“Fashion is not about looking back. It’s always about looking forward.”
— Anna Wintour.
Greetings Gros Gent,
It’s that time of year again where its oh so sinful to wear white a minute past labor day, yet customary to be on your A-game as you’re commuting(Uber-ing or walking whichever mode of transport you prefer) and making your way through bustling city streets in a sharp two piece work suit paired with a fast paced stride and purposeful spirit. On the contrary, I believe September is the best time to have fun with various colours and different shades including white (sacrilegious I know) and experiment with layering garments as the weather permits. After all it’s the fashion business’s holiest month. The Holy Month sends droves of personal shoppers, retail buyers, stylists, models, influencers into a tailspin around and across the western hemisphere on an annual pilgrimage starting in New York City, passing through London, Milan and finally concluding in Paris. To top all the festivities the month concludes with the most sought after and coveted publication circulation in magazine history via the infamous and powerful September Issue by way of Vogue. Decked out their finest vintage and modern pieces. Inspired by fashion week I have sourced, curated and put together a few looks that are both comfortable, chic and trendy. Hope you enjoy the look book.
While on assignment for POURHOMMEGROS, I was granted the opportunity to fly into London for a week to explore the lush and vibrant social scenes the city has to offer for the oversized bloke. I’ve been to London many times in the past, however due to the nature of my visits, I didn’t get a chance to adequately capture its essence and soul. From arrival to departure, London has superseded my expectations.
On arrival at LHR I was impressed by the efficiency of the immigration and customs fast-track E-Gate system, designed for British nationals and tourists alike, holding biometric EU, US, Canadian and Australian passports. Powered by AI the -gate system is a smart and seamless port of entry that offers travelers expedited access into the country within minutes from landing. Once I collected my luggage and cleared the final leg of customs, I proceeded to the taxi queue outside of terminal 1 to catch a ride into the city. For convenience sake, and to remedy and combat the perils of overpacking and jet lag, I opted for a black cab transfer ( big mistake). Although the fleet of London’s iconic black cabs are celebrated and accredited for their savvy, professional and courteous service and uber sleek & spacious cabins, the steep cost is not worth the service rendered as there are a plethora of city transfer options that offer similar comfort and superior convenience at a fraction of the cost. A black cab transfer into central London can set you back an upwards of $120 USD plus gratuity whereas an UberX transfer would cost no more than $60 USD. An option for those of you light travellers, may I suggest boarding the Heathrow Express which transports you into central London’s Paddington station within thirty minutes tops.
London is home to some of the swankiest and ritziest accommodations that have become world class institutions for curating unforgettable and luxurious experiences for its patrons , however expect prices to be steep especially during peak travel seasons( March- September). For privacy, convenience and a more authentic experience I recommend letting an Airbnb property. Fortunately for me, this time around I was graciously housed and hosted by close local friends of mine who’ve been working and living in central London for sometime now. The location was great as it afforded me the convenience of travelling in style and comfort around London.
While on assignment and under the gracious hospitality of my local friends I have been wined and dined at some of London’s best(subjective according to palate and dietary restrictions) eateries. First night in London we had a quiet dinner at the Ivy restaurant in St. John’s Wood. Since 1917, the Ivy has proven to be one of London’s premier dining destinations. I’ve opted for a two course meal paired with a crisp white wine offering. For starters, I chose both the crispy duck salad with watermelon & cashews( a sweet and savoury melange of crispy & fresh ingredients) duck liver pate ( a buttery smooth and velvety pate served with a bread and a preserve and decorated with walnuts to add texture and enhance flavour) followed by a chicken Milanese served with rice and a rich cream sauce(Divino) both were absolutely phenomenal. Well-fed and still buzzing with energy from the vino Blanco, I decided to meet an old friend for a rendezvous at Drunch hookah lounge around the corner from where I was staying. Nestled in the midst of a quiet residential quarter and directly across from Regent’s Park sits this hole in the wall, a dimly lit hookah lounge exuding chill vibes and boasting a heated terrace decorated and bedazzled with hanging wisteria garlands. Attracted to the vibe, both me and my friend opted to sit out in the terrace and brace the cold however it was nothing that one of their many radiators couldn’t solve. We chatted well past midnight over a bottle of vino Blanco and a mint grape hookah. Buzzing with energy from the vino and nicotine we concluded the night taking pictures next to the life sized Paddington bear inside the bistro. Day two was spent with a scenic drive down embassy row (a surreal display of power & influence) followed by a shopping excursion walking the cobblestone roads(proceed with caution when wet and walking with wooden soles or no grip shoes) of Covent garden and later Oxford Street. I concluded the night meeting my hosts for Japanese at Sticks’N’Sushi. With many locations scattered across London town, this Danish transplant is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Japanese fare. For starters we ordered the sashimi platter (selection of their finest & freshest cuts of fish ) that’ll surely impress and satiate the palette of the most discerning diner. As for the main dish, I opted to sample a selection of their meat & salmon kabobs paired with a refreshing bar crafted Mojito. All in all and to avoid rambling on about my copious gastronomical voyages, the restaurant scene in London is very diverse, refined and renowned as there is something that will surely impress any palate be it cultured or not. As for the rest of my trip it was well spent literally and figuratively prowling the shopping districts of Covent garden, Marylebone, Oxford Circus and Mayfair in search for fine personal effects to add my ever-growing collection.
I’ve struggled with carrying excess weight around for as long as I can remember. I believe that carrying excess weight alone is not a definitive precursor or precondition to ill health, however in my case carrying excess weight combined with a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutritional choices has set the stage for a plethora of medical ailments and conditions that challenged and disrupted the status quo of my day to day life. Eager and on a mission to shed excess pounds fast, I have experimented with; and followed some radical nutritional plans and exercise regimens that promise life changing results. Sadly, reaping the rewards and benefits of the aforementioned programs and regimens were short lived, not partly due to their ineffectiveness or inefficacies, rather due to the way I approached them from a psychological and emotional stance, in fact many of these programs in their own right have proven to be very effective for many of its beneficiaries. In retrospect, I have come to notice that my expectation barometer has been set and fine-tuned to surmounting obstacles and reaching sky high milestones within record speed. Consequently, this brought about a radical psychological and emotional reflex which fuelled and pumped excessive rigour, passion and intensity into my modus operandi. Midway through any given self-care project, I quickly lost motivation, possibly due to the lack of visible and tangible results rendered insofar lead me into a dark and disappointing chamber of command that sent me ricocheting into every direction around and away from my desired goal. Through the experience of repetition and the practice of self-reflection, I have surmised that enjoying the process of anything you task yourself with is instrumental to achieving long term success. Starting slow, enjoying the process & easing yourself into any given nutritional or exercise programme is far more effective than succumbing to radical, impulsive, abrupt, and emotionally induced behaviours that are short-lived and non-conducive to growth. Setting small attainable goals for myself coupled with celebrating after reaching minor milestones & achievements, has helped me with reconfiguring my psych and emotional approach to dealing with major self-love projects. I’ve learnt that diets and exercise plans should be modified (within reason) and tweaked to fit your lifestyle to enthral long-term commitment. I have now been experimenting with intermittent fasting and Keto for about a month, while employing a much more realistic; and small goal-oriented approach which in turn has proven very effective. Carrying excess weight alone is not a good enough reason to spark health concerns, however the triad of carrying excess weight, poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle pose a great risk of developing a host of health conditions that can potentially negatively impact, alter and disrupt any given individual’s lifestyle. In spirit and light of reconfiguring your approach when it comes to successfully and skillfully tackling over the long-haul projects, I’ve included some virtual tools and app that will sure improve and elevate your modus operandi.
My Fitness Pal ( I love how this app helps me keep track of my daily nutritional intake and activity levels)
Tiny Calendar ( Having to juggle a day job that requires me to traverse between multiple sites can be a gross challenge in itself and the thought of having to manually or mentally keep track of it all is a messy and arduous path that I choose to avoid vigilantly hence why I chose to use tiny calendar, a free encrypted calendaring service that allows you to draft all your appointments so you can declutter your space and mind)
Notes ( The notes app on my device is truly a game changer, as it allows me to coherently navigate through my day to day tasks and emboldens me to diligently perpetuate mindfulness, self awareness and most importantly the religious practice of gratitude and visualizing my future into existence through the actions of writing and application).
If your eyes are the window to your soul then your face is the window to your heart!!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been uber obsessed
with trying out every new & noteworthy skin care regimen and product on the
market. On occasion, I allow myself to partake in over the top spending binges
(wallet yelps & plastic burns) in search and on the prowl for the perfect beauty
serum that promises forever young, plumper, elastic and dewy skin. Sadly, I’m
almost always disappointed with the results as I personally find that many skin
care lines are overpriced, overhyped and under preforming. This has sent me on
a mini expedition to consult with my beloved registered aesthetician. I learned
that the key to maintaining young, dewy and glowing skin is simple so long you
keep the following as a blueprint to your daily skin-care routine.
Treat any underlying skin conditions through enlisting the services of a licensed Dermatologist (Game Changer).
Determine what is your skin type (Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive) with the help of a registered aesthetician or board-certified dermatologist.
Gently cleanse & moisturize with a dermatologist approved non comedogenic product and steer away from scented products as they contain a plethora of parabens and allergens that may dry and irritate the skin or be overall harmful to your health.
Apply sunscreen daily to help protect your skin from the harmful effects of UVR exposure. Over exposure to the combination of UV rays (UVA(Aging)/UVB(Burning)) has been linked to developing skin cancer. Ensure that you choose a formula with an SPF of no less than 30. SPF formulas come in three forms (sprays, creams & gels). For men with facial and body hair, gel formulas are recommended or best suited as they penetrate deep underneath the hair coat to provide maximum coverage.
Reduce puffiness under eyes in the AM by applying a cold spoon treatment or along with a good moisturizing eye serum. Discolouration or pigmentation under the eyes may possibly be due to lack of sleep or poor nutrition. Always ensure that your including plenty of dark leafy greens (i.e. Kale, Rapini, Spinach) in your diet to maximize your vitamin K intake which in return contributes to better blood coagulation and circulation which in turn contributes to clear under eye skin.
Maintain and be in control of your skin by scheduling yourself in for a monthly or quarterly facial with a registered aesthetician.
Explore My Skin Regimen
I’ve shared with you some of favourite skin products that work with my skin type (Combination-Normal with a Dry T-zone). All products I use on my skin are non-comedogenic and are approved by the association of dermatologists of America.
Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Face and Body Cream ( I love how this cream doubles up as a face and body emollient, saves me from last minute from drugstore when I run out of my body cream. This no frills, no fuss cream leaves my skin soft and moisturized for the whole day)
Essence: Biotherm Life Plankton Essence ( Adds an additional layer of moisture and glow: this is an essential addition to your daily moisturizing arsenal. Try it and your skin will forever be thankful)
Night cream: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream ( Spoil your skin silly (Yes YOU) while you’re asleep using this non-scented comedogenic decadence in jar.
Moisture & Repair: Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum ( This fragrance free, hyaluronic acid infused eye serum is phenomenal. I’ve been using it for the past three months and I can see a noticable difference in the appearance of the dark circles under my eye (Yassss!!). Also this serum keeps the window to your eyes revitalized and luminous).
Lip Service
Scrub: I suggest making a natural one at home using cane sugar( gently exfoliates and scrubs away chapped skin), crushed papaya (acid in papaya gently restores natural colour of lips and honey(natural emollient and binding agent that restores moisture and aids with healing of skin) works wonders I promise.
I have been struggling with my weight for as far as I can remember. Growing up I was always the heaviest kid in most social circles I circumnavigated. Although I was younger, less wise and of course larger than joe average, that didn’t stop me from being myself and living my best life (whatever that millennial idiom means). Uninvited comments with the intention and premise to taunt, tease & dismiss me about my weight by way of “fellow” peers did not phase me one bit, Least I thought until later on in life.
In hindsight due to the varying degrees of toxic and malignant sub-environments I was exposed to across and throughout different stages of my adolescent life, emotional and psychological turbulence was an inevitable part of my journey (Sorry Anna Wintour). It was just a question of When and How? Words carry a lot of weight and can weigh heavily on one. If given the power, words are capable of enriching or dimming one’s spirit. Labels by way of words from “peers” have manifested and caught up with me which in turn has cultivated an array of self-esteem dilemmas including but not limited to the following, eagerness to always please others at whichever cost, emotional eating, procrastination, loneliness, anxiety and depression.
The aforementioned has intermittently followed me through into the present-day version of myself. Food has been both my saviour and tormentor, my friend and foe. Like a drug, food in surplus and excess has taken me on a mystery Ferris wheel ride. It was a friend when no lending ear was available, it elevated my mood and hoisted my spirit when I was at my lowest, it was my movie mate. I could always count on it, as it always readily available and at my disposal, it was my solace and solitude. And Just like a drug I couldn’t escape it’s addictive and enigmatic qualities and spellbinding nature.
It took me almost three decades to take notice and connect the dots as to why I am the way I am today. I let myself go in every way possible, at the expense of my health, ambitions, and relationships. Self-prescribing myself with a cocktail of unhealthy, indulgent and self-destructive habits and behaviours was a sort of coping mechanism I used to appease and avoid the underlying emotional and psychological stress I was experiencing.
Succumbing to sinful desires as a means of coping has gone into overdrive and the effects have hit me oh so very hard. Most importantly my relationship with myself has suffered greatly. Older and wiser, I’ve decided to enlist the counsel of an effective psychotherapist practitioner to learn more about myself. I was reintroduced to the person that was hiding within me all these years. I apologized for neglecting, overlooking, and dismissing him and made an oath to always work with his best interest in mind.
Getting to know this wondrous person whom resides within me is the first step to self-love, appreciation and confidence. Allowing this person to shine through no matter what is key to my growth and wellbeing. I have carried negative words and labels with me for many years and allowed them to ferment, manifest and thrive in my subconscious mind which in turn has negatively influenced my relationship with my inner self. Therapy did not only allow me to explore my inner self further but allowed me to dig deep and extrapolate the deeply rooted precursors that contributed to shaping the person I am today.
Therapy has helped with emancipating and disenfranchising me from the perils of self-destruction. Words and labels if given the power vis a vis the subconscious mind can manifest and swiftly become part of one’s realty. It is important that we as humans be mindful of the labels and words, we assign to ourselves and others as they play key role in shaping our future.
POURHOMMEGROS 