Renhsen Louis jeans

Tested and approved the 18 May 2013 by

Today I am honored to present you another French denim brand, with slightly slanted eyes. It is Renhsen, a French jeaner creater in 2005 by Mickaël Mouangué and his wife Judith. Simple initial observation, at that time it was practically impossible to find quality jeans coming from a French brand. Inspired by the 1960-70s, by their travels (USA, Japan), Mickaël who grew up surrounded by fashion, and passed his passion to his wife later, decided to launch their own denim brand. I’ve put the Louis cut on the test bench:

jean renhsen louis

The jeans

Since few weeks I’ve received my Louis, freshly “baked” in the Okayama workshop of the brand, in Japan – kind of a Mecca of denim. It’s a basic 5 pocket straight cut trousers made of a 14.5 oz raw selvedge denim, meaning it is really thick, heavy and rigid. By this way, know that manufacturing a pair of Renhsen jeans requires 2.50 meters of fabric, which is around two times more than any classic jeans. “Raw” means that the fabric wan’t treated, so yarns forming the fabric are still soaked with their natural indigo color, meaning that as you wear the jeans, or if you wash them, this color will fade leaving then white marks.

boutton jeans renhsen

jeans renhsen zip ykk

zip ykk jeans renhsen

The product is extremely well finished, sewing points are perfectly made and the jeans leaves an impression of sturdyness. Details are appreciable: the label inside, the rivets, this horizontal trimming on the back pockets in a slightly different blue and the selvedge finish (which still makes quite an impression). The Louis also has a firmly sewn YKK zip, rivets strenghtening the font pockets and a leather tab with the brand logo. Easy to see that we are talking about real quality jeans.

renhsen label

jeans renhsen pockets

jeans renhsen detail

patch jeans renhsen

renhsen selvedge detail

Test

When unpacking the plastic wraping the jeans, a first thought comes: the postman got me a wrong package, it is well too rigid! Well, there’s actually no mistake, my jeans are here, as rigid as a cardboard. The fabric will untighten wearing them, leaving some scars on the hips and at the knee pits. That’s fortunate, this is the only way we like them! First try, the Louis has a straight cut, like a good old 501. I confess I was expecting a slimmer cut, but in some way, things are better like that, it’ll make a bit of a change for once.

jeans renhsen fit

jeans renhsen worn

Like told before, they are really rigid and leave their marks on my body, a bit like a new pair of shoes you wear for the first time. But the fabric gets softer after few times wearing the jeans, and they quickly become really comfortable after around 5 days wearing them. I have picked my usual size (32/34 for 187cm, 6.15 ft) and the jeans fit perfectly now, after 3 months.

pockets renhsen jeans

I’m rolling up hems (3 times to really say) which gets the fit slimmer. For the moment, small fades start to appear from the knees, and I haven’t washed them yet (I’m planning at least 6 month wearing them 3/4 times in a week before any wash). Like one says: “each wash gets you new jeans”. That’s really good jeans, I happy with them even if I’m thinking about altering the legs by a retoucher (fyi : until then I was wearing a pair of Naked & Famous SkinnyGuy). Tested and approved then!

jeans renhsen selvedge detail

Where to find some?

Renhsen’s distribution remains restricted to few retailers. Today, the Louis RSB I have tested is out of stock on L’Exception store http://renhsen.lexception.com, but when you look for such quality jeans, better is to try them before. Renhsen showroom: 22 rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris.

Ps : the Louis exist in grey, black and blue, all three in selvedge. Sizes: from 27 to 36, legs=34.

recommended price   €240

at L'Exception

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A nice camera bag

Fashion the 17 May 2013 by

Finding a good alternative to the traditional camera bag (Vaguard, Lowepro…) can quickly be a hard task. It is known, as you start to get more photo stuff : a performant camera body, various lenses and plenty accessories, acquiring a special bag to carry everything appears to be an essential thing. However, practical, quality and nice design are some features you can rarely find in only one bag. Until today, you may have been lazy going out of your convenient camera store, so we did the job for you:

1 herringbone photo bag

Brand: Herringbone
Price: from €229 to €399, depending on the model

Description:
With their vintage style, Herringbones camera bags are made of a very soft full grain leather. They all feature many pockets and customizeable details. The inside is padded and it has removeable compartments.

2 bilingham-camera-bag

Brand: Billingham
Price: From £137 (€170) to £466 (€578) for the biggest size

Description:
Billingham creates waxed cotton bag since 1973 from their factory located in central England, around Birmingham. Originally, the brand only proposed fishing bags, hence such a construction. When in 1978, Martin Billingham who was himself an amateur phototographer discovered some Newyorkese guys carrying their camera in fishing bags, then he decided to convert its brand activity into camera bags manufacturing.

3 garbstore-camera-bag

Brand: Garbstore
Price: €200

Description:
Since summer 2012 the English from garbstore propose a camera bag range with two available sizes. it’s all manufactured in the UK. Bags are made of thick cotton and feature nice leather details. The inside has removeable padded compartments you can change according to your lense(s) size. On the contrary to most bags, Garbstore played a colorful card, which is likeable.

4 hardgraft-camera-bag

Brand: Hard Graft
price: €440

Description:
Those who already know Hard graft may have difficulties keeping themselves from visiting their website on a regular basis, keeping on their head the idea to finally own one of their bag someday. For the others, know that it is an English high-end accessory brand with a distinctive minimalis design. Felt, nice leather and an awesome render for this accessory specialist who just released its first camera bag. It is made of vegetally tanned leather and features a removeable compartment. It is nice, expensive and we regret that it wasn’t released in a bigger size (dimentions: 19cm x 13cm x18cm).

5 domke-bag

Brand: Domke
Price: from €124,90 to €289,90

Description:
In general popular from advanced photographers, Domke bags were created to answer specific needs: carrying photo equipment. Jim Domke created the first bag, in search for praticity, sturdyness and reactivity. All made in the US, the range offers bags in many sizes.

6 kalahari-photo-sac

Brand: Kalahari
Price: from 29€

Description:
During a safari in Botswana, John and Elaine Dugmore felt the growing need of a tent repairs service. So they launched using one only sewing machine, which was really not enough to repair the huge pile of tents standing in front of them. So they decided to work upstream, creating better end products. Kalahari’s camera bag range is not the most beautiful of all, but above all one of the less expensive made of sturdy cotton and offering many sizes.

7 ona bags the-union-street-camera-bag

Brand: Ona bags
Price: from €200 to €320

Description:
Since 2010, Tracy Foster decided to launch his own bag brand for photographers who also care about their style. Premium materials: full grain cowhide leather, waxed canvas and reused copper, are used to make Ona Bags. With a very classic schoolbag, messenger bag style, they allow carrying up to 3 lenses (7 for the backpacks).

8 moore-gilles-camera-bag

Brand: Moore & Giles
Price: €483

Description:
Experts in leather since 1933, Moore & Giles started producing shoes upper, soldes and leather linings, all coming from local tanneries (then international). Only in 2007, the brand starts to focus on accessories. They propose two leather bag models, the Lew above is one of them. It really is beautiful and was created in partnership with a famous photographer: Rick Lew. The bag mixes waxed cotton and leather, the inside has customizeable compartments and a lot of space to carry up to 6 lenses. It is on of our favourites.

9 property-of-camera-bag

Brand: Property of…
Price : €219

Description:
The Singapore brand Property Of… launched their first camera bag this year with the Thomas style. made of waxed cotton, it is ideal to carry a reflex and two lenses with its 3 compartments. It also features an outside pocket, a resists to water. Cool thing, 5 colors are available: beige, black, grey, olive and orange.

10 tanner-goods-camera-bag

Brand: Tanner Goods
Price : €270

Description:
Since 2012 the American handmade leather expert Tanner Goods added a bag dédicated to photographers in their range. The outfits is made of a sturdy cotton with few leather details. The inside is in felt, ideal to cushion all shocks involved when carrying such a fragile item. The bag isn’t that large, it can have 2/3 lenses maximum.

CONCLUSION

A thing you’ve now understood, budget for a camera bag vary. Like usual one would say: the more you need a large bag, the higher budget you should have. But actually the “larger and more expensive” does not really work here as it will depend on the material quality your chosen bag will be made of (just like when you buy a regular bag :x). It you have nice camera bag ideas, please feel free to share ;).

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Monjuic à l’anglaise

Looks the 16 May 2013 by

Even on a trip, the “Driver” I am couldn’t imagine shooting his first series without a sizeable accessory, a car! Rather than jumping into the first random Seat, I had my heart set on this MG B GT. It is not that I have any complaint against the Spanish brand, but I could only succumb to the charms of this right-hand-drive pure English car! The inside exudes authenticity, just turn the ignition key and it’s quick off the mark. Once the bottom gear is engaged, here I am, leavin for a wild ride on Montjuic’s heights driving my coupé designed by Pinin Farina.
max keys car

max driving mg

max driving

mg arrival max

Willing to save the energy of my one-day beloved, I’m taking a break to gaze at the beautiful panorama in front of me. The Montjuic hill overlooks the port and the old city, the weather is clement and the outfit suits the circumstance. A light shirt, jeans matching my car and espadrilles enhancing the magical feel and the of this place. I just want this moment to last, I have my bag made of automotive recycled fabric with the necessary to hit the road few more days in my beloved English. Lost in my thoughts, I just hope my MG’s upholstery won’t be converted into a wallet.

max mg

max and his mg

mg max belt

max espadrilles

mg max bag

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, the time gets me back to reality, hour has come to go back home. The real owner is waiting for her, worried seeing his car leaving with a stranger, even with a “driver” like me. The trip back goes downhill, the sunroof leaves a soft wind going through my hair. I’m almost home, enjoying the few last minutes of this short English break on the Catalan lands.

max sunroof

mg-max-departure

Shirt: Melinda Gloss
Jeans: IKKS
Espadrilles: Cap Espardenya
Sunglasses: Persol
Belt: Wrangler
Bag: Entre 2 Rétros
Car: MG B GT

Big thanks to Basile for the car and Joe for shooting
Also fin Max on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/max.ditLeChauffeur

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The Gatsby Style

Entertainment the 15 May 2013 by

A new version of The Great Gatsby was released this week. More than the challenge of turning a bestselling book into a movie adaptation, putting into pictures what is the Gastby style appears to be relevant to us. For all those who had the chance reading the original book – I would recommend it – from Francis Scott Fitzgeral, the author of a real monument of litterature stages Gatsby, a young Newyorkese millionaire living and enjoying the 1920s prosperous years. Gastby fascinates as much for his charisma as for his way to dress. We are going to focus on this last point.

LeonardoDiCaprio_Gatsby

Many adaptations of The Great Gatsby were made over the years. We will decrypt two of them: the 1974 directed by Jack Clayton featuring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow and of course, the one released this week by Baz Luhrmann starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Careil Mulligan.

Ralph Lauren took care of 1974 Gatsby’s suits. His work on such a movie allowed Mr Ralph Lauren promoted him among the highest realms of international tailoring. In 2013, a brand we all know being the most emblematic of Americans’ formal wardrobe, Brooks Brothers dressed Leonardo DiCaprio. This is a real match between two high-end tailors to compare these two version of the Great Gatsby.

The 1974 versus 2013 match, Robert versus Leo, Ralph Lauren versu Brooks Brothers, Gatsby versus Gatsby can now start.

The countryside weekend

weekend gatsby

Leaving for a weekend in a cabriolet, no way wearing the same blue or grey suit as during the week. Here, Robert Redford opted for a brown suit as Leonardo DiCaprio chose a 3 pieces beige suit. Note that Leo would rther prefer 3 pieces suits all along his Gatsby incarnation. Robert’s boots are perfect for a weekend in the English countryside. Leonardo’s boater hat adds a holiday/relaxation touch to his outfit as the cane adds some dandy – like he needed that. Robert’s outfit suits more for a autumn/winter weekend as Leonardo’s is more adapted to spring/summer.

Advantage: Gatsby 2013
Piece making the difference: the boater hat

The Rendez-vous

rendez vous gatsby

A specialist may have advised Gatsby to dress on his first meeting, the guy just don’t kid with that! The 3 pieces linen suit is emblematic from the 1920s, both Gatsby follow the rule. To add a touch of color to some dull outfit, bet on a pocket square, cufflinks or the tie. By this way, we love Leonardo’s club tie.

In both cases, the actors wear what’s called a pin collar. It is a small bar allowing to raise the tie knot, its edges can be seen on the pictures. Generally, it is possible to ask for this specific collar for tailored shirts, with small rounded eyelets embroidered like buttonholes.

Advantage: Gatsby 2013
Piece making the difference: the pin collar and the club tie

The reception

reception gatsby 1974

reception gatsby 2013

The ideal occasion to get your smoking out of the closet. A tuxedo is certainly the hardest kind of suit to wear properly. Constrained by codes, this outfit don’t offer many options. Both Gatsby follow the rule: a silk/satiny small notched lapel and a black bow tie. A smoking has to be worn with a white bib shirt. Collar can be both “wing” like Robert Redford’s one and “turndown” like Leonardo DiCaprio. I rather prefer wing collars, matching greatly bib shirts. Three pieces smoking are quite rare, but that’s no really part of the tuxedo’s philosophy: a faux pas? Almost.

Advantage: Gatsby 1974
Piece making the difference: the wing collar shirt

Conclusion

End of the match, let’s count points, and the victory goes to Leonardo DiCaprio, even with a flagrant faux pas for the smoking. Enjoy your movie guys ;)

The whole Gatsby closet (2013 version) is available at http://www.brooksbrothers.com

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Biotherm bronze High Recharge self-tanner

Men's Beauty the 14 May 2013 by

Last cosmetics I’ve been testing: the Power Bronze High Recharge from Biotherm, an anti-fatigue moisturizing gel with a small amount of self-tanning. As most of tanning products are usually too powerful for my white skin, I was really curious to see how this product would work!

The High recharge range

The anti-fatigue range from Biotherm is called “High Recharge” and features 4 different products among which this one. The whole range comes in a highly-recognizable red packaging, symbol of energy (but also passion, yes!).

autobronzant-autobronzant

Instructions

The tube is made of a supple plastic, the gel is white and fluid enough to be applied on the whole face with a knob of product only. Reminder: always clean your face before using a self-tanner, avoid the eyes, eyebrows and the roots of your hair.

Test

As the product only has a small amount of self-tanner, the smell remains discreet which is a good point for those who usually dislike this kind of smell (- ugh!). Most of all, the product meets its expectations: benefits of a moisturizer and a natural healthy complexion! The kind of product leaving you fully satisfied as you don’t dwell upon the ingredients! Properly priced and efficient, that’s all you need here ;)

recommended price   £11.95

at Amazon

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