Extreme McQueen: How to Wear Accessories a seminar offered by the V&A Museum in London England

Written by guest writer Dianna Drahanchuk while in London

The title alone was enough to entice me to pay the $40 fee. (I was there for the Alexander McQueen exhibit anyway.)  I expected to be impressed, but I was astounded! The student work exuded imagination, thoughtfulness and provocativeness.

For 12 years Swarovski and University of the Arts London Central Saint Martins (Alexander McQueen’s alma mater) have collaborated to shortlist 10 final year BA Jewellery Design students to create a spectacular piece of jewellery. This year’s project, "entitled Savage Beauty and using themes in McQueen’s work, the project was to design an ambitious piece that also celebrated Swarovski crystal or gemstones.”

Xinyu Wang’s headpiece becomes a "focal point…to create the experience of looking through a camera viewfinder."

Kota Okuda’s design is a “representation of the cultural transference that marks both historical and contemporary issues of identity."

Charlotte Asherson’s piece “explores the dawn of the industrial age and 

how human beings have impacted upon the environment.”

Dennis Song’s creation "illustrates the concept that human desires ‘eat’ human souls."

Fiona Kakei Chong for her creation used her seashell collection as adornment and as “a celebration of collecting and decorating."

Birgit Toke Tauka Frietman (not shown) model displaying her piece 

“marrying of the delicate and the forceful. This piece both shields and exposes"

Akiko Shinzato with model and piece "representing make-up as a form of jewellery."

Juliette van de Kerchove models her work that “aims to express 

how a changing physical environment might provoke adaptations of the body."

Jessica Pass designed a "strong angular structure…juxtaposed with the delicate fragility of pheasant feathers.”(Right photo by Anton Belmonte photographed from handout)

Proud Course Leader Caroline Broadhead kindly gave me permission to use the 

above quotes and photo culled from the handout at the seminar. 

All other photos by Dianna Drahanchuk.

EVOLUTIONMAN Cosmetics Review

Written by Bryce Workman

I asked Bryce to try some of the fabulous new products from EVOLUTIONMAN. Here are a few of his favorites and his thoughts on them. Would you like to see more men's product reviews? Leave a comment with thoughts and suggestions! Thanks Bryce :)


Moisture Protect SPF20

This was a great product. I think most guys generally don’t think about moisturizing, and if they do I think the importance of sunscreen is often forgotten. EVOLUTIONMAN’s Moisture Protect SPF20 goes on very lightly, is quickly absorbed into the skin, and leaves no oily or greasy feeling unlike other moisturizers that include a sunscreen. A little bit definitely goes a long way, making it an easy product to utilize on the go.


Bronzing Moisture Protect SPF20

Like the basic Moisture Perfect moisturizing cream, the bronzing version is also an excellent product. To the guys who might be weary of using a product that includes an instant bronzer, I say think twice before refusing EVOLUTIONMAN’s version. This was my first time using a product like this so I was cautious at first, too. But a little bit goes a long way for this product as well, especially due to its dual moisturizing-bronzing ability. A very light application provides just a hint of colour without the dreaded orange effect– great for the transition months into spring and summer. I was even asked by someone if I'd gotten some sun over the weekend, so there you go!


Wash & Buff Facial Scrub

EVOLUTIONMAN’s Wash & Buff is far superior to any face wash that I have used in the past. Tiny exfoliating beads provide just the right amount of scrub and cleansing while still being gentle enough for sensitive skin. When using this product you can really feel it working, thanks to the refreshing tingle provided by a hint of tea tree oil extract.