So far, Fantastic Man has published 9382 printed pages (meaning we’ll hit 10,000 around the publication of issue no. 40, next year). We’re often asked where we find people to write about, and without unveiling the magic formula here, I can say that the list of fantastic men is endless and only a few people have been profiled, portrayed or interviewed more than once. ■ Designers TOM FORD and STEFANO PILATI have appeared a few times, as did supermodel CLÉMENT CHABERNAUD. And artist ALVARO BARRINGTON (above) was interviewed in Autumn 2020 about his art (and his hair) and reappears in our new issue because he’s great, and has a big project opening at TATE BRITAIN next week. The installation, titled ‘Grace’ (generously supported by BOTTEGA VENETA), is still shrouded in mystery. ■ ALVARO works with a variety of materials, as covered in our profile by SEB EMINA who describes the world of ALVARO in fifteen steps, from his age (41) to his studio (quite neat) and his past jobs (including stints at Bob’s Discount Furniture and Circuit City). See and read here. The show is on until January 2025.

You’ll find me at AFAS Live concert hall in Amsterdam tonight, for the glorious return of popgroup PULP. ■ The support act happens to be ALEXIS TAYLOR of HOT CHIP fame, who was mentioned here a few weeks ago when he deejayed at the launch party of the latest Fantastic Man. ■ Feel free to dive into ALEXIS’s profile from 14 years ago.

One may have noticed earlier this week (on Instagram or the Fantastic Man website) the launch of our visual book club – a delightful compilation of recommended reads and sees. ■ The selection includes a celebration of 10 years of Dutch streetwear label POP TRADING COMPANY, books by JASON OKUNDAYE and LEV TANJU, and the history of sportswear label FILA by ANGELO FLACCAVENTO.

From page 73 of Fantastic Man’s new issue, a Gommino driving shoe, a style of footwear that is TOD’S specialty, so much so in fact that they have them available in 82 varieties, and that’s for men only. This particular model, photographed by CHAUMONT-ZAERPOUR, has a T-shaped buckle on the so-called penny strap. Others are rendered in pony skin-effect calfskin leather, and they also come as mules (as in slippers, not animals).

While the rumours of designer HEDI SLIMANE leaving his position at CELINE keep swirling, he just directed a glorious 15-minute fashion film shot in the Mojave desert. Wowser – talk about spectacular production value! ■ As for the cute cowboy cameo...was that a cheeky nod to last year’s PEDRO ALMODOVAR mini-Western for SAINT LAURENT? Highly entertaining.