Ink & Leathers

Beauty Redefined – Canberra Centre Launches Beauty and Wellness Precinct

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A weekend-long launch for the Canberra Centre brings beauty and wellness to the revitalised Monaro Mall precinct.

 

Over the past weekend the Canberra Centre opened the doors of the newly refurbished Monaro Mall to unveil a world-class beauty and wellness precinct to scores of eager shoppers, with a series of masterclasses and a litany of opening-specials.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the opening festivities, and so on Thursday morning when my alarm went off at the ungodly hour of 5:00am; sleep-muddled and more than a little cranky I rolled out of my warm bed in order to get myself to there.

At 32 years of age, there isn’t actually a lot that I will get myself out of bed this early for anymore.

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Autumn Inspirations – JORD Wood Watches

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There is something about the season of Autumn that just makes me want to immerse myself in nature.

Now, obviously just from looking at me you can tell I’m not exactly the rugged woodsman you probably think of when you hear something like “Autumn makes me want to immerse myself in nature”, but I really do love this season, and all the treats for the senses that it brings with it. The cold bite of the wind on my cheeks, the smell of wood smoke in the air, and the visual spectacle of the leaves bursting into brilliant colours before dropping to the ground. And then of course we have all the different wardrobe tune-ups that we make for the cooler seasons.

This autumn I have been lucky enough to be given a beautiful wooden watch from the babes at JORD wood watches, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The design of the unique watch makes it a perfect addition to my wardrobe for autumn and winter, and gives me all the feelings of immersing myself in nature without actually having to go outside.

Because yes, I am that prissy that I avoid going outside as much as possible. (more…)

Daily Style – Fashion and Architecture

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Canberra menswear and style blogger Grant Heino of Ink and Leathers blog at New Acton

 

Fashion and architecture tend to go hand in hand in my opinion. The more I think about fashion and style, the more I come to recognise how we are all constantly drawing inspiration from the architecture of the built world that surrounds us, such as finding new ways to pair old wardrobe favourites like a white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

Perhaps one of the most iconic fashion combinations of all time, it has almost become an algorithm of how to dress yourself that is recognised in a way that transcends culture. Blue jeans + white t-shirt + (accessories / season) = dressed. It really is that simple, that mathematical. I have just about made this the formula for what I put on my back on a daily basis, and yet some how it still takes me over an hour to get ready most mornings. Usually including an embarrassing amount of time staring forlornly at my wardrobe wondering what i should wear.   (more…)

Viktor & Rolf – An uncomfortable morning with Fashion Artists

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Viktor & Rolf jute and lace dress from the Russian Doll collection - Melbourne, Australia

 

Viktor & Rolf, the Dutch design duo behind some of the most elaborate and awe-inspiring couture pieces of our time, currently have a retrospective of their 25-year collaboration hosted at the National Gallery of Victoria. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? I mean, by now every Australian fashion blogger and their dog have commented or reported on the exhibition. Most of my go-to fashionistas had already been, seen and posted about the exhibition before I got the chance to go this weekend past, and so I had a pretty good idea of what I was in for.

What I didn’t anticipate, however, was just how much I wouldn’t enjoy the exhibition.

Now don’t get me wrong, there is no debating that the creations are breathtaking in their vision and construction. The genius of the design duo cannot be understated, and the way in which the garments are pieced together shows a real mastery of craftsmanship. I cracked a huge smile seeing the red carpet gown in person (a beautifully sculptural piece crafted from actual carpet), and I was honestly moved seeing pieces in person that I had viewed in magazines and being able to dissect them with my own eyes rather than through someone else’s lens.

However, as someone now in his thirty-first year on this planet, and as someone who is (reluctantly) being drawn into the minimalism movement, I had to stop and ask myself what the cost of these garments (and more over the cost of couture generally) actually is. (more…)

Skinny Jeans and Being 30

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Earlier this year, I found a pair of Skinny Jeans on ASOS.

They were gorgeous. Perfect shade of blue, very light distressing, ideal length and a little bit of moto-detailing that gave them an edge. I didn’t own anything like them, but ever since I saw the first image of Kanye West wearing the Balmain biker jeans I have always wanted something like them (only without the $10 K price tag).

And so when I saw these jeans on ASOS, for only $60 and in a size 38 (which to be honest is borderline my size these days – I’m more likely a 40 after trying to eat myself into an early grave over the past 10 months); I didn’t even think about the fact that they were listed as Skinny Jeans and I clicked my mouse a couple of times until the sale had processed. It wasn’t until hours later, when the skinny little bastards were already on their way to me by courier (which is, quite frankly, a terrible feature of shopping with ASOS now) that I realised what I had actually just done.

I had at thirty-years of age, just purchased a pair of skinny jeans. (more…)

A close shave – trying the Mr Bond treatment at QT Canberra

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Yours truly in the chair at the QT Barber Shop for the new Mr Bond treatment

 

When it comes to grooming and taking care of my hair/nails/skin, I am woefully inept for a man of 30-years. I shave with a disposable razor I change maybe once a month, and I treat shaving my face with the same contempt that I do voting or paying rates. These are painful, unenjoyable but ultimately necessary evils that I try to throw myself through as quickly as humanly possible.

Thankfully the team at QT Canberra have got me (and anyone else in the same boat) covered with their fantastic QT Barber Shop. I was recently invited to experience the launch of their premium cut-throat shave offering Mr Bond – just in time for Fashfest 2016. The new treatment coincided with the arrival in Canberra of QT’s Head Barber, Kristian Jones, and so I was able to meet the man running the show as well. (more…)

fashionXhyatt – A truly personal afternoon of luxury at the Hyatt Canberra

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I was excited to be able to attend one of the Hyatt Canberra’s famous afternoon teas this Saturday past, for the launch of a very special event hosted by the Hyatt; fashionXhyatt

As someone who has lived in Canberra for over a decade now, I have heard of and attended afternoon teas at the Hyatt multiple times. It is the benchmark, or the golden standard if you will, for what an afternoon tea should be. Held in the impeccably styled Tea Lounge, afternoon teas are a decadent affair with sweet and savoury options beyond your wildest dreams, and of course a glass of bubbly here and there.

So, being invited to attend an afternoon tea that would also feature fashions from the latest collections of Fashfest allumni designers Zilpah Tart, Sovata, Karen Lee and Braddon Tailors; I was very quick to jump at the opportunity.

Fashion and food – does it get any better?

In fact, it does. (more…)

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