speaking of inspiration... For me, like most, inspiration is everywhere. It can be in a conversation, a song lyric, a stranger, travel, photography, and art or by a feeling. When I first began designing, my designs came from this idea of who I think a man should be, and what he wears, which stemmed from a lack of culture in my life. I yearned for my man to be something more than complacent and in the Midwest. He was equally an artist and athlete, a world traveler, intelligent and stylish. I began falling in love with classic, yet rugged styles, heritage brands and masculine sensibility in design. I love the late 30’s and early 40’s in menswear, as well as great vintage work wear pieces from anoraks, to denim jackets, to topcoats. When designing I like play with textures and love the tactile quality of textiles. I think a man can pull off a monochromatic outfit if he layers the textiles correctly, adding depth and thought into his outfit. That is how I try to design a collection, by thinking not only of silhouettes, but everything. I think of the depth of richness, cashmere layered over chambray and under a linen blazer. Or how the braided leather belt peeks out under the bottom of the shirt, and brings out the tones of the leather in the wingtips, which bring out the tortoise buttons etc. I am also inspired, at times, by an emotion or feeling. Earlier this year I designed a collection inspired by Claude Debussy’s Claire De Lune and how well he transposed the beauty, emotion and mystery of the moon into a beautiful ballad. When it comes to photography, men’s street wear pictures, especially those at Pitti Uomo, inspire me. As well as classic, strong and emotional photography, such as this portrait of James Dean.
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