Birchbox Man Partners With ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ (Exclusive)

Director Guy Richie’s latest movie The Man from U.N.C.L.E., inspired by the 1960s television series, packs a punch — especially in the men’s style department. The retro spy film (in theaters Aug. 14) co-stars Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer as a CIA agent and KGB operative, respectively. The duo joins forces to take down an international crime organization while giving off major Sixties swagger. The film’s tagline: “Saving the world never goes out of style.” Other notable gents in the film include Hugh Grant and Mad Men’s Jared Harris (we should also mention Swedish beauty Alicia Vikander).

Ridiculously good-looking guys? Enter Birchbox Man, a retailer that offers a monthly subscription of personalized grooming and lifestyle “try-before-you-buy” samples. The brand has teamed up with Warner Bros. studios and the film’s costume designer Joanna Johnston (Forrest Gump, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) to create a monthly box as inspired by the movie. They’re betting male filmgoers will want to get in on the action — hence, swag to get your swagger on. The Birchbox Man x The Man from U.N.C.L.E. boxes include products from CW Beggs, Das Boom, V76 Vaughn and an 11-function pocket multi-tool as a nod to the “spirit of secret agent preparedness.” The boxes ship out in September (new customers can sign up here by Sept. 10 to receive the partnership box as their first in their subscription — $20/month or $195/year), but until then, Oscar-nominated Johnston filled THR in on working with Cavill and Hammer. Not a rough gig.

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The Hollywood Reporter: The looks in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. are of a certain period, but still have modern flare. How did you go about updating the original franchise?

Joanna Johnston: I really homed in to a certain look at the back end of the 1960’s and kept modernity with it. I sort of straddled the two to make it appealing for today, really because of Guy Ritchie’s style of filmmaking.

What is the international spy look — and how can guys incorporate retro pieces in a modern way that won’t come off like a costume?

For the international spy look: Always dress smart and be prepared for all eventualities.  The key word is sharp.  And elegance.  Also — if you can — go to Italy and study Italian men. Italian men have their own way of assembling clothes; the way they put color combinations together … sublime!

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Any tricks/tips/hacks for maintaining a crisp and put-together look?

I’d say to remember a few key words: gloss (groomed), sharp, elegant and ease; be confident with what you wear — even if it took you an hour to get ready, make it look like it only took you ten minutes.

What lessons can regular guys take from spies on film?

Wear a great pair of sunglasses.

What was the best part of working with Hammer and Cavill?

Well it was certainly easy going to work in the morning with such good-looking actors! [Laughs.]

DAPPER DUDES: Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer in ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’