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October 03, 2006
Sprezzatura!
Was pleasantly surprised to be contacted by Esquire Magazine last week. They wanted to send me a copy of their newly-launched magazine The Big Black Book - what they described as "the comprehensive guide to living an extraordinary life."
They came across my other blog, http://blog.mensfolio.com, which talks about nothing but men's accessories, and they wanted me to do sorta like a review on the guide. It's all part of their buzz marketing efforts through blogs.
Anyway I received the magazine today that flew in all the way from New York City (Makes me feel important. I know...I'm pathetic!). Haven't really got round to doing a "book review" but I really liked this section called Sprezzatura. It's an Italian word coined in the 16th-century. Supposedly it means, in their words, "a certain nonchalance which conceals all artistry and makes whatever one says or does seem uncontrived and effortless".
They said: "The ultimate ambition of elegant male style is working hard to look as if you don't give it a thought at all."
The statement is so true. It's pure hypocrisy I know. But it's so true.
Fond memories of sprezzatura include:
Shopping at H&M on 5th Avenue in a plain white T and blue jeans and my Ekin sunglasses when a H&M staff came up to me and asked where I got my sunglasses and I gave him the God-I-can't-remember-where-I-got-this look.
Shopping with Yaofeng at Mossimo Dutti at Ngee Ann City wearing my DSquared sneakers and the cute and smart-looking Malay salesperson serving Yaofeng said to me "Sir, I love your shoes" and I frowned and looked down and gave him the What-Shoes-Am-I-Wearing-Today? look.
Ok...enough hypocrisy for the day (or rather I can't think of any other instances).
Posted by loganw at October 3, 2006 02:22 PM
