We're finished!

Well with blogspot at least - we have amalgamated the meanlife and meanmenswear blogs to one handy location - www.meanexistance.com

So go and have a look, replace your existing bookmarks and enjoy the latest designs, transport and styling trends of the mean man.

Leica X1 - old but new

The Leica X1 is one cool camera. The German company has been making compact cameras since 1925. The company pioneered the 35mm film format that was used in consumer targeted products widely until the advent of the digital camera.

The X1 is a unique take on the compact digital camera. from the front and top, it looks like a camera your dad would have had in the 70s but the rear of the camera reveals a large 2.7" LCD screen. With 12 MP at your disposal and a host of manual settings, this camera is genuine a bridge between a digital SLR and your standard compact.

Most of all we at mean men love the way this camera looks, showing that even in the camera world, retro is still chic.

Posted By Owen Rodgers


images from www.leica.com

Classic Automobiles

This week we bring you more classic automobiles; cars and motorcycles.

The Mercedes 300SL "Gullwing" is a classic in the true sense of the word. Teeneage boys dream about owning one, and having a new one. something with which Mercedes blessed us with recently, as we covered in this very blog.

Driving this car would be an event every single time, whether cruising the boulevards of the Italian riviera, blasting the German autobahn, or even cruising down the south coast of Australia, life would be a pleasure in this car.

Next up is possibly one of the most famous cars of all time. The Aston Martin DB5 was made world renowned when Sean Connery drove one in James Bond. The wire wheels give away the era of the design, however it still stacks up today with beautiful proportions and exquisite details. Bond's car had numerous secret agent utilities like machine guns, a smoke screen and an ejector seat, but the thought of just owning one would have most men feeling like Bond. Complete the scene with a black dinner suit and a trip to a Monte Carlo casino, and the dream would be coming to life...

Design details from this car feature on Aston Martins still today. The shape of the front grille, wide mouthed style, the gills behind the front wheel arches, and the understated bonnet scoop are designed to perfection, but not over-designed, perfect for the mean man.

This little Ducati, is somewhat a-typical of the brands's current lineup. This motorcycle is a small 450cc single cylinder 'cafe racer', where as the brand now makes it name on thumping 1200cc v-twin superbikes. Cafe racers, were modified bikes, with loud exhausts, low clip on handle bars and single seats. They were the essence of form over function, and given that everything old is new again, they are coming back into fashion.

As the name suggests they were built for Saturday morning rides from cafe to cafe, not only so the owners could park them on the street while everyone admired them, but also because you would have a bad back if you rode one for any more than about 20 minutes; and they say men don't suffer for fashion...

Posted by Owen Rodgers

Classic Automobiles

Today we bring you a couple of classic cars and motorcycles that reflect the mean aesthetic and concept.

The Volvo P1800 reminds us that Volvo's design team was not as boring as it is today. This sporty looking coupe sports classic circular headlights and a low raked roof line. The engine was modest and teamed to a 4-speed manual gearbox but at only 1200kg, it was lightweight. But for us, its all about the look.

Another vehicle with a classic look is the BMW R60/5. This boxer twin engined motorcycle sports low classic lines and an ultra-period round headlight. The bike itself was not a ground breaker, but did provide an alternative to the many Triumphs, Nortons and Ducatis that came from the other European manufacturers .

 

Posted by Owen Rodgers

images swiped from www.resimmotoru.com & www.vermischtes.de

 

Victor Churchill Butcher

Personally the epitome of a meanlife is looking at the past and appreciating old wares revived. Old things which have character and heritage bring more to life than a glossy new designed object which is yet to stand the test of time. However having something old, and making it new is just as good. I mean I love old cars and bikes, but the thought of their upkeep and maintenance uts the breaks on, so to speak.

So when well established companies set out to reinvent themselves to a contemporary context I become weary. We are losing local traditional trades like barbers, grocers, tailors and bakeries for chains of made to measured exactness.

Well here is a mean butcher - and I love it. Lifting of the product from mundane to something special is a real tribute to both client and design team. Obvious high fashion fit-outs references to Louis Vuitton surveillance displays and dry-cleaners rotating display of beamsT tee-shirt shop enforce this elevation of product.

We’ve yet to see the store in real life, but this might just have to be the first meanlife field trip. Stay tuned for more insights.

Posted by Bent Patterson

images swiped from thecoolhunter

Tom Ford - Future Icon

Tom Ford is fast becoming, if not already, a fashion icon. Starting in the women's ready-to-wear depertment at Gucci in 1990, he's been Creative Director of Gucci, Creative Director of YSL and started his own label, which encompasses, menswear, sunglasses, accessories and fragrances.

 

As if taking over the fashion world wasnt enough, Ford is now undertaking a whole different challenge. His first feature film, "A single man" stars Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, two masterful actors. The film opened to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, with First winning the award for best actor, and Moore being nominated for best supporting actor. 

There is no reason to believe that Ford won't be a shining light in the world of fashion, cinema and design for the mean man, well into this 21st century.

Stay tuned for highlights from Ford's autumn/winter 09/10 collection on www.meanmenswear.blogspot.com

Images from tomford.com

Posted by Owen Rodgers

Native Sons - 3D Fashion film

A New York fashion week event, Native Sons has set out to make the first ever 3D fashion film Directed by Eric Ray Davidson the film collaborate with Mosley Tribes, Red Wing shoes and Temple bags. So if you in NYC on Feb11, be sure to check it out.


More on native Sons here.


Posted by Bent Patterson

2010 Kawasaki Z1000

Kawasaki have just updated their premier naked bike, and they haven't messed about! with an all new frame, swing arm, engine management system, and a highly modified engine, the new Z1000 is out to recapture the title of the premier naked bike. With heritage that harks back to the original super bike of the 70s, the Z900, its clear that this is where Kawasaki wants to be.

The new engine is the centerpiece of the bike, now at 1053cc, 100cc bigger than before, is surely what this bike will be remembered for. A new chassis tailor made for this bike, should also mean a more comfortable and composed ride.

The new styling is visibly more aggressive that it's predecessor, with the obligatory LCD dash display, sharp lines and aggressive headlight. The Kawasaki exudes the mean attitude, masculine but not overtly aggressive and we think it looks specially mean in the white, black and silver colour scheme.

images from kawasaki.com.au

Posted by Owen Rodgers

Mecedes Benz SLS

The new Mercedes Benz SLS, is a new interpretation of the classic 300SL Gullwing, even if Mercedes dont refer to it that way in any of their press material. With similar proportions, a long low nose, short rear end and the same vent detailing behind the front wheel-arches, its clear Mercedes have created a modern classic, worthy of comparison to its successor.

With one eye on performance and one eye on style, every component of the new SLS has been tailor made. despite having a brilliant 7 speed gearbox already, Mercedes have designed a new one that is housed as part of the rear differential, to save weight, and increase efficiency.

The huge 6.3 litre V8 engine, with its 420kW, will propel you to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds thanks to its light weight. The top speed is an even more impressive 315km/h. This car certainly has performance to match its sophisticated and masculine looks.

images courtesy or Mercedes Benz

Posted by Owen Rodgers


PS.
A new ad for the SLS is out featuring arguably one of the best drivers in the world - Michael Schumacher. While the idea behind the ad may have been done, the car shows off well - especially the noise.
You can watch it here.