Swide Magazine by Dolce&Gabbana

This is obviously written from a female perspective, but I did pose a few questions to a select group of men – 5 to be exact! Ok, I can redeem myself from that small number by saying of one of whom was the great luminary of British fashion (for over 45 years) – designer Jeff Banks CBE, co-founder of Graduate Fashion Week and much more.

The ‘suit’ - I’m not talking about just any old misshapen, ill-fitted disaster. I’m talking about a work of ‘tailored’ art that is a well-made suit. There is nothing more alluring in a man’s wardrobe. What is it about a man, your man in a suit? Is it the way the jacket cradles his torso and rests on his breastbone? (Does it for me every time). Or is that slight dip in the back or that subtle nip in the waist? I always observe his stance. A good suit enhances a man’s beauty – whatever he looks like. I see an immediate transformation in clients when a suit is tried on. The raised chest and chin, the assured manner that communicates, “Here I am, respect me!”

 

This is a sartorial phenomenon unique to men, even when a woman wears a ‘power suit’ well, it doesn’t have the same effect. However much we try, we can’t hijack it with the ‘Boyfriend jacket’ etc.– its rightful place is firmly in a man’s fashion world.

It is the ‘uniform’ of the global financial world and politicians. Investment bankers and hedge fund managers alike; money = power, power = a great suit.

Could you imagine Barack Obama at a major press conference addressing his nation in a t-shirt and jeans?

Even if you don’t know the finer details of what constitutes a great suit. When you see one you just know that it is. My theory is, the suit jacket holds the most power in the relationship. Replace the suit trouser with jeans, and a level of credence and sophistication remains. When Usher released his mega-hit album “Confessions”; he created the ‘Usher’ look with the dress jacket and casual bottoms, and rocked it for the younger generation, and the young, hip men of the world embraced it. He is a definite unsung style icon in my book. His protégé Justin Bieber now rocks the same look courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana.

I recently attended a Debenhams press breakfast with Jeff Banks. His whole ensemble; Prince of Wales check 3-piece suit, pink/white striped shirt and baby pink satin tie at 10am was truly spectacular - he looked amazing! We got chatting and to my surprise he remembered me from back in the day, a cheeky 15 year old at his former company Warehouse’s Christmas party, my childhood friend Vicky’s sister took us and we ended up dancing the night away with Jeff! - True story.

I asked the fashion industry legend:

 

CA: How does a well-made suit make you feel?

JB: “It simply lifts your confidence and allows you to forget about any body concerns you may have. A well made suit should fit like a glove and accentuate your physique.”

 

CA: What does wearing a well-made suit mean to you?

JB: “It means that I feel special and confident. A bespoke suit is the best way to achieve this; I think it is lovely when you can request exclusive little details to make you feel unique. It is also a well known fact that every woman loves a man in a good suit.”

 

Yes we sure do.

Does the suit maketh the man? I think we all know the answer.

Written by: Camille Adomakoh – Karma-Style 

TAGS: dolce&gabbana fashion magazine d&g dolce & gabbana d & g stefano gabbana domenico dolce camille adomakoh karma style suits jusin bieber never say never paolo achisi