THEGAYUK

Day: 6 April 2019

  • Brand Highlight: Modus Vivendi

    Brand Highlight: Modus Vivendi

    Here at THEGAYUK, our styling team love nothing more than scouting the globe to find you the latest and best products.

    Whether that be grooming products, clothing or tech, we’ve got you covered. As part of our endeavour, we’ve decided to highlight one brand a month. To give you the low down and highlight some of our personal favourite products. This month it’s all about Greek underwear giant Modus Vivendi.

    History:

    Founded in 1989 by Greek designer Christos Bibitsos, Modus Vivendi has been synonymous with high-quality menswear and particularly underwear ever since. With the launch of their online shop in 2005, the brand expanded into the international market and the world went crazy for Modus Vivendi.

    Now a staple in every gay man’s closet. The brand’s provocative designs coupled with models such as Logan Moore, stand out from the crowd and are sure to be popular for years to come.

    Product Range:

    I know we’ve mentioned Modus Vivendi as an underwear giant but the brand does a lot more than making some of the world’s sexiest undies. With product ranges comprising of underwear, swimwear, gym wear and accessories, the brand is an all-rounder. With all designs being provocative, eye-catching and unique, they will definitely get you noticed for all the right reasons.

    With the entire manufacturing process taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece in the company’s own factories and with locally sourced materials, the high standard of quality from this brand is ensured.

    Ethos:

    Translated from Latin, Modus Vivendi means a way of life and this is what the brand tries to embody. They want their designs to represent a lifestyle and that lifestyle is very simple, you do something because you love it. If you’ve ever owned a piece of Modus Vivendi, you’ll completely be able to relate here. You feel sexy, confident and empowered. You’re standing out but because you are being yourself and expressing yourself through their designs.

    This brand ethos definitely creates a friendly environment within the brand itself. Pornstar/model Logan Moore (Instagram) has worked quite often with the brand and we were lucky enough to ask him about his time modelling with them.

    “Working with Modus Vivendi was so amazing, it felt like a welcome into the family and next to that the brand is awesome. The staff and owners are even more amazing. I was their first gay model and pornstar that they booked and I felt honoured.”

     

    Our Picks:

    1. WOLF JOCKSTRAP (£25.35)

    HIGH TECH MEGGINGS (£61.70)

    FESTIVE TANKTOP (£39.79)

  • Christopher Biggins felt “violated” after his phone is snatched by thug

    Christopher Biggins felt “violated” after his phone is snatched by thug

    Celebrity Big Brother star Christopher has said that he was left terrified after his phone was snatched by a cyclist in a hoody.

    Christopher Biggins
    Celebrity Big Brother 2016

    Panto fave Christopher Biggins had his phone snatched by a cyclist in a hoody as he waited for a taxi.

    The I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star said the experience was “terrifying” and left him feeling “violated”.

    Talking on BBC Wiltshire, where he is today taking over the station as guest editor, he explained that he has just left a swanky restaurant in Covent Garden, London, on Wednesday night.

    “I walked down to Charring Cross Road to get an Uber at quarter to midnight and I was on my phone,” he told the BBC.

    “I was looking down toward Trafalgar Square and I was seeing how far away he was and suddenly a hooded cyclist came by and stole my phone – just took it out of my hand.

    “It was such a violation.

    “I shouted very loudly but it was quarter to midnight and he got away.”

    He said talking to insurers the next day made him feel a little better because some of them asked: “Is that the real Mr Biggins?”

    Christopher, however, is certain that the thief won’t be able to hack into his phone to steal the treasure trove of celebrity contacts that the star has gained over the years.

    Biggins is one of four presenters guest editing BBC Wiltshire this week for the station’s 30th birthday.

    The others have been Time Team’s Phil Harding, Olympian Sharron Davies and Apprentice star Nick Hewer.

    Christopher Biggins has just turned 70.

  • Major travel company boycotts Royal Brunei Airlines

    Major travel company boycotts Royal Brunei Airlines

    A major travel company has said it will no longer offer flights from the Brunei owned airline.

    gay travel tips

    STA Travel has said it is to stop offering its customers flights from the Brunei-backed airline, Royal Brunei Airlines. The move to boycott the airline has come on the back of the decision of the nation’s government to use the death penalty to punish sex between gay and bisexual men.

    From last week gay and bisexual men who are caught having sexual relations will be stoned to death in a brutal shake-up of the nation’s laws. The new punishment which has its basis in sharia law also allows for stoning for those caught committing adultery and apostasy.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The travel company has also offered refunds for anyone who has already bought tickets to travel on the Airline.

    The airline, which is a small player in terms of airline size enjoys codeshares with 10 other airlines including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Thai Airlines.

    In a statement to THEGAYUK, STA travel said,

    “We’re proud of our open and diverse culture and we expect our partners to demonstrate the same. We do not support in any way the laws being introduced in Brunei (including on Brunei-registered aircraft and vessels). Because of this, we have stopped selling Royal Brunei Airlines flights.

    “Anybody who bought Royal Brunei Airlines tickets through STA Travel and who no longer wants to use them can claim a refund, and we will help those customers to make alternative travel arrangements.

    “We’ve taken this stance to add our voice to the calls on Brunei to reverse this change in the law and in support of LGBTQI people everywhere.

  • 6 simple things you can do to help a friend is struggling with depression

    6 simple things you can do to help a friend is struggling with depression

    It can be hard to know what to do to if a friend or family member is struggling with their mental health. Here are six tips to help you, help them.

    Free-Photos / Pixabay

    Send a text

    Free-Photos / Pixabay

    It might be a small gesture but sending someone a text to let them know you’re thinking of them can really help. Don’t expect a text back, but just reaching out can let somebody know that you’re thinking about them and that you love them.

    Make a care package

    langll / Pixabay

    Depending on your friend’s circumstances, it might be a good idea to deliver a simple care package. Someone who is dealing with bereavement or who has lost their job might forget about the practical things in life, like toothpaste or washing up liquid or even milk. Getting a few things together and dropping them around might be a great way to start a conversation. Be sensitive to your friend, however. Pride can be hurt so don’t go over the top.

    Ask the right questions

    TeroVesalainen / Pixabay

    If you pop over, or just happen to have them on the phone it’s always useful to ask the right question. Chloe Ward is a Technician at Smart TMS, the UK’s leading mental health clinic specialising in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, tell us,  “Are you okay?” is a great opener, adding, “Simple but effective. It may be that no one has asked that simple question for a while and if you follow this up with ‘is there anything I can do to help?’, they may feel safe enough to begin the conversation”

    Don’t try and fix them

    This can be really tough because you might feel like you’ve got the answer, but it’s always best to let people work out their own answers that will work with their circumstances. Also, how often do people really take advice? Especially when it isn’t asked for… never. So ask your friend what they think could help them out and explore their ideas with them. It can be tough but try not to judge, just listen.

    Just listen

    Free-Photos / Pixabay

    If your friend starts to talk, let them speak. Don’t interrupt in the first few minutes. If you’re confused about the timeline or the people involved, circle back round to it in your repeat back.

    Speak to a stranger

    Mimzy / Pixabay

    Let your friend know that they can call the Samaritans or Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline. It might seem like an obvious idea, but sometimes we need to hear an idea to act on it.

    Speaking to a stranger or someone on the end of a phone, who isn’t connected to them in any way can be a way in which your friend might feel more comfortable sharing their problems with. Samaritan’s phone number is: 116 123 or Switchboard is: 0330 330 0630.