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Black Oud: The New Fragrance by LUKE

It is always with great excitement that I open a new box to discover a new fragrance!

The first thing you notice is its weight: the glass bottle and its hefty top makes it even heavier than the average fragrance. Then, wow the top!? What a statement this bottle is. It cannot go unnoticed on your bathroom shelf.

Then, the smell. And ‘yes’ I loved it.

What it is made of

Spicy top notes of Cardamom, and Ambergris topped with a subtle dash of fresh Lemonchello, blended with middle notes of Pogostemon Cablin, Ebony Wood, Aquatic Cyperus Papyrus and Rosewood, layered on a bed of sensual Tobacco Leaves, warm Musk and Oakmoss base. Voilà !

According to LUKE, Black Oud is the new headline fragrance, using the most expensive woody based as the major element of this heady smell.

Our verdict

It feels fresh, however still strong and also long lasting (something I really like). It is masculine, but has so much dimension because of the Lemonchello and spice.

A unique masculine fragrance, a perfect complement for day or evening wear.

A bit of background

Since forming in 2001 LUKE 1977 has become a leading contemporary fashion brand divided into LUKE the Technical Tailor and LUKE Sport.

Luke the Technical Tailor is a premium menswear offering. While LUKE Sport is a full lifestyle collection inspired by athleisure and urban street style.

Equally a home on the terraces or on a night out, the brand offers an exclusive look for an inclusive country; the United Kingdom of Luke.

With that in mind, LUKE have launched the new Fragrance LUKE Black Oud.

Where can I buy some

75ml LUKE Black Oud Eau De Toilette. £25 RRP. Shop on www.luke1977.com

About LUKE

Since its humble beginnings in the West Midlands in 2001 LUKE has developed into a leading contemporary menswear brand with a following stretching far and wide. Having grown with the support of key independent menswear boutiques the brand has evolved organically keeping all if its values, which sets it apart.

LUKE is a practical interpretation on contemporary menswear and has all the components of the modern lad, a gentleman, a working class hero and a bit of a rogue. The brand draws strong influences from the tough elements of its native Birmingham. Foundry worker meets fashionista, Luke’s taste envelopes all. Luke’s ethos is to put a fashionable twist on any men’s garment but without over designing to retain a cool masculine look. The brand offers an exclusive look for an inclusive country, the United Kingdom of Luke.

Visit www.luke1977.com

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Hurry Up: It’s (was) Black Friday!

Black Friday is now over for 2019! See you next year!

Black Friday @Justhype

70% off on website. No coupon needed, discount will be shown on item. For everyone: KIDS, MENS, WOMENS  5VER AND 10ER Lucky dips on the website running from 29th-2nd December

Black Friday @ All Saints

30% off EVERYTHING!

Black Friday @Superdry

Black Friday @ Oliver Sweeney

Whether it’s sourcing the finest Italian leathers for our uppers or deciding what colour hand-stitching to feature on our luxury trainers. Oliver Sweeney are obsessed with style, quality and detail. Mixing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to create shoes that challenge convention without compromising on comfort. 

Black Friday @ Suit Direct

Limited Time only. Up to 50% off!

Other popular brands

Black Friday @ Next

Black Friday @ ASOS

Black Friday @ boohooMAN

Black Friday @ CREW Clothing

About Black Friday

Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The day after Thanksgiving has been regarded as the beginning of America’s Christmas shopping season since 1952, although the term “Black Friday” did not become widely used until more recent decades

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Sergio Tacchini x Triwa Collaboration

This is the story of a collaboration between a legendary Italian sportswear brand, Sergio Tacchini, and a disruptive watchmaker, Triwa.

Under the concept name Time for Sports they have developed four limited edition watches, made from durable Swiss TR90 plastic, perfect for sports or just for your everyday occasions.

At StylePilot, our take is that this is a refreshing collection, and we can’t wait for the summer to come back!

Designed with luminous indexes, colorful oversized luminous hands and domed mineral glass, this watch is a unique piece that will stand out on any wrist.

Specifications of this Limited Edition

– 5 ATM water resistant
– Scratch resistant mineral glass
– 2 year international warranty
– Free shipping
– Quick delivery
– Safe payment options

In details

Watch name: Sergio Concrete
Family Triwa x Sergio Tacchini
Case size: 37 mm
Case material: Recyclable TR90 – Concrete Grey
Surface treatment: Matte
Dial color: Concrete Grey
Band: Nylon 20 mm
Band color: Concrete Grey
Buckle: Stainless Steel
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Urverk: Miyota GL30
Urverkstyp: Quarts 
Sku: SERG104-SG121512P

How much?

£99 RRP. Shop at www.triwa.com

About Sergio Tacchini

Sergio Tacchini is an Italian fashion designer of sportswear and former professional tennis player. The sportswear firm bearing his name is located in Bellinzago Novarese, Novara, Italy. He was born in 1938.

Italian style and creativity, innovation and quality together with tennis DNA are the values of Sergio Tacchini, a reference brand for those who love to wear casual but with elegance and style. The Company showroom and offices are based in Milan, Italy. Sergio Tacchini is now a Brand Company working with Licenses worldwide. The Brand is in charge of Style, Design of new collections, Product and Marketing. Distribution is made by Licensees.

The Sergio Tacchini brand was at its peaks in the late eighties, and has recently made an amazing comme back!

Visit www.sergiotacchini.com

About Triwa

Founded: 2007 by four friends (still operational and still friends)
Idea: Transform the industry of watches (TRIWA) through contemporary design, modern distribution and creative marketing
Distribution: 1200 retailers in 25 markets
Office: Studio in central Stockholm which houses a team of 30 people
Portfolio: Watches, watch bands, bracelets and sunglasses
Design philosophy: We only design what we want to wear ourselves

Visit www.triwa.com

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Hugo Iced Fragrance by HUGO BOSS

Discover a blast of ice-cold freshness with HUGO ICED for men, a fragrance designed for the modern urban man, set to inspire him to embrace the fresh potential of every day.

Comprising a unique blend of inspiring ingredients that empower the wearer to take on the adventures of a daring and expansive world, creating unlimited opportunities for inspirational and life-changing experiences. 

Revitalising iced mint leaves will awaken your senses, wild tea aromas invigorate your soul and vetiver empowers your confidence and masculinity.

The fragrance comes in a unique sleek chrome bottle with its cap strapped on for the man on the move. A sensory explosion for the man looking for ultimate freshness, in the heat of the day or night. HUGO ICED – as fresh as ice, as strong as steel!

A sleek design!

Where can I get it?

£48 RRP (75ml). Shop at www.thefragranceshop.co.uk

About HUGO BOSS

Founded in 1924 in Metzingen, Germany, the HUGO BOSS Group focuses on developing and marketing high-end women’s and men’s fashion, accessories and fragrances. 

BOSS is HUGO BOSS’ core brand and stands for contemporary, modern elegance that satisfies the most sophisticated tastes and enhances the wearer’s personality. HUGO, the trend brand, is the home of avant-garde design delivering progressive looks and fragrances with a contemporary attitude. BOSS Orange is spontaneous, passionate and energetic, yet casual and relaxed.

With Christmas just round the corner, a nice gift idea ;-).
See all StylePilot gift ideas.

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An Afternoon At Blenheim Palace

Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial exhibition at Blenheim Palace – Victory is Not an Option just closed his doors; however, I was lucky to visit it!

The Italian art prankster redecorated Winston Churchill’s birthplace with an 18-carat loo, some gigantic union jacks, a taxidermy horse hanging from the ceiling, and Hitler on his knees.

18 works from Cattelan were displayed throughout the 18th century Palace.

The Great Court

A great walkaway, pictured above, of British Union Jacks flags leads up to the Palace, welcoming you on arrival.

Posing in the Great Court. Brogue boots by Grenson, Cargo trousers by ASOS, White shirt by M&S, Sling bag by Chrome
Sling bag by Chrome
Sunglasses by RayBan / Sweatshirt by Champion / Denim by Primark and Trainers by Nike

Luckily, I couldn’t have been more blessed by the great weather conditions to enjoy the handsome gardens.

A view from ‘outside’ the Palace

Maurizio Cattelan’s exhibition inside the Palace

Below a couple of selection of works from Cattelan. An exhibition which is not for the faint-hearted.

Clockwise: Taxidermy horse in the Red Drawing Room; Unusual self portrait in the Green Drawing Room; Adolf hitler in the Long Library.

The gardens

The Palace is set in two thousand acres of parkland and formal gardens and as generation follows generation, successive Dukes have introduced their personal touch by each adding new styles and layers of beauty to the landscape.

Learn more about the exhibition >> Maurizio Cattelan at Blenheim Palace

About Blenheim Palace

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Blenheim Palace attracts close to a million visitors a year from all over the world. The Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough, following his decisive victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.

The Palace, which took almost thirty years to reach completion, was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh to function not only as a private house, but also a monument, castle, and citadel; a testament of England’s supremacy over the French in a blaze of architectural glory that would rival Versailles. 

Steeped in British history, the Palace is also famous as the birthplace of the distinguished wartime Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, who was himself a member of the family and descendant of the 1st Duke. Handed down through successive generations, the Palace today continues to be privately owned and is the official seat of the current and 12th Duke of Marlborough.

Visit Blenheim Palace

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The DISTRICT_LX2 Watch-by adidas

This has not been easy to pick up a watch from adidas new collection. It has a lot to offer and it is also very versatile. There’s no theme, apart from the adidas logo that is being used for all the models. From a sport to a dapper model, there is a watch for everyone.

Even though adidas is a sport brand, I decided to go for the model pictured above: the DISTRICT_LX2.

To quote adidas: “Reflecting on past iconic designs, the DISTRICT_LX2 pays homage to a time before while adapting towards the new enduring style of what will come next. Consider this approach past meets present in timeless proper form where less is, in fact, always more”.

The combination of olive, brown leather and rose gold really works and makes a it special. The perfect accessory if you are wearing some brown leather shoes and a brown belt. Yes, every details matters!

Full Specifications

Movement: Japanese Quartz Movement / Band: Premium Horween Leather Strap, 20mm Width /Case: Stainless Steel, with hardened mineral crystal / Watchater Rating: 50 meter / 5 ATM

Verdict

I actually really like it, and I am happy to have gone for the rose gold (a first for me)! The watch also feels solid and and it’s no too light (adding to the robustness feeling). The leather strap is thick and, I am sure, will age beautifully. A few scratch marks will make it look even better.

A very nice addition to any man’s watch collection!

The watch is laid in a thick cardboard box

Other adidas watches

If you are not a big fan of the DISTRICT_LX2, you will have other choices. See below a few from their collection:

Pictured left: the ARCHIVE MR2. In adidas own words: “Inspired by the past but always looking toward the future.”

Warranty

The adidas watch is covered by adidas limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years after original purchase.

£130 RRP. Shop at www.adidaswatches.com.

Shop the full range of adidas watches on www.adidaswatches.com

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Mankind Grooming Box: The Apothecary Collection

This must be the best and most luxurious bundle of this year! And even Black Friday won’t be that! The Apothecary Collection is worth over £239, yet it only costs £55 RRP and is only available at Mankind.

(Please note that Mankind is actually offering 15% off this collection*, just use Code: GROOM15).

However, this is not the only reason why we fell for it. We also really liked the carefully curated assortment of luxury male grooming essentials.

The collection is centred around exciting, innovative formulations at the cutting edge of male grooming, and giving you the opportunity to discover them for yourself. What else could you ask for?

The six products you will find inside

Argentum La Lotion Infinie Body Cream, 200ml (worth £84.00)

Rediscover your skin’s youthful capacity with ARgENTUM’s la lotion infinie Body Cream, an intense, soothing moisturiser that targets problem areas on the body to leave it feeling soft and replenished.

Backed by years of scientific research, the 99.5% natural origins cream harnesses the same powerful ingredients as the iconic cream, a blend of Silver Hydrosol and DNA HP. Working together, the ingredients melt quickly into skin, instantly hydrating, tightening and strengthening skin to create a barrier against oxidative stress. Its dose of caffeine stimulates circulation for re-energised, radiant skin, and small cutaneous imperfections will appear corrected and rebalanced. Suitable for all ages and skin types, the miracle cream will leave your body feeling super-hydrated, younger and softer. Infused with a signature, uplifting scent.

E-Cooking Peel Mask, 50ml (worth £37.00)

Peeling effect which smoothens and tightens creases.

The content of plant extract and Vitamin E in the Ecooking™ Peeling Mask decreases the appearance of creases and wrinkles and at the same time it gives a smoother and younger look.

Please note that Ecooking is a cruelty-free brand; they do not test any of their products on animals. All products are natural, organic, paraben-free and vegan.

The Refinery Shave Oil, 30ml (worth £31.00)

A must-have for the ultimate close shave. This fast-absorbing, lightweight oil prepares the skin for a soothing shave without leaving and oily residue. Borage, Jojoba and Rosehip Seed oil help promote elasticity and strengthen dry, damaged skin and Petitgrain, Patchouli and Geranium soothe and protect the skin.

Directions: massage 4-5 drops onto damp skin before shaving. Shave and rinse with warm water. Can be used under Refinery Shave Foam Gel for dry skin and is also effective as an intensive skin treatment when used under the appropriate Refinery moisturiser.

Babor Cooling Eye Gel, 20ml (worth £32.68)

A lightweight, oil-free, anti-fatigue eye gel the provides a cooling & massaging effect upon application. Helps treat puffy, swollen, fatigued & dry eye area.

Contains alpine stem cells to offer preventative protection against light-induced skin ageing; blended with rhodiola extract, betain & yeast extract to reduces puffiness & dark circles; loaded with polysaccharide & panthenol for hydrating benefits.Unveils a smoother, refreshed, more vibrant looking eye area.

Nanogen 5IN-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, 240ml (worth £9.95)

A combined thickening treatment shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for men. Nanogen’s 5-IN-1 Shampoo & Conditioner takes a multi-targeted approach to hair thickening.

5 easy steps to use it: 1. Cleanse, 2. Condition, 3. Strengthen, 4. Thicken and 5. Exfoliate your hair and scalp.

Please note: Cruelty free, Paraben free, SLS/SLES FREE , silicon free.

ARK Firming Serum, 30ml (worth £45.00)

Defy gravity with the vegan-friendly Firming Serum from ARK Skincare; a revolutionary, anti-ageing serum that tightens, lifts and tones sagging skin by improving resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture.

Unleashing the ultra-firming powers of biomimetic lipopeptide Idealift™, the serum targets skin showing signs ageing including fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Highly purified Microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effect, while active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and boosts collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.

What else? It is vegan and cruelty-free.

And yes, it is worth mentioning again, that the total value is worth over £239 RRP however it is available at www.mankind.co.uk for only £55.

And remember that there’s a special offer running right now: 15% off this collection*. Use Code: GROOM15.

*Exclusions Apply – Expires 10th November

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Gate-8: A Luggage Everyone Should Own

It’s not very often that we test luggage -as we tend to find them a bit boring- however with this one we were excited to do so. So, why did we want to try out this luggage?

Because it has it all! (Explanation below with one picture).

The Spin MATE Plus, at 40L capacity and featured here, is compliant with easyJet’s and British Airways’ hand baggage restrictions. So this makes it a very attractive piece to own.
I was really happy to brag with this new piece of luggage as it is really smooth to operate: it just slides effortlessly on floors.

3 things we really liked:

1/ The design: simple, yet elegant. Refined, yet robust.

2/ The “2-in-1”: a single bag that can become two. Its 2-in-1 design makes it the perfect bag for easyJet’s single bag policy. Travel from home-to-gate with the single bag and when on board, zip off the laptop backpack, keeping your tech and valuables close by throughout your journey.

3/ The practicality: it has it all. Several external pockets and well thought inside.

What the inside looks like

Inside the luggage: Clothes by Luke1977, sandals by Teva, and grooming products by Manual

The perfect 4-wheel drive

The cabin bag designed to make your journey as hassle-free as possible. The 4-wheel, 360° spinner rotates in the palm of your hand, with no struggle to change direction.

Long story short, this luggage has been going through airports, train and tube stations not to mention on several types of pavements. And it never let me down.

Gate-8 range’s defining features include:

. Zip-off laptop bag – keep your valuables & tech to hand through the flight, travel light to your next meeting, bring onboard easyJet
. For all airlines – our luggage is sized to comply with most major airlines’ hand baggage policies (yes, we even have a bag for Ryanair), giving you the confidence you can bring it onboard
. Built to last – made from extra-durable materials that have been tested by airline crew standards, protected by a 5 year warranty.

On arrival leave the main bag in your hotel room and travel light with the zip-off backpack if you wish to.

What else?

Built to last it is protected by a 5 year warranty, this sturdy cabin bag will stay by your side for years to come.

Where to shop

Shop at www.gate8-luggage.co.uk

About GATE8

GATE8 specialise in designing the world’s most functional travel cabin bags and travel accessories. As seasoned travellers, they know the pain points and are obsessed about using clever smart design to make travel hassle-free as possible. Be it by helping one to avoid baggage check-in, keeping one tech and valuables secure or arriving with a suit that is ready-to-wear, each detail and feature has been carefully designed and tested to make one life easier, stress free and convenient.

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Original Stormtrooper Beers For The Beers Lovers

Beer lovers and film fans rejoice – Original Stormtrooper beer is about to hit the shelves, just in time for the release of the final instalment of the famous film franchise.

Expertly brewed at St Peter’s Brewery and inspired by the iconic armour designed by Shepperton Design Studio’s Andrew Ainsworth for the original film back in 1976, Original Stormtrooper Galactic Pale Ale and Lightspeed Pilsner will whet the appetite of any beer lover looking for a delicious and drinkable brew.

Officially licensed and boasting impeccable craft credentials along with eye-popping design, these two new beers are out of this world!

Looking for a hoppy, aromatic beer with bright citrus flavours? Then Galactic Pale Ale is the brew for you.

With light aromas of grapefruit, pine and herbs, earthy undertones and a soft bitterness, this easy-drinking ale truly delivers.

Or, if you prefer a classic lager with a twist, choose Lightspeed Pilsner.

Matured with specially-imported Australian Galaxy and US Millennium hops and using finest pilsner malt, this exquisitely refreshing drink is brought to life with citrus, resin and stone fruit hop aromas.

The fine prints

With an ABV of just 4.2%, Original Stormtrooper Galactic Pale Ale and Lightspeed Pilsner Lager are available in 330ml can and 500ml bottle.

What else?

To celebrate the launch, there is also a range of merchandise on offer, including beer mats, posters, glassware and gifts – great collectibles for any die-hard film fan! For more information visit

Visit and shop at www.theoriginalstormtrooper.com

Visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for the facts