My Style: Alex Orley
Photo: Courtesy of Alex Orley
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I’m a very maximal minimalist.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Not wearing clothes.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Cashmere, angora, and camel.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Nope.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
I think one can find good style anywhere.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Underwear first, then pants.
Please describe your style in three words.
Clothes I wear.
Celebrities and style...
…good for them.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Clean socks.
A man should always look like...
Himself.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I’m still learning.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I try to make sure they are picked from the clean clothes pile.
What is your biggest regret?
My answer to the last question.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
You can’t buy it. No store is selling it. It doesn’t matter.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I rarely shop.
We will never see you wearing...
I don’t make rules for myself, and my personal taste is constantly evolving.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
I meet lots of stylish people all the time.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
A moustache?
The one image that defined your approach to style..
My approach has yet to be defined.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I am pretty focused on what we are doing with Orley. My good friends Graham Tabor and Miguel Villalobos make some beautiful jewellery under the label 1-100. Other than that, I admire Matthew and Samantha (my partners in Orley) for putting up with me.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His moustache?
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A watch from my grandfather.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Comfort and style are the same thing.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
I have a lot of respect for Christophe Lemaire and what he is doing at Hermès.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
My younger brother Matthew, he has great personal style and is an even better dancer.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
No woman, no cry.
