My Style: Douglas Friedman
Photo: courtesy of Douglas Friedman
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.
