MAGNIFICENT MEN OF MELBOURNE

Voxfrock is pleased to introduce social doyen and observor, Shiva Singam, as guest writer on the subject of sartorial splendiferousness a la bloke. By day, Mr. Singam – a.k.a. “Count Shiva” – is an impeccably dressed, highly respected corporate event manager. By night and week’s end, his presence is requested at Melbourne’s most exotic parties and intimate soirees. “Count Shiva” attends in his unique flamboyant style then writes – invariably by the next morning – of his exploits using a flowery Victorian-esque prose read closely by an ever-blossoming band of fans. Recently, he has expanded his unusual literary repertoire. For Covet magazine, for example, he combined his twin passions for royalty and fashion in a deep review of the marriage of HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden to American financier Christopher O’Neill.  And now, especially for you, dear reader, he plumbs the mechanics of masculine style through its practice – from flambouyant to classic –  by some of the Magnificent Men of Melbourne. Allow eight minutes to read this longform treat.

“Style: the way in which something is said, done, expressed or performed.
Stylish: having or displaying a good sense of style.”

BY SHIVA SINGAM

In time everlasting, we have seen a kaleidescope of men whose sartorial tastes have left a lasting definition of style. Men like Edward, Duke of Windsor, Baron Alexis de Rede, Cary Grant, Tom Ford and the indefatigable Paul Smith. All in some manner, have shaped how we men dress, accessorize and deport ourselves.

Edward, Duke of Windsor, left us the most famous method of tying ties, the Windsor knot. Baron Alexis de Rede, aesthete and whose name has graced The International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame, gave us the art of manners. Cary Grant pioneered ‘Chic Sportif’. Tom Ford revitalized and re-gifted the tuxedo and statement bow ties and, for his part, Sir Paul Smith cleverly combined elegant menswear with a touch of quirkiness.

Good taste and a sense of style amongst men, is not a foreign phenomenon. Melbournites have always expounded the values of ‘bien s’habiller‘, the elegant art of being well dressed. In a city monikered “the Fashion Capital”, a stroll through our more chic streets, and indeed the plethora of great events here hosted, always witnesses a parade of elegantly dressed men. Yet, amongst this constant abundance of style, there are also those who stand out, earning the right to be christened,

Melbourne’s Men of Style

Hayden Burbank. The popular man-about-town and restaurateur is another whose appearance at social events always draws admiration. Burbank epitomizes a revitalization of the ‘Rat Pack’ chic, a style popularized by original members Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Dean Martin and co. A well cut jacket or suit, smart shoes, impeccable grooming and clever ability to combine classic staples with well chosen highlight pieces, are the strengths of Burbank’s style. Very proudly, he also staunchly supports Australian made. His popular restaurant/bar Morris Jones in Windsor, has long been a collection point for the Über set and Burbank is oft seen milling amongst the throng, looking smart yet relaxed. A man of many projects, Burbank is planning an extravaganza of a party, on a beachside, St Kilda rooftop locale, for New Year’s day, 2014 and has promised to reveal more details in the coming months.

Phillip Boon is a name that has long been synonymous with style. By profession a creative director and stylist, Boon is that rare breed of man who believes in giving back to the community and encouraging fashion aspirants. He lectures at the Whitehouse Institute of Design and is a well known supporter of charity, the Prahran Mission. With co-host, legendary designer Jenny Bannister, Boon hosts a bi-monthly live talk show aptly named Fashion Torque. His look combines the hallmarks of great design, a daring attitude to colour and a penchant for combining textures and fabrics. His appearance at one race meeting recently, in an ensemble of hot pink jacket, with contrasting mustard pant, drew admiration from international style icon, Joan Collins. Boon often quips that he dresses in ‘dead people’s clothes’. He scours vintage stores and is almost always successful, combining his finds with designer pieces to form some incredible outfits.

Richard Nylon, to most, could well be the proper claimant of Emperor of Style in Melbourne. Milliner and artist extraordinaire, Nylon has hatted a bevy of many a well dressed lass over the years and has even collaborated with The Australian Ballet on costumes. His passion for the history of fashion is evident in his personal style. Ne’er is there a time when his dramatic appearance at an event or even in his daily life, doesn’t attract gasps of admiration. His look is an eclectic culmination of design, fabrics, colour and pattern. An innate ability to bring a repertoire of many elements to form a look that is his and his alone. Even his mustache is an art-piece, always lovingly coiffed, groomed and curled into a wondrous shape, it is an ode to the great mustaches of the Austrian Habsburgs of yore. Yet, with his string of many successes and achievements, Nylon’s most outstanding attribute, his down to earth nature and his ability to always be charming, inclusive and always optimistic.

Dean Drieberg, creative producer behind many fashion shows and shoots, has worked with leading designers, publications and major events such as L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Mercedes Australian Fashion Week and Melbourne Spring Fashion Week.  Drieberg’s style is ‘nouveau gamin’. He has the ability to combine clothes to look effortlessly stylish with a quirky edge. Colour and pattern are definite staples in his unique look which Drieberg also composes by cleverly mixing high end fashion with more affordable pieces.

The Rt Hon JC Lloyd-Southwell d’Anvers, scion of a Franco-Belgian/English aristocratic family, is one half behind the eclectic destination boutique, Madam Virtue on Melbourne’s Crossley Street. As interpreter for the UN and an intrepid traveller, his personal collection of well curated couture garments is highly enviable. Whether appearing in an antique Mandarin Robe with Lanvin mask (Alber Elbaz of Lanvin is a close personal friend) or Dior hand beaded jacket with silk trews, JC displays style that exhibits his well nurtured balance of chic and fun. A gent in the true sense of the word, his impeccable manners, social politesse and unbound appreciation of all things beautiful, has always been admired.

Elliot Garnaut, (main picture, top) student at Whitehouse Institute of Design is a true fashion aficionado. A popular young man, Garnaut possesses a sense of style that far belies his age. A race day outfit recently comprised bold cobalt blue ‘Chinoiserie’ suit embellished with a weave of silver dragons accessorized with a restrained black bow and shoes. Garnaut dresses like a young man from the ‘Belgravia’ set. Smart suits are teamed with designer belts, logoed loafers and well chosen accessories. The look is polished, not ostentatious. Whilst studying, Garnaut also spent a two year tenure in Hong Kong, notably working with Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin and was asked to assist on shoots for Valentino, Loewe and Alfred Dunhill.

Darren Male, senior associate at Buxton Real Estate in Albert Park and co-owner of Together Events, is that old fashioned kind of chivalrous gentleman, a rarity these days. With a coterie of successful businesses and a string of important friends and associates, Male often graces A-list events on the Melbourne social circuit. An admitted ‘bon viveur‘, Male’s look reflects the best, his clothes sharp and tailored, his grooming and manners, impeccable. He favors extremely well cut garments and has a keen eye for detail and accessorizing. Highly confident, Male exhibits a rare ability to mix pattern and color with pleasing results. His clothes are always superbly fitted, extremely polished. Male is well liked and a favorite of the social paparazzi.

Christopher Dunkley runs a highly successful hair Salon in South Yarra. Meddlers has operated for 28 years and Dunkley attends to the hair needs of many a Melbourne mover and shaker. Unbeknownst to most, Dunkley is also philanthropic in the arts scene, a generous supporter and patron of the Australian Ballet for many years. His style is very tailored and displays attributes of being quite continental. Well cut suits or jackets are teamed with bright chinos and loafers and a penchant for bow ties and pocket squares is highly evident. Dunkley’s collection of Tuxedo style jackets has always drawn high praise.

Dean Hewitt is the other half behind the phenomenal Madam Virtue vintage fashion business. He also runs its co-operation,  MISTER HEWITT, a high end, extremely well crafted designer vintage clothing offering for men. Hewitt’s sartorial taste heads toward the eclectic. His ability to pair classic designer with statement accessories, incomparable. His collection of bow ties, which he fashions from vintage designer scarves, are the talk of town and much coveted. Typically, Hewitt will don jeans, an amazing designer statement jacket, smart oxfords, a highly patterned kerchief and an oversized bow to embellish his look. A popular man about town, Hewitt is often seen with his beloved sharpei dog Maude, having libations with friends, or entertaining clients at Madam Virtue. He is an incredible cook, and an invitation to his and partner JC’s intimate but well appointed apartment for dinner is a much sought after ticket.

Godwin Hili, designer and business owner at Godwin Charli, outfits many celebrities and fashionistas. His garments for both ladies and gents are superbly designed, crafted from superior fabrics and highly sought after. His own style exhibits the signature characteristics of his design philosophy. Hili is always seen in well cut and designed garments, with a hint of elegant, well thought out restraint. His look is epitomized by detailed attention to finish, fabrication and superbly selected, well made shoes and accessories. Hili is also a generous man, known for giving back to the community. Recently, for example, he collaborated with students at the Whitehouse Institute of Design on their fundraising event for the Red Cross.

Deon St Mor, entrepreneur behind Mor Cosmetics is quite an enigma. Expansion of business has seen Mor Cometics sold in many countries globally, yet St Mor remains unchanged, down to earth. Happiest when he is around friends or his menagerie of pets, St Mor prefers, unabashedly, to remain elusive. On the occasions that he does venture out, Mor displays a superb sense of style. His well curated wardrobe displays a wealth of well thought out purchases. Never ostentatious, St Mor’s chameleon style may appear rugged and casual at one event, ‘en mode sportif’, then at the next, debonaire in the latest YSL jacket teamed with extraordinary shoes and accessories.

Diana Vreeland, when asked once, what makes men stylish, enthusiastically replied; “He must have style in every shoe and belt buckle and every check of his country suit.” Her friend, Edward Duke of Windsor, also had these pearls to share: “I was in fact produced as leader of fashion, with the clothiers as my show men and the world as my audience”.

It seems the underlying current of developing great style is not to imitate. Rather with conviction and confidence, One should display One’s own personality. And so, to the sartorial spendour of these Melbourne men of style who achieve precisely that, I say Hurrah!

 

(Mr. Singam’s royal wedding review: covetmagazine.com.au/a-royal-wedding)