FEATURED FASHIONISTA : MICHAEL K.
Clean. But not really. Its how you’d think seeing Mike’s looks on LookBook. He puts an edge to his outfits. He looks crisp alright, but he manages to add on a piece that isn’t supposed to go with his ensemble, but he makes it work. Its like magic, if you ask me. He’s one of the few guys who can pull off certain looks not everyone can. He manages to be both “very put together” but also “very unique”. He’s one of a kind, and its one of the things I love most about him. I know I said this before, but… Damn the brits and their insanely sick taste in fashion.
1.) Place of birth
Leamington Spa. I grew up in Oxford, and am now living in London.
2.) Do you have any other interests aside from fashion?
I have gone through so many different phases since childhood.
I had a big interest in nature when I was a child. Next came my comic book phase. I had them stacked from floor to knee height in my room at the time! I also used to draw my own ones too. Then came the videogames. I was always up until the small hours like any teenage boy.
These days, I really like reading about all kinds of local history. I find it fascinating to know about the people that have walked the same streets I move around in. I tend to read a lot of novels and have a great interest (maybe an addiction?) to art books covering graffiti, street art, fashion, sneakers, painting… all sorts. I now have a big problem with finding shelf space in my apartment!
3.) When did you first find out about your interest in fashion?
I would say in early teens. But in the pre-internet, pre-blogging era, that interest was very limited.
I was pretty much into Nike, so fashion for me then was having a nice pair of Air Max 90s
As I got older I started to learn about formal wear, but of course I never had my own income.
I remember that I used to order lots of brochures and catalogues and make notes for future reference!
Now that I have been reminded of that, I wish I kept them to see how my tastes have changed since then.
4.) Do you have a signature style?
I really like pastel colours. I like to dress in a formal look and work in an unexpected splash of colour; whether it will be a pocket square, shoe, belt or sock. Whatever I choose to make colourful, I think that I would only stick to one colourful piece so that it really draws the eye and doesn’t make the whole outfit appear too busy.
5.) Who are your main fashion inspirations?
The majority of men who I admire are all from past era. Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Miles Davis, Sammy Davis Jr.
I also like Jarvis Cocker’s style, because he is someone who just does his own thing regardless of whether it is on or not.
For a contemporary example, I am always in total awe of Giovanna Battaglia. She is always remarkably well dressed and elegantly turned out. I also admire the fact that she doesn’t follow the obvious main trends and she has a great approach to colour too.
Finally, I have to name Mad Men the American TV series. It is really very surprising how big this has got. Maybe, because today we all live such safe lives, taking care of our health, talking in a politically correct and sensitive way and eating and drinking calorie controlled diets; it is very appealing to look into this world where everyone smoked and openly drank in an unapologetic way and always looked so good. I especially love the characters of Roger Sterling and Joan Holloway. Every episode, I have one eye on the story line and one eye on the clothes!
6.) How do you usually put an outfit together? Do you plan for it or just pick anything out of the closet spontaneously?
I would love to pretend that I just wake up in the morning and throw on any old thing and make it work….
However the truth is, I tend to think what I will be doing that week at work or if I am going out some evenings; and lay out some shirts for that week. That’s where I begin.
I would then choose a suit (for work) or jeans and jacket (for leisure) then fit in my shoes around that. Socks and other accessories are chosen last.
That may seem like a bit of work. And to be honest, it is. But remember! The British weather is very changeable, so this means that I often have to make some last minute changes!
7.) Where do you usually shop?
Now that I have taken time to think about this, I realise that I tend to revisit a small number of boutiques and stores!
On the high street I go to COS (for blazers and knitwear), H&M (I’m a sucker for those super limited celebrity collections), Reiss (for a bit of everything), Topman (for jeans) and Uniqlo (for colourful knitwear).
My favourite department stores are Liberty and Dover Street Market. In fact, both of these stores really challenge and stretch the concept of a traditional store. The selection of clothes and products incredibly well curated and the way they present them far exceed other similar spaces in London, or (dare I say it) the world!
For other smaller boutiques, I like Start on Rivington Street (dangerous… it is a 20 minute walk from my house!), Social Suicide on Ganton Street.
The only mass market designer I buy clothes from regularly is Paul Smith. His aesthetic (elegance with a liberal dose of fun) really fits into my approach to clothing.
For formal wear, I go to Richard James and Ozwald Boateng.
At the moment I am preparing to get a “second wave” of suits. I started to get my first set of suits made for me when I was 19, just over ten years ago. Most of them still fit, but many could do with replacing. Ideally, I would like to visit Spencer Hart on Savile Row.
I go to many, many other places to look around, but generally these are the places where I buy things.
8.) What advice would you give someone who dresses in line with fashion rules, and would like to branch out and try putting an outfit together which reflects their own personality more?
This is not such a bad place to start! If you understand and appreciate the rules of classical dress and why certain colours and pieces work together, then this will enable you to create very creative and daring outfits which will have a good grounding in classical dress.
For example, many of the greatest and most innovative menswear designers and tailors are able to create their clothes simply because they spent many years learning the technical aspects of tailoring, construction and colour theory. John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Ozwald Boateng, Timothy Everest - these are just a few names that spring. Many people can look at these designers’ work and think they randomly throw together colours and play with details, but when take apart what they create, your realise that they all work from a strong respect for traditional style.
Next, I would suggest that it is worth cultivating either a signature look or accessory. Make it your own and (if you’re like me, get a hundred and one variations of it in all colours and patterns). For me, I would say my signature accessory is pocket squares and belts. I can’t get enough of them. They are a discreet addition to an outfit, you can spend either $1, $100 (or even $1000!) on each one, and best of all for such small items, then can have a transforming effect on an outfit.
