Styles That Maketh The Man
You have to admit that it is easier to dress a man. There’s no need to accessorise too much, or put on make-up. The rule of thumb for a man who wants to dress up well is – less is more.
Now that the number of fashion-conscious men out there is growing, we have to acknowledge that guys may look for a fashion tip or two. Read on.
Wristwatch
One of the first things that women notice on a man is the watch he is wearing. The watch tells a lot about someone, so what better watch for a man than a Jaeger LeCoultre?
Almost every man wants to be the proud owner of a Jaeger LeCoultre. The Grande Reverso range is one of the brand’s most popular lines. The company introduced the reversible watch in 1931, which was a big hit with British army officers stationed in colonial India, especially among those who played polo.
Back then, there were no watches that could withstand the rigours of a polo match.
Since then, the Jaeger LeCoultre’s Grande Reverso has gone through a series of transformations, culminating in the Grande Reverso 976 and Grande Reverso 986 Duodate.
The Grande Reverso 976 emphasises its horological distinction where the hour and minute hands glide around the dial. The watch is designed with a geometrical Art Deco appeal. There’s also a small seconds display that forms the watch’s fourth rectangle within the other three.
Other details are the inner minute track zone with classic transferred Arabic numerals and the famous steel, pink-gold case. The workings of the proprietary mechanical manually-wound caliber 976 can be seen through the sapphire crystal case-back. This range is tagged from RM22,300 per pair.
The Grande Reverso 986 Duodate features dual displays on twin dials – the classic look of a Reverso. The silvered front dial shows the time in the reference time zone. There is a broad rounded date display arching across the top with its Clous de Paris hobnail pattern. The Grande Reverso 986 Duodate is priced at RM31,500.
Briefcase/Wallets/Namecard Holder
Leather can be a man’s best friend. Alfred Dunhill is one of the favourite brands among men. The brand presents its Autumn/Winter Collection 2009, called the Sidecar Gunmetal Colour Leather Collection.
Coloured leather is the in-thing now and this collection comprises a formal and classic Dunhill shape in grained leather with masculine brushed gunmetal hardware.
The choice of colours are red, navy and quintessential black.
Targeting a man who is always on the go, there are coats for billfold wallets, business card cases and briefcases.
My favourite item in this collection is the Sidecar Navy Double Document case. It is a double zip briefcase with a back flat pocket and internal compartments. The briefcase is ideal for the businessman who doesn’t want to appear to be too serious to others.
Clothes/Shoes
Clothes are always a bit tricky. Bottega Veneta recently launched its Fall/Winter 2009/10 Collection which could just be what the style doctor ordered.
The star of the collection is the cardigan. The designers opted for the subtle approach for the cardigans. The colours used are bone, ash, graphite, gray, brown and truffle brown, while the materials are washed and weathered fabrics and leather.
Other items in the collection are pants, shirts, jackets and suits. Fabrics are cotton, denim and corduroy, cotton-and-linen velvet while the leathers are deerskin, calf, lamb, and goat.
Also available are the knits of merino, alpaca, cashmere and other yarns custom-dyed for effect. These materials are lightweight and soft.
There is also a range of thick soled shoes with rounded toes as well as thick-soled short boots and brawny tasseled loafers.
- Compiled by Zuhaila Sedek.
Source: Life & Times, New Straits Times, August 24, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Always in Fashion
Technology has changed the business world, but the day of the business card is far from over. Card readers and scanners, and electronic versions of business cards stored on mobile phones have not done away with the simple impact that a well-executed business card can deliver.
Just as we judge one another by the quality of the clothes we wear, a business card too provides cues as to how wealthy, successful and professional we are.
These cues form what branding consultants call the "first impression".
In fact, business cards are so powerful, branding consultants describe them as mini billboards - mini because they are small and cost a fraction of the price of the larger ones.
First impressions are so important in everybody's private and professional lives that many people engage a branding firm to help create the right look for their card.
Whether you are a job applicant talking to prospective employers, or a business trying to make every contact with a new customer count, you will benefit from a card that creates a good impression.
Smart card
▪ Make it memorable. A lawyer’s business card may mimic a get-out-of-gaol free card; a painter, a swatch of colour. Be creative. Think of the last time someone gave you a business card, and you simply tossed it in the bin without a thought. You don’t want the same thing to happen to your card.
▪ Check out your competitors. You shouldn't copy them, but instead measure the quality and design you are competing against in your industry. Decide on what you need to do to make your business card stand out.
▪ Avoid cheap. Like a suit, a custom-made one looks better and increases your confidence during a meeting. You may have only one chance to make an impression, so make the most of it. If it means you have to spend a dollar per card to make the right impression, consider it money well spent.
▪ Include a picture of yourself. If you plan to leave your card in various places, with little personal presence, a photo of yourself and a bullet-point explanation of your business are useful. But be warned. Poorly taken photos will create a negative impression.
▪ Build credentials. For start-up companies, mentioning one’s doctrines or degrees can make a difference. Including business accolades and alliance logos is a good idea if they are relevant.
▪ Keep the business card simple. The more uncluttered, the easier to read and remember. Use both sides. One side for the brand, the second for details. This also gives scope to advertise the services and products you offer.
▪ Examine different finishes. After looking at a card, a recipient next experiences it by feeling it. Cards which provide an experience through touch are recalled up to four times more than business cards without one.
▪ Make it bold. Colour creates the most impact for dollar. Examine the impact your card makes up close in your hand, or on a desk a few metres away. Orange, purple and green are good colours because they are unusual. But always try to stick with colours of your brand.
▪ Think about the business card holder. Irrespective of how well the card is designed, the recipient will often see the holder first, so make sure you are comfortable with the quality. Select a holder that is durable and capable of withstanding scratches. After you have created the perfect card, think about how to give it. Always allow your clients to hand their business card first. When it is your turn, hand the card so that it faces the recipient so he can read it.
Card etiquette
▪ Accept and give cards with two hands. This is especially practiced in Asia, and is important when dealing with older business people. I remember being in a meeting once where a supplier flung his card at me from across the table. I didn’t have to be Asian to feel disrespected.
▪ Read names and titles carefully. If you are unable to pronounce the name of the person who gave you his card, now is the time to ask. Observe the card for anything that may spark a conversation. By demonstrating interest in your contact, he becomes interested in you.
▪ During a discussion, keep your contacts’ business cards at arm’s length on the surface of the table. This not only demonstrates respect but helps you address them by their correct names and titles.
▪ Have a plentiful supply of cards. At a business function or social gathering, some people take offence if they give you their card and do not receive yours. Considering how many business introductions are made through personal networking and referrals, it is surprising how little consideration and money is spent on business cards. When you calculate the cost of meeting a new customer from the time it took to identify him, call to make an appointment, drive to meet him, and then buy him coffee, can you afford not to make a positive first impression?
Source : ST/ANN
Article by Anthony Coundouris, a director at Firestarter, a sales and marketing consultancy company.
Source: Classifieds, StarMetro, Monday, September 15, 2009
Just as we judge one another by the quality of the clothes we wear, a business card too provides cues as to how wealthy, successful and professional we are.
These cues form what branding consultants call the "first impression".
In fact, business cards are so powerful, branding consultants describe them as mini billboards - mini because they are small and cost a fraction of the price of the larger ones.
First impressions are so important in everybody's private and professional lives that many people engage a branding firm to help create the right look for their card.
Whether you are a job applicant talking to prospective employers, or a business trying to make every contact with a new customer count, you will benefit from a card that creates a good impression.
Smart card
▪ Make it memorable. A lawyer’s business card may mimic a get-out-of-gaol free card; a painter, a swatch of colour. Be creative. Think of the last time someone gave you a business card, and you simply tossed it in the bin without a thought. You don’t want the same thing to happen to your card.
▪ Check out your competitors. You shouldn't copy them, but instead measure the quality and design you are competing against in your industry. Decide on what you need to do to make your business card stand out.
▪ Avoid cheap. Like a suit, a custom-made one looks better and increases your confidence during a meeting. You may have only one chance to make an impression, so make the most of it. If it means you have to spend a dollar per card to make the right impression, consider it money well spent.
▪ Include a picture of yourself. If you plan to leave your card in various places, with little personal presence, a photo of yourself and a bullet-point explanation of your business are useful. But be warned. Poorly taken photos will create a negative impression.
▪ Build credentials. For start-up companies, mentioning one’s doctrines or degrees can make a difference. Including business accolades and alliance logos is a good idea if they are relevant.
▪ Keep the business card simple. The more uncluttered, the easier to read and remember. Use both sides. One side for the brand, the second for details. This also gives scope to advertise the services and products you offer.
▪ Examine different finishes. After looking at a card, a recipient next experiences it by feeling it. Cards which provide an experience through touch are recalled up to four times more than business cards without one.
▪ Make it bold. Colour creates the most impact for dollar. Examine the impact your card makes up close in your hand, or on a desk a few metres away. Orange, purple and green are good colours because they are unusual. But always try to stick with colours of your brand.
▪ Think about the business card holder. Irrespective of how well the card is designed, the recipient will often see the holder first, so make sure you are comfortable with the quality. Select a holder that is durable and capable of withstanding scratches. After you have created the perfect card, think about how to give it. Always allow your clients to hand their business card first. When it is your turn, hand the card so that it faces the recipient so he can read it.
Card etiquette
▪ Accept and give cards with two hands. This is especially practiced in Asia, and is important when dealing with older business people. I remember being in a meeting once where a supplier flung his card at me from across the table. I didn’t have to be Asian to feel disrespected.
▪ Read names and titles carefully. If you are unable to pronounce the name of the person who gave you his card, now is the time to ask. Observe the card for anything that may spark a conversation. By demonstrating interest in your contact, he becomes interested in you.
▪ During a discussion, keep your contacts’ business cards at arm’s length on the surface of the table. This not only demonstrates respect but helps you address them by their correct names and titles.
▪ Have a plentiful supply of cards. At a business function or social gathering, some people take offence if they give you their card and do not receive yours. Considering how many business introductions are made through personal networking and referrals, it is surprising how little consideration and money is spent on business cards. When you calculate the cost of meeting a new customer from the time it took to identify him, call to make an appointment, drive to meet him, and then buy him coffee, can you afford not to make a positive first impression?
Source : ST/ANN
Article by Anthony Coundouris, a director at Firestarter, a sales and marketing consultancy company.
Source: Classifieds, StarMetro, Monday, September 15, 2009
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