As you know there is a plethora of grooming products out there these days and many are from the big bad corporate companies yearning to tap a market and make another buck. But it is grooming lines like Triumph and Disaster who we really trust with protecting our rugged mug.
Created by the New Zealand professional cricket player Dion Nash, it stems from his years of sun exposure (read: Damage) and how best to save his face. As he told us, “There were very few men’s products available at the time (early 90s), so explaining away the pink lotions and face scrubs had its moments with my team mates.”
When he retired from sport he entered into business which has ultimately led to Triumph & Disaster (literally, as he told us with a laugh). Having a sports background and a clear understanding of how guys use products and the performance needs they have really helped when it came to creating the T&D formulations. It was important for Nash from the outset that he was moving the dial forward and improving on what was out there, he did not want to create ‘just another product’; they had to perform and be best in show. He has done an exemplary job on that end creating stellar moisturizers, facial cleansers, shave creams and even a volcanic ash and green clay scrub. Boom.
We got Dion on the ole yammer to hear about his personal style. Here is how he broke it down for us:
Shirts: I love Zambesi and Costume National – we have recently implemented ‘suit Tuesdays’ at the office so it means we are dressing up a bit more which has put the pressure on as I have a couple of Ryan Gosling / James Franco sales guys setting the pace.
Pants: Zambesi and Costume National – although to be honest I also probably wear too many jeans from Kill City and Acne.
Shoes: Many and varied but currently a bit hooked on Jeffery West. Alexander McQueen Pumas are on today although you caught me on an flash day, my usual would be Converse.
Socks: What I can find – hopefully they match.
Sunglasses: I have yellow and black Ray-Bans that I just cannot shake, normally I lose sunnies as quick as I buy them but this pair has hung in there and I’m sort of attached now.
Jewelry: Bespoke signet ring made for Triumph & Disaster by Naveya and Sloane and a skull necklace my wife gave me from Wunderkammer.
Suits: Crane Brothers / Costume Nationale / Zambesi
Ties: Not often
For Cricket: For one day cricket (played over one day) think baseball crossed with 20s fashion, in that the uniforms are colorful and have many of the components you would recognize of a sports uniform but at the same time are totally impractical and more suited to dancing the Charleston or buying a martini at the bar.
For Test Cricket: (played over five days) we wear white from head to toe, this can look good on some people – check out pictures of Imran Kahn in his prime. Again though not really athletic gear as you might imagine it.
