Dear reader,
Much love to The Cool Kids, they shifted streetwear and hip-hop for me.
I never wanted to be the guy you talked with about fashion. Growing up, being a guy interested in fashion meant you were gay, and I wanted no association with anything that could be mistaken for gay or feminine. So, instead of developing a personal style, I used fashion as a tool to survive unnoticed. I went for the trends. Everything from the colored skinny jeans and the Nike SB Dunk to the Hollister T-shirts and Levi jeans. Fashion became my social currency. In high school, I figured people wouldn’t realize I was homeless if they liked my outfit.
Throughout the years, my fashion has shifted as my environment has—but it became both my armor and my prison. I started to feel a sense of obligation to perform for the world. And six months ago, I had my final curtain call: I woke up one morning and realized I didn’t like my life. Then, I realized that I could change that. And the first step was breaking free from this monochromatic prison I had built for myself. I wanted fashion to liberate me, not hold me back.
Much love to The Cool Kids, they shifted streetwear and hip-hop for me.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=422&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=7929d7f3538d0bf1a58b25c311ad2f2e 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=844&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=e3f3a3d1e97e6c0ad60863f2d91fdfcf 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=349&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=ee4230ce9625a6cfa0f7e7353a407a8d 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=698&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=2796b4e2098d239152b70e5f253c4393 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=270&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=332e0f6c517849bb1bfd083f65aa1d53 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=52fb8c80f839a6b05f542fd45a7c5cc6 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=202&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=5ec904fff0b82bbda759706db848944a 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_Horizontal.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=745ddbc352d996f4807bf90aea9b3047 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1816&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=ebd107909fe6737eb9b1afcb0fb5b9bf 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3633&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=6a7449903aed3d041381f00a14c2d562 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1501&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=a01c1c4bd4c74dc6609b38930944ecf8 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3003&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=ad6660648b35e0aef95525447dc106e7 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1162&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=60d53a0e6f44800e6096f1343e28bee8 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2325&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=6d2618b8d3b851c5758be23b12bc55b9 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=871&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=ec6be43983207d424adbf08e7fe61858 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1743&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=1092b23cfecb9840c6b70aa0dcaf7d80 1152w)
The winter of my freshman year, I understood that I had great taste and style because I would manage to get a fit off, even when we didn’t have heat in our house that winter. My grandmother told me once, “Just because you have less, don’t accept being treated less than.” That has been stitched into my subconscious. I owe my sense of style to my grandparents, Stephanie and Edward. My grandmother Stephanie was a creole darling from New Orleans, and grandfather Edward was your typical stubborn-Southern gentleman. And their meeting in Chicago in the 70s makes the most sense, now that I think about it. Chicago has the perfect balance of Southern charm and street: it’s white Nike socks and black loafers; it’s celebrating both Fat Tuesday and Eid; it’s balance.
Style isn’t something you purchase—it’s meant to be felt. Have you ever walked into a room and felt everyone's eyes shift in your direction? Now, have you ever seen someone in your exact outfit? I want to make it clear: you do not need money to have style; fashion is a tool. If you don’t take away anything else, please understand that, and if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re trying to sell you something you can’t afford.
[How do you want to live in the world?] [How do you want to live in the world?]
How do you want to live in the world?
Free.
About six months ago, I asked myself this question to arrive at this answer—and started making drastic changes, seemingly overnight. Knowing that I wanted to live free, I applied that same framework to how I approached fashion, still as a tool but as a tool for liberation instead of a device for defense. The first day I felt liberated and truly free in an outfit was during Pitchfork Music Festival. I’m not sure if it was the Sativa I smoked on my walk over from Soho, but I entered Union Park as HIM. It was my second time at Pitchfork, but my first time alone and alcohol-free; I was slightly nervous, but I was finally starting to feel free within myself, and I wanted to show myself off. I wanted everyone's eyes to shift in my direction when I entered people’s peripherals. I wanted to feel desired, strong, and have a sense of purpose. When people looked at me, I wanted them to know that I belonged—and that my presence was intentional. And that was the energy I carried the entire weekend. Not only did I feel desired, strong, and had a sense of purpose, I felt free. And if we saw each other during P4K weekend, you know what I mean.
Take this as an invitation to dress for the life you want.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=663&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=9e80e3d4f08ff66a096b698568235f9e 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1327&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=a7e464d3e31c9ea3e02ba4b4bbb06ca9 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=548&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=df25717fb148bbc2284be653668bcf77 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1097&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=d9b37729ed1e24f4ff45a1795601c72a 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=424&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=6483e91a7c850a1144f8eece92182d02 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=849&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=cf6b2976a18e19eda76d13ccb6b56f67 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=318&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=98f6b316065064908a4891bd8b46613d 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-25%25403x.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=637&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=a109480cba9aafbd27d5f03ab54588d5 1152w)
The Routine: The Uniform
Black Comfort Suit
Black Loafers
White or Gray Nike Socks
Blue Beanie
“I love [the] fall, but I hate winter.”
I would say this anytime the weather drops below 50 degrees. Now, I embrace the winter by planning. I dress like it’s a breezy 70 degrees, with added layers or 5-minute Lyft rides, because I don’t want to lug a coat around. Fashion doesn’t have to be [a] pain if you’re a planner. Fashion is my swiss army knife; it’s the one tool people have access to. I start my day around 4:30/5 am and end my day [hopefully] around 10 pm. I find myself all around Chicago’s various neighborhoods in between meetings, studio sessions, coffee service, and general hot-boy antics. I need an outfit that can transform and transition as my environment does. I’ve learned to stop dressing for the world and dressing to live. I need comfort, edge, and structure in my clothing. If I don’t have all three, I won’t buy them. Also, I hate shopping . . . because online shopping is weird to me; I like to feel things before I buy them. After all, I have to wear them for 12+ hours.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1174&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=8f0f19cbb6dc6230ffe44170da4dd12d 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2348&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=75a2f95faf2aebccdcc436d0eb29de9a 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=970&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=1c9fd78aa00687dab9fb1a1f88f60f99 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1941&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=60b6f9197f3efd06ae5e07995b58de3a 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=751&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=ec5f44a56d69733fa9b2fb4f0ea2732e 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1503&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=7d62f4c9c155759bbf86c8841b999a4d 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=fe7bb2ae2161a5ed740c0da55b7520b9 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_1_2023-01-13-202540_mtry.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1127&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=75e1b01374e7b62fc879cce53137e8f0 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1798&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=3281dd80f8fc15d76a37b529b05ec550 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3596&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=7b69d7a5d775b1471f20c4291693109d 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1486&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=d500bb26ea26e8269257f25837b4d1dc 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2972&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=b2c5997adacbcca10ec2f99bdf6b4194 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1150&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=ecf29fcd963ccca3a4c4c0c0ac14392d 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2301&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ed08707670cbc4c48f984225443d8578 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=863&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=6c3414a5b368c8283312a8c575bcd4e3 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/evergreen_loafers.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1726&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=c91690eb3374e7b4ebab65d1785a8d7b 1152w)
About four years ago, I fell in love with the Mr. Porter Post. It was the perfect combination for me as a lover of print and of beauty. Because of them [and my dear friend Liz Monroe, formally Chanel Beauty Manager], I started thinking about my skincare routine, media consumption, and food consumption more intentionally. I started permitting myself to have favorites and go-to's, and it felt good to develop life routines; I began to feel local in the world.
This season, I want to prioritize balance in my life. I want to thrive in business and pleasure. I want to drop some coins on vintage [and] designer while also paying $15 for a merch shirt. Also, I want to root publicly for people. I’ve felt alone this past year, which I don’t experience often. In hopes of building a stronger community, here are some folks and brands that are a part of my lifeverse.
The Build: The Edit
Grooming: Scratch Goods
Clothing: Goody Vault
Coffee & Tea: Monday Coffee Co (Duh.)
Kizer Edit: Heavy Face Oil, Peppermint Lip Butter, Cedar + Pine Beard Oil, Tea Tree Cleansing Oil, and Jasmin Rose Skin Drink. ✨
Scratch Goods: Dove soap was my skincare routine growing up. As a kid with eczema, getting ready was a hassle; even as an adult, it is still a hassle. However, I understand my triggers; I didn’t even know food was one of them. I stay far away from anything artificially scented. Mo of Scratch Goods; showed me the importance of clean products and quality control. I didn’t even consider what was in the products I consumed. Now, I can’t eat it; I won't use it on any body parts.
Goody Vault: I do not enjoy spending money on clothing, but I don’t blink at the thought of an overpriced Michelin-star restaurant.
However, after following Buchi, Ethan, and Jae, my relationship with clothes shifted. I’ve always loved beautiful and well-made clothing, but I was still stuck in survival mode when it came to purchasing. When Manny of Goody Vault followed me on Instagram, he provided a version of “Ivy” with which I could connect. As a curator, mender, and entrepreneur, he is a big inspiration behind the notion of dressing for the life you want to live. Goody Vault is the perfect balance of workwear and Ivy–it’s Black Ivy.
Kizer Edit: Heavy Face Oil, Peppermint Lip Butter, Cedar + Pine Beard Oil, Tea Tree Cleansing Oil, and Jasmin Rose Skin Drink. ✨
Existing in fashion, photography, and coffee has been such an interesting journey. Honestly, I’m very into it. One day, I hope to open up a gluten-free bakery, but until then, I’ll drink coffee.
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