My Style: David Longshaw
Photo: courtesy of David Longshaw
Q: The three essential things a man should know about style are…
If it’s too tight, don’t wear it. If you think you look like an idiot, you do. A woman always looks better in David Longshaw.
Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Forgetting to take one’s pyjamas off first.
Q: Do you believe in role models?
Yes, mine is Maude; the fictional fashion mouse I created out of Richard James of Savile Row fabric, whilst at Saint Martins.
Q: What are your favourite fabrics?
It changes all the time depending on what I’m working on.
Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Ugg boots with anything.
Q: Which city has the best-dressed men?
I don’t think I’ve ever been to one place in the world where everyone is well-dressed. There’s always crappily dressed people everywhere. But if I had to say one place, I would say London. It has the most varied style; it’s often a bit cooler than some of the other fashion capitals.
Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
In my own dress, I would say I mainly wear black, accented occasionally with tweed, so fairly conservative. For my designs for women, I would say I am bold. I think women can get away with having more fun with what they wear and not look like a tool.
Q: What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Black with a hint of black…then another accent of black.
Q: Celebrities and style…
Don’t always go together.
Q: One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
A can of perfectly chilled Diet Coke.
Q: A man should always look like…
He is very worried. (This is how I generally look anyway.)
Q: Who taught you what you know about style?
Maude, editor-in-chief of Maudezine.
Q: Your biggest regret is…
Running out of Diet Coke on occasion—not putting the Diet Coke in the fridge soon enough.
Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?
I only go to the shops to buy pens, Diet Coke, and ink cartridges for my printer.
Q: We will never see you wearing…
A dress, unless it’s really nice.
Q: The most stylish person you have ever seen…
The late Isabella Blow. She invited me to meet her at Tatler when I was at Saint Martins and wore one of my pieces during LFW.
Q: The one image that defines your approach to style…
A picture of Maude.
Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?
It constantly changes, but I would say Kirsty Ward (she’s my girlfriend so I have to) and Iris van Herpen, a new take on couture.
Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My granddad’s tweed jacket.
Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?
That very much depends.
Q: Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Givenchy couture by Riccardo Tisci, Chanel couture, Prada.
Q: Who would you like to see next in “My style”?
Kirsty Ward.
Q: The best words of advice you have ever heard?
If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.
