It’s that time of year again – the DMARGE Awards have landed, celebrating the finest products, places, and experiences that 2024 had to offer. From luxury watches to groundbreaking grooming products, this year’s winners represent the pinnacle of style, innovation, and excellence.
Similar to last year, all of these products, hotels, airlines and entertainment are strictly sponsor-free, meaning that these awards have been handed out based solely on quality and performance from the last 12 months. If you need a refresh, take a look at last year’s winners of the inaugural awards.
With a judging panel featuring industry heavyweights like Finlay Mead, Ben Esden, Luc Wiesman, Jeff Lack, and Mike Sinclair, the selection process was as rigorous as ever. Competition was, of course, extremely high; after much deliberation, we feel this is the best reflection of the year gone by. So, let’s dive into the categories and crown this year’s champions.
Best New Car (ICE) – BYD Shark 6
This year, the BYD Shark 6 has clinched the title of Best New Car (ICE) for 2024. This sleek and forward-thinking vehicle combines innovative engineering with an aggressive yet elegant design, proving that the Chinese-made EV brand is a serious contender in the automotive world.
Released alongside the Kia Tasman, the Australian Utes sector had its own Barbenheimer moment in 2024, with Australia’s ute lovers faced with a difficult choice for their next purchase. But, ultimately, the best barometer of success is still sales, and BYD scored a lot of them ahead of the Shark’s official launch in January 2025. There was even a guy who managed to power his entire house and Christmas lights with his Shark from his driveway. Now, if that’s not innovation I don’t know what is.
Mike Sinclair and Stephen Corby have given honourable mentions to the blisteringly quick Corvette e-Ray that hit Australia’s shores earlier this year. But the Shark 6 truly stole the show.
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Best Electric Vehicle – Polestar 3
2024 has felt like the EV revolution has finally taken root here in Australia. Of course, with the incredible releases of Kia’s leading range last year taking the top prize, the opinions of Australia’s discerning drivers were shifting; the stage was set Down Under for a burgeoning industry, allowing automotive innovation to thrive in a record-breaking year.
In today’s electrified world, the Polestar 3 surged ahead as the Best Electric Vehicle. Without taking a look under the hood, the Polestar 3 is a serious head-tuner with effortlessly cool Scandinavian design that has become synonymous with the Swedish brand. But, of course, EVs need to perform in this ICE-dominated world, and this luxury SUV does it with confidence.
With its cutting-edge tech, exceptional range and comfort, the Polestar 3 is an exceptional offering into the EV space; a well-deserved winner in 2024. Special mentions have to go to the Lotus Eltre, another electrified luxury SUV with racecar DNA. It’s a looker with performance to match.
Best Menswear Brand
Melbourne-based Informale secured the top spot as the Best Menswear Brand for 2024.
With its versatile range of jackets, trousers, blazers, and suits, this boutique brand by Steve Calder has a knack for producing premium clothes for guys with an effortless Australian sophistication. Take a look at their range: an array of ready-to-wear options for every occasion, as well as a range of bespoke options.
Informale has made a point of being the anti-fast-fashion brand for blokes. Each product is hand-made in Melbourne, with care and attention, and sustainability at its core. So, stop buying cheap products that end up in landfill and look to add high-quality pieces with inherent character to your wardrobe.
Best Grooming Product
As we get older, the inevitable regression of our once proud hairlines can feel like a daily battle. And whilst there appears to be a litany of miracle drugs and DIY oils that claim to sort out our lacklustre lids, few can ever support their claims with any evidence.
Well, that’s where The Hairy Pill, our Best Grooming Product of 2024, comes in. This Australian-made company is changing the lives of everyday Australians with specially curated treatments for hair loss, that are backed by Australia’s #1 dermatologist, Professor Rodney Sinclair.
The Hairy Pill uses a blend of powerful ingredients that suit your needs, to stop hair loss in its tracks, promote increased growth, and maintain your hair’s holistic health. It’s a game-changer for the follically challenged fellas out there, offering an affordable solution for one of life’s biggest grooming problems. How do we know? Luc has been a customer for the last year, and he’s seen the benefits firsthand.
Best Cologne
There are some amongst us who think a quick double spray under the pits is enough to seize the day. You don’t have to come forward, we can smell it. With so many fragrances to choose from, there’s simply no excuse for not considering your favourite fragrance. But don’t worry, we have you covered.
Taking this year’s fragrance crown for Best Cologne is Crystal Saffron by Matiere Premiere. At its heart is Saffron Oil from Greece, renowned as one of the most exquisite saffron oils globally. You’ll smell like a Greek god with this sophisticated scent. Honourable mentions include Montblanc’s Legend Blue and Burberry Hero which both get regular use here in the DMARGE office.
Best Watch
Now, we talk about watches on a daily basis. And with such a stellar year in haute horlogerie, this category has undoubtedly been the hardest to deliberate.
OMEGA has had another huge year with the release of the all-white Speedy. Similarly, Breitling has celebrated 140 years of Swiss excellence in typical style with the Breitling Chronomat B01 Limited Edition. IWC literally won Best Watch at the GPHG for the Portugeiser and this Hublot Big Bang Pink Sapphire is a beauty.
But this year, we couldn’t look beyond the Berneron Mirage, which has taken home the Best Watch of 2024. This independent marvel, with its melting Dali-inspired design, is a true masterpiece, blending rare elements of fine art and horology. It’s no wonder it won the GPHG award for Audacity.
Best New Series (Streaming)
The Day of the Jackal, starring Eddie Redmayne, dominated the streaming category. With a gripping plot and a dazzling array of OMEGA watches, this Sky UK series, available in Australia on BINGE, is simply unmissable. It’s a worthy winner of this year’s Best New Series (Streaming).
Adapted from Frederick Forsyth’s novel of the same name, this spy thriller takes audiences throughout Europe in a gripping cat-and-mouse game between Redmayne’s cold-killing assassin and an MI6 agent, played by 007 alumni Lashana Lynch. For fans of gritty British drama, this espionage series ticks all the right boxes.
Best New Movie
The cinematic tour de force Dune 2 emerged as our Best New Movie in 2024. Bigger, better, and more spectacular than its predecessor, this sci-fi epic directed by Denis Villeneuve is a must-watch for true film buffs.
Villeneuve signature style of scale and scope transforms Frank Hebert’s original works into sprawling universe with jaw-dropping visuals of the desert planet Arrakis. Despite its critical and commercial success, the recent Golden Globes snub for Villeneuve is a glaring oversight. So here we are to right the wrongs of Hollywood.
Other considerations included Deadpool & Wolverine, which delivered seismic impact on the MCU and smashed global box office records, and the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an animated prequel that delivers a rich new layer to Tolkien’s legendary universe.
Best Whisky
Whisky is personal. For some it’s social; others, it’s cathartic. For me, it’s a bit of both. Personal experience will always shape our approach to good whisky tasting and that’s why I struggled to look beyond Hibiki’s 40-Year-Old for Best Whisky of 2024.
This is the quintessential Japanese whisky; a true masterpiece that reflects the storied legacy and craft of three of the country’s most iconic distilleries – Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. At $75,000 a bottle, it’s not your everyday drop. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill Awards list. Special mentions have to go to James Buntin, who can claim to have one of the best gigs in the business as Australian ambassador for the House of Suntory, who took us through a tasting of the 40YO earlier this year.
Other notable mentions include the Bushmills 16-Year-Old which I was fortunate enough to sample in the heart of Single Malt country, and the Dalmore 18, which kept me warm during Australia’s colder months.
Best Tequila
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the latest in a long line of celebrities who have turned their Hollywood gold into liquid. But instead of just adding his name to the bottle of Mexico’s (and the DMARGE office’s) favourite drink, Johnson insisted on hand-selecting the finest farms and suppliers for his tequila brand Teremana, this year’s Best Tequila.
This isn’t just another celebrity tequila – it’s a genuine standout for its smooth, crisp flavour profile that works equally well neat or in cocktails. At $70, it’s both accessible and premium, making it a favourite among the DMARGE team. After all, “It’s about drive, it’s about power…”
Best Travel Product
The Bellroy Venture Travel Pack made travelling a breeze and earned its place as the Best Travel Product. Finlay Mead, our intrepid travel editor, put this versatile pack to the ultimate test during a whirlwind five-day trip to New York, loading his with pastrami sandwiches, NY slices and look-alike contests across his entire stay.
Designed to maximise both space and organisation, it even held less important essentials like his laptop and toiletries with enough space to spare. What sets this pack apart is its clever design – a mix of rugged durability and sleek aesthetics. If you’re serious about travel, this is the only companion you’ll ever need.
Best Business Class
The Qatar Airways QSuite continues to reign supreme as the gold standard in business class travel, taking our prize for Best Business Class in the DMARGE Awards.
Offering fully enclosed suites with lie-flat beds, customisable seating arrangements, and impeccable service, the QSuite is a masterclass in luxury aviation and Luc’s personal favourite for whenever he flies. Highlights include QSuite’s Michelin-starred dining options, seamless connectivity, and a personal suite with unrivalled privacy – it felt more like a private jet than a commercial airline.
Best Australian Hotel
Sydney’s Capella Hotel claimed the Best Australian Hotel category. Its fusion of modern and Australian design, paired with breathtaking views of Circular Quay, makes it an unforgettable stay.
Simply walking through this 6-star sandstone setting, you forget you’re in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, with locally sourced furnishings, marble-clad courtyard and timber fittings old as time.
Best International Hotel
Island Shangri-La Hong Kong takes luxury to the next level, making it our pick for Best International Hotel. Luc stayed here recently and was impressed by the hotel’s ability to effortlessly blend modern minimalism with a traditional aesthetic.
Each floor of the hotel offers a unique experience to its guests, catering to a variety of tastes and needs. Families will love the playful, animal-themed rooms, while solo travellers and couples can bask in the serenity of the spa-like accommodations. Add to this impeccable service, world-class dining options, and a central location in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, and it’s clear why the Island Shangri-La has caused quite a stir this year.
Best Charity
Australia’s sun can be unforgiving. We’re blessed with year-round weather but at times, we can forget to take the necessary precautions. Well, Skin Check Champions is on a mission to save lives by promoting skin cancer awareness and prevention.
It’s a grassroots charity based in Australia that is making a tangible difference, offering accessible skin checks and educational programs to communities across the country. Their work is vital, inspiring, and deserving of every bit of recognition they receive. We’re proud to call these guys our Best Charity this year.
Best Athletic Brand
When it comes to athletic performance and style, few brands can say they’ve had as good a year as On Running. Backed by tennis legend Roger Federer, this Swiss brand has redefined the running shoe market with cutting-edge technology and sleek designs.
Whilst other brands like Nike are stumbling at the proverbial hurdles, On seems to be relishing this underdog role and cleaning up the competition. Their CloudTec® cushioning system delivers unparalleled comfort and energy return, making them a favourite for professional athletes and weekend warriors alike. Other brands like HOKA and ASICS continue to impress, but On Running’s stellar year simply can’t be overlooked for 2024.
