My Style: Bumsuk Choi

• July 11th, 2012  | 
• Posted in My Style

Photo: Courtesy of Bumsuk Choi

Bumsuk Choi is the name behind the label General Idea. He was the first Korean menswear designer to present a runway collection during New York Fashion Week, and has collaborated with companies such as
Printemps Paris, Heineken, and Absolut Vodka. Bumsuk also designed a RENAULT F1 Team’s Formula 1 race car, and a capsule collection for Puma Black Station.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Nicolas Ghesquière. Modernism, classicism, taste, futurism, and even the structural volume of the silhouettes are perfect.

Q: Please describe yourself in three words.

Vintage. Comfort. Music.

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

I think people are usually okay getting dressed; it would seem that a lot of mistakes are made only AFTER completely dressed when they go for the shoes…

Q: Do you believe in role models?

I believe they exist for certain people.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Cotton.

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

Not necessarily. I think all aspects should be evaluated when mixing and matching certain things. From the hair style, make up; it all goes into a look.

Q: Which city has the best dressed men?

Lately, Seoul.

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

Bold.

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

I have none.

Q: Celebrities and style…

Should be retrocessional.

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

Sunglasses.

Q: A man should always look…

Confident.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

I figured it out on my own.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

Every night I check the next day’s weather, and also take into consideration what I will be doing the next day.

Q: What is your biggest regret?

There are so many things to regret. I try to live by a “have no regrets” philosophy; moving on quickly to keep going forward.

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

The place. The fit. The colour.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

Nope.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

There is nothing I wouldn’t wear once.

Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen?

Jason Rider who works for T Magazine: The New York Times and styles our shows during Fashion Week in New York.

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

His colour palate, and overall feel in general.

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

Someone wearing a nice black suit.

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

Black suit + white tie.

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

A suit.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No. I would say ‘uncomfortable’ is a more dangerous enemy to style.

Q: Which designer never fails to impress you?

Nicolas Ghesquière.

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

Jason Rider.

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

“Everyone can master a grief but he that has it.” — William Shakespeare