Cool Hunting
Guys and gals are different. In Japan, that means one thing: separate junk food. Osaka-based confectionary Glico paved the way years back when it introduced its popular chocolate and biscuit snack "Pocky" in male-geared bitter chocolate. The name of this groundbreaking product? "Men's Pocky." So clever.
Now that we've got chocolate snacks covered, next up is chewing gum. Last fall, Kanebo Foods introduced Otoko Kaoru, which literally means "man smell." Yum. The product was so popular at launch that it was back-ordered. The "rose menthol" sugarless gum is supposed to make males smell better better as they chomp. Each stick contains rose essence that is absorbed and then release through your pores much like in the same way alcohol is. Know that chewing too many sticks causes the gum to work as a laxative. (Ed. note: Compact Impact also sells citrus and rose versions available in both gum and candy form.)
This spring, multinational conglomerate Lotte rolled out Men's Style "etiquette" chewing gum. According to the company, Men's Style is aimed specially at males from 30 to 50 years old. The gum comes in two flavors: Winter Green and Hot Cinnamon. Winter Green has a hint of black pepper, while Hot Cinnamon is flavored with red peppers and, well, cinnamon. Both are laced with caffeine, because adults love that caffeine!
Our taste test? Otoko Kaoru had the best flavor per se, but the actually gum itself was waxy. After five sticks, we ended up smelling like hand lotion and with a slight tummy ache. Men's Style Winter Green was indeed peppery and tasted like burning detergent. Thankfully, Hot Cinnamon had flavor that could be only described as cinnamon.
by Brian Ashcraft
|
previous entry Michael Wolf: 100 x 100 |
next entry Flavorpill's One Step Beyond Party |
Japanese custom bike makers Bratsyle build or tinker with any make and model to create dream bikes. With capabilities to machine nearly any part of the bike including engine blocks, mufflers, handlebars and seats, each bike is an exquisite work of craftsmanship and a showcase of impressively sharp attention to detail. Unlike over-the-top embellished bikes in the vein of Orange County Choppers, Bratsyle offers...
Mandala, a Sanskrit word of Hindu origin, most often refers to a symmetrical detailed pattern representing the universe and the unconscious self. In some religions it serves as an aid in meditation or to establish a sacred space as well. For Japanese artist Mario Tauchi, who illustrated 108 black-and-white versions of Mandalas for Trolley Book's "Mario Mandala." the motif plays a slightly different role....
This past winter star Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara was always blogging about his epic snowboarding trips all over the world. The snow-covered old growth terrain was always so inviting but I also took note of the brightly colored minimalist jackets that he and his crew would wear and wondered what brand they were sporting. Through a Neil Harmon photo essay on Honeyee called Still...
Like many traditions, the art of indigo dying is fading as global brands demand high paced, volumetric production cycles. The unpredictable tastes of today’s consumer have made it difficult for artisinal producers over the years, but a recent surge in the appreciation of heritage brands is bolstering the handmade artifact. Tsurukichi is the fourth generation in one of Japan’s last remaining indigo dye houses,...
At the artisinal candy shop Papabubble in Manhattan (the first U.S. outpost following Barcelona, Amsterdam and Tokyo), mounds of colorful, flavor-packed "caramels" get whipped up daily. In this video we meet co-owner Fiona Ryan, watch her and another candymaker, Jelly, prepare a batch of the little treats and learn how Papabubble's quite unlike any other confectionery out there. Also on Cool Hunting: Papabubble Interview...
Believe in the power of bread. That was the idea behind Japanese artist Tatsumi Orimoto's "Bread Man" performance art series in the '90s. Meant as a unifying symbol of communication, he made his name with the body of work which involved global travel to places like Nepal and Germany with loaves of bread tied around his head while a puzzled public looked or laughed...
The Pharos Project
Hank and Matlok
Neon Shoes
Radio Village Nomade
Ghostly Swim: Interview with Sam Valenti
Creative Index
Interview with Maarten Baas
A Paper Tiger
Von Totebags and T-Shirts
