7 Men's Fragrances Set To Become Future Classics

We all want fragrances with a bit of staying power. But the ability to linger on the skin isn’t the only kind of longevity that’s important when it comes to scents; staying power on the shelf is useful, too.

The amount of fragrances that stick around long enough to enter the olfactory hall of fame, however, is pretty small. “Since commercial perfumery began at the end of the 19th century an average of 250 fragrances have been launched globally each year, but less than 0.2 per cent of these have achieved the status of being classed a true classic,” explains acclaimed British perfumer and fragrance historian Roja Dove.

Spotting a future classic is complicated business – even for those behind the launch. When Paco Rabanne came up with 1 Million in 2008, the brand had no idea it would go on to become one of the bestselling men’s fragrances of all time. “We could not have imagined how successful 1 Million would become,” admits Vincent Thilloy, a vice president at fashion and fragrance firm Puig, which owns Paco Rabanne. “I suppose key to its success, though, was the fact that we took a risk with it, especially with the bottle. Few companies are willing to take real risks these days – but the way I look at it, it’s not taking a risk that’s the risk!”

Terre d’Hermes; Bleu de Chanel; Aramis Classic, all fragrances which seem likely to be around in another 10, 20, 30 years’ time, but what launches of the last few seasons have that elusive ‘future classic’ potential? We asked industry experts to put their money where their nose is.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million

Up first up is the aforementioned bling-in-a-bottle from Paco Rabanne. “1 Million is simply too successful for it to not be a modern classic,” says Dove, of the fragrance that now sells a bottle every five seconds and will be 10-years-old in 2018. “The intensity of the formula combined with the striking name and packaging grab the attention and make it an incredibly impactful perfume that is sure to endure for many years to come.”

The gold bullion is also the choice of Thomas Dunckley, founder of award-wining fragrance blog The Candy Perfume Boy: “It’s had the same impact that Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male had in the 1990s, it has become the scent of a generation,” he says.

“In a sea of freshness and sportiness, this smoky apple-pie gourmand reminded men that they could smell sweet and unique, affording them the luxury of something excessive but undeniably masculine.”

 

Frederic Malle Monsieur

An instant success with the grooming press, Frederic Malle’s Monsieur – the creation of French perfumer Bruno Jovanovic – is one of those niche fragrances that has classic potential spliced into its DNA. Javanovic was the co-creator of Abercrombie & Fitch’s Fierce, but this crisp-yet-sensual mix of mandarin orange, patchouli and musk couldn’t be more different in tone and character.

According to Josephine Fairley, of The Perfume Society, Monsieur owes its future classic potential to the fact it takes a tried-and-tested formula and makes it even better. “Colognes like this are hot news at the moment – but this one truly offers a new spin on that classic structure,” she says. “Suffused with a come-hither musk, I’ve hardly ever met anyone who doesn’t love it, and you can still smell on a chap’s neck 24-hours later.” Staying power in every way then.

 

Dior Sauvage

It may not be a patch on Dior’s Eau Sauvage (a fragrance that’s over 50-years-old and still going strong), but Dior’s behemoth creation Sauvage has to be a future classic contender thanks to its uber-commercial blend of bergamot, lavender, vetiver and ambroxan. Not to mention its (almost inescapable) ad campaign.

“It may have only launched in 2015 but it’s already our number one fragrance for men,” says Hayley Jones, key brand manager at online retailer FeelUnique.

Jones puts the scent’s success down to its wearabilty and versatility: “What gives Sauvage classic potential is the fact that it’s fresh enough for the day but has deeper, woody elements that make it perfect for the evening too.” Having Johnny Depp as the face of its campaign hasn’t exactly harmed its chances either.

 

Dunhill ICON

Naming a fragrance ICON (and spelling it in caps at that) is a bold – some might say foolhardy – move for any company. But instead of inviting ridicule, Dunhill’s confidence in ICON turned out to be well-founded as it garnered almost universally great reviews when it launched just two years ago.

A spicy, leathery and smoky fragrance, it’s as refined and grown-up as the century-old brand and the attention to detail throughout is superb. “What makes this a future classic is the whole package,” says Fairley. “It has one of the most stylish bottles to be unveiled in years (and one that’s hefty, with it), and is a fabulous modern take on the classic, luxurious English gentleman’s scent. It’s one fragrance that will truly live up to its name in years to come.”

 

Christian Dior Leather Oud

“I’ll give my vote to Leather Oud from Dior,” says award-winning fragrance writer, author and blogger Persolaise. Released in 2010 as part of the brand’s initial line-up of Collection Privée scents, it’s one of the most striking examples of what can be achieved when a ubiquitous fragrance note like oud is handled by a talented perfumer – in this case Francois Demachy.

“By linking the central note with an equally dry cypriol facet and combining the lot with honey, cloves and uncompromising animalics, he’s succeeded in creating a masterpiece and one that’s nothing less than a desert storm in a bottle,” Persolaise adds. “I certainly hope it’ll still be in Dior’s range in decades to come.”

 

Byredo Super Cedar

With niche fragrance houses producing some of the best scents of late, there’s a strong possibility that lesser-known fragrances like this one from Swedish perfumer Byredo will endure better than fly-by-night flankers from bigger, better-advertised houses.

“As woody as it gets; once the rosiness of Super Cedar has ebbed away, it’s virile without being overwhelming,” says Fairley. “Pencil-shaving perfection, with nothing not to love. Hipster heaven, actually, but destined for survival long after the last beard’s been shaved off in Shoreditch.”

 

Chanel Allure Homme Sport

Still going strong 13 years after its release, Chanel’s Allure Homme Sport is one of the best-selling (and just one of the best) sport fragrances on the market. “Allure Homme Sport is a modernised variant of a classic vetiver harmony that is successful because it’s quiet,” says Dove. “Like Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofilo, it takes a lot of very classic materials and combines them with interesting modern synthetics one to create something new.”

According to Dove, it’s this spirit of re-invention and innovation that gives many potential classics the edge. “It’s exactly what’s been done with past scents that have endured and become classic,” he says. “They have delivered something innovative and original, which is why they have the potential to be around in 10 years’ time.”

Do you have a fragrance you think has what it takes to become a future classic?

Credit: Lee Kynaston

The 15 Best Trainers Of 2016

Another year (almost) over, another banger-packed assortment of sneakers to slide our feet into. There have been monster releases with queues that have lasted days, unexpected collaborations that have blown our minds, and nice simple designs that have reminded us why we all got into trainers in the first place: they’re just easy, aren’t they?

Thousands of drops from the last 12 months have been whittled down to a final selection of FashionBeans’ favourite trainers of 2016. In no particular order, here they are.

BAIT x Diadora Shrek N9000

Yes, they are movie tie-ins. Yes, Diadora is what your mum used to buy you for school when you wanted Nikes. Yes, Bait is a funny word. But the Shrek N9000 continued the Italian label’s collaboration hot-streak, this time with Dreamworks and the cult West Coast retailer.

Adidas Gazelle GTX London

Designed in pillar box red and black to honour the British capital, the Gazelle London is thankfully kitted out in Gore-Tex tech, making it as waterproof as the name it bears requires. Even in suede, the shoes’ practicality stands out and the low-profile, lightweight structure retains all the support of an athletic shoe, giving you the best of both worlds.

Puma Clyde Select Away

A design that’s barely changed since it graced the oversized feet of NBA legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier in 1973, paired with a bit of gold-leaf on the signature. That’s all that was needed to make these navy trainers – usually such a hit and miss colourway – one of our favourites this year.

Nike Roshe LD 1000

Nike’s lifestyle runner, however controversially, made our list of the ugliest trainers ever made. So how does it appear here as well? Well, this shape is more of a hybrid of that and the Cortez, nicking the former’s construction and the latter’s lines. The result is a banger.

Adidas Skateboarding Busenitz Pro 10-Year Edition

Falling somewhere between a skate shoe and the Adidas Samba, The Busenitz is a trainer way too nice to pretend you can kickflip in.

Clarks Torcourt Super

Clarks Originals’ hurtle into trainer grail territory continued this year with the Torcourt Super. A stacked suede shape with tennis shoe styling and that trademark crepe sole make for a standout shoe that’s been cruelly overlooked by footwear fans.

Highsnobiety x Adidas Consortium Ultra Boost

In March, hype lifestyle publication HighSnobiety hooked up with Adidas to produce the kind of trainers Arnie’s Terminator would wear to his spin-class. A gunmetal knitted upper with a tonal leather lace cage is enough to make anyone say: “I need your clothes, your kicks and your motorcycle.”

Nike Air Max 97 Silver

The 20th anniversary re-release which all of your #GainsGoals are wearing on Instagram are sadly an Italian exclusive. Best book your flights now, then.

Ronnie Fieg Asics Gel Mai Militia

Ronnie Fieg’s friends-and-family issue Asics Gel Mai drop drove fans wild with jealousy in November, and rightly so. The hiking boot ropes, the gym shoe construction, the burnt orange pigskin suede. It was a hit through and through, but at just 750 pairs, was snapped up in no time at all.

Nike Air Max 95 W Multi Pony

*Plays Ginuwine on repeat.* The Air Max 95 is a classic straight from the brain of footwear designer Sergio Lozano, a man who went against all the designs that made Nike, well, Nike. The sneaker may have been ahead of its time when it was first introduced, but this version with the multi-coloured ponyhair detailing is pure 2016.

J.Crew x New Balance Moonshot 997

When J.Crew and New Balance first teamed up, the partnership marked one giant leap for trainer collaborations. Built to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, this year’s Moonshot 997 drop offered enough luxe material to give any sneakerhead a real Buzz. Each pair even came vacuum-sealed in silver packaging, like the food astronauts eat in orbit. Only tastier.

Adidas Stan Smith Primeknit Wool

It would have been too easy to fill this list with all the models that received a Primeknit update this year. However, one kick stood head and shoulders ahead of the herd: the Stan Smith in wool. The design classic’s new standout upper in grey is tastefully contrasted with an off-white sole, making them easily the most wearable of 2016.

Adidas Moskva City Series

Say what you will about its foreign policy but Russia does inspire some pretty cool trainers. Turning a city into a shoe once again, Adidas paid tribute to Moscow with this beefed-up Gazelle profile. A white full-grain leather upper nods to the original colour of the Kremlin walls while the Gore-Tex construction makes it a winner for colder climates.

Beauty & Youth x Reebok Club C

Tokyo retailer Beauty & Youth’s take on the re-emerging Reebok Club C shoe is ultra-soft and incredibly wearable. There’s only one issue: that luxe off-white suede upper just begging to be ruined the first time you wear them.

Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2

Yeah, they’re a little weird looking, ugly even – it’s just a chunky stripe up the side of a plain old Adidas Boost. And yet here we are, how can you have an end of year list without them? It’s the most sought-after shoe of the last 12 months and it’s pretty much totally, totally awful. How dope is that?

 

Credit: Sam Diss

GROOMING FOR MEN

Over the years ,grooming has become a requirement for African men , In the old days it was very easy for a man to not pay attention to his looks , most men used washing detergents on their skin and follwed it up with heavy application of petroleum jelly . it was all one needed in those times to look decent .In the new age however most men have remain sceptical to groom as there were not enough products specially made for men , There is nothing more embarrasing for an African man than to be smelling of sweets, vanilla or to smell of his mother or sister's moisturing lotions or sprays in the midst of his friends .
 These days however, more companies are making provisions for men grooming products, walk into any supermarket and you will be faced with many choices of men moisturing lotions , Nivea for men, Dove for men, Palmers men's lotion , you name it. Same goes for hair cream, shampoo , body sprays and perfumes . Here are a few tips on how to groom yourself from head to toe 

HAIR
While most African men keep a low fade which is very easy to maintain, you will still find a number of men who tend to grow out their hairs ,this can be a little tricky to maintain due to the changing climates in Africa but here are a few steps i have found very useful in grooming my hair . Firstly , to have a Healthy hair  you will need a shampoo to wash your hair regularly, what i have also found useful is to use warm water as this will enable it wash out excess oils on your scalp which if un attended to gives white powdery substance on your scalps which leaves you embarrassed at the barbers and no it is not dandruff and sometimes it is. what is usually means is you need to pay more attention to your scalp whilst washing and making sure there are no soap residue or oil residue on your scalp , It is also useful to use a conditioner so as to enable the hair breathe . Due to excess heat one is bound to lose hair nutrients thereby causing hair to thin out or break in which case it is required to use hair creams , while most people go with obvious choices as coconut oil and shea butter , most men require products that require less maintainance , you can find a variety of products with sulpur or menthol which helps clear dandruff. It is also very useful to have a hat , fedora , face caps for  the outdoors as  dust particles can easily be caught up in your especially if it is very oily.

BODY
While most african men wash themselves atleast once a day , it is important to note that after a days of sweats and dusts your pores are bound to get clogged by dirts ,it is adviseable to take a shower before going to bed , As regards types of body wash or soaps to use ,it is important to note skin type , same also goes for moisturising lotion as using body wash /lotion that is not for your skin type might leave your skin very dry or oily as the case implies .But it is best to not use lotion at night as to enable the skin to beathe .

NAILS
In as much as most people are tempted to chew out their nails when they are anxious , as much as it is unhygenice it is also bad for your nails as it leaves them chaffed and still looking unkept . Most men regard going for a manicure appointment as unnecessary and expensive , there are various ways one can maintain healthy nails without breaking a bank. It is always easy to find a cheap nail cutter that can be used as a key holder so that anytime you have the impulse to chew them you can always use the cutter to trim them . 




Credit: Ismail Ibrahim

5 Boots Every Man Should Own

Winter: the only season that can dampen your style from a stride to a squelch. But no man should suffer a perpetual snail trail. Ditch the trainers, stash away the brogues and lay off the loafers – here are the five essential boots you need in your wardrobe.

Black Chelsea Boots

Although popularised in the Swinging Sixties, Chelsea boots had more regal beginnings – way back with Queen Victoria. Or more specifically, her shoemaker: J. Sparkes-Hall patented the design in 1851, and ma’am was said to wear them on the regular – be it horse-riding or strolling through the palace grounds.

Though you might be more likely to traipse around beer gardens than Buckingham Palace, the core message still stands: these really are as tough as old boots. Not to mention stylish.

“Try a real leather [style] in dark brown or black,” says Giles Farnham, head of personal shopping at River Island. “And, as with any skinned footwear, maintenance is essential. Regular conditioning will ensure your boots age well.”

Example Styles

Suede Desert Boots

Like so many menswear classics, desert boots began in the military. While stationed in Burma during WWII, British officer Nathan Clark (note the surname) noticed officers wearing basic suede boots with crepe soles. Turned out they’d had them specially made in an Egyptian bazaar to withstand the tough desert climate, and clever Nathan, sensing a good idea, brought the idea home to the family business – British shoe giant Clarks.

The suede variation of the chukka boot is now a menswear staple, and while this material requires treatment with a weatherproof coating, they can power through most of what autumn and winter throws at them. Aside from rain. Farnham advises avoiding wet weather at all costs as this can damage even the best quality suede.

“Try your desert boots with a smart denim,” says Farnham. “Perhaps an indigo or raw selvedge, and complete with a crisp inch and a half turn up.”

Example Styles

Hiking Boots

No longer just standard issue for naturists, hiking boots have found a place in the fashion mainstream. But it was a rocky route. Outdoors wear was considered niche apparel until Carhartt WIP popularised the hunter-gatherer trend. From there, the likes of Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Bally followed, showcasing luxury takes on hiking boots for AW14 that skyrocketed what was once a functional piece to the heights of high fashion.

That said, they’re far more than a mere fad. Hiking boots were designed specifically to face the elements and as such, make mush of commuter slush.

When your kicks take a workwear edge, it’s advisable to steer your entire look into tougher territory, says Farnham. “Hardy footwear is best worn with equally hardy clothing, so try styling your boots with a rugged, heavy denim jacket and a chunky knitted cardigan.”

Example Styles

Brown Leather Brogue Boots

The brogue has been a menswear fixture since the dawn of time (well, the 1900s at least). And while brogue boots may be the less traditional footwear option, they’re by no means less versatile. The addition of brogue detailing to a sturdy boot base guarantees a durable anchor that will still chime well with tailoring.

That’s where their strength lies. Brogue boots are a smart and versatile option for those that prefer a sartorial streak to what they put on their feet – no technical features, no metal accents, no Dales-ready design.

“The traditional punch hole detailing means brogue boots look great with heritage pieces, like heavier wool blazers,” says Farnham. “And for extra points, take your trousers to a local tailor and have them slightly cropped and tapered to highlight the boots.”

Example Styles

Work Boots

If brogue boots champion Savile Row, then work boots skew more building site. Which, in 2016, isn’t all brick dust, arse cracks and well-thumbed issues of Nuts magazine.

Thanks to the likes of Timberland, your dad’s work boots are hot property, with the brand having blown up thanks to hip-hop’s finest (Diddy, Kanye and Biggie have all sported their own pair in the past).

True, they may not sit pretty with suiting, but worker boots are the perfect foundation to a jeans-tee combo. (Same can’t be said for that hi-vis jacket, though.)

“As with hiking boots, keep your look rugged,” says Farnham. “A pair of work boots are your statement, so a white tee, bomber jacket and grey marl sweatshirt will balance your look.”

Example Styles

 

 

 

Credit: Murray Clark