MANILA, Philippines - What do these 10 men have in common? They do not work in the same industry, they are not classically handsome and, most importantly, they thrive in different eras. Simply put, they are men who have made a great impact on the lives of other men through their enthusiasm for fashion. Their role has greatly influenced men in their manner of dress and the culture of good taste.
They are men who like their suits, but it is actually the choice of accessories they wear that brings out the character of their outfits. It does not matter whether you just have one suit; an accessory can give that one suit a different life.
Wes Anderson
If there is a film director who fancies fashion more than the rest, it should be Wes Anderson. Womenswear designer Miuccia Prada and Stella McCartney have caught up with his aesthetic along with Guillaume Henry, creative director of Carven, for his spring 2013 menswear show. Anderson’s trademarks are quirky clothes and ‘70s retro appeal, which he perfectly incorporates into the characters in his films. Take, for example Mr. Fox’s cropped jacket sleeves and pants. It’s undeniably very Mr. Wes.
Hamish Bowles
Hamish Bowles is the international editor at large of Vogue and is better appreciated as the today’s historian of fashion. He has an extensive knowledge of the history of fashion and style, and you wouldn’t actually want to challenge him and be associated with “fashion-history deficit disorder.” Overall, dandyism is what best describes him for his fanciful and peculiar dress choices.
Beau Brummell
He is the arbiter of men’s fashion, the man we have to thank for the idea of wearing a coat and full-length trousers, which we now refer to as the suit.
Steve Mcqueen
He was the highest paid American actor of his time and an icon for all time. He got the glamour of menswear and no one wore Persol sunglasses the way he did.
Cary Grant
Considered one of the most highly recognized leading men in Hollywood film, Cary Grant has definitely made his mark as an actor. He taught us that nothing beats the good tailoring of Savile Row.
Thom Browne
He is a designer considered to be an influential mover today in America for menswear fashion. His look is so distinct that you can instantly tell it’s Thom Browne, even without seeing his signature tricolor tabs — think fitted jacket and beltless flat front cropped pants, which expose the ankles.
Imran Amed
Imran is better known as the founder of The Business of Fashion (businessoffashion.com), an online mecca for the current situation in fashion business. It has made him one of GQ’s most-influential people for 2011. He is basically the go-to guy for industry insights.
Nick Wooster
The former fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus is now the new creative director of J.C. Penney. With its fresh new looks and sudden runway allure, J.C. Penney is no longer the retail and catalog line that it used to be, thanks to Wooster. He is a style icon and hero among men’s fashion today for his originality.
Waris Ahluwalia
Mr. Ahluwalia is best known for his appearances in some of Wes Anderson movies. Behind the screen, he is a jewelry designer for his line called House of Waris. He has a knack for old-world charm and is a traditionalist who dresses with ease all the time.
Sir Sean Connery
We all know him as James Bond and the agent who kills bad guys in bespoke suits. His role taught men around the world the importance of dressing impeccably while on duty.