My Style: Darren Kennedy
Photo: Courtesy of Darren Kennedy
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Jeremy Hackett, his style is quintessentially British. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions and he always looks the part. He’s the ultimate gent in every sense. Also Andre 3000, I admire his fearless approach to style.
Please describe your style in three words.
Ready for anything.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Overthinking an outfit. Oftentimes the best outfits are those thrown together in a hurry.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Shearling, tweed, leather, and denim.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Anything goes in my book… that said, I am a massive animal lover so it’s faux fur all the way for me. Actually while I think of it, I object to Uggs, they should be banned outright!
Which city has the best-dressed men?
London. I love the dichotomy of styles from sharp Savile Row tailoring to the anything-goes urban aesthetic of East London.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
It depends on my mood each day and what I’ve got on. I love to combine dapper tailoring with an urban twist and I love colour.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
I don’t believe how you dress should be dictated but rules but as Cary Grant once said the key to dressing is to keep it simple and I think it’s sound advice.
Celebrities and style...
Should not be confused with celebrities who have style. They don’t automatically go hand-in-hand.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Ties, bow ties and pocket squares… they fall into one category!
Do you believe in role models?
I think it’s important to have people that you look up to. They don’t need to be celebrities or fashion icons, just people who inspire you to be your best possible self.
A man should always look like...
Confident and at ease in what he’s wearing.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I’ve picked it up as I’ve gone along, beginning with my mother when I was about five years old.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Now that depends on what I’ve got on. If it’s a filming day I’ll wear some layered tailoring with a pop of colour near my face (it looks good on camera). If I’m catching a flight it’ll be mix of casual separates. For a day of meetings, it will be somewhere in between.
What is your biggest regret?
Don’t have one. I think it’s important to focus on what’s gone right rather than what’s gone wrong. That includes fashion faux pas.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
It evolves and that’s okay. It doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an attempt. It’s true; a little effort goes a long way. Perhaps, most importantly, don’t stress about it.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Nope. I’m a very haphazard shopper and tend to end up shopping when I least expect it. I find this works for me and it’s when I uncover some great finds.
We will never see you wearing...
Uggs.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His hairstyle followed by the fit of his clothes (especially if they are ill-fitting).
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Hard to say it defined my approach to style, but one image I always go back to is one of Steve McQueen in a tailored blue/grey three-piece suit. Impeccable with edge.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
My fellow Irishmen JW Anderson who’s going stellar and Sean McGirr for his bold approach to menswear that’s going down a storm in places like Japan and South Korea. I also like Simon Spurr’s modern approach to classic tailoring.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His shoes. So many times I’ve seen a great outfit let down a shabby pair of shoes.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My constant favourite is a brown, buttersoft, cropped leather jacket that I found when I was vintage shopping one day in the Marais while living in Paris. My current favourite is my shearling-lined parker from APC that’s getting me through the winter.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
If anything I’d say they are allies. Being comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing is as much a part of style as the clothes you’ve on.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Dolce & Gabbana.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He’s a brilliant actor who’s proving himself in the style stakes.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
There’s no success without hard work.
