My Style: Christian Kimber
Portrait: Courtesy of Christian Kimber
The three essential things a man should know about style are…
Think about it, make an effort, forget about it.
Please describe your style in three words.
Lazy, scruffy, and thoughtful.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Leaving the gym and realising you forgot your spare underwear.
Do you believe in role models?
Yessir!
What are your favourite fabrics?
Suede, ripstop cotton, and white denim.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
No, they are all welcome. We don't discriminate at Christian Kimber.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Milan or Florence. But only those who don't work in the menswear industry.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I don't have much time to be either.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Forget the socks, unless you are in New York during the winter. Then wear all the socks.
Celebrities and style...
And style and celebrities. They are two different things, unless you're Kanye.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Olive chinos or any Christian Kimber sneakers.
A man should always look like...
The best version of himself.
Who taught you what you know about style?
You can't teach it, I guess it's conditioning. I just copied my dad.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
My butler does that.
What is your biggest regret?
Perhaps being too kind/friendly to people, who then turn out to be idiots.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
A lot of my friends are designers or own stores. Whatever they suggest or sell is how I shop.
We will never see you wearing...
Bad shoes.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Hmm... #Gvlifestyle? Seriously though maybe Maliek Njoroge or my beautiful girlfriend Renuka Rajadurai.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes. And then his tie knot.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
I have a picture of my grandfather during the war in a raglan sleeved oversized coat. He is super smart but also looks scruffy.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Antonio Ciongoli of Eidos and Hiroki Nakamura of Visvim and Ralph Lauren. Blend those dudes and that is how I want to dress.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…
His shoes, shoes, and shoes.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
Mostly the vintage pieces I collected which I never wear.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
No, but men often don't know how to be comfortable and stylish. They need to be comfortable with themselves first.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Eidos Napoli. I also like Engineered Garments.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Glen Allsop, Marcus Malmborg, Nam Nguyen, Brendan Mitchell, Quinton Clemm, Neil Watson, Jamie Ferguson, Maleik Njoroge.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Make your passion your living, then you'll never work a day. James Kimber, 2005.
