September 2021 ~ Men's Fashion

Thursday 30 September 2021

Tesla Driver Overdoses On Smugness During UK Fuel Crisis

September 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

The United Kingdom is currently being gripped by a fuel crisis, with scenes of long queues at petrol stations around the country making worldwide news. But it's a crisis entirely of their own making.

You see, the UK is facing a fuel shortage, but rather a truck driver shortage. The combination of Brexit, as well as tax changes and the COVID-19 crisis (which many would argue the UK has done a bad job managing), has seen huge numbers of foreign truck drivers leave the UK and return to the continent. A truck driver shortage means fewer trucks making petrol deliveries, which means less petrol at British pumps, ABC News relates.

Naturally, many Brits are frustrated about the whole schemozzle... But one group who's certainly not worried about it are electric car drivers. Indeed, one Welsh EV owner has really revelled in the schadenfreude, filming a stunt at a petrol station that's divided the British public.

The video, which has gone viral and racked up over 1.2 million views on TikTok, sees a Tesla Model 3 owner pull up at a petrol station with a jerry can, joking he needs to stock up... Only to double-back and say "oh yeah, I don't need to." Hardly subtle, but exceedingly good banter nonetheless.

@im_tesla_Petrol crisis in UK 🥵😱🤭⛽️ ##fypシ ##fyp ##petrolstation ##ukpetrol ##petrolcrisis ##tesla ##model3 ##funny ♬ original sound - wavawes

While most people have seen the funny side of the video, whinging Poms have come out in force, complaining about the video. No surprises there.

"As if people haven't been through enough... Is there anything more infuriating than an electric car driver, serenely cruising past a petrol station queue?" one Wales Online writer has moaned.

Of course, we can't be too high and mighty here Down Under. It's hard to forget the scenes of people panic buying toilet paper at the start of the pandemic – this is a similar sort of thing. The UK has Australia trounced when it comes to EV ownership, too. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) had a roughly 11% share of the UK new car market, compared to only 0.6% of the Australian new car market.

So while we can laugh it up right now, it's actually a cautionary tale – for both the UK and Australia alike – about the negatives of being so dependent on fossil fuels. Besides, fuel prices are only going up...

James Bond Director Cary Fukunaga Spotted Wearing A Watch Even Classier Than 007’s

September 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

It's Bond season, baby!

After a number of setbacks and delays, No Time to Die – the hotly-anticipated 25th James Bond film and actor Daniel Craig’s last stint as the famous fictional spy – finally had its world premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier this week. (It was originally planned to come out at the end of 2019!)

It's also a bit of a landmark picture. With this film, his fifth appearance as 007, Craig is officially the longest-serving Bond, having filled the character’s shoes for 15 years. (Roger Moore is the second-longest serving, having starred in 7 films across 12 years). It's also the first time a Bond film has been directed by an American: Cary Joji Fukunaga, best known for directing Beasts Of No Nation and directing/executive producing the first season of True Detective.

While we haven't seen the film ourselves yet, by all accounts, Fukunaga's done a bang-up job. He's also nailed the brief when it comes to what watch to wear on the red carpet. Bond films are all about the watches so you've got to come prepared if you're going to direct one... And that, he did.

Fukunaga was spotted at the film's Monaco premiere wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième: an incredibly classy watch that would be perfect Casino Royale attire and one that would give 007 a bit of wrist envy, we wager.

[caption id="attachment_303438" align="alignnone" width="920"] Fukunaga posing with Albert II, Prince of Monaco. Images: Jaeger-LeCoultre[/caption]

First debuted by actor Benedict Cumberbatch earlier this year, this Reverso is rather special rendition of the iconic Art Deco dress watch. Its core conceit is its two time-telling faces: its obverse featuring a beautiful sunray silver dial as well as a large date window at 12 o’clock and a moonphase aperture at 6 o’clock, elegantly incorporated into the seconds counter.

Then, flip over the Tribute Nonantième, and you’ll expose a 1930s-esque digital time display on the reverse, which similarly includes a day-night indicator. Minimal and unconventional, it allows the radiant pink gold of the Tribute Nonantième to really shine, as well as giving the wearer a dramatic stylistic alternative to the obverse face.

In short, it's a truly refined, gentlemanly piece that just screams Bond. If Fukunaga's taste in watches is any indication as to his filmic taste, we're in for a good show when No Time to Die hits theatres.

Check out the best on-screen Bond watches of all time below.

This Is The Biggest Mistake You Can Make In Business Class

September 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

There are many mistakes you can make in business class. From this embarrassing 'crime chime' (which you could be shamed online for) to overindulging on the champagne and passing out in the toilet, to assuming the seat belts work the same as in economy (hint: they don't), flying at the pointy end is a perilous pursuit.

And that's before we mention getting stuck next to another couple of rowdy passengers who seem determined to break David Boone's record for cans drunk from Australia to England.

There is one mistake which is entirely avoidable, however, and that is getting stuck in a poorly located seat, which has no windows and is next to the toilet.

Travel blogger Will Luxury Travel recently took to TikTok with some tips about flying at the pointy end you really need to listen to (watch them in the video below).

Biggest mistake you can make in business class, according to Will Luxury Travel

"This is the biggest mistake you can make in business class," Will says, taking viewers on a tour up and down a Qatar Airways business class cabin.

"Choosing the wrong seat."

"Like this one, with no windows and by the toilet."

"Instead come with me to row one, which has more leg room, more storage space and of course a bed."

When a commenter suggested the seats weren't so bad in a pinch (say if all the others were booked), Will responded: "Suit yourself. Also right next to economy bassinet so screaming babies and everyone stands next to your seat waiting for the toilet/bar."

When he has been questioned by followers in other videos about this theory, Will has said: "The price is exactly the same" and explained this is why it's so important to check the seat map.

His stance seems strong.

Will isn't alone in warning followers about the faux pas you are liable to make at the pointy end. Read the following articles to see the other terrifying obstacles that may await in premium cabins, such as the never-ending knocks on your door from overly efficient staff in first class.

Still miss travel?

‘Easier To Get Into North Korea’: How It Feels Flying Into Western Australia Right Now

September 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

We've waxed lyrical about what it's like flying into Sydney at various points during the last two years. From discussing the ins and outs of hotel quarantine (including the challenges of those two weeks themselves) to reporting on sense that some people have shared of being made to feel like a criminal on arrival, we have Sydney pretty well covered.

But what's it like to fly into Western Australia right now?

Question got your brain spinning? Flight hacker Immanuel Debeer recently shared with DMARGE what his experience was like, coming back to Perth from overseas.

Despite his tongue in check 'would easier to get into North Korea' Instagram stories posted upon re-entering the country, Immanuel later told DMARGE it was "actually a very smooth/easy process."

"I've read so many horror stories over the last year so I was expecting the worst but honestly, I thought it was straightforward," Immanel told DMARGE. "That said, I can understand that anyone who can't afford business or first-class flights back to Australia would have a completely different experience."

"It's a pay-to-play system. Of course, it doesn't compare to any other country I've been to in the last few months. In Europe, nobody cares anymore. You can tell when you're talking to Europeans (they generally don't discuss covid) whereas in Australia it seems to be an obsession to talk about covid."

"Coming back into Australia, although the people are friendly, you feel like a prisoner/criminal. There's a guard outside my hotel door and from the time we landed until we got checked in there was a police escort to make sure nobody had a chance to run off."

On his website Flight Hacks, Immanuel recently wrote: "Upon arrival (there were around 30 passengers on my flight), we all went through the standard immigration procedure and customs. In Perth, there’s a separate station where you need to show your G2G QR code (similar to the Australian travel declaration), and the staff informs you of which hotel you will be doing your 14-day quarantine at."

"Afterward, we were guided back into the baggage hall, where we were all seated and told to wait."

"Some 2 hours later (one passenger held us all up for this long – presumably because his paperwork wasn’t in order)."

"We were then led out of the back of the airport, back onto the tarmac where 3 busses were waiting for us, accompanied by a police escort. I wasn’t sure if I should feel like royalty or a criminal. From my understanding, both get a similar experience when arriving by air in Australia."

Speaking to DMARGE on day four of his quarantine, Immanuel said: "Honestly, it's not that hard apart from the fact you can't get fresh air."

He also shared that he'd taken delivery of a rental exercise bike and was getting sent healthy supplies. That's when he wasn't taking deliveries of "French contraband" or mining Bitcoin, naturally...

[caption id="attachment_303423" align="alignnone" width="920"] Image Credit: @flighthacks[/caption]

"I'm used to working from home, so this is not all too different," Immanuel explained. He also admitted he was using the hotel's electricity to mine Bitcoin.

Watch Immanual mining Bitcoin in quarantine in the video below

Immanuel also said he imagines it would be more difficult for those not travelling solo: "I wouldn't want to do quarantine with partner/family or kids (not that i have kids!) etc. The hotel rooms are tiny so there really isn't much room for more than 1. Anyway, it's only day 4 and I've had people tell me the breaking point is usually day 10..."

Stay tuned for his next update.

Australians With Pandemic Side-Hustles Warned Of Imminent ‘Tax Crackdown’

September 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

The last eighteen months have been pretty tough for most Aussies... And we're not just talking about how we haven't been able to go to the pub.

Lots of us have lost our jobs or seen our hours cut thanks to COVID. Those lucky enough to work from home haven't been completely spared either, with household bills skyrocketing and productivity down. At the same time, wage growth is stagnant while interest rates remain historically low.

There haven't been too many options for those needing to make a bit of scratch during these tough times, either. The cost of entry to the property market prices most of us out. Bonds and term deposits are stable, but with record low interest rates, they’re not a good use of one’s money. The stock and cryptocurrency markets are absolutely insane right now, but they’re volatile…

No wonder, then, that Aussies have been exploring all sorts of side-hustles during this pandemic, from flipping cars to selling nudes and everything in between. Necessity is the mother of invention. But in what's sure to be rather unwelcome news for many of us, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced that they're in crackdown mode this tax time and that "it is paying close attention to undeclared income from secondary work".

[caption id="attachment_303418" align="alignnone" width="920"] Amber “PaladinAmber” Wadham, one of the most popular Australian Twitch streamers. Popular streamers on the platform can make as much as AU$4,000-7,000 a month, with top-level streamers able to negotiate even more favourable terms. Image: The Advertiser[/caption]

“Generally, when you provide your labour, skills or goods for a fee, you need to report this income in your tax return... regardless of whether you’re using a digital platform or more traditional means, such as word of mouth,” ATO Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh cautions.

“We know lots of people have picked up a side hustle during the pandemic. This has included a wide range of activities such as freelancing, setting up a local market stall or receiving income from subscribers through platforms like Patreon, Twitch or OnlyFans.”

While it's somewhat hilarious for a stuffy taxman to be talking about OnlyFans – and what they're saying is completely reasonable (tax avoidance is a crime) – it does feel like a bit of a kick in the teeth for many Aussies who are struggling to make ends meet in 2021.

In any case, be warned, cash in hand bandits: the taxman is watching.

Italy’s ‘Sexist Statue’ Controversy Reveals Embarrassing Stereotype Tourists Still Believe

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

We talk a lot about America being polarized, but it's not the only country with cultural chasms you need crampons to cross.

Italy and France, despite being glamorised for their food and freedoms, are not homogenous philosophical blocks.

Just because all the cobbled roads in the quaint village you're visiting are 'Old World,' it doesn't mean everyone who lives there thinks like Voltaire and dresses like Giorgio Armani.

On that note: a new, scantily clad statue in an Italian town recently went viral for all the wrong reasons.

The bronze statue, which depicts a female character from a 19th century poem, has ignited discussion in Italy, with some politicians calling it“an offence to women” and demanding it be removed, and others coming to its defence.

Only in Italy a statue of an agrarian laborer, in memory of a massacre of 300 ppl, could take this form. 2021 in #Sapri pic.twitter.com/N9K1XDqZVk

— Francesca Piazzoni (@f_piazzoni) September 26, 2021

The statue portrays a woman from the poem The Gleaner of Sapri by Luigi Mercantini (a gleaner is someone who collects grain left in fields by harvesters). As the story goes, a female gleaner leaves her job to join a doomed expedition of revolutionaries.

The statue depicts the woman wearing a transparent and tight-fitting dress, with her right arm placed over her breasts.

The statue was unveiled in Sapri, a town in southern Italy, on the weekend. Backlash quickly grew. Some called for it to be removed. Others defended it.

Laura Boldrini, a former Speaker of the Italian Senate, said: "The statue... is an offense to women and the history it should celebrate."

"But how can even institutions accept the representation of women as a sexualized body?"

"Male chauvinism is one of the evils of Italy."

La statua appena inaugurata a #Sapri e dedicata alla #Spigolatrice è un’offesa alle donne e alla storia che dovrebbe celebrare.

Ma come possono perfino le istituzioni accettare la rappresentazione della donna come corpo sessualizzato?

Il maschilismo è uno dei mali dell'Italia. pic.twitter.com/2msLhgJvso

— laura boldrini (@lauraboldrini) September 26, 2021

Monica Cirinna, a senator in Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party, called it “a slap on the face of history and of women, who are still (treated as) sexualised bodies."

Sapri mayor Antonio Gentile defended the statue. He said it was "made with skill and impeccable interpretation" and he hoped it would become a major tourist attraction.

Other Twitter users shared various views on the statue, debating its merits (and flaws).

here in italy this statue is being criticized for being "sexist" and "offensive". This reminds me of all the times I heard people complaining about Ivy from soulcalibur. We're (re)entering an age in which beauty is sinful and must be hidden, even in art. Dark times indeed pic.twitter.com/MAPTpjQVaz

— Kaze No Arioch (@Kaze_No_Arioch) September 29, 2021

It's not about sexy versus not. It's about continual objectification of the female body. Your tweet makes you sound like you don't understand the debate.

— Hilary Rowland (@hilaryrowland) September 29, 2021

The debate continued over on TikTok, where, beneath a video of journalist @sophiasmithgaler explaining the story, one user wrote: "Why can you not be a revolutionary fighter and also thicc."

Another commenter wrote: "If she was covered the feminist comments would still pop out 'you want us covered and in the kitchen'" to which Sophia responded: "this is just straight up daft. If she was dressed authentically I'm sure many would be happier."

The statue's creator, artist Emanuele Stifano responded to the controversy on Facebook with the following statement.

"I'm shocked and displeased by what I'm reading. I have been brought charges of all kinds that have nothing to do with my person and history. When I make a sculpture I always tend to cover the human body as little as possible, regardless of gender. In the case of the Editor, since it was placed on the seafront, I 'took advantage' of the sea breeze that invests it to move the long skirt, and so highlight the body."

"This is to highlight an anatomy that should not have been a faithful instant of a 800 farmer, but rather to represent an ideal of a woman, evoke her pride, the awakening of a consciousness, all in a moment of great pathos."

"I add that the preparatory sketch has been viewed and approved by the contracting authority.
To those who don't know me personally I say that I continuously question my work, working with humility and always trying to improve myself, far from me to the great Masters of the past that represent a beacon that guides and inspires me."

Sebastian Vettel Takes James Bond’s Vintage Aston Martin Drifting At Silverstone

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

It's been a bit of an odyssey but finally, after a number of delays, No Time to Die – the hotly-anticipated 25th James Bond film and actor Daniel Craig’s last stint as the famous fictional spy – finally had its world premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier this week.

Naturally, the world's gripped in a bit of 'Bond fever', and it's not hard to understand why: after the nightmare that's been the last eighteen months, indulging in a bit of escapism into James Bond's glamorous world is a tantalising prospect. The guns, the suits, the watches, the cars...

Speaking of, the iconic Aston Martin DB5 – Bond's most famous car and the vehicle most strongly associated with the character – makes its return in No Time to Die, and to celebrate, the Aston Martin team organised a rather exciting vehicular stunt with one of the greatest wheelmen of all time.

Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One World Champion and Aston Martin F1 Team driver got behind the wheel of a specially track-modified DB5 for some rather spirited driving out at Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix.

Watch Sebastian Vettel drift an Aston Martin DB5 below.

Vettel clearly enjoyed his time behind the wheel of the vintage sports car, the German all smiles with his tongue out during his high-octane. He almost crashes the car during one stunt – seeing as most DB5s command a seven-figure price tag these days, we're sure Aston Martin were gritting their teeth the entire time.

Vettel was joined on track by his Aston Martin F1 teammate, Lance Stroll, as well as Mark Higgins, No Time to Die's stunt driver. While Stroll and Vettel might be skilled at whipping their AMR21 F1 cars around Silverstone, Higgins emphatically showed the two sportsmen up when it came to Bond-level DB5 driving.

Also seen at the track were some other Astons from the film, including a vintage V8 Vantage, a sleek DBS and the as-of-yet unreleased Valhalla, a street-focused variant of the Valkyrie track car. Sadly, those three didn't see any time out on the track – we would have loved to see Vettel put the hammer down in the Valhalla...

Watch the full video of Vettel and Stroll driving the DB5 like 00-agents on YouTube here.

Emirates Unveils The Coolest Looking Livery You’ve Seen In 2021

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

It might seem like nothing, but flying on a special livery aircraft can make passengers feel just a little bit extra excited about getting on a plane.

Emirates seems to know this, having taken to Instagram yesterday to show off a new catchy and colourful livery which some have called the "most colourful bird in the skies."

"Be part of the magic on your next flight with us," Emirates wrote.

"Introducing our brand new Expo 2020 Dubai A380, debuting just in time for the opening of the world’s greatest show!"

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A post shared by Emirates (@emirates)

Painting an airline costs between $100,000 and $200,000, depending on the number of colours involved (smaller jets can cost less, more around $50,000 or so).

Watch the following video to see how the process works.

Watch a Boeing 777 get painted

The expo 2020 Dubai is taking place from the 1st of October 2021 to 31 March 2022, and is set to welcome millions, in the biggest event since the pandemic (it was delayed by the pandemic, hence the name '2020').

The World Expo is one of the oldest and largest international events, held every five years since 1851. It's a platform for global achievement, innovation, collaboration, and cooperation.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade describes the expo as follows: "Set in the modern-day geographic crossroads city of Dubai, Expo 2020, will provide an opportunity for Australia to connect directly with global citizens to promote our culture, values, technological and economic capabilities."

"Rescheduled to open in October 2021 due to COVID-19, Australia will participate in the next World Expo from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022."

"Australia will be among more than 190 participating countries at the Expo. Organisers anticipate over 25 million visitors to come from around the world, including large numbers from the Gulf region, South Asia and Western Europe."

"Expo 2020 Dubai, 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future', will focus on developing innovative partnerships across sectors, organisations and geographies to address global challenges in the post-COVID-19 world."

As for liveries, Emirates isn't the only one with picturesque planes. Watch the following video by @aviation024, to see some of the other coolest liveries in the world.

Top 5 favourite special airline liveries

Jared Leto’s New Favourite Gucci Shirt Feels Like Wearing Nothing At All

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Gucci, perhaps Italy's most famous luxury house and one of the most dominant forces in fashion for over a century, struck an absolute gold mine when they appointed Alessandro Michele as their new creative director back in 2015.

The savvy Roman has transformed the brand under his watch by championing a highly on-trend 'geek chic' aesthetic and cleverly cultivating a network of high-profile 'friends of the brand' that constantly keep Gucci in the papers and at the bleeding edge of fashion, most of whom are musicians: A$AP Rocky, Harry Styles, Elton John, Tyler, the Creator...

But Gucci's most dedicated ambassador is easily Jared Leto. The enigmatic actor/muso is basically a walking Gucci lookbook – if you want to know what Gucci's best upcoming releases are, just keep an eye on Leto, because he'll be wearing it.

So what's the hottest thing in Gucci's 2021 collection? Well, if Leto's anything to go by, and he is, it's their silk shirts. The 49-year-old creative can't get enough of them, sharing a candid photo of himself wearing one to his Instagram last week and then wearing what seems to be the same shirt to Gucci's 'Gucci Vault' launch at Milan Fashion Week just days later.

[caption id="attachment_303322" align="alignnone" width="920"] Images: Gucci / @jaredleto[/caption]

Leto complemented the silky shirt with an equally sensual Gucci suit, wide-brimmed hat and 'Basket' high-top sneakers for the Milanese event, the celeb in attendance alongside other stars including actresses Jodie Turner-Smith and Mélanie Laurent; and Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan – who you might know from his controversial 2019 artwork Comedian, a fresh banana duct-taped to a wall which sold for $120,000 USD at Art Basel Miami Beach.

Of course, the real talk about Jared Leto and Gucci is Leto's appearance in House of Gucci, the upcoming Ridley Scott-directed biographical crime film that explores the murder of Maurizio Gucci, Italian businessman and head of the eponymous fashion house, by his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani as well as the family drama surrounding the famous business.

Leto is set to play Paolo Gucci, one-time chief designer and vice-president of the brand, and joins a star-studded cast including names such as Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Lady Gaga and Salma Hayek.

‘Bali Is Back, Baby!’: Crucial Dates For 2022 Travel Revealed

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Australians are raring to start sipping sexily-named cocktails in overseas infinity pools again. As well as some other stuff (seeing family; friends, etc. who live overseas).

Speaking of fleeing to exotic pastures, after a long year and a half with bad news breaking in waves, this week we've had a number of tantalising tidbits of information grace our brains.

The government's promises about overseas travel happening by Christmas are being made with increasing certainty, with tourism minister Dan Tehan recently saying fully vaccinated Australians will be allowed to travel overseas by December "at the lastest."

Airlines are now, then, after telling Australian authorities they really need to get their sh*t together (else risk super expensive prices) able to start planning better for 2022.

Qantas, for one, is now scheduling flights to Bali for the end of March 2022. This is a little earlier than previous reports suggested travel from Australia to Bali could return.

[caption id="attachment_303307" align="alignnone" width="920"] Image: Qantas Booking Page, Screenshot by DMARGE[/caption]

It was reported earlier this month that flights to riskier destinations with low levels of vaccination (think: Bali, Phuket, Bangkok, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City and Johannesburg) would take a little longer to be on the agenda (think: more like April 2022), while destinations like the UK, the US and Fiji would be on the cards from mid-December onwards.

This availability of flights on Qantas' website, however, suggests Australians may have the option of returning to Bali a week sooner than expected. The flights look to be sitting at about $800 a pop (for a return fare).

Qantas’ website shows flights available between Sydney and Denpasar, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Johannesburg from the 27th of March, and between Melbourne and Denpasar on the 28th of March.

Perth has yet to be factored in due to West Australia's hard stance on places with low vaccination rates.

This all, it should be stressed, still depends on the government giving it an official green light (and the nation hitting the vaccination targets it is expected to, and on track to, hit).

Virgin Australia has said it will begin flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Denpasar, also on the 27th of March.

The flights for both airlines will be on regular Boeing 737s, Australian Aviation reports.

Virgin Australia is also planning on operating flights to Fiji from the 23rd of December.

Though Australians are raring to travel again, there is also a substantial degree of hesitancy driven by a desire not to be burned by the financial costs of being stuck overseas, if the global situation should change, sparking the likes of passenger caps or hotel quarantine measures to be re-introduced (or never got rid of, as the case could still potentially turn out).

If everything goes well though, much like an avalanche, we'd expect first a trickle of Australian tourists heading to Bali (in late March) and then a stream, just in time for some of the prime months to visit (during dry season where the weather is great and the waves are pumping).

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A post shared by CLAUDIA & KAAN (@thelosttwo)

Speaking about the flights pencilled in to start up again in December, Tourism minister Tehan said quarantine requirements will still be in place for countries that Australia hasn't formed a travel bubble with by then.

Tehan said the government hopes to be able to remove hotel quarantine, but testing needs to be done first.

“One of the hopes we have, especially in the lead-up to Christmas, is that we’ll be able to see states and territories putting in place home quarantine arrangements for returning Australians. We still have a little bit of work to do on that."

“When an individual state hits that 80 per cent vax rate, it means that outbound travel will resume. People will be able to freely travel outside of Australia with no restrictions or limitations."

“Obviously, it will depend on the requirements that have been put in place of the countries they are travelling with.”

This news comes as Indonesia’s second wave of COVID infections begins to come down, just weeks after the country saw its peak of 50,000 new cases per day. Indonesia continues to see thousands of infections per day.

The Indonesian government, however, has flagged plans to open Bali (the holiday isle 1.23million Australians visited in 2019) as soon as October, with foreigners expected to be allowed back in from November, once 70 per cent of the local population has been vaccinated.

Indonesia has also warned it will be cracking down on unruly antics by tourists, the likes of which you can see in the video below.

Influencers face deportation from Bali after Youtube stunt

The 4×4 Camping Trend That’s ‘Popping Up’ All Over Australia

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

The last eighteen months have seen somewhat of a camping renaissance in Australia.

With both domestic and international border closures racking the nation; strict lockdown rules in many of our biggest cities and most Aussies feeling a general need to get away from it all, camping – as well as associated activities such as bushwalking, road trips and off-roading – has become the #1 way to holiday. We've been exploring our own backyard like never before.

This newfound love of adventuring has also added fuel to the fire that is the Australian car market. There's currently a pronounced shortage of new cars in dealerships and second-hand car prices are hotter than a vinyl singlet, whether you're looking for a minivan or a muscle car, but bush-bashing 4x4s like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Ford Ranger and Land Rover Defender have seen exceptionally sharp price rises.

Camping supply stores have also been having a field day, naturally – now that you've got a rig, you need to load it up! But there's one car-related camping accessory that seems to be popping up around Australia more than any other... Quite literally.

Car rooftop tents – sometimes called 'pop tops', in reference to how many are transported in roof pods you can mount to roof racks – are dominating Australian roads and campsites in 2021.

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A post shared by JAMES BAROUD Australia & NZ (@jamesbaroud_aunz)

While they might not be the prettiest thing in the world, there's a good reason why pop tops have become so popular, beyond a simple correlation between a spike in car ownership.

Firstly, rooftop tents avoid everyone's least favourite aspect of camping: having to pitch a tent. Messing around with tentpoles, fudging all the knots you learnt during your Scouting days, having to clear a spot... It's a pain in the arse. Pop tops are a far simpler proposition, with many literally just popping up, no assembly required.

There's also a strong safety benefit to a rooftop tent. Being off the ground, you're less likely to be harassed by wildlife, whether that's caterpillars or crocodiles. On top of that (or should I say under that), being off the ground aids ventilation – perfect during a hot Aussie summer. Having a flat base also makes them more comfortable than a tent pitched on uneven ground.

Finally, they're a great space saver. It's become very cool to live the #vanlife and sleep in your car lately, but a rooftop tent means you've got more room for passengers and luggage in your vehicle. It's also somewhat more socially acceptable... Although we wouldn't recommend setting your tent up in the middle of a parking lot.

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A post shared by -Brock- (@996roadtrip)

The thing that's really interesting is the sheer variety of size and setups on offer. Tent manufacturers are offering solutions for everything from the popular pint-sized Suzuki Jimny (really, seeing one of these little 4x4s with a roof tent is actually kind of hilarious) to full canopy modifications for Land Cruiser 'troopies' that replace the actual roof of the car as opposed to simply securing a pop top on top.

What we haven't seen too much of yet Down Under (but would very much like to) is campers running rooftop tents on cars that aren't big four-wheel drives. This is something Americans have pretty good form in, like the Porsche 911 build above.

We're pretty sure you could fit a pop top on top of an HSV Maloo. Just saying.

Tim Robards’ Valuable Lessons For Locked Down & Out Australians

September 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Australia may finally have some light at the end of a long, dark and treacherous tunnel, with the government announcing a roadmap out of lockdown, which even includes the possibility of international travel just in time for Christmas.

But until such a time comes around (if it even does at all), we've still got to do as much as we can to look after our fitness, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Some areas of Australia have found themselves fortunate enough to have restrictions in their area eased, which has certainly offered some respite, allowing people to meet up with others, to exercise outdoors or at the gym, and even just go out for dinner.

The same can't be said of everyone, however, and for these people, sticking to an effective routine at home is still more prevalent than ever. Always wanting to offer as much insight and inspiration as possible, DMARGE has been reaching out to various high-profile fitness professionals to find out what they do to keep themselves motivated and healthy at home.

We recently spoke with Medibank Live Better at Home program ambassador, chiropractor and founder of The Robards Method, Tim Robards, to find out what he gets up to at home and how he's surviving the lockdown.

Tim starts by telling us that he's found the extra time afforded to him to be invaluable, saying "I've really been embracing the opportunity to try to mix up exercises and my routine. In particular, I've been focusing a lot on improving my mobility and strength through length-type training."

"I've also been working on knee strengthening at home, as well as yoga, weights in the garage, running and outdoor workouts wherever I can."

He adds that he enjoys following specific routines: "at home I've been working through some power yoga and gentle mobility routines, which I access through the free Medibank Live Better at Home program. The mobility routines are ones I've created after years of refinement and I've found to be the most effective exercises in my chiro clinic."

"To enhance my at-home routine, I've also invested in a set of adjustable dumbbells. These have been a godsend and a great addition to my at-home setup while the gyms are closed. I love that Anna and I can workout together, indoors and outdoors. I can be lifting 40kg dumbbells while she can be lifting 10s, 20s, or 30s. It's great!"

Tim's Top Tips For Working Out At Home

Keep your workouts simple – It can be difficult to stay motivated when there are too many obstacles between you and exercise (such as space or a setup that requires time and effort). Establish a routine that works for you, make it easy to follow.
Switch up different styles of training – Exercise can feel hard during those first few weeks if you're new to working out or have had time off, but it makes it extra difficult if the program isn't enjoyable. It's important to explore different styles of training. In Medibank's Live Better at Home program, I follow a range of at-home workouts, mobility guides, yoga, mindfulness and cooking demos.
Set yourself up for success through planning – Preparing the night before is a great habit to get into. I suggest putting your workout clothes at the end of the bed before you go to sleep, so that you're reminded the next morning.
Alter your mindset to see opportunity – Even though it can be difficult, try to look at the current situation as an opportunity for your workout routine, rather than an obstacle. I recommend trying to view this time at home as a chance to explore new workouts, give some areas of your body a rest, or challenge other parts that may have been neglected.

Check Out Tim Robards' Essential Shoulder Warm Up In The Video Below

So that's how Tim takes care of his physical health, what about his mental health? As we've previously heard from Agoga founder John Field, many people are seeing keeping fit as a means to look after their mental health, with many choosing to partake of personal training services "for that mental engament too. You’ve got somewhere to go that’s not your backyard or balcony or loungeroom."

"You actually get the opportunity to walk to a destination to speak to someone else.

Tim says, "At the moment there's so much uncertainty and fear consuming us. We're used to encountering these feelings in everyday life, but right now they can seem set on overdrive."

"When things go wrong, I like to look for the opportunity in a challenge. I try to ask myself, am I being resistant to change, or can I adapt to these surroundings?"

"With this mindset I try to live in a world of translation, rather than loss or gain."

"In the same way you work on your physical fitness, good habits are essential for positive mental wellbeing. Just making a little time for yourself daily is probably the simplest action you can take. Whether that's a workout, some meditation, cooking, reading or just listening to music."

One of the avenues Tim likes to pursue to keep on top of his mental health is meditation. We've regaled on several occasions the benefits meditation can bring, not only to help you relax, but to help you cope better with stress. DMARGE has previously spoken with meditation teacher Luke McLeod on the subject of meditation and resilience, with him saying,

"Resilience isn’t about being tough or having thick skin. It’s more about having a level of self-awareness of not letting stressful moments/experiences ‘get to you."

"Most stressed people don’t take the time needed to do self-inquisitive exercises to realise how stressed they are, they’re ‘too busy’, to do that. Which is so ironic, because that is exactly why they are so stressed."

Tim also sees meditation as important practice to incorporate into your everyday life, "[it] can come in many different forms. For some, simply going for a walk outside and quietening your mind can be a form of meditation."

"For others, it's listening to a guided meditation, or relaxing in the bath with cucumber over your eyes. Being able to quieten your mind is a healthy practice for your whole body, as the mind has such an effect on our functioning."

"With so many stressors out there, especially at the moment, it can be easy for our thoughts to manifest into bigger issues within our bodies, and it may inhibit our ability to perform at our best."

"Whether that's being the best father we can be, the best partner, or the best boss or coworker – meditation can be a helpful tool in controlling our mental clarity and keeping us functioning at our peak."

"For myself, I like to have fresh air or position myself near a window to hear those subtle sounds of the outdoors. This setup works better for me rather than a dark room with zero sound."

"When meditating, I don't mind acknowledging the varying sounds coming from outside, but I choose to not give too much energy to them. Tying meditation into another daily ritual can also really help, like meditating when making your morning coffee or just after your brush your teeth, for example."

Tim's Top Tips For Meditating

Shift your focus – Many people focus their attention on having zero thoughts whilst meditating, which can be difficult. I would focus on quietening the mind, having awareness of the thoughts coming through and observing them in a non-judgemental way.
Try transcend meditation – I would recommend transcend mediation as a great style for everyone. It involves repeating a word or mantra slowly in your mind to help guide your thoughts. This practice helps to steer yourself back to meditative thinking.
Start small – Be honest with what goals are realistic to you, whether that be a one-minute meditation, or 20-minute meditation. Meditation is most effective when practised consistently, so set expectations that work best for you. Even a 5-minute meditation can be really beneficial and make a positive difference to your health.

Even if you just take a few of these tips and tidbits of advice onboard, make sure to practice them regularly. It's no easy task starting up a new habit, but once you get into the swing of things, you'll soon start to see change.

Children Of The 80s Cashing In As Vintage Skateboard Market Booms

September 28, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

2021 truly has become the year of 'alternative investments'.

By this stage, most of us are used to the idea of consumer goods like sneakers, watches and luxury fashion items all being considered not only highly collectible but also surprisingly good investment opportunities. Somewhat harder to wrap one's head around has been the rise of NFTs: an even more abstract sort of investment that's taken this year by storm.

Another emerging asset class that's perhaps a little easier to understand is the rise of collectible skateboards. Skating might be a grungy, accessible sport but the prices that some skate decks command are truly astounding, with the average skater unlikely to be able to afford such hefty price tags. A quick search on eBay, StockX or other online marketplaces will easily unearth collectible skate decks selling for hundreds if not thousands of dollars, well above their original retail prices.

Of course, skate decks from cult brands like Supreme and Palace are hot property, but there's two new types of decks that are increasingly attracting investor's attention: skate decks produced by luxury brands such as Chanel or Louis Vuitton; and discontinued, 'deadstock' (i.e. unused) skate decks from the 80s and 90s from historically significant manufacturers like G&S and Powell Peralta.

[caption id="attachment_303264" align="alignnone" width="920"] L: a vintage Powell Peralta Tommy Guerrero signature board from the 80s, with an asking price of AU $4,587. R: A Supreme x Powell Peralta board from the 90s, going under the hammer with a starting bid of AU$10,000. It even has a unique RFID chip hidden within the deck so you can authenticate your investment. Images: eBay[/caption]

The latter brand, one of the most influential in the growth of skating as a sport and culture, attracts perhaps the most speculation on the market. While the brand has reissued many of its popular retro designs, originals from the 80s and 90s – even pre-skated ones – are easily worth upwards of five figures. These boards have always been reasonably valuable but prices have absolutely skyrocketed in recent years.

But why are collectible skateboards becoming so valuable in 2021? Why are luxury fashion houses making skateboards? Perhaps it's because skateboarding has never been more culturally relevant. The Tokyo Olympics became the first Games to feature skating events. Streetwear continues to have an outsized influence on modern fashion and luxury, and streetwear is deeply influenced by skating. Skating culture and high culture are cheek and jowl right now, and the money is following that.

Part of it is also just the passage of time. There's a finite amount of deadstock vintage skateboards around – most skaters back in the 80s and 90s weren't buying boards to squirrel away, they were buying them to use (and abuse) them. As skating becomes more popular and boards become rarer, the market gets squeezed at both ends, and prices get driven further up.

Speaking of luxury – check out Italian brand Golden Goose's floating skatepark

What we're saying is that it's probably a good idea to dig through your attic and see if you've got any old skateboards lying around. They could be worth a packet.

‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ Author Issues Huge Warning For Investors

September 28, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of the most iconic self-help books of the '90s.

Written by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter, the book highlights the importance of financial literacy, independence and wealth building. It explains the benefit of purchasing assets, investing in real estate and starting and owning businesses (as well as increasing one's financial IQ).

One of its authors, Robert Kiyosaki, has rather a substantial Twitter following (1.7 million, to be precise).

It made waves online then, when he, this week, warned of an imminent stock market crash.

On September the 26th, Kiyosaki tweeted: "Giant stock market crash coming October. Why? Treasury and Fed short of T-bills. Gold,silver, Bitcoin may crash too. Cash best for picking up bargains after crash. Not selling gold silver Bitcoin, yet have lots of cash for life after stock market crash. Stocks dangerous. Careful."

Giant stock market crash coming October. Why? Treasury and Fed short of T-bills. Gold,silver, Bitcoin may crash too. Cash best for picking up bargains after crash. Not selling gold silver Bitcoin, yet have lots of cash for life after stock market crash. Stocks dangerous. Careful

— therealkiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) September 26, 2021

Not everyone agreed with him. Some of his followers made some claims and observations of their own.

One, for instance, pointed out Kiyosaki had predicted crashes before, suggesting that a broken clock gets the time right at least twice a day.

😂 He says it often enough and infrequently enough to be right at some point. Then hell be like "see guys I was right all along meeeeeh!"

— Brandon (@brandonwaring_) September 28, 2021

Bezinga points out that since October 2020, Bitcoin has seen its price appreciate by more than 300%.

Recent tweets suggest Kiyosaki invests in gold, Bitcoin, and silver due to his lack of trust in America's political leaders, Treasury, the Fed, and even the stock market.

FED Governors caught “Front Running” their own policy decisions. You and I would go to jail doing what they do.That is why I save gold, silver, and Bitcoin. I do not trust the Fed, Treasury, or Wall Street. I trust Gods money, gold & silver and Peoples money, Bitcoin. Take care.

— therealkiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) September 27, 2021

Others argue that while a bubble is growing, it's not one they anticipate being allowed to fail by authorities (at least for the time being), and one they plan to profit from as long as "free money" continues to be pumped into the economy.

Only time (and bank balances) will tell...

Thursday 30 September 2021

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Tim's Top Tips For Working Out At Home

Check Out Tim Robards' Essential Shoulder Warm Up In The Video Below

Tim's Top Tips For Meditating

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Tuesday 28 September 2021

Speaking of luxury – check out Italian brand Golden Goose's floating skatepark

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