THE KNOWLEDGE: SUMMER READS!

A contemporary summer reading list could easily be comprised of selections from Mr George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, Ms Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and perhaps some Ms Nora Ephron books for good measure. And it's not just because I have a thing for archery, or that I spend my weekends designing sigils and words for House Ortved. It's because those books represent a great deal of what we love about summer reading. Summertime gives us the luxury to fantasise. It's a time to get away, a time when we can carve space out of our lives to leave our offices, stake out long chairs, sip drinks with lemon and truly disappear into other worlds of pleasure, adventure, sex and mystery. It is in the summertime that we have the clearest view of Hosseini's kite races, the most open mind for Gilbert's prayers, the longest laughs for Sedaris' twisted family, and the direst hopes for Mantel's Cromwell. On these long, languid summer days, time is on our side; Egan's goon squad cannot catch us. 

But our summer reading list is not fodder for your conditional - in this case seasonal - susceptibility (which any airport bookshop can do). Instead, it includes books that will enrich and not merely enrapt; works that will involve you and not merely provide an escape. Just because the summer is the right time for fantasy, that doesn't mean you need to waste it. 

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STYLE DEBATE: T-SHIRT OR HENLEY?

T-Shirt or Henley? MR PORTER asked the experts which summer essential they prefer. So, which do you prefer?

THE ICON: MR HARRY GESNER!

The life story of Mr Harry Gesner, whose 88 years have packed in three times the action of most ordinary high achievers, is so fabled that if it were not true, you'd suspect it had been fabricated by the author of a classic Boy's Own yarn. Mr Gesner is primarily an architect, whose work over six decades has defined many of Southern California's most sought-after bluffs, coves and hillsides... But that only scratches the surface. 

MR PORTER has been invited to meet Mr Gesner at his home, Sandcastle, a remarkable circular construction of stucco, salvaged brick and repurposed wood set flush to the beach at the western end of Malibu, California. The building next door is also a Gesner structure: The Wave House (completed in 1956), much admired by Mr Jørn Utzon (who channelled some of that admiration into his design for the Sydney Opera House) and formerly owned by rock'n'roll legend Mr Rod Stewart. 

"I thought that the best education I could possibly get would be to see the world. ''

MR PORTER was joined by model and actor Mr Zen Gesner, 42, the youngest of Harry's offspring, whose credits include a fistful of Farrelly brothers comedies and the TV series The Adventures of Sinbad, in which he played the title character. On looks alone, both father and son qualify as archetypal Southern Californian supermen: they are lords of the longboard, buffed to a state of golden wellbeing by the ocean and the sun.

 If Game of Thrones happened to be set in modern Malibu, the House of Gesner would be a dominant dynasty, fortified by its youngest generation, which includes Mr Zen Gesner's three sons, Finn (15), Rory (12) and Tuck (9). It has become a family tradition that fathers instil in their offspring a love of creativity, a close bond with the natural world and an appreciation for ancient weaponry. "My dad is the ultimate renaissance man," says Mr Zen Gesner. "He trained me how to use a sword, and a bow and arrow, and he taught me how to dance. I'm an actor, and I love that walk of life, but I have a great appreciation for what my father does as well. Dad was always a constant source of inspiration." 

READ AND SEE MORE AFTER THE BREAK!!!

THE NEW CLASSIC!

The 'new classic' as Guerre calls it and the top priority on my summer wishlist!

Shop a Lanvin alternative here!

SUPER COOL BIZ, SUPER COOL JAPAN!

Following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the shutdown of many nuclear power plants for safety reasons led to energy shortages. To conserve energy, the Japanese government recommended setting air conditioners at 28 degrees Celsius, switching off computers not in use, and called for shifting work hours to the morning and taking more summer vacation than usual. 

The government then launched a "Super Cool Biz" campaign to encourage workers to wear outfits appropriate for the office yet cool enough to endure the summer heat. 

The Cool Biz dress code advises workers to starch collars so they stand up and to wear trousers made from materials that breathe and absorb moisture. Additionally, workers are encouraged to wear short-sleeved shirts without jackets or ties. Many workers, though, were confused about whether they should follow the new stipulations—many came to work with their jackets in hand and their ties in their pockets. June 1 marked the start of the Environment Ministry's Super Cool Biz campaign, with "full-page newspaper ads and photos of ministry workers smiling rather self-consciously at their desks wearing polo shirts and colorful Okinawa kariyushi shirts." The campaign was repeated in 2012, and it is repeated again this summer! So why just Japan? LET'S SUPER COOLBIZ!

CLUB MONACO, BEACH SHOP!

Club Monaco, fashionspam's beach apparel choice this season!

Shop here!

SUMMER INSPIRATIONAL!

One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art.

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THE LOOK: MR GUILLAUME NÉRY!

Mr Guillaume Néry has some impressive statistics to his name. Take seven minutes and 42 seconds. That's the length of time that the French world champion freediver can hold his breath underwater. "I'm not a specialist," he deadpans. "To be truthful, I find holding my breath in a swimming pool quite boring. 

''You feel as if you are visiting another world, like you're going somewhere that nobody has ever been. It's very peaceful.''

Or how about 123m? That's how far below the surface of the ocean he has swum on a single breath. His chosen discipline, "constant weight" - the name referring to the fact that while swimming aids such as fins are allowed, diving weights are not - is the sport's prestige event, and Mr Néry's personal best, longer than a soccer pitch and a mere three metres shy of the world record, is a figure that marks him out as one of the biggest stars of the freediving world.

And there's one last number: 13.7 million. That's how many views his short film, Free Fall, has amassed on YouTube - an impressive total by anyone's standards. Created in 2010, the film is an underwater take on base jumping that sees Mr Néry dive headlong into the darkness of a 200m sinkhole in the Bahamas. It's an inspired idea, filmed to surreally beautiful effect by his wife and fellow diver, Ms Julie Gautier. As he falls through the water in apparent slow motion Mr Néry passes through "clouds" of suspended sand, and his hair is gently swept back as if by a gust of wind. "You feel as if you are visiting another world," he says of the experience, "like you're going somewhere that nobody has ever been. It's very peaceful. 

It's this ethereal, almost dreamlike state that Mr Néry and Ms Gautier endeavour to capture in their film-making. "We're trying to show people the beauty of the elements, of the water; the poetry, and not just the performance," he explains. And, by doing just that, he has boosted the profile of his sport in a way that a set of impressive statistics never could. 

MR PORTER met Mr Néry on a beautiful spring day in Cannes - just west of Nice, where he lives with his wife and daughter - to try out some carefree looks for summer. Check the gallery, below , to see what happened. 

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FAVOURITE SUN-READY FRAMES!

Whether you're spending the summer months sizzling at home or away, one of the first items you'll come to rely upon is the perfect pair of sunglasses. Admittedly, shades are often the first thing to disappear after a cocktail or two but when it comes to protecting your eyes from that midday glare, there should be no corner-cutting on style and quality. With this in mind, we've singled out five pairs we are particularly fond of this season. Perfect for lake-side lunching, hangover-hiding or covert lady looking, rest assured that the summer sun will be much more bearable in a pair of these.. 

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LINEN SUTIS!

At their best, linen suits allow a man to dress up while enjoying a level of comfort more commonly associated with loungewear. They also tap into the contemporary appetite for relaxed tailoring, and offer the perfect answer to the perennial summer question, "How do I look sharp when it's boiling hot?" 

It wasn't always like this. In the past men only wore linen suits in places that we'd now consider a pair of swim shorts and a T-shirt to be more appropriate - one thinks of Sir Dirk Bogarde's suit-wearing character in the film Death in Venice sweating by the lido. These days linen suits are more appropriate in town than they are on the beach, and thanks to the general relaxation of dress codes they can be worn almost anywhere. 

However, pale colours are still less formal than dark ones, so cream suits are most appropriate for weekend wear, relatively casual weddings and creative offices. Save dark suits for events in the evening, formal weddings in hot climes and serious business environments. Finally, whatever the colour, and whatever the event, enjoy the breeze, and relax into the wrinkles that are an inevitable part of wearing a pure linen suit. 

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THE NAVY BLAZER!

Why start with the navy blazer? Put simply, it is one of the most versatile garments that a man can own. It occupies a happy medium on the scale of formality, and can be dressed up with a crisp white shirt and tie, or dressed down just as easily with denim. Navy blue, meanwhile, goes with everything, softening the vibrancy of pattern and print, providing a backdrop for bold colour, or adding contrast to muted shades. Finally, a well-cut blazer, such as the two-button Richard James one seen in MR PORTER's video, will streamline and elongate the torso, flattering any figure. 

Colour, fit and formality: the three ingredients that make up the blue blazer's formula for timeless, versatile style. Watch the video below to see five very different ways to put it into practice. 

I'v probably said it before, I'll say it again: I'd absolutely love to work for MRPORTER.COM!

SUPERPOZE - THE ICELAND SOUND!

Relax, it's almost the weekend!

SUMMER SUITS: ADOLFO DOMINGUEZ S/S13!

For Spring 2013, Spanish label Adolfo Dominguez designed a collection made of lightweight fabrics, fluid shapes and deconstructed volumes, in a palette of classic and timeless colors as displayed by Sight model Wouter Peelen in the brand’s latest advertisements.

Shop at: www.adolfodominguez.com

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WAVERIDERS!

Waveriders is the previously untold story of the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenon and today's pioneers of Irish big wave surfing.

Waveriders focuses on the Irish roots of surfing. The film covers the life of Irish-Hawaiian surfer George Freeth and his influence in popularizing surfing in California and his contributions to lifeguarding. It also follows Irish, British and American surfers Richie Fitzgerald, Gabe Davies, Kelly Slater and the Malloy Brothers. The surfers conquer enormous sixty foot waves!!! - the biggest swell to have been ridden off the Irish Atlantic Coast. Irish surfer Easkey Britton is also featured in the film and was the first female surfer to ride the "big wave", Aill na Searrach off the Cliffs of Moher in 2007.

Margo Harkin (Producer) and Joel Conroy (Director) were awarded Outstanding Achievement in film making for Waveriders at the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival.

SANTORINI: AENAON VILLAS!

When the island of Santorini is your destination, it will become a destination for life. A unique complex in a unique location. Aenaon Villas are at the top of a steep slope, at the narrowest part of the island where the land was carved to admire an endless horizon, the deep blue of the Aegean Sea, the caldera, the volcano and breathtaking sunsets.

The combination of the brlliant white with the volcanic Santorinian stone has created a traditional complex of luxurious villas whose beautiful stonework evokes a feeling of rough grandeur. The result proves, that respect for tradition can coexist in perfect harmony with the luxuries of modern facilities.

Book here: http://www.aenaonvillas.gr/pricelist.htm!

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STREET STYLE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW)!

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of film, interactive, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring (usually in March) in Austin, Texas, United States. SXSW began in 1987, and has continued to grow in size every year. In 2011, the conference lasted for 10 days, with SXSW Interactive lasting for five, Music for six, and Film running concurrently for nine days.

The big-budget films The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Evil Dead premiered at the 2013 SXSW Film, as did the Snoop Dogg documentary Reincarnated, and Spring Breakers had its U.S. premiere. The 2013 SXSW Interactive saw another huge jump in registration, now with 30,621 paying attendees. This was over three times the number that had attended in 2008 (9,000), just five years previously

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THE TREND: STAND-OUT SHIRTS!

This season numerous designers, from Mr Thom Browne to Burberry Prorsum's Mr Christopher Bailey, included bold, printed shirts in their collections. That's right: the traditional style advice of "put down that jaunty Hawaiian number, and reach for this understated chambray instead", has been sent packing for spring/summer 2013, as the stand-out shirt takes centre stage. But hang on a minute. Before you order that extra-large piña colada and head for the pool, there are a few things to bear in mind. The look this season is in no way related to your uncle Ernest's Caribbean cruise outfits nor to Mr Tom Selleck's somewhat seedy Magnum P.I. attire. Vibrant shirts may be in, but that doesn't mean good taste is out. For starters, anything featuring scantily-clad hula girls is out of the question, ditto printed with maps or the names of resorts (need convincing? See Mr Nick Nolte's infamous mugshot). Equally unappealing are shiny silk or polyester printed shirts, and any with an oversized, baggy cut. Instead, it's all about innovative, uplifting patterns printed onto neat-fitting, well-made shirts. 

Click through the gallery below to see how a handful of stylish men have worn the stand-out shirt well, along with a selection of our favourites that are available to purchase on MR PORTER, or read a few of our tips for wearing them well below. 

Aloha Tuesdays!

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SUN, SEA & STYLE!

If you're wondering why Messrs Zac and Jordan Stenmark look so at home in these images, it's probably because they are. The 21-year-old twins, who are currently taking the modelling world by storm, were born and raised in Sydney, Australia, only a short drive from the picturesque shores and headlands of the Northern Beaches. The stretch of coastline is their stomping ground, the scene of many an idyllic summer spent at the family's holiday home in Palm Beach, and this is far from their first time at sea. "Our teachers had us in a boat learning to sail in primary school," says Jordan, "and Zac's girlfriend's dad had a boat, too - it's always been a way of life. We've grown up around the ocean''

Sailing might come as second nature to the twins, but sport - Australian Rules football, in particular - is their first passion, and that was the direction they were pursuing, playing semi-professionally with Greater Western Sydney, when their modelling careers started to take off. Coaches, family and friends urged them to give it a go. "We were happy to put the sport on hold for a while," explain the twins. "And our family has been really supportive; they appreciate that not everyone gets this opportunity to grow and travel the world." Their family would certainly know - the twins' parents both had modelling careers. Clearly, in the Stenmark household, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

The brothers are currently based in New York, and although it's a long way from Sydney, they try to organise a return trip every three or four months. "We're very family-oriented," they explain, citing family activities - of the sporting variety, of course - as central to a relaxed weekend at home.

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THE HILFIGERS IN VOYAGE SEAFARIUS!

Fun in the sun, brisky breezes and a feisty crew

A.P.C. PRE-SPRING/SUMMER 2013 CAMPAIGN!

Back to beauty!

Thibault Oberlin and Edie Campbell captured by Alasdair Mclellan for the Pre-Spring 2013 campaign of A.P.C.