terms as men come in terms of their individuality. This is an interesting article -

Grab Your 'Murse,' Pack a 'Mankini' And Don't Forget the 'Mewelry': Men's Fashion, Lingo Take a Feminine Turn - WSJ.com

My View -> So cute! At last there is a mens-only terminology and i'm happily updating my fashion thesaurus! Ingenious to the core!

Updated on October 13th 2011 ->

Rise of the Man Purse

Updated in November 2011 - More on "Mewelry"

This is a man's world: Men's jewellery

+

Who's who: Men's jewellery

-Amit Anand

Best New Menswear Designers in America 2011: Style: GQ

Best New Menswear Designers in America 2011: Style: GQ

America is where the menswear action is for the time being! Although, UK will remain No. 1 in style for me for now and the near future!

Amazing stuff these guys(designers) dish out and no big wonder that men feel like dressing up, playing with a plethora of colors from pinks to reds and fluorescent out there in the west (and even in south & south east asia - Singapore to China), a trend that Indian men need to adapt to..pretty fast!

-Amit Anand

RIP Van Heusen Mens Fashion Week

The hoopla is almost over, well almost! Not counting the after-show parties or the predictable boozy lounge soirees and the pleasures at the spa lounge. While some shows had theatrics missing, others had just too much noise, drama and no soul!

Tonight(4th Sept) as the clock strikes 9:30 (IST, Indian Slow Time! so delay is expected and acceptable by the junta!), the grand finale featuring Varun Bhal and Karan Johar's clothing line will begin with much anticipated bollywood presence- that of Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif who are in Delhi to promote their film - Mere Brother Ki Dhulan. What better publicity than being part of a fashion show that has KJO at the helm of affairs! (Well atleast we think so; who know how much designing he actually does!)

So much has already written about the Men’s fashion week -in tabloids, glossy magazines and online e-zines and even Indian blogs like mine - everyone seems to have set their eyes and ears on this 3-day frenzy at The Grand, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi - that nothing has been left for me to say.

It seems everyone is a fashion expert these days! Everyone from a business honcho to a peon has an opinion to share on fashion. Isn't that a great start to a new era in Indian fashion :)

However, kuddos to women designers in this event who seem to have caught my eye and my respect with their creativity and resolve.. especially Anjana and Ankita's collection - I can see myself adorning their stuff! I would have to give some credit to Troy Costa, and very masculine Arjun Khanna..atleast they have blended well with Indian man's western sensibilities.

To add more masala this year - I thought the cut off for models was strictly 5"11! Instead I could see a wannabe-model standing pretty at probably 5"6 at the most! I'm not against the height factor but I met a couple of models who were 5"11 and had been chosen to walk the ramp for this year's men’s fashion week (Did they say for Troy Costa) but alas! they were not selected owing to unknown reasons.

I guess lot of amateurs  were taken instead and there was a massive cheering from the crowd (of backbenchers) as models appeared out of the blues walking as if they had a serious genital rash :)

Guys! Please learn to walk like a model next time! All the best!

There were other handpicked ones who seem to be walking zombies. While this sleepwalking was no less irritating, the designs showcased (barring a few that I can consider wearable and buyable) were outright boring and lacked sense and sensibility!

I know the press will go crazy and gaga over men’s fashion week while magazines/ e-zines will happily publish airbrushed and glossy version of gory celebrities with even gorier egos, wannabes and models and especially outfits! - It remains to be seen if actually there will be any serious buyers in the lot that this fashion week will guarantee.

But, Van Heusen Mens Fashion Week is a good beginning (this is the second annual Van Heusen Mens Week) Especially having a brand that I value a lot - Van Heusen Menswear and Fashion Design Council of India ( FDCI ) at the helm of organizing an event of a grand stature and giving platform and promoting menswear designers in India is applaudable!

Spotted a huffed and puffed up Karan Johar walking into the lobby of The Grand. Irfan Khan who walked for Rohit and Abhishek and Dino Morea tagging behind with Anupama Verma etc. I saw Rahul Dev on the ramp for Shantanu and Nikhil..Sahil Shroff and Namit Khanna with their perpetual horny looks looked nice too! Yes, there was Madhur Bhandarkar as well walking around as if he is Steven Spielberg himself!

The End!

I am off to a yoga retreat – an ashram in Rishikesh.. I have a headache and I need some clearing up to do! Mind-Body-and-Soul!

Until soon!

Updated on 21st July 2012 -

Buyers of holidays

-Amit Anand

Men’s Lib and the Male Diva

The nouveau feminists and women’s lib have been having a field day terming fashioning men as either dandy, effeminate, pretty or just passing off the trend as too inessential to even talk about.

Seems like their succinct opinions are no longer having an effect on men anymore!

Thankfully men have realized that masculinity aside, their overall packagability is much more important.

The terms metrosexual etc. have been coined by people who have not somehow come in terms with the fact that men too, like women, are an ever evolving species.

Women have had their golden years of development and now men are realizing the importance of looking and dressing good – the two most fashionating essentials - not any more a woman’s prerogative!

There is a whole new industry that’s rebirthing - as we speak and lament on the men’s lib movement!

From cosmetics, to spas; from frills to thrills; from being constantly ridiculed for looking and acting like pigs, being inapt, unkempt.. to now - being, men-of-substance!

My intellectual friends beg to differ and laugh off at my claims.

No worries! I, like many men out there believe it’s our time to shine.

We want to do as much as fashion and look as much as pretty as we want to. Get facials, manicure and pedicure and splurge on luxury – clothes, cars, gadgets.. et al! It’s our birthright!

No more, we are enchained to the shackles of masculinity – a responsibility thrusted upon us by society..molding us into indignity!

Men of today are giving masculinity a whole new meaning!

What can be more masculine than revealing gym toned bodies; mannerisms that are carefully nurtured and tended?

We are talking about overall package now that most men yearn to achieve!

A note on the Male Diva

Yes, the male diva is here! Men don’t shy anymore in exposing their best kept secret!

From their torsos, to abs, to butt! Men are shining and how J

Here are my favorite shorts that I would be seen wearing very soon (once my thunder thighs are all worked out!) –



Pair of white mesh shorts is by the British designer CHRISTOPHER SHANNON

                                                  Picture courtesy - Fantasticman.com 

Talking about shorts, Jean Shorts or JORTS as they are called are totally cool and IN! Try them!

Daniel Craig, my favorite Male Diva -

James Bond - Picture - Flixster.com

Gender constructs influence fashion world

Updated on 21st April 2012 -

Exploration of what it means to be a man in an age where manicures, eyebrow threading, and pubic haircuts is no longer women's only territory. Read more @
 

Mansome Trailer Asks Will Arnett And Jason Bateman What Makes A Man

Updated on 17th May 2012 ->

‘Mansome’ looks at pressure on men to be perfect, too

-Amit Anand

The Art and Religion of Fashion

It’s amazing how one man’s faith (religion) can become another man’s art!

While there is no harm in art and fashion fusion; the problem only arises when the lines of decency and aesthetics are “blurred” to create unnecessary hype and sensationalism at the cost of other people’s beliefs and spiritualism.

A lot of intellectuals consider this intolerance (of raising ones voice against the depiction of religious motifs/ images of gods and goddesses in artwork or designer wear) – against the right to a designer’s/ artist’s freedom of expressionism and the right to dissent.

There has been lot of hoo-hah about reporting intolerance of the masses in the media and how this expressionism has become a subject of ridicule and fodder to ignite religious fanaticism.

Every coin has two sides, hence, the viewpoints and opinions also differ.

Personally, I don’t propagate intolerance.  I am but, propagating – “aestheticism”.

I am a devout Hindu and I am also a firm believer of other religions (especially Buddhism) that makes me trans-religious.

I myself have collected artwork, clothes, home furnishings and even artifacts that have gods/ goddesses’ motifs, pictures, sacred texts etc. painted/ embossed/ written on them. This is my way of expressing my spirituality and my inherent need of appreciating my religion.

However, these artworks are very aesthetically done. There is lot of respect and intense passion gone behind making them as is evident by the use of motifs depicting gods/ goddesses and sacred texts in their rightful avatar.

I would never appreciate/ buy/ endorse anything that depicts any religion in negative and indecent connotations.


This is where the lines get “blurred”.

There are designers who seem to have apartheid of creative thought and an absence of soul.

Depicting religious motifs of gods and goddesses and sacred texts that millions worldwide revere in underwear, toilet paper/ seats and even shoes is not good and to most Hindus - unacceptable!

Why play with someone belief in the name of fashion and art?

Australian designer Lisa Burke (Lisa Blue is her label) introduced Lakshmi bikini that she showcased in a fashion show and also retailed. There was obviously a big uproar and later Lisa even apologized to the Hindu community! 

Roberto Cavalli in the past also unveiled a new bikini/underwear range that met with a similar fate.

American company Sittin' Pretty Design introduced Toilet seats with pictures of Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha – the two most revered Hindu deities worldwide! 

Gods on toilet seats? This is definitely gross!

American shoemaker Keds Shoes promoted its Hindu Keds Shoes line that depicted Hindu gods yet again and so did French shoe brand Minnelli.

However, Religious themed novelty is not all that bad. It is made out to so, by people with demented mindsets.

I personally love Manish Arora's work- (an Indian designer) who in the past has introduced “aesthetically designed” outfits that carried religious motifs and pictures of revered Hindu deities on jackets and t-shirts (his famed T-shirts of the Hindu gods and goddesses (Lakshmi, Ganesha and Nandi).

But again, it was Manish Arora who also introduced leggings, harem-pants and skirts depicting the image of Lord Shiva in Nataraja form which protesting Hindus had termed repugnant.

There are divergent viewpoints. I do prefer religious motifs etc. on my t-shirts (i guess lot of Indian men would have an Om-imprint Kurta in their wardrobe!), bags and even umbrellas.

Lot of Indian people wear gods/godesses/mantras-design lockets and jewellery. However, going beyond to undergarments, shoes etc. is not good at all!


One man's fashion shouldn't become another man's pain especially if it hurts sentiments - religious or otherwise.


I respect the fact that an artist/ deisgner or even a writer must have a freedom of expression but on a serious note, i strongly also believe - making mockery of any religion is a crime!


There are various groups online on social platforms like the one on a popular social networking site called - Against international designers' obsession with Hindu gods and goddesses



Note: This blogpost contains materials(pictures etc.) from other clearly stated media sources(given, as below) for the purpose of discussion stimulation and content enrichment only.

Read more @: ISKON and IN.COM

Pictures Courtesy - http://www.whatsondalian.com/, http://www.examiner.com/, deccanchronicle

 

Update as on 8/9th September 2011 -> Hollywood diva Miley Cyrus gets Hindu ''Om'' tattoo


My View - Great! As long as tattoo are in the right place.. they are welcome :)!!


Update on 20th September 2011 -> Hindu fury over Australian play that pits god Ganesh against Hitler - Ganesh Versus the Third Reich




Updated on Nov 28th -> Hindus Upset Over Ganesha T-Shirts In US

Lord Ganesha seems to be quite a popular diety it seems! Anyways, I found nothing offensive about the Ganesha t-shirt. The Ganesha motif is a symbol of God and does not have a copyright! Being a devout Ganesha devotee, I would have only reacted if the motifs were being shown as funny and lewd and hence grossly offensive!

People need to grow up!

Updated on 22nd Jan 2012 ->

Upset Hindus ask German firm to recall yogamats depicting Hindu deities

Again my question is "?"

-Amit Anand

Feelin' groovy: Men's fashion in the 1970s (photos) : The Poop

'70s attire! Gosh some of the outfits look a wee bit outlandish but guys were wearing it all with aplomb! The 70's truly was renaissance period in men's fashion.

Read more @

Feelin' groovy: Men's fashion in the 1970s (photos) : The Poop

-Amit Anand

Bibhu Mohapatra | Fashion Designer | Interview | MyFDB.com - An India-born Designer I am proud of!

Bibhu, would you ever design for men? Please do! The reason why he has a mention on my blog is because of his obvious Indian connection. I'm always proud of Indian men doing fashion proud globally! Kudos boy!

More on Bibhu ->

Bibhu Mohapatra Fashion Designer Interview MyFDB.com


Fashion Week: Bibhu Mohapatra spring 2012 show report

Fashion Houston adds Bibhu Mohapatra & Saks menswear show to lineup

Bibhu Mohapatra Spring 2012: Let's Play Truth Or Dare

Indian Designers' Designs go global -


Indian designers: 2100 has been merry time in global arena

- Amit Anand

How To Go Bald Like A Man & Sexiest Bald Man - JASON STATHAM

Is losing one's hair - a personal crisis situation? Read More @

How To Go Bald Like A Man The Knack The Journal MR PORTER

In the last decade, Men and their perception towards styling - both from fashion and grooming perspective has undergone a massive change.

Men are surpassing women in fashion, style and grooming. It's like their golden age in this time of recession.

They are giving importance to appearance more than ever primarily because they are trying to recession-proof themselves.

Image and appearance have suddenly become the benchmarks for survival
in this economic downturn.

I won't say they are spending a lot now but they are spending more in comparison to men in the last decade.

They seem to be in tune with the trends like women.

So they are aware of the alternatives. For example, a bald man I consulted recently preferred going bald and fully shaving his head than go in for hair weaving and other expensive procedure.

I just provided him with options and he chose the best one!





It's not like going bald is in fashion but it's definitely more classy if you opt for it in place of a comb-over or get into expensive hair transplant treatments. 

You may also want to watch Hair grooming videos below and what suits you to enhance your personality, how to style -

Hair Maintenance - How to - Blowdry, Gel and Style and what products to use

And now, a word on facial hair i.e. Stubble -

And, the hair style trends of the current season that i shared on my blog sometime back -
Most Fashionable Hairstyles for Men

BALD IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL! Read More @ -

7 Sexiest Bald Men

Actually, my favorite is not even listed in the list above. I love the way JASON STATHAM looks. His baldness looks totally hot. Pic -> astrochicks.com

-Amit Anand