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.

Sydney FC marquee Douglas Costa is now an Under Armour ambassador

Sydney FC marquee Douglas Costa is Under Armour’s newest global ambassador. Photography: courtesy of Under Armour

With 31 international cups for his native Brazil already under his belt, appearances at the FIFA World Cup and Copa AmĂ©rica thrown in there for good measure, and after recently signing with the Sydney FC, footballer Douglas Costa has now rounded out his resume as one of Under Armour’s global ambassadors. The linkup represents a step forward for the athlete, one that will see him ascend the highest rungs of the game with one of the world’s biggest sport and lifestyle brands to back him. To celebrate the appointment, Under Armour has released a video recapping all you need to know about Costa, his origins, and career so far.

Omega’s new Speedmaster Pilot is keeping its aerial tradition alive

Omega’s new Speedmaster Pilot. Photography: courtesy of Omega
Its twin subdials recall the “burn rate” indicator in aircraft cockpits.

Within the already niche world of watchmaking, pilot watches represent one of the last pillars of the old world. Let me explain: with advancements in technology, activity-specific watches are being phased out. Divers, for instance, aren’t commonly seen nowadays with bulky dive watches but have dive computers for practical timekeeping instead. In saying that, Omega is keeping pilot watches alive with the release of their new Speedmaster Pilot.

As the brand where pilots the world over have been flocking for reliable timepieces to keep their flights on schedule (good for us passengers), the new Speedmaster pays homage to this long history. In this new Speedmaster, its 40.85 mm design takes cues from the very first which was released in 1975. It was a showstopper: robust and reliable, its easy to read design was pivotal for quick glances when in the cockpit, going on to be known in the US Air Force at the time as the “pilot’s choice”. The new watch features eye-catching twin subdials that recall the “burn rate” indicator in aircraft cockpits. It’s an ode to the classics and tradition of pilot watches, one that won’t be going away anytime soon.

Learn more about the watch here; $15,725.

Rolex displays rare timepieces at the NGV

Photography: courtesy of Rolex

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, home to one of the country’s largest art and design collections, is about to include watches. Announced this month, Swiss watchmaker Rolex, under their Perpetual Arts Initiative, will bring some of their most iconic timepieces to the institution all on display for your perusal. It’s a rare opportunity to get up-close with these pieces of style history. Whether you’re a seasoned watch collector or general passerby, the museum’s guiding hand will bring you through Rolex’s rich design history and craftsmanship.

The occasion also marks the first major partnership between Rolex’s Perpetual Arts Initiative with an Australian institution. “As a global destination for art and design, the NGV is delighted to partner with Rolex through their Perpetual Arts Initiative,” said NGV director Tony Ellwood AM in a statement, “and, with their support, continue to share global arts and culture with all Australians.”

The Rolex timepieces will be on display at the NGV International’s Federation Court and NGV Australia’s ground floor foyer. Learn more here.

House of Darwin opens first flagship store

Inside House of Darwin’s new store, in the Darwin city centre.

If social enterprise/fashion brand House of Darwin was ever going to open a retail space, it was always going to be reflective of the city from which it takes its name, and the vast landscape of the Northern Territory more broadly. So, when the dream became a reality, founder Shaun Edwards engaged a team of local artists and makers to bring the vision to life. 

You really can’t miss it – with a red exterior that transports shoppers to the warmth and richness of the Larrakia region, the corner space is full of the brand’s graphic tees and colourful merch, while a giant horseshoe-shaped couch, stone sculptures and artworks by First Nations artists bring the interior to life. With a drive to incubate and amplify culture, uniting people in the progression of creativity, this collaborative, community-driven space feels like the perfect start to House of Darwin’s physical retail footprint. 

“Our mission has always been to honour the stories, spirit, and landscapes of the Northern Territory,” says Shaun Edwards, founder of House of Darwin. “The store is an extension of that vision – a space where locals and visitors alike can feel the heartbeat of this land and connect with its incredible community.” 

Visit House of Darwin at 2/20 Knuckey Street, Darwin.

Happening now: Louis Vuitton opens a pop-up store in Adelaide

The storied French maison has just opened a new pop-up at the Burnside Village shopping centre in Adelaide, which marks the first brick and mortar presence for the brand in South Australia. Walking through the façade, influenced by the Objets Nomades Diamond Screen created in 2017 by Marcel Wanders for LV, Adelaidians can shop some of the brand’s iconic leather goods styles spanning footwear, bags, wallets, as well as accessories. No ready-to-wear just yet, given how small pop-ups go, but it’s taster for what’s to come when a flagship store does arrive.

Ralph Lauren debuts its official 2025 Australian Open capsule

Marking its fifth consecutive year as the Official Outfitter of the Australian Open, a title many fashion brands would love to have, Ralph Lauren has released its capsule collection for the 2025 Australian Open. Embodying the bold and vibrant spirit of summer in Melbourne through the lens of Ralph Lauren, the capsule takes tenniscore to new heights, featuring preppy stripes, relaxed outerwear and sporty motifs, including across the brand’s iconic polo shirts. 

Just as exciting is news that the brand’s iconic Create-Your-Own customisation program will be available on-site at the Australian Open in 2025, meaning you can head along and have your very own merch customised with your name or initials. For a piece of clothing that represents an experience you’ll never forget, it doesn’t get much better than Ralph x AO. 

Visit the Ralph Lauren Australian Open store outside Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park in January 2025.

Dior opens a men’s boutique in Brisbane

Inside Dior’s new men’s boutique in Brisbane. Photography: Kiel Wode/Vert Studios, courtesy of QueensPlaza

The men of Brisbane are lucky – as of this month, they now have a new Dior boutique dedicated to the brand’s menswear. The space marks the first time the Dior men’s universe will be permanently showcased in Brisbane, following an ephemeral pop-up that was dedicated to the men’s winter 2022 collection, which opened in the city towards the end of 2022. A modern atmosphere, the store’s interior is brightened by warm beige and blue tones, reflecting artistic director Kim Jones’ vision for the maison’s men’s universe. An ode to the magic of the Dior dream. 

Visit the Dior Brisbane boutique in QueensPlaza, Brisbane.

Dolce & Gabbana brings joy to last minute Christmas shopping

Inside the Dolce & Gabbana Holiday Market in the Sydney boutique. Photography: courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

If you’re one to leave it to the last minute, Christmas shopping can feel like an unceasing marathon of moving between dot points on your checklist. To put it simply, it takes out the spirit of the holiday. But famed Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana is lightening the mood, even making the experience enjoyable.

Sicilian winemaker Donnafugata is available at the market. Photography: courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Stationed at their Sydney boutique at 25 Martin Place, the brand highlights the best of ‘Made in Italy’ with a curation of sweets from Sicilian confectioner Fiasconaro, wine from Donnafugata, bronze-drawn pasta by Pasti cio Di Martino, and Smeg home appliances. Placed in coloured Sicilian carts, the brand has brought the spirit of the Italian island to the city, as if you were shopping in a market, with all items packaged in festive displays to save you time on wrapping.

The Dolce & Gabbana Holiday Market runs until December 28.

Nagnata opens shop in Sydney 

Inside Nagnata’s new Sydney store, designed by Pattern Studio.

The brand founded by sisters Laura May and Hannah Gibbs may be synonymous with Byron’s wellness culture, but it certainly has a fan base in Sydney, too. Hence, it makes perfect sense that Nagnata would fly south in time for the summer, opening up its first Sydney boutique on Paddington’s Glenmore Road. Designed by award-winning architecture firm Pattern Studios, the airy, small-footprint space reflects the brand’s commitment to sourcing and using sustainable materials, with various fabrics turned into colourful installations dripping from the roof and walls. 

“This store is a celebration of our love for architecture, movement, and the artistry of sustainably-minded design,” says Laura May. “Collaborating with Pattern Studio, we’ve explored the relationship between space and texture, sourcing materials from the natural world, mindful of the way people move through and interact with our Nagnata world.”

Visit Nagnata at Shop 10/2-16 Glenmore Rd, Paddington, NSW.

Sydney’s most stylish hotel launches its ‘Summer Concierge’ service 

Inside Ovolo Hotel, Sydney.

Booking a hotel is one thing. But if you really want the keys to the city – whether it be Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra – you’ll want to stay with Ovolo Hotels. More than just a pillow to rest your head on, between December 2024 and February 2025, as part of its special Summer Concierge service, Ovolo is offering guests who book directly exclusive access to a suite of curated benefits, including restaurant specials (a complimentary saganaki cheese at Sydney’s Apollo? Don’t mind if we do) and shopping discounts. 

Not that we needed another excuse to stay with the designer hotel collection this summer, but this special initiative will help you discover the gems of Australia’s best cities, no guidebook required. 

Learn more here.

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