WELCOME TO ‘What is #menswear talking about?’, a weekly dispatch where we discuss the news, rumours and conversations that are dominating the men’s style discourse, and therefore, our Esquire water cooler chitchat.

Scroll on for this week’s edition.

Lewis Hamilton takes flight

Lewis Hamilton embarks on flight training for astronauts with IWC Schaffhausen. Photography: courtesy of IWC

Just when you thought Lewis Hamilton had done it – and won it – all, the Formula 1 driver has embarked on astronaut flight training. Yes, you heard that correctly: as documented in a new short film produced by luxury Swiss watchmaker IWC, Hamilton undergoes the same jet training that’s used to prepare the crews of the Inspiration 4 and Polaris Dawn commercial spaceflight missions, including flight manoeuvres and simulation experiences. The Polaris Dawn crew recently made history by performing the first commercial spacewalk.

So, why is Hamilton preparing to depart the earth’s atmosphere? The driver, who became an IWC ambassador in 2013, has long expressed his interest in space travel, and desire to join a mission in the future if it “serves a purpose and contributes to the betterment of all humanity.” So IWC, which supports the Polaris Program, helped to bring the outgoing Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS driver’s dream to life, creating a compelling piece of marketing while at it.

Next stop: actual space. But first, Hamilton has got to conquer the grid with his new team in Ferrari. Until then, you can watch the full film below.

Rolex becomes the first Title Partner of SailGP

From the get-go, Rolex has supported SailGP, the high-performance catamaran racing series that sees the world’s top sailors battle it out at speeds just shy of 100km/h. Now, five years later, it’s making its partnership even more official, by becoming the first Title Partner for the elite sail racing competition, which is now known as the Rolex SailGP Championship. The naming change will come into effect this season, ahead of the Auckland and Sydney SailGPs, which take place in January and February respectively.

Given Rolex’s ongoing affinity with the sport of sailing, which includes the support of prestigious sailing institutions like the New York Yacht Club and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, its new commitment with the Formula 1 of sailing is a natural fit.

Learn more here.

From Jungles Jungles to Something Very Special, New Balance, Salomon and Calvin Klein: it’s the month for new store openings

Outside The Something Very Special Store in Byron.
Inside Jungles Jungles’ new Fitzroy flagship.

In the last month, some of our favourite Australian and international brands have opened brick and mortar stores all over the country. In Melbourne, Jungles Jungles opened the doors to its first ever flagship in Fitzroy, the modern concrete interior, which was designed in-house, serves as the perfect backdrop to the brand’s psychadelic/nostalgic graphics and streetwear.

Across the other side of the city, Salomon has opened its first Australian retail store in the Chadstone Shopping Centre, offering Melburnians even greater access to its cult XT-6 sneakers and more.

Inside Salomon’s new Chadstone store. Photography: courtesy of Salomon

It’s been a massive month for New Balance, which has opened stores in both Sydney and Melbourne, commemorating the occasion by offering customers a pair of the sold-out Salehe Bembury x 530s, as well as the 860v2s made in collaboration with Melbourne retailer Up There. Calvin Klein unveiled its newest lifestyle store in Westfield Parramatta, while up in Byron, local label Something Very Special has launched a kitschy, 70s-inspired shopfront complete with subway-style chairs and retro deli branding. Basically, it’s a great time to be an IRL shopper.

Haider Ackermann drops his first collection for Canada Goose

Photography: courtesy of Canada Goose

Six months after being announced the new creative director of Canada Goose, Colombian designer Haider Ackermann has dropped his first collection for the luxury outerwear brand. Inspired by his personal connection to the power of nature, as well as the feeling of liberation and escape that comes with being in vast landscapes, the range comprises parkas, jackets, tees, hoodies, pants and accessories that look just as good in mountain landscape as they do an urban setting.

Leading the Willy Vanderperre-lensed campaign is none other than actor and activist Ethan Hawke, who seems pretty stoked about getting the call-up. “I find that it is important to get out of the city and go for a walk in the woods. After finishing a project, I crave a reset. Anything you can do that gets you out of things that are manmade, that is when life gets very simple and very easy,” he says. “It has given me a sense of purpose, something that felt like a natural connection to Canada Goose’s values and this collection.”

Shop the first delivery here.

BOSS’ new ski capsule is ice cold

Photography: courtesy of BOSS
Photography: courtesy of BOSS

Hitting the slopes might be the last thing on your mind as the Aussie summer comes into bloom. But if you’re really into your powder, chances are you’ve got a trip to the northern hemisphere booked for early 2025, and you need some fresh kit to wear. BOSS’ new ski capsule has everything you could want to look fly careening down the blackest of runs, with high-performance pieces and luxurious aprĂšs wear keeping you feeling warm and looking ice cold.

Shop the collection here.

KAWS partners with Audemars Piguet

New York-based artist KAWS wearing the 43 mm Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon he designed. Photography: courtesy of Audemars Piguet

Brian Donnelly, the New York artist who goes by KAWS, is renowned for his cartoonish cast of ‘Companion’ characters which are made recognisable by their ‘X’ eyes and gloved hands. Now, he’s bringing his signature motifs to a collaboration with Audemars Piguet, teaming up with the watchmaker on a limited edition release of its iconic 43 mm Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon. A tribute to the artist’s early “ad intervention” work, a Companion can be seen peering out from beneath the watch’s sapphire crystal, creating, in the words of the brand, “an innovative peripheral time display”.

Unveiled during a special event at the MusĂ©e Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland, the special piece – only 250 are being put into production – speaks to the watch brand’s cultural nous, inviting the owner to “view Haute Horlogerie in a different light and to reflect on the power of the imaginary to push boundaries”. Indeed.

Related:

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What does the LVMH partnership mean for the future of Formula 1?