Fashion is their passion—and these gents prove that personality is the secret to all that panache.
SHOWROOM FOUNDER thomaslavin.com
Stepping foot into Thomas Lavin’s impeccable showroom at the PDC brings visitors into his world—one that’s sophisticated, tailored and sprinkled with a dash of whimsy. The same description can be applied to the man himself.
PHOTO BY DON FLOOD
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE DESIGN WORLD? I worked in events and PR out of college and my boss at the PR firm was deeply knowledgeable about design and culture—and was dear friends with the legendary Jerry Leen. I had the privilege of joining them for lunch on a couple of occasions and was moved by their passion. It felt like it was preordained that I would find my career in design.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN STYLE? In utero. There is a great photograph of my younger brother and me when I was 5—circa 1970—in matching short suits for Easter.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Constantly evolving
DID ANYONE FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD INFLUENCE YOUR STYLE? My Uncle Rich was the best-dressed man: Gucci loafers, tailor-made shirts, Swiss watches. As a teenager, I inherited his gently used garments and shoes and went to high school feeling like a million dollars.
WHAT’S A TYPICAL FORMAL LOOK FOR YOU? If I’m going for it, a Comme des Garçons Homme Plus gray wool skirt over Givenchy leggings with combat boots, a Lanvin white shirt, a Dior skinny black tie over which I wear a Mikimoto x Comme des Garçons collab necklace, and a Lanvin biker jacket.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? My sister Mary and I are partners in our proprietary line, Lavinder. This fall, we are launching a major indoor textile collection with 400 SKUs. We are very excited. Wallcovering is next. In order to give designers and clients a more engaging experience, we have created special lifestyle boutiques at the showroom for C&C Milano, de Le Cuona, Galbraith & Paul and Rosemary Hallgarten. The talented and famous Kit Kemp created our boutique for Christopher Farr Cloth. The experience is much more akin to shopping at a luxury concept shop or department store.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Oud silk Mood eau de parfum, franciskurkdjian.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Dries Van Noten SS21 men’s look 1166, driesvannoten.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph, audemarspiguet.com PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
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