pharis

An increasing number of shops in London start on Boxing Day now and you'll find the odd few who start their sales in the last few days before Christmas. Be warned: it's manic.

I use Toes on the Nose and Quicksilver for surfing and no-gi sparring. They've taken a good thrashing so in terms of durability and quality I highly recommend them.

Osklen from Brazil make cool looking boardies but the quality of the workmanship is questionable.

Vilebrequin seem to do well among the Europeans who frequent the Rivieras.

Santiago at the Design Suites & Towers in Buenos Aires was amazing when we were in the city. He pointed my girlfriend and I in the right direction for city's best shopping and nightlife. He made us feel like Portenos

The chap at JK Place in Florence is clued up on what's doing in the city, ditto the French bloke at Novecento in Venice. Sorry I can't remember their names.

In general, I've always been impressed with the concierges at the Four Seasons' hotels - NYC, Milan, Tokyo and Sydney in particular.

The guy at the Princeville in Kauai deserves a notable mention, although it might not make your list for city concierges.

I have one and I would best describe the cut as "fitted". I think it's because the Italian owners have stayed true to the original motorcyle jacket style. There are not supposed to be any gaps for the wind to get into when you're on a bike. You might want to try a large size with a 40R, unless you plan to ride a bike.

The London store is pretty amazing. They have Black Prince replica jackets. I couldn't find one for love nor money in Italy.

In Italy Malo, Agnona and Loro Piana make some nice stuff but they are pricey. I have a Malo jumper but the cashmere is supersoft and it pills easily. In my opinion, Ballantyne make the best quality and most durable cashmere gear around today. However, I think the quality of cashmere has generally declined in the last two decades and mass production hasn't helped either.

I like the La Martina polo shirts. I get a load when I'm in Buenos Aires where they cost a fraction of what they do in the States and Europe. They're good quality and don't fade quickly in the wash

These are mine, in no order of preference:

On the Road - Jack Kerouac

Aesop's Fables

The Tempest - Shakespeare

Candide - Voltaire

Essays - Montaigne

James Thurber - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Evelyn Waugh - Waugh Abroad: The Collected Travel Writing

Diary of a Nobody - George and Weedon Grossmith

Mark Twain - Tramp Abroad

EM Forster - Abinger Harvest

Pharis

Kate Moss = style icon. I've seen Lenny Kravtiz around NYC a few times. I think he's a funky dresser

Posto 9, Ipanema, Rio

Punte del Este - Uruguay

Camp Cove - Sydney

Cottesloe - Perth

Camps Bay - Cape Town

Secret Beach or Hanalei - Kauai, Hawaii

The Pretty Things - Midnight to Six Man

Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye

Luciano Ligabue - Fuori Come Va?

Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Smashing Pumpkins - 1979

Powderfinger - My Happiness

The Who - Pinball Wizard

Oasis - Rock and Roll Star

Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing

Led Zep - Whole Lotta Love

Heathrow Airport

Queen's Tennis Club

The Royal Academy

Any book shop

Second hand shops or antique markets

I have spent most of my adult life in London and it has lots of culture, energy and ideas.

Matthew made a good point about places being cool because of the people you know, however, I constantly struggle to find anything sensible or worthwhile to do in Monaco when I'm there, regardless of whom I'm with. It gets my vote for being superficial and boring - even during the F1 GP weekend.

I thought this was a forum for discussing ideas and thoughts, not trading woefully unimaginative insults...................

Camper have some groovy Inuit Indian inspired boots this winter. Not to everyone's taste but they are very warm and comfortable.

Or, Trickers on Jermyn Street in London do Brogue boots. Couple those with a pair of cashmere socks and your lower extremties will feel as warm as a piece of toast.

The Italian Job (original sixties film with Michael Caine)

The Twilight Samurai

Lost in Translation

Snatch

Pulp Fiction

Leaving Las Vegas

The Odd Couple

L'Appartement

Subway (the 1985/6 French film)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Confidence

A Shot in the Dark (one of the first Pink Panther films)

Any Beat Takeshi film

Il Postino (for the beautiful scenery and colours)

Cinema Paradiso

Beruit

Try Wasteland at 7428 Melrose Avenue. I found a vintage Lee Stormrider jacket in mint condition there. They also have store on Haight in SF.

If you're heading to London, we have plenty of vintage stores. The English are good at throwing together the old and new.

Pharis

notebook and pen

pocket torch

Swiss Army Knife

Occasionally a cell phone

And always a sense a humour

There might be kudos attached to wearing a £200 designer label shirt on a night out but give it to a homeless person on a cold evening and he or she would think it useless and a gross waste of money. I'm sure the same would apply on a steamy night too. I think I fall somewhere between the two. I don't mind paying a little extra for quality and function but not over the odds. I'd rather spend the difference on good books or a weekend away.

I think those who spend thousands of pounds/dollars on clothes to look good will easily be out-trumped by someone with a great body and posture. If you have both then lucky you!

Sailing along the Italian Riviera

Prada (comfortable shoes)

Edward Green (very English and pricey)

Adidas (love the originals, Y3 and the Oki-Ni collaberations)

Tods (makes me feel like a well dressed Italian..........in my dreams, at least)

Fausto Santini (unusual but beautiful designs)

I have a white Triple Crown Edition G-Shock which I bought in Hawaii. It's a great everyday watch and been on tour with me many times. Wouldn't mind a vintage 1969 Rolex Daytona but they cost as much as a mid-range car in London. Definitely a lot cooler than the new shiny Daytonas.

L'Otel on Darlinghurst Road is a great little boutique hotel. They've sound-proofed the rooms on the lower floors so you can't hear the loud music coming from the hotel bar

The Four Seasons on George Street - usual Four Seasons high standard

Park Hyatt - below the Harbour Bridge and across the water from the Opera House. Fabulous views

The Stafford serviced appartments are not bad if you don't like the hustle and bustle of hotels. It's set on Harrington street, one over from from George St in the Rocks. Circular Quay and the Museum of Contemporary Arts are 200m away. The one bedroom suits/appartments on the 6th floors have the best views of Circular Quay and the Opera House. Not as expensive as the Four Seasons or the Park Hyatt and the views are just as good.

There's a W hotel, I think it's in Woollomoloo. Not stayed there but I hear it's good

Sadly, the Sebel has long since gone. It was the best and the service was unbelievable. They would do anything for you. No request was too big an ask

This article about bronzers was in today's Times Supplement

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,590-1150076,00.html

Edited by chad on Jun 21, 2004 at 03:52 PM

In no order:

London

Melbourne

New York

Florence

Tokyo

Dubai

San Francisco

Buenos Aires

Paris

Stockholm

Eric

WH Smith on the Rue de Rivoli (just off the Place de la Concorde) has a good selection of English magazines.

In London, try RD Franks Ltd on Market Place (on the corner of Great Titchfield St). It's very close to Borders on Oxford St. This shop has fashion mags galore.

Pharis