The way I see life is my own

Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time Watch

Featured on: http://www.mecho.com.au

The new Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time for Men is an original piece that turns telling the time into an art form. A timeless addition to the coveted Louis Vuitton Tambour watch range, it will make lovers of European style feel like they are carrying a piece of French history on their hands each day.

What makes this watch unique is that you read the time on rotating cubes on the dial that change each hour of the day. The new Tambour Spin Time for Men introduces revolutionary technology while simultaneously maintaining the elegance the range represents through the black alligator strap. 

This fusion of an older, classic watch design and postmodern detail on the watch’s face reflects the wider philosophy of Louis Vuitton: to remind you of 19th century aristocracy through their designs while remaining at the cutting-edge of the 2010s fashion jungle. It is the epitome of class lasting beyond a lifetime.

The hands and figures are luminescent at night, so you would not need to worry about looking at your phone while out the town to work out how late it is. Even though this watch is futuristic, it unusually doesn’t lose sight of simple features facilitating the survival of watches in the iPhone generation.

The Spin Time movement is showcased each time you pick up the watch to put it on your hand through the transparent back of the case, bringing a sense of legitimacy to the product’s postmodern detail. It is not just a dodgy fad, it’s real, and a testament to Louis Vuitton’s ability to continue defining the future of accessory design.

While this watch is not modestly priced it represents the future of timepiece design. We may not all be able to afford this watch now at $50,000AUD, but in the coming years, Spin Time movement should spread to many popular watch brands. It is definitely something to keep an eye on.

If Spin Time movement becomes an affordable, mainstream way of telling the time we will thank Louis Vuitton for bringing it to us. This is the future of watch design.

Direct Link: http://www.mecho.com.au/his/mens-fashion-accessories/louis-vuitton-tambour-spin-time-watch/

Just some personal views

“A person’s true identity shines through the clothes they wear…real style is unusual, against the norm. ”

Copyright: Paul Sourlos 

H & M: proof you don’t have to spend much to look decent

Check out these denims in H & M’s United Kingdom stores now, they’re 30GBPs, I wish H & M would come to Australia, would kill the local stores, like Cotton On and Country Road

Check it out more at: 

http://shop.hm.com/gb/campaign?pagename=campaign&campaign=917_ISN_15&page=START_MEN&colorcode=A&type=product&modelnum=777311&market=en_GB&referer=http://www.hm.com/gb/__isn_men_15.nhtml&ct=1288610159490

Some of the new arrivals at General Pants are looking good

Check out this Ksubi Tee, nice message, really think it reflects on the current state of the world. 

See details at: 

http://www.generalpants.com.au/store/mens/tops/i-was-alive-tee-1000026942.html

Summer Trench

Check out this summer trench by Witchery Man, would look great in black! 

http://www.witchery.com.au/just-in/summer-trench/w1/i5587160_4382540/

Upcoming article on Louis Vuitton

Article coming soon on Louis Vuitton’s new Tambour Spin Time watch for men.

Watch this space.

Visit http://www.louisvuitton.com for more information. 

From a bland, office job to the cutting edge of postmodern Australian fashion: The spectacular rise of designer, Maryanne Petsinis

Visit http://www.pinkstitch.com

Originally written on October 21, 2010. 

4.30pm at Pink Stitch. Maryanne Petsinis is wearing earthy colours, a relaxed zebra print top and khaki harem pants. She doesn’t look like she’s at the office. She’s on another safari through the cutthroat Australian fashion industry. The afternoon sunlight flows in through the window behind us. It illuminates the flowing white curtains in the centre of the tastefully understated, open space. The faux crocodile skin lounge she sits on is hard but deceptively comfortable, just like the fashion industry itself.

What the industry provides, “It’s either all, cheap, cheap, cheap or you have to pay $300, there is no middle range,” Maryanne said. That is why she is on this safari. She’s found the missing link in the industry. Maryanne caters for “that yummy mummy, that young middle age group neglected in the market,” to provide affordable yet sophisticated clothes for “a maximum of $129.95”.

Maryanne began finding the missing link in childhood. Her mother was a dressmaker allowing her to learn about patterning as she grew up. She knew from 16 that the fashion industry is where she belongs. “I worked as an office secretary. It was so boring. I’d spend all my lunchtimes in boutiques and weekends at Lincraft looking at patterns and fabrics,” she said. By 22 she was working in boutiques and at 25 opened the Déjà Vu franchise.

After 15 successful years in retail together at Déjà Vu, Con Petsinis, Maryanne’s manager, realised that it was time to change. “We wanted to create something from nothing. A piece of our personal identity in our own clothes that can’t be found on the street,” he said.

That is the essence of Pink Stitch, founded in 2008, and sister brand August Street. “You have to have an exclusive signature in each graphic,” Maryanne said. “I try and incorporate elements of the Earth in my prints. It is out of the ordinary, yet wearable and special.” She points to the rack of clothes imprinted with unusual, neutrally coloured symbols of fish eyes and ocean flora. Ironically, the line is called ‘Fish Out of Water’ appealing to someone needing to be freed from the strains of urban life. 

“The search for freedom is best found at a rough ocean on a cold, overcast day,” Maryanne said. No wonder the Winter 2011 Pink Stitch photo shoot will feature the ocean jasper stone along Queensland’s beaches to shape the mood of the new designs.

“The way each one of my designs is embedded in the Earth, in a different mood and time is what makes the clothes so great,” Maryanne said. You experience a sense of distance from bland prints you find in large department stores like Myer. That is why Pink Stitch is popular among celebrities including Khloe Kardashian and Denise Richards.

“By thinking outside the box,” Maryanne said, her demographic widened so dramatically. Pink Stitch has something for every woman up to the age of 55. It is telling “a unique, private story” rather than forcing a generic image into the market. “When top designers design outfits for catwalks, none of it is wearable, but it’s original. Fashion is a chance to show your personality.”

Maryanne’s vibrant personality shines through in her own work. A lover of European travel, she takes out photos from a trip to Barcelona. They highlight the grungy, underground, unconventional style of Blue Street. “The uniqueness of the Barcelona boutiques showed me a different aspect of fashion. When I saw something odd, I immediately sketched it.”

Maryanne’s philosophy works, take inspiration as it comes to you rather than forcing yourself to become inspired. “Every moment is a defining moment for me, every day’s design is a new challenge.”

The challenges faced in Pink Stitch’s initial stages were somewhat more concrete. “The industry was more profitable 10 years ago. Now it’s very competitive and cut-throat because of the Chinese market entering Australia,” Con said. This led to a large communication barrier. “You’re relying on your translator to deliver the message correctly to Chinese fabric sellers. There is a big element of trust involved.”

Trusting herself was Maryanne’s key to overcoming these barriers. “From day go, when we sold tops out of Con’s boot I knew we would make it. I know how to hit the market.”

She hasn’t only hit the market. She had moulded it around Pink Stitch, as it’s so unique. It’s like Mother Nature guides her, the timeless Earth motif will be a sustaining life force selling her designs for decades. 

Greece Just Becomes More Unforgettable Each Time

Originally published in O Kosmos Bilingual Newspaper on August 6, 2010.

These are my ten most vivid memories of Greece for 2010:

Countless posters of Julia Alexandratou

Seriously, this girl is absolutely everywhere around Athens, on the side of every major road, above bus stops, even on the way to the airport, so that your last memory of Greece will be Julia. The truth is, her notoriety comes primarily from her sexuality, but you have to give credit where credit is due. The model knows how to ‘spin it’ in her favour, the release of her sex tape in 2010 only propelling her fame to new heights. Take a look for yourself at the statement on the poster. Translated it means: Play as you are.  This is a not so subtle reference to Julia’s comfort and public experience with nudity. I consider this rather controversial, as what message do young women in the Greek community receive from this poster? A message that sexual freedom should be embraced? Or…that such free sexuality is simply wrong?

Super Paradise Beach and Paradise Beach Mykonos

Physically, Super Paradise Beach is one of the most aesthetically pleasing beaches in Mykonos, but honestly, Paradise Beach is where the party is, with professional dancers round the clock on top of the bar! Super Paradise didn’t live up to the preconceptions I had of it as an equally non-stop rave, it is actually quite relaxing and tame in the afternoon, and no, there are no nudists. It is definitely worth a trip to though. The fast food there was actually of good quality, reasonably priced, and consisted paradoxically of home-cooked style meals, which was unexpected. Here are some of my personal photos of both beaches! 

Cape Sounio

Cape Sounio or Sounion is simply breathtaking, by far the highlight of my trip in Greece in terms of the scope for amazing photography. Situated east of Athens, the drive is quite pleasant and only takes about 30 minutes from Athens’s eastern suburbs. It is worth visiting due to the stunning ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, god of the sea. It was unfortunately mostly destroyed in Persian and Ottoman invasions, however the main structure of the temple remains intact. Its strategic placement at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula makes complete sense even in the 21^st century, as it gives you a full view of Athens city and out into the crystal clear Aegean Sea. Such a panoramic marvel is rare to find. 

Sikyon Coast Hotel and Resort

This modern spectacle is a five star resort and beach destination open to the general public in Xylokastro, about one hour from Athens. I spent many days here sipping cocktails and soaking up the hot Greek sunshine with friends. The set up is classy, yet relaxed, appealing to a wide demographic financially and age-wise with reasonable prices for drinks and snacks. A place all holidaying in Xylokastro must discover, they make a mean Mohito! 

Hotel Despotiko, Mykonos

An 18^th century home over 200 years old was transformed in the 1970s into this amazing hotel. It has a unique retro charm with British and French boutique influence in the furniture, yet still features all the modern amenities needed to make your stay comfortable. Those who appreciate a historical element in their accommodation, such as myself, would not pass up the opportunity to stay here. It is one of Mykonos’s best-kept secrets, and a less than ten-minute walk to the main section of town and the port. 

The Food (in general)

There is nothing that needs to be said here, apart from that fact that if you are considering going on a diet, avoid Greece. Everything simply tastes sublime from the crepes, to the souvlakia, and my personal favourite dolmades. 

Freddocinos and Frappes

I received a rude awakening when I arrived in Greece that I would probably not receive a nice skim Flat White that was well made for at least a month. It is not in vogue to drink Western coffee anyway, which is why you just don’t do it. Most people have Freddocinos and Frappes, which are like iced coffees without the ice cream and much, much stronger.  Rather than drinking their coffee on the run on the way to work like we do here, they always sip it calmly on the beach or in the town square surrounded by friends. The level of relaxation time within the Greek lifestyle is incredible in vast contrast to Australia where deadlines dictate our daily schedules. 

No sleep

As I often enjoying saying to the locals, “I am often asleep at dinner time here in Australia”. The night is never wasted in bed in Greece, even if it is only out to dinner you will find the streets packed at midnight with people of all ages.  To compensate, there is a midday siesta, which I found rather odd during my entire stay. Needless to say it was difficult to adhere to the daily quiet hours within the apartment complex where I stayed…some expletives were exchanged on occasions. 

Mykonos night life

…is diverse and varied. Whether you are looking for a relaxed night along the shoreline restaurants in little Venice, or an action-packed adventure that you might forget parts of, further into the town, Mykonos has it all. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the clubs are in fact straight clubs, not catering only to a homosexual market. The music played is mostly Western; with separate all Greek nightclubs for those looking for an authentic experience, including the Thallani Bar. 

Shopping (and lots of it)

  ZARA is an excellent stop for the fashion conscious of both sexes, with its affordable yet up to date trends satisfying the limitations of your budget. The closest Australian equivalents would be stores like Witchery, Marcs, Oxford, Country Road and General Pants Co.  However, there is a large emphasis on clothes shopping even in smaller cities like Xylokastro containing fewer than 20,000 people. The variety and quality of clothing is unparalleled in towns with similar populations in Australia. There is a high degree of designer clothing available at affordable prices for the consumer, with consistent sales and promotions offers having allowed the Greek fashion market to weather the GFC.  

So Will it be tradition? Or Love?

Originally published in O Kosmos Bilingual Newspaper on December 24, 2009. 

Alex Lykos’s true life experience is evident in his laboriously constructed portrayal, over several years, of the stark reality facing many couples in our modern society: An impossible choice to make between one’s personal religious paradigm, and love, with someone of a different culture.

Alex and Eve, the protagonists of Lykos’s screenplay of the same name, are initially depicted as being bound to the tribalism upheld in two distinct households: a traditional Greek Orthodox and traditional Lebanese Muslim one. Immediately, however, the distinct religious undertones driving the screenplay’s plot are softened, through playful stereotyping of the Greek culture. This reveals Lykos’s confidence as a writer, in creating persona’s that are somewhat, self-deprecating for the sake of the audience’s entertainment.

The distinct Greek slang words and body language appeal strongly to individuals who themselves have been found in a similar situation to Alex, over 30, single, and continuing to live in a traditional Greek household, whilst simultaneously, attempting to assimilate into the cultural framework of Australia. However, the equally powerful religious customs of successful 33 year old lawyer Eve’s family, leaders in the local Muslim community of Lakemba, extend the target audience, destroying the perception that this screenplay is anything like My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Ironically, in creating similar views within both households stigmatizing inter-cultural union, a climactic conflict is created between the two families when Alex and Eve courageously profess their love. However, Alex’s comment that, “[Muslim’s] attitude towards marriage is a lot better than Christian’s attitude towards marriage,” leads to the realisation, that the emotional commonalities of friendship, respect and love, should be what decides ones marital path, rather than religion.  

Ultimately, this screenplay raises an important issue amongst the modern residents of the Greek Orthodox and Lebanese Muslim faiths in Sydney. It proves that despite the impermeable barriers that are perceived to exist between religion backgrounds, the undeniable strength of love allows these barriers to become permeable. Through the example of Alex and Eve’s journey, Lykos’s objective, summated in his own words, is patent, “To give a sense of hope to people who are of different backgrounds that they can get together.”