My Style: Luis Fernandez
Photo: Courtesy of Luis Fernandez
We will never see you wearing...
Washed out, faded and ripped jeans.
Please describe your style in three words.
Tailored, functional, modern.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Not paying attention to what works for you.
Do you believe in role models?
Sure, we all need people to look up to and refer to for inspiration, so long as we don't idolise them.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Technical fabrics, especially the ones that meld performance with a tailored sensibility.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
If it works and you are genuinely true to it, then why not?
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Italy (just about any city) is the first place that comes to mind, but I was also very impressed with Stockholm.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I would say a good mix of those two. Classic and modern.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Paying attention to a good tailored fit, functional details, and always using a pop of colour.
Celebrities and style...
Are not mutually exclusive.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
A good pair of shoes.
A man should always look like...
He's on his way to win a battle.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I think my mom might have made a dent in that department. She would always tell my sister and me, “I don't care what trends the other kids are wearing now; you two always need to be well dressed and presentable, on trend or not.”
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I think about what I need to get accomplished that day, and then I pair the shoes to the task. The rest is built around that.
What is your biggest regret?
Not having any.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Fit, functionality, and being genuine: you (and no one else) needs to feel comfortable with what you are wearing.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Just a mental list of the stores I like to go into. The rest is left up to random chance and discovery.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His watch and then his shoes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
T.Lux Feininger's photograph 'Sports at the Bauhaus'. I remember this image from theory class in architecture school, but when I saw it in person at the MOMA’s Bauhaus exhibition in early 2010, it really hit me!
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Tim Coppens, he is driving the needle in terms of luxury with an athletic sensibility. Isaora, they master performance and extreme sports with a great sense of style. The newish giant brand Under Armour, they are definitely pushing the envelope of innovation in textiles and construction in an incredible way.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
Everything really. If you carefully edit at the point-of-purchase and take your clothing to a tailor right away to have it fit just right (if need be), then getting dressed every morning becomes a very easy task.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
I would have to say it is the first tee shirt I ever created. Even eight years later, it still fits and feels amazing.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not at all. There is a misconception that comfort equals baggy, but in reality, a tailored fit in the right fabrics is more ergonomic and therefore much more comfortable.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Martin Margiela and Comme des Garçons.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Peter Som.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself.
