CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

In an industry increasingly saturated with celebrity launches, algorithm-driven trends and fragrances engineered for fleeting social media moments, true artistic perfumery has become something of a rarity.

Which is precisely why  Xerjoff continues to command such reverence among fragrance aficionados.

Founded in Italy by Sergio Momo, the internationally acclaimed perfume house has built its reputation on a singular philosophy: fragrance should feel less like a cosmetic accessory and more like wearable art. Rare ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship and unapologetic creativity sit at the centre of the brand’s identity, producing scents that feel luxurious not simply because of their price point, but because of their complexity, texture and emotional depth.

At a time when many luxury brands speak endlessly about heritage while simultaneously diluting their identity for mass appeal, Xerjoff has remained refreshingly uncompromising.

And nowhere is that clearer than in two of its most celebrated creations: Naxos Eau de Parfum and Erba Pura Eau de Parfum.

Naxos: The Sophisticated Seduction Of Warmth And Spice

Part of the brand’s celebrated 1861 Collection, Naxos is the sort of fragrance that immediately reminds you why Italian perfumery remains so influential.

From the very first spray, there is a richness to it that feels simultaneously classical and modern. Lavender and bergamot provide an aromatic freshness upfront, but this is no predictable citrus opening designed merely to smell “clean”. Instead, Xerjoff quickly introduces layers of spice and warmth that transform the fragrance into something far more sensual and textured.

Honey and vanilla deliver a gourmand sweetness, yet crucially never become cloying or juvenile. Cinnamon, tobacco and cashmere woods add sophistication, depth and an almost velvety warmth that wraps around the skin with remarkable elegance.

What makes Naxos particularly compelling is its balance. It moves through multiple olfactory directions — aromatic, spicy, sweet, woody — while somehow maintaining complete coherence throughout. There is confidence in the composition. Nothing feels rushed, overcomplicated or designed purely for attention.

This is fragrance as atmosphere.

The sort of scent that feels equally at home against tailoring, heavy knitwear or evening cashmere. Refined without becoming sterile. Bold without shouting.

Erba Pura: Mediterranean Light Bottled Into Fragrance

If Naxos captures the richness of Italian evenings, Erba Pura Eau de Parfum feels like Mediterranean sunlight in motion.

Part of Xerjoff’s Vibe Collection, Erba Pura has become something of a modern cult fragrance thanks to its luminous blend of freshness, fruit and musk. Yet unlike many contemporary fruity fragrances, which often lean synthetic or aggressively sweet, Xerjoff approaches the category with far greater sophistication.

The opening is instantly vibrant. Sicilian orange and Calabrian bergamot create a sparkling citrus introduction that feels undeniably Mediterranean — bright, elegant and effortlessly luxurious. As the fragrance develops, richer fruit notes begin to emerge, adding softness and fullness without ever overwhelming the composition.

Underneath it all however sits the musky foundation that gives Erba Pura its addictive quality.

It is clean without smelling clinical. Sweet without becoming overpowering. Fresh without disappearing after twenty minutes. The result is a fragrance that feels simultaneously uplifting and sensual, making it one of the rare niche scents capable of genuine versatility.

There is a reason Erba Pura has become so widely admired within modern perfumery circles. It manages to feel instantly wearable while still maintaining the craftsmanship and complexity expected from artistic fragrance houses.

The Art Of Italian Perfumery

What ultimately separates Xerjoff from many luxury fragrance brands is its refusal to compromise between artistry and wearability.

Too often niche perfumery falls into one of two extremes: commercially safe fragrances with little originality, or avant-garde compositions so abstract they become almost inaccessible. Xerjoff consistently occupies the space in between.

Its fragrances feel emotional, transportive and luxurious, yet still deeply human.

That balance perhaps explains why the house has developed such an intensely loyal global following. Whether through the enveloping warmth of Naxos or the radiant Mediterranean freshness of Erba Pura, Xerjoff demonstrates that fragrance at its best is not simply about smelling good.

It is about identity, memory, mood and atmosphere.

And in that regard, few brands currently do it better.

Have you sorted your summer holiday yet? Maybe it’s a sun-soaked party escape filled with late nights and poolside recovery days. Perhaps it’s a chic city break spent lounging beside the rooftop pool of the latest boutique hotel. Or maybe it’s a more relaxed family getaway where the only real ambition is catching up on sleep while the kids disappear into holiday club chaos.

Whatever your version of summer looks like, one thing remains essential — the right swimwear.

British lifestyle label Boardies has built its reputation around exactly that. Designed for those who want to move effortlessly from pool to bar and back again, the brand captures the carefree energy of summer dressing with a collection that feels equal parts playful, confident and functional.

Taking heavy inspiration from the unapologetic spirit of 90s party culture, Boardies embraces vibrant colour palettes, bold abstract prints and subtle nods to the legendary Ibiza club scene. There’s an unmistakable sense of escapism running throughout the collection — clothing designed not simply for holidays, but for the experiences and memories that come with them.

What makes the brand feel particularly authentic is its connection to real lifestyles and real people. Rather than relying on polished fashion stereotypes, Boardies has consistently aligned itself with genuine communities and personalities. The models featured in its Ibiza campaigns, for example, are people who actually live and work on the island — DJs, promoters, creatives and lifelong partygoers who naturally embody the spirit of the brand.

Founded in 2015 by Nicholas Crook, the label was built around a philosophy of creativity, travel and good times. While headquartered in London, the team draws inspiration globally, constantly exploring new destinations, cultures and visual influences in search of fresh patterns, colour combinations and design ideas.

That sense of exploration is reflected in the product itself. Boardies’ exclusive in-house prints are designed to stand out without feeling forced, while the use of lightweight, quick-dry fabrics ensures practicality sits alongside the visual appeal. The collection is available in three different lengths — Shortie, Mid and Long — across a wide range of colours and patterns, allowing wearers to find a fit and style that matches their own personality.

Collaboration also plays an important role within the brand’s identity. Boardies regularly works alongside artists and creatives who share similar values and aesthetics, helping the collections maintain an organic and individual feel rather than following predictable seasonal trends.

What ultimately sets Boardies apart is its understanding that modern holiday dressing is no longer just about functionality. Swimwear has become part of a wider lifestyle aesthetic — clothing that needs to work across beach clubs, rooftop bars, pool parties and spontaneous summer moments. Boardies captures that balance effortlessly, creating pieces that feel relaxed, expressive and unmistakably optimistic.

Because sometimes the best summer memories begin with a great pair of shorts.

Children are not born afraid of spiders, social situations, darkness, failure or public speaking. In fact, experts suggest babies arrive in the world with only two innate fears: falling and loud noises. Almost everything else is learned.

Which is perhaps why the way parents respond to childhood fear matters far more than many realise.

By the age of two or three, new anxieties naturally begin to emerge. Monsters under the bed. Fear of dogs. Reluctance around school. Separation anxiety. Fear of water, injections or unfamiliar places. For most children, these worries pass with reassurance, experience and time.

But according to Harley Street phobia specialist Christopher Paul Jones (pictured above) , problems begin when the nervous system starts linking fear with avoidance rather than resolution.

And that, he argues, is the moment many parents unintentionally make things worse.

When Fear Stops Being Temporary

Modern parenting often places enormous emphasis on protection. Naturally so. Yet in attempting to shield children from distress, many adults accidentally reinforce the very fears they hope to remove.

If a child becomes frightened and immediately avoids the situation, the brain receives a powerful message: this danger is real.

Repeated enough times, a temporary fear can gradually evolve into something far more deeply embedded — a phobia capable of following someone well into adult life.

It is a process Christopher Paul Jones has spent more than two decades studying.

Having overcome his own debilitating fears, Jones developed what he calls The Integrated Change System™, an approach combining mainstream psychology with more modern behavioural and neurological techniques. His work has attracted an international client base reportedly including actors, models, musicians, presenters and public figures seeking help overcoming anxiety and phobias.

His central belief is refreshingly straightforward: fears are learned patterns, meaning they can also be unlearned.

The Parenting Mistakes That Quietly Reinforce Fear

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Jones’ work is his focus on what parents should not do.

Rewarding avoidance, overanalysing emotions, catastrophising language or repeatedly rescuing children from fearful situations may feel compassionate in the moment, but can unintentionally validate the fear itself.

Similarly, language matters enormously.

Parents often underestimate how phrases intended to comfort can actually amplify anxiety. Telling a child “Don’t worry” or “It’s scary but…” still subconsciously reinforces the existence of danger. Children, particularly younger ones, absorb emotional cues far more than logical explanations.

Jones instead advocates helping children understand and name emotions without becoming consumed by them.

The distinction is subtle but powerful.

Teaching Children To Move Through Fear — Not Around It

At the core of modern anxiety treatment is a relatively simple concept: confidence is built through experience, not avoidance.

That means gradually helping children work through uncomfortable situations in manageable ways, allowing the nervous system to learn that fear does not equal danger.

According to Jones, precision also matters. Parents often address fear too broadly instead of identifying the specific emotional trigger underneath it. Is the child afraid of dogs — or of unpredictability? Is it school itself — or fear of embarrassment, separation or failure?

Once the actual emotional mechanism becomes clearer, the fear often becomes far easier to dismantle.

This is where Jones believes many families reach what he describes as the “tipping point” — the stage where an ordinary childhood fear quietly begins evolving into a limiting long-term pattern.

Recognising that point early can make an enormous difference.

Why This Conversation Feels Particularly Relevant Right Now

There is a growing sense that modern children are experiencing heightened anxiety levels compared with previous generations. Social pressures, overstimulation, digital overload and post-pandemic emotional shifts have all contributed to increasingly complex emotional environments for young people.

Against that backdrop, conversations around resilience have become more nuanced.

Parents are no longer simply asking how to protect children from fear, but how to help them build healthy relationships with fear itself.

That distinction feels important.

Because ultimately, fear is not the enemy. It is a normal biological response designed to protect us. Problems only emerge when fear begins dictating behaviour, restricting opportunities or shrinking someone’s world.

And as Christopher Paul Jones repeatedly emphasises, the earlier unhealthy fear patterns are addressed, the less likely they are to define adulthood.

Beyond Childhood

What makes this subject particularly compelling is the long shadow unresolved childhood fears can cast.

Fear of embarrassment becomes social anxiety. Fear of failure becomes perfectionism. Fear of rejection becomes emotional withdrawal. What begins as a seemingly harmless childhood coping mechanism can quietly shape careers, relationships and self-esteem decades later.

Which is why helping children develop emotional flexibility may be one of the most valuable life skills parents can offer.

Not fearlessness.

But the ability to feel fear — and move forward anyway.

Christopher Paul Jones’ latest book, Face Your Fears, explores these ideas further, offering practical strategies for overcoming phobias and anxiety while reframing how we understand fear itself.

New research from Harry’s reveals that humour, football banter, memes and everyday check-ins have become an emotional shorthand for modern British men, highlighting a shift in how men express affection and maintain meaningful relationships.

To mark Father’s Day, the men’s personal care brand has partnered with comedian and actor Asim Chaudhry to launch The Feel Good Hotline, an interactive public installation designed to encourage men to reconnect through the small, everyday moments that often carry the greatest meaning.

The “Dial Up The Feel Good” campaign explores the subtle and often indirect ways men show they care, whether through sharing football scores, sending memes, making quick phone calls or simply checking in with a practical message.

New YouGov research commissioned by Harry’s among 2,000 UK men found that humour and everyday interactions play a significant role in emotional connection.

More than half (56%) of respondents said humour or banter makes emotional conversations easier, while 41% said sending a funny meme or video is their preferred way of saying “I’m thinking of you” without making the interaction feel overly serious.

Open-ended responses revealed that many men express care through casual, everyday communication rather than overtly emotional language. Messages such as “Did you see the result last night?”, “Fancy a pint?”, “Need anything from the shop?” and “Hope the back’s alright” were commonly cited as examples of how affection is often communicated in practice.

The findings also point to an evolving approach to emotional openness across generations. Seven in ten men (70%) said they are more likely than their father or father figure to ask their children how they are really feeling, while 67% said they are more likely to openly tell their children “I love you.”

Bringing the campaign to life, Harry’s and Asim Chaudhry have unveiled The Feel Good Hotline at Shoreditch’s iconic Great Eastern Art Wall. Running from 28th May to 7th June 2026, the large-scale mural and interactive telephone installation invites passers-by to pick up the phone and listen to messages, jokes and conversation prompts recorded by Chaudhry before leaving a voicemail for a father, father figure or someone they care about.

Whether sharing a football joke, a favourite memory or a simple “just checking in,” the experience has been intentionally designed to feel light-hearted, accessible and pressure-free, reflecting the natural ways many men communicate through humour, shared interests and everyday interactions.

The initiative also extends online through Feel Good Hotline, where visitors can access additional messages, stories and prompts aimed at encouraging meaningful conversations and helping people reconnect in ways that feel authentic to them.

The campaign arrives at a particularly significant moment for Chaudhry, who recently became a first-time father.

Commenting on the partnership, Asim Chaudhry said:

“Becoming a dad has definitely changed the way I think about connection and showing up for the people you care about. It’s made the whole idea behind this campaign feel really personal to me.

I think a lot of men feel like reaching out has to become some big serious conversation, when actually it’s often the small stuff that means the most.

That’s what I liked about The Feel Good Hotline. It takes the pressure off and makes checking in feel lighter, easier and more natural. Sometimes a two-minute phone call or a dumb joke genuinely can make someone’s day.”

As part of the campaign, Harry’s is also partnering with men’s mental fitness charity Talk Club, supporting the organisation through a donation that will help sustain four Talk Club groups for an entire year. The funding will create 2,080 opportunities for men to attend sessions, alongside more than 4,000 hours of conversation designed to help participants connect, feel heard and improve their mental fitness.