The contemporary notion of ‘polish’ has become synonymous with a range of superficial attributes ranging from the cut of a man’s pants and the shine of his shoes to the grooming of his person and the affectation of his speech. But the true definition of a “polished man” cuts deeper, encompassing not only the man without but also the man within.

YGAP, an Australia-based organization working to empower communities disadvantaged by poverty to become self-sustainable, recognized this distinction and launched the Polished Man Challenge in acknowledgement of it. This unique fundraising initiative is centered around an innovative campaign that challenges men to help end violence against children by raising awareness and funds to support the 1 in 5 children who suffer physical and sexual violence before the age of 18. To this end, men around the globe are encouraged to paint a single nail for the duration of the campaign as a symbol of their support.

The idea for the campaign was sparked when YGAP’s CEO, Elliott Costello, met a young girl named Thea while visiting Hagar International, one of YGAP’s project partners,  in Cambodia. Though Costello and Thea did not share a common language, the two played Tic-Tac-Toe and other games for hours. At the end of the night, Thea drew a heart on Elliot’s palm, and then painted all of his nails blue.  And so the idea  for the Polished Man initiative was born.

While this year’s campaign has been focused on the period between October 1^st and 15^th, funds raised through November 10^th will still benefit this year’s campaign so there’s still time sign up and help. With two weeks left to donate, here are 5 creative ways you can join the campaign to help the 1-in-5 children who experience violence globally:

• Host a Monday Night Football Party for Polished Man
• Plan a dinner party for friends and request a donation to Polished Man in exchange for food and wine
• Organize an evening out with 5% of the night’s drink sales donated to Polished Man
• Share an eye-catching photo of your painted nail on social media and a link to your fundraising page
• Host a Halloween party with an entrance fee going to Polished Man

Paint a nail, help save a child – there’s not much to think about in that equation now is there?

Find out more and sign up at https://www.polishedman.com/.

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From the time I was a little boy, I recall my grandmother telling me that “A man isn’t well dressed unless he’s dressed well from head to toe.” And by ‘head to toe’ she was referring to every article of clothing on my person, whether it was seen or not seen. Failing to meet this standard led to a rebuke that, for all intents and purposes, made compliance the only option.

That being the case, it was a given not only that the primary pieces of one’s outerwear would be coordinated and immaculate, but also that one’s undershirts had to be ironed, one’s socks had to be in tip-top condition and coordinated with one’s shoes or pants and that, perhaps most important of all, that one’s underwear had to be pristine and no less in keeping with the mode than everything else in one’s ensemble. Needless to say, that training left an indelible impression on my sartorial sensibilities. So when I discovered the luxurious pleasure of Tani underwear, I found a welcome addition to my wardrobe of which I’m sure my grandmother would approve (though she no longer regularly sees me in my underwear).

In recent years, underwear for men has come a long way and the choices are plenty. In fact, between you and me, I may take a few more liberties with my underwear choices than my grandmother might approve of nowadays. That said, there’s something special about my Tani underwear that makes me feel particularly grown up.

Made from combinations of the finest natural fibersincluding Swiss cotton, Spanish Modal, Austrian Micro Modal and more, employing state-of-the-art knitting technologies to ensure that the fabrics are the softest, smoothest, sleekest available Tani underwear is quite simply elegant. There are no zany colors, outrageous patterns or hypersexual embellishments, just a clean, modern aesthetic and extremely comfortable design ideal for a man of more refined tastes in search of the perfect complement to a bespoke suit and tailored dress shirt or even a favored pair of jeans.

Best of all, Tani is not only about comfort, it’s also about performance. While my personal favorite, the SilkTouch collection is made from a super fine fabric culled from 100% Austrian beech wood that is so light it feels as though you’re hardly wearing anything at all, the Air Fitness collection combines antibacterial qualities with a special knit designed to manage moisture that makes it the ideal accoutrement for work outs, and the Luxuriance Collection takes luxe to a new level with superfine fabrics that redefine notions of what underwear can be. And did I mention that Tani underwear is perfect for traveling because the fabrics rinse easily and dry quickly? Yeah…that’s an added bonus.

If you ever thought that all underwear was created equal, Tani is proof positive that it is not. And, perhaps more importantly, in full acknowledgment that everything my grandmother taught me was indeed true, I can honestly say that while I feel great when I look great, I somehow feel more complete when I’m wearing my Tani  underneath.

Tani is currently available at Nordstrom’s. Prices range from $50 – $300.

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For Spring/ Summer 2015, skinny and fitted is no longer the only message for men as voluminous ensembles, long, layered shirts and loose (even pleated) pants return to favor, at least to some degree. Monochromatic dressing is also back in fashion accompanied by a splash of color this time around. Meanwhile as Tom Ford buttons down in a new classic direction, Hedi Slimane takes Saint Laurent squarely into the golden era of hippie chic. And shades of grey continue to rule over the coming spring, while the eternal cool of blue is hotter than ever and suits, yet again, get multiple reimaginings with some being successful and the lion’s share not so much.

Below are my picks for the 50 best looks from the Spring/Summer 2015 menswear collections. Which ones do you love and which ones do you hate? (Don’t answer just yet…there will be a poll for that).

Alexander McQueen S/S 2015

Christopher Lemaire S/S 2015

Craig Green S/S 2015

Haider Ackermann S/S 2015

Calvin Klein S/S 2015

Comme Des Garcons S/S 2015

Saint Laurent S/S 2015

Boglioli S/S 2015

Jonathan Saunders S/S 2015

Moncler Gamme Bleu S/S 2015

Pringle Scotland S/S 2015

Dolce Gabbana S/S 2015

Iceberg S/S 2015

Comme Des Garcons S/S 2015

John Varvatos S/S 2015

Ami S/S 2015

Roberto Cavalli S/S 2015

Andrea Pompilio S/S 2015

Missoni S/S 2015

Balenciaga S/S 2015

No. 21 S/S 2015

Bottega Veneta S/S 2015

Neil Barrett S/S 2015

DSquared S/S 2015

Tom Ford S/S 2015

McQ-Alexander McQueen S/S 2015

Lanvin S/S 2015

Marc Jacobs S/S 2015

Vivienne Westwood S/S 2015

Loewe S/S 2015

Paul Smith S/S 2015

Gucci S/S 2015

Dolce Gabbana S/S 2015

Viktor Rolf S/S 2015

Calvin Klein S/S 2015

Giorgio Armani S/S 2015

Saint Laurent S/S 2015

Wooyoungmi S/S 2015

Berluti S/S 2015

Viktor Rolf S/S 2015

Canali S/S 2015

Comme Des Garcons S/S 2015

3.1 Philip Lim S/S 2015

Tom Ford S/S 2015

Roberto Cavalli S/S 2015

Emporio Armani S/S 2015

Diesel Black Gold S/S 2015

John Varvatos S/S 2015

Prada S/S 2015

Gucci S/S 2015

(Scroll over the photo to see the designer)

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It’s a shirt…it’s a jacket…it’s a caftan…it’s just plain fabulous!

The Franklin Shirt from Aussie-born, Berlin-based designer Melinda Stokes is an uber cool new addition to the STOKX product family, a brand that epitomizes the understated chic of Europe’s most individual capital city.  Described as both “a special kind of summer frock for men” and “English tails meets an Arabian caftan”, the Franklin shirt is the perfect item to travel with this summer and fall as it will surely prove to be terribly diverse and decisively stylish.

Beyond that, the shirt is cut diagonally in the back for comfortable movement and the sleeves roll up so that you can wear it more casually when the occasion requires it.

Now I ask you…what’s not to love about this shirt?

For more information on ordering the Franklin Shirt click here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LILaIhmn224

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Duane Wells 
8/17/2011 

I’ve got a little issue. It seems that I have contracted a fashionable new strain of Stockholm Syndrome. I use the term ‘fashionable’ to describe my particular version of the psychological affliction, because rather than a group of sympathetic bank robbers, I am instead being held captive by the style of Stockholm. I fully admit that I not only identify with my chic captor but I fully bow down to it and embrace it. If loving the style of Stockholm is wrong, then sign me up for a bad romance.

Like many people, when I think of stylish cities my mind generally tends to wander in the direction of traditional stalwarts like Paris, Milan and London for obvious reasons. After all, every season streams of images from Fashion Week runways in the aforementioned iconic fashion capitals add new pages to the fashion bible that dictates what those of us who give a damn about style should and shouldn’t wear and how we should wear it. But after my recent return visit to Sweden, I will without question be adding Stockholm to my short list of stylish epicenters.

It’s funny, I had previously visited Stockholm during the winter when temperatures were below freezing and the city was blanketed with snow. My eagerness to stay warm and avoid wiping out on the city’s icy sidewalks probably explains in part why Stockholm’s style quotient didn’t quite jump out at me upon first introduction. I mean, you don’t see much when you’re constantly looking down to watch where you’re stepping and praying to Judy mother of Liza for a slip-and-fall-free day. So, no, I didn’t connect the style dots in Stockholm sooner, but I really should have because Sweden is actually a case study in style and Stockholm is its undeniable star. Let’s not forget that even though Sweden has a population smaller than Los Angeles County, it is a global force to be reckoned with when it comes to style.

Don’t believe me? Just think for a second.

Ever shopped at H&M? Bought furniture from Ikea? Or sidled up to a J. Lindeberg store in search of the perfect outfit? Have you ever ogled a Volvo with envy, bought an Electrolux appliance, read a Stieg Larsson novel or lusted after Marcus Schenkenberg, Alex Lundquist or Fredrik Ljungberg? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” (and I know that it must be if you‘re reading this article), then you’ve been touched by the undeniable style of Stockholm and my guess is that you’re better off for it.

On the streets of Stockholm, the urbane sophistication that is the hallmark of Swedish style is in evidence at every turn. Just as in France and Italy, style is clearly not simply an option for the Swedes, it is part and parcel of who they are. With that in mind, I set out to capture some of that uniquely Stockholm style on my recent visit, and after painstakingly trudging from boutique to antique store and bar to restaurant and back again, I came up with the following insights on some of the very best the city has to offer.

Design

Sleek, modern and contemporary are just a few of the buzzwords that best characterize Stockholm’s design aesthetic, and the city’s hipster Södermalm neighborhood is one of its best showcases. At stores likeDesignTorget you’ll find quirky, innovative products that are long on both style and function.

With imaginative new products arriving on DesignTorget’s shelves every week, you’re guaranteed to find some ‘I’ll just die if I don’t have it’ items on every visit. Then, after shopping DesignTorget and some of its equally cool neighbors, do yourself a favor and pop into Urban Deli at nearby Nytorget and have an authentically Swedish lunch in a space where rugged Lower East Side Manhattan edginess meets cool, sophisticated Stockholm minimalism.

If you’re in the mood for heavy duty shopping—as in the kind that requires shipping—head a little north to Östermalm and stop in at Svenskt Tenn, a legendary design institution in Stockholm for over eight decades. It is here in this massive space that the latest trends in Scandinavian interior design are hatched. From beautifully crafted furniture to everyday housewares, Svenskt Tenn speaks Swedish style like no other.

A personal favorite I discovered was a family-owned silversmith called Rey Urban on Silbyllegatan in Östermalm. It’s a little pricey, but when you consider the quality of the items and the fact that every glorious silver item is made by hand (and that you can custom order anything you want from candleholders to card cases), well, let’s just say that if you or someone you love is due a treat, this would be an excellent place to find it.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a nod to the H&M Home Store. And yes, in case you didn’t know, there is such a thing and, no, they have not opened one in the United States yet, which makes a visit to the Stockholm flagship store all that much more fun. Part store and part gallery, discovering the H&M Home store for the first time is just as jaw-dropping an experience as the first time you took a gander at a price tag at an H&M retail store—and the products are just as fun.

Fashion

When it comes to fashion, Stockholm is all about clean lines and great, almost architectural fit. As with interior design, Södermalm is home to shops with a decidedly more urban appeal like the trendy The Local Firm, some of whose wares you may have seen in stores like American Rag and Urban Outfitters in the U.S. Great jeans, sweaters, T-shirts and the like abound at this sartorial gem.

Others worthy of note include Sivletto, a converted garage space where you can do a bit of vintage shopping, get a haircut and a have a cup of coffee without ever leaving the building. Lovely and efficient. How brilliant is that?

Meanwhile uptown in Östermalm, Birger Jarlsgatan is sort of like the Fifth Avenue of Stockholm. Along this bustling thoroughfare, you’ll find swank upscale boutiques chock-full of Stockholm fashion. One notable fashionista treasure located just off Birger Jarlsgatan is Sture Gallerian, a smart collection of boutiques, many of which sell items that are singularly Scandinavian and thus not likely to be seen back at home on anyone but you.

Personally I always leave a little piece of my heart at Acne Studios, a Swedish brand based in Stockholm that in my opinion epitomizes functional sophistication and modernity. From footwear and accessories to jeans and outerwear, Acne scores big fashion points. It’s actually one of the few stores about which you might find yourself the slightest bit conflicted. On the one hand you wish they would open an Acne outpost near you, but on the other you’re grateful on behalf of your bank account that they haven’t. [Note: Here’s a little tip—if you’re looking for a bargain, try the Acne Archives in Vasastaden where they sell samples, pieces from past collections and re-designed secondhand garments at prices that won’t make you blush.]

Food, Folks & Fun

Finally a quick note about Swedish cuisine. What does Swedish cuisine have to do with style you ask? Well it’s all in the presentation and there are more than a few hotspots that celebrate Sweden’s individual and ever-evolving style. Along Grev Turegatan in Östermalm you’ll find several popular watering holes like Grodan, which is one place to see and be seen for lunch or afternoon cocktails. Meanwhile Salu Hall is the ideal place to sample local Swedish delicacies in the confines of a Neo-gothic structure that is more than a century old.

That said, several of Stockholm’s hottest, most intriguing dining spots have one thing in common—they’re all a part of the F12 Group. Spawned by the dizzyingly diverse culinary imaginations of celebrated chefs Danyel Couet and Melker Andersson, the F12 Group operates the most buzzed-about restaurants in every district of Stockholm. There’s the vibrant and whimsical bistro Rouge in Gamla Stan where the mood is young and lively and the food is decidedly French; F12, the namesake of the group, where Chef Couet does fine dining with Swedish flair; Kungsholmen, a waterfront lounge and dining room that gives new upscale meaning to the idea of ‘food courts’; and a host of others with more opening soon. Each restaurant in the F12 family has a different theme, impeccable food and a waiting list for reservations—so book early if you want to get a table. More importantly, every F12 restaurant contemporizes any preconceived notions you may have had about the style of Swedish cooking without sacrificing an iota of integrity.

Bottom line: From design to fashion to food, folks and fun, Stockholm has definitely got a style complex. And that’s not only a good thing—it’s downright addictive in every single sense of the word.

Find out more about Sweden at visitsweden.se.

 FrontiersLA | The Style of Stockholm

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