A man can never have too many shoes. At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself for the past 20 years or so. But even if there was a limit, or your closet is at capacity, you simply have to make room for a pair from Koio.
Sustainable, stylish, and all-round awesome, the brand’s luxury footwear is some of the best in the business. Free from unnecessary details and masterfully handcrafted, every pair is passed through the skilled hands of 42 craftspeople before it’s deemed ready for you to wear. And that’s the kind of perfection anyone can get behind.
Join me as I take you through our favorites from the latest line-up and discover why every guy needs to know about Koio (if you don’t already).
Key Takeaways
From sleek sneakers to loafers and boots, Koio’s designs are timeless, versatile, and seriously comfortable. Made in Italy using premium materials, they’re the sort of shoes that’ll look just as good with tailoring as they do with some jeans and a crew neck sweater.
From the Capri to the Arezzo, I’m going to highlight our go-to styles that’ll take you from days in the office to vacations by the sea. I’ll also be sharing why I think they’re so impressive and answer some commonly asked questions.
Every sneaker collection needs a pair in white, and they don’t come much better than this. Versatile enough to wear with just about anything, the Capri has been made in Italy from smooth full-grain leather with natural rubber bottoms and squishy insoles that soften every step.
Not just for the summer, they’ve been tightly stitched to stop your feet getting wet during rainy seasons, ensuring they can look just as good with a raincoat and jeans as they do with shorts and a camp collar shirt.
In a world where everyone seems to be in a rush, laces can be just another inconvenience that delays us getting out of the door. And although I’m of the belief we should all try and slow down a little, I’m definitely guilty as charged.
Slip-on sneakers don’t just save you time, they’re a seriously cool option that are easy to wear and style. The Garda is Koio’s version that has been sustainably made from Gold-certified leather (meaning it’s responsibly tanned) and recycled rubber. You can wear them with everything from sweatpants and oversized tees to tailored pants and smart shirts.
Black and white loafers are big news right now and I absolutely love this version—boasting chunky soles that give them a touch of rock ‘n’ roll.
They’re handmade from Italian leather and feature the iconic penny slot at the front. When you’re not wearing them with jeans and an Oxford shirt, I think they work perfectly with black tailoring.
Rugged, handsome, and seriously comfortable, you’d definitely swipe right for these boots. They manage to hit the sweet spot between casual and classy, while the just-above-ankle height pleases me more than I thought it would.
They’ve been made using the Blake construction method (great for flexibility) and come with a lug sole that’ll help keep your feet on the ground. The perfect addition to your cold-weather rotation, they can be styled with jeans and flannel shirts as well as cargo pants and chunky knitwear.
Pale Blue Dot is Koio’s footwear for the future. Using plant-based materials, from apple-based leather to recycled rubber, designs like this one are a must-have for anyone serious about saving the planet. And just like a quality meat alternative, you really can’t tell the difference.
I’ll be wearing mine with dad jeans and a Henley T-shirt, but they’ll look equally as great with a wide range of wardrobe staples, from casual pants and polos to cargo shorts and printed shirts.
The proof is very much in the pudding, but let me give you a few reasons why I think Koio are really great:
Sustainable
Koio are big on looking after the planet. So much so, they want to become the world’s first regenerative luxury footwear brand. In other words, they don’t want to simply sustain what’s happening to the earth, they want to help restore it.
By sourcing leathers from regeneratively managed farms and minimizing their contribution to landfills, they plan to make a difference and want to ensure a brighter, healthier future for the world we live in.
Comfortable
Nothing kills your vibe more than sore heels and painful arches. Koio’s shoes aren’t just nice to look at, they’re genuinely nice to wear. The label knows the importance of keeping your feet happy, which is why they use soft leathers and even softer insoles.
Timeless
Fashions fade but timeless footwear will never fall out of favor. Koio doesn’t just use sustainable materials and practices, they create shoes and sneakers that you’ll turn to season after season. From white sneakers to leather loafers, the brand’s designs are built to last and transcend trends.
Final Verdict
Whether you’re looking for an everyday sneaker or loafers for work, Koio shoes are a great place to start. Not only versatile, they’re stylish, sustainable, and skilfully made—not to mention seriously comfortable.
FAQ
Yes, Koio sneakers are made from locally sourced (Italian) leather, as well as suede and other recycled materials. They also offer a collection of vegan-friendly styles.
Koio shoes are handcrafted in Italy. The brand prides itself on the traditional craftsmanship and artisanal techniques employed by skilled artisans in Italy to create its luxury footwear.
It’s no surprise that many brides want to look and feel their absolute best on their big day which is why so many start thinking about the possibility of prewedding nips, tucks, and other minor treatments. With an array of non-invasive options at their fingertips, brides are turning to minor cosmetic procedures to enhance their natural beauty, so that they’re camera-ready for the endless photos. So what are some of the most popular prewedding beauty boosts?
The Rising Trend of Prewedding Perfection
According to a recent study by The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), there’s been a significant uptick in cosmetic procedures, with non-invasive treatments increasing by nearly 50% over the last year among individuals about to tie the knot. This surge is driven by the desire for a flawless appearance on social media and in wedding photos, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. The pressure to look perfect, combined with advancements in cosmetic technology, makes these procedures more appealing and accessible than ever.
A Glimpse at Popular Procedures
Brides are spoilt for choice these days with all the beauty treatments on offer to make sure they look stunning on their wedding day. There’s a whole menu of options, but let’s talk about the favorites: Botox and filler injections, chemical peels, and laser skin rejuvenation are all the rage. Botox does a fantastic job of ironing out those worry lines for a fresher face, while fillers plump up the volume in places like the lips for that perfect pout. If you’ve got skin that’s begging for a reset, chemical peels whisk away the old layer revealing a smooth, spotless canvas underneath. And for tackling everything from tiny lines to dark spots, laser treatments are like a magic wand for your face, zapping away imperfections.
Among all these options, though, there’s one standout – Morpheus8 Treatment. This procedure marries the goodness of microneedling with the oomph of radiofrequency energy. It’s like a beauty treatment from the future, barely invasive but packed with benefits like skin tightening, wrinkle smoothing, and texture enhancing. Morpheus8 basically helps a bride look absolutely flawless, making it a choice pick for that glow-up right before the special day. For those who want to enjoy the benefits of Morpheus8 Treatment Scottsdale stands out as a top destination for its excellent execution of the procedure. This non-invasive choice delivers visible improvements without requiring downtime, which makes it a perfect addition to pre-wedding beauty routines.
The Why: Feeling Fab Inside and Out
At the end of the day, these beauty tweaks before the wedding aren’t just about looking ace in your photos or nailing that #brideglow in your selfies. It’s way deeper than that. According to a scoop by RealSelf, 62% of brides felt a massive boost in their self-esteem after getting a little work done. That’s more than half of the brides walking down the aisle feeling like a million bucks because they polished their look just a touch. It boils down to that rush of confidence that makes you stand a bit taller, smile a bit wider, and truly shine on your big day.
Taking the Leap Without Losing Sleep
So, why is it okay to consider these beauty boosts? First off, when you’ve got a professional doing your treatments, you’re in safe hands. We’re talking about treatments that’ve been tried, tested, and given the big thumbs up for making you look and feel amazing. And it’s not just a one-and-done kind of deal—these tweaks can keep you looking fresh long after you’ve said “I do.” Think smoother skin, fewer lines, and an overall vibe that screams “I’ve got my life together.” It’s about making a choice that’s right for you, the one that lets you strut down that aisle knowing you’re looking and feeling like your absolute best self.
It’s not uncommon for a patient, when searching their insurer’s provider directory, to find listings for physicians who are no longer practicing and no longer in-network, as well as inaccurate addresses, phone numbers, and websites. These phantom entries create “ghost networks” in health insurance.
For more than a year ghost networks have made headlines as an increasingly serious issue for payers, providers, and especially patients. Riddled with inaccurate data, these networks often lead to delayed care and surprise bills, significantly impacting member experiences and trust.
Frustrated patients have been contacting their elected officials to address the ubiquity of ghost networks. Legislators have been hearing from constituents that this problem is impacting patients’ lives and ability to get care–and they are doing something about it. Three bills–two in the Senate, and one in the House–have been proposed that specifically address inaccuracies in health insurance provider directories, with more stringent guidelines, tighter timeframes, published scores, and possible fines if providers fail to keep their directories compliant.
Payers have good reason to prepare for any regulation changes now as the traditional means of checking directory accuracy–call campaigns, attestations, or manual roster intake–are cumbersome and costly processes that have not proven effective. What is proven? Automated solutions to meet the implementation windows and level of accuracy these new bills propose.
Policy reform initiatives
Three recent legislative efforts are aimed at addressing the root causes of ghost networks and enhancing healthcare access for patients.
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the REAL Health Providers Act in October 2023. The bipartisan-supported bill is backed by the Senate Finance Committee and aims to ensure that Medicare Advantage plans keep accurate directories and protect their members–most of them seniors–from receiving surprise medical bills.
The House version of the REAL Health Providers Act – H.R. 7708 – was introduced in March 2024 by Representatives Greg Murphy (NC-03) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), among others. It mirrors the language in the Senate bill and aims to protect seniors from delayed care and unnecessary costs.
Also in March 2024, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) joined Wyden to introduce the Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act. This bill addresses the problem of ghost networks for people enrolled in private health insurance plans with a focus on mental health care and coverage. In addition to targeting network directory accuracy, timeliness, and adequacy, it also aims to improve mental health providers’ network participation by establishing parity for mental health and physical health reimbursements.
Regulatory compliance
To stay ahead of policy changes, payers can track evolving requirements and compliance standards governing provider directory accuracy and network adequacy.
Here are the common themes among the proposed legislation
High accuracy benchmarks– this includes:
Periodic accuracy verification: Health plans must verify their provider directory data every 90 days and, if necessary, update that information
Public accuracy disclaimer: If a health plan cannot verify the data, the plan must indicate in its directory that the information may not be valid.
Detailed provider directory information that must be kept current– Health plans must keep certain information in their provider directories up-to-date, including a provider’s name, specialty, contact information, primary office or facility address, availability, accommodations for people with disabilities, cultural and linguistic capabilities, and telehealth capabilities.
Speedy processing turnaround times and rapid removals and updates to inaccurate or outdated information. For example, health plans must remove a provider within 5 business days if the provider is no longer participating in the plan’s network.
Publicly available accuracy scores and audit results – these include:
Annual Accuracy Assessments: Health plans must analyze their provider data accuracy annually and submit a report to HHS/CMS with the results of that analysis.
Public Accuracy Scores: Based upon the annual accuracy assessments submitted by health plans, HHS will make accuracy scores publicly available.
In-network rates if directory information is inaccurate: If an MA member receives care from an out-of-network provider that a health plan’s directory indicated was in-network at the time the appointment was made, the plan may only charge that patient in-network prices.
Make an action plan
Payers must anticipate these emerging policy trends and regulatory developments, as they will no doubt impact payer strategies and operational workflows in managing provider networks. Also, these compliance changes create the perfect opportunity to help your organizations get even better with their data, to improve member and patient experiences. Payers can break this process down into three steps:
1. Examine your current approach
It is unlikely that traditional, manual approaches to provider data accuracy–such as call campaigns, manual roster intake, and old-school attestation–will help payers reach the necessary level of compliance.
Payers need to scrutinize their current approaches to information gathering, whether it be using attestation from provider rosters or industry portals, call campaigns, roster intake, or other manual or automated efforts. What are you doing, and how well is it working? Across the industry, we see about 20-30% of provider organizations are not responsive to questions about demographic changes or requests to provide data on a regular basis.
Call campaigns are costly and time-consuming, and with a high level of variability and inaccurate results. Two different people from the same call center can contact the same practice on the same day and get different answers each time. In addition, phone calls have become an outdated, inefficient method of gathering information. They are invasive and abrasive, and therefore often ignored. It may be possible to do away with phone calls completely by relying on more technologically advanced approaches. The rostering process is difficult for both provider organizations and health plans– it’s a heavily manual process on both sides; there are significant delays in data updates; and it’s a source of provider abrasion.
2. Identify what does not align with new requirements
Processing times and mandated display of accuracy scores will require a new, technology-based approach to accuracy. Currently, health plan information processing times are too slow and accuracy verification isn’t robust enough.
The attestation that is necessary for compliance takes a long time and is not sufficient to create the required updates in a timely manner. Payers need to measure all these parts of their workflows to see where results are compliant and where they might need to change processes to stay ahead of the new legislative requirements.
3. Incorporate technology-based, non-manual solutions into provider directory management systems to boost accuracy scores
Health plan members rely on the utility and accuracy of provider directories. There are now tools that allow both health plans and provider organizations to quickly screen their entire network of information for accuracy and identify where ghost networks exist.
Once payers have uncovered inaccuracies in their directory data and “decluttered” the ghosts, they can move to the second step: examining the adequacy of the remaining information in their directories. Technology tools exist that can help fill these gaps by identifying active, in-network providers who are taking new patients.
Technology-based, non-manual tools are available to address both accuracy and adequacy gaps, from front end to back end in provider data systems. How could an AI/machine learning model identify accurate provider data, when information directly from the provider is often inaccurate? A supervised learning-based model learns the answers that a patient would get if they were trying to make an appointment and ingests all of the information that a provider creates in their daily workflow.
Machine learning models look at all of this information and can accurately predict the right answer to a higher degree of accuracy than manual outreach and other traditional methods of attestation. The models are frequently tested and recalibrated to ensure they’re performing at the optimal level. They can even accurately predict the results of a CMS audit within a 5 percent margin of error. Such models could be part of a health plan’s overall provider data strategy to ensure that information is correct and up-to-date every day.
Legislation currently in the works about ghost networks involves some big changes for health plans, but payer organizations don’t have to tackle them alone; there are opportunities for partnerships to ease the transition into a technology-based approach to these new regulatory requirements.
Photo: Bigstock
Meghan Gaffney is Co-Founder and CEO of Veda, an artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning platform that saves healthcare payers and providers up to 90 percent by automating healthcare administrative data processing and its associated administrative costs. Veda enhances data processing speeds and accuracy and is working to solve a $1 trillion problem within the healthcare industry. Meghan has over 15 years of experience working with elected officials and impact organizations, as well as consulting on technology opportunities. She is a passionate advocate for artificial intelligence and machine learning and believes these technologies will create unprecedented economic opportunities for the United States and the world.
Hospitals’ operating margins and patient volumes dropped slightly in March, according to a new report from Kaufman Hall.
Hospitals’ single-month operating margin index closed out March at 3.4% — a small dip from February’s 3.6%. It’s also worth noting that March ended with a year-to-date operating margin index of 3.9% — which is still significantly higher than the 1.9% index that ended 2023.
While hospitals were doing relatively well financially during the first quarter of the year, the report’s data could suggest more financial challenges ahead for hospitals. Right now, it’s unclear whether the recent declines in hospitals’ margins and volumes will be short- or long-term, said Erik Swanson, senior vice president at Kaufman Hall.
“Nothing we have indicates that we should expect a large drop in volumes, but the next couple of months will help us understand those longer-term trends more fully,” he explained.
The report also revealed that hospitals’ outpatient revenue decreased by 5% in March, due mainly to the competitive outpatient care landscape.
“Many hospitals are pivoting to offer more outpatient care options in the wake of shifts of volume. However, they are often finding themselves competing for patients with an increasing number of peer organizations, retailers and other nontraditional providers,” Swanson noted.
He also highlighted hospitals’ ongoing increases in incurred bad debt and charity, as well as increased days in accounts receivable, as additional financial challenges.
In his view, some of the increase in accounts receivable balances is due to the Change Healthcare cyberattack, as organizations are extending the time period in which they will collect. But rising bad debt may also be a symptom of larger trends, such as shifting payer mix away from commercial payers, Swanson added.
To offset declining revenue and volume trends, the report recommended that hospitals consider boosting their growth in high-performing areas like ambulatory surgery centers, pharmacies and imaging services. Depending on the hospital, it might also be a good idea to establish a retail presence, Swanson noted.
Black women are trailblazing in the entertainment industry and achieving great success in Hollywood. However, in the 1990s, black women were vastly underrepresented at award shows such as the Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, Academy Awards. This was not just a problem with the awards shows themselves, but a broader cultural issue within Hollywood, where discrimination and a lack of opportunity persisted. Black women faced marginalization both in front of and behind the camera. Despite this, black women in the film industry are making progress in portraying diversity and inclusivity, with actresses such as Niecy Nash, Angela Bassett, Danielle Brooks, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Davine Joy Randolph leading the way.
In particular, Niecy Nash-Betts is a shining example of black excellence in Hollywood. At the 2023 Emmy Awards, she won the prize for supporting actress in a limited series and exclaimed “I’m a winner baby!” as she accepted her award. She thanked her life partner and wife, Jessica Betts, as well as Ryan Murphy, the showrunner for Dahmer, and star Evan Murphy, who helped her through tough times. She also gave credit to herself, saying “I wanna thank me, for believing in me and doing what they said I cannot do! Go girl with your bad self! You did that!”
Despite the many awards shows that take place throughout the year, seeing African Americans win in the film and entertainment industry and secure their position at mainstream awards shows is a truly remarkable achievement. These awards shows were created over 90 years ago with prestigious honors in creative categories, and since the Academy Awards in 1929, there have only been 23 Oscars awarded to black actors and actresses. This year’s 96th Academy Award’s Oscar winners included actresses Danielle Brooks, for Best Supporting Actress with her performance in The Color Purple, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in The Holdovers. Randolph revealed a beautiful moment upon winning her first, Oscar Award saying, ” I always wanted to be different, but now I realize that I just need to be myself,” she said. ” Thank you for seeing me.”
This recognition of black women’s contributions to society is long overdue. They have the right to be seen, heard, and listened to, and to be evaluated at a higher level. It’s time for black women to be recognized, celebrated, and given the opportunity to shine.
Established healthcare organizations, whether it be health systems, accountable care organizations, or independent provider groups often grapple with the dilemma of fully embracing risk. Fears of taking downside risk and capitation payments are intimidating given the known unknowns regarding participating in fully risk-based programs, regardless of whether one operates within the Medicare Shared Savings Program or ACO Reach. Accommodating varying provider maturity levels and comfort with risk is crucial. By offering blended options, individual risk pools, and net neutral capitation payments providers can embark on their journey toward value-based care at a pace aligned with their tolerance and readiness. However, groups need to be further educated on the differences between MSSP and REACH and how partnering with a different value-based care enablement company can ease the transitions, de-risk the move to alternative value-based care programs, and improve their upside potential.
Typical fears to transitioning to ACO REACH
Downside risk: Only 18% of Medicare ACOs participate in downside risk arrangements. It’s rational for any provider group to want to avoid downside risk. The uncertainty of losses can be burdensome even for high-performing medical groups as relatively healthy patients can have a catastrophic accident that drives up the cost of care, leaving the entity with downside risk liable for the high fees they had not already identified and planned for. Provider groups typically associate MSSP ACOs with no downside risk while assuming that because you move to REACH, you automatically have to take on downside risk. Much of this can be credited to traditional value-based care enablement companies operating exclusively in the MSSP space which historically offered fee-for-service payments and capping downside risk while new entrant ACOs predominantly operating in the ACO REACH space offer capitation payments and downside risk-sharing arrangements. In reality, the latest entrant value-based care enablement organizations can also remove downside risk and often do to onboard provider groups; the downside is capping your upside savings, however, your projected shared savings are typically more significant in a REACH model.
Capitation: First, what is capitation? According to CMS capitation is a way of paying health care providers or organizations in which they receive a predictable, upfront, set amount of money to cover the predicted cost of all or some of the health care services for a specific patient over a certain time. According to a study completed by the American Medical Association, 38% of providers are participating in a Medicare ACO. Fee for serviceis the most common form of payment, with 86% reporting FFS payments making up the largest portion of their practice’s revenue. Ultimately, switching to capitation payment models comes down to two things — first, eat what you treat culture and second, sticking to what you know. Change is difficult, and to a provider’s credit, it’s their livelihood. Asking them to take a chance on a prospective new payment model is a big ask.
A VBC enablement company can ease the transition to ACO REACH and make it financially viable in a few ways.
Implementation incentives —Switching programs can be a big undertaking, from convincing providers to accept alternative forms of payment to changing clinical staff workflows.Value-based care enablement companies can provide implementation incentives through upfront payments to ease the transition and make it financially viable.
Net neutral payments — Offering capitation payments using this method looks at the average amount a provider was billing FFS monthly over a lookback period and converts that to upfront monthly capitation payments. This way, a provider sees no decrease in their primary source of revenue.
Quality bonuses — Traditional VBC enablement companies participating in MSSP providers would have to wait 12 to 18 months to realize any shared savings. Another strategy for transitioning providers to an ACO REACH capitation model is to offer quality bonuses that are advancing on their shared savings on a monthly or quarterly basis for achieving certain standards of care. This way provider groups earn their shared savings throughout the year allowing them to help pay for day-to-day operations or use them to invest back into the business.
Shared savings — Depending on the provider group’s performance, they will also receive a portion of the shared savings remaining from the quality bonuses they receive throughout the year.
Photo: crazydiva, Getty Images
With over 10 years of healthcare technology experience, and having led sales strategies for top-tiered companies including Athenahealth, DataRobot, and ClosedLoop.ai to name a few, Mike Ward‘s long history of driving successful healthcare tech has made significant strides in bringing innovative healthcare solutions to market. Ward’s experience in the healthcare industry including hospitals, payers, independent medical providers, and biotechnology, paired with his knowledge of sales, Software as a Service (SaaS), Data Analytics, Customer Experience, and Business Development, make him a key player for the Spatially Health team. Ward holds a Master of Science – MS in Healthcare Management from The Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School.
Born in 1992, Jamaican Mango & Lime embraces the authenticity of inspired ingredients from the isle of Jamaican made to elevate your hair. Over three decades later, their dedication remains unwavering. Whether you rock locs, twists, braids, or curls, we support, shield, and fashion your hair. We empower you to flaunt your distinct style, creativity, and independence.
Not just a brand, they are the curators, and innovators of loc & twist care who started a movement to provide haircare for the natural hair community, 30 + 1 years later we are still committed to it. In February, Jamaican Mango and Lime proudly hosted a pop-up exhibition at the esteemed Black Hair Experience in Atlanta. This collaborative event showcased the brand’s commitment to celebrating and uplifting Black hair culture, offering attendees a unique and immersive experience. Moreover, Jamaican Mango & Lime recently expanded their product catalog by introducing the “Braids Your Way” Collection in Target stores nationwide. This new collection further demonstrates their commitment to offering innovative solutions tailored to diverse hair care needs, catering to a wide range of styles and preferences. Additionally, the brand’s presence in Target stores solidifies its position as a trusted and accessible resource for high-quality hair care products.They’ve proudly announced that they are sponsors of the USA Breakin’ Association. This exciting partnership highlights their commitment to supporting and celebrating the vibrant culture of breakdancing while empowering individuals to express themselves authentically.
Whether it’s locs, twists, braids, or curls, Jamaican Mango & Lime nurture, protect, and style. Giving you the confidence to embrace your unique style, expression and individualism. Multicultural Marketing Director, Krystal McNear and Executive Director, Rosalind Brummant are excited to celebrate the company’s 31-year Anniversary in 2024. As a contributing asset to the hair community, Hype Hair is thrilled to join forces with Jamaican Mango & Lime to commemorate 31 Years of greatness.
Stay tuned for exciting developments later this year as Jamaican Mango and Lime unveils a fresh new look!
Amgen aims to challenge the Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly duopoly in the market for injectable obesity medications, and the company is now preparing for Phase 3 testing of an injectable drug candidate that would introduce new competition. While executives are not yet sharing specific details of the clinical data that support these plans, Amgen’s drug candidate could have dosing and manufacturing advantages.
The update for the drug, maridebart cafraglutide or MariTide (known in earlier stages of development as AMG 133), came with Amgen’s report of financial results for the first quarter of 2024. CEO Robert Bradway said the company does not normally comment on interim data, particularly for a drug candidate in Phase 2, but would offer some information given the significant interest in MariTide.
“We are confident in MariTide’s differentiated profile and believe it will address important unmet medical needs,” Bradway said during a conference call Thursday.
The Phase 3 program for MariTide will evaluate the drug in obesity, obesity-related conditions, and type 2 diabetes, Bradway said. Amgen has also begun expanding its manufacturing capabilities to support both clinical and commercial supply of the drug.
The popular weight medications Wegovy from Novo Nordisk and Zepbound from Eli Lilly are peptide drugs engineered to activate the GLP-1 receptor, which has the effect of helping patients feel full so they eat less. Lilly’s drug offers the additional mechanism of activating a second receptor, GIP. Both drugs are administered as weekly injections.
MariTide leverages Amgen’s experience developing antibody drugs. The molecule’s design consists of an antibody conjugated to a polypeptide and it offers a dual mechanism. It activates the GLP-1 receptor like the Novo Nordisk and Lilly products. But unlike Lilly’s medication, MariTide blocks the GIP receptor. In Phase 1 testing, the drug led to dose-dependent weight reductions. Amgen reported preliminary data from this study in late 2022. Full results were published in February in the journal Nature Metabolism.
The Phase 2 test of MariTide is a placebo-controlled dose-ranging study evaluating three doses in nearly 600 patients who are obese and overweight, including patients with or without type 2 diabetes. The main goal is measuring the change in body weight after 52 weeks.
While Amgen is staying mum on efficacy details from the Phase 2 study, Amgen Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Scientific Officer Jay Bradner said MariTide could be dosed monthly via an autoinjector device, offering less frequent dosing than the Novo Nordisk or Lilly drugs. This dosing schedule offers additional advantages, William Blair analyst Matt Phipps wrote in a Friday research note. Phipps said he still expects MariTide will lead to the same nausea and vomiting side effects that are common with other GLP-1 agonists, but monthly or potentially even quarterly dosing would still result in meaningfully fewer total sick days compared to drugs that are administered weekly.
“We believe this will be particularly important for patients who have lost meaningful weight and are less tolerant of continued side effects, but would still benefit from maintenance therapy to prevent weight rebound,” Phipps said.
Less frequent dosing would also have the advantage of reducing the manufacturing burden of producing the drug and the autoinjectors, Phipps added. Strong demand for new metabolic disorder medications has outpaced drugmakers’ ability to supply their products. Novo Nordisk and Lilly have invested billions of dollars in their own manufacturing capabilities and acquired manufacturing assets to increase production capacity.
Amgen expects the preliminary Phase 2 data for MariTide will be announced in late 2024. In the meantime, a different Amgen drug is dropping out of the race to bring patients an oral obesity medication. Bradner said the company will no longer pursue development of the small molecule code-named AMG 786, which has completed Phase 1 testing. Bradner offered no additional details other than to say that given the drug’s profile, the company has chosen instead to focus its metabolic disease efforts on MariTide and several other preclinical assets. The company has never disclosed the target of AMG 786.
Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg, via Getty Images
Are you looking for a cologne that’s more Casanova than caveman? Then opt for a scent that’s sweet, sophisticated, and seductive. Vanilla can transform hefty rum, coffee, tobacco, leather, and wood notes to create a mood-enhancing love potion.
The scent of vanilla is instantly recognizable and lives up to its reputation as a libido booster. Its flavor and scent, many believe, increase lust. If you’re skeptical, don’t be.
According to plant experts, Bristol botanicals, “from the time of the Aztecs, vanilla was considered an aphrodisiac. This reputation was much enhanced in 1762 when a German study found that a medication based on vanilla extract cured impotence – all 342 smiling subjects claimed they were cured.”
When I first started using cologne, I swerved the sweeter scents. But over the years and after many blind buys, I’ve discovered the key to success. Choosing the best vanilla cologne all comes down to finding a delicate balance of notes.
These 9 best vanilla colognes and perfumes for men lead the charge. From spicy and smoky to musky and woody and everything in between. Here are my favorite best vanilla colognes for men!
Key Takeaways
You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for a men’s cologne that’s anything but ‘vanilla’. These 9 best vanilla colognes feature the world’s most loved scent and hit the high notes with a cornucopia of masculine ingredients.
I’ve taken the chore out of choosing to bring you the ultimate smell of sweet success with my tried and trusted vanilla fragrances.
Were you expecting to see Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille in the top spot? Tobacco Vanille is a cult classic. Yet the world of vanilla perfume has come a long way since 2007, when TF paved the way with his ground-breaking vanilla offering.
Now, when choosing the best men’s vanilla cologne, the only limit is your imagination. Testament to this is Coach Platinum.
Warm and sensual, Coach Platinum takes its inspiration from the spirit of the open road. The fragrance is a call to arms for daring guys wanting to escape the humdrum of city life.
The beauty of vanilla perfume is its ability to fuse with other ingredients. And here, this blend of spices and fruit notes with subtle vanilla is ideal for warmer months, day or night. From its initial opening of juicy pineapple to its grownup dry-down of heady patchouli and exotic sandalwood, it’s a worthy cologne contender.
The dominant chords of sandalwood and sage are beautifully accentuated, while the vanilla, rather than taking center stage, subtly enhances the composition, providing just the right touch of sweetness.
Top Notes: Pineapple, black pepper, juniper berries | Middle Notes: Cashmeran, sage, geranium | Base notes: Vanilla, leather, sandalwood, patchouli| Size: 2oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Spring, summer
Rich and evocative, Maison Margiela’s Jazz Club is reminiscent of dimly lit lounges and the soft strumming of a double bass. It’s a fragrance for the bold, for those who yearn for an escape from the ordinary and dive into a world of sophistication.
Jazz Club has the spicy warmth of a premium rum and the elegant smokiness of a fine cigar. Mating these elements together is boozy and sensual raw vanilla bean. This cologne is an intoxicating scent for winter.
Although a deep scent, the EDT formula prevents Jazz Club from becoming heavy or overpowering. The projection is moderate, and longevity is a respectable 3-6 hours, more than enough for a wild night on the tiles.
Looking for a killer cologne that has a boozy buzz without the raging hangover? Many of the best vanilla colognes feature liquor-inspired notes. Of all the amber-colored tipples, none complements vanilla quite as well as bourbon.
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme is as explosive as its hand grenade-shaped flacon. A peppery citrus opening blends down to a spicy heart before settling into a hot and heady bourbon-vanilla base. Tart, empowering, and rich, Spicebomb Extreme brings the heat as temperatures drop; this is 100 per cent a nighttime scent.
Spicebomb Extreme’s performance power is a hot debate. Some wearers experience beast mode longevity and projection. Meanwhile, others find it more of a skin scent. I’m in the former camp and can still smell this on myself the morning after a night out. I suggest spritzing a sample to test how it meshes with your body chemistry.
Top Notes: Grapefruit, pimento berries, black pepper | Middle Notes: Cumin, cinnamon, saffron | Base notes: Tobacco, vanilla, bourbon, amber| Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall, winter
Unleash your inner Italian stallion with Valentino Uomo Intense. Although launched in 2014, I didn’t welcome Uomo Intense into my cologne arsenal until last year. Now, it is the best vanilla cologne in my collection and one of my all-time favorite fragrances.
Valentino Uomo is the best vanilla cologne for men who take pleasure in smashing stereotypes. Suave and sophisticated, the notes offer a delicious contradiction. Intense black leather and tonka bean are brightened with mandarin and florals and warmed with fresh vanilla. The result is a soft yet masculine Valentino fragrance that shows vanilla perfume needn’t always be sweet to succeed.
The notes sit better on the skin than on clothes; body warmth helps the base develop and intensify. In terms of staying power, I get a solid 8-10+ hours of wear from 5-6 body spritzes.
Top Notes: Mandarin, clary sage | Middle Notes: Iris, tonka bean | Base notes: Vanilla, leather| Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall, winter
A study by Showers to You revealed 78% of a group of 3,700 women voted aromatic fragrances the most attractive scents for guys. Chanel Allure Homme Sport offers an aromatic, musky twist on a classic vanilla cologne so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
The top notes are an instant pick-me-up. Sparkling orange and mandarin, backed by salty seawater and aldehydes, are sunshine in a bottle. A peppery, woody heart transitions to a substantial base. Here, vanilla and white musk mingle with amber, vetiver, and tonka bean.
This fragrance is the best vanilla cologne when you want to seem cool, calm and shower fresh. The white musk is predominant enough that this vanilla perfume doubles as one of my favorite musk fragrances.
Chanel Allure Homme Sport is the best vanilla cologne for spring, not to mention a cool summer scent. Pair Allure Homme Sport with a crisp polo shirt and fresh kicks, and you’re on the right track.
Top Notes: Orange, sea notes, aldehydes, blood mandarin | Middle Notes: Pepper, neroli, cedar | Base notes: Tonka bean, vanilla, white musk, amber, vetiver| Size: 5oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, summer
No best vanilla cologne roundup would be complete without this legendary luxury scent. Some colognes lose their magic when they reach cult status, but Tom Ford Tobacco Vanilla stands the test of time. Like the vampire of the fragrance world, it simply doesn’t age.
I’m not embarrassed to say that I wasn’t always a cologne connoisseur. For a long time, my go-to fragrance was whatever was on discount. Something to splash on before heading out rather than to savor and enjoy.
That was until my partner gifted me my first bottle of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. For 12 hours, I was enveloped in an intoxicating cloud of smooth, smoky vanilla and bitter chocolate. I found myself standing taller, walking with more confidence, and damn I felt sexy.
My luxury scent library has come a long way since then, but even still, Tobacco Vanille remains my go-to for special occasions and romantic rendezvous. Thanks to its premium price tag, this best vanilla tobacco cologne remains exclusive despite its worldwide popularity.
Want a raw vanilla cologne minus the fuss and frills? The Body Shop Vanilla Mist is pure and simple vanilla. Clean and inviting; no spices, woods, aromatics, or citrus to water down your favorite note.
This scented mist is the best vanilla cologne for the conscious consumer. With 96% natural ingredients and a 31% recycled glass bottle, this cruelty-free, vegan cologne leaves your skin sweet and your conscience clean.
A mist naturally doesn’t have the same staying power as an EDT or EDP, so you’ll need to reapply it more frequently. No worries, though, since The Body Shop Vanilla Mist is wallet-friendly. At around $15 per 3.3oz bottle, it’s the ultimate budget-friendly fragrance for men not looking to splurge on a new scent.
As with all Body Shop scents, the Vanilla Mist is unisex but does lean on the sweeter side, so it’s a scent for young guys.
Notes: Vanilla | Size: 3.3oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, summer, fall
Can’t survive the day without multiple cups of Joe? Join the club. For me, it’s not just the energy boost I get from a steaming cup of coffee but the creamy, cozy, mood-boosting smell.
Now, imagine you get to carry that scent with you all day without suffering a caffeine overdose. Let me introduce you to Maison Margiela Coffee Break.
Don’t worry; coffee and vanilla are not all this unisex cologne have to offer. There are enough refined notes in the blend that you won’t be left smelling like your girlfriend’s candle. Pepper, orange blossom, patchouli, tonka bean, cedar, and vetiver, to name a few.
Gourmand, creamy, spicy, and woody with a hint of florals, Coffee Break, is casual, relaxed, and inviting. It’s the perfect fragrance for fall and the best vanilla cologne for weekends spent kicking back with your favorite people.
If you want your cologne to go the distance, you need one that combines the sweet scent with other powerhouse notes. No note is more enduring than Middle-Eastern oud.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood is mysterious, luxurious, and demands attention. Visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and if you hang around enough high-end haunts, I guarantee you’ll smell this scent on the city’s elite.
Oud Satin Mood is in my top three all-time longest-lasting colognes, and I’m not alone. A staggering 82% of Fragrantica users who reviewed Oud Satin Mood experienced 7-12+ hours of wear.
With Bulgarian and Turkish rose, violet, vanilla, and oud, this scent isn’t for the faint-hearted. This fragrance is unisex, which explains some of the more traditionally feminine notes. Yet it’s ideal for confident alpha males who refuse to go unnoticed.
Top Notes: Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose | Middle Notes: Violet, vanilla | Base notes: Oud, benzoin | Size: 2.4oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Winter
Vanilla is one of the most expensive ingredients in the world. Lucky for you and your wallet, though, not all the best vanilla colognes carry an eyewatering price tag. From cheap and cheerful The Body Shop Vanilla Mist to reasonably-priced Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme, there’s a vanilla perfume for most budgets.
On the flip side, if fragrance is your guilty pleasure, splash the cash on Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood or cult-cologne Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. Having put my money where my mouth is, these best vanilla colognes are worth the splurge.
Is it long-lasting?
One of the biggest hitters in the long-lasting league is Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood. Following hot on its heels is Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille. What both of these fragrances share are their warm and spicy notes. These last the longest, and their oils evaporate more slowly than colognes with a floral or fruit base. So it’s good to consider when choosing a long-lasting vanilla perfume.
Like to switch your scent up at night and don’t want your daytime fragrance lingering behind? Opt for something subtle and lightweight, like The Body Shop Vanilla Mist.
Is it seasonal?
I used to think sweet and spicy gourmand fragrances were all about fall and winter. But blend them with the right notes, and some vanilla perfumes smell just as good in the warmer months. A stellar scent for summer is fruity Coach Platinum or clean and fresh Chanel Allure Homme Sport. Their blend of lighter top notes makes them warm-weather-ready.
When fall and winter roll around, it’s time to switch up your scent to something that can withstand the cold. So reach for my head-turning go-to’s; Maison Margiela Coffee Break and Valentino Uomo Intense.
When selecting the best vanilla colognes for men, Mal Lee of FashionBeans meticulously assessed scent profiles for authenticity and longevity, focusing on colognes that offered a rich vanilla essence. He emphasized artisanal quality and brand reputation, ensuring each recommendation came from houses known for their craftsmanship. Consumer feedback and industry accolades played a crucial role in evaluating each cologne’s popularity and impact. Mal aimed for versatility in his selections, considering colognes that would suit various occasions and personal styles, ensuring a wide appeal among modern men.
Why Trust Us?
Mal Lee at FashionBeans embarks on a unique quest for the ideal men’s vanilla cologne, blending scientific analysis with a personal touch. He meticulously evaluates over 50 fragrances to find those with a compelling narrative, focusing not just on scent but on creating an emblem of style. Lee’s curated selections serve as a navigational tool in the vast ocean of men’s fragrances, guiding you to a vanilla cologne that articulates your personal style eloquently.
Final Verdict
My roundup of the best vanilla colognes encompasses a diverse range of fragrances to cater to the tastes of even the most discerning scent enthusiasts. From zesty and spicy to deep and oriental, vanilla lends a velvety and alluring touch to some of my top vanilla perfume picks.
Coach Platinum exemplifies the artful use of this sensual note, harmoniously pairing it with opulent rum and sophisticated tobacco. The equilibrium of potent notes combined with a lighter EDT composition ensures that Coach Platinum stands out without being too dominant, securing its position as the overall best vanilla cologne for men.
FAQ
Let’s get one thing straight: every guy should have a bottle of vanilla perfume in their cologne treasure chest. Vanilla blends perfectly with many masculine notes to create some of the most iconic best vanilla colognes. If you’re in doubt, just take one seductive whiff of Tom Ford’s timeless Tobacco Vanille. It remains one of the highest-selling best vanilla colognes for men.
Does a one-legged duck swim in circles? The easy answer is a big, fat yes. Girls go crazy for vanilla cologne. The scent is playful, sweet, seductive and sensual, not just for guys but also for women. The best vanilla colognes, though, are masculine in every sense and have serious pulling power.
A study by a team of University of Oxford scientists and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm reveals that vanilla is the world’s favorite scent. The best vanilla colognes have an inviting aroma. This attraction comes down to the scent’s creamy, mouth-watering accords. It’s a fragrance that reminds us of the taste of sweet and sugary foods.
