My Style: Shaka Maidoh
Portrait: Jiro Schneider — Courtesy of Shaka Maidoh
What are your favourite fabrics?
I go through phases, but for this interview I would say leather fabric—mainly because it is comfy in both hot and cold weather, and the surrounding temperature does not affect it. It adds a hint of classic luxury. It's pleasant to the touch, comfortably soft, elastic, and firm. Most leather fabrics have the ability, or rather quality, of absorbing water vapour without losing dryness and hence retaining to their original shape when stretched. Plus it looks rad as it gets older and tears.
Please describe your style in three words.
Architectural, cultural and footprint.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Not being yourself, meaning dressing in what you think is fashionable or in what you think people would like to see you wear.
Do you believe in role models?
Sort of, but I do not feel we should set up people as ‘models’, rather actions, thoughts, principles and so on...one thing I do know is that children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them, which concludes that everyone needs a point of reference and something or someone to look up to. I have a couple of people in my life who you can call role models.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Wearing clothing braces with belts.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
What makes one best dressed? If style is internal and personal, then every city has its fair share of best-dressed men.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I like to think it's a balance of both when it comes to clothing.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Simplicity, utilitarian, and consistency.
Celebrities and style...
“Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose”.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
White shirts.
A man should always look like…
No other (he is special).
Who taught you what you know about style?
It's a mix of the generation before me to my peers and the younger ones after me. It’s a constant learning process.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
The combination of shirt, hat, and shoes tends to dominate my decision-making.
What is your biggest regret?
Never cry over spilt milk, work on not spilling it again.
The three essential things a man should know about style are…
Shape, size (fit), and proportion.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I do a bit of vintage research.
We will never see you wearing...
A backpack over a suit.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
My father.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His composition.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Mr Hare. There’s something romantic about his shoes and how they feel when you wear them.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…
His shoes.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My accessories such as tie clips, collar bars, and so on.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
No, it isn’t.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Cottweiler based out in London; their collection is beautifully put together—I am blown away every time I see it.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Jeymes Samuel of The Bullitts, a composer, artist, and movie director.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
The more you learn, the more you realise how much you do not know. Never stop learning.
