WELCOME to the Spring 2021 issue of Glass Man – entitled Breakthrough. Why this theme? Due to the scientific brilliance and dedication of doctors and researchers – working together the world over – the Covid-19 vaccines (in all their variety) are giving humanity a breakthrough out of the pandemic which, I have no need to say, has so affected us all so much since the beginning of 2020.
Breakthroughs of course can be intensely personal – not all take place on the world stage, but are epiphanies perhaps – so we were interested in exploring these too.
For our Spring 2021 issue, we are very proud to share with you our exclusive interviews and photoshoots with our cover stars, leading acting talents – Tahar Rahim, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tommy Dorfman and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù.
Tahar Rahim. Photograph: Julien Vallon
We asked each of our stars what breakthroughs they have experienced. The Algerian-French actor Tahar Rahim said: “I now try to pick forgiveness over anger. When you are angry against someone, you are the one who suffers – what’s the point?”
Chiwetel Ejiofor. Photograph: Nick Thompson
While British-Nigerian actor Chiwetel Ejiofor told us: “When I was in my 20s, I made a film with Stephen Frears, Dirty Pretty Things. The making of the film was an extraordinarily rich experience, but I feel that it was around the time that the film came out that I was aware that there was a change in the temperature in terms of my relationship to the work, and people’s relationship to me in terms of the work.
“That period manifested really interesting conversations and dynamics that happened with various filmmakers, especially centred in New York, and I moved to New York for a period after that film. But that definitely felt like a breakthrough moment.”
Tommy Dorfman: Photograph: Angelo D’Agostino
“There’s been an uprising with trans people globally, where we’ve staked our claim in new ways and stepped into our power. That is exciting to be a part of,” the gender-nonbinary talent Tommy Dorfman commented in our interview with them.
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù. Photograph: Joseph Sinclair
“In terms of protests last year, be that Black Lives Matter or End SARS, there was … a tipping point and a breaking through to new ground through which we can build the world that we all want to live in,” British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù explains.
“I feel that there was a breaking through to people to understand something that maybe they’ve been oblivious to or not had the lived experience of, in terms of understanding the frustrations of the black community across the world… I hope that it spills into 2021 in the future going forward.”
Our fashion pages see two collection shoots showcasing the best of the men’s SS2021 collections has to offer, along features showcasing looks from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello and Alexander McQueen.
With this issue having a focus on jewellery, Glass Man highlights three different styles of watches to cater for all tastes alongside three pages of the best new men’s jewellery, from single earrings to bracelets and rings.
We also invite three leading vintage clothing collectors and archivists: Kai Cornwall of British Mustard; The Digital Cowboy from My Clothing Archive and Pechuga Vintage to talk us through their fashion treasure troves.
Our grooming and fitness sections offer our readers the best in how-to guides and a review of the latest grooming trends and products – perfect for the change of season.
And we interview the French Moroccan multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and artistic director, Ramdane Touhami, the creative who has recently revived and relaunched the candle, fragrance and grooming brands Cire Trudon and Buly 1803.
In our sports pages, we consider how football has adapted to the pandemic in “Football’s abnormal new normal” and our film feature draws insightful parallels between the HBO series Chernobyl and also the impact of, and the global response to Covid-19.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Glass Man as much as we have making it.
by Caroline Simpson
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