Alex is a custom clothier and has a Menswear brand by the
name of Alexander Nash... for me he is much more than a designer... an omniscient
person whose understanding of fashion is very mature.
So we sat down in his work studio with some jazz music in
the background and hence followed the conversation:
Picture from: Guerreisms.com
Amrit : Where are you from?
Alex: I am from Connecticut originally and have been living
in New York since past 20 years now.
Amrit: You have a very peculiar sense of style Alex, It
intrigues me to know where did it all started from?
Alex: I was hugely inspired by my father... he had an impeccable
sense of style and a great deal of knowledge about Suits and fabrics since he used to work in an textile mill here
in New York. As a kid it was always fun to see the way he used to dress up and
I used to carefully pay attention to all those small and big details in his
outfit... I think that is what makes an outfit interesting....Details!
Alex : What I learnt from my father was how to be
resourcefully refined and versatile... it’s like if you have 20 suits /
sportjackets in your wardrobe you are limited by the possibility of following
different looks, you will just wear those 20 looks...you won’t mix and match
things but just follow the looks you already have in your wardrobe... it’s like
being stuck in your comfort zone...I have around 3-4 conservative suits and 6-7
sport jackets...and I mix and match them a lot...
accessorize the look with pocket squares, ties, cuff links , socks, shoes and
you have a completely new look every time... I like to challenge myself and
other people’s perception by exploring the possibility of looks I can make with
even an average size wardrobe. I believe if one does that he / she can really
understand their style inclination and try to make most out of it...
Amrit: And where do you generally shop at?
Alex: I shop a lot at vintage stores... It’s an experience
for me whenever I do that... you get to learn so many things... Going through a
vintage store is like a reflection of one’s life and you can actually see how
Men’s fashion progressed... I like to educate myself by doing that... if you
want to learn about style you need to educate yourself by paying attention to
such things... you need to nurture it so that you become sure of what you are
looking for and what suits you... and going to a vintage store always helps me
to understand the quintessential menswear.
My wardrobe also consists of many pieces that my father used
to wear... I just make small changes like a contrasting color buttonhole on the
lapel and the sleeves ... again the point comes down to being resourceful!
Amrit: I completely agree with what you just said but do you
think that dressing up should be such a task for people who really want to look
stylish?
Alex: I think if you really want to look stylish and have
passion for it you would enjoy doing all these things... it comes naturally...
One should not consider it as a task but should have fun while dressing up and
if you are not having fun there is definitely something wrong and you better
not do it then because you might end up looking as a complete clown or would be
low on self confidence... you don’t want either of these...
Picture from: Alexandernash.net
Amrit: I know... Those 15 – 20 min that I take to dress up
is something that I really enjoy doing myself... what shirt would go with which
trouser... which tie to wear... what shoes
would look good... It’s an amazing feeling every time I do it... and
when finally I am done I feel so confident and know that I am looking good.
Alex: You know sometimes I think that style is all
relative... for someone an outfit would look utterly stupid and the very next
minute you might be getting complements for that very outfit by a different
person.
We
are always looking for that perfect look to happen and sometimes people force
themselves too much and they end up screwing the whole look... so it’s
important that you have a style direction and just go for it.
Amrit: Your thoughts about style seem to be very deep, tell
me what inspires you?
Alex: Its part nature and part nurture... I believe I was
born with a good eye and it got even better over the years ... one is definitely affected in the kind of
environment he/ she lives... for me it has always been that case...you can get
inspired by so many things that are around you and even before you know it you
yourself you are actually inspired by it ... I am always open to all
possibilities it’s like you need to allow the universe to unfold for itself...
I also believe that one should be with people whom you can
grow with... it teaches you a lot and can inspire you in ways you never thought
of.
Amrit: I see you listen to a lot of Jazz, who are your
favourite artist?
Alex: It has to be Thelonious Monk... not only the music but
also his style was unique... everything he did was so distinctive that it
always left me mesmerized... He is one of those people that I always get
inspired from.
I also like Grateful Dead... they were so unique and
eclectic... John Coltrane and Miles Davis all of these are from the same school
of thought... they were unique and used to improvise everything they did.
Even my designs are like free flowing Jazz!
Amrit:
Free flowing jazz! I like the sound of that... so what made you start up Alexander Nash as Menswear brand?
The idea was also to educate people through my designs and
let them know what looks good on them. My designs tell a story... a story with
which my clients can associate themselves with or aspire to do so...
As I earlier said I like to be resourceful... sometimes some
of my clients just bring in their sport jackets and I just edit it with a few
of my details... the result is that it ends up looking like a better version of
their earlier jacket... I always try to educate my clients and then sell them
my designs... I just don’t sell clothes... I present ideas!
Picture
from Guerreisms.com
Alex : I like to challenge people’s perception of the world
of individuals!
Amrit: As I can see that you have a point of view about
things, who are your favourite designers?
Alex: Honestly for me... I really liked YSL from the 70’s
& 80’s... I think he understood both menswear and womenswear very well... I
like Paul Smith too for his usage of colors and how he makes his collection
look so much fun.
Picture from: Schinovanderbilt.com
Amrit: Why do you think it’s important for men to dress up?
Alex: I think at the end of the day the hidden motive of
dressing up is to get noticed and for men they surely want to get noticed by
women. Dressing up is the perfect way of intimidating the opposite sex... a
little harmless domination... let the women and rest of the men know that you
are the alpha male in the crowd and you deserve consideration.
I think if one is dressed nicely, it is the easiest ice
breaker. If you make it a point to always look good... be resourceful and have
fun while dressing up you will be surely getting a lot of compliments and
attention.
The way you dress also gives a representation of the kind of
person you are... a person who dresses up well comes across as a person who
knows about things and is confident.
Amrit: What do you think is the coming trend for the next
season?
Alex: For me True fashion is timeless and is free from
seasons and trends.
Amrit: What would be your suggestion for men... how can they
be resourceful?
Alex: First of all your clothes should fit you
properly...specially suits... It won’t matter if you’ll be wearing an expensive
suit that does not fit well... you need to pay close attention to the fit you
choose to wear... I always suggest going for a trimmer and fitted look...
Always remember that for a suit one should have the
selection of good fabric... good construction...and a good fit!
Avoid black during
the day... A navy suit always does the trick and its versatility is
unmatched...combine it with a white shirt...red tie... brown brogue shoes...
and for evening with the same suit... take off the tie... put in a colourful
pocket square and coordinate it with a matching pair of socks... replace the
trouser with a good fitted jeans and you are good to go.
The pocket square... socks... jeans... all these are accents
in your outfit... these are what that determines your outfit.
I personally wear a lot of white and red during evening...
because these colors stand out the most in low light.
nice, pretty inspiring stuff
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