Categories
Fashion

Doing the Eyes

From behind the scenes at the Dimitri Show we got this quick video of a model getting her eyes dome before hitting the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin.

Thanks to Canon Camera. for Legria HF G30

Categories
Fashion Technology

Smart Tech Accessory

A tech, style, and fashion accessory in the form of the elegant Micro Fiber Zip Tablet Case for iPad is functional as well as practical for carrying your favorite personal or professional hardware.   Included with the ABS shell is a versatile 360 degree swivel for rotating a technical device or placing it in a upright kickstand position.  Idea for a business setting, I used it on my travel to the beach and on train for casual reading and Internet surfing.

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We used the Filofax on the beach but it is good for business settings too.

Filofax has made an affordable, smart tech accessory for those of us on the go.
Microfiber Zip Tablet Case (Grey), £38

For more information go to Filofax.com

As a run up to IFA Berlin keep checking for more tech articles.

Categories
Fashion

Encore 24 Musicians rally around “Black Lives Matter

From Black and Paper’s media partner France 24 Encore comes a story of support for Black Lives Matter from leading musicians.

Click on the link below:

http://www.france24.com/en/20160718-music-black-lives-matter-police-violence-alexis-taylor-piano-fnac-live-festival

Categories
Travel

Surf’s Up

The Baltic Coast of Germany is known for the historic trade of the Hansa League, a federation of shipping states that controlled commerce from Russia to England, historical references are everywhere.

However, the past is not the only thing on offer in the region, if you are searching for something more modern, sexy, and active like a bit of surfing this is the place. Kitsurfing is a popular recreation because of the strong wind conditions with young and old hitting the surf in the afternoons.  These guys and ladies move over the water at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.

Many schools, rental shops, and clubs dot the coastline.

Categories
Fashion

Swatch Summer Shades

Swatch introduced a colorful collection of affordable Sunglasses some with changeable frames making a pair an expressive accessory.

I wore two pair for two Fashion Weeks.  I got compliments.

For more information go to Swatch.com

Categories
Fashion

Summer Shades

August Shades

 

 

Sunglasses are modern accessories that can transform appearances as while as alter the wearers identity, a play tool of outward expression.

A Brief History

Sunglasses evolved from two sources: 18th century Venice tinted green eye wear glasses were used for protecting residents from the glare of the water.  Forward to the 20th century eye wear evolved to Driving Goggles and Aviator Glasses of World War One.  Today there are many choices in shapes, colors, and materials to fit every taste.

This is the season for sunglasses. I decided to have a conversation with my local eye wear specialist at Schoenhelden in Berlin.

What is the trend this season ?

Round lenses with mirrors, small sizes.  Mirror colors are blue, silver,

green and gold. Gradient colors for women, top of the frame is dark but fades downward, very feminine. Red frames are out!

What details should wearers look for when buying sunglasses?

Polarizing Lens are relaxing for the eyes because they cut the sun glare.  This is good for driving on the road or the reflection from the water.

Hygiene care is important.  Nose Pads! It drives us crazy. If they are made of silicon they become dirty and discolored from sweat and bacteria.  Metal is better.  If the pads are too small the glasses hang incorrectly on the face.

Are there any specific recommendations for buyers on shapes and styles?

In general when a person buys a pair of sunglasses he or she want to look good so buying frames depend on the facial shape.

For the Face Recommendations: Heart Shape Face: Round Frame, Square Face Contrast Shape, Frames like Aviator Style, Round Face-Square Frames, Oval-Many styles

Now there is bespoke fitting technology for the sunglasses, a pair is specifically fitted for the face.

The style of frames depends on what statement you want to make

Aviator Cool, Sexy, Masculine, Wayfarer-Classy, Wraparounds-Sporty, Youthful, Athletic, Oversize-Dramatic, Tea Shade-Modern Hip Special

Are there any special brands?

We have noticed people are moving away from big names, those are not about quality but more about a brand. Individualism is now the trend. We love IC Berlin, Munic Eyewear, and Eyevan. Eyevan has special high quality details.  Munic has products that feel and look good.  IC Berlin merges Fashion, Unique Style and Tech. Julbo from France is popular with young people.

For information on finding the perfect sunglasses contact our consultants: info@schoenhelden.de

 

Categories
Book Review

A Dream Turns Into A Nightmare

24485Has the Euro become a one way love affair? An affair capable of  strangling democracy for the cause of a flawed path wrapped in hubris.  Journalist and Authors Larry Elliott and Dan Atkinson examine in their book, Europe Isn’t Working, the inception, birth, and growth of a fairy tale currency planned to bring unity, jobs, and prosperity to the continent but instead has morphed into a economic straight jacket of uncertainty.  How did so many smart people get it so wrong?

The Black and Paper Interview.

Can you explain the European left remained silent while Greece was forced into economic and political submission?

I would suggest that the awful truth proved by the Greek debacle – that there was nothing remotely progressive about the single currency – was simply too much to bear.

With the UK leaving the EU, has the Eurozone been placed in a corner regarding Greece?   There is no option but for Greece to stay in the Zone.

I do not think there was ever much prospect of Greece leaving the euro, although a debt default was certainly on the cards for a while. We hear that the Greek government is unhappy with Brexit but it ought to ask why it is that it will not and never has countenanced leaving the euro.

How did the Euro evolve into a Neo-Liberal Trojan Horse?

It bore the imprint of the times in which it was created, the high water-mark of the free-market era. Furthermore, the currency was dreamed up by central bankers in cahoots with commercial bankers and industrialists, so its character is not all that surprising.

You wrote that the Technocrats are more interested in the financial class than the middle class. France just forced through new labour reform laws, is this legislation an example?

Yes, probably. From the outset, the euro-zone members have been told they need to “reform” their “sclerotic” welfare states. That was a big sell” for the euro for banking and big busness.

There are some bad guys and one lady in particular in your book, Merkel.  She is credited with being a stabilizing force in Europe but according to you she has been the opposite.  Can you expand on this?

Anyone who tries to strengthen the euro-zone is a force for instability simply because the euro is itself a force for instability. Mrs Merkel is no better or worse in this regard than other leaders, she is simply more powerful, thus generates more instability.

The Italian Job, presently, there are rumblings concerning Italian Banks and their level of exposure.  Is this the next Euro Zone Crisis?  How do you expect Monti to handle this?

We have been told on and off for five years that Italian banks would be the next domino to fall. It may happen, but if not there then another chunk of masonry in the euro-zone – to mix metaphors – will surely fall off.

After Brexit, the EU institutions have dug in and decided to maintain course, was this a surprise?

No. The EU proceeds by failure. The common market didn’t work so we “needed” a single market. That didn’t work, so we “needed” a single currency. That doesn’t work so the euro-zone “needs” a single fiscal policy. When that fails, the euro-zone will “need” a single government.

European Union officials appear as guilty as their American counterparts as far as the corporate revolving door; Barroso was hired by Sachs, what happened to the outcry?

I don’t really have a view on this. Larry? EU leaders are just as keen as jumping on the gravy train as US leaders. I would say the anti-establishment, anti-elite sentiment on both sides of the Atlantic has been fueled by the idea that the people at the top have done all right for themselves while ordinary people have not.

With many countries in stagnation in the Eurozone: France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Finland, why is there still a romance with the Euro?

I refer you to some of the enclosing words of our book:

At the end of Europe’s tormented 20th Century, scarred by the Great War, the Depression, the Second World War, the Holocaust and the Cold War, a visible, tangible symbol of the continent’s renaissance was at hand. Who with even a scrap of idealism could resist its charms?

We go on to say that it is always a bad idea to invest what are bits of economic machinery with emotional force. One should simply ask whether the mechanism works or not. The euro does not.

I will post my book review shortly.  To obtain a copy of Europe Isn’t Working go to  your local bookstore or order from Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Fashion

Armani Fall Menswear 2016

EMPORIO ARMANI went with loose pants and sportswear with exotic and futuristic details.

Classic Looks with subtle shades and cuts fitted to the figure. Of course the luxury fabrics were on display in the forms of sweaters and other outerwear  pieces.

Categories
Technology

My Parrot Experiences

Parrot Bebop Drone

BEBOP_DRONE_2_Packshot_RED_front_01_copieWe had a good time testing our first drone, The Bebop Drone by taking baby steps. Nothing too fancy or daring only a run in our local parks.   It is easy to operate by downloading the app to a smartphone then connecting to the device with WIFI.  Maneuverable with 4 three blade propellers enables a top horizontal speed of 37mph.  The drone also has a fish eye -vertical stabilizing camera lens in front capable of live streaming. On a fully charged lithium battery the flight time can be 25 minutes.

The Bebop control interface is simple to use on screen, just a tilt to direct the movement of the drone or touch the button to bring it down safely.

Being the first time using a drone we decided not to push it to the limits but only do the basic ups and downs.  Conclusion: A cool device, people noticed.  It is for kid in us who liked electric trains.

Images Part 1 & 2

Parrot Zik 3

Parrot_Zik3_OVERSTITCHED_IVORY

Soft croc leather headphones, stylish, hi tech with sharp, brilliant sound, the Parrot Zik 3 headsets is collaboration between the brand and designer Philippe Starck.  Offering many elements from touch sensitive controls on the ear pieces, noise cancellation, with a replaceable battery this is the most advanced headset I have used.  Comfortable over the ears fit, wireless, mean a premium listening experience.   I went into my own world, the headphones do all the work by adjusting based on the noise levels in the surrounding environment.

The design aspects attracted me to the brand a distinctive look that looked high quality, sleek without the  overt branding of other headphones.  The devices design style is the brand, making it more individualistic tech piece.

Downloadable App for smartphones for the control panel is available.  Using the app allows the user to monitor sound levels and other features.   Wireless with an optional cord for connecting to a device, a rechargeable battery Li-lon are included.

Recommendation: Yes, these headphones are worth the price if you are looking for best of the best.

For more information go to:Parrot.com

Categories
Fashion

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Part 2

Images and from Postsdamer Platz.

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Images and Video by Canon Cameras