More Fugashin Saigon Shoes

A close friend of mine was in Ho Chi Minh City recently and he actually bought two pairs of Fugashin Saigon shoes. From these two photos of the shoes he sent me I must say that they are impressive.

Carl Zeiss Vision Officially Opens The First Zeiss Vision Center In Malaysia

I attended the official opening of the Zeiss Vision Center located at the Pavilion KL shopping centre  here in downtown Kuala Lumpur a few days ago. If you are not aware, Carl Zeiss Vision is a market leader in the field of optics and lenses. You will find the Zeiss products in cameras too and they have been at making precision glass for a very, very long time.

Writing Instruments: From the Collection - The Parker 61 with 'Rainbow' Cap

Now this is something a little different that belongs to me. Those that collect Parker would find this one of the unique fountain pens from the renown pen maker - the Parker 61. This was a pen, when first introduced in 1956 had a tagline ' Unlike Any Pen In The World...or Any Other'. You can see it in the photograph above.

Trunk Shows: P.Johnson at WJ & Co. This September 16th to the 18th

P. Johnson, who are quite famous for their lightweight, unstructured suits suitable for our weather is having another round of their regular trunk shows over at WJ & Co which is located in Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur. 

Go-To-Hell Pants in all of its glory - Featuring Yours Truly in a Video

What are Go-to-Hell Pants? Actually, it encompasses more than just the trousers if you put it down to brightly coloured (and embroidered) articles of clothing that one could wear as casualwear. The most famous of them all are the Go-to-Hell (GTH) pants. Here, in the video below where I try review a Porsche Panamera with a friend, I am wearing a pair by Brooks Brothers GTH trousers with birds embroidered on them, that famous American brand noted for making these sort of trousers (well, I prefer calling them trousers).

Timepieces/Watches: RED ARMY WATCHES' Gift Ideas for Friendship Day

Friendship Day. This is another Hallmark Cards creation to boost their sales. Much like that Mother's Day, Father's Day, Uncle's Day, Groundhog Day or Sit at Home and Sleep Day cards that we all buy. Some of these cards I made up but you get the point. But it is about sharing a greeting to someone. So friendship day, usually celebrated on the first sunday of August is a time where one can gift a friend something nice - watch retailer Red Army Watches supposedly have a few timepieces or watches for that thought.

Art & Design: GALERI PETRONAS HOSTS ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION, RELIVING TRANSFORMATIVE MERDEKA IDEALS AND ASPIRATIONS

GALERI PETRONAS today launched MANIFEST: Modernism of Merdeka, an exhibition to showcase how Malaysian architecture had shaped the transformation of the nation during its pre- and post-independence period of 1950s and 1960s.

Bags: Of Thrifting at the Local Thrift/Bundle Stores & the LL Bean weekend duffle bag I recently bought

Thrifting at the thrift shops or what they call 'Kedai Bundle' here in Malaysia is actually one of the best ways to procure hard to find clothing, shoes, bags and other accessories. Now 'kedai' means shop, and bundle is from the bundles where used clothes are bundled together and then sold at stores like this, giving new life to used items. I have to admit that I occasionally frequent these stores from time to time. It is usually when I am on the look out for something unique or hard to find here in Malaysia. 

Watches: OMEGA unveils the new Seamaster Diver 300M “Commander’s Watch” Limited Edition - Inspired by James Bond

OMEGA has a new limited edition Seamaster Professional out. The new timepiece is inspired by that fictional super spy James Bond and takes after Commander Bond’s rank and regalia. OMEGA has named it the "Commander’s Watch". The timepiece salutes the ensign colours of the British Royal Navy, with touches of white, blue and red found throughout the watch. 

Trunk Shows: John Lobb By Request Fair - Kuala Lumpur 29th & 30th July 2017

WJ & Co. over at the Bangsar Shopping Centre have announced that they will be hosting John Lobb for their inaugural By Request Fair on the 29th and 30th of July 2017. The By Request service offers interested folks the freedom to create their own unique pair of John Lobb handmade shoes or boots, specific to their personal style.

Timepieces: The new Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange - Limited to 500 pieces and is motoring inspired

Bell & Ross would like to introduce their newest timepiece to be launched in Malaysia: the BR03-94 AeroGT Orange. This is a limited edition of 500 pieces that enhances their focus on the motoring world. Especially fast cars. This BR03-94 AeroGT Orange follows the avant garde AeroGT concept launched last year. It is basically a new orange version with chronograph function and date rather than just the time.

Boots for the Jungle - Malaysian Army Boots manufactured circa 2011

Usually when we talk about menswear it is about trying to dress with a semblance of style for any occasion. This would also include how to dress well in harsh climates. Of course, since this is a blog about A Malaysian Man, mainly Yours Truly, it is about dressing appropriately well in the tropics and the tropics is a place where it is hot, humid and wet most of the time. This is especially so in the Malaysian jungle.

Why you need to go Linen for your Baju Melayu and for Hari Raya

It is almost Hari Raya Aidil Fitri here and I am in the midst of preparing for the festivities. This year I had my tailor make me another set of 'Baju Melayu', the traditional Malay outfit that Malay men usually use during these types of festive seasons. There is the Hari Raya Haji, or the Aidil Adha celebrations also that some of us don this outfit. Of course, it is also worn during family weddings too and (in black) at official government or royal functions. This is my latest, fuschia coloured baju Melayu in Linen. 

Horn Combs - Where to find them in South East Asia

 

Horn products like shoe horns, combs and brushes are deemed as a luxury these days. About thirty or so years ago, these sort of items were readily available and affordable. These days if you wanted one here in Malaysia you would not find it readily available. Somehow, the Malaysian tradesmen has stopped bringing in this sort of items to our shores. You can find them online or you can head over to Trufittt & Hill over at Bangsar Shopping Centre or Suria KLCC to find some truly gorgeous shoe horns, combs and brushes made out of horn but the problem it that the smallest moustache comb (yes, they sell one of those) costs over a hundred Ringgit.

A Visit to Dominique Saint Paul - Patina Perfection from Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a place where hand made goods flourish, especially when it comes to leather goods. More specifically shoes. I have never been to a city in South East Asia where there are so many locally made, artisan level shoes in one place. I have reviewed a pair of shoes from Fugashin Saigon earlier which I bought when I was there and right now I'd like to share with you another Made in Vietnam brand which I believe deserves more recognition. Dominique Saint Paul - Saigon.

Accessories - Heirloom monogrammed Cufflinks & Tie Clip

These are unmarked or unknown make stainless steel monogrammed Cufflinks and Tie Clip that once belonged to my father. He was in some ways the person who influenced and taught me about menswear and proper attire. He was the one who brought me to the tailor to get my clothes made. Those days, tailoring wasn't as pricey as they were today. So even as a kid I had the opportunity to wear tailored shirts and trousers back in Taiping, Perak.

Travel Attire - What to wear when you have to travel by air

In the age where security is tough at airports one should be prepared. I cannot understand the fact that some people who fly frequently yet seem to forget that the security checks before you get to board a plane is pretty thorough these days. Especially on international flights. You have to remove anything and everything metallic and not attached to you - watches, jewellery, wallet, purses, keys, bags etc. All of these items would have to go through a x-ray scanner and you would have to then pass through a metal detector and may be patted down too.

So you should make things easy for yourself and to others.

Happenings: GALERI PETRONAS' first exhibition for 2017 - Manah: A Living Legacy - on till 16th April 2017

GALERI PETRONAS recently launched its first exhibition for 2017 titled Manah: A Living Legacy which is on from now till the 16th of April 2017. This exhibition features the artistic and creative expressions of Malaysia’s indigenous communities and their strong connection to the rainforest.

P. Johnson Tailors - Kuala Lumpur Trunk Show 25th-26th February 2017

 

P.Johnson kicks off their 2017 trunk show season with the return of P. Johnson Tailors from the 25th to the 26th of February, 2017. As usual, it would be over at WJ & Co. in Bangsar Shopping Centre.

Mario Minardi and their Hand Painted range - My observations

The shoes you see here are made by Indonesian shoe manufacturer Mario Minardi. They have been making shoes since 1982 and I remember seeing their shoes at departmental stores in Kuala Lumpur since the early 2000s. They've come a long way actually. Back then the shoes offered here were mainly blake stitched and cemented (glued) but the lasts (or shape) of the shoes were nicely slim and elongated. Some were a bit fashion forward but I saw the company had some potential.

The colours around us - Black does not really exist in natural surroundings

A lot of us choose to wear black trousers for all occasion regardless of the time of day. But take this photo of Yours Truly, taken at a Malay wedding reception in Bangsar recently. Note the surrounding colours - the building in the background, its doors, the grass ( not really seen in the pictures) and other bits.