My Style: Alejandro Ingelmo

• June 19th, 2012  | 
• Posted in My Style

Photo: Courtesy of Alejandro Ingelmo

Alejandro Ingelmo is a shoe designer based in New York City. He was one of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Top Ten candidates in 2008, and has been nominated twice for the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design. Alejandro is known for his high-end, feminine designs, and his attention to detail.

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

My watch, the first pair of men’s shoes I ever made, and my Rick Owens leather jacket.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Keep it simple.

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

Wearing the wrong size.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Yes.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Leather, python, and suede.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?

I like the way Japanese men dress… they take risks.

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

Bold.

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

Keep it simple. I like basics with nice details. To me, it’s all about the details.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Don’t always go together.

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

Hooded sweatshirts.

Q: A man should always look…

Smart and stylish.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

My grandparents were very stylish and always put together. I think that they have influenced me a lot.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

Depends on how I feel and which shoes I will wear.

Q: What is your biggest regret?

No regrets.

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

How to groom and accessorize, how to best stand out while being understated and elegant (don’t try too hard).

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I am a huge online shopper.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Mandals.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…

My grandmother.

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

Their shoes.

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

A lot of things influence my style… my great-grandfather’s shop and factory, architecture, New York City, street style, etc.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

I think London has quite a few cool, new, up and coming designers such as James Long, Christopher Raeburn, J.W. Anderson, etc.

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

His shoes and bags.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No, you can make comfort look chic.

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

Stay true to yourself and your designs.