Not to sound alarmist, but today is the big day. With the calendar ticking over to November 25, we’re officially one month out from Christmas. If you haven’t started your shopping yet, there’s good news. Black Friday is still running, offering a swathe of big discounts on brands you know your family and friends will love. If you are anything like me and have no friends, however, it’s also a pretty solid time to treat yourself. I already have and so too have the Man of Many team. Here is what we scored this week as part of our Staff Favourites. Check it out.
Champion Fast Food Collection
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
Fashion served in a pizza box? Sounds like an odd combination but I have to say when I opened up the new Champion Fast Food Collection, I magically transformed into Samuel L. Jackson from Pulp Fiction, aggressively exclaiming ‘Now those are some tasty threads!”. The new Champion Fast Food Collection is available in a range of delicious designs and genderless sizes with socks to match, so you can cook up a fit in all weather.
Best of all, these t-shirts take the long-body design silhouette of ’90s Champion apparel and adorn them with some seriously fresh new graphics. I love a tall-boy T-shirt, so this one was right up my alley and I have to admit, the pizza box packaging was surprisingly chic. If this was an Uber Eats order, I’d be giving it five stars.
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CREMO – Original Concentrated Shave Cream
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
I know. I’m bald. But I’m also hairy, and that means despite not having hair on my noggin, I still have to shave my face regularly. I’ve always been a user of the Gillette gel or shaving foam in a can, but recently have been trying out this concentrated shave cream from CREMO and oh my god, it’s great. You only need a tiny amount on your fingertips or a brush and some hot water to cover most of your face and the shaving experience is smooth as butter. It smells fantastic and from just one tube, you get 90 days supply.
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Ksubi PS24 Collection ‘Wonderland’
John Guanzon – Head of Social
It’s sadly the last week of Spring and with the allure of summer mere days away, it signals the perfect time to add a few new pieces to the wardrobe. Australian fashion label Ksubi has recently launched their Pre-Spring Collection titled, ‘Wonderland’ which embraces the weird and wonderful underground where ’90s punk meets now.
The punk twists on coveted favourites like your denim jackets, print tees and heavy ripped jeans would really speak to the wannabe punk/emo phases that I bet a huge chunk of us went through in high school. My personal favourites from the collection would be their print tees inspired by live music flyers and zines. This new collection takes the Aussie brand back to its roots and really shows off what it’s become known for – its edgy, distressed streetwear style that rebelliously pushes boundaries.
Kusbi has also recently expanded to men’s underwear, designed as a statement part of the outfit. The days of sagging baggy jeans and intentionally visible brief elastics have come around again quicker than I thought, but I’m 110% here for it.
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Ovata by Oakridge
A must-try this festive season, Ovata by Oakridge is a meticulously crafted sparkling wine that effortlessly invites you to indulge
Hailing from the renowned Yarra Valley, this stunning blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir serves as a testament to Oakridge’s expertise in navigating the region’s pristine cool climate. Subtle floral and fruity notes interlace seamlessly, creating a symphony of aromas that complements the wine’s rich, creamy texture. Each sip is a fresh and exciting exploration of flavour, with delicate beads that dance in the glass. The dominance of Chardonnay freshness is a highlight, making Ovata a perfect companion for seafood and soft cheeses.
Ovata’s overall approachability makes it a delightful choice for any occasion, elevating both festive celebrations and everyday moments alike. Not sure of what to bring to the Christmas dinner this year? Look no further.
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The Ultimate Hand Ritual Sensory Kit
Denise Barnes – Head of Branded Content
Comprising of a RE:SET Hand Wash and RE:SET Hand Lotion, this bold red gift set will not only look ultra stylish in your bathroom, but also has quality ingredients to match. It’s gentle on your skin, yet effective in its results. The Reishi Mushroom extract will hydrate, the Tasmanian Pepper Berry will soothe and a selection of emollient oils and Shea Butter will soften. With Christmas around the corner, it will make the perfect gift for those that are hard to buy for. I mean, who doesn’t love a beautiful hand wash and lotion set displayed in their bathroom. Bonus points that the red packaging and tin it comes in is extra festive.
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HAVEN
Richie Hall – Video Producer
With 40% off in the current Black Friday sales it’s an ideal time to check out HAVEN. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Vancouver, HAVEN curates a range of exclusive apparel and premium products. As my colleagues will vouch, my style went a bit Gorpcore this year. I found myself prioritising comfort, utility and functional design – all pillars of HAVEN whose philosophy revolves around the term “Equipment for Living”. The range is on the more expensive side but it speaks to local craftsmanship, premium design, high-quality materials and environmental responsibility. It’s Gorpcore for those not wanting to scream Gorpcore.
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House of Hazelwood The Huntsman Blend
Sam Mangioni – Journalist
The good folks at House of Hazelwood have done it again with one of their latest releases. Dubbed The Huntsman Blend, it marries whiskies aged 50 years and up to create something boldly outside of the box. There’s a tropical essence to this liquid that makes it unlike any other whisky I’ve tried to date, with notes of coconut, fruit punch, and pineapple intermingled with more traditional layers of green apple, chocolate, and oak spice.
As you may or may not be aware, House of Hazelwood draws from the personal stock accumulated by the Gordon family (owners of The Glenfiddich and The Balvenie distilleries) over decades. Everything is truly one-of-a-kind in that each release will never be available again after it’s gone from cask to bottle. With The Huntsman Blend, we get a resoundingly distinctive dram that’s limited to just 75 bottles.
To coincide with the release of their new whisky, House of Hazelwood enlisted the help of Campbell Carey, the creative director and custodian of Savile Row tailoring shop Huntsman & Sons. The result is a specially designed House of Hazelwood tweed, available in the form of an exclusive tailored jacket. It’s one among a number of custom gifts and gift sets being offered in tandem with the 50-year blend. If you know someone who thinks they’ve tried it all, they haven’t tried this!
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Elements of Byron
Marcus Hurley – Sales & Partnerships Manager
Elements of Byron is, in my humble opinion, the only way to experience Byron. We featured Elements in Episode 2 of Suite Spot which you can watch here. Having stayed earlier this year with my partner, it is now to be an annual must-do. Whether for the whole family (the main pool, beach and accommodation are all incredibly child-friendly) or for a romantic getaway you can experience the natural beauty of Byron without having to leave the 50 acres of beachfront property. Indulge in cocktails (or mocktails) by or in the adults-only pool, partake in some complimentary early morning beachside yoga or just sit back and treat yourself at the Osprey Spa – think of a way to relax and Elements will deliver.
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Sony DualSense Wireless Controller (Cobalt Blue)
Rob Edwards – Branded Content Editor
It’s easy to forget that the PlayStation 5’s DualSense wireless controller is an astounding piece of kit, with incredibly sophisticated rumble technology and pinpoint accuracy. However, considering that variety is the spice of life and all of that, colour options have always been quite limited. Until now.
Happily, Sony has just released its outstanding controller in a range of new finishes that make the old black-and-white design look positively yawn-inducing by comparison. With colours like Cosmic Red, Galactic Purple, Nova Pink, and Starlight Blue, you’ll be sure to find one that suits your particular taste. Personally, I went with Cobalt Blue, and while it may be my imagination, I swear the additional splash of colour has helped me to play better.
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Shea Body Butter – The Body Shop Australia
Naman Singh – SEO Content Specialist
This is probably Body Shop’s most signature offering and it’s not hard to see why. The Shea-scented body butter is a brand icon, acting as so much more than just another body care product. With 96-hour, long-lasting moisture, delightful fragrance and rich, delectable texture make it the ideal body moisturiser.
But don’t be fooled by it’s decadence. As nourishing as it is, this specific body butter is also made with a lightweight, non-sticky formula that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy. A great skincare product that can be used all year round. What’s more, Shea Body Butter is made from 97% natural ingredients, like community-fair trade shea butter and babassu oil. Even the packaging is sustainable, made from recycled plastic found on the coastlines of India. This really is the perfect product!
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La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme
Dianne Caliwan – Content Designer
It’s happiness in a bottle. The first spray is an instant mood upgrade – a mix of fruity and floral, striking the perfect balance that makes you want to keep sniffing your wrist. The best part? Just one to two sprays and the scent lasts forever! I’ll put it on in the morning, and by the time I’m heading out for the evening, it’s still doing its thing. The bottle is so cute too, it looks like it’s wearing a little scarf. This fragrance is definitely one of my most complimented, particularly by other women. I’m no fragrance expert, but La Vie Est Belle is my forever go-to.
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Dior Sauvage
Med Noceda – Branded Content Assistant
Dior Sauvage is a captivating fragrance that exudes a unique blend of freshness and depth, leaving a lasting impression with its powerful and vibrant aroma. During my time in Bangkok, I came across this mesmerizing scent on several occasions. Intrigued, I inquired and discovered it was Dior Sauvage. Its distinctive aroma has since become a treasured choice for special occasions, evoking memories of that memorable journey in Bangkok.
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Westward Whiskey’s Vintage Muscat Cask
Dayna Aspite – Branded Content Associate
Thanks to The Whisky club, Westward teamed up with the legendary Australian winemakers Stanton & Killeen to create a match made in flavour-filled heaven. The Vintage Muscat Cask is like a festive feast for your taste buds; apricot, lychee, sticky toffee, and a hint of Christmas cake goodness. The master blender himself, Miles Munroe, is committed to pursuing perfection when creating flavour, no shortcuts and I’ve no doubt this is his masterpiece! This whiskey is incredible whether on its own, poured over ice, or shaken up into a cocktail. It’s definitely hit the brief on ‘Christmas bevvie’ and it’s my new seasonal go-to to get me (a total grinch) into the festive mood. It’s also a limited edition drop, so you know it’s gonna go fast. Get your hands on the Vintage Muscat Cask through The Whisky Club starting December 1, 2023.
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