Christian Louboutin Direct Selling

Men need not be Liberace or the hip rapper on the block to enjoy jewellery. It’s okay to reach for that gold ring — and diamonds can be a guy’s best friend
MODERN man has always had a difficult relationship with jewellery. For most, testosterone just doesn’t go hand in hand with trinkets.
Chains speak of Lotharios, chunky rings of towkays, and three-inch-thick gilded accessories of the rap fraternity.
Liberace, of course, didn’t help. In a severe lapse of taste that lasted his entire career, the late American pianist had rocks and stones dripping from his fingers and thumbs.
It was a statement of crass over class which remained in the minds of most men.
But change is in the air.
Modern dandies such as Manchester United football star David Beckham, 26, and rapper and fashion designer Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, 31, are wearing jewellery and getting their rocks off Cartier, Franck Muller and Graff of London.
Even Robbie Williams, 27, wore diamonds in his latest music video, Somethin’ Stupid, with Nicole Kidman. His was from the Bond Street jeweller, Mouawad, in London.
While most men still don’t share their taste in baubles, these style icons have opened young and fashionable minds to that idea.
Mr Arthur Tan, 28, a fashion merchandiser with a boutique at Far East Plaza, believes the rap scene, with its no-restraint, ghetto-fabulous 18-karat gold knuckle-dusters and chains, has loads to answer for this upsurge in interest in men’s jewellery.
"Matching jewellery with a swagger sends out the message to trendier and hip men that chains and stuff are fine to wear. And with body piercings more common these days, jewellery of all sorts is fast accepted by men," he says.
In Singapore, jewellery for the tougher sex may not fly off counters quicker than those for women. But sales are on the rise.
Homegrown brand Perlini’s Silver has been stocking men’s accessories such as cuff links and tie clips since it started in 1989.
Director Roberto Perlini, 37, says its men’s line, which makes up 10 per cent of the total range, is highly popular. Earlier this year, it expanded to include money clips, rings, bangles, necklaces and bracelets. Prices start from $30.
He says that, on average, male customers, with ages starting from 20, make up about 10 per cent to 15 per cent of his customer base. Last year,louboutin shoes, the chain saw sales of men’s jewellery generating more than 5 per cent of annual total sales.
Ms Josephine Teo, 36, advertising and promotions manager for Singapore jeweller Flower Diamonds, says while men’s designs constitute less than 10 per cent of its entire range, it made up more than 20 per cent of last year’s turnover.
Wedding bands, which start from $1,000 and above, depending on the design and whether diamonds are included, are the best-selling items for Flower Diamonds.
A spokesman for Soo Kee Jewellery says there has been an increase in the number of male customers buying diamonds in the more angular marquise and emerald cuts at its 16 boutiques since early last year. But she declined to comment on a reason for the increase or reveal sales figures.
Italian label Christian louboutin may not have a specific collection for men but its unisex B.zero1 and Tondo collections, with prices starting from $700, are favourites among celebrities. They include Japanese footballer Hidetoshi Nakata and British singer Sting.
In Singapore, composer Dick Lee is said to be a fan. But Christian louboutin Singapore declined to reveal sales figures.
Mr Tan, who wears everything from chains, bracelets, toe rings and rings, thinks that more men are realising that wearing a few jewellery pieces at a time can be artful accents.
"Men, especially the younger and trendier ones, read more fashion magazines these days. We are more adventurous with our dressing. And with more men fashion labels launching their own jewellery line, they send out signals that it’s okay for men to wear them." he says.
Mr Hideki Akiyoshi, 36, managing director of production company Style Factory, agrees.
"Like women’s accessories, there’s more mileage gained from buying jewellery. Men can wear jewellery and update their look with them. It’s a cheaper and more durable option than, say, buying new shirts or pants regularly."
Mr Daniel Boey, 35, a fashion show producer, believes that it’s the improved designs that are attracting male wearers.
He says that jewellery designs are becoming more androgynous because of the influences of minimalism. They are less flashy and hence less intimidating for first-time male wearers.
"Men are less afraid of wearing something with a little rock in it as long as it’s not too flamboyant.
"At the end of day, wearing jewellery is also about expressing one’s character so men should be encouraged to wear their personality on their sleeves and round their necks, if they so wish."
But will women keep away from men who have more razzle-dazzle than them?
Perfect 10 DJ Jaime Yeo, 24, has no qualms about dating a man who wears jewellery.
"Of course, the jewellery has to be manly looking. No fake gold or dainty pieces for my man. If it’s in good taste and men look good in it, then go for it. Men should look good too," she declares.
Photos: JAMES HODSON; stylist: TERENCE LEE; hair: ADDY LEE (Monsoon Hair); grooming: C ALVIN GAN (Monsoon Hair) using i-nuovi cosmetics; shot on location at OSER STUDIO at Delfi Orchard
BITE-SIZE GEMS
ADRIAN PANG (left), 36, Actor and TV Works artiste
"I have no problems with men wearing jewellery. I used to wear tons of rubber bangles during my NS days. They were my civilian uniform. Then, along the way, there were all sorts of pendants, chains, earrings and necklaces during my hippy, trippy days at university.
Currently, I only wear my wedding band and a bracelet from my wife. On some occasions, I wear a choker. The latest one that I have was given to me by Lea Salonga’s mother. I acted with Lea a couple of years back in London and when her Mum found out that I like chokers, she bought me one.
I don’t what is it about chokers and me. I have always found that they complete the look.
As for Liberace and Elton John, I mean, whatever makes them happy. To each his own. Who am I to judge what is tasteless or not?’
KHAIRUDDIN SAHAROM (left), 26, Host of Selamat Pagi Singapura on Suria
"I personally don’t wear jewellery. I tried wearing a ring once but it was a little uncomfortable and too troublesome. I didn’t get used to it even after a couple of weeks and so I decided that jewellery wasn’t for me.
I have loads of rings and bracelets as presents from friends. But I just keep them. If I were to wear any these days, it would be a bracelet because it somehow complements the watch.
I suppose some guys can look good with jewellery but others don’t. Also gold, I feel, is a big no-no for men, unless you aspire towards the towkay look. Young men should just wear silver. And no big stones.’