Photo: Wesley Stringer

Manolo Costa is a fashion designer focusing on bespoke clothing for men. He is based in New York City.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

When I was a kid, my great-grandfather used to drive us to the beach. While we ran around half naked, I vividly remember him sporting a three-piece suit. He never really talked to me about clothing, truth is he didn’t need to; his style spoke for itself.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Modern, sophisticated, sexy.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Underestimating the occasion.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

I do. Ever since I can remember, I was always taught that the easiest way to identify them was by spotting the number on their jersey; it was always the number 10.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Velvet, flannel, tweed, silk, linen. Texture inspires me.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

I can think of a thousand style combinations that I would object to, but anything overdone is something I am particularly opposed to.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

The world’s metropolis, New York City. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

I’d say conservatively bold.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

My wardrobe caters to the seasons. The only rule I have is, always dress seasonally, appropriately, and accordingly.

Q: Celebrities and style…

The old Hollywood glamour is hard to replicate these days.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

My cashmere hopsack navy blazer and its tireless companion, the white linen pocket square.

Q: A man should always look like…

He is wearing his clothes, not the other way around.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

I don’t. I do it at night before I go to bed.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

None.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

Quality, quality, and quality.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Always buy what works on me, not what looks good on others.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Bermuda shorts.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

I’ve seen, met plenty. I find great inspiration in New York. It’s all around.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

The shoulder expression on his jacket.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

A John French print…take your pick.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Have you heard of Manolo Costa?

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

His jacket.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

White royal Oxford dress shirt, navy hopsack blazer, and dove grey flannel trousers. Ironically, they’re all Manolo Costa, New York.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

I’m most comfortable when I know my style is never compromised.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Not easily impressed.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Constance Victory Small from Victoire Focx.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Don’t fuck it up.

Photo: courtesy of Bionda Castana

Natalia Barbieri is the co-owner (alongside Jennifer Portman) of the British shoe label Bionda Castana. They have won the Best New Accessories Designer award at the Who Is On Next/Vogue Italia event in 2008. All of their designs are handcrafted in a family-owned factory in Italy.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Absolutely. On a work perspective, we really admire Tamara Mellon. Like us, she had no formal design training, yet her natural entrepreneurial, fashion, and creative instincts are what drove her to success. In only a short space of time, she built an international, iconic, and luxurious brand. She is proof of what can be achieved. Our goals of building an empire are attainable.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Understated and high heels.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Forgetting to put on high heels.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

It changes with the seasons, but for now Nappa and python skin, and together they look superlux on a pair of shoes.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

None. Fashion is about freedom.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

London, definitely London.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Both. Depends on how I have awakened that day and what mood I am in.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

It all depends on the weather.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Don’t always get it right, like the rest of us.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

My grandmother’s wedding ring is a permanent fixture on my left hand.

Q: A woman should always look…

Feminine.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

It was probably my brother Alberto. He pays a lot of attention to his appearance and has a very classic style. I always looked up to him when I was growing up, and he actually used to style me. He bought me a pair of Sergio Rossi sky blue crocodile skin pumps when I was 15. It was pretty much the stamp on my shoe obsession.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

By choosing which shoes I want to wear and taking it from there.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Don’t follow trends; be individual; and invest in a good coat, handbag, and shoes.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I always buy online. I don’t have time to hit the stores.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

A jumpsuit. They just do not suit my body shape at all.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Gabriele Colangelo. Amazing fit, incredibly feminine, and beautiful fabrics.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

Jessica J. Walsh. I want her wardrobe.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

Her shoes.

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

Her shoes!

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Not at all. We don’t have to suffer to look amazing.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Tim Wild. One of the few men I know who looks amazing in a fedora.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

“To achieve great things, we must first dream.”—Coco Chanel

Photo: courtesy of Douglas Friedman

Douglas Friedman is a photographer who divides his time between Los Angeles and New York City. He has collaborated with publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Vogue, Wallpaper, and Vanity Fair. Before launching his successful career as a photographer, Douglas worked as assistant to director David Fincher.

Q: One garment that you can never have enough of?

Currently, I am quite fond of my Belstaff rubberized canvas motorcycle jacket and an oversized Cartier Tank watch.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Uniform, simple, easy.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

As a man, wearing pants that are too tight.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

A fashion role model, absolutely. But it should be an inspiration that you interpret.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Cotton, denim, cashmere, and leather.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Cowboy hats and swimsuits, especially on a woman when worn with a bikini.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

New York, with Paris coming in second.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

I’m conservative in my dress because my tattoos are the bold statement in my wardrobe.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

I have a uniform, and I stick to it. At a certain age, you keep it clean and simple.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Are there for our entertainment.

Q: A man should always look like…

He never thought twice about what he is wearing.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

There has not been one single influence. I guess I find inspiration from all the fascinating people I come across in my day-to-day life.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

I look to see what’s clean, and then go from there. It’s not hard. A.P.C. jeans, James Perse t-shirt, and Converse sneakers usually do the trick.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

A 1989 Jean Paul Gaultier double-breasted suit in dark green with a pinstripe…just awful.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

1. Don’t follow the latest trends. 2. Find your uniform, and stick to it. It’s unattractive to look like you tried too hard. 3. A dropped crotch is never in style.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Lately, I have been shopping on MrPorter.com. I don’t enjoy going to the stores anymore; it’s overwhelming.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Dropped-crotch trousers or anything from Ed Hardy.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

Hands down, Mr. Tom Ford.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

His eyes, then his pants.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

Something about the less vulgar cartoons by Tom of Finland.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

I don’t follow fashion trends for myself. I tend to stick to what I know and like.

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

If there was only one, it would have to be the pants; a sloppy cut can ruin you.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

My collegiate high school sweat pants.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No, in my line of work, it’s a necessity.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Rick Owens, even though I don’t wear it, is architecturally interesting.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Brad Goreski from “It’s a Brad, Brad World”.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

It passes.

Photo: courtesy of Jennifer Fisher

Jennifer Fisher is a jewellery designer based in New York City. Her list of clients includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, Uma Thurman, and Naomi Watts.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Utilitarian, tomboy, chic.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Not wearing Jennifer Fisher Jewellery, ha-ha. Too many trends at once.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes. It drives us.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Cotton, cashmere, and leather!

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Cropped shirts and high-waisted pants.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

New York City, of course!

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Bold.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

Leather pants, when in doubt.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

Jennifer Fisher Jewellery and leather pants.

Q: A woman should always look like…

Herself.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My subscription to French Vogue my mother got for me.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

My shower is in my closet, so it’s easy.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

Not starting to design at an earlier age.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Know when it doesn’t fit, is the wrong color for your skin, and make it your own.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Rock tees and more rock tees.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Non-platform heels.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

My friend Taylor Tomasi Hill.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

Jewellery and shoes.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

My Balenciaga and Rick Owens collections.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

Kate Moss, circa 1980.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

That would be Rick Owens.

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

Her shoes.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Never. Contrived outfits that hurt are off limits.

Photo: courtesy of Oliver Spencer

Oliver Spencer is a fashion designer and a self-taught tailor. He founded his label in 2002 and draws inspiration from hunting and the military.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

It’s really that image of Paul Weller walking out of that hotel in the ‘80s when he’s thrown his green parka out of the window and all of the Scooter Boys are outside, the French Mod era.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Not to consider one’s footwear.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Herringbone of any type, form, or manner; Pima cotton.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Baggy shirts worn with wide-leg trousers and pointy shoes.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

London, London, and London; Soho.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

I’m conservatively bold in what I wear.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

Essentially, when I am working on a collection, it’s black or navy trousers. I find myself to be a lot freer in the way I dress when I am not doing collections as I am so busy working.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Don’t go together. They generally need a little help from a stylist.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. A man should always consider the footwear.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

A certain amount of it is intuitive, and then there are people that influence you.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

With great difficulty at the moment, a pair of trousers, a bomber jacket with a jumper, depending on the weather.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

I don’t have any big regrets really. I don’t believe in them.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

Being eclectic. Great shoes. Less is more.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Funnily enough, I go shopping when I’m abroad. I shop when I travel. I do really enjoy shopping in Liberty London.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Flared trousers.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

William Gilchrist.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

His shoes.

Q: Which new designers do you follow/admire and why?

Cathal McAteer from Folk.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

An Anderson and Sheppard suit; it was my granddad’s.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Not if it’s well-designed, no.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Dries Van Noten.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Lou Dalton.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Be bold, or don’t bother.

Photo: courtesy of Haleh Nia

Haleh Nia is the founder and editor of Savoir Flair, the first online fashion magazine in the Middle East. She is based in Dubai.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

I have tremendous respect for all of the new talent coming out of London, particularly for the designers working with prints, such as Mary Katrantzou and Erdem. Prints hadn’t been done correctly for so many seasons, but these two just get it right.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Uptown meets downtown.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Overthinking the process.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

When it comes to business, yes. When it comes to style, no.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Leather, despite the fact that I live in one of the hottest climates in the world. I own far too many leather jackets for a city that’s infamous for its year-round sunshine.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Showy-showy, ‘Look-how-rich-I-am’ style. We’ve, unfortunately, got it in spades here in Dubai.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

A balance of both. I make conservative outfit choices along with bold accessory choices. I’m a sucker for an insanely high pair of heels in a crazy style.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

Given the nature of the heels I just described, my one rule is to be comfortable in what I’m wearing, since my feet will be hurting so much.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Provide inspiration, but not inspiration enough. Look to models, ‘it’ girls, the runways, and streets for thought-provoking style.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

For fear of sounding like a broken record, I will forgo the jacket, and not just the leather jacket, but all manner of blazers which I depend on daily to sharpen up my office style, for the crazy heels and/or a statement necklace.

Q: A woman should always look like…

Herself, only better.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My exceptional mother, who is perfectly dressed and groomed even on a trip to the grocery store.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

If it’s a particularly busy week, I’ll plan my outfits ahead on the weekend and will hang them outside of my closet on a rack for easy access. On other days, when I don’t have my wardrobe planned, I’ll dress from my feet up, or will just grab whatever my latest purchase is. I don’t like saving outfits for special occasions. If it’s new, I have to wear it right then and there.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

Not starting Savoir Flair sooner. I was 23 when it launched; I wish my obituary would have read 21.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Dress for yourself; dress for yourself; dress for yourself.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Other than a late-night addiction to online shopping from my bed? No.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

My hair up in a chignon, especially if I’m wearing a floor-length gown. If I’m dressed up, something else has to look dressed down. I have a legitimate fear of looking too ‘done.’

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

My best friend Ahmad Daabas, the deputy editor of Velvet and the founder and editor of the Middle East’s first online magazine for men, AMDMode.com. He always, always looks impeccable, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s drop-dead gorgeous.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

Her hair or her manicure.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Any McQueen piece from before his tragic passing. Though I love what Sarah Burton is doing with the label now as well.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Chanel. Clichéd but true. The collections are reinvented every season, yet somehow, magically, are true to the codes of the fashion house.

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

Her under things. They are the foundation of well-dressed style.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

I know a lot of editors who would fight me to the death on this, but no. You can be both comfortable and stylish at once.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

I would love to see other Middle Eastern editors interviewed here. Louise Nichol from Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Sofia Guellaty from Masquerade, and Ahmad Daabas from Velvet and AMDMode are but a few.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Do one thing a day that scares you. And do what you love, so your job feels more like a hobby than a career.

Photo: Justin Chung

Sean Hotchkiss is a contributing editor at GQ and a golf aficionado.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

“You can look back, babe, but it’s best not to stare.”—Tom Petty

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Ever-changing. Understated.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Not enjoying it.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

I believe in dreaming big. If another human being serves as a catalyst for you to pursue your dreams, then, hell, yeah.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Denim, canvas, leather, Oxford cloth, and cashmere.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Not really.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

New York City.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

My style is conservative by ‘fashion’ standards, for sure.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

My only rule is to be comfortable—it allows me to be confident.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Some have it; some don’t, just like the rest of us.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

Socks.

Q: A man should always look like…

A man.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

People are still teaching me about style every day.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

Just depends how I’m feeling. I’m fortunate enough to work in a world where I can wear a suit one day and a T-shirt the next.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

Fit. Fit. Fit.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Nope.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

A kilt.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

I honestly have no idea. My life is so oversaturated in that regard. I see at least 25 people a day who I think are stylish.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

His face, and his jacket.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

There isn’t one.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

I love Ovadia & Sons, and Ian Velardi. The way they make tailored clothing urban, fresh, and young feeling without losing that elegance and sexiness. Both the Ovadia brothers and Ian also have great personal style.

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

Buy the best quality you can afford of everything.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Right now I love denim, so probably my Levi’s trucker jackets.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Absolutely not. But a lot of guys mistake ‘comfortable’ with ‘sloppy’.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Michael Bastian and Christopher Bastin for their respective collections.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Michael Hainey.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Mean people suck.

Photo: courtesy of Natasha Koifman

Natasha Koifman is the founder and president of NKPR, a marketing and public relations agency with offices in Toronto and New York City.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

My shoes always dictate my outfit for the day. I always start with my shoes and work my way up.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Black, classic, with an edge.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Not thinking about your mood first; I always dress for how I feel.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Role models help us raise the bar. I always make sure to surround myself with people who inspire me.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

There is nothing better than black leather. It makes up half my wardrobe!

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

No matter the trend du jour, individuality is key. Personally, the only style trend you won’t ever see me wearing is anything that hits me mid-calf.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

New York. Anything goes in New York. The women there are so confident and creative. The more confident you are in what you wear, the better you look.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Conservatively bold.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

I love to wear dark colours. I get to have fun with colour through my shoes and handbags (which also gives me a reason to buy more shoes and bags!)

Q: Celebrities and style…

Go hand-in-hand with the likes of Rachel Zoe.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

Birkins and skulls. I am obsessed with skulls. I’m lucky my favourite designers, such as McQueen, share this obsession. I also just purchased a Damien Hirst diamond signed screen print.

Q: A woman should always look like…

She is going to meet her love. Coco Chanel said that; I think it’s fantastic.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My knowledge of style has come through trial and error and learning to accept my body. A little bit of Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar didn’t hurt.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

I have some fashion regrets, but they have lessened over the years as the prevalence of Internet shopping has emerged. Now I can think a little longer before I buy and can prevent bad impulse buys. Net-a-porter is my best friend, who I connect with every day.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

1. What she feels the most confident in.
2. What she looks best in.
3. What she gets the most compliments in.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Online shopping. It has become a daily ritual.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Colour. I only incorporate colour into my outfits through my shoes and handbags. I have been known to buy multiple versions of a pair of shoes or a handbag if I find one that I love.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Not new designers, but I absolutely LOVE Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Celine, and Greta Constantine, and Thomas Wylde for accessories.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

Essie Weingarten, the incredible woman behind the successful Essie nail polish brand. I met her for the first time last year. Her outfit, her shoes, her handbag, her nails; even the way she spoke exuded style and sophistication.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

When looking from the ground up, her shoes; from the top down, her smile.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

My McQueen handbag and shoe collection, my Alan Anderson jewellery, my beloved Birkins, and select Chanel pieces I can’t live without. I can’t forget my precious Thomas Wylde skull handbag.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

The image of Jackie Onassis when she stepped out in ankle-length white pants, a black top, and a black sweater around her neck. Classic, sophisticated, and timeless.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

McQueen and Chanel. I continue to fall in love with both designers, season after season, and they never fail to impress. It’s the perfect relationship.

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

Shoes.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

It doesn’t have to be. Style is all about being comfortable and confident in what you are wearing.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Charles Khabouth, the man behind INK Entertainment. He has a Jean-Paul Gautier collection to die for. Even I’m jealous.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Stay true to yourself. Being yourself makes you more amazing than trying to be someone else, in style, at work, in life. Stay yourself and be true.

Photo: Justin Bridges

David Hart is a designer based in New York City. He is specializing in hand-tailored neckwear.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

How to tie a tie, how to tie a bowtie, and how to unhook a woman’s brassiere with one hand.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Anachronistic time traveler.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Forgetting to put on a tie (or bowtie if that’s your preference).

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes. “The Flash” is one of mine.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

It changes with the seasons, but right now I’m excited about the raw silk ties we’re developing for this Spring.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

If someone feels great in what they are wearing, who am I to judge them?

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

Doha, Qatar. I’m obsessed with how the stylish young gents there are wearing their thobes slim and tailored and wrapping their ghutras on their heads with ease and panache.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

A good mix of both.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

The most important rule is, wear what makes you feel confident.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Were so glamorous in the 1940s.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

My own ties, and hats by Rod Keenan.

Q: A man should always look like…

He is the boss.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

Grandpa. I have all of his old suits and tuxedos he wore to Toots Shor, the Stork Club, and El Morocco in the 1950s and 1960s.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

Always in a hurry. My dog Gatsby gets too impatient to wait for me to get dressed. He wants to eat and go on his walk. He doesn’t care about my tab collar being buttoned perfectly.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

Anytime I lose a bet. It doesn’t happen often, but what a rotten feeling. It helps take the sting away if the winner buys the next round.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I shop best by myself.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

A clip-on bowtie.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

Rod Serling is my style icon.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

Usually the company he keeps.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

Edward R. Murrow on a street corner in London, circa 1941.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Antonio Azzuolo. I love what he does with tailoring and shapes.

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

Socks. We’re launching a collection of them in June.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Ties and suits that belonged to my grandfather.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No. Men’s clothing should only be uncomfortable if it doesn’t fit properly.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Oscar de la Renta.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Someone unexpected. Surprise me.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Life’s like a boxing match: Keep your chin up, your arms out in front of you, and your ass off the canvas.

Photo: courtesy of Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier

Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier is a jewellery designer based in Paris. She has collaborated with Chanel for their costume jewellery and her designs are entirely handcrafted.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

My black, red, and white motorcycle jacket; my Chanel black lace dress; an off-white ruffled shirt by Chloé; my mouse shoes by Marc Jacob; my chapka by Maison Michel.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Romantic rock chic.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Sporting a total look or a total jewels look (earrings, bracelet, necklace, ring).

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes, of course. Models are used to convey the image of a brand, its spirit, its orientations.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Lace, cashmere, leather. And when it comes to gemstones, fire opal.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

Paris; it is the capital of fashion.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Both. It depends on my mood, what happens in my life, the same day or the day before.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

I always start with my motorcycle leather jacket.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Is a useful combination. Stars, help us develop our imagination and our dreams, reach the inaccessible.

Q: A woman should always look like…

Star―beautiful inside, flourished in her body, consistent, fresh, sophisticated, and simple, chic, and sexy.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My favourite couple: my grandparents, born in 1914. They will forever be a reference for me, an example of good and excellence.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

Well,it depends on my schedule and the weather. But I like to wear day clothing or evening clothing at any time, even mix them.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

Losing a brooch of Gripoix (the period of Coco Chanel). I lost it on the Champs Elysée in Paris on my first date with my first lover. I will not forget this relationship because of my lovely brooch….

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Do not wear looks confined to age, body, or mood.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

When I feel in perfect harmony with an item (shoes, pullovers, denim trousers, jackets), I love to buy it in double.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Alexander Wang for his simplicity, Alexandra Verschueren for her origami cutting, Martin Grant for his tailored cut, Gaspard Yurkievich for his overlays, Maxime Simoens for his geometry.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

Isabella Blow, Anna Piaggi, Inès de la Fressange, Grâce Kelly, Audrey Hepburn.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

Her pace, in line with her imagination, with her beauty.

Q: Which fashion house never fails to impress you?

Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Azzedine Alaia.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Charlotte Rampling.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

“Le luxe est une nécessité qui commence où s’arrête la nécessité. Luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends.”~ Coco Chanel

Photo: Justin Bridges

Jian DeLeon is a staff writer at Complex Media and the shopping editor at the online magazine Valet.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

A snake around my neck.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Wack and proud.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Dressing to impress anyone else but yourself.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

I do, but not for dressing up.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Moleskin is underrated. I also dig a lot of technical fabrics interpreted into more tailored silhouettes.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Rap and rock, circa the early 2000s.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

Most cities have men that look great; you just have to look for them.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

I think looking conservative gives you the leeway to act bold.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

Check the weather. That’s it.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Are a great way to sell clothes. Usually bad ones, unfortunately.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

Merino socks and cashmere beanies.

Q: A man should always look like…

He just woke up that way.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My friends mostly.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

I do a mathematical equation that calculates the amount of time I have to get ready by gauging how hung over I am divided by when I need to get to work.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

I only regret things I don’t do, like not buying a Marni suit when I had the chance.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

1) There are more important things than anonymous approval on the Internet.
2) You should take yourself seriously, but not too seriously.
3) The point of great style is to look like a better version of you, not channel Ryan Gosling.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I always touch things. I’m very tactile, and I always sleep on things before I splurge on them.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

My friends all dress better than I do.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

The strength of his handshake.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

My dad in Chuck Taylors, tailored pants, and a crew neck sweatshirt during basic training in the Philippines during the 1960s.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

I really love what Nepenthes as a company puts out because they don’t pay attention to what other people are doing and have a really strong sense of identity. Eunice Lee has been around for a while and makes great staples. I’ve liked a lot of Frank Muytjens’ work for J. Crew, and am really impressed with the direction he’s taken that brand. Junya Watanabe regularly makes things that are really dope and just outrageous enough, but I have an appreciation for dark designers like Rick Owens and Takahiro Miyashita as well. I wouldn’t wear a lot of their work, but I like the fact that it exists.

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

Having a fresh pair of underwear.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Oh man, I’ve got too many to name. I love cardigans. One of my favorites is a [Martin] Margiela tennis cardigan, and this Engineered Garments moleskin blazer I wear the hell out of.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Men shouldn’t have to suffer for fashion. Menswear stemmed from pragmatism in its designs, so I think stylish men are also comfortable in whom they are. That’s where confidence comes from, and that’s a big part of looking awesome.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

I’ve yet to be disappointed in anything Daiki Suzuki puts out. There’s always a piece or two I really love. Ralph Lauren is always a classic choice, and for good reason. I’ve been appreciating his stuff for as long as I could remember. I used to wear Polo pocket tees and jackets I’d steal from my dad.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Shimon and Ariel Ovadia of Ovadia & Sons, and stylist Marcus Allen.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Don’t worry so much; you’ll never be cool anyway.

Photo: courtesy of Simeon Farrar

Simeon Farrar is a London-based fashion designer and painter. He studied Fine Art and has won the New Generation Award at London Fashion Week three times.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Handmade, artistic, cowboy (as in slapdash, not Clint Eastwood).

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Falling over.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Of course, but it’s tough to find any nowadays.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

I love printing on silks as they take our wash process really well.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

People wearing Ramones t-shirts when they’ve clearly never listened to them.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

Tokyo.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Somewhere in the middle (how boring).

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

Keep the essentials covered and warm if necessary.

Q: Celebrities and style…

…is a subject we are way too obsessed with, and for that reason, I’m out.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

I can easily have enough of both.

Q: A man should always look like…

He’s in control of his fashion vehicle.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

You can’t teach that kind of stuff.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

It’s normally pretty dark, so it’s mainly based on feel and touch.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

That’s a secret.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

Be comfortable; be yourself, and stop thinking so much about your damn style.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

You need to do something a lot to develop rituals.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Espadrilles.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

A beard, and if he’s carrying a gun. (Not really.)

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

There’s a new t-shirt label about to come out called Black Score. It’s going to be big, I think. www.blackscore.co.uk

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

His pocket square.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Well, beside my Simeon Farrar t-shirts, I’d say a pair of Johnbull jeans. And my Sam Ubhi Lion belt.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Is that the tagline for Ugg boots? Not if you’re doing it right.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

My dentist just told me to always drink Coke with a straw, which is good because she never said stop drinking Coke. I’m going to test it out with red wine.

Photo: courtesy of James Dimmock

Eleanor Strauss is the senior fashion editor of Lucky Magazine. Before moving to New York City, she worked at the iconic magazine The Face and as the fashion editor of Company magazine.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Tailoring is key; clothes must fit. You don’t have to spend lots of money to look stylish. Sometimes less is more.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Feminine, chic (I hope), and a little rock ’n’ roll.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Putting on clothes that feel like they are wearing you rather than the other way round.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes, I have lots.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Lace, denim, cotton, and wool.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Workout clothes worn for anything other than to work out in.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

Paris, without a doubt.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Bold with a sprinkle of conservative.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

No rules. Just that I stay looking like me. I often have style crushes on the street-style girls that pile on the colour or accessories, but when I try it on myself, it just doesn’t feel right.

Q: Celebrities and style…

…don’t necessarily go hand in hand.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

I can’t possibly limit this to one; grey jumpers, navy and white striped tops, handbags, shoes, and sunglasses. That must be why my husband thinks I have a shopping problem.

Q: A woman should always look like…

Herself.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

It’s a cliché, but my mum. She’s the coolest.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

It depends on what my schedule is like for the day. But generally, it’s by process of elimination, and a pile of clothing is left in my wake.

Q: Your biggest regret is…

No regrets.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I don’t know if it’s a ritual, but I’m fast. I can’t spend hours browsing in a shop. I think it comes from having been a freelance stylist and pulling clothes on a deadline; get in, get out. I also love online shopping on a Sunday afternoon whilst my toddler’s taking a nap.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Never say never!

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Suno and Creatures of the Wind for their gorgeous prints and colour, and Erdem; he had me with those lace dresses.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

Kate Moss, Kate Bosworth, Emmanuelle Alt, Jane Birkin. I could go on…

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

Everything! I just hope I don’t get caught looking.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Balenciaga tweed jacket, Chanel bag, and my wedding dress by Sonia Rykiel; sometimes I put it on and walk around my apartment in it, but don’t tell anyone.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Valentino every time!

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

Shoes. You can wear a cheap dress with expensive shoes, but not the other way round.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Definitely not.

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Emmanuelle Alt.

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Jealousy is a wasted emotion.

Photo: courtesy of Jean-Michel Cazabat

Jean-Michel Cazabat is a French-born shoe designer based in New York City. He is best-known for his use of vibrant colours and exotic skins in his designs.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

Just dress to make you feel good. There are no rules at all. I can mix very bright colors with heavy winter tweed or wool; the key is in the combination and feeling good about it.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Elegance with a rock ‘n’ roll twist.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

The mistake of combining colors or fabrics and materials that don’t work well together. Never be afraid to mix, but make sure the combination works.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes, for a lot of people it is important. For myself, I am my own role model.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

I love velvet in the winter and silk in the summer.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Not really. As I said, the key is in the combination and making sure it works well together.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

In Italy, Rome; in China, Hong Kong.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

I’m not conservative at all. I’m the opposite of conservative—bold!

Q: Celebrities and style…

Celebrities WITH style: Mick Jagger, Serge Gainsbourg, Lapo Elkann.

Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?

My ankle boots in many different versions of python.

Q: A man should always look like…

A man who feels confident about himself.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My mother always had great style herself, but I have always had my own taste level since childhood!

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

I think about it under the shower!

Q: Your biggest regret is…

None.

Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…

One thing: to match colors correctly.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Not really. I shop when I see a piece I like.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Men’s type of priests sandals with Bermuda pants.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen/met…

My friend Ricky Sasaki had wonderful style.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a man?

His shoes, of course!

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

Mick Jagger in the ’60s.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

I like pieces from Margiela, Dries Van Noten, and Rick Owens.

Q: The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…

A great jacket.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

Too many beautiful jackets and coats made to measure by my friend Hisham Oumlil, and of course, all my Jean-Michel Cazabat men’s python boots.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

Not at all.

Q: Which designer/fashion house never fails to impress you?

YSL during Monsieur Saint Laurent. They were the best in the world!

Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?

Mon ami, Olivier Theyskens!

Q: The best word of advice you have ever heard?

Feel free to get comfortable, and always be confident about your look.

Illustration: Beetroot Design Group

Anna Mouglalis is an actress and a model for Chanel.

Q: What is it like to be the face of Chanel?

Chanel was a great discovery. I didn’t know anything about luxury or fashion and when I met Karl Lagerfeld, it became very precious to me. Fashion is full of surprises. I thought it would be full of the most superficial people and then I met Karl, who is the most cultivated man I have ever known, with such a large collection of books and music—it’s amazing. Each time we get to work together for a shooting, or if we go out to dinner or watch a show, he’s always very generous. We might talk about Nabokov for five minutes and the following day, I’ll receive a rare copy of one of his books that he found for me. He’s exceptional and makes life really enjoyable.

Q: Do you believe in role models in regards to fashion and style?

I believe that, in order for someone to be one, they would have to have achieved what both Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld have said, that fashion has to arrive to the streets. When a style changes the style on the street, then it’s fashion. In a way, I consider Patti Smith to be an icon of style. Karl is definitely one, also. He has his own style and now young singers are copying him.

Q: Are there any style statements you disagree with?

I love to wear a dress and not be worn by a dress. Also, I hate fashion that uses women as sexual objects; that’s another reason why I love working with Chanel, because they don’t do that.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

Paris.

Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?

I love to wear beautiful things that look thrown together. I like to forget what I’m wearing. The only thing I look for is freedom.

Q: Are you rebellious with your style?

I’m not a punk, nor rock ‘n’ roll. But Karl is a punk.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

Marguerite Duras, in her short and generous book titled “La Vie Matérielle,” writes about what she does every day; at one point she says that she should trust herself as she would trust someone else: “Il faut se faire confiance comment vous faites bien confiance aux autres.” I like that quote because it’s beautiful, but also because she speaks of tolerance and understanding.

This is part of an interview taken by Christina Rozakis during the 12e Festival du film Francophone in Athens.