Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010

By PAUL McINNES

Special to The Japan Times

Marc Jacobs' 'Bang'

It's time to reflect on the past year in anticipation of the one ahead. A new scent is one way to freshen up or change direction. Marc Jacobs' new men's fragrance "Bang" is heavy on pepper with benzoin resin, vetyver, white moss, patchouli and a woody finish. The bottle design is novel and striking, just like the young Mr. Jacobs who appears naked in the ad campaign shot by world renowned fashion photographer Juergen Teller. The "Bang" collection also includes deodorant, after-shave balm, and hair and body wash if you are keen on a loved one embracing a complete makeover.

Black Fleece ties

You could put it down to the success of the "Mad Men" TV series or the continuing appeal of the American preppy look, but Brooks Brothers and designer Thom Browne are on a roll at the moment. Their collaborative project Black Fleece has all the trademarks of Browne (one magazine wrote that he resembles a late 1950s insurance adjuster) with the classic American-style that Brooks Brothers has embodied for nearly 200 years. An ideal stocking filler for the men in your family would be a 2.5 inch-wide Black Fleece tie to channel the Don Draper look, or for the kookier customer a jockey-stripe bow-tie.

Marc Jacobs' Bang (50 ml: ¥7,350, 100 ml: ¥10,500) is available at Marc Jacobs stores and most department stores. Black Fleece ties begin from around ¥18,000, bow ties from ¥13,000 and are available at their stores, other ties are available online at shop.brooksbrothers.co.jp.

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