A blog dedicated to the interesting, scandalous, useful and cutting edge in the world of men’s style, fashion and grooming.
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There have been plenty of books devoted to James Bond over the years, most of them written for the kind of guys whose idea of a hot time is debating the relative merits of Holly Goodhead vs. Pussy Galore. 007 has never gotten the kind of visual treatment he deserves—odd for a fellow so focused on style.
The beautiful new James Bond Encyclopedia sets that to rights.»
It appears that the “brutal” new James Bond is something of a prima donna. At the cover shoot for GQ’s December Men of the Year issue, deconstructed 007 Daniel Craig refused to wear any of the designer duds the magazine’s fashion mavens picked out for him, insisting instead on a suit of his own. Having caught wind of the clothing contretemps, we asked GQ’s Adam Rapoport, who wrote the Craig cover story, what went down.
Ah, the Bond Girl—intended as a paragon of her species, the female foil and flame of cinema’s ultimate embodiment of masculinity says more about what we wish women were than what they are. Beginning with Ursula Andress (who emerged Aphrodite-like from the surf), the history of Bond’s beauties is a long and luscious chronicle of our desires both sublime (Barbara Bach’s Agent XXX) and ignoble (Denise Richards’ Dr. Christmas Jones).
Photographed by our fearless lensman, Patrick McMullan.
While he may have dressed multiple MOTHs (four to date) as well as James Bond, every so often we’re reminded that Tom Ford is really his own best model. In the same sort of way that a restaurant with an absentee owner never seems quite right, Ford’s clothes come across so well precisely because they’ve been road tested and perfected by the man himself, who just happens to be one of the most stylish men on the planet.
The other night at the opening of a new wing at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art»
Negative Reaction: Kenneth Cole falls $3.1 million into debt. Where be your cheeky billboards now? [DNRNews]
Cardigan Cabal: The international press is conspiring to make the Cardigan today’s, “dead sexy chick magnet.” Almost Orwellian, ain’t it?
Restoration Hardware: John Varvatos’ conversion of CBGB’s is taking for-frigging-ever. [Racked]
Lil’ Bit More: Crunk poet and Renaissance man Lil’ John not only has his own celeb clothing line on the way, but is currently vintnering up a storm at Little Jonathan Winery. All class that one. [Pro Hip Hop]
Collateral Damage: The new Bond film is an absolute blood fest, destroying one innocent Tom Ford suit after another. [VogueUK]
Co-Ed Naked Design: Matthew McConcaughey and his old lady create new clothes to shed while walking on sunny pacific beaches. [Gawker]
It may be early, but we’re always up for a little Bond.
Celebrating the author’s 100th birthday—which is coming up next Wednesday—Penguin is revamping their catalog of Fleming-era Bond novels with new editions and, best of all, new covers. The striking images come courtesy of San Francisco-based artist Michael Gillette, who makes appropriately sensual use of watercolor. The type and colors do a good job of replicated the 60s milieu, while the women remind us of the books’ central appeal»
On the heels of the Bond collection, we thought we’d take a closer look at the old Kempt bookshelf.
The Art of Manliness recently put up a list of the Essential Man’s Library, which seems like as good a place to start as any. After all, a well-stocked bookshelf is as vital as a well-cleaned floor if you’re trying to make an impression.
The 100 books range from middle-school English class fodder (Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird) to dense philosophy (The Republic, Beyond Good and Evil), but there’s something oddly syllabus-like about it. After all, it would be nice to have something you’ll actually want to read»
Today sees the release of the a new James Bond novel, entitled Devil May Care, celebrated by an aquatic release party in London, along with an accompanying press campaign. The novel is a one-off from British novelist Sebastian Faulks and finds Bond chasing a Blofield-esque villain through London, Paris and the Middle East. Much like the film series’ recent reboot with Casino Royale, the novel styles itself as a throwback, with action set in Bond’s heyday of 1967 and Faulks taking the unusual step of writing as Ian Fleming, which falls somewhere between marketing gimmick and postmodern conceit.
Through the kind of serendipity that can only arise from a PR department, the release coincides with Ian Fleming’s 100th birthday. Bond himself has been around for more than half that time: He’s nearing 55, making him older than Ronald McDonald but younger than Batman. And, like anyone who’s stuck around that many years, he’s been through more than a few adventures that everyone involved would prefer to forget.
Splish Splash: Okay, we admit we’ll never purchase any of these bathing suits, but we would buy them for a dollar. [Refinery29]
Bombay Boys: Take a gander at the men of Mumbai. [Brandish]
Unknotted: The Men’s Dress Furnishings Association, the trade group that represents American tie makers, is calling it quits at exactly the same time we realized they existed. [WSJ]
Molecular Bonds: Scientists delve into the chemistry of the shaken Martini, come up a little tipsy. [Kerala Next]
Okay, Okay We Get it Already - Preppie is the New Hipster: As they said in Old Country, “You can’t stop what’s coming” - even if it wears a sweatervest and club tie. [Miami Herald]
Ray Banned: Sunglasses to stop traffic, because that will really help out things in the city. [Adweek]
You can pick up a vintage Bentley that once belonged to Sean Connery, the greatest Bond of all, at Bonhams’ auto auction as part of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiast’s Club’s annual rally this weekend for a relative pittance. The beautiful 1961 S2 saloon, finished in two-tone Tudor Grey / Shell Grey with a contrasting red leather interior, is estimated at only £12,000 - £15,000, or about $24,000 - $30,000, a fraction of what a new, less distinguished model sans pedigree will cost you.
Sneak Peek: Oh yes, the Bond trailer is here. [Moviefone]
Her Majesty: Anna Wintour deigns to speak of Milan Men’s Fashion. Cower, mere mortals. [DNR]
Second Chance: Brooks Brothers and Thom Browne kiss and make up. [DNR]
Um, No: Fashionista thinks man clutches are a good, “accessory for a night out.” Some people just don’t get it, do they? [Fashionista]
Gym Rats: How to be a gentleman while working up a sweat. [Art of Manliness]
