My Style: Ryan Fitzgibbon
Portrait: Michael George
How do you select your clothing every morning?
It's always based on my mood. If I'm feeling a little defeated, wearing the newest article of clothing has a placebo affect that can really turn things around for me. Or if I need to be productive, I'll throw on a blazer and my favourite pair of denim so I can feel like a “boss” and conquer my day.
Please describe your style in three words.
Comfortable. Classic. Smart.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Trying too hard or being anything other than yourself.
Do you believe in role models?
Absolutely, but for more than just having someone to admire. It's as important to learn why someone's success inspires you as it is to want it for yourself.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Jersey and anything knit.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
My wardrobe isn't very loud, so I'd personally object to mixing more than one pattern print.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
That's a loaded question, but there's something about London men...
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Boldly conservative.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Always dress with intention. Comfort doesn't necessarily mean effortless.
Celebrities and style...
Don't usually catch my attention.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Jackets. Three years in San Francisco taught me the value of never having enough layers.
A man should always look like…
He's about to run into his ex (confidently, of course).
Who taught you what you know about style?
Open up the pages of Hello Mr, and you'll find my muses everywhere.
What is your biggest regret?
The amount of time it's taken to think of an answer to this question probably means that I've yet to have had any real regrets.
The three essential things a man should know about style are…
Invest in quality. Trends fade, style is timeless. Be yourself.
We will never see you wearing...
Jewellery. Until someone puts a ring on my finger, of course.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Pretty much every man on the streets of London.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
Generally, not his clothes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Most photos of me before 2012, which have been filed away in the “what not to wear” folder.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I'm inspired by creative up-and-comers in fields outside of fashion who create to experiment. My friend Zhang Qingyun is a brilliant art director based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. He recently launched a line called Cilantro + Ginger, which brings minimal designs to life by playing with the boundaries of art and fashion. Each piece has a story, and it's inspiring to watch his process.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…
Every detail should be attended to, but the fit of the pants says it all.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My wallet, actually.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
It doesn't have to be.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Acne Studios.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Zhang Qingyun, Marcel Floruss, and Andy Salzer.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“If it is right, it happens—the main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.” — John Steinbeck (also reinterpreted by my mother as “Let go. It's all planned out for you.”)
